Shopping

COVETED: How Bazaar, how Bazaar

POSTED: Monday, May 10, 2010, 6:20 PM

Filed Under: Shopping Coveted

Collectors of pretty things, take note: Every Monday, we're rounding up a what's-what of what we [heart], culled from the scores of design blogs, artist sites and Etsy treasuries we stalk on the regular. The Art Star Craft Bazaar is this weekend (eee!), so we've been scrolling through the massive vendor list, drooling over this and that. Here are some covetables* we can't wait to see in person.

Applause woodcut, $200, by Just A Jar
Morisco Three necklace, $59, by Olaria Studio
Pear Girl Resting Doll Notecard Set, $9, by Bubbledog

Reversible Obi belt, $38, by Holland Cox
Hand-in-Hand/Pinch rings, by Joanna Nealey
White onesie with red spider, $10, by Dot & Irma

Invincible Spring print, $27, by Spread the Love
Pottery by Tasha McKelvey
Men's Skullopus hoodie, $45, by Spaghetti Kiss

*We have no idea whether these particular items will actually be for sale this weekend; but here's to hoping. PREVIOUSLY >> COVETED: Random rainy roundup

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 6:20 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: What do I want to look like today?

POSTED: Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 7:00 PM

When we saw Julio B. (47) in the Gayborhood we weren't attracted by his outfit as much as his adorning treasure chest of ornaments. We were nearly blinded when the flash from our camera hit his belt buckle, which was a gift from his brother in Reading, PA. The jewels, however, were only a fraction of what fascinated us about him. We learned that he is an ex-con gay Muslim working as a photographer and volunteer for Ex-Offenders, a youth program that keeps kids out of jail. We believe these attributes make Julio a gem through and through. Bling, bling!

Me-ow! When Kat M. (23) wakes up in the morning she asks herself one question: "What do I want to look like today?" She was on her way to a business meeting so the answer was, "I want to be me, but presentable." If this is her formal attire, we're curious to see what a more casual day looks like. We see possible hints in her bright pink lipstick, her androgynous cut by American Mortals and the ghetto blaster neck dangler.

Mike S. (27) is so adorable that we want to put him in our pockets and save him for later — and we're not sharing! Even though it was clear that he was rushing back from his lunch break, we had to stop this vibrant ball of energy for a quick chat about his style. This Buffalo Exchange store manager cites his friends as well as street and punk culture as influences. However, getting the pick of the litter at the Urban Outfitters of local thrift stores probably plays a part in it too. We heart that his cuteness is edged up with the gauges and a body full of tattoos. We like the creative way he dealt with the scar tissue on his elbow by making a blank space heart.

It was clear that Tiarra L. (23) knows what she's doing, so we asked this Zara employee to school us with some fashion advice. The most valuable tip is not to wear a baggy top with baggy bottoms; it should always be balanced by something form fitting. But what about doing tight stuff? "I'm good with tight all over." Though this may sound like a safe bet, Tiarra shows her bravery by playing with different patterns in her animal print scarf and geometric pants ,and proportion by decorating her little bitty head with those gargantuan red leather earrings.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 7:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

