I’m not very good at picking out holiday gifts. I’m the dreaded giver of itchy socks, ugly ties, lumpy sweaters and occasionally my own badly-written poetry. Which is why I was so pleased with myself when I started shopping online for other people’s homemade gifts and found these unexpectedly hip Upcycled Starbucks Card Mosaic Coasters (pictured) for my sister’s new house at Etsy.com. But it didn’t end there: By 4 a.m. the next morning, I had 37 items on my wish list and vowed to revisit year round for birthdays, anniversaries and personal shopping binges.
Think of Etsy as an Internet craft fair, where artists and hobbyists gather in one place to sell their hand-sewn (-painted, -crocheted, -sculpted, -melted, -pressed, -spun … you get the picture) wares. The problem with Etsy is that looking for cool stuff is as much fun as finding it: Those marketing geniuses have devised 16 different ways to find that special handcrafted something, whether searching by favorite color (choose from 196 different shades) or by using the Time Machine function to send the most recently posted items spiraling onto your computer screen. Or you can search the old-fashioned way — by keyword or category.
To support artists and crafters in Philadelphia, try the Shop Local function: just plug in the city of brotherly love and more than a hundred local sellers appear, peddling handcrafted jewelry, artwork and, well, just about anything: I’m thinking of avoiding the winter chill with a cozy pair of fleece fingerless gloves by stay-at-home mom BabyPop ($14 plus shipping) or picking up one of prossackdesigns’ hand-cut Stained Glass Journals to document my life in 2008 ($12 plus shipping).
Now that I can officially call myself an Etsian, (us frequent perusers), I’ve got my eye on this Chocolate Patterned Mug by AmyEsther — made from rich, textured earthenware that will add a little more hearth to my home ($18 plus shipping). — Marielle Messing
I’m always doing things like watching important news programmes (notice the smart British spelling) and donating piles of pounds (also British!) to worthy causes. I never, ever, for example, spend an entire New Year’s Day hungover from Bob and Barbara’s specials in my bed, able only to turn glossy magazine pages bearing exclusively small words and paparazzi-snapped celebs at various Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf cafes. I care not for such trivial matters. Jamie Lynn Spears? Who, pray tell, is she?
A pair of sun-dappled Sunday mornings ago, while paying perfectly rapt attention to cerebrally challenging televised political round-tables and so forth, I happened to remark an interview with an certain strapping American chappy by the name of Bradford Pitt. Master Pitt — a caring gent if there ever were one — spoke of his personally handsome involvement in a highly regarded architectural/charitable happenings in New Orleans. As this strapping lad wandered among Pepto pink houses — gauche, but stay with me — and then dropped the name of his laudable (and possibly strapping) project’s website (pardon, but it’s name has escaped this busy skull of mine), I, being an ever concerned citizen, hopped on to the world wide internets to learn more.
One of Monsieur Pittman’s chosen firms for the project: None other than our proud city’s very own KieranTimberlake, architects of my current most favorite home on all the Chesapeake (and possibly all the Easterly Coast), the Loblolly House. Or something like that. Anyway. Mr. and Mrs. Timberlake — by the way, I adored you in that video where you break up — you can build me a house like that anytime. You could even build me one quicker than anytime. Tomorrow works for me. You?
KieranTimberlake Associates LLP, 420 North 20th Street, 215-922-6600, kierantimberlake.com
I’m slightly embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve been following the same skincare regime since I was 12 (I know, I know!). While my complexion and I have had a relatively smooth relationship (I don’t bother it too much, and it doesn’t bother me), I figured that the products I once used to prevent pre-prom blemishes probably weren’t the ones I should be using now to keep my skin looking clear, glowing and, ahem, sans wrinkles. Not to mention the fact that my post-engagement glow was getting, well, dull. So I broke up with my old soaps, astringents and moisturizers (sigh), only to find comfort in the creams, masks and serums of superluxe skincare line Biologique Recherche.
The first step of my updated regime is the Lait U face cleanser, a silky cream that manages to remove every last trace of my pesky makeup without leaving my skin tight and dry. Then I use Crème Elastine Marine, a thick, nourishing face cream that goes on without being oily and instantly hydrates thirsty skin. Finally, I dab Biologique’s brand-spanking-new Serum Elastine Pure around my eyes, mouth and décolletage. The cellular extract elastine helps to improve my skin’s elasticity (read: fights wrinkles) and gives my epidermis a huge dose of moisture.
Bottom line? My skin is looking pretty darn good these days. And I’ve officially gotten my glow back.
