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Shopping
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| blogs.rowan.edu/harvey |
Pearl Art & Craft Supplies, the giant art store on 417 South St., will close it's doors at the end of the month. Manager Kevin Gordon, who has been at Pearl for eight years, says the rough date is Saturday, January, 31 but it will definitely be over and done with by the first week in February. All items will be 50 percent off until the store closes. Even though Gordon said that he only learned of the plans for closure yesterday, I went to Pearl last weekend and the shelves seemed uncommonly bare.
The closure of Pearl is yet another sound of the death knell for the once-cool South Street, that comes on the heels of the shuttering of TLA Video in October. For Gordon, Pearl closes for two reasons: The outflux of stores that began five years ago after Tower Records closed due to rising rents and the South Street improvement project, which halted foot traffic. "Those two factors combined with the recession limited the amount people to South Street," says Gordon, ultimately leading to Pearl's closure. I loved walking around Pearl, just imagining what I could with myself there. When I was under 18, and they weren't supposed to let you in because they sold spray paint, I would beg older friends/parents/sibling to accompany me, just so I could look. To say the least, this totally blows.I ran a Pearl store for over two years. It was a very shady place to work. I always felt like I was working for the mod.
Well I stopped going to Pearl when I found this site - it's a Chicago based store but they carry everything in the world online for really good prices - artsupply.com I get my paints, brushes, and some studio furniture there. They are really helpful too, unlike Pearl who I found rude. Not their fault, their corporate offices keep the clamp on them.
Pearl is closing 8 stores nationwide its good to know its not just us its them too. I just hope this doesn't mean utrecht and Blick are all the boring stagnant art supply shops we are stuck with now. oh yeah Artist and Craftsman at 307 market!
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| Courtesy of daymaker on Etsy |
As my friend Kate said, this Kenzinger beer truck ($5 on etsy.com/shop/daymaker) is like a paper doll for adults — and "I want a whole paper doll beer village." The Etsy crafter daymaker doesn't have that available, sadly, but he does sling paper Philly-style food trucks, townhouses, a Mambo moving truck and a wee Memphis Taproom. Best of all, and just like paper dolls, the sculptures come flat and you have to put them together yourself. That truck up top has a construction difficulty rating of 6.4.
Redhook Mudslinger Spring Ale is s great product which is loved by many people !It will be the number one in the market next time !
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 asking our subjects where they're from and trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
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| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
This week we were looking for more of a challenge and wanted to remove ourselves from the fashionable — yet safe — black hole of Center City. So we headed south to the Philadelphia International Airport terminals. We believe comfort is an essential element of looking fly, and who knows comfort better than the jet set? Instead of finding travelers who were haggard, dumpy and decked out in grungy sweats, we found people who were able to maintain an air of sensibility while still keeping it cute.
We were almost ready to pack the camera away when we noticed Alissia P. (34) standing near baggage claim. She looked like a ray of sunshine in her perfectly draped gray wrap, which we were surprised to learn was from Victoria's Secret. Just coming off of a 15-hour flight from Africa, her main concern was staying comfy and warm. If this is what you look like after a 15-hour flight halfway across the globe, then sign us up for two tickets.
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| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
We totally heart Yana B. (20) and Lauren M.'s (21) getups, which still look adorable after a 9-hour flight from Chile. Check out Lauren's who-gives-a-shit hairdo, which really only works in the confines of an airport; and Yana's rockin' a pose that she must have learned from Tyra. They looked like they could easily have stepped off a glitzy runway in Milano rather than the drab concrete one at PHL.
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| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
Hailing from Brooklyn, Andrew E. (24) was on his way to Jacksonville, Fla. for an artist's residency program, and he had one thing on his mind when getting dressed that morning: not to be stopped for a random search by security. "I was trying not to look broke, poor or like a drug smuggler," he says. Even though he admitted to looking a bit like all of those things, he hadn't been stopped by anyone. That is, until we came along.
