Divertido – If you Need Russian, Chinese, Hebrew, French or Greek Building Blocks
Divertido means fun in Spanish.
Saturday afternoon I drove down to the Lawrenceville neighborhood to photograph this fun shop on Butler Street. I’d met the owner, Mary Ellen, when she attended the Christopher Jones house concert at my home last October so this had been on my “to do” list for a time. I knew visiting the store, photographing it and blogging it, would be a good project. Six months can fly by before you know it, though. I needed a college graduation card, too, so what better time to go shopping and blogging? The greeting cards are definitely out of the ordinary and this was a special one for my friend’s daughter.
I loved the Uncle Goose wooden building blocks with the different languages- French, Russian, Chinese, Hebrew and Greek were some of the languages represented.
Everything about the store is fun! The front windows with the swim noodles and inflatable swim rings as well as the trophies in aqua displaying the jewelry in a case are designed by Sean L. Miller.
The turquoise trophies took on a life of their own, like an installation art piece.
I took the window designer’s business card from the counter which has the words imprinted -Think Outside the Box. He definitely does and gets you thinking that way, too. The eye catching colors and design were so inviting.
Mary Ellen wasn’t sure she wanted her photograph taken but she graciously consented. Here she is in front of the counter with a cool, antique door on the front.
Thanks Mary Ellen. Another shot for my People at Work series.
You might have visited the store when it was down the street but Mary Ellen has been in business for nine years. And if you live out of town, no worries, she has online shopping at her website and you can LIKE her on the DIVERTIDO page on Facebook, too.
Architectural Mix at Doughboy Square
From the archives last September. Bike Pittsburgh is in the Art Deco looking building. Wilson’s BBQ is empty.
Jigsaw Rooftops
In Lawrenceville. As I walked over the 40th Street Bridge I looked up and saw all these houses packed so closely together.. There was no air between the rooftops. Reminded me of a difficult jigsaw puzzle.
Lawrenceville. Looking up from the 40th Street Bridge.
Winter River from 40th Street Bridge
And the birds flew up into the shot. I was wishing I had taken my new fingerless gloves from Christmas. Just left the Millvale Post Office (no line!) to mail Joanne’s Christmas box I’d been driving around for three weeks. And the cards that each needed an additional 5 cent stamp. As I came back over the Allegheny I saw the light stream down onto the city. Pulled into the Bus Stop indentation at the end of the bridge, put the flashers on and walked to the center. Fortunately the light was still there. Could have used a filter, too, but it was a stunning late afternoon in winter. Could feel the bridge vibrate as I stood out on the walkway.
All I needed was a barge to come up or down the river. Not today.
Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville
Butternut squash and leek risotto for the main course. Ordered the house salad first and excellent dressing arrived in the cruet. Delicious and not too crusty bread. We didn’t have a reservation but you can call Piccolo-Forno . We were lucky we got a table right away. No wait. It was bustling. Only drawback the surfaces reflect the din so it’s a bit loud. Food and service very good. To read a review click here.
Everything was delicious!
very good!
Shoestore Established 1854
Wagner’s Shoes in Lawrenceville. I bought discontinued Dansko clogs on sale. You know how I like to live in them all the time. Seems most shoe salespeople in shoestores disappear into the back and magically reappear with boxes. Here you can see the storeroom with the stacks of shoe boxes, right there. A tin ceiling way high. First time to shop in Wagner’s. The storefront has stained glass above the awning. Great service. 4313 Butler St (412) 682-2759. Scroll down for exterior view.
Check out the newspaper clippings.
Butler Street Lawrenceville
Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh PA- Old and New
When Steve drove me over to the Southside Wed night, I saw the old Children’s Hospital being demolished. On the outside of that exit door high in the sky, there’s a pink paper still hanging on the right wall. My daughter-in-law, Erika, was a nurse in the NICU at the old Children’s. Thursday on the way home from work I saw the new Children’s Hopsital as I sat in traffic on the Bloomfield Bridge. A helicopter about to land on the roof…
No More Beer Here!
Lawrenceville’s Historic (1861) Iron City Brewing now closed (click underlined name for links) According to the article the plan is shops, condos, a garage in the former stables. Beer production has moved to Latrobe. Stopped at a red light and a line of cars. Textures from the cobblestones & metal bridge, black paint peeling. Stone wall and a sign. Framed by the car window. Traffic behind me in the mirror. Afternoon light on metal and stone.
Cobblestone, stone wall, rusting metal trestle-textures everywhere.
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