Just last week, I came across this graphic fabric that I could just tell would look great on me. The bold color would perfectly set off my tan, and its soft texture felt supercomfy. Only problem? It was on a pillow. And then there’s my wedding china, with its pale gold pattern against a creamy white background, a design that I can’t help thinking would look equally as nice printed on a dress or skirt. Sigh. All these great designs that, instead of hanging in my closet, are relegated to a corner of my couch and the back of my china cabinet.
So when I found these organically modern plates, shown, by ceramicist Yasha Butler (who comes to Philly by way of Istanbul), I was happy. But, when I discovered that Butler has also carried her simple-chic design to a pair of earrings, I was downright ecstatic. Finally. A design for my home that I can also wear out! Butler’s ceramic designs — with their bright pop of red and their softly freeform shape — will look just as lovely on my dining table as they will dangling from my lobes.
Now, if I could only get Wedgwood to venture into fashion design …
Plates, $18 each, and ceramic and sterling-silver earrings, $32, at yashabutler.etsy.com.
“Maybe on 10 acres … this might be pretty. But not like this”: Two twin brothers living together in Paulsboro, N.J., are annoying their neighbors with the more than 100 bronze statues they have crammed onto their 50-foot-wide concrete front yard — including a 12-foot bronze Neptune statue. The yard went from unsightly to annoying when the brothers fired a small bronze canon during a Fourth of July celebration. One of the brothers allegedly screamed at a neighbor that he would kill her if she complained to the police about noise. The pair are charged with maintaining a nuisance, fireworks violations and harassment. Couldn’t get any weirder? No such luck: The Hubbs’s 82-year-old mother, Ethel, went missing six years ago, and a body has never been officially recovered. Hmmmm. [Inquirer]
Cop radio mess figured out: Motorola said today it has nailed down the problem that wiped out the Philadelphia police department’s radio system for 50 minutes on Tuesday night. No word yet on when the problem will be fixed, however. [NBC 10]
Back in the April issue, I sang the praises of The Ugly American on Front Street. I recently revisited the place, and I’m happy to report that while the menu has changed significantly, the food is every bit as good as it was back when I paid my initial visits.
I sampled several new items, including duck nachos with black beans and a spicy chili sauce; a trout sandwich with cucumbers and remoulade on house-baked black bread; and a salad of frisée, sautéed wild mushrooms, a poached egg, creamer potatoes and a lemony truffle vinaigrette. I was disappointed to see that the apple pie and cheddar ice cream I loved before was no longer on the menu, but the in-season blueberry buckle with house-made vanilla ice cream was an equally delicious dessert.
Of course it’s going to take two hearings: The two hours allotted by the Zoning Board yesterday for discussion of Unisys’s petition to slap two two-story glowing red logos on Two Liberty Place (man, someone should set that to music) didn’t even give the company enough time to air its side of the case, so a second hearing has been scheduled for September to give opponents — including occupants of the building’s new residential spaces miffed that it will look like they live in an office building (which, in fact, they do) — their chance. [Inquirer]
I’d be OK with them going on permanent vacation, myself: No idea if this was a ploy to enact a pay increase without actually increasing the numerical wage or something more high-minded, but one county’s request to operate its courthouse on a four-day schedule has been quashed by state Supreme Court chief justice Ron Castille. There’s probably a case to be made for keeping the courts on a five-day schedule, but the legislature? Now that’s a different story. [KYW]
Yet another way computers make life easier — for cops: Interesting piece in the Metro this morning about the digitization of gang culture. Heedless as every other 20-year-old about the openness of the web, members of street gangs are documenting their nefarious doings on MySpace and YouTube, practically handing the police an evidence folder that’s only a print key away. [Metro]
I’m a bit of a self-made self-tanning guinea pig. I’m blonde, fair, and slam-packed with various events every weekend this summer, keeping me from my usual weekend routine of laying about on the beaches of Avalon (yes, with SPF), from sun-up to sun-down. And so I spray.
I’ve grown weary of all my usual products, and today on a lunch hour pop-in to Bluemercury, spotted ModelCo’s line of airbrush tanning products. Some are instant bronzers, but not self-tanners. Some are self-tanners, but go on translucent, with color appearing hours later. There are exfoliators and tanner-applicator gloves — it’s like this display was put out just for beach-starved me. And what did I chose? The Tan Airbrush In A Can ($30-$42). It’s an instant bronzer and a (supposedly long-lasting) self-tanner in one, and I am optimistic about its possibly becoming one of my faves yet.
We’ll see. Next Wednesday is Philly Mag’s Best of Philly party — I’ll be a guinea pig, and draw up a report by then.
