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SPEAKING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE: alisha johns

portrait photo by:    

Klay Abele

  |   text by:  

 

 

Carrie Waller

A MONTHLY SHOPPING GUIDE FROM LOCALS WE LOVE, IN CITIES WE CAN’T WAIT TO SPLURGE IN.

Meet 

 

ALISHA JOHNS

 

, the Founder & Creative Director of 

 

lishylishy

 

, and this month’s ‘Local Language’ shopping spotlight! 

One glance through   Alisha’s Instagram feed  , and you’ll see just what we mean when we say that this self-proclaimed “color lover” has mastered bold style. Working professionally as both a creative strategist and a painter, she rarely shies away from the finer things in life, and has made it her unofficial mission to craft and cultivate a sense of fun wherever she goes. Happily for us, her Pittsburgh-based shopping routine also boasts a fun mentality. Read on for Alisha’s storefront tour, including a recommendation for the best macarons in town, plus her favorite source for global goodies.

SPEAKING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE: alisha johns

portrait photo by:  

Klay Abele

 |  text by:

 

Carrie Waller

A MONTHLY SHOPPING GUIDE FROM LOCALS WE LOVE, IN CITIES WE CAN’T WAIT TO SPLURGE IN.

Meet 

ALISHA JOHNS

, the Founder & Creative Director of 

lishylishy

, and this month’s ‘Local Language’ shopping spotlight! 

One glance through  Alisha’s Instagram feed , and you’ll see just what we mean when we say that this self-proclaimed “color lover” has mastered bold style. Working professionally as both a creative strategist and a painter, she rarely shies away from the finer things in life, and has made it her unofficial mission to craft and cultivate a sense of fun wherever she goes. Happily for us, her Pittsburgh-based shopping routine also boasts a fun mentality. Read on for Alisha’s storefront tour, including a recommendation for the best macarons in town, plus her favorite source for global goodies.

BLUEBIRD KITCHEN
221 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA

Bluebird Kitchen is located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, in Market Square. Among dozens of other fast, casual lunch spots in the area, Bluebird stands out with its sleek yet homey interior and freshly made entrees and baked goods. From roast beef paninis and soups, to decadent layer cakes and macarons, specialties are locally sourced and absolutely fabulous. They also have plenty of options for gluten-free gals like me. Just last week I had homemade paella topped off with a raspberry and buttercream macaron for dessert. Can a quick workday lunch break get any better?

NUMBER FOURTEEN
4601 Butler St. Pittsburgh, PA

“Dream-like” is the best way to describe Number Fourteen, a chic clothing boutique in Pittsburgh’s revitalized Lawrenceville neighborhood. Pink tissue poms hang across exposed brick, vintage hotel bell carts are adorned with sweet frocks, a blue bicycle doubles as the bathroom sink, and the floor tiles even spell out “ooh la la.” In addition to wardrobe staples and statements, Number Fourteen also boasts the sweetest accessories and gift items, including my favorite Ban.do goodies. Even if shoppers are unable to stop in for a visit, just scrolling through the @no.14_boutique Instagram feed  is like being transported to a retail wonderland.

HOT HAUTE HOT
2124 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA

Nestled among the restaurants and markets of Pittsburgh’s bustling Strip District neighborhood, Hot Haute Hot is a mecca for décor lovers looking for eclectic and industrial finds from around the globe. After exploring the colorful mix of home accents, gifts, and jewelry on the main floor, shoppers can make their way to the basement showroom where they’re met with vibrant and bold furnishings and fixtures. This space changes frequently and is home to striking and original finds. Some favorites from my most recent trip include a bottle chandelier and a pop art painting of Abe Lincoln. 

TOADFLAX

5500 Walnut St. Pittsburgh, PA

 Walking into Toadflax is like walking into a Garden oasis—but with Kiehl’s and Kate Spade tucked around each corner. Every step through this quaint floral and gift shop in the upscale neighborhood of Shadyside leads you to another treasure. Diptyque candles fill a chic wooden armoire, Christian Lacroix stationery peeks out from behind ferns, and the checkout counter doubles as a floral arrangement wrapping station to prepare all of their beautiful blooms for gifting. It’s a must-see for floral and décor lovers alike.