Find Some Holiday Cheer This Week
If all that holiday shopping over the weekend didn’t quite get you in the Christmas spirit, there happens to be several festivities going on this week that might do the trick.
The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society is temporarily taking over a 400 square foot storefront smack dab in the heart of Chestnut Hill offering exclusive, hand-selected holiday gifts not just for the green thumbs on your list, but design, culinary and Flower Show enthusiasts. More specifically, you can expect an array of unique home décor like vintage glass glitter ornaments and soy candle-ariums as well as a beautifully packaged tea set for two and advance tickets to the 2013 Flower Show, “Brilliant!” which will be bringing the gardens and landscapes of Great Britain here to Philly in March. The pop-up shop will also be hosting a series of special appearances, demos and on-site product samplings throughout December. In conjunction with Chestnut Hill’s “Stag & Doe Nights,” each Wednesday evening from 6-9pm, the shop will host a “Swag & Bow” event in which folks are invited to come and enjoy complimentary wine and cheese while taking part in some custom bow-making. Wednesday, 3-9pm. Open daily through Sun., Dec. 23. Free. Across from the Chestnut Hill Hotel at 8232 Germantown Ave.
Stop by Rittenhouse Square tomorrow night and join locals near the guard- house to watch their massive Christmas tree light up the entire park. Be sure to bring a new, unwrapped toy along with you as The Salvation Army will be there collecting donations for local children in need. You can also make a $10 donation by texting the word “JOY” to 80888. Wednesday, 5pm. Free. Rittenhouse Square.
The Gingerbread House Display/Fairmount Park Holiday Tours
Now on display inside the Shops at Liberty Place (Chestnut St. Entrance), ten local chefs have concocted elaborate gingerbread houses, each one representing a different Fairmount Park historic site including, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mount Pleasant and The Please Touch Museum. The display is actually just a preview of the stunning, picturesque homes locals can see starting Dec. 1 when the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park Holiday Tours begin. Each of the mansions are decked out to the nines for Christmas and you have the option of touring them either alone by foot or via trolley. Display: Through Dec. 9. Tours: Dec. 1-9. Times, prices and locations vary.
Just in time for the holidays, InLiquid is offering a special preview of their annual Art For The Cash Poor event inside William Way all this weekend. Much like their signature summer event, an array of handmade arts and crafts will be on display for sale, with nothing priced higher than $199 and most items priced for less than $100. Got kids? Bring them along and send them over to the craft-making station. Can’t wrap a gift to save your life? There will be a station for that too. Fri., 5-8pm. Sat. & Sun., 12-5pm. Free. William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
Finally, there’s always of course Christmas Village in Love Park.
Photos: Phashion Phest 2012
Last night, people piled into the The Shops at Liberty Place for the 19th Annual Phashion Phest.
As always, the even featured cocktails, food, local vendors, giveaways, a showcase of student designer fashions and finally, a ready-to-wear runway show. There were also plenty of scantily clad burlesque ladies as this years theme was “Fashion Follies.”
I’d say the event was great, but that’s largely because I didn’t actually pay to get in. Had I been one of the suckers to shell out the $60 admission, I don’t think I’d be too pleased (in what world is a limited selection of sample-size Skinny Girl cocktails “lavish?”).
There was absolutely no reason to charge that much, especially since people who were hanging around Liberty Place prior to the event could have easily stuck around and enjoyed the same entertainment and amenities.
This is one of my main beefs with the local fashion community. Why throw these fancy fashion events and say they’re “open to the public,” when really you’re only targeting members of the press and Philly elite? There’s a reason I don’t promote any non-charitable style events charging more than $20.
Anyway, moving on, the fashion show was okay. Not great, but okay. I was surprised how few garments really wowed me. If I had to choose my favorite, I’d say that US*U.S featured designers (Mariel Rojo, Secret Bohemia, Lobo Mau and Lele) were by far the most innovative. As for Zinman’s collection of furs, well, that wowed me in a whole different kind of way.
I think the most memorable fashions were actually those of the student designers namely, Moore College alum, Marah Carpenter. Her hand-painted, nude-portrait dresses certainly grabbed your attention (see right). Not sure I’d ever have the guts to wear one of her designs, but I definitely appreciate the fact that they’re legitimate works of art.
Here’s some shots from the evening for your perusal…
Seeing Red
On Wednesday, Sept. 21, the Shops at Liberty Place played host to a fashionable affair representing Philly’s style, appropriately named Philly Phashion Phest and a part of The Philadelphia Collection 2011. While the “ph” alliteration is a bit old, the ready-to-wear styles were not.
This season, three trends are on top: fur, red and lace.
While I don’t condone wearing real fur, the fuzzy coats and vests are still luxurious, faux or otherwise.
In this look, presented by Macy’s, the model is sporting a fur vest with a leather mini, which gives an overall air of boho, while still appropriate for a night out.
Red, normally associated with vixens and vamps, is becoming much more mainstream while still maintaining its sex appeal. And, it can be incorporated nearly anywhere in the outfit. Red heels, lips, camisoles, or, in the below case presented by South Moon Under, tights, are all simple ways to up the style of any outfit.
Lace ain’t for your grammy’s nightgown, anymore. Lace shift dresses are perfect for, as I like to call it, the U.E.S.B., or Upper East Side Brunch. Whether you’re meeting the beau’s parents over a mimosa or just feeling extra chic on a Sunday, these lace dresses are absolutely perfect.
More Summer Designer Sales…
Nicole Miller: You’ve got only 12 more days to score select merchandise for up to 50-75 percent off before their semi-annual sale ends on July 31. (At the Bellvue, 200 S. Broad St.)
BoConcept: To make room for store’s upcoming 2012 collection, their slashing prices on their summer inventory. This includes select lamps, rugs, artwork and other home accessories. (1719 Chestnut St.)
Fire & Ice: Now through August 7, all jewelry is 20 percent off not including some select jewelry and treasures which are up to 50 percent off . (The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.)
Florsheim: Got a husband/boyfriend or father in need of some snazzy shoes? Well, it just so happens that their entire selection of men’s dress shoes are now on sale. (The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.)
Lux Home: You can get up to 25 percent off designer down pillows and up to 40 percent off American and European-manufactured reading chairs with super luxurious upholstery. (1308 Chestnut St.)
Remnants 12/8/10
www.britishfashionawards.com
-Naomi Campbell received a Special Recognition award at last night’s British Fashion Awards. Erratic and sometimes abusive behavior TOTALLY deserves a reward. Good job Camps. Yeah, that’s what her close friends call her. Did we just make that up? Of course we did. British Fashion Awards 2010
-John Lennon— music, social and fashion icon was shot and killed 30 years ago today. Fellow PW blog Make Major Moves gives us a few videos for perspective. Make Major Moves
-The Shops at Liberty Place are celebrating 20 years. Yes, 20 years of mall-like shopping without the flashmobs of The Gallery. Philly Chit Chat
-Ruh roh Mastercard, looks like you’ll need more than Scooby Doo and those pesky kids to go up against the “hacktivists.” TIME
-Hey Philly, get a headstart on that “lose 10 pounds” New Years resolution. Registration for Philadelphia Sports Network winter team sports opens today. PSN
-Don’t worry label-hungry shoppers, the rumors are all false! Fashion’s Night Out has officially been confirmed for September 2011. Fashionista
-Natalie Portman is the new face of Dior fragrance Miss Dior Cherie. Women’s Wear Daily gives us real-time updates from today’s press conference via Twitter. WWD