Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away, and so today, I have a bit of advice for all the ladies out there shopping for gifts for your man: keep it simple. You could go and buy candy and stuffed animals or more manly-themed gifts, but the only thing your guy really wants for this holiday is a little action with his favorite girl. Let’s be honest. The romance of Valentine’s Day is more for us than them and the objective of all that mushy stuff is quite frankly, to get your clothes off.

With that in mind, I have a saucy suggestion. Send your man a pantygram. Yes, you read that right: a pantygram. Online retailer http://www.sendapantygram.com/ will send your fella a pair of scanty panties in a little black box with an enticing message of your choosing. I suggest sending it to his office, as I did to my husband for our anniversary. It arrived with a slew of other packages that he started opening it at his desk. It wasn’t until the parcel was half way out of the envelope that he realized what it was. He quickly stuffed it back in (that’s what she said) and hurried it out into the hallway, but his coworkers had already caught a glimpse of black lace and his flush face and wouldn’t let the issue drop. Let me just say, he was the envy of the workplace that day as everyone, including him, knew exactly what was waiting at home for him later.

For a mere $24.95 (plus shipping and handling), the return on your investment is immeasurable. Enjoy!

SPF

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It was months ago when PhillyChitChat first reported on the imminent opening of Walnut Street Supper Club, the reincarnation of 38-year-old Portofino. The new venue is billed as a 1940s style supper club featuring songs of days gone by played on a baby grand piano. “You will hear those unforgettable standards, made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darrin & Judy Garland, being sung by a talented team of waiters, waitresses, bartenders, hostesses and bus boys,” says the WSC website. This is what enticed my dear friend and I to attend the opening night festivities.

I was running a bit behind (shocker), but was excited when my friend sent me a text saying he was standing outside and “in love.” This was indeed promising. When I joined him, I too was impressed by the swanky allure. Very old world charming. The bar was beautiful and we were seated quickly, though not in the booth we requested. I could deal with that, though. A wall splits the restaurant in half, with the piano and stage on one side and tables on both. Unfortunately, this means if you’re on the wrong side, you have no view of the performances. Management apparently decided that having large televisions flank the dining area would remedy that problem. I found it rather like a sports bar.

The booths where we were not seated.

This is when the problems started. Our waitress came to take our drink order and my first question (as is the case in every restaurant in the last ten years) was “What kind of tequila do you have?” When she returned from the kitchen, she informed me that my choices were house and Cuervo. “I’ll have a glass of prosecco.” (Spare me the “Sh*t Fashion Girls Say” jokes. I know.) Sadly, it was flat. Thankfully, we ordered a bottle of wine to split as well. We enjoyed that only after it took three people to open it. I’ll spare you the details of the mediocre dinner. Sufficed to say, it was nothing special.
But even that I could have let slide if WSC has delivered on its entertainment promises. Instead of hearing classic era tunes, we were serenaded with selections by the likes of Nora Jones and Cyndi Lauper. Not that I have a problem with these talented ladies, but old-school crooners, they ain’t.

We opted for a liquid dessert and headed back to the bar where I spied a bottle of 1800 tequila. So, I tried again to order my margarita and was told that they didn’t have the necessary ingredients. Um, really? You don’t have lime juice and simple syrup? Ok, then.

Despite the charming décor and pleasant staff, there wasn’t much to redeem our dinner at WSC. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Portofino’s swan song.

SPF  

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Well, here we are at Monday again. For those of us who don’t have the day off, this means the beginning of the seemingly endless work week. Me? I’m trying to look forward and already planning to squeeze some fun into the monotony.

On my radar for Thursday is the start of Opa’s Happy Hour menu, featuring popular menu items for $5 and under as well a complimentary food and drink during unannounced half-hour intervals between 5 and 7pm, Monday through Friday (at the bar only). Night owls can take advantage of the same specials between 10 and 11pm. The menu currently looks like this:

  • $3 craft beers
  • $4 house wins
  • $5 specialty cocktails (try the Koukla -right-, you won’t regret it)
  • $5 sparkling wine
  • $Greekified fries
  • $3 meatballs
  • $1 skewers (c’mon, you can’t beat that)
  • $2 sliders

If you like the sounds of the line-up, “like” Opa on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for a chance to win a happy hour for you and your friends. A winner will be chosen nightly through the end of the month.

