Fashioning Philadelphia Runway Show

To celebrate their brand-new exhibit, “Fashioning Philadelphia,” the Museum of Elfreth’s Alley is presenting its first-ever fashion show featuring the newest summer duds from several local boutiques including, Three Sirens, Urban Princess, Kaleidoscope and US*U.S. New designers from Cut & Sew and Drexel’s fashion design students will also be showing off their latest creations. Prior to the show, guests will be treated to light refreshments. Saturday, 6-8pm. $15-$40. @ Painted Bride Art Center (230 Vine St.)

Fashion Fridays

Every Friday through June 22, be sure to stop by Joan Shepp after work and enjoy special discounts as well as complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres. You may even be able to catch a modeling and what-to-wear seminar. Kicking things off, tonight, guests are invited to bring their favorite piece of clothing and possibly spruce it up with a new pair of shoes—all of which will be 20 percent  off. Friday, 3-6pm. Free. @ Joan Shepp (1616 Walnut St.)

Kembrel Designer Series: Philadelphia Designer Trunk Show vol. 2

With their first local designer trunk show having been a success, Kembrel will be hosting a second installment featuring an eclectic mix of new designs from Concrete Polish, Duke & Winston and Tough Luv. So come out and stuff your face with free tasty appetizers and drinks while taking advantage of Kembrel’s 20 percent discount. In addition to discovering a local indie designer, you may just meet a new friend. Sunday, 5-9pm. Free. @ Kembrel (1822 Chestnut St.)

The Bazaar at the Piazza

Ah yes, it’s that time of year again when once a month, the Piazza transforms into a bustling, 80,000-square foot outdoor marketplace showcasing a plethora of one-of-a-kind wares—home décor, jewelry, baked good, candles, clothing, antiques and much, much more. I don’t know about you, but the thought of shopping indoors on Memorial Day weekend is just unnatural. The Bazaar will be held rain or shine, and will continue popping up monthly throughout the summer. Sat. & Sun., 12-6pm. Free. @ The Piazza at Schmidt’s (1015 N. 2^nd St.)

Entrée: Visual Arts and Dinning Series

Each month, this event series combines independent film selections, art work, and free food by local chefs/culinary students creating what can only be described as an incredible evening of awesomeness. This month’s session will feature a showcase from Concrete Jungle, feature jewelry from RikLei as well as tasty grub from Soulful D’Lites, tunes by DJ Sylo and the artwork of Serena Saunders of Passion Art. Philly-based director Jamal Hill, who has worked on such blockbuster films as I Am Legend and Iron Man will also be screening one of his very first films. Sunday, 4-7pm. $10. @ Waterview Lounge (1020 N. Delaware Ave.)

Ann Taylor Polka Dot Shirred Bandeau One Piece $118/ Target Merona Womens Shirred 1-Piece Swimdress in Black/Gold Foil Print $26

H&M Ruffle Monokini $14.95/ Juicy Couture Miss Divine Bandeau Swimdress $151

Juicy Couture Pretty Polka Swimdress $190/ J.Crew Jersey Lomellina Asymmetrical Bouson Tank $118/ Victoria’s Secret Retro One-Piece $167

~Michelle Mass

I’m not going to lie, I was a bit scared when PW Style Editor, Nicole Finkbiner, asked me to use my creativity and create something awesome with paper. Fortunately, she then handed me Kayte Terry’s Paper Made!

Designed for skilled and novice crafters alike, the a book contains 101 exceptional projects, all primarily made out of everyday paper. And while some of these projects are certainly elaborate, all come with diagrams and easy-t0-follow directions.

Let’s just say Pinterest is going to explode after people are done with this book.

Between the “That’s a Wrap Bangle,” the “Kusudama Headband,” and the “It’s Classified Necklace,” I don’t know which project to pour my creative juices into first. The book has an entire section on style entitled “Paper’s in Fashion,” which explains perfectly why we love this book so much. Besides the Fashion section, there is a chapter on Basics, Materials, Home Projects, Wrapping and Writing Projects, and lastly a Paper for Parties chapter where you can create drink umbrellas and other party props.

Stay tuned to see what I create!

~Michelle Mass

[View with PicLens]

By Marissa Oswald

The secret to damage-free dyes lies in Lush’s Caca Noir henna treatment.  Yes, henna is the stuff you got painted on your hand at the Boardwalk when you were in middle school.  However, these henna hair dyes come in blocks (sans any plastic packaging for eco-points) bound together by a sh** ton of cocoa butter.  In fact, the 3 major ingredients in the dye are henna, cocoa butter and blue indigo- an herb traditionally used for dying.  This elixir actually dyes only the outside of each strand, not harshly entering the cuticle, therefore creating ultra-sultry, glossy blue black waves.  But does it really work?  I decided to test it out myself.

