Plus, an artist-guided gallery tour, wine, & puzzles!
October 2021
The Salon Studio Issue
Embracing Seasonal Shifts & Positive Growth
Hi there,
If you’ve been filled with positive energy and a lingering desire to break down old structures and habits, you’re not alone. This past Wednesday marked the first full moon of the autumn season (it’s also known as the Full Blood Moon), and it’s known to bring with it a shift in mindset, one that evokes transformative change and positive growth. And its arrival at the beginning of our transition to fall couldn’t come at a better time.
For me, this seasonal change has meant slowing down, taking time for myself, practicing positive affirmations, and introducing new routines into my days. Lately, I’ve been swapping coffee for calming teas, curling up under a blanket with a good book, soaking in a hot bath with a candle, and reminding myself to embrace what my soul needs.
As the leaves start to turn from green to yellow, red, and orange, I find it’s important to switch up my space, too. Like a lot of others, I struggle with mental health and feelings of depression during the colder months. So, during this shift, I’ve learned to make a few adjustments to ensure my space feels warm, comfortable, safe, and productive throughout fall and winter.
Recently, I’ve also spent a few days at The Salon’s beautiful, sun-filled studio at Arsenal Motors. It’s provided a much-needed opportunity to get out of the house and a respite from my normal weekly routine. The comfy couches and peaceful atmosphere don’t hurt, either. H/T to local interior designer and Salon member Colleen Simonds for bringing the studio’s design to life.
The best part? Salon members can stop by anytime to work, connect, and meet with friends (don’t worry, we still have Covid protocols in place) — it’s just one of the many perks of a Salon membership. Stop by and check it out anytime. Hope to see you at the studio soon!
Until next week,
—Meredith
Love our newsletter? Let us know by sharing it on Instagram and tagging us @TheSalonPGH.
The Salon Studio: A Place For The Unexpected
Have you ever walked into a space and felt an overwhelming sense of ease and excitement — like you’re meant to be there? Well, that’s what it’s like walking into The Salon’s Studio. Tucked away in a private space in Arsenal Motors in Lawrenceville, the cozy, couch-lined room with expansive windows, and a cheery, flower-adorned wallpaper is the perfect place to settle in to get work done, enjoy a few distraction-free moments, or gather with fellow females over tea or coffee.
And we have local interior designer Colleen Simonds to thank for the space’s elevated aesthetic. A talented creator with over 15 years of experience, Colleen specializes in spaces that are sophisticated but laidback, stylish and clean, warm and inviting. That’s exactly how she approached The Salon Studio, transforming it into a welcoming place for events, conversation, and collaboration.
Meet Colleen Simonds
How a space FEELS, not just looks, is very important to me. I want to walk into a room and feel something, experience something — ideally — joy, warmth, comfort, welcome, optimism, energy... or some combination of those things!
When you start any design project, you have to work with what you have. For The Salon’s Studio, we have 14' ceilings, a huge expanse of windows, and a small footprint — with the opportunity for intimacy. Given that this is a women's space, I wanted to bring some feminine energy — but not too much, and not in a cliched way. I needed an element that would immediately bring warmth and yes — a bit of a wow factor. We needed comfortable and flexible furniture that invites people to relax and linger, and small cafe tables for laptops and independent work.
Ultimately, I hope it's a cheerful, uplifting space that makes you feel good, invites you to stay longer, and to experience the power of the community The Salon is creating.
— Colleen Simonds
Our Studio space isn’t just for Salon events and members — it’s open to anyone looking for an intimate space to host a memorable get-together. All you have to do is contact us to coordinate a reservation. Get in touch here!
Join The Salon
Fall in love with local. Through events, collaborative space, and our newsletter, The Salon is a way to discover Pittsburgh through its people. Learn about the best spots, events, and movements in the city from the entrepreneurs, artists, organizers, and friends that make up our vibrant community.
