Rags to Riches in the Italian Market July 28, 2008

So two weeks ago I told you to check out Craftadelphia, where local Etsy designers sell in person.

I went, abeit I didn’t get there until around 3, so perhaps some of the artists had already taken off… Not a smart thing to do if you want to make money off your wares!!

Then again, I heard two young ladies behind the counter at the Mew Gallery saying that “word hadn’t really gotten out about today”

*SIGH*

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I was a little underwhelmed.

Not that the Mew Gallery isn’t fantastic, because it is, but a lot the items were just CUTE. Not necessarily out of this world original, or “couldn’t live without.”

THEN just as I leave, walking out to the corner of 9th and Christian and going left to Isgro Pasticceria (Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies were calling my name) I see something flutter out of the corner of my eye!! There to my right is a vintage suitcase full of silk scarves.

Now I am just nuts for silk scarves, I love how they can accessorize any outfit easily and I’m a big fan of tying one around your head simply this summer for an eclectic yet sophisticated look.

What you can’t tell here maybe, is that I had my hair pinned half back and kept the scarf as a sort of band that was knotted above the rest of my hair hanging down… not underneath. I also decided to drama with lots of black eye liner and contrasting orange melon earrings. This was one of my buys, a gunmetal grey with red designs. On the outter edges however, it is punctuated with red stripes.

The deal was two for $5 (or one for $3) so I also selected a peach scarf (it was long and rectangular, unlike the square one above) that had lavender, chocolate and cream stripes. Perfect for that summer capri look.

As I wandered off the sidewalk and into the store with my finds in hand, I realized the fun didn’t stop there!! Along with vintage housewares there was a massive table spread with all sorts of 60’s and 70’s costume jewelry! Rhinestone leaf bracelets, silver and peal link necklaces, and even semi-precious rings. I don’t think I saw anything over $30 but most items were in the $6-$17 range.

The sellers were SO South Philly it was ridiculous.
I think they are just prowling the streets waiting for the old ladies in S. Phil to croak- moving in to nab up all their great jewelery, bags, and hats.

I also found a beautiful lavender rhinestone ring. Massive. Probably a half an inch in diameter. Surrounded by white diamond-like rhinestones and set in a faux gold. It was the perfect flashy bobble so I scooped it up for $6. I also absolutely fell in love with a thick gold chain necklace. I actually thought there were two pieces laying there together, only come to find out it was double tiered. At the bottom of each chain hung a large white stone pendant. It’s an absolutely original piece. I would guess circa late 60’s, kind of a eclectic yet sophisticated feel. You know, the feeling Urban Outfitters tries to go for but just mass produces. Suckers!

My necklace was only $7!
I’ve been wearing it everywhere and getting SO MANY compliments.

So enough about my finds! You need your fashion fix as well right?!

Rags to Riches
823 S. 9th Street (North of Christian)
Philadelphia, PA

The man I spoke to gave me the impression that either he is only in the store on the weekends selling these lovely vintage finds… or perhaps they’re only open 10-5 Friday Saturday Sunday. I couldn’t really understand that gruffy “Yous Guys” voice. I just know those are the hours he gave me when I admitted I had to leave immediately before I bought everything.

You can do it for me instead.

Go Go Go Go!!!

Sink Your Teeth into This: Tempting Eden by Wendy Brandes July 21, 2008

Recently I stumbled across Wendy Brandes online.

While she has several collections including It-Girls, Vivat Regina and a men’s line; Eden is my favorite.

This set is perfect for summer, taking inspiration from Mother Nature thus featuring flowers, fruits, and leaves. There are smooth curves, shining stones, melded with gleaming intricacies which call to the true spirit of the living beauty around us.

FAVORITES~

My darling Eve you will shell out some serious green for these fanciful designs and I don’t mean a few tender fig leaves. These necklaces retail at 1,050.00 pieces and 2,025.00 respectively, but others are upwards of 6,000.00. ( The ring prices were unlisted.)

The ring with the white Prehnite is a little different than most of the Eden pieces but I love it’s rough dull look. It belongs to a woodland faerie!

So visit Wendy Brandes and check out some really unique, feminine designs!

It’s a nice day for a Red Hottt Wedding… July 8, 2008

It’s a nice day to start again.

O. My. PHucking. G.

A RED WEDDING DRESS. And it’s fantastic. PHENOMENAL. Traditional types might find something like this a bit over the top and garish, but then again honey, when haven’t weddings been a whole lot of carrying on??

Imagine an entrance in this Justin Alexander amazingness with loads of curls piled up on the head. Perhaps accessorized with a striking diamond comb. Ohhhhh…

Lots of black eye liner too. In a day that is supposed to be all about the bride, why should we play coy?? The dashing man meeting our Queen B at the alter should definitely have a long jacket and a bow tie to complete this high drama theme.

Can you see it? CAN YOU SEE THE MAJESTY? Yes, Phreaked has fashion fantasy issues.

On a side note- Phreaked is a firm believer that no woman should wait for her wedding day to make herself the center of attention. Throw a huge affair at any point in your life where you’re just feeling fantastic! Do we need to find some guy just to have a reason to put on a great dress?? Certainly not.

Be the highlight of your own ball ladies, Every. Goddamn. Day.

Thank you to Just A Formality for throwing this on my radar!!

