Hip Philly Mama

Great Gift and Stocking Stuffer Idea!

2009-12-17T13:48:00.003-05:00

Great for that stylish and eco-conscious person on your list!
Save 69% on Gaiam Aluminum Water Bottles - $4.99, plus free shipping. (Select styles only)
Use promotion code EMOSH20. Hurry, today only!! Expires 12.17.09

For other great ideas check out:
Gift Guide_Eco-Fashionista

Other great gift ideas!

Free Money Saving Personal Shopper!

2009-12-17T11:10:00.000-05:00

Are you wanting to find the best deals on your favorite brands without having to trapse all over the place? Or tired of finding out that top you have been coveting went on sale and you missed it?

ShopItToMe.com is quickly becoming one of my new favorite websites! You create an account, select your favorite apparel brands (such as Theory, Kate Spade, BCBG, & Ella Moss), what categories you want them to search (tops, accessories, intimates, etc.) and your size(s). Then sit back and let them do the grunt work of scouring the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Overstock.com, Shopbop.com, Zappos and Bluefly. When they find clothing that matches your brand and size preferences they send you a Salemail™ - a daily or weekly email summary of which new items go on sale in your size. The Salemail™ gives you the day's (or week's-depending on your preference) sale items according to retailer and even gives you discount codes for that retailer! Once you make your picks you click on the item and it takes you to that retailer for purchase. You can even set your preferences to look for clothing, shoes, and accessories for everyone in your family from men to kids!

What is also great about this website is that you can pick from brands like Gap, Banana Republic, and J.Crew so that way you will always know what is on sale in these online stores in your size.

Shopittome.com also offers brand recommendations based on your intital picks so you may even find a new favorite brand. Think of it as your very own (free!) virtual personal shopper who not only finds you the best clothes in your size but alerts you when they go on sale! Be forwarned- it is highly addictive!!

Stylish Clothing that is good for your baby

2009-12-11T12:15:00.002-05:00

"a baby star is born every day" is this company's motto and, at least in my case, this seems to have been true this year. In the past year I have been to six (yes, six!) baby showers forcing me to try and find new items to bring oohhs and aaahs when opened.

It was during one such search I came upon baby star, a baby apparel and accessories company that designs modern classics for the style-loving child and parents. This company was born out of the desire to balance style and functionality and their line proves this with essential items for both baby and parent in clean, simple, and modern patterns. In addition to being ridiculously cute and stylish, all of baby star's products are made out of a combination of formaledhyde-free and lead-free baby products, making them safe for baby and the environment.

Here you will find an organic range of cariboo bassinets, apparel, blankets, diaper bags, and crib bedding sets-even organic denim! Everything to meet all of your baby needs.

One of my favorite items is the baby star organic kimono sets for both boys and girls. Available in modern patterns this set has snaps on the inside of the legs to allow for easy access for those many changes and also has a gusset seat that allows a perfect fit with a diaper. This kimono offers a break from the traditional onesies and is sure to get squeals from the mommy-to-be!

baby star also offers plush blankets in two weights so that no matter what the temperature is like your baby will be wrapped in style.
The "diamond" blanket has their signature texture but in a light weight version. A great alternative for those warmer evenings. While their "poodle" blanket has soft pile center that is so soft to the touch that you may find yourself wrapping up in it. This blanket is perfect for keeping your baby warm in the winter months and is destined to become your child's favorite snuggle time blanket.
Both come in a variety of colors and patterns so you can easily match them to your decor.

Stylish and eco-friendly baby gear! What more could you ask for?

Special Savings!
Check out their website for their 70% off retail baby star weekly special!

JOIN & WIN a $500 baby star shopping spree! join their newsletter at www.babystar.com in december 2009 & be entered to win $500.

Earn cash back for shopping!

2009-12-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

There are many websites out there right now that not only show you what savings stores are offering but offer ways to give you cash back for shopping them!

One such website is FatWallet.com. This website lets you search for stores by name or category and then tells you what special offers they are having. In addition, because this website gets paid by the retailers for directing traffic to their stores they split that money with you in the form of a cash back reward! For instance, you can get 11% cashback for shopping at Kiehl's or 5% at Banana Republic!

