Uwishunu.com

If you’ve recently upgraded from college futon, fold-out “furniture” and are looking to revamp your cookie cutter IKEA look with some fabulous one-of-kind pieces, then you need to make a trip to Hello Home, the stylish home décor shop located on Pine Street on Antique Row. (And just to clear up any confusion, Hello World was previously located on 12th and Pine, but can now be found 10th and Pine) Along with the hop, skip and a jump change of location, owner and interior decorator, J. Lamancuso, appropriately changed the name from Hello World to Hello Home as the store’s goods focus on your casa (although he still carries fabulous bags, jewelry and other goodies to accessorize your persona).

Staying true to the Antique Row location, Hello Home is filled to the brim with mid century furniture and home décor accessories, from Andy Warhol plates, 1960′s international studio pottery, antique drawings and paintings, molded fiber glass chairs, a bevy of 60′s bar carts, not to mention a refurbished signed Paul McCobb planner group dresser, and many more home accoutrements that Lamancuso handpicks from estate sales and auctions (it’s like having your very own interior decorator).

Beyond the vintage, Hello Home will satisfy your modern love with an array of contemporary home décor, such as Trina Turk’s bold rugs, wasabi mint and bergamot tobacco candles, minimalist wooden menorahs, guitar ice cube trays, a plethora of vivid pillow, an entire display of tea forte, enough lamps to light up your life, and an endless amount of other décor accessories (vases, frames, etc) to turn your blank four wall box into a design blog worthy home.

Oh, and even though your eyes will be glued to the décor goodies, make sure to take a peek at the fabulous patterned ceiling!

Hello Home
1004 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.shophelloworld.com

The Oscuro Quintet

Pay no attention to what passes for tango on popular television. Think more along the lines of a genuinely passionate embrace with someone you feel an electric attraction to. Now the music carries you along, and that embrace melts and regrips, ebbs and flows into a dance that is both ferocious and tender. Sound good? It should.

Put a little more huggin’ up in your life with a free introductory tango lesson and dance performance with teachers from the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, accompanied an evening of sinuous neuvo tango performed by local favorites, The Oscuro Quintet. Tango DJs will continue the music well into the night… and it is all free.

Head to Goldstar Park at 6th & Wharton this Thursday at 6:30. Bring someone you love getting close to! Remember to take the time to dress up. Tango has the nerve to demand a certain elegance, and a sharp presentation helps put you in that tango state of mind. Do it!

Goldstar Park
6th & Wharton, Philadelphia, PA
www.goldstarpark.org

Cafe Clave is just another example of the old saying in real estate… location, location, location! Nestled into a small commercial strip on the 4300 block of Locust, which is home to other famed West Philly institutions such as Evan’s Pizza and Zagat-rated Koch’s Deli, Cafe Clave occupies the space formerly home to the Other Green Line cafe.

The Other Green Line has moved up the street to 45th to grow into a space three times the size, but this location was just too perfect for a coffeeshop, so nobody was surprised when another one opened up soon after the closing. Cafe Clave features Torro coffees and a strong Cuban theme in the art, music, and overall ambiance. This is the epitome of a neighborhood coffeeshop, and it shows when you walk in the door.

While most coffeeshops serve stale, overpriced bagels and pastries and mediocre coffee at best, Cafe Clave has smooth, rich blends that are reasonably priced. The food selection, while limited, is also worth checking out. Try some of the rotating flavors of cakes; don’t be afraid to ask your barista for a recommendation. The staff is well informed of all the choices they offer, and most have confessed that they have tried almost everything and have unabashed favorites.

Cafe Clave is open most mornings at 7am (8am on weekends) and stays open each night until 9pm. Wifi is free, and there’s two small tables outside seasonally for those who want to watch the world pass by as they sip their soy latte.

Cafe Clave
4305 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19176

It’s true what they say. There ain’t no cookin’ like your momma’s cookin’. The next best thing however, is the cookin’ at Sam’s Morning Glory Diner. A morning at MoGlo guarantees some delicious and filling home made dishes in a warm hand-painted yellow and blue space. Watch the staff cook up your breakfast as you sit at the bar in front of the semi-open kitchen or eat with your friends in one of their cozy booths.

