Treat Yourself Like the King (or Queen) You Are!

There are certain dates on the calendar that, even as an adult, you anticipate with great excitement!  For the PHAG team, today is one such day- June 18th is National Splurge Day!  Really, are we actually pretending we need an excuse to splurge around here?. . LOL

Invented by eventologist Adrienne Sioux in 1994, National Splurge Day is a day to treat yourself excessively to anything you want, and, to excess if you so desire.  In other words, behave like the Queen (yes we're talking to you) you know you were born to be!  Have an XL serving of your favorite dessert, indulge in a special bath or spa treatment, get extra happy today at happy hour (yes, we know you're the real Queen of cocktails), heck buy yourself a throne!  Whatever your splurge, today's the day, so put your reservations aside, throw caution to the wind, and just splurge. . . for tomorrow will certainly come!

See more like this HERE!

This C.O. is Our New Stud!

June is PRIDE month, and this time each year, we take note of the people, places, products, and practices that have instilled a sense of pride in the greater community! 

This year, we need look no further than Orange is the New Black #OITNB.  Yes, that’s right, the much talked about Netflix original series set in a women’s prison that walks a fine line between dark comedy and drama, is among our favorites.  Season two (13 episodes) of this explosive series is set to be released on Friday, June 6th (tomorrow), and we can’t wait!

So why is this show among our top picks this year?  Is it the edgy lesbian storyline between Piper and Alex (or Nicky and nearly every other inmate)?  Or, is it the raw and impassioned story of transgender inmate Sophia?  While both offer amazing reasons to watch, the real reason we tune in is to spend some time (if only a fleeting moment) with C.O. John Bennett (played by competitive bodybuilder turned actor, Matt McGorry).

So naturally, we did a little web stalking of our favorite Netflix crush, and here’s a bit of what we found:

A graduate of NYC’s famous LaGuardia performing arts high school, and Emerson College, this breakout star is a native New Yorker who, at last check, still didn’t know how to drive.  At the age of 10(ish), Matt was the youngest member of the New York International Brotherhood of Magicians, and he was a prize winner in his 8^th grade science fair!  Before his big break he was not only a competitive bodybuilder, but also a trainer to the stars.  McGorry is no stranger to the LGBT community, either.  He grew up on 22^nd Street in Chelsea and has proudly remarked that he was basically, “raised by a pack of gays.”  Since the first season was released, Officer Bennett (and McGorry, by default) has become a bona-fide heartthrob to boys and girls alike- he’s even got an ever growing Buzzfeed tribute to prove it!

At PHAG, we love this Litchfield C.O. so much we’re proud to introduce you to our NEW studded ottoman- “TheBennett.”  Of course it’s no accident that we have to nail this thing like mad to achieve this stunning, studly finished product.  Enjoy!

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Fetish for Fairy tales?

Known by many as the Mistress of all Evil, Maleficent is the main antagonist in Disney's 1959 animated classic film, Sleeping Beauty.  As of today, she's also the focus of the NEW Disney live action feature film starring Angelina Jolie, that chronicles the untold story of one of animation's most iconic villains (I guess we all know where you'll find the #PHAGService Team tonight)!

If you're not a fan of action role-playing, you may  not know that Maleficent is also famous for her elegant, Gothic design and dramatic, flamboyant animation as a primary character in the Kingdom Hearts series of action role-playing games by Square Enix.  With her seemingly unlimited arsenal of magic powers, she has quickly achieved status as one of the most popular and recognizable villains in gaming.  In the live-action movie, released today, her on-screen look was made, in part, by artisans specializing in fetish wear, so she's not your toddler's fairy tale villain anymore!

Now, we call on those who live in the shadows. . . go to the movies NOW! (we are)

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Gnomes & Fairies in Gardens- Oh my!

Like gnomes, fairies are among the magical wee folk that have long been fixtures in fables, myths, and ancient folklore.  Fairies bring luck, prosperity, and health to those whose gardens they inhabit, and, in fact, there are quite a few fluttering around the headquarters at PHAG on a daily basis.  So, when it comes to Fairy Gardening, we're the experts!

While you can literally convert any container into a fairy garden, the fairy gardening starter kit is a great place for the amateur fairy enthusiast to begin!  It includes everything you will need to create a garden for those playful, jovial creatures to frolic about when you're not looking.  More advanced fairy enthusiasts can shop for a range of miniature decor sets and accessories in PHAGs garden shop!