To receive the cashback rewards you create a (free!) account with FatWallet and shop through their website to earn the rewards. They keep track of your balance and when you want to get paid you log onto your account and choose the way in which you want to be paid (check or paypal).

They also offer coupons and cashback rewards on hotels and travel sites like cheapcarribean.com and hotels.com. So, fatwallet.com is a great place to go whether you are needing to book a room for the holidays, get away after the holidays, or are looking for a great way to save money on your holiday shopping!

Top Designer Brands for 50-85% off!

2009-12-04T10:40:00.010-05:00

I have found my new obsession and it comes in the form of fabulous designer clothes at 50-85% off!

HauteLook is a website that hosts private, limited-time sale events with today’s top brands for women, men, kids, home and beauty. Each sale lasts between 36-72 hours and offer a handpicked selection of the best merchandise at exclusive prices of 50-85% off retail. Their website boasts savings of up to 75% off but I have found a substantial amount of items marked off up to 85%. For instance, today's sales included Rock and Republic clothing for men and women at up to 84% off!! We are talking a holiday party perfect Madelyn Camisole top in a variety of gorgeous jewel tones originally $178 now just $29!!

Some of the sales starting today inlcude Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent (one of my favs), Romeo and Juliet Couture (another fav), Gianna Rose Atelier (couture soaps and gifts for holiday giving...or keeping), and Mimi and Maggie (for the hip little fashionistas in your life) as well as many others.

The best thing is that HauteLook is free to join! You can click the ads below or go to their website HauteLook.com to register to gain member-only access and start shopping right away! They will also send you updates when new sales are announced so that you don't miss your favorite brands. And if that wasn't enough, for the month of December, HauteLook is offering a $20 credit for each friend that you refer who makes a purchase!
Who couldn't use a little extra spending money around the holidays or a new fabulous party dress by Cynthia Vincent! No one has to know that you got it for next to nothing!

Warm Up. Old City (November 28 - December 31, 2009)

2009-11-30T23:49:00.007-05:00

With over 270 independently owned businesses in one great neighborhood, there are so many reasons to shop in Old City this season. Our businesses make Old City a place to shop, explore... and relax. Not a mall. A getaway. An escape. Come, stay a while, and warm up. Shop responsibly by shopping independent this season and receive discounts at some of the best stores in philly! Amazing stores, including Tony and Three Sirens Boutique, are offering discounts just for mentioning "Warm Up. Old City" while other area businesses are kicking off the holiday season with specials and promotions!

Park on the cheap throughout the season when you park at select lots (look for the red signs!) and shop at participating shops. Or park at the meters and enjoy discounted or free parking!

Stroll and shop our cobblestone streets and enjoy beautiful and festive store fronts illuminated in glowing lights, adding a bit of romance and warmth to the cooling days of winter.

Visit Bird Park (corner of 3rd and Arch Streets) and snap a photo with a loved one worthy of a picture frame in front our neighborhood Christmas Tree.

Win a gift basket filled with lots of goodies and gifts from popular Old City merchants and restaurants. Enter online or find the ballot box at participating merchants to submit your name for a chance to win!

Warm Up every Saturday beginning November 28 through December 26 and enjoy carolers and musicians spreading holiday cheer on corners throughout the neighborhood, enjoy refreshments and cookies at select merchants, and participate in demonstrations, and trunk shows at participating retailers. And don't forget to take advantage of the many SALES!
Courtesy of : OCBC :: Warm Up. Old City

A Much Happier Happy Hour and a much Happier Wallet! Tria's 5 for 5, 5 to 7

2009-11-30T20:05:00.007-05:00

5 for 5, 5 to 7

Have the holidays and black friday left you in desperate need of some liquid therapy?

Tria has just made happy hour in the city a little happier! Instead of offering "cheap, bland, soul-less drinks -- only cheaper" Tria is making over Happy hour with their new 5 for 5 at their Washington Square West location!
•5 great tastes (white wine, red wine, two beers and a cheese plate) for $5 each
•Every Monday through Thursday, 5 - 7 pm

Tria offers wines with character, beer snob-worthy brews and world-class cheeses in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for relaxing after a long day of work or holiday shopping. And don't worry if you don't know a cabernet from a merlot Tria's friendly staff will help guide you towards that memorable glass. Just hand over a Lincoln and some change for the taxman and enjoy the good stuff. Now that's something to be happy about!

http://www.triacafe.com/

A meal by Iron Chef Jose Garces for Under $20!!

