It's Our Party We Can LOVE Where We Want To. . .

. . . and we choose to LOVE (in) Philly!

After 20 years in the City of Brotherly Love, I can say, with confidence, that there's no better place to celebrate America than in the birthplace of America itself- the home of the largest FREE concert in the country, and a city where even our mermen are red, white, and blue all over!

For those not fortunate enough to live in the nation's birthplace, you can thank VH1 who's bringing it back to the basics and back home to Philly in 2013, with VIDEOS all day (yes that's right video hits TV will actually broadcast videos) and music all night, broadcasting Philly's Fourth of July Jam and Fireworks LIVE from 8 - 11 pm!  Check out performances from Demi Lovato, John Mayer, hometown favorites The Roots, and many more.  The FINALE is, of course, an epic fireworks display that lights up the Ben Franklin Parkway and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

On behalf of our Philly team, have a safe and happy July 4th, wherever you're fortunate enough to celebrate!

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It's Summer! Celebrate with MUSIC!

Happy SUMMER!  While summer unofficially kicked off with Memorial Day a few weeks back, today is, in fact, the official start of the flaming hot summer season!

I guess it's no coincidence, then, that June 21st is also World Music Day.  This annual celebration began in 1982, and has turned into a worldwide phenomenon as countries around the world enjoy the day in their own way.  The day also promotes peace and goodwill through music- heaven knows we can use more days to promote that!

Some of the countries that celebrate World Music Day are: Argentina, Australia, Britain, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, India, and Lebanon, among others.  While we fond some evidence of US participation in our sister city San Francisco, we would like to see Philly on fire with some HOT World Music Day events, so feel free to share the message and help us get the blog out!

Now, we're going to enjoy some classic vino while listening to some classic tunes on this classically beautiful summer, World Music Day!

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A Little Vexillology Anyone?

 

Flag Day was first observed in 1916.  In that year, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established June 14th as a nationwide observance of "Flag Day."

While it is unconfirmed who actually designed Old Glory, it is accepted that Betsy Ross made the first US flag in 1776 right here in Philadelphia, PA.  While the designer is unknown, the colors chosen for the flag are no accident.  Red is a symbol of valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8, (d) of the US Flag Code maintains that the American flag, "should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free."

So, rather than use an actual flag, rely on design re-prints of the flag on objects like this decorative pillow to ensure your decorating is within the bounds of the "flag code."  Then again, maybe you should use this symbol of life, liberty, and freedom to decorate your home however you desire!

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Say it Loud, Gay is Proud!

At the heart of it all. . . a squeaky clean, impressively pink Gay Bar!

In June of 1970, the nation's first PRIDE parade was held in New York City to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots (a nearly week-long uprising between NYC police officers and the city's youth, following a raid of Stonewall Inn).  Stonewall was a popular gay bar located on Greenwich Village's Christopher Street, and the uprising helped bring the LGBT civil rights movement into the national spotlight for the first time.  This first parade was named the "Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day" march.

Here in Philadelphia, official PRIDE parades began in the late 1980s, and continue today thanks to the hard work of Philly Pride Presents, a grassroots, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  The annual PRIDE parade and celebration at Penn's Landing attracts more than 25,000 people!

Fast forward to June, 2009, and the LGBT civil rights movement garnered a new level of support when the President of the United States of America proclaimed:

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists."

This year's Philly PRIDE celebration will be held tomorrow (Sunday, June 9, 2013) beginning at 12 noon in the heart of Philly's Gayborhood.

Now, go get washed up, and we hope to see you there!

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Summer BBQ Phun!

It's the last day of May which means we must bid farewell to National BBQ Month.  Fresh off Memorial Day weekend, we hope you kicked off the "unofficial" start of summer right!

Just what is BBQ anyway?  For us, it's not just a type of food, it's the friends, family, and the phun that come with it!  Now, don't misunderstand, it's still about the meat, you know with the PHAG team, it's always about the meat <wink>.

Recently, we read a statistic from the HPBA (Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association) that said 85% of people prefer to cook outside on a grill or smoker.  So we, say, let us give you a hand, or a pink piggy, as the case may be.  It's the perfect opportunity to introduce you to our squeezable plastic piggy dispenser.  This handy dispenser holds 12 oz. of your best sauce, and will revolutionize the way you (or your grill jockey) transports the sauce to the meat!

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Baby put your YOLO on

Well folks, it's hard to believe, but it's already April 20th, and you know what that means. . .

 

It's time to celebrate the iconic record!  That's right, it's the 8th annual Record Store Day right here in the US of A!  Believe it or not, more than 350 exclusive releases will hit stores for the first (and, in some cases, only) time in celebration of this occasion.  You can check out the full list of releases and formats on the Official Record Store Day website HERE.