Biologique Recherche skincare products, starting at $20 at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa, 255 South 17th Street, 215-772-2766, rescuerittenhousespa.com
Hoorah, the sales are beginning! (Not that I didn’t get lovely Christmas presents and all, but still — shopping is different than upwrapping.)
I think I’ll start (since it’s so very close to both my home and work life) at South Moon Under’s semiannual sale — all the stuff we’ve wanted for so long (Ella Moss, Laundry, Michael Stars, La Rok) is now up to 50 percent off! I’m sure you’re all dying to know whether or not I ever scooped up that Robert Rodriguez shift dress I went on about on October 24th — maybe next week you’ll get your answer.
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
While I was in China one year ago preparing for my return to the States, I purchased what I thought was a piece of Swiss Army luggage. Boy, was I wrong! The shoddy material, the unpleasant smell, the glued-on logo …The telltale signs of a fake were all there. I’m surprised my belongings made it through the turbulent 13-hour flight. (Needless to say, the sorry piece of luggage did make it into my trash can the next day!)
Prevent your frequent flyer from resorting to cheap luggage by visiting my favorite new travel store Blacks Bag & Baggage. This tiny corner shop has all your basic jet-setting needs — including luggage aplenty. And yes, they carry the realSwiss Army Victorinox collection. Its clean lines are classic and you can buy these pieces knowing your world traveler will use them for many trips to come. I only wish I knew about this little store before I flew across the world. Maybe next time … — Elena Chin
Swiss Army luggage, $130-$575, Blacks Bag & Baggage, 117 S. 17th Street, 215-496-7215.
Philly Project Runway fanatics, prepare yourself: Season 1’s Jay McCarroll is back in town! Even better, McCarroll’s living in South Philly, teaching at Philadelphia U., and selling his wares at two of our favorite local boutiques — Mew Gallery and Topstitch. Stop by today to check out canvas bags, totes, bowling bags and wrist cuffs, all with McCarroll’s signature circles.
But don’t fret, there’s plenty more of Jay to come: He’s got a new line (think color-block coats and beaded sweaters) that he’ll be peddling on QVC in February and a documentary coming out next year called Eleven Minutes. Also, check out our fireside chat with Jay, where he tells all about the rumor he was homeless, what he really wants for Christmas, why Philly is way cooler than New York, and the “saucy” new trend he’s predicting for ’08.
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
I’m not much of a below 60 degrees person, so when winter comes around, you’ll find me bundled up to my neck when I’m outside. I’m usually hunched over and huddled beneath my many layers, my eyes glued to the city’s gum-laden sidewalks so Jack Frost doesn’t nip at my already-frozen nose. But when I was crossing 17th Street one cold day, I took a moment to look up and take in the Christmassy surroundings (Er … make sure I wasn’t about to be hit by a taxi). My eyes were rewarded with something that made me forget my wintry state-of-mind instantly.
Before me, I saw a gorgeous presentation of ceramic bowls at Manor Home and Gifts. The window was filled with Renaissance-inspired serving bowls, gorgeously hand-painted in Italy with warm, vibrant colors. They’re the perfect gift to make your lucky recipient’s Christmas dinner table a little more … specializzato. And your present will be appreciated a hundredfold after Christmas dinner because, thank god, these bowls are dishwasher-friendly. — Elena Chin
Italian bowls, $160-$495, Manor Home and Gifts, 210 South 17th Street, 215-732-1030, manorhg.com.
There are holiday craft sales. Then there are indie holiday craft sales. Then, then, there are indie holiday craft sales that are so indie that they thoroughly deserve being classified as punk rock. R5 Productions, Philly’s biggest bringer of bands to eager all-ages rockers-at-heart, puts on its annual holiday Punk Rock Flea Market this Saturday at the revived Starlight Ballroom. And you last-minute shoppers for ‘tweens, teens and other edge-hugging folks on your Christmas list won’t wanna miss it.
What to look for among the nearly 80 tables: Handmade fashions by Topstitch and Kinked Works, spray painted t-shirts, hoodies made out of old sweaters, soy candles, polymer clay dinosaurs, canvas wallets, cut-out stationery, artist prints, weirdo hats, vintage albums, and more one-of-a-kind finds that appeal to only the punk rocking-est of your friends and family.
Punk Rock Flea Market — Holiday Edition, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Starlight Ballroom Dance Club, 460 N. 9th Street, 215-769-1530; r5productions.com.
