PITTSBURGH

NOTHING beats hanging out with your girlfriends. Unless it's hanging with them while shopping in a city. And that's exactly what we did on a fine Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, hitting areas such as Shadyside, Oakland and the South Side.

We put our Shadyside brunch plans on hold once we saw how popular the crepe place was and checked out some of the shops. Besides the typical Banana Republic and Pottery Barn, which are fine in a mall but not necessarily what we were looking for on our adventure, Walnut Street holds some neat stores on and just off its pavement path. Note: Most open at noon on Sunday.

Kawaii Gifts is a store I'm coming back to for stocking stuffers. Funky items such as candles in the shape of sushi and laundry soap entitled "Repent" to clean your soul were some of the quirky offerings in the little psuedo-alleyway business. Other items include Hello Kitty brand gifts., Asian clothing and accessories and gum for those who talk to much, for those who wear mullets and for naughty girls.

Of course we weren't naughty so we headed down the street to find some spiritual insights in Journeys of Life gift and book store, just off Walnut on Bellefonte Street. Unique chimes, items focusing on angels, fairies and cats and glitter dust were some of the fun offerings to feed the soul.

My friends and I were especially moved by many of the wall hangings, stones and cards with soul-nurturing sayings. My personal favorite was finding cards and bookmarks with the day of the month we were born on and the meanings to go with it. I was born on the first day of a month, which made me a trailblazer.