It’s Diner en Blanc season! In case you’re new to the all-white craze that sweeps the city every summer, I did a little deep dive into what Diner en Blanc actually is way back in 2013 before my first DEB. I love the night because it’s such a beautiful evening out in the city, celebrating all of our gorgeous public space, meeting new people from all across the area, and just enjoying #summerinthecity.
My Favorite Places in Philly
Since I’ve moved to this city, my mind is constantly consumed with various running lists of my favorite places in Philly. Plus, my lists of “places I must try ASAP” seem to be never-ending (to the dismay of my bank account). I think these unconquerable lists always come back to the fact that there are simply so many places to fall in love with, and once you find a gem, it’s hard not to keep coming back.
Some of you may be familiar with a little local bloggers group I’m a part of called PHLBloggers. We recently participated in a fun event where each of us compiled all of the reasons why we love Philly, and the lists came out great! I wanted to share with you my list of current Philly favorites (plus: two bonus spots I’ve fallen in love with since our lists were published). Enjoy!
{Summertime Reminiscing} Diner en Blanc 2014
It’s been pretty cold out lately. I don’t necessarily mind chilly weather (mainly because I am a fan of layers), but it is nice to be reminded of the joys of summer every once in awhile. The all-white night of Diner en Blanc is one of my favorite events of the summer. I didn’t officially recap my experience at this year’s event, but it was magical, as usual. The folks at DEB just released their official video for 2014, so I thought now was the perfect time to share some shots of carefree, warm-weather happiness . . . filled with pretty dresses, Di Bruno Brothers cheese, white-clad mummers, lots of dancing, great friends, and a pretty city. Enjoy. xx
{More photos after the cut!}
Continue Reading…
5 Tips For A Fantastic Dîner en Blanc
So Diner en Blanc is less than three weeks away, and while I might not have it all together (like if any of the four outfits that are currently being expressed shipped to my doorstep will work), I do know a thing or two about how to enjoy it. Last year was my first year at DEB, so I was really just making some educated guesses about how to make the night as successful as possible. But this year, I’m taking what I learned and making a few changes in my process – and, sharing with you, of course. The majority of these tips were written by me a few days after DEB 2013 and have been sitting in my blog drafts ever since, so you know they’re the real deal.
Philly Girl Summer Life {2014}
I have really been loving this summer. The sunshine makes me so happy. I don’t think I have done this season’s update post (see last summer), where I just get to talk about all of the fun and random things going on in my life . . . so here we are.
The Single Life
We all know I’m single (because it seems like I announce it every chance I get), but I don’t let that stop me from attending the things I want in the city. Last week, I posted a guest blog for Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia all about attending Diner en Blanc as a single woman. Check it.
Summer in the City
This summer in Philly has really been so exciting to me. I just spent my 4th of July weekend here, frolicking around the city with my sister, her puppy, and some friends and had the best time . . . dining outside, laying around in the park, enjoying our city’s walkability factor, shopping for fresh flowers, making the best froyo combination that hit the spot, and just taking in all Philly has to offer. Seeing all the events that were on was amazing, I wish we could have seen them all, even the local businesses were getting into the spirit by flying American flags as they are illuminated by solar powered flagpole lighting during the night time, it seemed like Philly was constantly lit up and sparkling with the festivities.
150 Fun & Fab Things To Do In Philadelphia
Philly, you are the best city of all the cities. In honor of your loveliness, I’ve teamed up with four other fab Philly lady bloggers to bring our readers the ultimate list of all the things you must do, see, eat, drink, and visit in our fair city. A Philly bucket list, if you will, filled with unique things to make you say “hmmm that sounds interesting,” and more obvious things to make you go, “duh! Why have I not done that yet?”
By the end of reading this I expect you will be ready to book your Philly vacation! Before you do, check out these philadelphia vacation rentals from Stay Alfred. Whether your here for pleasure or business, these luxurious rentals means you can stay in style.
Below you’ll get my contribution to the list, and when you’re done, click over to the rest of the list on each blog. Here goes!
Happy 1st Birthday Her Philly!
Today marks exactly one year since I began chronicling my journey exploring Philadelphia, and I can’t believe how far my little idea has come! When I began writing this blog, I was looking for an outlet to discuss things that were important to me, as a young, 20-something with no kids and a lot of curiosity about my new city. Deciding what to write was (and still is) easy, I document things that I, personally, would click through & read about. I am by no means a fashionista, but I do like shopping. I can’t cook that well, but I love discovering new restaurants. I’m not a wiz with a glue gun, but I like to decorate and get the most out of my small apartment. And while I am past my college years of long nights out at the bar, I am still young, single, and like to explore what the city has to offer. Wrap that all up in a pretty bow & you’ve got Her Philly!
Over the past year I have had some amazing experiences, like attending the Game of Thrones Season 3 premiere and traveling to NYC for Lucky FABB. I have met some bloggers & Philadelphians I consider friends (like Jessie, Melissa, Jade, Karima, & Kory, to name a few), and discovered countless new places to go and things to do around Philly. I am really thankful for the opportunities this blog has allowed me, and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings!
In honor of my 1st birthday, and because we all know I love lists, I wanted to share my Top 10 most shared posts from the past year! Plus, come back & visit me this week for some special surprises and giveaways featuring my favorite Philly things!