COVETED: Random rainy roundup

POSTED: Monday, May 3, 2010, 5:40 PM

Filed Under: Shopping Coveted

Collectors of pretty things, take note: Every Friday Monday, we're rounding up a what's-what of what we [heart], culled from the scores of design blogs, artist sites and Etsy treasuries we stalk on the regular. It's too soppy outside to get all themey. First off: We saw this Canadian-made Circus Tent Ring pop up on a few blogs last month, and the more we see it, the more we want someone to buy it for us for our birthday. (It's June 26. Ahem.) That delicate little white flag atop the 2-inch turquoise tent seems like a tiny, very hazardous dagger, but there's something really precious about this statement piece anyway. Plus it might be a good method of self-defense. Circo de Bango, $52, Old Gold Boutique, spied first at Say Yes! to Hoboken. Speaking of Hoboken: That same blog kindly pointed us in the direction of Kansas City-based Callaghan Art Gallery, whose World Map Collection would look really swanky in our living room and yours. It's a customizable set of six silk-screened map segments on wood panels, available in a dozen fun colors (standard is white on summer blue, but we're thinking yellow on gray might be nice, too). Now we just need to find that couch. $160, Callaghan Art Gallery, spied first at Say Yes! to Hoboken. If you're feeling drippy: Yes, it's very Carrie Bradshaw (and now that we've seen that camel-tastic trailer for the second SATC movie, we've officially exited her camp), but walking through the rain in a clear bubble umbrella has got to be much less unpleasant than having to avert your eyes downward beneath some drab black thing. It's our best take-away from Mighty Goods' recent Rain Gear Roundup (though if we had an extra $172 lying around, we might buy these, too). $22, Amazon, spied first at Mighty Goods. And if you're feeling bitchy: When we were 9, we hand-sewed a pillow for our grandmother that read, "Actions speak louder than words." This is so much better. As part of her Boyfriend Pillow Series, LA-based Tiny Hamlet affixes little gems like "Get your shit together" and "Piss off" onto sweet square throw pillows, but our favorite is definitely "You bore me to death." No offense. $70, Tiny Hamlet on Etsy, spied first at The Storque. PREVIOUSLY >> COVETED: Tea party, party of two

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 5:40 PM Permalink | Post a comment

COVETED: Tea party, party of two

POSTED: Monday, April 26, 2010, 7:19 PM

Filed Under: Shopping Coveted

Collectors of pretty things, take note: Every Friday Monday, we're rounding up a what's-what of what we [heart], culled from the scores of design blogs, artist sites and Etsy treasuries we stalk on the regular. We here at Coveted HQ are in our 20s, which means we're smack-dab in the middle of the longest season of our lives: wedding season. We've gone to a dozen weddings in the past three years, and our friends are showing no signs of stopping with the love-and-marriage stuff. If you're like us (broke) and don't want to completely cheese off your loved ones, pick something small (both in price and size) from the registry du jour, and wrap it up all nice with one of these pretty tea towels. Less waste, more gift; less money, more thought. Works every time.

Here's the nitty-gritty on some of our favorites, from left to right:

The Heated Teacup in Raspberry, $11, The Heated on Etsy
Fern Tea Towel, $18, Madder Root on Cosa Verde, h/t Modish
Gourmet Flour Sack Towel, $14, The House of Bouton on Etsy

PREVIOUSLY >> COVETED: Reinventing the wheel

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 7:19 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Madonna + Rihanna = Ridonna

POSTED: Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 9:51 PM

Neighborhood Watch finds fashionable folk all across the city.

If you saw Angela M. (21) walking down the street, would you think of Rihanna? We wouldn't, but that's who she says influences her style most. Have you never heard of '80s Madonna, girlfriend? We guess, like art, fashion is just as interpretive, so if we look hard enough we can see a little badass RiRi peeping through in the heavy duty knee high boots, the cropped 'do and ice on her wrist. But to back up our position we only need three words: lace, denim and pearls. Let's just settle on Ridonna hits South Street for a cheesesteak.

We found Evan M. (29) strolling the city with Lily C. (30) after her flight to Warsaw was canceled because of that huge volcano fart in Iceland. She says she looks to Stevie Nicks for fashion ideas although she confesses that on this way no one would know it. True enough. What we saw was Anna Wintour with extensions and a smile. Evan, on the otherhand, pulls off a more literal interpretation of his influence: the military. He says he picked up the jacket in an army surplus store and that fantastic hat, which Lily says always draws attention on the street, beckoned him from a thrift store window. Even though it was toasty out, he took a second to show us how it converts to an awesome, Star Wars-looking helmet.

We're proud to say that we've helped Joe C. (22) inch a little closer to his "minor life goal" of being featured on The Sartorialist. His mom would also take pride, considering she's the one who suggested that successful fashion starts with "a good pair of shoes and fitted jeans." This LA born UArts student prefers style on the east side because of the weather, which allows him to throw on a scarf, hat and sweater. We're curious to see how his fashion will evolve when the face melting city heat arrives. Show us some leg!

