In honor of my first LeboLife blog post, I’m sharing a day in the life of a post-college grad Mt. Lebanon native.
I started the morning off with coffee at Needle & Bean, a combination coffee shop and record store on Castle Shannon Boulevard. My sibling, Chloe, is tagging along for the day. Before we could even think about our coffee order (although I am a creature of habit when it comes to my coffee selections, so not too much thinking would be required), we were taken aback with the extensive record selection.
They had everything from Clario to Cocteau Twins, Smashing Pumpkins to Snail Mail, and Metallica to Mac Miller. A designated holder showed the record they were playing in the shop, which was a cool added element. Today was Jack Johnson’s album “In Between Dreams,” which oddly enough we were listening to in the car on the way there!
Needle & Bean is also stocked with trinkets galore: blind boxes, candles, novelty mugs and the cutest stickers. We finally made our way to the counter to order our drinks. Their summer seasonal menu had a plethora of specialty drinks like the “Brass Monkey,” a homemade toasted coconut and banana caramel drink with espresso and coconut milk.
I decided on a caramel and oat milk latte (a shocker to no one who knows me) and Chloe got a decaf chrysanthemum and jasmine latte, as well as some stickers for the road. This was my first time trying Needle & Bean and I will definitely be swinging back there soon! Although I do wish there was more of a food selection, the coffee was delicious: not too sweet, not too bitter.
From Needle & Bean we went one door over to Grey Parrot Consignment Gallery. I love all things fashion. I’m always on the hunt for vintage clothes and a regular at the Goodwill on Banksville Road. Before you enter the store, there are racks full of clearance clothes and shoes on the sidewalk. Grey Parrot was an oasis of deals and sales. Loads of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and a brooch that looked like a walrus were all 20 percent off.
I think I underestimated how big the store actually was, with three different sections to explore full of clothes, designer bags, shoes and a wall of hats. I also dug up some Y2K classics: a pair of Miss Me and True Religion jeans! Unfortunately they were not my size, but they were both only 28 dollars each which is nothing compared to the overpriced ones at Buckle. I ended up buying a pair of gold hoops with a small green gem in the center for only 8 dollars because of the discount.
After working up an appetite, we made our way to Mediterra on Beverley Road for a bite to eat. They serve breakfast until 3, so we decided to have a little breakfast for lunch moment! As always, Mediterra was stuffed to the brim. Every seat on the outside patio was full of people (and their dogs) chatting and enjoying the weather.
At the pastry counter I ordered a chocolate croissant and a blueberry scone to-go for my mom, while Chloe got a zebra cake. We both ordered the “Breakfast of Champions” which is two eggs any way you like (sunny side up for the win), bacon, avocado and toast with jam and butter on the side.
To end the day off right, I headed back to Beverly Road with my friend Sandy for drinks at Mullet’s. The atmosphere is very laidback and almost reminds me of a not-so-secret speakeasy. The staff is always friendly and helpful when picking out a drink. Sandy decided on the Brinal Straw, a drink consisting of Motelobo’s mezcal, strawberry, pickled jalapeño, lime, saline and hot pepper bitters. My all-time favorite drink is an Aperol Spritz, so I asked if they had anything similar to that and the waiter suggested the very refreshing French 75 with Hendricks gin, sugar, lemon and Prosecco.
For dinner we ordered spinach and artichoke dip for the table, a chicken sandwich and fries for me, and a smash-burger and fries for Sandy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to take a picture of our meal because right when it came on the table we inhaled it!
Throughout the day, we ate, we drank, we chatted, we shopped and we enjoyed each other’s company — Mt. Lebanon is the perfect place to do it all. Go out and indulge in all the spots you’ve never tried, even if you end up ordering the same iced latte with oat milk and caramel.