A Beginner’s Guide to New York Fashion Week….
Nothing excites me more than new clothes gliding down the runway hanging on models that haven’t eaten in a week. It’s pure bliss, and there’s nothing better than New York Fashion Week. It’s the holy grail of U.S. Fashion.
Last Friday, I got an invite to attend Carmelita Couture’s show on Valentine’s Day in New York Fashion Week. Naturally, I went out, bought a new outfit and arranged a way to get to the big apple for the show. After seeing countless Facebook ads about how cheap and convenient Megabus is, I decided to try it. Worst-case scenario, it’s $8, so what’s the worst that could happen?
What To Do This Weekend
This Saturday, Free People is celebrating V-Day by hosting one of four different DIY events at each and every one of their U.S locations. Here in their new Philly home, they’ll be setting up a craft station with everything you’ll need to make an unraveling love letter—all while marveling at their stunning merchandise and enjoying complimentary Valentine snacks and drinks. Saturday, 12pm-3pm. Free. @ Free People (1625 Walnut St.)
Tomorrow and Saturday, Three Potato Four is hosting a shopping event at their Manayunk brick and mortar store showcasing an array of local, handcrafted goodness. In addition to TPF’s selection of salvaged/re-purposed furniture and décor, you’ll find hand-bound journals by Peg and Awl, Giant Dwarf’s recycled fabric hair accessories and really awesome prints/posters/illustrations by The Heads of State. The event kicks off tomorrow night with a party from 6-9 p.m with live bluegrass music, treats from Sweetbox Cupcakes, Say Cheese’s mobile grilled-cheeses and bangin’ cocktails by Art in the Age. Friday, 6-9pm. Saturday, 10am-6pm. Free. @ Three Potato Four (376 Shurs Ln., Bldg. A)
Having attended the first edition last Sunday at Tattooed Mom, I can assure you this is one Valentine’s DYI event worth attending. It’s simple: walk in, choose from one of Blackheart Letterpresses’ four different V-Day cards, decide who you want to send it to, pick out the letters of their name, hand it to the nice gentleman and BAM!—you’ve got yourself a free, handmade card to send to a loved one. They’ll also be bringing along their selection of funny and Philly-centric coasters, bookmarks and prints should you want to get a cheap gift while you’re at it. Saturday, 4-8pm. Free. @ Community Cultural Exchange (706 South St.)
Creative Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Girl in your life…
Image Courtesy of DollFaceStudio.com.
Valentines Day is an incredibly stressful holiday…the right gift could make or break your relationship. Clothes are difficult because women’s sizes aren’t consistent, you wouldn’t buy a girl that’s normally a size 2 a size six, right? Lingerie has the same size variation problem, but you want something sexy to share as a couple.
DollFace Studio has a perfect Valentine’s Day gift idea. Essentially DollFace hosts a risque photoshoot for your girl for 30 minutes including professional hair and makeup. She’s allowed to choose her outfit from a vast wardrobe of boudoir and two sets to stimulate different moods. After the photoshoot, DollFace will touch up and airbrush the photos and send a series of the best prints to you. Once you select your favorite two, they’ll magnetically print two of your favorites to hang tastefully.
The all inclusive package costs $400, but it is also includes an underwear set from local boutique The Velvet Lily, and the studio has packages starting at $300. For more information the perfect Valentine’s day gift for you to share with your partner, check out their website, or visit their store at 737 N. 4th St. on the First floor.
Tonight: Make Your Own Lip Gloss at MOKO & Save at Three Sirens
Here’s two more events to consider tonight:
For February’s First Friday, Three Sirens Boutique is wooing shoppers with champagne, chocolate and a slew of sales. In addition to taking 25-40 percent off apparel, their entire selection of outerwear, scarves, hats and gloves will be 40 percent off while jewelry will be 20 percent off (excluding TyphaneyB). Be sure to check out the new jewelry collection by JillEllen Designs because from now through Valentine’s Day, they’ll be buy one, get one half off.
While makeup artist Francois Nars is sharing his tips for mastering this season’s hottest beauty trends over at Sephora, over at MOKO Studio in Old City from 6-8pm, makeup guru Kristyn Rudnet will actually be helping ladies create their very own lip-gloss with Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics. Already have a perfect color in mind? Feel free to bring a photo, swatch or favorite discontinued lipstick and she’ll whip up a perfect recreation. And as if getting a customized lip shine wasn’t awesome enough, you’ll also get to sip on wine while perusing MOKO’s selection of organic beauty products.
What To Do This Weekend
You’re definitely going to want to make sure you stop by Sephora in Center City (1714 Chestnut St.) tomorrow. From noon-6pm, make-up artist and founder of NARS Cosmetics, Francois Nars is celebrating his new, limited edition set “Wicked Attraction” by sharing some of his makeup magic. You’ll learn how to recreate this season’s top beauty trends and be one of the first to experience the brand’s Spring 2012 Color Collection (side note: is it just me or is Nars pretty hot?)