Work away from home. Home away from home. Our events, conversations, and moments of inspiration all happen at Arsenal Motors — a beautiful co-working space in Lawrenceville designed to make you feel at home while you do your best work.
There are not enough opportunities for BIPOC women to connect in Pittsburgh. If you self-identify as a woman of color, join us in building community and uplifting each other. Open and free for all. Register here!
Join us for a Salon excursion to Zynka Gallery for a tour of their latest exhibit, “Seeking Sanctuary” led by the artist herself — Mia Tarducci. Mia will guide us through her exhibition of bold, colorful abstract expressionist paintings, give some insight into her inspiration and creative process, and share what it's like juggling a career as a full-time artist while being a single mom to four. It’s sure to be an exhilarating and entertaining evening you don’t want to miss. Register here!
Parenting preteens and teens can f**king complicated. It’s a maze of constantly changing emotions and trends that you can’t keep up with. Join Salon member Susan Berman Kress and other Pittsburgh parents every second Monday of the month for our Parenting Adolescents Circle where you can vent, cry, and check in with yourself. Register here!
Are you a woman in education charging through uncharted territory and wondering if you are alone? Join Salon member Stephanie Lewis and other women educators on the first Tuesday of every month for an evening of networking and community. Register here!
We live in a time when it matters more than ever to give ourselves permission to slow down and embrace the whole of ourselves and our lives. Join us for an intimate Salon conversation with Melissa A. Butler as she debuts her new book, How to Notice: Expand Your Experience of Everyday Life. Learn from an expert what it means to ‘notice’ and how this is possible in small moments with ordinary things. Free and open to all. Register here.
Join us for an evening of wine and puzzles with Salon member Ali Pokorny and her local jigsaw puzzle company, Puzz. We'll be putting a new twist on the event, forming teams to complete Puzz's new 500-piece puzzle! We'll also be uncorking delicious natural wines so you can sip while you work. The winning team members will get to take home their very own puzzle. See you there for a night of relaxing, mingling, and getting lost in the fun of a classic pastime. Register here!
Go deep with author Melissa Butler on a guided Saturday morning walk! Inspired by her new book How to Notice: Expand Your Experience of Everyday Life, Melissa will guide us (outside if weather permits) how to find, notice, wonder, imagine, reflect, and feel our way into a process by noticing everyday things that can surprise, delight, and offer personal discovery. Limited to 20 participants. Event registration includes a signed copy of Melissa’s new book! Register here!
Also ICYMI...
love, Pittsburgh, 💖has opened its third location in The Strip! The woman-owned boutique features a curated selection of gifts, home goods, and more made exclusively by local artists and makers. 🎁
The theatre is back. 🎭 This Saturday, settle in at Point Park University’s PNC Theatre for And So We Walked, An Artist’s Journey Along the Trail of Tears. The powerful story recounts the 900-mile journey of DeLanna Studi, a Cherokee performance artist and activist, along the Trail of Tears as she tries to understand her own identity and the conflicts of her nation. 🏞️
You had me at pizza and wine. 🍕Introducing MOB, a new restaurant in Mount Oliver Bodega specializing in thick-cut pizza, seasonal dishes, wine, cocktails, and spirit-free beverages. 🍷
Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation has officially kicked off registration for its free, customizable Friendsgiving Rainbow Turkey bags 🏳️🌈 for members of the Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ community. Each bag comes with a turkey or ham (veg options available) and all the fixins. 🍗 🥧
Ideas for unwinding this weekend...
📖 What we’re reading: Baby Teeth by Pittsburgh author Zoje Stage. The psychological thriller and international bestseller tells the story of a seemingly normal family and a mute daughter with a dark side.
🎧 What we’re listening to: Yinz Are Good, a podcast hosted by Tressa Glover that celebrates good deeds and good people to remind us that kindness and compassion still exist.
📼 What we’re watching: Adventureland, a coming-of-age comedy starring Kristen Stewart about a college graduate who takes a summer job at a local amusement park. The movie was filmed at our very own Kennywood.
