December 5, 2008
Gift ideas during this time of year can often run dry for me. I’m always looking for ways of browsing items in a manor that will boost my creativity. The best solution out there I’ve found are things hand made from skilled artists and crafters. What adds the personal touch is finding pieces crafted in your own town.
The good people at Studio 34 near Clark Park (45th and Baltimore Ave) are hosting a Made in Philly Craft Fair, complete with refreshments and music, on December 7th. Over 40 local artists’ work will be featured in a wide variety of items from this weekend through to the 19th.
The event is sponsored by the University City Arts League (UCAL) and Vix Emporium“” a must-see handmade goods store on 50th and Baltimore. Yes this city has made holiday shopping hip and urban. No congested King of Prussias or Cherry Hills necessary. The festivities kick with a Sat night opening reception at 6pm over at the UCAL place, 4226 Spruce Street.
I especially like the fact that stopping by UCAL you may discover some of the many number of art classes and workshops the have to offer. You may find yourself next year selling work of your own at the craft fair. For more detail you can reach UCAL at (215) 382-7811 or Studio 34 at (215)-387-3434.
Studio 34
4522 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
www.studio34yoga.com
December 5, 2008
One of my all-time favorite tee-shirts is a worn-in light green ringer tee (a relic of my mom’s from college) that reads “Forever green is nature’s dream.” This shirt rules for several reasons: it’s super soft, authentically vintage (sorry for making you feel old, mom), and makes a statement I support “” that it’s important to respect the earth.
Local designer Ahyana King had a similar idea in mind when she created her line Preedum, a unique and creative tee-shirt collection that focuses on another important issue: freedom.
Designs range from trippy, psychedelic graphics to vintage-y sketches and beyond, often juxtaposing disparate images to suggest differing interpretations of freedom.
Best yet, Phreedum donates its distributable profits to community-based nonprofits working to promote freedom. And did we mention the tee-shirts are super-soft? These guys are serious must-haves for the tuned-in freedom-lover.
Preedum designs come in ladies’, mens’ and childrens’ sizes. Check “Ëœem out (and scoop “Ëœem up) this Friday, December 5, during the super-fab (by which we mean refreshments AND entertainment) launch party at Old City’s J. Karma Boutique. Admission, of course, is phree.
Preedum Launch Party at J. Karma Boutique, Friday, December 5
62 N 3rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
(215) 627-9625
www.phreedum1984.com
December 1, 2008
I remember the first time I went to Philly Aids Thrift (PAT) over two years ago: I bought a brown leather belt and a t-shirt that says “The Head Nut” and features a cartoon of a giant walnut. I also got a little overwhelmed because the seemingly small store houses a surprisingly wealth of used goods, cast-offs and buried gems. I can always find something at Aids Thrift, whether on the main floor or in “PAT’s Super Bargain Aerie” second floor. The funky music makes it easy to bop around while you look for deals–sometimes they even have deejays play in the front window.
Last time I was there I almost bought a coat rack made of deer hooves. Somehow I was able to convince myself that this was not a necessary purchase, but I was tempted. Aside from the regular used goods turnover, Aids Thrift opened a furniture annex across the street this year (last I checked, they are only open on weekends) and allegedly they not only have furniture, but also a hoard of pet carriers. My dog chewed through hers, so I might have to go grab a new (read: used) one.
Whether or not you’re a thrifter too, you should check out PAT and bring donations. They also accept credit cards, issue gift cards and take on volunteers.
Philadelphia Aids Thrift
514 Bainbridge St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3186
November 26, 2008
Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family. A time for home-cooked meals. A time… to go shopping.
If you’re planning to start Christmas shopping early and you’re not a fan of standing in long lines in King of Prussia or The Gallery, head on over to the Grasshopper Boutique, located on 7th and Walnut. They’re having a Black Friday sale, and all of their new, regularly priced merchandise will be 40% off. FORTY PERCENT.
Grasshopper is a favorite spot of mine to go window shopping, mostly because of their amazing jackets. The boutique is open from 11AM to 7PM. I highly recommend checking it out. Don’t believe me that its a great spot? Visit their website and online store.
See you there! Oh, and hey, Grasshopper? If you girls see this post, feel free to take on an extra 10% off when I come in to buy a jacket. K? Thanks.
Grasshopper
727 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-3959
www.grasshopperproject.com
November 17, 2008
As the economy constricts, for many of us, it becomes increasingly difficult to contribute money (and in some cases, time) to causes we typically support, while simultaneously, job cuts and higher prices for food and gas drive up the public’s demand for those very same social services. So if you’re wondering how you’re going to be able to “give back” this winter, consider an offer being made by Center City men’s clothier Les Richards: in exchange for any gently worn men’s coat brought in to be donated to the homeless through November 20th, Les Richards will discount the price of a new outerwear coat by 20%.
So in other words, if you bring in a used men’s coat, Les Richards will donate it to Philadelphia’s primary homeless services organization, Project H.O.M.E., then give you 20% off any new coat you buy from the store, and that includes brands like Hugo Boss, Ben Sherman and Rainforest. Your donated coats will help keep some of the neediest men warm while they struggle to survive this cold winter.
