jojotastic | category | philadelphia

May 19, 2013

Absolutely stunning, right? Those are the beautiful flower arrangements of Sullivan Owen, a Philly-based floral and event designer. This weekend I interned at Blogshop where I got to spread some Photoshop love, meet some new blogging friends, and up my Instagram game. It’s been pretty hectic, but a really rewarding experience. I use Photoshop on a daily basis, so it’s pretty damn satisfying to be able to help someone else learn the program.

This week also brought the birthday of one of my dearest friends, Anne. Ever the health nut, she couldn’t indulge in ice cream herself, so I did it for her!

I saw this poster at my friend Jessica’s house and immediately had to cramp her style and my own. You might need one, too! Available on Urban Outfitters.

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

insta-week – no. 35

May 12, 2013

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instagram, philadelphia

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to all! I hope your day is full of breakfasts in bed, foot rubs, and bunches of flowers.

This week was pretty overwhelming for me, but as I headed into the weekend, I knew how to regroup and get stuff back under control. For me, the best way to feel like I have a handle on things is by doing what I love. That means going to the flea market again, treating myself to a bit of an at-home spa session with my new treats frm SW Basics, and eating good ole home-made food. As we head into Monday, I feel better than I have in a long time and so much more grounded… phew!

Irony on parade at Urban Outfitters HQ.

It was pretty sweltering on Friday, so I sought happiness in a single scoop from Little Baby’s.

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

flea market treasures

May 6, 2013

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home decor + interiors, philadelphia

One of my absolute favorite things about living on the East Coast are the flea markets. The stuff is just… older here! This weekend, my friend Jessica and I ventured out to Quaker City Flea Market, Philadelphia’s oldest flea. I was worried all the good stuff would be gone because we got a late start to the day, but within minutes of walking in we hit pay dirt. For only $8, I scored an assortment of plates in a mid-century modern pattern, an adorable hobnail milk glass pitcher, a stainless steel egg beater, and these silly dishes!

I’m not typically one to go to a flea market for valuable things; I usually just pick up whatever speaks to me and begs to be brought home. However, I felt like these pieces were quirky enough that there must be a story behind them. This Blue Heaven dinnerware features a pattern I’d never come across before. Further research on Etsy revealed that they were produced between the ’50s and ’70s and are oven-safe. And how great is that retro backstamp (the artwork on the back of the plate)? I love everything about them!

But the find of the day goes to Jessica. She walked away with these gorgeous velvet chairs ($60 for the pair!) and this crazy mod terrarium thing for $2.

photos by Jojotastic

insta-week – no. 34

May 5, 2013

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foodie, instagram, philadelphia

I guess I was hungry this week… the vast majority of my photos were of food! Between the tempting pastries at Le Pain Quotidien and my first ever shakshuka at The Soup Kitchen, I ate very well this week. By the way, if you’ve never had shakshuka, you absolutely much try it! I found this recipe on Pinterest and it’s on my list for a weekend brunch soon!

You west-coasters might share my love of Red Vines. I was luck enough to find them at Target recently and, as you can tell, I was very excited.

Oh, and don’t forget…

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

an afternoon at Terrain

April 16, 2013

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philadelphia, shopping + gift guides, the great outdoors

Forgive my bluntness, but Terrain at Styers is truly magical. In fact, it’s one of my favorite places in the Philly area. This weekend I escaped the city and ventured out to Glen Mills, PA for the design*sponge Past & Present Book Event and a smidge of windowshopping. What I love most about Terrain is the store’s set-up. Vignettes of products throughout make me feel like I’ve been transported to another place. The mix of materials and texture is key. Long vines drape over paperback books stacked on rough, raw linen textiles. Vintage flower pressings are haphazardly yet artfully arranged on a wall while vintage apothecary jars hold fresh peonies in the foreground. Birdhouses mingle with punched aluminum pendant lighting. Oh, and every time I visit Terrain, it’s different; the space is ever-evolving.

One of the most romantic vignettes I’ve ever seen in a store. I can almost smell the rose petals…

One day I aspire to have a wall of white ceramics and this is what it looks like in my imagination. Yes, peonies are always included.

A bit of Philly pride.

Obligatory spring flower shot.

