Local Valentine’s Gift Guide
Now that you know what Philly’s Ten Most Romantic Meals are, it’s time to start worrying about your Valentine’s gift. Here’s eight local shops and businesses definitely worth hitting up:
FOR YOUR FELLA …
If your beau isn’t afraid to rock a little pink, right now Duke & Winston is taking 20 percent off their entire selection of refined, yet appropriately festive pink and red menswear, both in store and online (promo-code: ILUVDUKE). For the more dapper of dudes, consider one of the brand’s gentleman polo ($65) and signature logo tie, in your choice of burgundy or pink ($68). For the more laidback dresser, there’s always their signature red hat ($22) and pink “Long Live Duke” tee ($32). (633 N. Second St.)
As long as you get the team right, you can never really go wrong with cool, vintage-inspired sports apparel and accessories. Hint: the Flyers and Sixers are both in the midst of their seasons. (1201 Chestnut St.)
Lingerie is over-rated. If you really want to get your man’s attention, how about sprucing up your vajay vajay with gemstones or hot pink dye? No, seriously—the chic, organic Old City salon is currently has four different V-Day specials going on, the two most interesting being their “Bedazzled Brazilians” ($85) and “Hot Pink Bikini Color” ($50, $95+ with Brazilian). Should you want to do something far less extreme for yourself they’re also offering a one-hour facial and complimentary blow-out for $100 dollars as well as a 30 minute scalp treatment and custom oil blend for just $37 dollars. (55 N. Third St.)
FOR YOUR LADY…
Rather than going to a department store and picking out some cheap, generic piece of jewelry, you’re gal is much more likely to appreciate a one-of-a-kind, handmade adornment. Though any of owner/designer, Sarah Lewis’ creations will do, you should definitely consider Adorn’s new Love Potion Necklace ($38), a tiny faceted, heart-shaped glass vial which holds a few drops of essential oil—your choice of lavender, rose, or jasmine. As an additional incentive, if you stop by the boutique any day before V-Day, you’ll save 10 percent. Meanwhile, if you shop online before Feb. 12, you can save 20 percent with the discount code: LOVE. (1314 Frankford Ave.)
The gift of pampering never goes out of style, and nor will your lady’s mane should you give her a gift card to Philly’s award-winning, cutting-edge salon. Their services start at just $25 dollars and range from blowouts and restorative treatments to makeup application and brow shaping. (258 S. 11th St.)
Arcadia Boutique
Though typically, men should not be trusted to pick out women’s attire, Arcadia’s sales associates will be more than willing to help you out. This is just a preview of the eco-friendly, V-Day appropriate fashions they have in store. (No Libs: 819 N. Second St. Rittenhouse: 265 S. 20th St.)
FOR HIM OR HER…
If they have a home, then TPF has the perfect gift—whether it’s a a mid-century sofa, an Indian Navi blanket, a set of Victorian tin cups or the 1940s kiss letterpress postcard set that you see above. Seriously, they have more truly unique home goods, décor and accessories than you can even imagine. (376 Shurs Ln., Building A)
In addition to their selection of rare designer shoes, the Fabric Row boutique has all sorts of lovely gifts and accessories, both for him and her. Even better, starting next Monday, several of those gifts and accessories will be 15 percent off including, handmade wallets from Cheap Monday and Patrick Michael, Betsy & Iya earrings and Lisa B. unisex socks, which have a hint of cashmere. (727 S. Fourth St.)
2 Winter Sales You Don’t Want To Miss
Mitchell & Ness’ 18th Annual Winter Sale
With the Super Bowl just four days away and the Flyers finally back on the ice, seems like an ideal time to maybe stock up on some sports gear. It just so happens that the folks over at Mitchell & Ness have a long tradition of celebrating the Super Bowl with a badass sale. In addition to taking 25 percent off headwear and accessories, all apparel will be an impressive 50 percent off. I repeat: HALF OFF ALL MITCHELL & NESS APPAREL! Hell, you might as well pick yourself up a Flyers jersey, an Eagles hat, a Phillies scarf and Sixers sweatpants. As for any Falcons or 49ers fans out there, well, you can just go fuck yourself. Through Feb. 2. Mitchell & Ness, 1201 Chestnut St.
