The Life of Riley

Hello Pittsburgh—my hometown! Aren’t we all happy that summer is finally here?

So, three months have gone by since our last conversation. Life is as busy as always, but now that it’s summer, it’s a different kind of busy. With the children home, all schedules have changed and, in my opinion, for the better. Life is so much easier, with no schedules to keep up with, more lax bed times, etc. In general, life is just easier all around! As the old saying goes, “No more teachers, no more books...”

Summer means more time with my three little ones, and, as we mothers know, this is the time of the year when we become unofficial “camp counselors.” Personally, I like to keep it simple: pool, library, park, and repeat. My kids love it, and in between they’re outside in their own playland we make at home.

The kids need things to be simple, and so do I. But this summer, we are ramping up for our vacation to Italy. Luke and I talked about it and, although it’s a stretch for us, we want our children to see the world. So why not start with Italy?

Since we’re leaving in late June, I knew I had some work to do. So I decided to do a crash course in cultural emersion. Luke and I headed to Shadyside where, if you love Italian culture and food, there are two spots that more than cover those bases.

Our first stop was Molta Bella Ceramica on Walnut Street. Susan and Michael Bonidie are a brother and sister duo who travel throughout Italy and bring a little bit of it back home with them to Pittsburgh. Their Italian ceramics transport you right into the heart of Umbria, Tuscany, and the Amalfi Coast. I thought it might be a good idea to have my family dine with their beautiful dinnerware and serving pieces, in order to let the region sink in beforehand.

Next we strolled down the street for some great Italian food. After all, what is more Italian then the experience of dining? For the Itailan people, eating well is essential. One place that gets the whole experience right is Girasole on Copeland Street, right off Walnut. Patty and Jimmy Girasole open the doors of their home when you enter their restaurant, and both Luke and I felt like this was a sneak peek of what was to come.

Now onto another topic. It’s something BIG, and I wanted to give you the latest.

Remember in the last issue when I shared how my girlfriends and I had an enlightening encounter with a plastic surgeon? Well, we all followed through with Michael Kluska, the artistic plastic surgeon at the Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery.

For moral support, my friend Kate and I scheduled ours on the same day. And when I tell you it was good, that doesn’t even come close to how great the consultation was. The staff treated us like close friends, and it wasn’t a bit uncomfortable. Dr. Kluska is “The Man,” so to speak, and he really knows how to set you at ease. I guess that’s why they call him the “Michelangelo of Plastic Surgery.” We have our dates set for our procedures, and I for one am on the countdown. You know I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Love you guys. Love this city. Can’t wait to talk again. And as the Italians say, ciao.

– Riley

Related Links

• Molta Bella Ceramican
• Girasole on Copeland Street
• Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery