Returned this evening from spending the better part of the day in Philadelphia, as I mentioned I might earlier this week, and all was a splendid success. On my way out of New York, I stopped by the deli of my dreams ("Newstand-Grocery" at the corner of Orchard and Canal), which, seemingly created entirely from my subconscious cravings made real, sells a mix of Asian, European and organic specialty foods and all the best magazines, including the one I bought today, Monocle (Tyler Brûlé's latest branded offering). Given its stated aim to "be an oasis from celebrities and low production values," Monocle is pretty genius and a good example of how print media can survive in the future (focusing on a niche that finds its mobility convenient).
Once in Philadelphia, I made a beeline for La Colombe Torrefaction, which a reader kindly wrote in to recommend, and I am ever grateful for it was an excellent pick. I had a cappuccino and a brioche (to stay; the cups and ambiance were impossible to resist) and it was only $4.75, which was sort of reverse sticker shock for me as I expected it be more like $10. From there, I bummed around the Walnut and Chestnut Streets shopping area, which is a little bland.
Lured into Urban Outfitters by an "additional 75% off" sign, I tried on a flouncy printed silk dress that would have been $5 (!) but pronounced it too "Grandmother's Attic" and not enough "Summer of Love" and passed on a black ruched cotton scarf that was very Toulouse-Lautrec but too similar to things I already own. In Anthropologie, I tried on a black and white striped cotton tunic/dress by Edward An that was chic if a touch too Mod-ish but so overpriced when I finally looked at the tag that, in a brief moment of fashion animism, I just felt sorry for it.
I shrugged off the disappointment of a shopping bust (and also, at not having come up with "a plan" prior to my arrival, which would have included making a reservation at Le Bec Fin) with a stop at Five Guys, famed chainlet & purveyor of vaguely In-n-Out-ish fresh burgers and fries, which were top-notch. From there, I took a long amble through some very quaint and stately blocks of townhouses and deshabillé older buildings over to Giovanni's Room, where Robert was reading. While waiting for the event to begin, I boughtThe Swimming Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst and Edmund White's Skinned Alive. The reading was stellar, especially because the setting for it was upstairs next to a fireplace with Robert sitting in a wingchair and so it was sort of an amusing storytime for adults, all gathered closely 'round for the tale of a teenage fuck-up. Also, there were actual adolescent boys in the audience, giving the whole spectacle an air of authenticity. Overall, it was brilliant.
My new pal, Andi Buchanan (of MotherTalk fame), who lives in the neighborhood (and is so cool that she has a cool kid, who is like six and already planning out editorial for her envisioned fashion/lifestyle magazine, in addition to caring for several Tamagotchis around the clock, which she told me all about over hot chocolate after Gayle's Self Storage launch party in New York last week), met me there and we went for dinner at the absolutely gorgeous and delicious creperie, Beau Monde. Highly recommended.
Back in New York, I came home to lots of good mail -- three new movies from Netflix: L'Avventura, Masculin Feminin, and Elevator to the Gallows, the new issue of Allure (lest one forgets), a note from my mother that included a Starbucks card, and a wholly unexpected care package (chocolate and lip gloss -- how did she know?) from Elizabeth in thanks for sending some Chinese New Year decorations to her for her party last weekend. All in all, too beautiful.
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