 

You will see that most are on vinyl, and with EARTH DAY just 48 hours away, you can purchase these rarities with confidence, knowing that when their days as music-makers are over, they can be converted into amazingly iconic home décor items. . . clocks, mirrors, bowls, coasters, maybe even a pair of prized 45rpm bookends (with authentic spindle adapters)!

 

Oh, and what's our pick for the day, you ask?  Without question, it's the "YOLO" vinyl single by The Lonely Island with Adam Levine & Kendrick Lamar.  Now, go pick up your copy, after all, "You only live once," but those recycled records can live on-and-on. . .

 

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Kiss Me, I'm Irish. . .

and maybe a little gay, too!

This "Booze Beauty" shot glass is my sentiment for Today.  Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone, and may the luck of the Irish be yours!

Feel free to join us for the official St. Patrick's Day party of Philly's Gayborhood, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish and Gay" today.  The City of Hope's Mission is the charity beneficiary.  Irish fun and frolic will be had by all!

Sunday, March 17, 2013
2 - 5 pm
U Bar @ 1220 Locust Street in the heart of the Gayborhood!

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Signs of Spring. . .

 

Green clover, St. Patrick's Day decor, Springing forward and sacrificing an hour of my beauty sleep this morning, swelling numbers of city dwellers filling Kelly Drive for some outdoor fun, the tree out front just beginning to show early signs of blossoming life.  For me, these are the early signs of Spring. . . a reminder of the colorful, natural beauty that will soon surround me, and a reminder to pause and reflect!

We just received a new shipment of these popular, affordable mirrored decals.  Extremely versatile, in form and function, the decals can be used on walls, windows, doors, etc., the options are limitless!  They're light weight, easy to apply, and even though Spring is officially still 10 days away, they're a real reflection of what I'm feeling today!

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"Wilde" about Art!

Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.- Oscar Wilde

It's hard to believe we're already in the final month of the first quarter of 2013!  As I began to think of all March has to offer. . . March Madness, the Ides of March, St. Patrick's Day. . . Irish author Oscar Wilde came to mind.  I mean, let's face it, March is known for the wilder side of life, right?

Though he wasn't a painter or visual artist, Wilde was a leading proponent of the aesthetic movement, emphasizing the pursuit of beauty for its own sake.  Perhaps Wilde's greatest masterpiece, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is a cautionary tale about a beautiful young man who wishes that his portrait would age while he remains youthful, living a life of utter pleasure!

In the art of life, we all strive to create our own masterpiece.  By surrounding ourselves with objects of art and inspiration, we create our own aesthetic movement, and a colorful palette in the kitchen is a step in the right direction!  What pleasures will you wish for?  What culinary masterpiece will you create?  It's March. . . go Wilde!

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Move over Hollywood. . .

 

Philadelphia is a film darling, once again!

The role of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone in 1976, placed the film spotlight brightly upon the City of Brotherly Love.  Nominated for 10 Oscars in 1977, and winner of three (including Best Picture), the recognition given to Rocky could easily have given Philly a BIG head, and from the looks of this POP vinyl Rocky collectible figurine, it had that effect on Stallone. . . LOL!

Either way, thanks in large part to the hard work of all the folks over at the GPFO, in 2013, Philadelphia has its sights set on Oscar, once again, compliments of Silver Linings Playbook.  It boasts 8 Oscar nods, including one for Hometown Hottie Bradley Cooper (his first)!

So this Sunday night, cheers to Rocky, best of luck to Silver Linings Playbook, kudos to the GPFO, love and lust to Bradley Cooper, and a sweet sofa snuggle to the one and only Oscar!

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Life, LOVE, Liberty, & a little FUN!

This President's Day weekend, we recall the words of our 1st President, George Washington, who said, "Interwoven is the LOVE of Liberty with every ligament of the heart."
 
It's February (the month of celebrating love), we're here in Philly (the City of Brotherly Love), and we absolutely LOVE this handy symbol of liberty for your home!

So "wring" out those old dish rags and replace them with this whimsical dish brush! 

While you're at it, pause and give thanks for the many liberties you're afforded this day.

Now, go enjoy your freedom to have some decorating fun!

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LOVE is in the. . .

 

 

kitchen, this Valentine's Day!

As a lover of art, a lover of cookies, and a lover of Philly, this novel cookie cutter has it all.

This unique tin cutter is crafted in the shape of Robert Indiana's famous LOVE sculpture, first placed in Philadelphia, PA in 1976 as part of the US Bicentennial celebration.  You know what else is worth celebrating?  That this traditional cookie cutter is made here in the USA!

See more items like this HERE.  Be certain to show your LOVE to someone special on February 14th!