Uwishunu.com

Inside the Please Touch Museum, Photo courtesy the Please Touch Museum

There are a lot of festivities going on in the area for New Year’s Eve (seriously, just check out this tag), but for Philadelphians with munchkins running around, it might be hard to partake in the wild, city nightlife.

Luckily, the Please Touch Museum has their annual Countdown to Noon to keep you and the little ones busy. They’ve got two countdowns scheduled, one at noon and another at 1pm to accommodate the crowd.

The countdown isn’t just limited to a large clock and screaming out numbers. Live music, a mini-Mummers parade, a family dance party, and a special ceremony led by King Countdown (the museum’s official Countdown Marshall) are just a handful of the activities the Please Touch Museum has planned.

The Museum will be open from 9am to 3pm on New Year’s Eve, and will be closed New Year’s Day. For more info on the Please Touch Museum, be sure to visit their official website.

Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Discover how you can find each of these great gifts, in the list below!

1. Single Handed Ink Key Rack

Help the forgetful one on your list and help them stay organized with this fun and edgy key rack.

Nestology at King Of Prussia Mall or Etsy.Com, $25

2. Single Handed Ink Hanger

Her New Year’s dress shouldn’t be the only thing adding style to her closet. Keep your fashionista happy with these unique hangers.

Nestology at King of Prussia Mall or Etsy.com, $25

3. Reese Forbes Nike Toy, a Pink Bear Called “Veil Specimen,” & “Dunny” Toy

These fun collectibles are great table toppers and conversation starters.

Reese Forbes Nike Toy at Abakus (227 North 10th Street), $30

Pink bear called “Veil Specimen” at strangeco.com, $25

“Dunny” toy at kidrobot.com, $7

Check out the rest of the list after the jump.

(more…)

Boutique shopping in Rittenhouse Square, Photo by K. Ciappa

I love post-holiday shopping. The discounts on Christmas candy, the deals on overstocked merchandise, I even like picking up cheap holiday decorations to use next year. However, I greatly dislike the epic lines in shopping malls and the shoving & pushing in department stores.

Luckily, this year, post-holiday shoppers (like myself) can swing by the “Shopt Out” Pop-Up Shop, a temporary store that’ll open at 1528 Walnut Street. Created by the folks behind Moko in Old City, the temporary store promises 40% to 80% off designer labels, accessorries, and other merchandise on Saturday, December 26th, through Tuesday, December 29th.

Some of the designer labels up for grabs include Opening Ceremony, Corey Lynn Calter, 3.1 Phillip Lim, bags by Christopher Kon, Vanessa Bruno, Paul & Joe Sister accessories and shoes by F Troupe and Sigerson Morrison. Boutiques like Reward, Philly 360 favorite Sevilla Smith and Petulia’s Folly will also be in the mix.

So swing by, shop, and don’t miss the opening night party on Saturday. From 5pm to 9pm, Triumph will dish out appetizers, Pinot Boutique will be pouring their specialty Pinot-Tini, and Tarte are supplying pastries. Mmm!

Update: According to the Philly Style Blog, the entrance to the shop isn’t at 1528 Walnut Street, and is around the corner on 16th St. below Walnut, between the Starbucks and the Kaplan test place. See their blog for pictures.

Hours
Dec 26th, Sat: 10am – 8pm
Dec 27th, Sun: Noon – 5pm
Dec 28th & 29th, Mon & Tues: 10am – 6pm

IKE, Photo courtesy World Cafe Live

Tomorrow night, Philadelphia favorites IKE are throwing a CD release show at World Cafe Live. Attendees will receive a free copy of the band’s latest album, Where To Begin with admission, and the album has a pretty wild story behind it.

The group recorded the new album in a haunted studio in South Philadelphia. The group experienced encounters with ghosts and some mysterious voices somehow worked their way onto the album during mixing. They kept the voices in the album. To listen to some tracks, visit the band’s Myspace.

The group is joined by The Jealousy Curve, Pawnshop Roses, and The MLMs. General admission is $14.

IKE CD Release Show @ WCL
Saturday, December 26, 2009

World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com

Tomorrow night, Christmas Eve, Paradiso Restaurant & Wine Bar will be serving a traditional Italian American “Feast of the Seven Fishes” dinner. This special dinner is served on a prix fixe menu, at $65 a person.

This traditional feast consists of seven different seafood dishes, and Paradiso has quite the menu lined up. From seafood risotto to stuffed calamari, the menu has a little bit of everything.

The meal is available Thursday, December 24th from 5pm to 10pm. The normal menu won’t be available, but the chef will prepare a fillet for anyone who doesn’t want to eat fish, as well as chicken parm for kids. Reservations are encouraged.

I’ve got the menu pasted after the jump. Have a look.