Arcadia’s Annual Winter Attic Sale
Ah yes, it’s right about that time of the year when retailers must purge their inventory to make way for the impending season. You only have three days to take advantage of Arcadia’s annual winter blowout, which directly coincides with a spring pre-sale and will be quickly followed by a Valentine’s Day sale. Exclusively at their Rittenhouse store, shoppers can save 50-80 percent off all fall/winter style, not to mention there will be a clearance section of clothing and accessories starting at just $20 dollars. We’re talking designer collections from Dolce Vita, BB Dakota, Lauren Moffatt, Prairie Underground and even Pendleton’s Portland Collection. Meanwhile, hit either one of Arcadia’s city locations and take 15 percent off all of their new spring arrivals. You can also shop online using the code: SPRINGFEVER. Feb. 1-3. No Libs: 819 N. Second St. Rittenhouse: 265 S. 20th St.
Big K.R.I.T. Doesn’t Actually Smoke Weed But He Likes The Drink
Mitchell & Ness is a big deal for a number of reasons. Not only is it the longest-running sports apparel company in our fair city, it’s been operating for over 100 years with licensing agreements with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and collegiate sports. And as you may know, people love their sports and the accompanying gear. So much so that some people just love the gear. You may not be a fan of a team but, oooh, that jersey is fly. Upstairs at their flagship shop on 12th and Chestnut, I got a chance to sit down with Big K.R.I.T. for a few minutes to chat about a line of hats and clothes that he’s launching via Mitchell & Ness called The Drinker’s Club.
Justin Scott’s a 26-year-old emcee from Mississippi. He’s done some pretty major tour and co-headlining support for some big names like Wiz Khalifa (the Waken Baken Tour) and Curren$y (The Smoker’s Club Tour 2010). He was also named to XXL’s Top Eleven Freshmen of 2011, sitting in pretty heavy company: Meek Mill, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, Cyhi da Prynce and Kendrick Lamar. Like most emcees, he’s issued a few mixtapes but only one proper LP, Live from the Underground, which he produced himself and issued on Def Jam this past June. It’s tight (and on Spotify). What’s weird is that the single, “I Got This,” which has garnered nearly 2 million views, is hard as hell. It reminds me of Big Boi’s badass “In The A” (featuring T.I. and Luda) because it’s downhome and has an of-the-people video which includes lots of locals in the filming and stylistic portrayals of southern life. And while Live from the Underground’s got a few moments of straight-up ferociousness, it’s got a lot of chiller, artistic and thoughtful moments of reflection and peace.
ANYway, did you notice a theme in those tour names? Sounds like Curren$y’s as down with the herb as much as we all know Wiz is – every song’s about weed. But K.R.I.T. doesn’t actually smoke; he likes to drink. In fact, he was sippin’ on a SOLO cup as I spoke to him and I peeked at the spread behind him and noticed an open vodka bottle and some lemonade (plus a deep, disposable oven tin full of man-I-wish-I-knew). I asked what the three Xs were. “Prohibition,” he said, “and like moonshine.” He was tired of reppin’ for the weedheads, when he wasn’t even one himself, and needed to pay respect to the liquor lovers. A raise ya glass, with hats and sweatshirts.
We talked about jerseys and gear for a few. He’s played baseball all his life but doesn’t actually love the Braves – his mom and grandmom are from Chicago, so he’s a Cubs fan. I mentioned that I see jackets and hats all the time in Philly from not-Philly teams. “Nah, man, it’s cuz they like that color and it matches their shoes,” he said. “Look at [the DJ] – he’s not from Charlotte but he’s rockin’ that turquoise.” Truth. He’d been coveting Mitchell & Ness throwbacks since childhood, so he was pumped to jump on the opportunity to make his own branded line of swag. 2013’s about expanding his brand and doing more than just rapping, he said. Even though a mixtape’ll be dropping in the next few months (called K.R.I.T., which stands for King Remembered in Time) and a single (”I won’t say which song”) in the next few weeks. We’ll be looking for it on DatPiff and Pitchfork this spring.
Father’s Day Gift Guide: Part 2
This year, elect to do your old man a solid and hook him up with a cool gift. Perhaps one of these…
Father’s Day Gift Guide: Part 1
If you don’t already know, Father’s Day is Sun., June 17. That gives you less than two weeks to find your papa an awesome gift.
And while dads are generally much easier to please than moms, let’s face it—most of us take advantage of that, settling on lame last minute Father’s Day gifts, year after year. Personally, I know my dad has at least 50 different Phillies shirts at this point.
So to help you out, we’ve tracked down a slew of cool and practical items your father might like, such as these…