No interest in fairy gardening?  That never stopped a fairy from spreading a little dust!  Fairy dust is a sparkling, powdery substance that comes from magic crystals. According to the Elder Council of Fairies, close friends of PHAG, it is to be used by humans to add magical life to any space in a time of need (e.g. a hot night out at STIR lounge or an Atlantis cruise)!  Oh, and don't forget to make a special wish with each sparkling pinch!  Now, let your imagination run free, Fairy!

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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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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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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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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!

See more items like this HERE.

2012 Will be Liberating!

While individual taste as an expression of self is a fundamental part of what defines PHAG, I’m happy to report that this year it's HOT enough to be considered an actual industry trend. My prediction: 2012 will be the year of Design Liberation!

This new-found liberation will result in the freedom to explore unique color schemes, exotic materials, and the ability to fearlessly blend traditional luxurious styles with simple, contemporary lines. We should expect to see a great deal more emphasis on individuality, sparking very personal and interesting design ideas.

Some specific predictions encompassed by this trend include:
1. A welcome return to bright, vivid, and cheerful colors 2. Rustic comfort mixed with high-gloss, polished finishes 3. The blending of attractive, comfortable furnishings with elegant, stylish pieces 4. Mix-n-match accessories that range from natural stones and woods to shiny metals and even plastics 5. Layered fabrics and upholsteries with high levels of color and texture contrasts

If we’re lucky, many elements of this industry-approved freedom to express ourselves will be a mainstay in design for years to come!

We will see a continuance of some of last year’s trends, as well. With no end to the tough economic climate in sight, we can expect this new-found liberation to result in a continued excitement among people choosing to stay put where they are. In the end, many homeowners will choose to take advantage of these factors by electing to update their older homes with a touch of chic, contemporary style- seeing the old space through a new lens, if you will; their own unique lens!

A focus on blending materials also means looking to sustainable materials for much of the warm, rustic comfort in our homes, making eco-style a continued trend in the new year. Likewise, our freedom to create will result in many unexpected applications for use of space, so hybrid spaces will not only be more efficient in the new year, but also more inventive.

With comfort and style as a basis, 2012 design trends will celebrate individuality and allow your own your personality to take care of the decorating details.

In the Christmas Spirit!

Like it or not folks, we're one week away from Christmas, 2011. . .

Having trouble finding your Christmas spirit this year? We've compiled a list of the top 10 tunes to lift your heart and move you (in some cases, literally) this holiday season:

#10 "I Believe in Santa Claus" by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers. Album: Once Upon a Christmas.

#9 "Jingle Bells" by Barbra Streisand. Album: A Christmas Album.

#8 "The Christmas Song" by Christina Aguilera. Thunderpuss 2000 Remix.

#7 Band Aid- "Do They Know it's Christmas?" by various artists.

#6 "Lamb of God" by Donna Summer. Album: Christmas Spirit.

#5 "Star of Wonder" by Tori Amos. Album: Midwinter Graces.

#4 "Christmas Conga" by Cyndi Lauper. Album: Merry Christmas. . .Have a Nice Life!

#3 "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill. Album: Joy to the World.

#2 "The First Noel/Mary Mary" by Sarah McLachlan. DJ Shah Remix.

#1 "O Holy Night" by Kristine W. Victor Calderone Remix.

Now grab your iPods, Pads or other mobile devices, log on to iTunes (or some other legal digital download provider) cozy up on the sofa (you know that beautiful one that you got from http://www.thephagshop.com/ ) and get to shopping! There's still time to have gifts delivered in time for Christmas.

Need even more incentive? Use COUPON CODE: 2020 at checkout, and receive 20% off orders placed by Tuesday, December 20th (so you can even still make Hanukkah delivery if you're a Philly local)!

Happy Holidays to All!

Small Biz Saturday is a MUST!

We hope you all had a very happy turkey day!

Still haven't had time for those Thanksgiving leftovers to digest? No need to even stray from home to get your shopping under way. Simply head over to PHAGs virtual shop and show some real support for small business this Saturday 11/26/11 through Cyber Monday, 11/28/11.

November 26th is the 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday, a great initiative that supports shopping at small businesses, with the hope of making a BIG national difference! Use our handy search tool to find that perfect product by KEYWORD, or browse the thousands of products we offer, by category. Wheter you're looking for a novel ornament, some kitsch for your kitchen, or a whole new room, shopping at small businesses is one of the most important steps we can take to support our economy, and PHAG's here to help!