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| Photos | Josh Middleton and Julia West |
When Kezia K. (22) came clip-clopping down the corridor in her oversize rancher-style jacket and seriously worn-out cowboy boots, we were almost certain she had just stepped off a plane from the Southwest — but she was actually coming from New Orleans. Her favorite piece was the multicolored scarf that she snagged from a street vendor in NOLA.
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 asking our subjects where they're from and trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
One of the greatest skills a Philadelphian can have is know how to stay stylish despite the freezing cold weather. These winter fashion pros knew just how to spice up pea coats with cute accessories and layer it up with amazing vintage finds. Last week we spotted possibly the most stylish girl in Philly. This week we might have found the most stylish dude, 32-year-old Joseph P. How could any girl resist a guy who knows his vintage?
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| Nicole Saylor |
Neighborhood: North Philly
This thrift store fan scored a '50s varsity letterman jacket for only four bucks at Village Thrift in Kensington. 'Now everyone is going to go there and buy up all the good stuff,' he says.
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| Nicole Saylor |
Alyssa F., 21.
Neighborhood: Fairmount/Art Museum
This girl is a winter fashion pro, stocking up on fun tights, knitted gloves and hats. 'Hats are key,' she says.
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| Nicole Saylor |
Meghan F., 22.
Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
This second-hand fan likes to check out thrift stores, flea markets and her sister's closet for fashion finds. 'I inherit a lot of clothes,' she says.
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| Nicole Saylor |
Brittney K., 22.
Neighborhood: East Oak Lane
This chic lady loves Aldo and H&M. She got this outfit inspiration from a preview for Tabitha's Salon Takeover when she saw Tabitha rocking a black turtleneck and skirt combo with a gold belt and thought, 'I'll try that on Wednesday.'
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| Nicole Saylor |
Abigail B., 26.
Neighborhood: Chinatown
This fashion and music editor knows how to milk her job's perks by scoring sweet designer goods. 'When I represent an artist they usually do something to thank me,' she says. A Fendi bag sure is a nice thank-you gift.
I think Joseph P's sweater is from the soon-to-be-closed Cardinal Dougherty High School. Super cool!
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| Courtesy of Frankford Ave. Arts Corridor |
For a more subversive, less drunk-bus-y First Friday than you may be used to getting in Old City, everyone knows by now to head to Fishtown and NoLibs. (Or just the 319 N. 11th St. building. Six galleries in one place!) In a step that further proves itself as the new center of gravity in Philly's art scene, there are a slew of kinda-new galleries and boutiques officially opening up tonight in Fishtown:
' the gallery Extra Extra, which arts ed Carolyn Huckabay mentioned in her First Friday Focus this week
' the caf' Bella Sera
' the vintage boutique two percent to glory, whose official opening will be Fri., Dec. 11
' the not-new-in-general, but recently-moved dance academy Philadelphia Argentine Tango School
' the artists' collective Part-Time Collective
' the artists' collective Piranha Betty's Art Market
To celebrate their new neighbors, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation is hosting a holiday walk tonight from 6 to 9 p.m., with all sorts of drinks, art shows, craft shows, sales, DIY decoration workshops, DJs and ' aw, gee ' hot cocoa. For lots more details, hit up Frankford Ave. Arts Corridor's Web site.
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 asking our subjects where they're from and trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
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| Photo | Nicole Saylor |
| The coolest girl in all of Philly? |
Kristie W. (21), a Temple student who lives in North Philly, loves her vintage and knows just how to rock it during the school day. She picked up this amazing fur coat from The Attic in Manayunk.
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| Photo | Nicole Saylor |
Robert L. (20), an exceptionally stylish student from South Philly, gets inspiration from The Sartorialist. 'I read a lot of blogs I guess,' he says.
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| Photo | Nicole Saylor |
Shivon P. (29), a South Philly yoga teacher, caught our eye for being fashionable yet comfy on a rainy day.
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| Photo | Nicole Saylor |
Franz S. (25), a dapper dude from Fishtown, is no stranger to fashion. He works in the industry and says that men's fashion is all about 'fit and proportion.'