Morning Glory makes virtually everything from scratch. Their jam, slightly smoky ketchup, buttery biscuits… you name it. The food is sure to please. The pancakes are fluffy and sweet and the banana-mango stuffed French toast and breakfast pizza are of epic proportions. If you like eggs order a frittata with any fixins you like, although the smoked salmon, goat cheese and spinach one is hard to beat.

The one downside to this homey spot is the wait for weekend brunch. The line starts early and usually entails at least a 20-minute wait in their outdoor patio area. Beat the line by arriving early or stop by during the week. They serve their brunch menu daily as well as a scrumptious lunch including classics like grilled cheese and turkey meatloaf SAM-wiches and tomato soup. You can also get more updated fare like a Grilled Ahi Tuna Blt. And don’t forget to save room for a slice of homemade pie!

Morning Glory Diner
735 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 413-3999

I have exacting standards when it comes to a bagel and lox platter. I expect it to include a nicely toasted bagel with plenty of cream cheese, at least four slices of salmon and plenty of veggies: tomato, onion, capers and lettuce are mandatory, cucumber and pepper slices are welcome as well. I don’t treat the vegetables like a garnish, to me they are an integral component of the lox and bagel experience and so there needs to be enough of them to cover both halves of the bagel thoroughly (a bite of everything on the bagel with every bite of the bagel).

I’ve eaten lox and bagel platters all over this fair city and have discovered one that not only meets my standards, but raises the bar. What’s more, I’ve eaten it at least once a month for the last five years, and it’s never been anything but wonderful. You can get this sublime platter Sunday mornings at Day by Day, a nondescript restaurant that sits on the northwest corner of 21st and Sansom. Day by Day is mostly a catering company, but they open their dining room for lunch Monday through Friday and for brunch on Sundays.

What makes this particular lox and bagel platter so wonderful is the care with which it is constructed. The ingredients are always top notch. In the summertime, they omit the generic romas you see above and swap in glorious local tomatoes. The peppers are fresh and crisp and the lettuce is deep green romaine (two full leaves, which makes for ample bagel coverage). And the lox they use (six full slices) is perfectly oily and rich. The whole thing adds up to a divine bagel brunch experience. I highly recommend it!

Day by Day
2101 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-5540

The sublime, labyrinthine passageways of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. (Photo by Albert Lee)

The first time I walked through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, I was instantly enchanted. Isaiah Zagar, South Street’s poet of the mosaic arts, crafted this exuberant and emotionally cohesive collection of bottles, bicycle spokes, tiles and anything else you can think of, spending several decades in this parking lot-turned-thing of beauty to bring it closer to completion. Today, the Gardens is nothing short of genius.

Haven’t visited? Well, you’re missing some of the best stuff in this city. And you can redeem yourself this weekend.

This Sunday, June 21st, the Magic Gardens is hosting its second annual Summer Solstice Festival from 2 until 10 p.m. The event kicks off with six hours of world music, drumming performances, artistic wood burning, storytelling, dance ensembles and more (2 to 8 p.m.). A DJ takes over for the final two hours for a Gardens-wide dance party (8 to 10 p.m.).

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided by Jim’s Steaks, Starbucks, La Fourno, Black and Brew, Gennaro’s and others.

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for kids. (more…)

If there are 3 words sure to get my attention (and raise excitement levels big-time) they are, without question: outdoor happy hour. Sipping cocktails, relaxing with friends, soaking up some rays… life really doesn’t get any better! My new favorite spot to do all of the above? The Terrace at 13, the laidback, breezy outdoor patio, just outside 13 Restaurant at the Marriott in Center City.

With bev specials that include $3 wines, $5 margs, and my personal fav, the $4 Leblon Breeze (pineapple juice and cranberry cachaca, served with a lime… mmm) it was hard to resist… especially as singer/guitarist Hal Aaron churned out easy-going summer anthems. “I take requests!” he announced, before launching into “Margaritaville.”