In honor of both First Friday and Valentine’s Day, tomorrow night from 6-9pm, Smak Parlour is offering customers a free fab flower pin and hair-clip with any purchase over $25 as well as a complimentary glas of “Pale Pink” wine from Pinot Boutique (it has a hint of red berries!). You’ll also be entitled to a free sample at Pinot Boutique when you come from Smak (it’s just a few doors down).
No need to wait and hope your beau buys you a little bling for Valentine’s Day! Encouraging you to wear your “Heart On Your Sleeve,” Third Street Habit is taking 20 percent off their entire selection of jewelry all day Saturday (11am-6pm). Sip some bubbly while perusing an array of stunning creations—from the Chan Luu limited edition heart wrap bracelet to A Peace Treaty’s line of timeless, artesian pieces.
Three Valentine’s DIY Events This Weekend
While drugstores have been painted red and pink for the past month, with February now less than 24 hours away, now’s the time for all you lucky love birds out there to really start thinking about that perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
And since no V-Day gift is ever complete without a card, I figured I’d give you a heads-up on these three workshops going down this weekend.
While snacking on pub grub and knocking back a few brewskies, Blackheart Letterpress welcomes you to print and customized one of their new V-Day-themed cards using their collection of old wood type. They’ll also be bringing along their selection of really cool, handmade prints, cards, coasters and bookmarks for you to purchase. If you can’t make it out this Sunday, don’t worry—another edition of LFL will be held at Community Cultural Exchange (706 South St.) next Saturday from 4-8pm. Sunday, 1-6pm. Free. @ Tattooed Mom (530 South St.)
Once again Fleisher Art Memorial invites you to come and learn about the printmaking processes as you create your very own Valentine’s Day cards from designs by several Philly artists. Three different workshops will be held throughout the day. The first two are open to all ages while the 5 p.m workshop is strictly 21 years and up (since wine and light refreshments will be served). Space is limited so be sure to register ASAP. Sunday, 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, 5-7pm. $10-$20. @ Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catherine St.)
Local paper artisan, Jessica Eldredge will guide you through a love-inspired card-making afternoon, providing her hand-dyed papers and any other necessary supplies. Jessica also has a Make-Your-Own-Card Kit available for you to buy both in-store and online. Though the workshop is technically free, you do have to spend a minimum of $27 at Square Peg in order to score a seat. Fortunately, the handmade artisan boutique is currently stocked with a slew of one-of-a-kind items that would make for a perfect Valentine’s gift—from jewelry and clothing to home décor and bath and body products. Saturday, 2-4pm. @ Square Peg Artery & Salvage (108 S. 20th St.)
Another Day, Another Collaboration
And they just keep rolling in.
Hot on the heels of Target’s Jason Wu collab news comes yet another. But maybe you didn’t quite expect this one. The mass-market retailer will be teaming up with sultry burlesque siren, Dita von Teese with a line of vintage-inspired lingerie pieces. BUT there’s a major catch: the collection won’t be available outside of Australia, leaving the rest of us to try our luck with eBay come February 8th when the line will be released.
As for the pieces? Staying true to von Teese’s signature style, the lacey separates, including bras, undies, corsets, stockings and more are very ‘Old Hollywood’ and pretty much similar to what we’d imagine von Teese wears herself. Also, there’s lots of leopard.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Photos via Fashionologie
What to do this weekend
While someone can certainly be funny without being obscene, I can’t think of a single great stand-up comic with a PG act. That said, thirteen comedians will go head to head tonight in South Philly, delivering their most vulgar and derogatory material for The Get Offended Comedy Competition at Connie’s Ric Rac. It’ll be up to the audience to decide who is truly the most offensive/funny. Evan Marz, author of The Dirty Sanchez DICKtionary will be the host of the evening with a special performance by Rob DeSantis. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Tomorrow night, ComedySportz Philadelphia will also be having a comedy competition. In honor of V-Day, they’ll be pitting their male performers against their female performers in a full on improv battle of the sexes. The two teams will vie for points by playing a series of improv games. Though the audience will aid in keeping them on their toes, an impartial referee will be on hand to call fouls and keep things moving. Wouldn’t want either to have an unfair advantage, right? There’s a show at 7:30 p.m followed by another one at 10 p.m. Both are at The Playground aka. the Adrienne Theater.
For their annual Valentine’s show and 13th anniversary, Philly’s premier neo-burlesque show Peek-A-Boo Revue is kicking things up a notch with a special guest: the so-called “Burlesque Expert,” Dr. Lucky. Dr. Lucky has been featured in BUST magazine and currently teaches “The History of American Burlesque” at NYU where she also received her Ph.D. I guess you could say she’s mastered the art of the tease…get it? Anyway, you can see for yourself on Sunday at one of their two shows at World Cafe Live (5:15 p.m and 9 p.m).
