how about a giveaway?

good morning! it’s a dreary tuesday in philly but we want to brighten your day with a little giveaway :)  all you have to do is tell us your favorite hobby and your favorite summertime activity – leave your response in the comments and we’ll pick someone at random to receive this adorable little pouch! i love this, i think it would be perfect tied to a belt loop at concerts or festivals.

we’ll pick a winner at random tomorrow morning!

*make sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re selected.

UPDATE: we have a winner! congrats to heather from massachusetts, who said:

“my favorite hobby is taking pictures of EVERYTHING i see, and my favorite summertime activity is going to festivals with my friends.”

thanks so much everyone for your comments!!!

magical mystery tour

a couple of weeks ago, our  regional visual manager for the west coast and our director of stores met up with the northwest district manager to take a little tour of the free people stores in washington, oregon and northern california.  lucky for us, they sent over some great photos from their trip!

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i love the shots from the airplane, so cool!

thursday poll – edition 94

sun is shining, the weather is sweet… makes you want to put on a pair of sunglasses! probably the most important accessory for the summer months… so which ones do you love most?

the solid stendhal vintage with stones:

the lovely lady sunglasses:

the vintage persol cateye:
vintage persol cateye

the circles sunglasses:
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or the portman top rimmed wayfarer:
portman top rimmed aviator


the winner of last week’s hat poll was – by almost 50%! – the medina sun hat :)

summer store displays

our new summer store displays are up and i am in awe!

for the garlands, our visual team drew inspiration from holiday decorations they saw in india:

here are some pics of the displays going up in our king of prussia, pa store!

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the plexi art was done by hand by our display team members…stay tuned because we have a video of that for you!

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the bikes are by far my favorite…they were designed by one of our visual display team members while she was in india.

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aren’t they beautiful? i want one to ride around at the beach this summer!

first friday in philadelphia

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i have a love/hate relationship with first fridays in philly.  i live in old city…so when i leave my place to go out on the first friday of the month i have to wade through the sea of people blocking the sidewalks, and every place i go is packed.  but once it gets nice out, i find myself warming up- literally – to the idea.  the streets of old city come alive with all types of creative folk who line the sidewalks with their art, craft and music.  i’ll wander around perusing the treasures, stopping every once in a while to talk with sellers, all the while soaking in the energy that is first friday in philadelphia.

here are some photos from yesterday evening…

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and i ran into some fp girls!

the great escape…

fridays are always a little tough at work this time of year, with it being so nice out and so close to the weekend, so what better way to help pass the day than a lunchtime concert? we snuck out today at noon, hopped in the car and made the quick drive over to WXPN for the local natives free at noon show – something the station does every friday at world café live.  we were instantly transported from work mode to music mode as we took our seats up in the mezzanine level (thanks xpn!) and let the tunes take over.  this band blows me away- they sound better live than on the album and the songs “airplanes” and “who knows who cares” gave me chills. i knew “sun hands” would be amazing live as well and it sure was- they put everything into that song no matter how many times they have played it. this was my first time seeing them live and it definitely will not be the last- i have already got tickets to see them at first unitarian church in philly this august!

thursday poll – edition 93



happy thursday! for today’s poll let’s take a look at our hat collection – when our girls were down at coachella they saw hats everywhere, and we have some great ones for festival wear.  they also just happen to be one of my favorite accessories… which one do you like best??

the medina sun hat:

the chloe straw fedora:
chloe straw fedora

the boardwalk straw fedora:
boardwalk straw fedora

the rider hat:
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or the safari hat:
safari hat


mother’s day at fp upper east!

celebrate mother’s day this saturday at free people upper east side! they will be taking personal mother/daughter shopping appointments all day long, so just call or show up with your mom – and you might be photographed for the blog!

plus, there will be a special surprise at checkout for your mom, and of course, refreshments!

1319 3rd ave, nyc
(212) 744-0379

sounds like so much fun! the same store had a girls night out event a couple of weeks ago, where they styled customers in head-to-toe night out looks – perfect for a night out on the town or a special date! their sales manager melissa gave the girls makeup tips to help them complete their look, and of course no free people event would be complete without lemonade and cupcakes :)

check out some of the cute pics from the event, and if you’re in the area take your mom out for a day of free people fun on saturday!

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store employee profile: kristen from soho!

meet kristen! she’s a sales associate at our soho store and a dj in her spare time.  read on as she answers our free people questionnaire and check out some pics of her rocking fp as she djs and travels around japan!

what is your theme song?
“ice cream” by the australian band muscles has been my theme song ever since i heard it a few years ago. it’s all about my favorite things: having a good time and frozen treats!

if you could go anywhere in the world, free of cost, where would you go?
japan! i have a lot of family there, but i barely get to see them because it’s such an expensive trip. plus, tokyo is the capital of cuteness and the shopping there is incredible! too bad they don’t sell shoes big enough to fit my size 10 feet…

out and about in kyoto, japan – wearing the blank jeggings every day!

if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
moby-dick, a magical fruit tree that grows every type of fruit and SPF 30.

what is your biggest fear?
space! have you SEEN “total recall”??

winter, spring, summer or fall?
living in my own invincible summer!

what color are you?
tie-dye

what is your motto?
always hungry.

what is your favorite hobby?
definitely cooking. i love to host huge sunday meals for my friends so that we can chat and eat all day long. i’ve always been a baker but am currently trying to teach myself french cuisine.

if you could spend a day with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?
bea arthur! who’s funnier than her?

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when she’s not working at our free people soho store you can catch kristen dj-ing at the knitting factory in brooklyn, every thursday from 10pm-2am, with her partner in crime emilia (top left).

how would you describe your personal style? what are your favorite items from free people right now?
i was a little bit of a metal-head growing up and never let go of my ripped jeans, studded jackets and loose tees, but now that i’m older, i’ve learned to incorporate floral patterns, bright colors and textures into my outfits.  i LOVE the we the free solid swept away tunic in pink… it’s the exact color of raspberry sherbert and looks amazing with my marbled cross necklace.

i’ve also learned that my into the mystic dress is SO versatile — perfect layered under an a-line skirt or sheer dolman top.

picks

1. blank denim legging; 2. we the free solid swept away tunic; 3. into the mystic dress; 4. bleached keds.

meet our austin gals!

check out the fp girls who work at our austin store at the domain!

left: the one and only diana! right: resident rockstar haley rose, who you’ll often catch performing on weekends!

spunky kat- she’s got a knack for putting together outfits you’d never think of!

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left: jennifer, their youngest sales associate, who will be attending NYU for journalism in the fall! right: katlyn, who is one half of a twin :)

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left: kristina, who one day hopes to own a fabulous restaurant; right: newest MIT, marisa, who knows fashion like it’s nobody’s business!

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MIT katie strikes a pose – she makes everyone smile all day every day!

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left: brooke, resident caffeine addict :) right:  candice, a skilled seamstress who used to work at the chicago free people!

aren’t they adorable?

upcoming show at free people brooklyn!

marit larsen is a norwegian singer/songwriter about to embark on her initial solo US tour, but first she will be stopping by free people’s backyard in brooklyn to play a little show on friday may 14!  back in norway she’s a big star, having been one half of the late 90’s duo M2M, and now having a rather solid solo career over there.  she’s adorable and we’re stoked to have her come play for us – stay tuned, we’ll have an interview with marit and more info on the show coming up!

for now, check out her myspace page here.