DIY Newspaper Nails
– paint your nails with base coat of choice (a light color will work best)
– once dry, soak nails in alcohol
– press piece of newspaper to nails one at a time, and remove
– paint with clear top coat
Voila!
Halloween nails! I love the idea of skulls on your nails :)
Check out our selection of rings.
Linda is wearing: pleated lace trim crop top, paisley printed kimono, jenoah floppy brim hat, double cross necklace.
On Friday I met up with Elsa of the blog Styleabaad for coffee. She chose the spot – Last Drop café on 13th and Pine. I live in Old City and rarely come over this way, but I was completely charmed by this coffee shop! I love cafés that feel homey and unique, the kind that makes you want to bring a book and get cozy and stay a while.
I first met Elsa when I posted a photo of her on our blog, not realizing she was currently living right here in philly! It just so happened that same day she was at the Free People home office visiting her friend, our Art Director. Small world, huh? We decided to meet up and talk about blogging, fashion, philly and more.
Elsa is fascinating – she is from Sweden, and has been living in Philly for three years now with her husband. She loves to write and travels often – the last 12 years she has been traveling to India, where she has spent time in an Ashram and also worked various jobs including backup dancer in Bollywood films. In addition to her blog, she is working on a novel about her travels – I for one would love to read it! She also had some really interesting perspectives on fashion in Philly vs. fashion in Sweden, and what it was like to move here as a foreigner. Stay tuned because she agreed to write a guest post about it for our blog :)
I also couldn’t get over how cute she looked with her blue hat, backpack and kate spade bike!
I had to get a closeup of her awesome nail polish too – what a cool idea!
Get the look: Ankle Crop Jean, Floral Buttondown, Pierre Slip On, Ski & Hike Backpack, Knitted Ranger Hat.
It’s easy to see why this week’s style file landed a job as Free People’s intimates designer. She won’t just look at a piece as something to be worn underneath your clothing, but she also has the creative mind that can look at it in different contexts, and style it in completely unexpected ways that work. Her everyday wear mixes great intimates pieces – think slips, lace, and bloomers – with more conservative pieces and funky accessories. Her style borders the line between graceful beauty and edgy tough girl. It’s that deep understanding of intimates, and amazing ability to style them in a variety of ways, that explains perfectly why this is her area of expertise.
Her mom gave her this gorgeous vintage night gown. I think it might be one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen.
I would have never thought to pair bloomers with tights and a sweater for day – brilliant idea! Try the Floral Bloomers and the Easy Days Off the Should Sweater to get the look.
Claudio’s, a small specialty shop nestled in Philadelphia’s Italian Market, is one of my all-time favorite spots. The shop has been open for over 50 years serving meats, cheese, olives, pasta, and other imported goods. It’s one of those places you go and feel the old world preserved. The employees who work there were born and raised right down the street. They can recount for you how their mothers used to send them down for a half pound of fresh mozzarella, and now they’re keeping the tradition alive by running the place themselves.
My favorite part about Claudio’s though is the cheese. They’re selection is out of this world. Gourmet cheeses of every kind – Italian, French…fresh, aged…sheep, goat….
It’s become my go-to place for cheese experimentation. I’ve tried everything from Bulgarian Feta to smoked cheddar – each inspiring me with a new recipe idea. After much sampling, here is some ingredient inspiration with my favorite, and some of the most novel cheeses, that I’ve discovered at Claudio’s.
(from left to right: Beemster, Vento D’Estate, Crucola, and Testun Occelli al Barolo)
Beemster
Beemster is my absolute favorite cheese that’s I’ve discovered at Claudio’s. It’s a bright orange, 3-year aged cow’s milk cheese that originated in Holland. Its texture is delicate –its flavor sharp and nutty.
I love it on its own, or thrown into a gourmet grilled cheese – think pressed foccacia bread with thin apple slices and mixed greens.
