Welcome back to Philly Finds, and happy official fall everyone.
I keep telling myself that this will finally be the year where I get the cute fall fits. The durable pair of booties to last me the whole season, the dark wash jeans that fit just right, the sweater that is perfectly snug – I’m going to make it happen. I have an across-the-pond trip coming up soon, and I am determined to be très autumnal chic!
As we often do, I’ll start off this post with some recommendations.
I’ve just purchased Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. I’ve been meaning to read this for some time now, and I’m hopeful that it won’t end up on my bookshelf unread for months, until I eventually succumb to my own frustration and disgust of not having even opened a page yet. You know the feeling, right?
As for what I’m really “into” right now, there are two main categories.
One of these topics is the demise of large American companies (think Chuck E. Cheese, CiCi’s Pizza, etc) and how they collapsed. In a previous post, I mentioned watching a video on Disney’s Fast Pass system failures, and I’ve watched nearly every other video suggested to me. It is fascinating, and if this sounds like something you’d be interested in, I suggest checking out Defunctland and Company Man.
The other area of interest to me right now is “post-pandemic life”. Before you leave this blog to find something more cheerful or less mind-numbing, allow me to elaborate.
Currently it feels as if online discourse is at an all-time high, and I’m certainly adding to it here. I’ve seen a slew of articles and posts about things like the state of marriage, friendships, work, media, home life, etc. All of these articles seem to have the same overlying message – where do we go from here?
I’ve started a post about this topic, but I’m nervous to post it. I’m just not sure how to write it without it coming across like I’m depressed I guess? But it is something I’d like to write about. Stay tuned – maybe?
Some recent reads:
- The Pandemic Skip – The Cut
- “For women, the most dangerous thing to say is ‘no’ – and this truth feels so heavy”
- Que Sera Sera #5
- Two newsletters I’m loving right now and recommend are Mixed Feelings and Rich Text.
Ok, that was a lot for a simple post about Philly – now onto the finds!
Upcoming and current shows:
Assassins at the Arden Theatre September 21 – October 22, 2023
Sondheim’s one-act musical could be considered a bit of a controversial one (which in my opinion is all the more reason to see it). It tells the story of a group of Americans (aka people who have tried to ass*ssinate presidents), consumed by grievance and a desperate need to be heard, set against a sinister carnival scene. This musical speaks to the moment we are in as a country in a prescient and powerful way, and features a thrilling score by THEE master of the American musical.
Mean Girls October 3-8, 2023 at The Miller Theater
Watch the “World Burn” and enter the “Revenge Party” with Mean Girls: The Musical.
It goes without saying that Mean Girls is one of – if not the – seminal movie of our generation. And now is your chance to see it on the big stage.
There’s a ton of Philly connections to this musical, being Ms. Tiny Fey for one of course. The fabulous Gianna Yanelli, who was in the original Broadway cast, is right here from Philly. And this current national tour features University of the Arts grad, Mikaela Rada.
This is a very limited run – grab those tickets soon!
Wicked November 1-26, 2023 at the Academy of Music
From the moment Ga-linda drops down from her bubble, you know it’s about. to. go. down.
Wicked, the 4th-longest running Broadway production, makes its popular return to the Academy of Music for a month-long engagement, from November 1 -26, 2023.
The Broadway sensation takes a deeper look into the Land of Oz. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”
You haven’t lived until you’ve heard Defying Gravity performed live. Wicked delivers a level of magic, nostalgia, and production that just can’t be beat.
Recent eats:
El Chingon
In case you missed it, not one, not two, but THREE Philly restaurants made it on the New York Times’ 2023 Restaurant List – My Loup, Kalaya, and El Chignon. I recently celebrated my friend Kerry’s birthday brunch at El Chignon (side note: lunch/brunch is served everyday 10am-2pm), and it’s easy to see why it made this prestigious list. I had the gringas tacos (not the most adventurous, but the heart wants what the heart wants) which were deelish, and everyone else loved their meals.
So get your butt on over there soon (also note – no reservations).
South Philly Taproom
My friend Amanda of PhillyFoodandBarrs and I are on a bit of a foodie quest right now – to visit every restaurant in Philadelphia that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
First up – South Philadelphia Taproom.
Our format for ordering is to get whatever we one, but at least one dish has to be something Guy tried on the show. We ordered tangy chicken wings, a chicken cutlet hoagie, a burger, and finally the real star of the show which Guy had- the fried PB&J (which was surprisingly delicious).
I hope you’ll follow along for this journey. One restaurant down, 11 to go!
October Events:
Spooky Mini Golf
- Adults: $15
- Children: $12
- When: October 1-31: 6 – 9pm
- Where: Franklin Square – 200 N 6th St. Philadelphia, PA 19106
Philly Mini Golf transforms into spooky fun for the season with fog, lights, music, and surprises! Add some fright to your night at Center City’s only 18-hole mini golf course.
The Philadelphia True Crime Trolley Tour returns with chilling tales of Philly’s past
Ditch the couch, call your friends, and grab some BOOze; THIS is the ULTIMATE BYOB True Crime experience.
- The tour runs Thursdays through Saturdays all October, starting on Saturday, October 8th.
- Tickets are $55 dollars and the tour starts and ends at 601 Walnut.
- Grab your tickets HERE.
- BYOB
Founding Footsteps (Home of the “Tipsy Trolley” and “The Original Philly Holiday Light Tour) is launching their fourth season of “The Philadelphia True Crime Tour.” Featuring live music and storytelling performances on their signature haunted BYOB trolley, guests will get a locally inspired view of how “Brotherly Love” is sometimes forgotten.
Topics covered range from our nation’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, whose misdeeds began and ended in Philly, to an alarming number of serial killers that once called our city home. Less dark topics include the debate over the city’s famed Barnes Foundation – is it the crown jewel of the Ben Franklin Parkway or the largest art heist in history pulled off by corrupt politicians who manipulated the court system and circumvented a will?
Fearless Femmes Loves Fashion
- When: Monday, October 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Where: Rosalie Wayne, 139 East Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA
- Tickets: Tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.
Fearless Femmes, part of Fearless Restaurants, is back with another amazing event to inspire, empower, and engage women through female-centered content and events.
I recently went to their official Fearless Femmes kick-off event, which was led by three inspiring business women, and they shared their experiences on failure, triumph, and more – it was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment.
For their October Fearless Femmes event, meet the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator‘s newest up-and-coming designers. Philadelphia Fashion Incubator’s mission is to nurture emerging fashion entrepreneurs from Philadelphia design schools and the local fashion community, by connecting them to the global fashion network and encouraging them to expand and retain their businesses in Philadelphia, The Incubator contributes to the region’s economic development.
Talk soon xo
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