Paradiso Restaurant
1627 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148-1121
(215) 271-2066
www.paradisophilly.com

(more…)

Proudly catering to curvy girls, Nikki London carries fashion-forward styles in sizes 12-24. Try the personalized “Style Me” service: Simply call ahead and the shop’s stylists will pull together an edited mix of clothing based on the occasion. Expect to find glamorous dresses, skirts and tops from the likes of Kiyonna, Donna Ricco, Trentacosta, Svoboda, Eliza J and Igigi. (Photo by R. Kennedy)

Nikki London [Official Site]

Book a sofa in the lounge for $25 a person on New Year's Eve, Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

Positano Coast, that wonderful Italian restaurant in Old City, is whipping up a little something special this New Year’s Eve, inviting guests to welcome 2010 in style.

Starting at 10:30pm, guests can enjoy a no-cover party, complete with DJ, party favors, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. If you’d like to relax in Positano’s cozy lounge area, guests can reserve couches for the cover of $25 a person.

Folks with reserved seats in the lounge get a complimentary cocktail, as well as access to the party and free champagne. I recommend the Lemon Drop, Positano’s signature cocktail. It is delicious.

There’s even a special limited a la carte menu, created specially for this night. Selections include:

- Grilled Mahi & Shrimp
- Pan Roasted 16 oz. Prime NY Strip
- Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto
- Zucchini Flatbread
- Grilled Octopus
- Wild Boar Ragu
- Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder
- Pan-Seared Branzino

Can’t make the festivities on New Year’s Eve, but still want to visit? Positano Coast will be open for dinner on New Year’s Day at 4pm.

Positano Coast
212 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 238-0499
www.lambertis.com

Longwood Gardens' fountains, lit up for the holidays. Photos courtesy Longwood Gardens

From family parties to visits with friends, cookie baking to shopping and wrapping, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We should all take a little time out to appreciate the spectacular sights and sounds of the season, and Longwood Gardens is just the ticket.

There’s nothing like an impressive display of adorned Christmas trees and sparkling twinkle lights to get into the holiday spirit. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is the perfect place for that. I hadn’t been there in several years, so this time around felt like my first time all over again.

The Conservatory is a sight to see, from the enormous Christmas trees decorated just perfectly, to the colorful flowers and plants from all over the world filling every nook and cranny. Being a self-proclaimed beach lover, I was particularly amazed by the tropical Hibiscus flower and palm tree exhibits.

The outdoor light displays in The Gardens, though, are by far my favorite. The season comes alive as more than a half-million lights illuminate the Longwood forest. You definitely won’t want to miss the brightly colored dancing fountain shows either (pictured), which run throughout the evening.

If you get hungry or just want a cup of hot chocolate, there are plenty of great options. If you’re in the mood for finer dining, you can visit 1906, a formal, full-service dining room which serves local fruits, vegetables and meats. For a less expensive meal or snack, you can try The Café, featuring local salads, soups, hot entrees kids’ meals and pastries.

Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 388-1000
www.longwoodgardens.org

Next Thursday, December 31st, the Philadelphia In The Movies Film Tour is heading out on two special New Year’s Eve  runs. The first tour runs from 3pm to 5:30pm, the second from 8:30pm to 11pm, ending at Penn’s Landing in time for the two fireworks shows. Nice!

Guests aboard the tour bus will check out the locations of over 25-made-in Philadelphia films, viewing the actual movie clip on the bus while driving by the movie site. You’ll scope out the locations used in Rocky, The Sixth Sense, 12 Monkeys, National Treasure, Philadelphia, Invincible, and the current hit show Cold Case.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for children. For more information, visit the official website for the Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour.

Outside White Dog Cafe, Photo by L. Carswell for GPTMC

Brunch at the White Dog Cafe. Mmm! Just the thought sends my tastebuds wild. Easily one of my favorite places to eat in University City, the White Dog is known for their fantastic meals, dedication to locally grown ingredients, and wonderful events. And this New Year’s Day, the White Dog continues an annual tradition.

On Friday, January 1st, the White Dog is hosting their Pajama Party Brunch, the 26th one in a row. The special brunch takes place from 10:30am to 2:30, with live music from Greg Wright (a favorite Mummer who plays a mean banjo) and Max Apsley playing sing-along songs on the piano.

And the menu, in traditional White Dog fashion, looks incredible.

- Apple Cider Pumpkin Bisque.
- House Made Belgian Waffles with Sugar Cane Roasted Heirloom Apples, Wet Walnuts, Ginger Scented Whipped Cream and Cider Maple Syrup.
- Seven Stars Yogurt Parfait with Morello Cherry Puree, Organic Granola and Citrus Scented Seasonal Berries.
- Crème Brulee Brioche French Toast with Mexican Vanilla Bean Custard, Candied Marcona Almonds, Sun Dried Cherries and Organic Strawberries.
- Chihuahua Steak and Eggs, featuring a duet of Sunny Side Cage Free Eggs, Jack & Cheddar Cheese, Griddled Fresh Corn Tortillas, Sliced Painted Hills Steak, Black Bean Salsa and Ranchero Sauce.
- Smoked Turkey Salad Sandwich with Green Meadow Farms Smoked Turkey Breast, Sun Dried Cherries, Candied Walnuts and Lancaster Heirloom Apples on Brioche

So swing by. Just don’t get dressed up. This is a pajama party, after-all.

The White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-9224
www.whitedog.com