Vento D’Estate
This cheese is the most unique thing I’ve ever tasted. It’s an Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. In the aging process they actually cover it with hand-picked hay, and place it in wooden barrels. The idea came from a famer who, many years ago, was driving his cart filled with cheese down a country road when hay from the buggie in front of him started to blow off. He sniffed the air, and wondered why, if the scent was so pleasant in the air, couldn’t it be pleasant combined with his cheese. So he wrapped the cheese in the nicest hay he could find, and thus Vento D’Estate (literally meaning summer wind) was born. The hay gives it a pungent earthy flavor unlike any other cheese I’ve ever had.
I can see this cheese being great in a spanokopita-type dish because of its strong earthy flavor.
Crucola
Crucola is a cow’s milk cheese originating from the Italian Alps. The flavor is mild with a slight hint of swiss. The swiss cheese flavor is ever so slight, so if you’re not a fan of swiss (like myself) you may still like it.
This is the perfect cheese to add into morning eggs for a twist on the old cheddar.
Testun Occelli al Barolo
You got it, this beer is bathed in wine – Barolo wine. For the last few months of its 7-month aging process the cheese is infused with it. The blend of cow and goat’s milk picks up the fine flavor, and the outside forms a funny flaky texture of dried wine bits.
I imagine this one crumbled up in a salad with some nuts and grapes, but then again, this guy might go best with some crackers and a glass of…Barolo.
If any of you love cheese as much as I do, and you’re interested in trying them for yourself, you can order off of their website. I highly suggest getting all four, slicing up an apple, putting out some crackers, pouring some wine, inviting over some friends, and having a cheese party. It’s one of the simplest, pleasure-filled ways to pass an evening.
What’s your favorite cheese? What’s your favorite way to eat it?
We are constantly blown away by the photos of our fans wearing out clothes – so we wanted to do a little something special for you!
Do you embody Free People style? Upload a photo of you wearing your favorite Fall Free People look and tell us why you love Free People!
The winner will be featured on www.FreePeople.com
And win a $100 Free People gift card!!
The contest runs today through October 20th 2011.
Can’t wait to see your submissions… xoxo
We have an adorable visitor today… Naomi’s pup Abigail :)
homemade bagels at a goodbye party for our graphic designer…he is leaving us to go to grad school and we’re going to miss him very much :(
We’re sending him off with a book of inspirational quotes :)
And in his honor, here’s a highlight from his time here at FP – who remembers Dog Talk?!?
It’s definitely fall. The office was filled with cozy looks to prove it. Sweaters, boots, and jackets were at every turn.
I knew I loved these boots, they give this outfit that special added touch.
Her knit hat is so cute! And I love the surprise detailing in her tights.
The Embroidered Midtown Jacket – perfect for fall!
Her top was so cool. I love how intricate it is in its detailing.
We’re already missing summer and longing for a trip down under! But since we can’t travel to the other side of the world for free, we can at least ship there for free :) Starting today Free People is offering free shipping and 10% off on all orders over $100 to Australia and New Zealand through November 1st!
2nd image via oracle fox.
You’ve all probably seen the Free People October catalog by now, so tell us – what’s your favorite look?
Look 1
Look 2
Look 3
Look 4
Look 5
Look 6
Look 7
[polldaddy poll=”5581511″]
I first became familiar with Christopher’s work through his girlfriend’s blog, and I’m hooked! I love the candidness of his photos and how they serve as a visual diary of his life.
Lives in: London.
Shoots with: Over the years I have used a few different camera’s. I use a Canon SLR for most of my photographs, however I love shooting in 35mm more recently. I also have some vintage cameras that are over 30 years old. My secret weapon is disposable cameras.
Favorite Subject: My girlfriend. She is also a great photographer, so when we go away or spend the weekend together, we like to take photos. It’s great to be able to look back at experiences you shared together and have some cool snaps.
Inspired by: My father used to be a semi-professional photographer in the 70’s, and he has taught me much of what I know. I would say he has been a big influence. Aside from that, I am easily inspired by the blogs I revisit, as well as my friends and family.
Random Fact: I’m obsessed with chilli peppers.
Check out more of his work on his blog!
