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Merry Christmas

I’m uploading a photo of my parents on the site My Parents were Awesome. I need a link to the photo, so I am just posting it here. I also thought it be a good way to wish everyone a Happy Holiday-Fawcett and Bono style.

Charlene and Bobby 1979

Jimmy Choo collection at H&M: still pricey, but worth it

The Jimmy Choo collection for H&M debuts Saturday, November 14. From details on the website, it sounds like the design company and store are expecting large crowds. According to the H&M website only the first 160 people in line will receive wrist bands to shop the accessories and shoe collection first, then it will open up to all customers. Ladies and menswear will not require a wrist band, but still it’s a matter of how many people the store can fit so it would be a good idea to get their early.

 

Photo courtesy of WatchMojo.com

On H&M’s website people can preview the collection and find what store location each piece will be available at. But the collection will only be available in various cities in California, as well as New York City and Chicago. No word yet on whether the collection will be sold at other stores, which sucks because people can’t shop on H&M’s website.

Reebok attempts to give women what they’ve always wanted: a yummy bummy

The butt is a sensitive subject for most women. It’s never perfect. There’s always going to be a line here or bump there that we all agonize over. But we don’t give up.

We do hundreds of lunges, squats and repetitive motions in all sorts of ungodly positions.

So I’m sure most women are as intrigued as I am by the Reebok EasyTone commercials that flaunt an unknown woman with the perfect bum. Even though I’ve seen these shoes hundreds of times before by other brands and heard the better butt promise millions of times from various places, I dashed to the store to purchase this pricey piece  of footwear.

Ranging from about $99-$110, the shoe has “take the gym with you” inscribed on its sole. The idea is that women replace their plain old sneaker with EasyTone, wear EasyTone for daily activities and workout their legs and butt throughout the day, because of balance pods in the sole of the shoe, which Reebok says “increases leg-muscle activity.”

Photo courtesy of What's Haute

Gary Fong’s diffuser: quite the conversation starter

Photographing nightlife I hear and see a lot of unusual things. But recently I think I’ve been the point of interest in a few bars thanks to my Gary Fong diffuser.

 

Gary Fong Diffuser

 

 

Stearing my conversation away from the usuaul “Is that going on Facebook?” and “Can I photograph you?”, this cup-like diffuser has people asking “Is that a funnel?” and “Is that so you can drink when you photograph?”

Fashion’s Night Out events in and around Philadelphia

If you haven’t heard yet from the millions of tweets, Facebook updates and mentions on TV, tonight is Fashion’s Night Out. Fashion’s answer to the stimulus plan, the worldwide event will attempt to put a spark in the economy by getting people into stores and excited about shopping again. 

Photo from Examiner.com

While the event will take place in cities around the world, the heart of it will be in New York City. But people from the Delaware Valley don’t have to travel to the big apple to get their fill of fashion on its biggest night. The King of Prussia Mall as well as stores throughout the city will host several events. 

Philadelphians cut fuel and clothing dependency in nude bike ride

Philadelphia hosted its first nude bike ride yesterday. World Naked Bike Ride organized the four-mile, 90 minute ride throughout the city  to protests fuel dependency and celebrate the human body. Hundreds of “bike-tivists” gathered at the 25th St. and Locust entrance to the Schuykill River Trail and cycled throughout Philadelphia including the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Instead of protesting with posters and signs, "bike-tivists" used their body to send a message at Philadelphia's first nude bike ride. (Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon)

Untangling Magic Gardens in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia may not always be shown in the best light, but other cities can’t deny Philly’s ability to make the most of its walls. Whether painted with murals or mosaics, even locals can’t help but gaze at the public art that covers the city. Mosaicist Isaiah Zagar is one of the city’s many artists to thank for adding color, glass, mirrors and even garbage to brighten up otherwise boring cement walls. Zagar has been dedicated to beautifying the city since he moved to it in the 1960s. His work can be seen on businesses and homes in every corner of Philadelphia, but his masterpiece just may be Magic Gardens located at 1020 South Street. 

Isaiah Zagar's Magic Gardens in Philadelphia. (Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon)

An education in art courtesy of the Barnes Foundation

Established in 1922, the Barnes foundation, located in Merion off City Ave., isn’t just a vast private collection of impressionists, post-impressionists and modern art. It’s an education in art history and design.

A peak inside the Barnes Foundation. (Photo courtesy of jameswagner.com)

The multi-talented Dr. Albert C. Barnes made his fortune not as an art collector, but as a chemist. Along with German scientist Herman Hille, he developed Argyrol, a silver compound, and co-founded Barnes and Hille firm in 1902. After buying out his partner, Barnes didn’t retire or stick to his lucrative occupation. Instead he studied pschology, philosophy and art from John Dewey’s writings and a seminar at Columbia University. He later collaborated with Dewey who served as the first art education director of the Barnes Foundation. He finally purchased a massive piece of land on Latch’s Lane in Merion in 1922, where his collection as well as arboretum currently reside, and started collecting art not just for its aesthetic or financial value, but to teach others about the great artists of the time and their influences.

Grape stomping at Renault Winery

Every August Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City kicks off grape-picking season with its Grape Stomping Festival. The festival features a plethora of vendors selling jewelry, make up, arts and food. The main event of course is grape stomping, which cost $4 to stomp champagne grapes in a barrel. All stompers also get to take home their hard earned champagne, although from the looks of my feet I’m not sure if I will be drinking it. 

Me, a Lucille Ball impersonator and my dad with our freshly stomped champagne in a barrel.

My dad and I visited the festival today to stomp grapes with a Lucille Ball impersonator and oodles of other wine enthusiasts.  While he thought I was taking photos I video-taped his stomping, which includes his signature dance moves. Also included in the video is the final touches to the champagne; filtering and corking.