Zagat recently named the Greek restaurant as one of Philadelphia’s Top 10 Hottest New Restaurants of 2011, so if you haven’t been, happy hour’s a great excuse to check them out.

SPF

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As I mentioned last week, winter is clearly back in Philadelphia. The sudden change in morning temps smacked me like a doctor smacks a newborn babe. So what have we all been doing? Texting, tweeting and updating about the schizophrenic weather conditions, of course. Tough to do with gloves on, right? Wrong. Not with gloves from Etre, a UK designer that recently sent me a couple pairs to sample.

Touchy, touchy.

Made of pure, new wool, Etre gloves come in two tech-savvy styles that allow you to keep your hands warm, while keeping your finger on the pulse or your social media network.

Part of the next generation of smart gloves, Etre FIVEPOINT gloves are made with contactwoven fingertips, keeping your digits toasty while you use your phone and tablet. Etre Touchy gloves have a missing thumb and index fingertips (all you really need), making it easy to not only text and tweet, but also apply make-up, take pictures and access your wallet in wintry conditions. They come in small, medium and large sizes in ten different stylish designs.

Both styles are made of 100% wool (minus 5% for FIVEPOINT) and are designed and ethically produced in the UK. Pick-up a pair at Park & Bond, Bonobos, Fair Indigo or online at www.etreshop.com.

SPF

 

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Hey kids! I’m back from my holiday hiatus. Oh, did I forget to tell you about that? Um, sorry. But I still love you.

Apparently winter is back from it’s mini-vaca as well and in Philly, that means it’s time to bundle up. While I’m impressed with the array of cute and cozy winter hats strutting the streets these days, I’m not in love with the way my hair looks when take said hats off. You know what I’m talking about: hat head. No one likes it. Either your hair sticks straight up or flattens out like a pancake and neither is attractive.

I’ve found a fabulous solution, however, in the hooded scarf! I picked up this cute number from Zara last month. The second I saw it, I said, “must have.” Tuck it under your coat, pop the hood up and you’re good to go. Stopping to run some errands along the way? Simply slip the hood down as you enter and slide it back on when you head outdoors again. This funky number comes with pockets, making it the perfect indoor accessory as well. Best of all, your head will be toasty warm without worry of a hair-trastophe when you arrive at your destination.

SPF

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Celebrity favorite, Carmelita Couture, is getting ready for 2012 by liquidating their stock room with an amazing sample sale! For one night only, this Thursday, December 15, you can get a great holiday dress or New Year’s outfit for 30-50% off.

Designer Carmelita Martell emphasizes the female form by fusing her own original prints and silhouettes with the modern and architectural influences of metropolitan fashion. Her unique aesthetic was born from a childhood love of fashion and make-believe that blossomed into wearable artistic expression. The bran is influenced by global culture, travel and the history of fashion and sculpture.

The sample sale features never before seen discounts, so don’t miss it! Carmelita Couture is located at 433 Spruce St., Phila, PA 19106.

 SPF

 

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The Little Apple, Manayunk’s own retail start-up is filled to the brim with delightfully clever gifts. Starting this week, the store is celebrating the holidays with a “12 Days of Christmas” sale!

Tuesday December 6th: Partridge in a Pear Tree

Put a Bird on it! Take 20% off every with a Bird on it including ornaments, home accents, etc.

Wednesday December 7th: Two Turtle Doves

Double Trouble! Buy two boxes of Holiday Cards & Get One Free!

Friday December 9th: Three French Hens

Cest La Vie! Take 20% off French inspired items such as matchboxes and home accents.

Monday December 12th: Four Calling Birds

Call on your Friends this Holiday Season & get those cards out! All boxed cards are 30% off

Tuesday December 13th: Five Gold Rings

Take 20% off all jewelry

Wednesday December 14th: Six Geese a Laying

Take 15% off all baby items like Trumpette Socks, Bla Bla Dolls and more.

Thursday December 15th: Seven Swans a Swimming

For all the snowbirds heading to Florida & the sunny islands….Take 20% off all Travel Accessories: Blue Q Bags of all sizes

Friday December 16th: Eight Maids a Milking

For all the Fair Maidens on your holiday list, take 15% off all Beauty Items including Tokyo Milk & Hand in Hand Soap.

