The Next Adventure

I moved to Philly the day before the Broad Street Run, and then I ran the Broad Street Run. I don’t know if it was the light rain or running down the main drag of my favorite city, but I ran faster than I ever thought I could and finished fifteen minutes earlier than expected. (1:13:28). 

I ended my first week in town by doing my favorite activity: wandering around looking for colorful things. My first stop was Shane Confectionary. I saw an ad on Instagram for their Lemon-Lavender Fudge, and I knew I had to get it for my mom for Mother’s Day but also for me for Stephen Day (any day I’m wandering around.) I had a piece of the summery-fresh delight as I crossed the bridge to Penn’s Landing for the Arts & Crafts Bazaar.

I’ve been to many many craft fairs, but this one was filled with incredibly unique kitchen supplies, prints, and sculptures. I shopped around as Silent Shapes played soft rock on the water in background. I’d like to note that every other stand sold something Gritty related, which pleased me ever so. 

One tent was adorned with geometric earth tone designs, and the angles drew me in. I spoke with Lindsay from Gingerly Press about her prints and learned that the collection on sale was inspired by her solo journey through the Appalachian Mountains. I spent a summer in them once, and it was one of my favorite times and favorite places, so we spoke for a while about her journey. I walked away with a list of things I should pack should I ever decide to traverse the mountain range in its entirety like she did. I might.

I visited Forage Workshop twice. Their wooden lapel pins were so cute. I might change my style and career just so I have an excuse to wear a jacket with these pins. 

Art Star sold these cat butt mugs, which reminded me of that Bob’s Burgers episode.

Horrible Adorables sells felt animal trophies and Spruce Spricket.

Ian M Petrie specializes in statement plates.

These are the Spiderbite Boutique's Nervous Nellies

MossHound Designs displayed a collection of weavings made from hand died Marino wool and also vintage fibers from an old schoolhouse in Warwick. 

Priscilla Dahl’s pottery was a whimsical collection of creatures that are in my parents’ backyard.

Squirrel Tacos has fantasy pop up art.

I didn’t know air plants could be this large or curly but wow.

Ah Ha sold a collection of prints titled Petflix. Each was a portrait pun of popular television characters as animals. i.e. Pam Beaversly.

Hive Home sells a collection of natural beeswax wraps. I’ve wanted these for so long. I recently started prepping my breakfast and lunch in the evening so that I can grab them and pack them to bring to work the next morning, and I’ve used tinfoil to wrap my breakfast sandwich every morning. But now I have this wonderful beeswax wrap that I will compost months from now! 

On my way home, purchases in tow, I stopped by Bindlestiff Books, which is in my neighborhood. The used bookstore welcomes its readers with this urban/library mosaic.