10. My experience taking a flying trapeze class during PIFA.
9. Keeping it real with my favorite product to eliminate chub rub.
8. Documenting the most amazing night in Philly.
7. How I built my confidence and learned to love my body.
6. My recap of East Passyunk Avenue’s Crafty Balboa & links to fab Philly Etsy sellers.
5. The first Philly Lady You’ll Love post featuring Luba Patlakh of Fluff Apparel.
4. My third installment of my favorite small apartment decorating ideas.
3. My “everything you need to know” post about Philadelphia Diner en Blanc.
2. My original post featuring some pinspiration on how to organize your small Philly apartment.
1. Seems there is a lot of love for my small city living spaces inspiration posts!
Thanks for the love & support over the past year. I hope you stick it out with me over the next year, I promise we’ll have fun! xx
A Magical Philadelphia Evening {Dîner en Blanc 2013}
Dîner en Blanc . . . oh how to sum up such a special night in one post? Ever since my interview with Natanya DiBona where I covered everything you need to know about Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia, I have been obsessing over Philly’s second annual all white pop-up dinner picnic. And Thursday night it finally happened. And it was perfect.
Our group meeting spot was at the Comcast Center. We arrived right on time & met our group leader, Kat! Little did we know we were in a pretty good spot to walk to the secret dinner location.
My three girlfriends for the evening! Kenya, Kelly & Tara were such fun dates. Check us out in Philly Style Mag!
Always need a solo shot! My dress is by Taylor Dresses (currently on sale!).
We were given wristbands with the #DEBPHL13 hashtag on them. Love this idea!
As our evening was a girls night out, we had to get crafty with our transportation methods. The Magna Cart was perfect for transporting our table, chairs, and of course, baguette 🙂
Before we left, Kat went over some instructions for the evening to our group.
Then we were off! After a quick walk down JFK, we passed some road blockages. But where was there a public space big enough to fit 2,500 people? Oh – no big deal, we were eating ON JFK, right in front of 30th Street Station (omg). 
It was then time to unload & set our tables! Tara & I have been going back & forth preparing for weeks – so we were pretty pleased with our final products! A true labor of love.
Before DEB, Kory Aversa & Natanya had told me how fun it was to make friends with the people sitting around you. And that we did! A big shout out to our dinner & dancing buddies, Sue & Steve! It was so nice to meet the two of you.
Some of the tablescapes at the event were utterly fantastic. Check out this beaut!
My favorite picture of the night. Truly a once in a lifetime sight.
At 9:15 exactly everyone at the event lit sparklers and danced to Coldplay. AKA my dream. 
After dinner, it was time for some mingling & dancing! I ran into so many fab Philly friends! I loved Jeta (1/3 of Philly blog Global Lipstick)’s look.
There were even ENGAGEMENTS at Dîner en Blanc! Check out these cuties. Congratulations!
This vintage Rolls Royce on display was the perfect touch to the setting.
With my DEB planning friend Jade of style wallflower. 
I love this shot of some of the many tables. Talk about a party 🙂 The event was truly a refreshing and exciting way to spend a night in Philly. All of the prep work gathering supplies was so worth it when you saw all 2,500 other guests putting forth the same amount of effort. I already can’t wait for next year! Dîner en Blanc – you rock.
Philly Girl Summer Life {2013}
Lately I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to make each post I write here perfect and really important. I think I was having trouble coming up with something meaningful to say, especially after my last post. But sometimes I need to not have a plan & just kind of . . . chat. What do we think, are we up for it?
Let’s just come right out and say it. The main reason I’ve been MIA is because I have discovered Orange is the New Black. You n-e-e-d to see this show. You can even sign up for a free trial of Netflix, binge watch all of the episodes in one weekend (because, while the trial is a month, you’ll only need a weekend) and cancel on Monday. I still have two episodes left in the series and I am saving them. We’ll see how long that lasts.
The dates have been announced for Philadelphia Restaurant Week and I can’t WAIT! Get your reservations made for September 15-20 & 22-27 now! As of today, I’ve got plans for Tinto, Fogo de Chao and Zahav, but who knows where I’ll end up. Check out my post about where to go during Restaurant Week if you need some recommendations!
Last summer, I was never able to get home from work in time for Center City Sips. So this year, I’m making more of an effort, and I love it! There is only one week left – so tell me, where are you sippin’ for 2013’s final week?
I have literally the best end of the week ever. Tomorrow is the event all of Philly has been waiting for, Diner en Blanc! I currently have my entire table set up in my living room right now, just for a practice run. Tomorrow I’m heading to DiBruno Brothers to pick up some goodies & then my buds and I start our journey to the secret location! If you’d like to see live updates from the event, check out Her Philly on Twitter & Instagram. Cause you know I’ll be snappin.
Friday night I am going, embarrassingly so, to my first concert of the summer! Hellloooo Mr. John Mayer! Give me some Gravity & some Assassin and I’ll be good.
Between a few trips home to my parents’ house at the beach in Jersey this month, I’m excited to enjoy my final weeks of summer in the city. So what’s new & exciting going on in your life? I’d love to hear. xx