February 8, 2012
Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, pictured here at their newest restaurant Jamonera, are pulling out all the stops for Valentine's Day this year. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
Valerie Safran and Chef Marcie Turney are making it easy to whittle down your Valentine’s Day checklist with limited-time offerings from their six 13th Street boutiques and restaurants.
Complete your Valentine’s Day shopping in one fell swoop by perusing the gifts at Verde and Open House. Both boutiques are carrying the entrepreneurs’ We Heart Philly gift line, with mugs, necklaces, tees, and totes emblazoned with Philadelphia’s LOVE icon, an appropriate sentiment for Tuesday’s romantic holiday.
In addition, Verde is freshly-stocked with jewelry, women’s accessories and special V-Day Marcie Blaine chocolates, while fresh flower bouquets will be available in store from February 11-14.
With your shopping finished, make a reservation at Barbuzzo, Lolita or the newly-opened Jamonera. Special Valentine’s Day menus, priced at $45-$65 per person, are guaranteed to spark romance (and give you a break from washing the dishes).
And leave room for dessert, because from February 11-14, Verde will offer to-go packs Barbuzzo’s crazy-popular budino, a creamy butterscotch custard with a dark chocolate crust. Forget sharing, the dessert will be specially-priced at $15 for a pack of two.
Valentine’s Day 2012 on 13th Street [We Heart Philly]
February 8, 2012
Lucky Magazine has crowned Philadelphia one of the 25 top cities for shopping in the entire country, thanks to excellent boutiques like Kimberly, located in Rittenhouse. (Photo courtesy Kimberly Boutique)
Huge news for Philadelphia’s retail scene: Lucky Magazine recently released its list of the 25 best cities for shopping in the country, and Philadelphia is included!
Check out what they had to say about Philly: “Why We Love It: Most malls and shopping centers are a highway’s drive away, making the city itself a haven for pockets of small boutique shopping. Also, there’s no sales tax on clothing.”
Specific boutiques they highlight include the venerable Joan Shepp, Arcadia Boutique, Knitwit and Kimberly Boutique, all in Rittenhouse.
We adore each of their picks, but be sure to include Old City’s 3rd Street, Northern Liberties, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, University City and other enclaves around the city in your shopping trips.
Check out Lucky’s full guide to Philadelphia shopping here. And Visit Philly has you covered with a comprehensive shopping guide here.
Congrats to all the magnificent local shops and boutiques on much-deserved praise from one of the industry’s major authorities.
The 25 Best Cities for Shopping [Lucky]
February 3, 2012
Make Valentine's Day extra sweet this year with chocolate from a local Philadelphia sweets shop, like Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates in Midtown Village. (Photo by Julie Davis)
You’ve put in your order for a dozen red roses, but one critical element is still missing from your Valentine’s Day gift line-up: chocolate.
That Whitman’s sampler will do in a pinch, but treats from local Philly sweets shops are guaranteed to make your sweetheart’s tastebuds do a back flip, whether they’re craving decadent truffles, old-fashioned taffy or chocolate-dipped bacon.
Check out our top picks for Valentine’s Day chocolate in Philadelphia, below:
• Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates: Midtown boutique Verde is home to Marcie Blaine Artisinal Chocolates, where Chef Marcie Turney churns out chocolates made from locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Exotic spices make their way into the chef’s popular boxed chocolates, while creamy caramels and barks combine the earthy flavor of cocoa with nuts, dried fruit, granola and the occasional sprinkling of sea salt.
• Shane Confectionery: Old City’s newly reopened Shane Confectionery delivers a taste of the past with house-made, old fashioned confections that continue the American candy-making traditions of the early 20th Ccentury. Gift your sweetie with taffies and buttercreams made from century-old recipes, or opt for something more modern, like chocolate dipped bacon.
• Philly Chocolate: At this Walnut Street chocolate shop, your traditional gourmet boxed chocolates and decadent desserts are displayed alongside imaginative delights, like rice cereal treats, Oreos, Twizzlers and Swedish Fish, all drenched in white, milk or dark chocolate.
• John & Kira’s: Whether you choose John & Kira’s best-selling 28-piece Valentine’s Day Chocolate Box, or decide on their hand-painted chocolate bees and lady bugs, your sweetheart’s tastebuds will be tickled by the confections’ sustainably harvested ingredients, some of which are sourced locally. You can also pick up John and Kira’s Chocolate Covered Cherries at Di Bruno Bros.
• Lore’s Chocolates: With more than 100 varieties of chocolate piled high under the glass at Lore’s Chocolates, you may have a hard time deciding on just one. Our advice: Take home a little bit of everything, or ask for a sample, and allow your tastebuds to do the decision-making for you.
• Teuscher: Stop into The Shops at the Bellevue for Teuscher’s decadent Swiss chocolates. Red, heart-shaped boxes enclose truffles of assorted flavors, but Teuscher’s signature champagne truffle, made with Dom Perginon and a dark chocolate cream ganache, is the real star of the show.
• Max Brenner: Throw a log on the fire, cuddle up with your special someone, and indulge in Max Brenner’s Chocolate Fondue Tower for two. Or pamper the serious chocolate lover with Max Brenner’s Chocolate Spa Gift Set, which includes everything from cocoa nib sugar scrub and vanilla-infused handcream to mouth-watering, nutty chocolates.
• Chocolate by Mueller: Put a smile on their face with Chocolate by Mueller’s fun molded confections, like anatomically-correct hearts, brains, and noses crafted from yummy, rich chocolate. This Reading Terminal Market vendor also makes more traditional offerings, like fruit and nut clusters, turtles, and a large selection of sugar free treats.
