Her Philly

June 29, 2017

My Latest Sephora Buys

As I’m sure you know by now, I have a thing for makeup. The moment I discovered YouTube hauls and tutorials in college (I can still remember the first DulceCandy87 videos I got sucked into), it was all. over. Whenever someone new comes to my house and uses the bathroom, they’re truly always in shock at the amount of “products” I own. It’s my thing, and I’ve accepted it.

Adding to this obsession, one of my goals last year was to get in both the Sephora and Ulta VIP loyalty programs. These programs are achieved by spending a certain amount in one calendar year, and are rewarded by promos the next year. Sephora offers a free Beauty Insider program (I sincerely hope you’re already getting that free birthday gift at this stage in your life, ladies), and the VIB level, achieved when you spend $350/year, offers the same perks, plus a free makeover.

June 14, 2017

How to Conquer Center City Sips (if you’re over 25, that is)

It’s a summer Wednesday in the city, and for many young Philadelphians out there, that means one thing: Center City Sips.For those new to the Philly scene, a brief precursor: Sips is a special summer happy hour “event” held every Wednesday (now through August 30) from 5-7pm at bars across the (center) city. Their standard gimmick is $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers. But the thing about Sips is, it’s become such a “thing” (people really, really love it or absolutely hate it), that young professionals struggle every week to find a work appropriate outfit that could also pass for a going out one, youngins fill the inbound trains at rush hour in droves, and people call out sick Thursday morning because their hangover is so intense.

June 8, 2017

4 Philly Workout Classes To Try

My fitness journey has been a long and quite bumpy one. I played sports growing up and loved being part of a team, did very minimal physical activity in college/shortly after, and then, in my mid-twenties, found the beauty that is a group workout class. I had really never enjoyed working out, or even found something I could do semi-okay, until Flywheel. So I did that, religiously (4x a week!) for about two years, until my body began craaaaaaving something a little more low key every once in awhile. And so after some real “soul” searching (no shade, I promise), fitness journey 2.0 began.

May 25, 2017

What I Got at the Art Star Craft Bazaar

Over the past few years, it’s become tradition that my family spends Mother’s Day together in the city. While we change up our brunch destination every year (though, come to think of it, it’s always Mexican food), the main focus of our trip is the Art Star Craft Bazaar. Held at Penn’s Landing and featuring 125+ vendors piled high with unique jewelry, kitschy paintings, and tons and tons more, it is a shoppers’ paradise. And while my dad keeps busy with things like this meat parfait, my mom, my sister, and I come ready. to. shop.
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May 10, 2017

Dinner with Nick Elmi and Dietz & Watson

Many of my friends, who often give up their evenings to be my +1s at various blogger and media events across the city, know this to be true: I rarely know what I’m getting us into. It’s definitely a risk, but just saying yes (with limited details) is how I’ve gotten to experience many of the super cool things this blog has allowed me to do. So when I got the invite for Dietz & Watson‘s #ChooseTheTable dinner, I, again, wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Except, this one minor detail: Nick Elmi would be preparing us dinner.

May 3, 2017

5 Tips for Solo Travelers at their first All-Inclusive

Earlier this year, I was #blessed with a trip to Mexico. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya was a dream, and while I was going to be spending some of my time with the other amazing bloggers on the trip, I knew I’d be tackling some of it as a solo traveler. And actually, for one of the first times in my adult life, I was really excited about that. But as this trip also happened to be the first time I was staying at an all-inclusive, I wanted to share some things I learned that could help you, should the travel bug hit you for a solo vacay.

April 24, 2017

Spring Dining at Fogo de Chão Philadelphia

I’m always up for excuses to get a little fancy and head out to a nice dinner. I haven’t been to Fogo de Chão (1337 Chestnut Street) in quite a bit (they were definitely on my original top Center City Restaurant Week picks back when they still did Restaurant Week . . . gosh I need to update that list. #RIPsalento), so when they invited me in to try some things from their new spring menu, I was obviously all for it (#meat).

April 6, 2017

What’s in my Philly Fridge

Being off on a weekday is really amazing for me for three main reasons: morning Netflix in bed, no lines at my apartment’s laundry machine, and less humans at the grocery store. My grocery store of choice is, of course, the brand new and beautiful Philadelphia Whole Foods (2101 Pennsylvania Avenue), and being able to swoop in and out of that place as crowd-free as possible is a true #blessing. In addition to adoring everything about the Philly dining scene, I’m always fascinated by what people buy at grocery stores (I shared my things you gotta try at Whole Foods three whole years ago and the obsession has not ceased). So, after one particularly indulgent midday trip, I thought I’d share what I have going on in this fridge of mine.

March 31, 2017

A Philly Blogger takes Mexico!

Earlier this month, when Philadelphia’s temperatures were in the “freakin freezing” range and it seemed there was absolutely no hope in sight, my winter blues were suddenly cured by a little jaunt to Mexico. It was my first time vacationing in Mexico. My first time traveling solo, too. And, as all vacations in Mexico should be, my first all-inclusive resort.
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March 27, 2017

Playing Chef for a Day at #FLKeysCookOff

I’m not really what people would call “a good cook.” I am usually good for one thing (that I find on Pinterest, that’s made with tater tots and cheese and bacon, and pretty much impossible to mess up) to bring to a potluck brunch, inevitably causing me to seek validation from my cohorts at every turn. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy cooking from time-to-time, but it’s just not a natural thing for me. So, when I was asked to participate in The Florida Keys‘ Philadelphia Cookoff earlier this month, I was sliiiightly nervous.Continue Reading…