DesignPhiladelphia

The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling (well, it’s raining), and design is in the air!  DesignPhiladelphia, a nationally recognized, open participation festival celebrating design, is back for its ninth year.  It showcases the role that design has played historically in this region, and celebrates Philadelphia’s contemporary significance as a center for creative advancement.

There are a ton of events between now and October 18 (over a hundred!).  Like Society of Pythagoras (formerly of Hidden City).  The Rabid Hands Art Collective has transformed Hawthorne Hall, a former vaudeville theater turned fraternal lodge turned church, into the “Society of Pythagoras,” using materials collected on-site and around the city. Collective members explore the tangled history of the fraternal lodges that once made the site their home, drawing from past and present secret spiritual and fraternal customs to create a mysterious, multi-storied club built on ritual and exploration.  Tonight at 6 PM!

The Salem by Kate Spade is evocative of the geometric shapes in Society of Pythagoras.  (There’s one room that’s like a triangley Aggro Crag.  It’s super cool.)  Blues, reds, and pinks cover the blocky 3.5-inch heel, the straps at the toe (and the bow on top!), and the straps around the ankle.  Find them at Nordstrom for $298.

Or go to Ristorante Panorama instead for a book signing for Meat America, an eye-opening and artery-closing visual essay on the American spirit, as told through meat!  Not kidding—Elvis in steak.  Tidbits about Abraham Lincoln’s butchering skills.  Even a Liberty Bell out of what looks like meatloaf!  Freedom is delicious.

Know what else is delicious?  Bacon.  These flip flops appear to be covered in strips of crispy bacon, and you can pick black or white straps and footbeds.  (Mmm, now I want bacon.)  Yours for $36 from Zazzle.

On Sunday, head over to the Penn Museum for C.U.R.V.V., an exhibit will consist of 12 handmade gowns inspired by the art work currently on display at the museum. The collection will focus mainly on the Egyptian sector of the museum, which was assembled through nearly a century of archaeological research.

The Shoreline by Naughty Monkey is just a beautiful sandal.  It is evocative of both ancient Egyptian footwear and the Nile River, what with the undulating gold upper.  I hope it warms up again, so you can wear them before winter!  Yours for $52 from Zappos.

DesignPhiladelphia runs between now and next Friday.  Go!  Explore!  Experience design!

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Up to 25% off boots
Call it Spring: Extra 20% off all in-season styles
Lord & Taylor: 25% off one pair of boots; 30% off two or more pairs
Macy's: 20% off one pair, 25% off two pairs, 30% off three or more pairs
Nine West: Buy one, get one half off
Payless: Fall fashion sale-- up to 30% off

Ben is Back!

Ben Franklin and Philadelphia go together like pretzels and mustard. But visitors to our fair city haven’t been able to see Ben’s house (or, er, the ghost house) for the past two years, because of a major project renovating the Underground Museum underneath it.  Good news: it’s open again!  The creepy phone room untouched since the bicentennial is gone!  (Don’t know it?  See this awesomely accurate review.)  And I don’t have to walk around it to get to work anymore!  YAY!

A lot of people know Ben from his key/kite/lightning experiment.

These flip flops have the right idea!  Bright kites in primary colors and with bow-tied tails soar through cloudy skies on these, and you can pick either black or white for the footbed and the strap.  Find them for $40 on Zazzle.

But did you know that he also organized the first volunteer fire company in 1736?

This hot little number is all faux leather and red glitter.  Ben, being (shall we say) an aficionado of the ladies would probably appreciate these.  But they’re only $8 from AMI Clubwear, so your guess is as good as mine as to the quality.  But for $8?  Who cares!  They’re fun!

Or that in 1751, Ben was instrumental in founding the first hospital in America?

This pair of wellies is legit from the American Red Cross!  And a portion of the sale goes to support their work.  Ben would approve.  They’re 16 inches high and have a cloth lining and a one-inch heel.  Whole sizes only; yours for $60.

Or that it was Ben’s fancy talking that persuaded France (though officially neutral) to loan America millions of dollars, send troops and supplies, let French volunteers enlist in the army, and permit American warships to use French harbors during the Revolutionary War?

Oh la la!  This pretty pair of hand-painted heels is covered with delicious reminders of France.  (Maybe that’s what gave Ben his famous paunch… or his gout.)  Croissants, coffee, and cupcakes are the big three on these genuine leather shoes, which can be yours for $135 from Etsy seller Kukla Fashion Design.

So go pay Ben a visit at home next time you’re in Old City, and congratulate him on the renovations!  (And on his many accomplishments, of course.)

Peacock Plumes

I was walking up 3rd Street recently when, lo and behold, in the window of Carmelita Couture were two pairs of peacock-themed shoes! Let me start by saying that I love me some peacock feathers. All my Christmas decorations have peacock feathers; I wear peacock feathers in my hair... to work. (My co-workers are very indulgent.)

I’m not sure if you can buy the shoes in Carmelita Couture as they may be part of the Design Philadelphia Old City Windows project, but there are plenty of peacock-plumed shoes that are available for purchase. Like these! Mmm-mmm-mm. The Peacock by Johnathan Kayne has a blue silk satin upper, ruched ankle strap with jewel and feather features and Velcro closure, a four-inch heel with a 1.5-inch platform, and a cushioned insole. They also come in black, and you can find them least expensively from Toast Bridal for $90.

Prefer something not quite as tall?

  These beauties have a 1.75-inch heel and come in medium or wide widths—and in ONE HUNDRED COLORS! Whatever color you could possibly need! You also get to pick the type of rhinestone feature at the toe from five different kinds. And—the pièce de résistance—you can get a matching clutch! (Hurry up, though; there’s only one of those.) $142 for the shoes and $68 for the clutch, from Etsy seller Parisxox.

How about a wedge? How cool are these? The Ankle Wrap Wedge by Sun Luks has a 4.25-inch cork wedge with a one-inch platform under the peep toe, and a peacock-printed fabric upper with two adjustable straps with buckles. They also come in a few other crazy prints, and you can find them at DSW for $50.

Peacock feathers don’t have to be overly fussy (as much as I enjoy fussy). How about these flats under jeans? Wonderful! The feather overlay design is printed on Keds Champion mini slip-on sneakers—just slip them on and go! You can find them on Zazzle for $60.

Or these sandals! The Peacock Plume sandal by Anthropologie has a one-inch wedge, double buckles around the ankles, and is made entirely of leather. (Look at the fringed leather feather behind the peacock feather!) Yours for $118—these would be too cute with shorts.

And it is summer—always a chance of a surprise downpour. Be ready in these! The Peacock City rainboot by Chooka has a rubber upper and sole and a fabric lining. The boot shaft is 13.5 inches high and they’ll fit calves up to 15 inches in circumference. How could these not make a rainy day happy? Pick them up at Nordstrom for $65.

Sales this weekend: 
Bare Feet Shoes: 4th of July sale: enter JULY4TH at checkout
Bus Stop Boutique: Green with Envy sale: 25% off shoes with a green sticker
Macy’s: 30-50% off, plus an extra 10% off using code FOURTH
Nine West: $20 off $100 (deduction taken automatically at checkout)
Lord & Taylor: Sandal sale: one pair 30% off, two pairs 35% off, three pairs 40% off