It’s the year of the rabbit y’all! Having been born in 1987, the rabbit is my Chinese zodiac sign and therefore, I’ve got a year’s worth of good fortune coming my way! Woo-hoo! Tomorrow the Penn Museum is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a whole day of entertainment and educational festivities. From 11 a.m-4 p.m., attendees can partake in a paper cutting and Chinese calligraphy demonstration, tackle the ancient Chinese tangram puzzle, practice mind-body self-improvement techniques and even learn some sweet Kung-Fu moves. In addition to a variety of Pan-Asian dance performances throughout the day, The Penn Lions will start and close the celebration with an extravagant lion dance. It’s all free with regular admission–$10 general, $7 seniors, $6 students w/ ID, children free.
Folks, it’s going to be a sad weekend at the box office. Sure to rake in the most dough: Beiber in 3-D, Martin Lawrence playing an overweight elderly woman yet again and the excessively promoted Sandler-Aniston rom-com. Rather than pony up $10 to endure any of these crapfests, why not enjoy some old-school cinema in a beautiful old church? As part of their silent film series, The Friends of Old Pine Street are hosting a pre-Valentine’s Day showing of the 1919 rom-com, When The Clouds Roll By with Douglas Fairbanks. Renown organist and composer Don Kinnier will also provide some live tunes. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and the proceeds will benefit the preservation of two city historic sites.
Mulberry’s Love Blossoms
via mulberry.com
Thinking that sending cut flowers to all your friends is expensive and slightly “un-green” this Valentine’s Day? British label, Mulberry, has you covered with an interactive online flower option that keeps the blooms on your sweetheart’s web browser and leaves the wilting bouquets in the corner market. Simply head over to Mulberry’s Love Blossoms site and pick the seed you want to send to your beloved. You’ll “plant” the seed when you login to your Facebook and then complete the form to electronically send the seed. Once the seed is planted, just like real seeds, you must be patient and wait! On Valentine’s Day your intended will receive the seed you “planted” in their e-mail and get to see it “bloom.”
What to do this weekend
Having gotten my four tattoos done at four different tattoo parlors, by four different artists and with four different friends, I can tell you that these are all important aspects of the tattoo experience. That said, the 2011 Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention is going down all this weekend at the Sheraton Center City. If you’re thinking about getting your first tat or simply on the market for a new one, you’ll have 200 of the best local and national tattooers to choose from. Hell, even if you aren’t looking to get any work done there’s plenty of entertainment lined up to make it worth your while, including sideshow and burlesque performers, bikini bull-riding, slip-n-slide bowling, skin-hook demonstrations and a performance by Murphy’s Law on Saturday. Tickets are only $20 per day or $40 for all three days.
Typewriters may not be the most practical devices in 2011, but they are cool. It also just so happens that February is International Typewriter Appreciation Month. With that in mind, Trophy Bikes is sponsoring another Philly Type-In on Saturday at Fergie’s Pub just in time for Valentine’s Day. The event is free and open to typewriter owners and enthusiasts alike. Like the first Type-In, you’ll have the chance to peruse a display of vintage writing machines, test your motor skills with a speed typing competition and possibly swap/sell your manual typewriter(s). Fancy paper and stamped envelopes will also be provided if you’d like to creep your friends out by sending them a Shakespearean love letter from an anonymous admirer (“I’ll follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I’ll die by your hand which I love so well”).
Or perhaps you would like to send your friends and/or loved ones original, handmade V-Day cards? On Sunday, Fleisher Art Memorial is having its 11th Annual Print Love-In where you can learn about the printmaking process while creating your own cards using unique designs by several local artists. The cost for the workshop is $10 which is pretty cheap considering that Hallmark cards will run you $3-$4 a pop. Other option: whip out some construction paper and glitter and do it kindergarden-style. There’s a limited number of spots so you’ll want to register online asap for one of the two sessions (11 a.m or 2 p.m).
Since I started working at H&M, I’ve tried sticking to a buy one garment, get rid of one garment rule to keep my wardrobe under control. The problem: it’s as hard to resist a 20 percent discount as it is to get rid of perfectly good clothing, regardless of whether or not you ever actually wear it. If you too lack the finances and/or closet space to maintain your shopping addiction, Wooden Shoe Books is having a clothing swap on Sunday afternoon. They ask that everyone bring any unwanted attire they have as long as it’s clean and wearable. Aside from the fact that you get to shop without spending any money, the best part of a clothing swap is really that you actually get to meet the person whose clothes you’ll be wearing (and vice versa). Who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend while bonding over a shirt?