|
|
|
Shopping
Collectors of pretty things, take note: Every Friday, 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 can't help but stalk on the regular.
 |
| twelvesouth.com |
Before we let our nerdy design hearts get carried away with themed Coveted roundups (letterpress Valentine's cards, your time is nigh), we'll start simply with a quick tour of lovely things to lust after, both locally and not-so.
First up: Twelve South's BookBook (pictured, above), a charming, old-school laptop case that snugly encases MacBooks and MacBook Pros, shielding them from the elements. No two hardback leather cases are alike, and since the BookBook looks like an old musty library volume, it's not likely your neighborhood thief's gonna think to swipe it from you. (Books are so 1997.) Watch Twelve South, a company that makes computer accessories solely for Mac users, for the inevitable BookBook for iPad. How meta. $79.99, twelvesouth.com. Spied first at designspongeonline.com.
 |
Next: We blogged about the Etsy Hearts for Haiti shop last week, but here's a friendly reminder that the site — which donates 100 percent of proceeds (except for PayPal/Etsy fees) to Doctors Without Borders — is still up, and there's a ton more stuff to choose from this week. We think it's pretty great that Etsy artist-crafters are so willing to donate their wares (we bought goodies from Shagpile and Iktomi so far, and we ain't done shopping) to such a great cause, especially Hightower Botanicals, whose rosemary necklace is molded straight from the real thing. Snap it first, before we cave and snatch it ourselves. $79, etsy.com/shop/heartsforhaiti. Spied first at balancedcrafts.com.
 |
And then: By the time we turn 30, we will have approximately 8 million unframed prints hung haphazardly on our walls. We cannot stop buying them; we have a problem. Fine. But look at this: The Working Proof's This Land is Your Land 8-by-10 digital print, a much greener vision for these our United States. Fifteen percent of sales go to American Forests, a nonprofit conservation org that promotes healthy forest ecosystems. Really, everyone wins. $45, theworkingproof.com. Spied first at poppytalk.blogspot.com.
 |
Oh, also: Local gal Sarah Louise Hunt, proprietress of Mouse Trap Vintage, may be keenest on mice (she's got city and country mouse pins for sale, in any fabric imaginable, on her Etsy site), but they eek us out a little. We much prefer hedgehogs, or at least the idea of hedgehogs, which is why we are sweating hard her vintage 4-inch hedgehog dish, all crackly and sunny and not likely to be found sniffing around our apartment, unlike some critters. Does this mean the owl fad is finally over? $12, etsy.com/shop/mousetrapvintage.
P.S.: Speaking of cute, Philly sculptor Darla Jackson, who created an anthropomorphic under-the-sea bunny world at Mew Gallery last year (we miss you, Mew; we miss you, anthropomorphic bunnies), is back — this time at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, with the new exhibit "While You Were Out." Her blog is worth checking out, too — it's where we found her "Surprise Party" installation, featuring gorgeously crafted, anatomically correct wild animals wearing vibrant party hats. We can't afford Surprise Party (Birds) by any means, but we can make it our desktop background, thankyouverymuch. $300, darlajacksonsculpture.com.
 |
We want to know what's on your RSS feed. Hit us up (carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net) with tips and treats.
Thanks for including me in this post! Awesome, totally covetable stuffs! :)
In this column's past, Critical Mass immersed itself in one neighborhood each week and found its most stylish inhabitants. We're switching things up. Now, this will be a space for us to find fashionable folk all across the city. But we're still keeping the hood theme — kinda, sorta — by taking note of where we found our subjects and trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
It's hard to be an individual under layers of jackets and scarves, but this week we noticed people who came up with innovative ways to distinguish themselves from the huddled masses of puffy winter coats that shuffle down the sidewalk.
Mississippi goddamn! Simone B. (25) — yes, named after the fabulous Nina — had it all right when we spotted her on the street. She was absolutely stunning in that satiny circle scarf that frames her face while still allowing room for those gorgeous curls to peek out. We also totally love her stellar knee-high boots, her simple black leggings and her cozy — but sleek — pea coat with that awesome collar.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
To stay warm while riding on his bicycle (which matches his shoes, thank you very much), Craig V. (31) says he piles on layers of pants. We have no idea where he keeps them under those skinnies, but we'll take his word for it. He probably paid a pretty penny for his nifty clear frames at Antiquarian's Delight (615 S. Sixth St., 215-592-0256); and his faded leather bomber was $4 at a yard sale in Austin, Texas. But the 'stache and his hopeful upward gaze? Friggin' priceless.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
Joanne H. (53) had a lot to work with here, but somehow she managed to keep it classy with her well-coordinated conglomeration of coat, scarf, leather gloves, checkered shawl and a massive pocketbook to boot. We're pretty certain the shawl could be a throw she pulled off the back of her couch, but whatevs — she's got it going on. Our favorite accessory is her smile.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
With those fiery red locks, Liam D. (25) could go one of two ways: Conan or Carrot Top. Let's give him a hand for choosing the former. He says his main concern when dressing for the cold is to not look stupid. He accomplishes this nicely with his properly tailored jacket, functional mitts, pointy Stetsons and well-fitted boot-cut jeans. Come to think of it, with a fashion sense this slick, he probably could pull off the Carrot Top.