2009-11-24T16:16:00.004-05:00

Philly Chef Jose Garces was crowned Sunday night as the next iron Chef and rightfully so! He is something of a celebrity here in the city of brotherly love due to the success of his five unique restaurants: Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa, and Whiskey Village. Each one providing different menus and atmospheres where Chef Garces' food mixes different flavors into mouth watering cuisine and would make a believer in anyone that vanilla bean creme does in fact work well with lobster(Who knew?)and that Pork belly, not pork fat, rules!

Dinner at Amada or, his newest creation, Chifa can be a little on the pricey side though well worth it. For you recessionistas, and those just wanting a great deal, lunch at either establishment will cost you under $20!!

Amada's Catalan Express lunch costs $14.50 and includes a choice of soup, salad or sandwhich and a non-alcholic beverage. Before you start thinking that this menu sounds like any other lunch take a look at the offerings such as, the Albornia de Jean soup which is a squash and roasted eggplant soup topped with crispy bacon and pumpkin seeds and crowned with a quail egg or the Serrano ham sandwhich topped with chorizo, manchego cheese, peqillo peppers, and a basil aioli.
Check out the lunch menu at:
http://www.amadarestaurant.com/pdf/amada_lunch.pdf

Chifa's lunch menu costs $18 per person and incudes a nice variety of his dinner offerings. You get to choose two items from seventeen different options including BBQ ribs with a sweet and sour glaze, a number of different ceviches, and the beef noodle bowl with a broth so good it haunts my dreams. The portions are tapas style but bigger than what you come to expect with tapas if you have dined at Amada and defintely make for an amazing meal.
Check out the lunch menu at:
http://www.chifarestaurant.com/chifa_lunch.pdf

Bon apetite!

Philly Farmer's Markets open the day before Thanksgiving!

2009-11-23T17:31:00.005-05:00

Six farmers' markets will be open on Wednesday, November 25th, in and around the city for all of your Thanksgiving dinner shopping needs. Who will be there and what times they will be open are listed below:

Headhouse Farmers' Market
2nd and Lombard Streets
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until vendors sell out)

Produce
Blooming Glen Farm
Queen's Farm Asian produce
Beechwood Orchards

Turkeys etc.
Griggstown Quail Farm
Mountain View Poultry
Natural Meadows

Breads and Dessert
Wild Flour Bakery
Betty's Tasty Buttons fudge
John & Kira's chocolates

Everything else
Birchrun Hills Farm (cheese, sausage, veal)
Young's Gardens (decorative floral arrangements and greens)
Joe Coffee (coffee beans, granola, caneles)

Clark Park Farmers' Market
43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until vendors sell out)

Produce
Fahnestock Fruit Farm
Blackbird Heritage
Homestead Gardens
Quaff Meadows (Plus: Pastured lamb)
Keystone Farm (Plus: Meats, cheeses)
Landisdale Farm (Plus: Grass-fed beef, raw milk)
Pennypack Farm
Eden Garden Farm

Turkeys, etc.
Country Meadows Farm

Breads and Dessert
Forest View Bakery
Big Sky Bread Co.

Everything Else
Hails Family Farm (milk and cheese)

Fairmount Farmers' Market
22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until vendors sell out)

Produce
Countryside Farm & Bakery (Plus: Pies)
Livengood Produce

Turkeys, etc.
Country Meadows Farm

Breads and Dessert
Wildflower Bakery
John & Kira's chocolates

Cliveden Park Farmers' Market
Chew Avenue and Johnson Street
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Buckview Produce
Quarryville Orchard fruits, cider and preserves

Haddington Farmers' Market
52nd Street and Haverford Avenue
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Dry Wells Produce Amish produce and baked goods
Mill Creek Farm produce

Broad & South Farmers' Market
Broad and South streets
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hill Top Farm Amish baked goods and produce

For more information visit: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/2009thanksgiving.php

WELCOME!

2009-11-23T16:48:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!
I am just starting this blog out and am working on it building it so please bear with me!

The end result will be a meeting place where people can exhange ideas and information about different events, shops, and restaurants in and around the city. My hope is to create a space where people and people with kiddos can find places to go and things to do no matter what their budget!