Robert is wearing chick pants.
Buy us this.
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| gizmodo.com |
Holy E. Honda, Batman! How much do you want this Street Fighter snuggie, confirmed by Capcom as an actual product? Because I want it a lot.
Or maybe I'm just nostalgic for JCVD Week. But, honestly, who isn't?
Also, if you want to buy us that Elvis snuggie on the right, we'll take that too.
h/t Rajiv
I would like one of the Elvis Snuggies. How can I get one and where.
I got a Designer Leopard Snuggie with my NAME embroidered on it for Christmas. Ever more embarrassing than that, I wear it. All the time.
please let me know how i can get a elvis snuggie i am interested in about 6 thanks danny dale
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 asking our subjects where they're from and therefore trying to glean which trends are specific to which neighborhoods.
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| Photos | Nicole Saylor |
| I'm likin' those love eyes, playa. |
Both from South Philly, Nashia T. (33) and Dustin K. (27) mostly shop at the Old City boutique Lost+Found. She also recommends Etsy for good finds, though she doesn't always stick with handmade goods and vintage. "I do shop at Urban,' says Nashia. 'I am guilty of that.' He's honest, too. "She bought my this shirt," says Dustin.
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| Photos | Nicole Saylor |
Hadji J. (22) emulates '40s styles, reasoning that it was a time when everyone looked good ' or at least they always did in the movies. 'People used to dress up ' not just for a special occasion,' says Hadji.
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| Photos | Nicole Saylor |
Laura J. (18), a North Philly student, turns to Keira Knightley for fashion inspiration. 'Sometimes she'll dress really casual,' says Laura. 'And then I love her dresses.'
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| Photos | Nicole Saylor |
Sarah W. (20), a Lower Merion resident, looks to model Erin Wasson for street style tips. 'She collaborates inspirations from different cities,' says Sarah.
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| Photos | Nicole Saylor |
Amber Lynn T. (28) lives in Fishtown, but makes her living in Northern Liberties as the owner of art gallery/boutique Amberella. She sees fashion as a game. 'I like dressing up in different costumes,' she says.
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| Selma Karaka |
Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
' Just a friendly reminder: We told you about the nifty new Live Arts artist-in-residence program and concurrent second-Thursday series last week. Its inaugural event will be tonight at 6:30 p.m. for free at the Festival Studio (919 N. Fifth St., 215-413-9006). Featured performers include the homegrown Thaddeus Phillips, Kathryn Tebordo and Subcircle's Jorge and Niki Cousineau. Like Carolyn Huckabay said in last week's post, free admission and free beer? I'm there.
' The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave., 267-671-9298) is holding a Neil Young Tribute Night at 9 p.m. for $7, and though I usually don't go for that sort of thing, I must say I'm excited to see what The Spinning Leaves does with it. (A dozen other bands will be there, too.) And please, everyone, let's forget that Trans ever existed for tonight.
' The Philadelphia Museum of Art is holding the first day of its annual craft show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St., 215-684-7930) until 9 p.m. for an entry free of $5-$15. Yeah, yeah, you're spending money to spend more money ' but it's for a good cause and there's lots of cool, cool stuff, like Selma Karaca's clothing (pictured above). Buy us this plz.
Not satisfied? Check out today's listings for more and more and more events.
That outfit is so you!
Buy us this.
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| shmittenkitten.com |
| Shmitten Kitten pins |
We have a long and storied history, the 1" pin and I. When I was in high school, I carried around this bright yellow messenger bag that I covered in pins. I would scour flea markets, shows and Ebay for the perfect assortment of pins. Too bad I didn't know about Zen Kitten, aka Philly girl Kat. She is the official creator of the Shmitten Kitten pin series (the pins above ' you can buy us some of those too), which is where I got wind of her. I took a gander at her Etsy page and got far too excited: Faster Pussycat Kill Kill! Re-Animator! Joan Crawford! And so many more.
' I wonder where that messenger bag is. I think I've got some pins to buy.
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