The appetizer list proved equally seductive: garlic chili shrimp, jerk chicken skewers, cheese steak hoagie pizza and more. I tried the shrimp and the beef empanadas and devoured both – the shrimp was sweet and tangy, and the empanadas fresh and flavorful. Dessert was mojito mango sorbet – light and refreshing!

I’ll definitely be returning to 13 for more summer cocktails soon – and next time, I’ll make sure to bring my friends. Before the shore or just after work – either way works for me!

“Before the Shore” Summer Cocktail Parties
Every Thursday, 5PM to 8PM

Terrace at 13
1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 625-6795

Drum circle at the Kimmel Center on the Solstice

Looking for something to do on the longest day of the year? (That’s June 20th for those of you not following the calendar.) Well, we’ve got an idea for you. The PSPCA and the Kimmel Center throw together a Summer Solstice party every year for this first day of summer celebration. This year, however, you can bring the whole family – including canines!

Appropriately named, a Yappy Hour takes place from 5:30-10:30pm on the Broad Street side of the Kimmel Center. For the first time ever, the Kimmel is bringing its restaurant, Cadence, street side for the Summer Solstice event, which is what allows you to bring your pooch along and eat outside. The menu includes a Doggie menu, and 10% of food sales and anything bought from the doggie menu will help build the PSPCA’s new dog park on Erie Ave. You are helping build a sanctuary for shelter dogs to play, exercise and relax from the stresses of a past abusive life.

Other things to do at this 15-hour event: day time face painting, chair massages, dance performances, nighttime club dancing, drag show, henna tattoos, tarot card readers, and more! There will be plenty of food, drinks and entertainment to fill the extra time on this longest day of 2009.

Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

Besides cheese steaks and Rocky, Philadelphia is known for its thriving historical sites and museums that shed light on American culture and politics. Although, why not avoid the tourists at Independence Hall this weekend and delve into a history that you haven’t had instant access to… the ancient Maya culture.

UPenn’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology are currently sharing their personal collection of Maya pottery and other artifacts via their exhibit, Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya, which opened up back in April. This new exhibit features over 150 ancient artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, incense burners, figurines, musical instruments and other historical pieces that were excavated over a century ago and have recently been restored and studied. These treasured pieces depict significant Maya traditions and political turmoil.

And if you’re looking for a hands on experience (yes, even in a museum), why not try to create your own painted metaphor with inked stamps of symbols and glyphs. Or maybe you’d like to give the art of restoration a try, by carefully assembling a broken Maya vessel with magnetic pieces.

Beyond the artifacts, this exhibit also offers audio, video and photos of more recent Maya life in the village of Chama. In essence, Painted Metaphors is expressing and preserving stories of the Maya culture.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.paintedmetaphors.org

The first thing that struck me when I met Jimmy, as we were paired together for the Dancing with the Philadelphia Stars charity event, was his friendliness. The same feeling struck me when I first walked into JimmyStyle, his Home Gift & Baby boutique on East Passayunk.

Sex & the City fans will love the blue walls, inspired by Carrie’s apartment, the giant “Love” painted on a wall from the same name key chain, and the famous movie playing in circle on a flat screen TV.

From candles and soaps to small furniture, from all-natural cake mixes to recycled shopping totes, the home gift section covers most of the boutique’s floor, and Jimmy proudly carries local products such as Duross + Langel beauty care and HughE Dillon greeting cards. But my favorite part is the “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” baby corner, with its cute and colorful baby collection… in French!

And because Jimmy got some style, JimmyStyle will soon have its own scent. In September, the boutique will partner with Duross + Langel to lauch the JimmyStyle Soap. For the occasion, the soap maker will come to East Passayunk and demonstrate his art on site.

Whether your budget is $5 or $500, check out JimmyStyle’s funky yet functional collection. You might find something to gift, something for yourself, or find a new inspirational messages on the chalkboard wall. Whatever you go with, you’ll do it in style.

JimmyStyle
1820 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
www.shopjimmystyle.com