 |
| Reading is fundamental. |
Apropos of nothing except that Criminal Minds is on TV tonight, I would like to direct everyone's attention to Matthew Gray Gubler, the hottest nerdy scientist to hit procedural crime dramas since B.D. Wong.
I've only recently discovered Criminal Minds — which is constantly in reruns on Ion TV, FYI — and I already know the following facts about Dr. Spencer Reid:
- He does not like spinach, or the dark, or baby kicks.
- He is smarter than everyone else on the show, and possibly the world.
- He once almost got shot in the face by James Van Der Beek, who also injected him with heroin which gave him visions of his wackadoodle mother, who is Jane Lynch.
 |
| threadless.com |
| I'm Profiling You. |
More Gubler-junkie movie factoids: He made his big-screen debut as Intern #1 in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou after Wes Anderson, for whom he was interning, suggested he audition; he played lovable broham to Joseph Gordon-Levitt in (500) Days of Summer; and is the voice of Simon in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel. (Aw. The nerdy one.)
Speaking of preciousness, there are loads of Web sites dedicated to Gubler, but none so adorably named as thegube.org, which, among other things, directs us to an awesome Reid-themed threadless.com tee (pictured, right).
So, readers, I ask you: Has the Gube won your heart, as well? Or does your police-drama TV lust belong to another?
I HEART the GUBE!
OMG - I discovered Criminal Minds on my honeymoon of all times, and have pretty much been fantasizing about MGG ever since! I keep asking my husband if it bothers him that I talk about Spencer every night! Love him.
i just love him he is so damn hooooot and seeexy
Love, love, love the Gube! I'm really looking forward to the upcoming episode he's directing on CM. Something tells me it's going to be awesome.
Yeah my friend introduced me to this show and right away I wanted to run and marry Spencer Reid. I have a CalTech sweater just cause he went there. People constantly have to tell me he is fictional but I don't care lol. You should see my locker. The whole door is pictures of him. I also have a teddy bear.
How do I love the Gube????? Let it just be known...he is a man forever in the bathtub and I am forever standing by with a nice warm towel....
I am actually married to a man who epitomizes the Dr. Reid Spencer Character and captures the amazing looks of Matthew Gray Gubler....so I have the best of all worlds! Alas, my version is 20 years older...and has filled out his gangly frame finally...Matthew's talents are ever growing, and I hope to see more of this young man on the small screen and big screen too. Nice story....
I was introduced to CM only last month on my dad's recommendation; I downloaded season 1 and watched the first couple of episodes and thought I can't watch this show, procedural shows are so boring and where are the hot guys ;p But then I watched one more and was like ...oh there he is- MGG is the hotness, matthewgraygubler.com finished it...so much gube love <3
He's adorable. His combination of talent, underplayed good looks and self-deprecating charm is simply irresistible. I'm hooked.
This man is extremely talented. Not only is he an amazing actor, but his work as a director is fantastic. :-) He's currently working on directing one of the Criminal Minds episodes now - best of luck to such a talented and down to earth man!
he's actually what drew me toCM in the first place. i wondered into the living roo one night and my mom was watching it. i stopped for a second to what she was watching, saw Reid and ended up watching the entire rest of the episode with her. lol.
I'm a new fan of his & the CM show. I was quickly drawn in because of his "nerdish" charm, but even in real life he seems to be intelligent, charming, down to earth, & most of all exceptionally funny.
He had me at cute intern. And yes, his "unauthorized" self made documentaries make me laugh so hard. His nerdiness has my heart, but more importantly to a Dr. Spencer Reid, he also has my mind.
He won my heart back in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and his Documentaries.
Oh the Gube! I think between unemployment and lack of cable I have watched every Ion rerun of this show. And I still think he's great.
me too, CMF. i have to say that i miss mandy patinkin in the new eps ... joe mantegna just doesn't do much for me.
i JUST discovered this show about a month ago and have become obsessed with all the characters, not the least of which is gubler. love it.