When Larry B. (37) gets dressed in the morning he says he starts with a simple idea and goes from there. Underneath it all he's wearing a pair of jeans and a flannel, but then threw on a hoodie, blazer and a circle scarf to create his look. We like his style, but it's his music that landed him on City Paper's (web) pages before. We introduced him as Larry B., but most may recognize him as the singing, guitar plucking Grey Reverend. When asking this Brooklyn songster how he compares Philly fashion to his own hipster habitat, he says that Philly has a more conservative, almost rural look as opposed to what he calls Brooklyn's contemporary fashion scene. Before you get your panties in a bunch, Larry made it clear that he wasn't trying to hate on Philly fashion. It was a mere observation. Thanks, Larry.

Posted by Julia West @ 9:51 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Fly mommas and lady lovin'

POSTED: Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 10:24 PM

If Ashley A. (22) were on her way to an interview where style was part of the criteria she'd land that puppy in a heartbeat, but really this professional looking UArts student is on her way to pick up some grub at Whole Foods (929 South St., 215-733-9788). She rifles through old snapshots of her "fly" mother to find the inspiration that leads her to put together well-assembled, sharp looks. To complete the outfit she's toting around a Dooney & Bourke purse like so many of our moms did in the '90s.

We thought this dynamic duo complemented one another well as they were strolling down South Street hand in hand. Looking a little like Santogold, Cherese B. (20) looks to artists like Vashtie Kola for tomboy fashion ideas. She understands real sex appeal comes in the way you carry yourself and not wearing frilly, boob-and-booty revealing pieces. Her counterpart and regular Neighborhood Watch reader (hey Boo!), Francis B. (19), is an aspiring stylist and sneaker designer. Here he shows off his old school kicks before telling us that he looks to Boy Billionaire Pharrell to spark his wardrobe ideas.

You'd be hard pressed to find a cuter couple than Erin S. (R) and Margaret S. (L). We found them curled up on a bench in Rittenhouse Park reading Hemingway aloud to each nother. Despite the fact that they look fab together, we love the individual style of these visiting Bostonites. Erin (27) evokes Twiggy in her classic Brit-mod look with her simple black blazer, detailed skirt and exaggerated fishnets. And Margaret (27) models her style after photos of "dandy men" she finds on blogs like the Sartorialist and FFFFOUND! In our style issue a few weeks back we predicted an onset of this clean cut Ralph Lauren, all-American look. We can't be happier to see it worn smashingly by a girl. She could gain admittance into any yacht club with that digital gold watch alone.

Another pair of visitors â this time down from NYC â were taking the time to tour some of our fabulous Old City sights when we stopped them for a chat. Cassie (30) is another example of a girl who can pull off a traditionally masculine look. When pulling on threads in the morning she usually opts for the relaxed feel. Gabrielle (24) works in the Garment District in New York. She balances out the girly side of this twosome in her black leggings, cut off daisy dukes and bitchin' pink high tops.

Posted by Julia West @ 10:24 PM Permalink | Post a comment

COVETED: Reinventing the wheel

POSTED: Monday, April 12, 2010, 5:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Shopping Coveted

This week we're doing things a little bit differently. You'll see more pictures, fewer words, simpler links and condensed shout-outs, because when we decided we'd do a bicycle-themed edition of Coveted, we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. We could have spent an entire week scrolling through cycling-related Etsy crafts (much thanks to The Storque for pointing us in the right direction). Here's the best of what we've found (click on the pics for product info), grouped by color because we are nerds.

Way up top we've got a Stop Honking T-shirt by MyORB, which would most definitely cause the opposite effect than desired, but we like the idea. Then above, from left to right: Things we love about Rotorcaps' circular cuff links include a) they're handsome, b) they're made from beer bottle caps, and c) they're local. Speaking of beer, Vital Home's colorful set of screen-printed bike pint glasses would do just the trick. Still speaking of beer, Steel Toe Studios has a pricey but worth-it bottle opener made from recycled bike gear. Finally (and, we guess, still tangentially related to beer if you know what we mean), you don't have to put Heckfire's bike decals on your toilet, but it's something nice to look at.