Les Richards Coat Drive @ The Shops at Liberty Place
1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 751-1155
November 5, 2008
There’s a line of planet-friendly clothing hitting European shelves and the only place to buy it in the United States is at Arcadia Boutique in Northern Liberties. The French brand is called “Article 23,” in honor of the section in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that asserts “everyone who works has the right to just and fair compensation ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity.” A fashion company that sells only ethically produced and traded goods (mostly organic), Article 23 bathes most of its men’s and women’s basic separates in blacks and whites, then splashes them with color. Arcadia, an exclusively “green” shop that offers fashion, home goods, art and travel services, is one of only four retailers outside France to carry Article 23 products.
Once you’re at Arcadia, you can pick up a pair of hand-painted “vegan” shoes by NYC design house olsen House. The first style “” a set of high-heeled ankle boots that has been photographed for Women’s Wear Daily — is only in stock at Arcadia and one store in Great Britain. The brand earns its self-proclaimed “vegan” designation for its commitment to using only animal-free products developed in socially responsible factories.
Arcadia Boutique
819 A N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
215.667.8099
www.arcadiaboutique.com
October 17, 2008
If you haven’t stopped by Vintage Connection within the past year, then you’ve been missing out on Heather Waity’s (owner of VC) fabulous vintage finds. Whether you’re making a first visit or are a VC tried and true fan, stop by Vintage Connection’s 1 yr b-day party and celebrate in style.
Browse through fall items while sipping on some bubbly, and get a sweet tooth fix from the candy confetti bar. And as if you needed another reason to skip on over to the party, everything in the store is 20% off for the evening. Oh and did I mention there were prizes? For every $100 you spend, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a $150 cosmetic gift bag (two lucky winners will be announced at the end of the bash). Celebrate Vintage Connection’s first year while updating your wardrobe for fall’s chillier days.
Vintage Connection One Year B’Day Party
Friday, October 17th
5-8pm
Vintage Connection
701 S. 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 528-1625
www.shopvintageconnection.com
October 16, 2008
Post by Rachel Klein
Clothes are expensive and you haven’t gotten your Bedazzler fixed since a stud backfired in 1994.
Which is why you’re invited to jazz up your wardrobe on Sunday, October 19th, when the Philadelphia Sewing Collective”"The 3-year-old brainchild of Megan Haupt– presents “Swap-O-Rama-Rama,” a gigantic clothing swap (you know, where you trade your clothes) and refurbishing bonanza at the Old Pine Community Center at 4th and Lombard.
Better than landing a whole new-to-you wardrobe is this: local designers, crafters, and fashionistas will be on hand (think: Philly Etsy Street Team, the crew from ReLoad Bags, Fabric Horse, Philadelphia Sewing Collective, and designers from Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters) to help spruce up your newly acquired duds. They’ll be assisting with sewing, deconstructing, and embellishing all day, in the name of making you your snazziest. Plus, two silk-screening stations will be at your disposal, manned by artist Candy DePew and Outlaw Printing Company.
If that’s not enough, yours truly (Miss Rachel’s Traveling Fare) will be peddling vegan refreshments (read: vegan BLTs and hot soy chai), and local microbakery, Baked, will be there to satisfy your DIY-er sweet tooth.
There will even be music, a catwalk to show off your revamped self, and workshops to help you make that perfect, one-of-a-kind piece.
Just don’t overdo the rhinestones.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama
Sunday, October 19th, 12-5 pm
Old Pine Community Center
401 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
www.sorrphilly.wordpress.com
$20 at the door (or online at brownpapertickets.com) + a donation of gently worn clothing
A portion of proceeds will benefit nonprofit microlender, Kiva
October 3, 2008
This Sunday, October 5th, is your last chance to check out Sienna Freeman’s work at the Arcadia Boutique! Head on over to Northern Liberities to scope out her collages. There are over a dozen in the show, many of which are brand new pieces. You can check out a few on her Flickr here.
If you’ve never stopped by the Arcadia Boutique, the shop sells plenty of eco-friendly products, from women’s clothing to recycled home furnishings, all from both local and international artists. Pay a visit, check out some artwork, and maybe buy something green friendly.
Arcadia Boutique
819 North 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19123
(215) 667.8099
www.arcadiaboutique.com
September 29, 2008
You don’t find F-Troupe oxfords and sleek denim from April ’77 just anywhere. I fell hard for those labels while traveling abroad, wondering if I’d ever blow Euros on them again. The doors to Reward, Old City’s promising new boutique, whisked open to answer these demands. Former Urban Outfitters employee Shari Roulin brings her threads knowledge to another former: the old Big Jar Books space, now a carefully-selected tasting menu of international brands for ladies and gents. Ksubi, Repetto, and Comme Des Garcons, as well as other hard-to-find designs, await you on 2nd Street.
Among the clean cuts, you’ll find Roulin’s selection of secondhand finds, like gently-worn flannel and sweater-lined boots. Fashion know-it-alls will recognize Philly’s own Bert Lorenzo line, which dares you to try turquoise cut-offs with tights underneath and your boyfriend’s shirt with the sleeves rolled to the heavens. Not all of the fashion is affordable, but invest in one fine piece and tune it with accessories. Go ahead, you’ve earned it.
Reward Project
55 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 773-8675
www.rewardproject.com