Criminal Minds is without a doubt the best show out there right now,and thought was the only one obsessed with Reed,he is so hot,the hair and he has perfect bone structure on that face of his. All I can say is yes nerds can be sexy!!!!
I have a question for all of you Reed lovers out there, I am looking for a t-shirt with just him any one have web sights thet have found?
matthew gray gubler is HOT and GOOD LOOKEN PS I THANK YOUR THE CUTE ONE ON CRIMINAL MINDS
I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE Matthew Gray Gubler. He's the sexiest man on tv.
 |
| Octopus Hat, $34, Our Yellow House |
If you still haven't made a donation to the Red Cross or any number of other relief organizations in the name of helping post-quake Haiti, there is, of course, still plenty of time, and still plenty of people who desperately need all the financial help they can get.
Etsy's jumped on board with Hearts for Haiti, a fundraising shop where 100 percent of the post-Paypal-fee proceeds go directly to Doctors Without Borders, which has been working in Haiti for 19 years and operates three emergency hospitals in Port-au-Prince.
 |
| Haiti relief pendant, $18, Olivia Moon |
Some details from the site:
This is an Etsy collective of donated items from hundreds of Etsy shops to raise money to rebuild Haiti. 100 percent of the proceeds from this shop (minus Etsy fees and Paypal fees) go directly to Doctors Without Borders in bi-monthly increments.
All items include seller-donated free shipping (most worldwide, see individual listing); because the need is SO great, we want you to buy and help support Etsians helping Haiti. The theme for the next few weeks is on heart items, but we have more than just that. Please ... know that your purchase in this shop not only gets you a great Etsy item but it also helps alleviate the needs in Haiti.
 |
| Hedgehog sculpture, $27, Iktomi |
So far the little shop that could has raised more than $6,000 — but it still has a long road ahead. If you're an Etsy artist who'd like to donate to the shop, e-mail etsyforhaiti@gmail.com for more information; if you're a shopper, click here and spoil yourself, your friends and your family totally guilt-free.
I've included a few of my favorite products in this post; click on the image to visit the site. Tons and tons of baby stuff, jewelry and Haiti relief-themed crafts, but poke around for a few minutes and you'll discover a vast array of goods, from paintings and prints to pins and buttons, costing anywhere from $250 to $1.50. Happy hunting.
Just a clarification - ETSY has not jumped on board, ARTISTS have jumped on board to help those in Haiti. ETSY is still collecting a fee for every sale made in the shop - but I guess it is a small price to pay to be able to help the victims of the earthquake. So please give all the glory to the ARTISTS who have shops on Etsy and made donations of art to help those in need. Thank you.
Thank you for your post. In an effort to get the word out quickly, it is papers like yours who help as well. We can donate items but if you don't know where to go, it doesn't help. The support by etsy artists as well as the general public has been overwhelming. We only need to see photos from Haiti to be inspired to do all we can. Sincerely, Judy Danford
 |
Buy us this.
It's a 2010 calendar featuring some of the greatest hits of Temple University's Urban Archives, a place where many a young Philadelphian has fallen in love with her city, and/or her fellow GUS classmates. (And yes, we know it's almost February, but some of us got the year off to a late start, kay?)
Check out the calendar, which is free (!) if you only get one and $5 for additional copies, in full here. If you're interested in getting your hands on it, head the Urban Archives themselves (Samuel L. Paley Library, 1210 Polett Walk, bottom floor, 215-204-8257), which are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Okayplayer store is closing up shop tomorrow, Tuesday, January 19, so they can do reboot for Spring 2010. Everything is 50 percent off so get there and clean them out for your fave hip-hop 'head. To get the discount, click this link, enter COLLECTABLE at check out or just watch as your discount magically appears.
Hey, get us something while you're there. Like this ?uestlove ladies shirt or these Black Lily offerings.
RELATED: NOW SEE THIS: "Parks and Recreation is the Wu-Tang of Comedy" featuring ?uestlove
 |
| mylifetime.com |
| Emilio's winning design |
For season 7, Project Runway is back where it belongs in New York City. It's time to make it work, bitches.
While L.A. may be high-end and not totally clueless about fashion, New York is where the show belongs. And what comes with shooting the great ProjRun in New York? The return of Bitchmasters Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Together they will mold seamstresses/seamsters into designers, and artists into fashion know-it-alls. With a few tears along the way, of course.
Meet the newest cast of ambitious little divas: Seth, Janeane, Ping, Ben, Anthony (who I think I'm going to love for ever and ever, no matter what cattiness he may pull out later), Jay, Pamela, Anna, Jonathan, Jesse, Mila, Maya, Christiane, Jesus, Emilio, and Amy. It's a lot to remember — but you won't have to remember one of them. More on that later.