Saturday December 17th: Nine Ladies Dancing

Announcing the First Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at The Little Apple. You and your nearest and dearest are invited to attend, in your ugliest Christmas sweater, of course. Enjoy cozy cocktails, holiday treats and last minute shopping. The visitor with the ugliest Christmas sweater will receive $50 worth of The Little Apple’s finest holiday stocking stuffers!

Monday December 19th: Ten Lords a Leaping
Men’s Night from 5-7pm…Come Shop for your Lady & enjoy a Beer while you’re at it. Spend $100 & get a free gift

Tuesday December 20th: Eleven Piper’s Piping
Take 20% off select baking cookbooks, aprons & kitchen items

Wednesday December 21st: Twelve Drummer’s Drumming
You can’t “beat” this deal! Spend $150 & get a $20 gift certificate to use in 2012!

The Little Apple is your one-stop shop for unique vintage and repurposed home goods, accessories and cards. If you can’t make it to the store, you can always shop online too!

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I love the beach in the winter. Sure, it’s too cold to lie around and sun yourself or take a dip in the ocean, but something about the tranquility of the empty sands and the deep, dark color of the water speaks to my soul. And something about the juxtaposition of sand and snow seems magical. It was last year around this time that my friends and I took a trip to Atlantic City and let me tell you, not only did we have a blast, we got some great shopping in too.

This year, the Pier Shops at Caesars is celebrating the holidays in a big way with a bountiful offering of new fashions and products from its massive collection of over 70 high-end retail stores including Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Betsey Johnson, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Michael Kors and many more.

Of course, all of that shopping works up an appetite. So, the restaurants of the Pier Shops present HapPIER Hour, offering half price appetizers and $5 drinks from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Participants include Buddakan, The Continental, Phillips Seafood and Souzai Sushi & Sake.

As if all this wasn’t enough, spend $100 at The Pier Shops Monday through Friday and get a complimentary parking voucher. Just collect your receipts for the day and present them to the retailer where you reach the $100 mark to get your voucher. Present it to the parking attendant when exiting Caesars Hotel & Casino Self-Park Garage and you’re good to go.

SPF

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Join me and a host of others this Sunday from 4pm to 7pm at South Street’s Historic Headhouse Shambles for the Winter Wonderland event! The district wide celebration will feature pop-up shops, free horse-and-buggy rides and a children’s gift bazaar by Whole Foods. The Queen Village Art Center and the Community Cultural Exchange will organize letters-to-Santa.

Enjoy food and beverages provided by Red Hook Coffee & Tea, The Bean Exchange and John and Kira’s Chocolates. Entertainment will be provided by the Philadelphia Dance Academy, Society Hill Dance Academy, Courtney’s Carolers, B101 and WXPN DJ Robert Drake. The day’s festivities will be emceed by WXPN/Kid’s Corner host Kathy O’Connell.

Your favorite Philly blogger (read: me) has been asked announce the winner of the district’s Window Wonderland competition. Over two dozen area businesses participated in this year’s contest with decor judged on traditional holiday themes, originality and overall display.

Top it all off with the lighting of the grand tree in the square and you’ve got the perfect holiday celebration. Weather forecast is calling for a gorgeous day, so don’t miss the fun!

SPF

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With the passing of Thanksgiving, the holiday season is officially upon us and with it, my annual winter weight gain. I blame my Irish ancestry. Centuries of shivery through harsh winters made bulking up a necessity and now, adding an extra 10 lbs to my frame once a year seems engrained in my DNA. Holiday parties don’t help.

You know what does, though? Spanx. I swore I’d never wear them, but I became a convert when I hit 30. These things are a downright miracle. And my favorite incarnation of the brand for winter is the tight-end reversible tights. Perfect under a sweater dress or skirt, even pants on a frigid Philly day, these babies are two pairs of tights in one. You get black or grey on one side and brown or black on the other. And because they’re Spanx, they are virtually indestructible.

The $34 price tag may seem a little high, but you’re basically getting two pairs for the price of one. Plus, isn’t looking great in all those holiday pictures worth it? I’d say so. Pick them up locally at Coeur or Nicole Miller.

SPF

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