PS – want to see my recap of the Past & Present event? Head on over to Anthology!

photos by Jojotastic

jojotastic | this weekend: amy azzarito + terrain

this weekend: amy arrazito + terrain

April 12, 2013

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philadelphia

So… what are you doing this weekend? If you’re in Philly, you should definitely venture out of the city to one of my favorite places ever, Terrain, for the Past & Present book signing with Amy Arrazito. Curated by Amy, Past & Present features DIY projects and essays that explore how the past always resurfaces in modern design. With project ideas from Todd Oldham, Grace Bonney, and many more, this is a must-read for sure. Plus, if you can attend the event, there is a DIY workshop led by Amy, too!

Reservations are required for the workshop, so be sure to get on the list here. Cya there!

Top photo via Terrain. Second photo by Maxwell Tielman.

insta-week – no. 29

March 31, 2013

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beauty + cosmetics, instagram, philadelphia

Lots of adventures this week! From an intense design project at work to dinner at Zahav with two great friends, I kept pretty busy this week. The dinner was the absolute highlight of my week though. In true Mediterranean fashion, Zahav serves everything to be shared. We feasted on about 15 different dishes ranging from Turkish hummus to sweetbreads to duck hearts to haloumi. If you’re ever in Philadelphia, this spot is on the Must See list.

There were two more birthdays at the office this week, so of course we pulled out all the stops. I’m pretty lucky and grateful for the amount of champagne I get to consume at work on a regular basis.

The Great Shoe Spree of 2013 continues with these faux-snakeskin ponies from Urban Outfitters.

While I was in LA, I used Shea Moisture products and immediately fell in love. I might have gone overboard at Target, but I’m telling you, this stuff is SO good. Check out each here: curl & shine shampoo / curl & shine conditioner / restorative conditioner / argan and raw shea lotion (Anne and I call this ‘sexy lotion’ because it smells so freaking good!)

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

Etsy Pop-Up

March 13, 2013

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instagram, philadelphia, shopping + gift guides

On Saturday I attended the Etsy Pop-Up shop at West Elm. Curated by Jaime Derringer of Design Milk, this event brought local awareness to some of my old favorite and new favorite Etsy shops. It was such an energetic shopping experience, complete with Federal Donuts (you know how much I love them…) and my very first Smilebooth!

Be sure to check out:

Forage Haberdashery
Girls Can Tell — also, I blogged about them over on Anthology. Check out that post here!
Moon and Arrow
Me & She
Xenotees — I couldn’t help myself… I wanted away with these!

photos by me for Jojotastic. photo of donuts by Chloe Grigri.

insta-week – no. 8

October 28, 2012

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instagram, philadelphia, seattle

Greetings from Seattle! Seems like I escaped the east coast just in time, huh? I hope everyone is safe and sound in Philly… and keeping dry.

Last week was pretty hectic (when isn’t it? I am such a broken record…), but I still managed to have a few adventures! I think the highlight of my week was my decision to volunteer at a local animal shelter, Operation Ava. I had orientation this week and got to meet that little morsel on the lower right. His name is Trooper and he’s 8 weeks old — check out those puppy wrinkles! I’m super excited to spend my weekend time walking some cuties and hopefully helping them to find their forever homes.

This week also included a super exciting binder of color swatches at work, friends who can make amazingly perfect vodka martinis, and the last of open-toe shoe weather. I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday and, for those of you on the east coast, stay safe!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

“let’s talk about chicken”

October 24, 2012

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foodie, instagram, philadelphia

Picture this: you’re lined up in a tiny shop smelling of exotic spices with a hint of frying oil. People are crammed in around you, nervously milling about waiting for something to happen. A woman stands at a counter and shouts for quiet and says matter-of-factly, “Let’s talk about chicken.” You’re given a number — 15 — and you anxiously await your turn to order some of the best fried chicken of your life.

This was how I spent my Saturday morning at Federal Donuts, Philadelphia’s premiere gourmet donuts and fried chicken hot spot. With offerings like Indian Cinnamon and Pomegranate Nutella donuts along with coconut curry fried chicken, I knew I had to eat breakfast AND lunch there. Round 1 was a Appollonia donut… followed by round 2, a vanilla lavender donut that is probably my favorite sweet treat ever {I’m a sucker for lavender!}. When it was my turn, I followed a friend’s recommendation and ordered the harissa wings — only 6 thankfully because these are some full-sized wings!

I’m not lying or over-exaggerating when I tell you that this is the best chicken I have ever eaten. That statement deserves the #nothyperbole hashtag. If you ever find your way to Philadelphia, Federal Donuts is a Must See… and you have to invite me along!

photos by Jojotastic using Instagram — follow me here!

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