The first challenge — shockingly — was for the crew to create an ensemble that represents each of them as a designer. The purpose is so we, and the judges, can understand each designer as artists, but it's within the process of the whole thing that we get a little glimpse into the more interesting characters. Janeane is going to be that girl who cries about everything (see: Ricky Lizalde from Season 4), which, in the end, will probably break her.
Ping is the misunderstood artist that people perceive as plain old weirdo (see: Ari Fish, Malvin Vien from Season 6). Crazy or not, this woman put together a piece that was striking, bold and certainly left an impression on the judges, even if the judges weren't entirely sure what that impression was. Ping said that she makes clothes that move with the body, and you can tell with her red and black-draped ensemble, but will she be able to incorporate her ideals into the specific challenges that the judges present?
And then there's Anthony, the black gay guy from the south toting plenty of fun sass and possibly a good sense of humor (see: Philly's own Jay McCarroll from Season 1, Santino Rice from Season 2, anyone you like to watch more than you like their designs). But girl, you need to step it up a bit. Kors said that Anthony's peculiar black-printed mini halter would be great if the model was trying to steal bottles of champagne. I want to see Anthony stick around if not for his designs but at least for his hilarious presence.
Christiane was out after making a blue and yellow-printed hodepodge mess dress that had God knows what going on all over it. And the girl left a sloppy hem, too. What? You think the judges won't notice that? The messy and boring design wasn't what the judges (and guest judge/coat hanger Nicole Richie) were looking for, so they sent Ms. Christiane home before she could get too comfy at Parsons.
Emilio's intricate weaving of fabrics, including those large polka dots that can be peeked above, paired with "a fun yet sexy full skirt," as we heard Richie say a few too many times, won the challenge. Now Emilio has some serious bragging rights for being the first winner and setting the bar for where everyone else should be in the weeks to follow.
Coming late to this party. I thought Ping's design for the first week looked like it was thrown together and hung on the model, with no real plan or concept. But the judges loved it. What a shame that it took a few weeks for them to figure out she DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SEW! How in the H*!! did she even get on this show? It pains me to think of the young designers across the country who would kill for this type of opportunity. Only the judges' gushing compliments the first week kept her from being nuked when the bare-butt disaster came later. Why they didn't nuke her then is beyond me. I wonder what some of the designers who were eliminated (while Ping was kept) would have shown us, had they stuck around for a few more weeks. If the producers want to overcome the double whammy the show took from being off the air for a while, followed by the LA disaster, they need to pay more attention to whether prospective candidates for the show have any true skill and talent. Sloppy doesn't equate to 'edgy.'
Project Runway Lives! Last night episode was like the old episodes, in that it was entertaining and I didn't hurl anything at my TV. Maybe we should all just pretend that last season was a terrible dream, like they did with Dallas? Tim Gunn and Ping Wu in 2012!
In this column's past, Critical Mass immersed itself in one neighborhood each week and found its most stylish inhabitants. We're switching things up. Now, this will be a space for us to find fashionable folk all across the city. But we're still keeping the hood theme — kinda, sorta — by taking note of where we found our subjects and trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
We're spitefully aware that winter has only just begun, but we're already sick and tired of photographing people bundled from head to toe in heavy gear. The bright side to dressing for winter is playing with layers and incorporating those fabulous sweaters and legwarmers that collect cat hair and a mothball scent in your closet throughout the summer. To get a peek at what people are hiding under all that bulk, we shuffled into some of the city's hottest coffee spots, where locals gathered to find reprieve from the frigid streets.
We ran into Red (27) while he was waiting on a friend at Last Drop Coffee House (13th and Lombard streets). The eclectic surroundings and his dandy cup of tea were a nice complement to his hipster-goes-regal attire. We thought he was the bee's knees in his fancy, vintage neckwear. "One day I put on a bowtie and I just haven't stopped wearing them," he says. Before we dashed out, he imparted one final piece of widsom about staying warm in the winter: cashmere, darling.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
In hindsight, we don't know if we loved John L.'s (19) style or if we were mesmerized by his quiet sexiness, but we ain't hatin' on it either way. He popped into Brew-Ha Ha! (212 S. 12th St.) on a break from spinning dough at a pizza eatery around the corner. We dug his industrial look, especially the elaborate, button-adorned collar on his hoodie. Regrettably we didn't find out what he had going on under that hat he picked up from a street vendor downtown. But honestly, it could have been dyed baby shit green and we'd still be gaga.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
We could have easily breezed past Francesca L. (24), who was hovering quietly over her netbook in Chapterhouse Café & Gallery (620 S. Ninth St.), but upon closer inspection we discovered a fiery pizzazz under those nerdy frames that couldn't be ignored. We were fans of her choppy do (it was created by Anthony at American Mortals, if you're interested) and her roomy blue sweater. She had her pants cuffed just-so, probably to show off the black Steve Madden boots that she acquired as a recent birthday gift to herself.
 |
| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
Mr. W (age concealed) would rather be chugging down a glass of scotch, but they don't sell things like that at Café Ole (147 N. 3rd St.) — so he settled for a cup of java. Despite the fact that nothing seemed to be going his way, he cheerfully relayed some fashion wisdom that he believes all men should adhere to:
No. 1. Never wear white socks.