Set two (above, L-R) starts off with a rotating bike-wheel pot rack by Plaid Clad. What does "normal ceiling height" mean and will this work in our kitchen? We couldn't pick just one necklace, so we've got the more straightforward (and local) U-Lock necklace by Maggie Wood, plus a funky, less-obvious inner-tube necklace from Minnesota artist TRStonyhill. Lastly, we couldn't not shout out Philly gal Girls Can Tell, whose bike-related merch includes these simple, black-and-white tea towels. Want.

Finally, set three (above, L-R) includes the brightest of the bunch. If you have a kid (or if you're a grown-up who likes pictures of birds riding bikes), check out Barking Bird Art's sweet nursery print. Adorbs. If you've mastered adult skills like time-telling, keep it up with One By Liz's recycled-parts bike clocks, which come in tons of colors and styles. Heather Jeany's affordable, sunshiney screen-printed stationery caught our eye, as did Dark Cycle Clothing's animals-on-a-bike tee series. We're smitten by the giraffe-on-a-tall-bike version, but the whale and the badger are pretty cute, too. PREVIOUSLY >> COVETED: Take a look, it's in a book

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Hot biscuits, color scientists, Velveteen Rabbit doppelgangers and the most fashionable accessory

POSTED: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 6:30 PM

Cecilia B. (24) was doing a lot of poppin' when we caught up with her: She was poppin' out of the hair salon with her freshly did 'do, poppin' a pose for the camera like the model she is and damn, look at how that face pops out of the photo. She looks like a BeyoncÃ© Barbie, but you probably won't find a Mattel doll on the shelf with 11 tattoos like this hot biscuit. Check out how much she has happening on that one little hand. We love the charm bracelet tattoo, we're okat with the multi-colored pastel nails but we can easily do without that gaudy chunk of 50-cent machine bling.

There are two types of springtime park dwellers in this world: Those who get dressed up for it. And those who don't give a wad. We've got both specimens below:

In her floral print, vintage dress and oversized red shades from Wilbur Vintage (716 S. Fourth St.), Lucy E. (31) was outshining the rest of her posse lounging in Washington Square Park. This funkified employee of Anthropologie says her biggest fashion influence is the science of color. We're no scientists but we'll do our best to figure out this formula: gladiator sandals + vibrant feather earrings to the second power/Olivia Newton-John leggings to the infinity and a milligram of choppy hipster hair = the inspiration she hoped for plus a little Björk in the beaker.

You may not look at Michael K. and Nancy W. and think of them as a pair of trendy trailblazers, but there's no question that exercise gear deserves a place among our spring street fashion line-up. We found these two taking a breather from an afternoon jog in Old City. Michael didn't have a lot to say about his get-up but Nancy says she likes to buy workout duds at Lululemon. She also says she works for an unidentified fashion house but the most fashionable accessory she had on this day was that striking City Paper lounging on the blanket next to her. Nice choice, girl.

Sarah H. stood out like a sore thumb when we saw her sightseeing with her all-American, cornbread-fed family. What drew our attention initially were the lace skirt and that two-toned hair, but on closer inspection we liked the finer details, such as the gaggle of family heirloom necklaces and the more-than-gently used Velveteen Rabbit doppelganger on her back. She's had this backpack since she was wee baby (which wasn't all that long ago). We weren't the only ones to take notice of Sarah. As we were chatting, a carload of guys drove by hooting like a bunch of horny owls — much to the chagrin of her mortified father. Get a grip, you pervs, she's only 15.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 6:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

COVETED: Take a look, it's in a book!