February 1, 2012
Pileggi Boutique on Washington Square is hosting “Men’s Night Out” on Thursday, February 2 from 5-8 p.m. The store will be assisting men with their Valentine’s Day shopping for their girlfriend, wife or loved one. The event will include light apps, WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey Cocktails, a DJ and a silent auction. Gift certificates will also be available, and for every $100 spent an additional $25 will be added. Bonus: Pileggi will donate a portion of the evening sales to The Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation. [Pileggi Boutique]
January 31, 2012
Philadelphia-based Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co. has developed a major following creating and selling authentic, vintage-inspired sports apparel for more than 100 years.
Now the classic sports brand presents its 17th Annual Winter Sale at the Philadelphia flagship store in Center City.
For four days only, February 1-4, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., all men’s and women’s branded and vintage inspired team apparel and headwear will be 50% off.
Stock up on limited-edition outerwear, T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, hats and jerseys before they’re gone (and they will go fast).
And with the Sixers’ and Flyers’ seasons in full gear and the Phillies home opener around the corner, it’s a perfect time to pick up hometown gear.
Mitchell & Ness 17th Annual Winter Sale
Where: 1201 Chestnut Street
When: February 1-4, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.mitchellandness.com
January 30, 2012
Free People makes an excellent addition to the Walnut Street shopping stronghold in Center City. (Photo courtesy Free People)
This past Friday, January 27, marked the official opening date of the Philadelphia area’s third Free People store, after locations in King of Prussia and Ardmore.
Adding to the appeal of Walnut Street’s popular shopping corridor, the Philadelphia-based label has found a home at 1625 Walnut Street, and is just steps away from sister stores Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.
Formerly home to Newman Galleries, Free People’s new 3,956-square-foot, bi-level space has been revamped to reflect the brand’s signature bohemian-chic vibe. The walls of the loft-like space were whitewashed to emphasize the texture of their original brick and plaster construction, while the storefront’s large, floor-to-ceiling window fills the space with natural light, adding to the open, airy aesthetic.
Pops of color occupy every corner of the store, from the organic-inspired mobiles dangling from the ceiling to the dressing rooms’ painted murals, supplied by Philadelphia artists.
Store hours at Free People Walnut are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free People
1625 Walnut Street
www.freepeople.com
January 26, 2012
Take advantage of the massive winter sale to stock up on on-trend clothes, accessories and more.
(Photo courtesy Arcadia)
Arcadia’s first annual Winter Attic Sale & Spring Pre-Sale is set for this Friday, January 27-Sunday, January 29 upstairs in the shop’s Rittenhouse Square location.
Arcadia’s annual Summer Warehouse sale in Northern Liberties (its other site) has always been such a hit they decided to run a Fall/Winter version and bring the fun to the Rittenhouse crowd.
The sale will include 50-75% off all Fall and Winter 2011 styles, plus a clearance section of clothing and accessories that starts at $20.
And, for anyone already dreaming of Spring (like us) nab 15% off all new spring styles in both store locations. There will be plenty of great sale items for the guys as well.
Can’t make it in person? Use code SPRAYTAN to receive 15% off site-wide this weekend only.
Arcadia Boutique’s Winter Attic Sale & Spring Pre-Sale
Where: 265 S. 20th Street and 819 N. 2nd Street
When: Friday, January 27-Sunday, January 29
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.arcadiaboutique.com
January 24, 2012
There will soon be a new addition to Old City’s shopping scene as Kaleidoscope gears up for its grand opening next month.
Specializing in women’s apparel and accessories, the 1,300-square-foot boutique will set up shop in Matthew Izzo’s former store location at 151 N. Third Street.
Store owner Irina Mitchell describes the store’s personality as “fun and edgy,” with bubblegum pink product displays, chic chandeliers, and a plush velvet couch adding to the shop’s creative, funky vibe.
As for labels, Mitchell promises to deliver an eclectic mix of recognizable and under-the-radar designers. “I picked pieces and vendors that I love, not that were safe or common, because I believe in our store motto ‘Shatter Your Scope of Fashion!’” says the boutique owner.
Think hand-sewn dresses by Mandalay (a favorite of Lady Gaga); jewelry by Tarina Tarantino and King Baby; leisurewear from L.A. label Young Fabulous & Broke; footwear from Boutique 9 and Enzo Angiolini; and a selection of vintage Chanel items.
Mark your calendars: Kaleidoscope officially opens to the public on Wednesday, February 15.
Kaleidoscope
151 N. Third Street
www.kaleidoscopeboutique.com
January 17, 2012
In need of shoes? In luck.
Bus Stop Boutique, a favorite Philadelphia shoe shop, is holding a five-day Warehouse Sale with huge designer discounts, January 26-30.
Grab a friend and come early and ready to shop brands like Irregular Choice, Corso Como, Coclico, Nicole, OTBT, J Shoes, United Nude, Terra Plana, Biviel, Marcello Toshi, Faryl Robin, Groundhog, Antelope and many more.
Bonus: B.Y.O.B. (Bring your own bag) and get an additional $5 off your shoes!
Might we suggest clearing out a little room in your closet for several pairs of new shoes?
Bus Stop Boutique’s Warehouse Sale
When: January 26-30
Where: 750 S. 4th Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.busstopboutique.com
January 13, 2012
Nicole Miller has two locations in Philadelphia, one in Manayunk and one in the Shops at the Bellevue, and both are holding a great winter sale. Enjoy 50-75% off select merchandise from this Sunday, January 15 through Tuesday, January 31. It’s a perfect opportunity to pick up luxe winter pieces for much less than their retail value. The versatility and ageless aesthetic of Miller’s designs have established a fan following of fashionistas worldwide. Hop on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. [Nicole Miller Winter Sale]