Summer Loooove: Etsy means Easy Adornment June 24, 2008

So I know I’ve been missing as of late and I’m sure you were just jonesing to get Phreaked. Fear not my pretty kitties, while suffering a writing block, the ideas were, however, limitless. That is to say, I had lots of great things to mention but these Fin g .ers. jUst. w..ould. noT. ty p e!! Ugh!

Thank you for all the Loooove concerning my last post on the immeasurable style of Sex and the City. 3,145 views to date! Quite a success for me; and hopefully just the first of many. Mwa Bella!!

Speaking of Smashin’ Fashion: ETSY

My new obsession is a website featuring designers from all around the country (and beyond) selling unique handmade crafts, gifts, jewelry and fashion.

There are several ways to hunt for dazzling items:

-Browse categories such as: Accessories, Paper goods, Glass, Vintage, Furniture (and many, many more)

-Look up lists in the Treasury, where other users group together favorite items by a theme (ex. Turquoise & the American West)

-Treat the eyes with wonders in Showcase: Etsy pulls the “Top Items” from thousands of sellers. “Fresh Daily”

-Be Playful, Pounce!! Users can view sellers waiting to make their first sale (oh, be a humanitarian already!) OR view sellers who just made a sale.

-Traverse the Geolocator: Etsy’s Globe shows you the most recently published items from around the world. Think Google Earth but for en mode.

-Speaking of fashion forward, take a trip in the Time Machine and be UP TO THE MINUTE. As items just listed float on the screen just begging to find a home. Seriously, this is worse than a trip to the pound for me… “Mama, I wanna take em all home!!”

-Gift Guides are a lifesaver!! The user can choose between who will be receiving the gift, the occasion, the time of the year as well as that special person’s tastes. PHUCK Overstock. Great Prices and Originality.

-Colors: While seemingly NOT the most exciting program that Etsy offers, it is actually wildly amusing. Also quite helpful for someone trying to match home accessories in the Perrrrfect living space.

-Shop Local: Obviously a favorite. Check out my finds below.

While you can buy dresses and hand painted shoes, I’m quite partial to creative jewelry myself. Not only because it makes a statement with any boring outfit but because jewelry always tells a story. Think about what you’re wearing this moment: What was the occassion? How does it make you feel? (Please Comment Below!)

Oh, the lovely thing about ordering jewelery online? No ‘wrong size.’

These are the finds in Philly that make me want to empty my bank account:

Feeling edgy? Show it with sweetteeth’s handmade glass beads resembling pulled teeth!!
Would this be an inappropriate gift for Grandma?

I cannot get enough of this designer!! pinkflamingo61takes found item/vintage jewelry to another stratosphere!

FallenHearts‘ carries a wide array of vintage jewelry, like this ivory cuff from India.
Oh, just think of all the places it has been!

PreciousMeshes employs metal wire to net and nest some truly enviable objects.
Simple. Delicate. Lovely.

What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?

Where did you get it?

Phreaked for The Submarines, Phucked by Consumerism May 6, 2008

Today I discovered The Submarines. In particular the songs “Brighter Discontent” and “You, Me & The Bourgeoisie.” The former, with lyrics like:

“Got a big black television set/Now I can watch just what I want/But I’m here staring up/At pictures on the wall….All these things should make me happy/Make me happy to be home again,”

reminds me of all the things we buy to fill our empty houses can’t fill the emptiness in our heats. I’ve shortened and reposted a previous post from my Myspace blog about how consumerism has replaced personal creativity. Enjoy!

Brighter Discontent- The Submarines

You, Me & The Bourgeoisie- The Submarines

Listen to The Submarines further here

Consumerism: Controlling All You Cunts

Invariably, when I think of the future I reason to myself, that as a writer, I will probably never make a lot of money. Then the notion sneaks into my brain; “Well, my husband will just have to have a good job.” And no, I don’t think that’s an un-feminist thought, quite the opposite… but a tad pathetic? Yes.

So where did this come from? Perhaps I am a tasteless mix of burning American greed, Korean financial values and let us not forget, Madonna’s Material Girl was released the same year I was born. Every conversation I have with Mom Mom involves a variation of: “Shannnnnnon, You keep your eyes open! You maarrrry richie guy some day!”

My friend Devin works 13 hour days at a mall as a detective for loss prevention; he has about one day off during which he runs errands, does laundry and pretends to have a semblance of a life that goes beyond new mothers stuffing clothes from Steve & Barry’s into their strollers. As he shows off his new couch and flat screen TV, I ponder when he has time to enjoy these things. He continues to tell me about his plans for living room surround sound. Goodness. Let us spend money on EXPERIENCES rather than THINGS.

I find it ironic Devin apprehends people not willing to pay for products they covet, while he suffers from the same intense desire to consume: as a measure of completing his life. Loss Prevention. We don’t want to lose items, but it’s okay if we lose our minds.

Objects are valued over Substance.

Has purchasing goods replaced creativity? Is buying (mass-produced, inauthentic goods) equal to the satisfaction of ‘creating’ without the act of mental stimulation and in some cases, problem solving?

That rush, the high, you get when you think you’ve found the perfect item; is THAT feeling of “completeness” the same feeling I get when I create a new recipe, craft or fashion? I’ve been subject to both, but I know there is no need to lecture you on the lasting effects of what is genuine.

By the way the Submarines will be at the North Star May 31st. You know Phreaked will be there.