No. 2. Pick out quality footwear, namely Italian brands made from the flesh of ostrich and crocodile.
No. 3. Don't be afraid to make a statement, like he did last summer in a pair of swimming trunks and high-top red sneaks.
And apparently, No. 4. Throw out all your combs — tamed hair is so 1940s.
Why do these Neighborhood Watch pictures always seem to be taken in the same area? Always seems to be between 9th Street and Broad and Fitzwater to Pine. Occasionally Temple. Or within spitting distance of the CP office. It's a big city, get out there!
 |
| Courtesy of Curiosity Shoppe |
Yet another sad, sad development on the slow death of South Street: Along with Pearl Art & Craft Supplies and the already-shuttered TLA Video, Curiosity Shoppe (529 S. Fourth St., 215-413-2301) will be closing its quirky, tchotke-filled doors within the next month or two. "Let's just say it was mostly the recession that caused this," says owner Peter Macleod. "There were other factors, but that made the decision easier."
Macleod says there are no current plans to take the Shoppe online or elsewhere, but he did tell Critical Mass that there will be a slew of sales between now and the closing date, which he predicts will be the end of February. All clothes are 50 percent off, holiday ornaments are 75 percent off, books are 50 percent off, knickknacks are 50 percent off, Halloween costumes/makeup/masks/funky-looking stocks are 50 percent off, and political tees are 25 percent off.
The very fact that "knickknacks" and "funky-looking stockings" are categories of their own exemplifies why I'll miss the Curiosity Shoppe. Farewell, Macleod & Co.
 |
| Courtesy of Woosk |
| Grandma would love this! |
As if any of us needs another reason to drink cheap beer: After you make a painting, drawing, sculpture or poem — a poem! — about Pabst Blue Ribbon for tonight's Art Contest Viewing Party, don't get bummed if it doesn't get accepted. You've got another chance to sling your work: The second annual PBR Crafting Challenge will take place on Sat., Feb. 27 from 3 to 10 p.m. at 2424 Studios (2424 York St., 215-423-1800), and it needs your booze-fueled goods. Here's the deal:
Only PBR themed art/craft to be sold or displayed-- the skies the limit
on what you can make with this as a theme!
$10 table fee (includes all you can drink PBR 21+)
and it's BYO table (6 foot maximum)
Send an EMAIL to phillycraftmarket@gmail letting us know what you
plan on making an we'll send you all the sign up information.
Drink up!
- Activism
- Arts
- Arts Events
- Books
- Dance
- First Person Fest
- Last Chance
- Museum
- On the Fringe
- Philly Artists
- The Curator
- Theater
- Visual Art
- Arts News
- Artist Profile
- Arts Preview
- Street Art
- Been There, Done That
- Big Ups
- Comedy
- LOL With It
- Stand-up
- Critical Mass
- DVD
- Events
- Friday Fill-in
- Ice Cubes
- In Memoriam
- Interview
- Just Do It
- Just Opened
- Kaleidoscopic
- LGBTQ
- Art Phag
- Mailbag
- Movies
- Film Fest
- Movie Review
- On set
- Scenester
- screening
- trailer!
- Music
- 10 Track Mind
- Album
- Album Review
- Concert Review
- DJs
- Local Support
- Now Hear This
- One Track Mind
- Philly Bands
- Show
- Somebody Else Was There
- Song
- The Showdown
- concert photos
- jazz
- DJ Nights Blogged
- Night Watch
- Now See This
- Poetic License
- Printed Matter
- Radio
- Shopping
- Coveted
- Fashion
- What We Heart
- TV
- 24
- Idol Hands
- Mad Men
- ProjRun
- True Blood
- Useless Lost Recaps
- Couch Potato
- Shore Trash
- Turned ONN
- TopMod
- Video Games
- Free Online Game
- PSP
- PlayStation 2
- The 1-Upper
- Wii
- Web Junk
- CAGE MATCH
- Free Online Toy
- Weekend Omnibus
- Win
