When Meg, Alexis, and I were planning last year’s trip to Philadelphia—which you can read all about in Issue No. 10/Winter 2013—we asked about half a dozen locals for suggestions on things to do and places to visit. As a result, our days were jam-packed, and we were basically eating nonstop. (I can’t tell you how many people raved about the salted caramel budino at Barbuzzo! Luckily for those of us who don’t live in/near Philly, Bon Appétit published the recipe a few years ago.)
The images featured in the Issue No. 10 travel story were taken by Courtney Apple, who is not only a wonderful photographer, but was a terrific Philadelphia tour guide. (That’s her below, trying to get just the right angle for a shot of the donuts and fried chicken at Federal Donuts.) While Courtney was the professional photographer for our trip, Meg took a ton of pictures on her iPhone as well. Here are just some of her favorite snapshots around town.
P.S. Did you know that the city’s nickname, The City of Brotherly Love, is rooted in the literal meaning of the word “Philadelphia” in Greek?
by Joanna on February 13, 2013
Linen bedding has always been on my “lust list.” Effortlessly chic and oh-so-easy, linen drapes off the bed beautifully and evokes a certain French vacation vibe. London-based Bodie and Fou stonewashes their linen for that worn-in, loved feeling and rumpled casualness. A true investment piece, a linen duvet can last a lifetime and truly gets better with age.
In the mood to for some gorgeous styling and lovely living inspiration? Be sure to check out their blog!
{Charcoal duvet available here, pink duvet available here}
by Alexis on February 12, 2013
When Meg and Anh-Minh told me we’d be featuring the weekend home of John Derian in our Americana Issue (Issue No. 10), I couldn’t wait to see the images from the shoot and learn more about his Cape Cod getaway. Derian, who is known for his decoupage wares and East Village home goods shops, has a love for offbeat ephemera and time-worn patina that I wanted to see translated into a home. The photographs by Seth Smoot, as well as the story itself, didn’t disappoint. I found myself imagining what it must be like to spend a cozy evening among friends in such an amazing space.
John’s seaside retreat was so full of thoughtful details that we couldn’t possibly fit all of the images in the magazine. I wanted to share a few of those that didn’t make it into the pages of Issue No. 10 with you here. Enjoy!
{Photographs by Seth Smoot}
by Joanna on February 11, 2013
Bespoke, rugged, and so very charming, I love too many things about the England-based company Merchant & Mills. Whether you want pure functionality, vintage-inspired font-heavy packaging, or even the elevation of ordinary objects, Merchant & Mills has it going on. I don’t profess to be a seamstress or even very handy with a needle, but I do try to mend my clothes on my own as much as possible. This sewing notions set, billed as “indispensable” would be totally helpful the next time I rip a seam or need to secure a button. So many possibilities!
{A small sampling of Merchant & Mills offering: Stunningly packaged buttons, needles in a wooden case, and the selected notions box, my personal favorite.}
{I think my love for beautiful scissors has been satiated!}
{Valentine’s Care Package by The House that Lars Built}
It seems like it was just January, but Valentine’s Day is less than a week away! There are so many fun ways to celebrate this festive holiday, and I’ve been saving some of my favorite ideas to share here. So if you haven’t decided how to surprise all the ones you love this year, here are some ideas for you.
Brittany at The House that Lars Built put together a heart-shaped care package to send overseas—and she just put the address right on the outside of the box and shipped it! Wouldn’t it be a fun surprise to find in your mailbox? And while a Valentine’s card is sweet, I’m always a fan of sending a print that you can keep around a bit longer. I love the sentiments of these two from oh my deer. If a digestif is the way to your Valentine’s heart, may I suggest the Botánica cocktail with Cacao Prieto’s chocolate rum and muddled raspberries? Using the signature liquor from Brooklyn-based chocolatier, this recipe sounds decadent and delicious. And finally, there’s one of the most widely loved ways to serve chocolate: the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. Jacques Torres’ recipe has developed quite a reputation, so if you want to bake up a sweet surprise, it’s a sure winner. (Or if baking isn’t your strength, you can have the cookies delivered straight from Jacques to your door.)
P.S. If you are looking for more Valentine’s inspiration, check our edible Valentine’s Round Up from last year!
{Images from top to bottom: oh my deer prints ee cummings & blooming recklessly; Cacao Prieto’s Chocolate Rum; Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookies via Crepes of Wrath}