I naturally had medium-brown hair with reddish hues, mostly from dying my hair many times before.  My friend had darker brown hair with slight golden hues.  To use, we ground the block up with a grater into a large bowl.  It was dark green, and smelled like matcha.  We then added hot water and stirred until it became a yogurt-like consistency.  Applying it while hot, you’ll want someone to help you coat every strand with the stuff.  Careful; as it cools, it hardens into a muddy paste, and makes it much harder to apply.

Then we waited.  You can keep it on for 1-6 hours, we opted for about 4.  And voila!  Glossy, yet bouncy brunette tresses to rival even the Kardashians.

By Marissa Oswald

Image Courtesy of Splash News.

Everyone knows this season’s hottest trend is pastels.  They’re the most fun way to ring in the warm weather, but looking like a human crayola box is only fun for so long.  Eventually, the novelty of wearing colors wears off, and you want to go back to black.

Leather quietly emerged as part of this season’s wardrobe.  Designer Derek Lam released a leather skirt earlier this season for Saks and Neiman Marcus, and Altuzzara released a white leather dress with a flower panel.

Despite being a part of the high fashion spring/summer line, the leather trend went to the wayside because it couldn’t be easily adopted by lower end stores.  Brightly colored materials are easily integrated into more affordable stores like H&M and Forever 21, but they couldn’t produce a quality leather product comparable to the high fashion leather.

Check out the local consignment stores, like Second Time Around on 17th and Chestnut streets, for inexpensive leather goods.  Pair your favorite leather piece with a hot lace for a night on the town.

Trenton Ave. Arts Festival

For the seventh year, this annual festival will once again celebrate East Kensington and the wonderful things the neighborhood has to offer with an afternoon of live music, food and fun as well as 200+ booths of local arts vendors. Some of the featured crafters whose handmade creations are likely to make you swoon include, As The Crow Flies and Co. (vintage ceramic china and stained glass jewelry), ABJ Glassworks (affordable and stunning 3-dimensional stained glass terrariums, mobiles, nightlights and lamps), Orgotten (sustainable, eco-friendly clothing/handmade, cruelty-free jewelry) and Two Lucky Cats (fun, vibrant textile accessories). Saturday, 12-6pm. Free. Trenton Ave. between Norris St. & Frankford Ave.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

One of the city’s most popular spring festivals, the annual event attracts over 10 thousand people around the region each year, rain or shine. For the sake of conserving space, let’s just say that basically every store and restaurant in the neighborhood will have something special going on—cooking demos, sales, workshops, live entertainment, kid’s activities, free shit, ect. In the midst of all the chaos, just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the spring fashion booth from Rittenhouse Row’s many super-chic boutiques (Knit Wit, Sephora, Town Home, Joan Shepp, Arcadia, South Moon Under, Bella Turka, ect.). Saturday, 12-5pm. Free. Rittenhouse Row (Walnut St. between Broad & 19^th Sts.)

9^th Street Italian Market Festival

That’s right, yet another festival. So what does this one have to offer that the other two do not? In short, cannolis. In fact, you’ll find delicious, authentic Italian food literally everywhere you look (beat that Rittenhouse!) There will also be stages set up at each intersection with live music throughout the day and a craft marketplace between Fitzwater & Christian Streets featuring one-of-a-kind, handmade items from a juried selection of local artists. What local artists, you ask? Ummm…presumably whichever ones aren’t in Rittenhouse or Kensington. Again, the party doesn’t stop in the event of rain. Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Free. Along 9^th St., between Fitzwater & Federal Sts.

Made In America Trunk Show

During the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, SA VA will be serving light refreshments and hosting a trunk show featuring three talented local designers who make all their items right her in the U.S.A: Toggery, J&I Jewelry and BCS Designs. Founded by Kate D’Arcy, Toggery is a contemporary fashion collection for women that blends beautiful design with luxurious, environmentally conscious fabrics (50 percent organic). The J & I jewelry collection is highlighted by gemstones and freshwater pearls, each piece hand formed in their Philly studio. Finally, there’s Center City designer Beth Soffer of BCS Designs who will be bringing along her collection of exquisite gemstones and 18K gold plated chains. Saturday, 12-3pm. Free. @ SA VA (1700 Sansom St.)

Nadeau Grand Opening Celebration

Enjoy drinks and nibbles while being one of the first to discover Manayunk’s newest retail haven: Nadeau. The store offers beautifully handcraft hardwood furniture imported from around the globe. This includes traditional and brightly painted dressers, TV stands, chair, accessories and more. And while perhaps not as cheap (or shitty) as Ikea furniture, Nadeau’s prices are actually pretty reasonable, especially considering that none of their pieces are mass-produced or cookie-cutter. Saturday, 10am-6pm. Free. @ Nadeau (4131 Main St.)