Image, Lipstick Lies Handprinted Journal made from recycled paper, etsy.com
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
If you haven’t bought her anything yet, shame on you! But, seeing that I found this gorgeous gold necklace at Third Street Habit while I was out and about crossing off my list yesterday (take note of the list, it’s helpful), I might as well share the news!
This beautiful, laser-cut necklace by AESA is snowflake-like enough to hint of Christmas, but not so winterish that you’ll have to pack it away when shorts are (finally) back in season. Stop in and buy this chic pendent for your significant other and she’ll be dying to know how you suddenly became so stylish. And she won’t mind thanking you under the mistletoe, either. — Elena Chin
AESA gold pendant, $468, Third Street Habit, 153 N 3rd Street, 215-925-5455, thirdstreethabit.com
I’m sorry, I don’t mean to toss that phrase around, but you don’t know my skin. Well, actually — you didn’t know my skin. And you can’t see it now, after it laid under the hands of Danuta Mieloch for over an hour on Sunday.
She’s the owner of Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge, and to say she knows her stuff is a rather silly-sounding understatement. She acknowledged almost immediately that my skin could be oily, and yet very dehydrated all at once. She acknowledged that I do have a (genetically) pink complexion (the bane of my existence — thanks Mom, Grandma, etc., etc.) — but that it could be balanced, and even altered a bit, with the right products. She tailored a facial to my specific needs, and a few days later, I hardly recognize the skin on my breakout-prone face.
The Boyfriend says I look “freshly scrubbed,” and although this is hardly technical boy-speak, he’s right. My skin has a tone and texture to it that I’ve honestly never seen before — and apparently, if I keep up with my Dana-recommended regimen with Biologique Recherche products, this can be a permanent thing, instead of a false-hope, spa-induced glow that lasts a sad two hours.
.
Watch out dermatologists, you ain’t got nothing on her.
I’m not very good at picking out holiday gifts. I’m the dreaded giver of itchy socks, ugly ties, lumpy sweaters and occasionally my own badly-written poetry. Which is why I was so pleased with myself when I started shopping online for other people’s homemade gifts and found these unexpectedly hip Upcycled Starbucks Card Mosaic Coasters (pictured) for my sister’s new house at Etsy.com. But it didn’t end there: By 4 a.m. the next morning, I had 37 items on my wish list and vowed to revisit year round for birthdays, anniversaries and personal shopping binges. 
I’m always doing things like watching important news programmes (notice the smart British spelling) and donating piles of pounds (also British!) to worthy causes. I never, ever, for example, spend an entire New Year’s Day hungover from Bob and Barbara’s specials in my bed, able only to turn glossy magazine pages bearing exclusively small words and paparazzi-snapped celebs at various Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf cafes. I care not for such trivial matters. Jamie Lynn Spears? Who, pray tell, is she? 
I’m slightly embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve been following the same skincare regime since I was 12 (I know, I know!). While my complexion and I have had a relatively smooth relationship (I don’t bother it too much, and it doesn’t bother me), I figured that the products I once used to prevent pre-prom blemishes probably weren’t the ones I should be using now to keep my skin looking clear, glowing and, ahem, sans wrinkles. Not to mention the fact that my post-engagement glow was getting, well, dull. So I broke up with my old soaps, astringents and moisturizers (sigh), only to find comfort in the creams, masks and serums of superluxe skincare line Biologique Recherche.
Hoorah, the sales are beginning! (Not that I didn’t get lovely Christmas presents and all, but still — shopping is different than upwrapping.)
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
Philly Project Runway fanatics, prepare yourself: Season 1’s Jay McCarroll is back in town! Even better, McCarroll’s living in South Philly, teaching at Philadelphia U., and selling his wares at two of our favorite local boutiques — 
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
There are holiday craft sales. Then there are indie holiday craft sales. Then, then, there are indie holiday craft sales that are so indie that they thoroughly deserve being classified as punk rock. R5 Productions, Philly’s biggest bringer of bands to eager all-ages rockers-at-heart, puts on its annual holiday Punk Rock Flea Market this Saturday at the revived Starlight Ballroom. And you last-minute shoppers for ‘tweens, teens and other edge-hugging folks on your Christmas list won’t wanna miss it. 
Still haven’t finished all of your holiday shopping? You’re in luck. All week we’ll have another last-minute luxury that will keep you out of the doghouse come Christmas morning.
I’m sorry, I don’t mean to toss that phrase around, but you don’t know my skin. Well, actually — you didn’t know my skin. And you can’t see it now, after it laid under the hands of Danuta Mieloch for over an hour on Sunday.