Modern Women at PAFA

Hurry over to PAFA before September 1, since that’s the last day of their exhibit Modern Women at PAFA: From Cassatt to O’Keeffe.  It features over 20 artists who paved the way for future generations of women to have careers in art, and it features some gorgeous work.  Like this one by Violet Oakley, who played a prominent role in the artistic life of Philadelphia for almost half a century:

I adore this.  Called June, it was produced as a cover for a 1902 issue of Everybody's Magazine, a monthly periodical targeted at a female audience, published by the New York branch of John Wanamaker's merchandising empire.

Black like the first dress, the blue bow of the second… I’d say the Phallon by Ivanka Trump updates this painting nicely!  The peep toe is satin and the ankle, strap, and 4.5-inch heel are leather.  Also available with a white body/black bow; your choice for $90 from Nordstrom.

This is Coxcomb by Georgia O’Keeffe, an oil painting dating from 1931.  It almost looks like a woman dancing, doesn’t it?

These are party shoes if I’ve ever seen them!  The Cailyn by RSVP is a bright, bold peep toe pump with folding and a big bow at the toe.  The heel is four inches, and it comes in fuchsia (shown), black, blue, ivory, eggplant, red, or silver satin.  Find them at Zappos for $99.

And since plaid is going to be so big for fall:

This is Girl in a Plaid Shawl from sometime between 1880 and 1885 by Susan Macdowell Eakins.  Eakins is a local girl too—the fifth of eight children of a Philadelphia engraver, well known in the artistic community.  She was a student of Thomas Eakins while he was an instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and married him in 1884.

The Nakita by Ros Hommerson makes me wish for falling leaves and pumpkins so badly!  Black and brown plaid, brown suede at the heel and the trim, a little tassel detailed in silver over the round toe…why isn’t it fall yet?!  Also available in black and white check, solid black, and gray flannel; your choice for $50 from 6pm.

I hope you’re inspired by the women (and the shoes), and that you can get to PAFA before Labor Day!

Sales this weekend:

Bloomingdales: Sale through Sunday-- 25-40% off
Bus Stop Boutiue: Annual Summer Warehouse Sale through Sunday!
Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular and sale and 20% off clearance with code BIG
Macy's: 10% off with code TICKET

Philly Beer Week

Hooray!  It’s Philly Beer Week!  This week we celebrate all things beer.  We enjoy brews from both far and near, special dishes that complement or feature our favorite suds, and have an all-around good time at pubs, restaurants, and beer gardens throughout our fair city.

In the spirit of the week, I give you shoes inspired by three local beers!  First up, Red Fish by Flying Fish Brewing Company:

“Red Fish is a West Coast hoppy red ale.  Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hops give the beer a robust piney nose.  Two-row, crystal, and cara-red malts give the beer a malty background and a 7% abv.”

Laid back and sassy at the same time, the Monet by Ros Hommerson would be perfect under jeans.  (What? It’s chilly this week! Well, chilly-ish.  But don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of the outdoor events, like Thursday’s Sansom Street Soiree—live music, beer trucks (including Flying Fish), and BBQ from 3:00 PM til midnight!)  Sorry; got distracted there.  But back to the shoes!  They can be found at Endless for about $42.  I like how the zebra print evokes waves (perfect for fish, flying or otherwise!) but it's available in a bunch of other prints, including a super-adorable multi-colored polka dot.

Since I adore fruity beers, Sly Fox’s Black Raspberry Reserve:

 “An unforgettable wheat ale brewed with German Pils and Wheat malts and Tradition hops, with 1 lb. of red and black raspberries per gallon of beer. This beer features a tart finish and a sugary sorbet aroma.”  Mmmm.

Black raspberry red, spiky stud thorns—the Day Dreamin by Naughty Monkey sure fits the bill for a raspberry beer!  It also has a 4.75-inch heel, one-inch platform, and tan leather straps—look at the cut-out detailing around the peep toe!  Love.  Find them at Zappos for $90.

And by request (a year in the waiting!), Midas Touch by Dogfish Head:

“This sweet yet dry beer is made with ingredients found in 2,700-year-old drinking vessels from the tomb of King Midas. Somewhere between wine and mead, Midas will please the chardonnay and beer drinker alike.”

The Willy by Chinese Laundry is fit for royalty indeed!  Gold straps winding around the toe, curving around the 3.5-inch heel, and circling the ankle—this is one beautiful shoe.  Yours for $50 from Macy’s.

Whatever’s in your glass, raise it high for Philly Beer Week!

Philly Beer Week runs through Sunday, and there are tons of events to choose from—tap takeovers, beer dinners, even a 5K on Sunday.  Do whichever will make you “hoppy”!  (Ah, bad puns.  Love them.)