So shift your shopping to SMALL businesses for BIG rewards. The following coupon codes will get you an extra special VIP (Very Important PHAG) deal:

10% OFF ANY purchase CODE: SBS10

15% OFF Any purchase over $50 CODE: SBS15

20% OFF Any purchase over $100 CODE: SBS20

Come Out Come Out!

Show your support for LGBT History Month with a "Coming OUT" mug! When you add a hot beverage to this clever Out of the Closet mug, 14 great gay icons will magically emerge from behind the closet doors! Possibly the most "out"rageous and proud cup of coffee or tea, you'll ever consume.

Images featured when warm include: Willa Cather, Michelangelo, Walt Whitman, James Baldwin, Tchaikovsky, Freddy Mercury, Oscar Widle, Sappho, Alan Turing, Audre Lorde, Andy Warhol, Michel Foucault, Yukio Mishima, and Gertrude Stein.

While you're at it, pay a visit to LGBTHistoryMonth.com to learn about the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Icons. Each day in October celebrates a different LGBT icon, 31 in all, so if this is news to you, get to the site and catch up via the icon video links. BTW, today's icon is a favorite. . .Ricky Martin! I'm reading his memoir "Me" now, and admire his courage and honesty in the struggles of being a gay man in the public eye.

Boys of Summer!

At PHAG, we're BIG phans of PhillyGayCalendar, as they help our community promote events and stay connected for FREE all year long!

To help support their free service, PhillyGayCalendar holds an annual fundraiser- Boys of Summer. The 8th Annual swimsuit party is happening this Friday, and you're invited! This year, the party will include a special performance by Manila Luzon, the Asian Glamasaurus from RuPaul's Drag Race.

Friday August 12, 2011
9:00pm - 3:30am
Voyeur Nightclub - 1221 St James (13th and Locust)
SPINNING: DJ Carl Michaels
FEATURING: Manila Luzon Live on stage

Remember, ALL proceeds benefit PhillyGayCalendar.com and their efforts to keep Philadelphia's LGBT community organized. Now suit up and show up!

Here Come the Brides!

As the saying goes. . .May showers bring June brides. In celebration of "Wedding Season," PHAG is pleased to announce our partnership with Registry 10- The BUY LOCAL gift registry!

How can independently owned businesses survive as they are squeezed tighter and tighter by chain stores and overseas competition? With a little commitment from you, that's it! Approximately 50,000 couples in the Philadelphia area marry each year. By asking guests to buy local, couples funnel money into the local economy and get cool gifts not found on traditional registries.

Registry 10 is a unique partnership with local businesses challenging each couple planning a wedding to add 10 LOCAL gifts to their registry. The average couple receives $10,000 in wedding gifts at an average cost of $100. So this 10-gift challenge could result in a local economic boost of $1,000 per wedding!

Do your part to make a difference today, so your favorite local business will still be around tomorrow. Oh, and while you're at it, be sure and push for equal rights to marry wherever you are!

Join the Fight, Eat Out Tonight!

It's the 21st Anniversary of Dining Out for Life in Philadelphia!

TODAY, Thursday, April 28, 2011, over 200 restaurants across the Delaware Valley will be participating in Dining Out for Life, a one-day event benefiting Action AIDS, a Philadelphia organization that assists thousands of men, women, and children living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. For one night only, all participating restaurants will donate 33% of the cost of your meal to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

You can click here for a list of participating restaurants. Please support these amazing restaurants throughout our community, not just tonight, but throughout the year! They truly make a difference, and you can too, by simply going out to eat! So grab your significant other, a family member, a friend, or all of the above and head out tonight to dine charity style.

Insult-A-Duck

BIG NEWS in comedy land today! THE DONALD will be the target of tonight's Comedy Central celebrity roast at 10:30 PM eastern. Watch as PHAG favorite, Lisa Lampanelli, skewers him with the insults the way our candle carver skewers fruit!

Need more LL? Well, it just so happens you can get even more of her on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM with her BRAND NEW Comedy Central Special, "Tough Love!" This one-hour event features LL's unparalleled brand of insult comedy, plus tales from her life as a 49-year-old newlywed. During the special,the lovable Queen of Mean will treat viewers to her first ever, "Roast of Worthless Americans," where she will skewer everyone from Tiger Woods to Lindsay Lohan, and the Real Housewives of, you guessed it, New Jersey! Think there's a chance our Jersey Shore cast will make the cut?

Enjoy all this LL while taking one mean bath with the collectible LL Celebriduck. Get yours while supplies last!