Bright lights, big … business?: Today Unisys Corp. will plead its case to the city zoning board regarding the placement of its logo on the side of Two Liberty Place in Center City. Two 912-square-foot LED signs facing east and west are under heavy opposition from residential and corporate tenants in the building, as well as from those who say the huge red glowing logo will just never be as pretty as the huge “PSFS” sign. Still others say that corporate logos branding buildings will lead to a change in the very character of Center City. None of this really matters though: All of Center City may soon be under the shadow of the American Commerce Center. [Inquirer]
Philly police hearing static: The Philadelphia Police Department reports that there was a 50-minute radio malfunction last night, during which officers could hear only static. The $52 million Motorola radio system has malfunctioned before, and the company’s technicians are still working on the problem. John McNesby, member of the Fraternal Order of Police, said, “The main concern is the safety of the officers on the street and the safety of the community.” [NBC 10]
So-so Taguchi boosts Phils in crucial series opener win: Right-hander So Taguchi doubled off an 0-2 pitch in the ninth inning last night at Shea Stadium, knocking in two runs and opening the floodgates for what turned out to be a bizarre rally and win against the New York Mets. Taguchi, who had opened the season as the Phillies’ top pinch-hitter, has since hit downright horribly, going 0-for-16 until last night’s blast. Tuesday’s win puts Philadelphia exactly one game ahead of the Mets. [Daily News]
When I go out on a reviewing meal, I strive to keep the situation favorable for accurate tasting and observing. I bring a companion who will follow my ordering instructions. I steer my server to the table that offers the best view of the operation. I eavesdrop on my fellow diners to gauge the crowd. And I sniff, a lot.
Because, as anyone who has ever tried to enjoy food with a stuffy nose knows, smell is 90 percent of taste. Aroma and flavor are inextricably linked. Nothing throws a bigger roadblock up during a review meal more than a nearby diner reeking of perfume or cologne. Diners are asked to follow some rules with regard to smoking and dress codes. Why not a fragrance ban as well?
The tongue-in-cheek “House Etiquette” section on the menu at Midtown Village’s Apothecary playfully remonstrates patrons whose perfumes and colognes interfere with other guests’ olfactory experience. But it’s a suggestion diners should take seriously. For the sake of your meal and mine, I beg you, refrain from fragrance when dining out. It’s enough to make garlic mashed potatoes taste like they’ve been seasoned with rosewater.
Homeless in Rittenhouse Square: The Inquirer continues its series on the seemingly intractable problem of controlling the homeless population in Center City’s premier park. This morning’s somewhat shocking revelation: The police routinely let the homeless bathe in the fountain. “While you don’t want to see this in public, you almost have to turn a blind eye at some point,” says Sgt. Joseph Harper, who runs the city’s homeless detail. [Inquirer]
I guess they haven’t heard of Joey Vento: The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau reports that a record number of international tourists visited the city last year. Explanations include the favorable currency exchange rate and aggressive marketing overseas. We also can’t discount the possibility that they’re trying to go somewhere else but get irredeemably stuck on the Schuylkill. [KYW]
The nicknames were worth it: Nicholas “Nicky the Hat” Cimino and Louis “Bent Finger Lou” Monacello, along with 15 others, were charged yesterday with running a $1 million-a-month gambling and loan-sharking operation in Delaware County. A State Police probe dubbed “Operation Delco Nostra” had been working since 2002 to gather evidence for the takedown. [Metro]
Rousted (along with AIA) from their retail spot on 17th Street by hotel development, Black’s Bag and Baggage is now safely back in Center City. In case you missed it, they’ve hung out their shingle a few doors down from South Moon Under on Chestnut, happily a comfortable shopping distance from Philly Mag offices. Still with the familiar fine stock of luggage brands like Briggs & Riley, bags brands to covet like Hobo and the attentive customer service. But more room to handle the display of everything you need to haul your life across town or across the pond.
Just last week, I came across this graphic fabric that I could just tell would look great on me. The bold color would perfectly set off my tan, and its soft texture felt supercomfy. Only problem? It was on a pillow. And then there’s my wedding china, with its pale gold pattern against a creamy white background, a design that I can’t help thinking would look equally as nice printed on a dress or skirt. Sigh. All these great designs that, instead of hanging in my closet, are relegated to a corner of my couch and the back of my china cabinet.
I’m super pumped. 
Because, as anyone who has ever tried to enjoy food with a stuffy nose knows, smell is 90 percent of taste. Aroma and flavor are inextricably linked. Nothing throws a bigger roadblock up during a review meal more than a nearby diner reeking of perfume or cologne. Diners are asked to follow some rules with regard to smoking and dress codes. Why not a fragrance ban as well? 
Rousted (along with AIA) from their retail spot on 17th Street by hotel development,