Phillip Kingsley Swimcap is serious protection from sand, surf, sun and chlorine. So good, in fact, that it’s used by the US Olympic Synchronized swim team.

A lot of beauty bloggers will try to sell you on expensive foot scrubs this time of year. Don’t buy it, get this 3.99 one from Avon. The course sea salt in it does the job and it smells like coconuts.

The old favorite has a grown-up scent of lavender and chamomile. Use it for everything. Under your arms, in your shoes, on your roots, on your carpets before you vacuum, between your thighs – whatever you got.

Okay, this is a weird one. But you know how in summer you get that not-so-fresh feeling more often than usual? The body mint tablets use chlorophyll to freshen you up on the inside.

Boscia BB Cream is a primer, foundation and SPF all in one, all while repairing your skin with antioxidants and botanicals. Just one swipe and your good all day. You’re welcome.

Vincent Longo Hydrating Lip stain with SPF 15. Keeps on all day, doesn’t dry lips out, protects them from the sun. Now, you are ready.

First of all, no woman wants to try on underwear while having to stare at a huge photo of Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum in the dressing room. Seriously, not cool.

Second, regardless of cup size, if you’re looking for a bra with greater coverage and support, you’re left to choose from a small selection of neutral colored, grandma-esque brassieres. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the whole branding-the-ass thing.

Fortunately, the plus-size ladies of Philadelphia now have an alternative to VC and all the other chain stores which seem to think size and sexiness should be exclusive.

After selling plus-size intimate apparel online for over ten years, Valerie A. Cuttino, owner of Lovely’s Lingerie, just opened her first boutique earlier this month in the Pennsport Mall (234A Moore St.).

The mid-to-high-end lingerie fashion boutique caters specifically and exclusively to the modern BBW, carrying a wide selection of undergarments from sizes 1x-6x. We’re talking everything from elegant lace nighties to naughty leather corsets and even bathing suits. For any brides-to-be out there looking for the perfect wedding day/honeymoon unmentionables, the boutique offers special bridal consultations on Sundays.

Ultimately, Lovely’s Lingerie hopes to be a friendly and comfortable environment where women can come and embrace their bodies without being forced to walk around in ill-fitting undergarments with a logo or pink dog on their ass.

In other words: fuck Gisele and the rest of her super-skinny, inexplicably big-breasted “Angels.”

This article offers 10 chic ways to lose weight using some of the seasons most popular styles. I just had to share with you some of my favorites but be sure to check out Fitbie for the entire article.

1. Lipstick: Fitbie states that wearing lipstick, especially those of a coral, red, or fuchsia hue, can prevent you from eating messy or sugary foods since you won’t want to constantly mess up your kissers.  Nutrition Director Sari Greaves, RD, from Step Ahead Weight Loss Center confirms that you will want to eat daintier as no not smudge your makeup! My preferred lip colors are from Sephora.

Left to Right: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain “Always Red” $12/Charlotte Ronson “A perfect Kiss Lip Gloss” $14 (Sophia-Creamy Coral)

2. Carry a Clutch: Marisa Moore, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Fitbie that carrying a clutch, instead of a shoulder bag or purse, keeps your hands busy, making it more difficult to carry a drink AND  a plate of food (genius because, lets be honest, the cocktail would always beat a plate of food if I had to choose one).

From Left to Right : Clare Vivier Aqua and Neon Foldover Clutch from $156/ H&M Straw Bag $17.95

3. Buckle Up: Fitbie suggests wearing a belt to not only kick up your style a notch, but to also help define your waistline. (Also, it is a nice reminder to have: once it starts feeling a little tight you know to put down that last donut)

From Left to Right: Forever 21 Colorful Braided Belt $6.80/ Tory Burch tory Reversible Logo Belt $195

4. Do Denim: Hopefully you work at a more laid back office where you are given the freedom to wear jeans on Friday. A study from the University of Wisconsin showed that people who wore their favorite dark-washed jeans  to the office took 491 more steps than those who wore suits.

From Left to Right: Forever 21 Stretch Skinny Jeans $10.80/ Madewell Skargorn Bones Skinny Jeans $128

5. Sneak Attack: Fitbie’s article encourages commuters to save their heels for the office and rock some your favorite paire of sneakers into work. Not only will this make your morning routine more comfortable, but it will also give you the availability to get a quick work or walk out in during your lunch break.

From Left to Right: Nike Free 4.0 Women’s Running Shoe $90/ New Balance 860 $89.99

~Michelle Mass