POSTED: Monday, April 5, 2010, 5:30 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Shopping | Books | Coveted | Fashion What We Heart

In honor of the City Paper's Book Quarterly, which hit the stands on Thursday, we're dedicating this week's Coveted to all things bookish. First up: Penguin Classics was wise to hire designer Coralie Bickford-Smith, who's created an ever-growing set of brightly colored, cloth-covered works of literature, from Pride and Prejudice (not the and Zombies variety) and The Odyssey to Alice in Wonderland and Treasure Island. They're even more gorgeous in person, and make for excellent, inexpensive gifts. Best of all, a handful of them are now available on Amazon. The only problem is that we want all of them, not just one. (Side note: Bickford-Smith also headed up a Boys' Adventure series — pictured, above — shouted out at Design Work Life.) $13.60 ($20 at Anthropologie), Amazon, spied first at designspongeonline.com. We'd be remiss not to include The Black Spot Books in a book-centric shopping column, since a) its creator, Margaux Kent, is a Fishtowner; b) we've written about her in our DIY holiday gift guide; and c) her work is simply exquisite — even if you're not that into reading. We're not saying we can afford this one-of-a-kind, antique "books for the neck" piece, constructed of about 10 tiny leather-bound books. But single-book versions are much more manageable, and just as lovely. $325, The Black Spot Books via Etsy. For those of you who'd rather write your own stories — or grocery lists, for that matter — we came across an eclectic collection of handmade notebooks on Portland, Ore.-based Habit of Art's site. We're particularly digging The Black Apple's critter-heavy three-pack notebook series (think girls and squirrels, whales and giant owls), all of which come printed with a cute little poem on the back: "A notebook is meant for thinking thoughts/ For making notes, for jotting jots./ So don't be stingy with the pages/ Or you'll have an empty notebook for ages!" $10, The Black Apple via Etsy, spied first at Habit of Art. PREVIOUSLY >> COVETED: Bunnies, you are so hot right now

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 5:30 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: A spitfire who can really bring it

POSTED: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 8:50 PM

Filed Under: Shopping Fashion

Neighborhood Watch finds fashionable folk all across the city. Despite early week sogginess this week, there were a surprising number of people who didn't let a little rainfall dampen their fashion parade.

The sign in the window behind Jallesha M. (17) says it all. Watch out all you fashion-do-gooders, this little honey is breaking all the rules and she don't care who knows it. Correction: She wants everyone to know it. She tried endlessly to hock her services as a model in case we find ourselves in need. We're not in the position to hire, but we saw firsthand how this spitfire can really bring it for the camera. She may need a little help in the wardrobe department, though. Sure, she was just coming from school but it'll take a lot of convincing to make us believe that track pants, a polo, leopard print bows/bags and a slew of serious piercings can coexist harmoniously on one little body.

When we told Jasmin R. (18) that she reminded us of Control-era Janet, she looked at us like she had just seen the ghost of Michael (R.I.P.). She insisted that her look was more Avril Lavigne, which is apparent in her minimal color palette and edgier undertones. Adding to the roughness of her look are three tattoos, her favorite being the butterfly that adorns her right foot. And if you're wondering what diet regime keeps Jasmin looking so trim, you may be annoyed to learn that she's one of "those" people. "I eat anything I want and still look like this." Bitch.

Sometimes making a statement doesn't have to revolve around a flashy pair of boots or a perfectly tailored jacket. In some cases it's the subtle nuances that make all the difference. It was Kirston R.'s (24) starry grips that validated our decision to stop and chat with him in the rain. He doesn't give a flying doody ball about fashion, but we'll give him credit for the robust face hair-do and those bitchin' high tops.

We recognize that Lyndsi R. (28) is dressed similarly to other girls from past Neighborhood Watch posts, but there's a reason we decided to include her. She is a good example of how to properly wear tight pants tucked into knee high leather boots and a nice tunic that have been forced into fashion recently by her favorite trendsetters Nicole Ritchie and the Olsen twins. Her bohemian chic style may look like a carbon copy of many women you pass on the street, but she adds her own hint of sophistication and kookiness with the chunky frames and humidity-defeating braids on each side of her head.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 8:50 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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PHILLY LOVE NOTES: An ode to Spruce Street
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS: James Blake @ TLA 5/11
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
What we're trying to do this weekend
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
CONCERT PHOTOS: Marnie Stern @ Johnny Brenda's 5/10

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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