We had a really nice time in Philly, all told, and I found the city to be immensely charming. It felt to me to be by turns unpretentious, full of details, splendid, sad, and comforting in its old beauty.
Here are just some little photo-snippets of observations/things from our trip:
-Visiting with my sweet friend Janelle, who has an adorable apartment and an adorable wisp of a dog (and many clusters of nice old things, such as carded buttons).
-Maurice Sendak at the Rosenbach. which is located on the most perfect, quiet little street you have ever seen. There were lots of sketches, finished paintings, and the coolest items (to me) were his little mock-up mini books that he made himself to plot out the finished composition of words and images.
Here's a little example:
-The abundant anachronistic collaging of incredible, if unkempt, old homes and vintage details with check-cashing places and gas stations. I thought the image above would illustrate this point nicely.
-Sorting through boxes and boxes of neatly organized vintage photos in a cute junk store
- Shopping and great conversation with the gals at Art Star
-Walking around Germantown, which has streets of houses that I thought only existed in my dreams. It also has more than its share of the run-down-ness that peppers Philly's blocks.
We also had some great food (thanks for all the suggestions! The Dutch Eating place was a big hit!), and went to the Mutter Museum, which I've always wanted to see (sorry that I don't have any photos of the skulls-with-holes-in-them exhibit, or the things-swallowed-and-removed drawers). We also visited the Anthropologie headquarters, which was very interesting and surreal, as you might imagine. Alas, there were hoagies, but I didn't get any gelato or ices in, which is unfortunate to say the least.
Happy Weekend, everyone!
xoxo
Comments (25)
Oooh, Janelle got you the hook-up. You must write about your visit to Anthro HQ! Please.
lsaspacey · May 17, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Ooh, do you happen to know where that junk store is?? I must go there!
Melissa M. · May 17, 2008 at 06:50 PM
...wonderful and sweet photos you have shared with us.
Seems like you may have had a bit of a "connection" with Philly? No?
I have never had the chance to visit the east coast, but yes what a charming and magical place Philly seems to be.
Thanks SO much for sharing your photos and taking us on a little bit of your journey!
<3~michelle.friend
miss.michelle · May 17, 2008 at 07:05 PM
I have heard the comment about Philly that it is very "block to block" from several different people. Really is one of those places where you need to know where you are going.
Janet · May 17, 2008 at 07:16 PM
I am so glad you had fun in Philly! One of my favorite places is the Mutter museum. Also if you are ever down there again and want to see an amazing building that I am in love with..check out the "Hotel Lorraine!
it is abandoned now but oh how I love it so! It is located on Broad street.
Have a lovely Sunday!
♥Lisa
Lisa · May 17, 2008 at 08:32 PM
was that street better than "our street" in east manhattan?
i test-drove a versa today. thought of yooouuuu.
xoxo,
e
elizabeth · May 17, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Looking through those vintage photos sounds like fun!
Rachel · May 17, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Happy to hear you enjoyed your stay although not quite sure why you checked out Germantown. I work there sometimes and it kinda freaks me out driving home at night. Anyway the anthro headquarters had to be a blast. i love the naval yard. Have you decided if Philly was your cup of tea for a place to live?
Projectblancoyd · May 18, 2008 at 12:24 AM
oh that sounds so fun. Yes so jealous. I'm not sure I'd want to live there but a little trip like yours sounds so fun.
Marissa · May 18, 2008 at 01:53 AM
The book about Pierre, the boy who didn't care! My first elementary school play was that story. I had a friend named Pierre who everyone wanted to play Pierre. But he wanted to be the lion!
angela · May 18, 2008 at 04:07 AM
am heading there the week after next. thanks for posting about your trip. am going to check that the sendak exhibit is still open (fingers crossed!).
lisa · May 18, 2008 at 08:09 AM
So glad you had a nice time in Philly (and at the dutch eating place!). It's always interesting to hear out of towner's responses to our city- and seeing your photographs was a great visual version of that.
meg · May 18, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Ah, I am so jealous that you went to the Mutter Museum! I've always wanted to go there - I'm fascinated by that sort of stuff.
Capree Kimball · May 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM
hi,
i live in philly--i can see why you think its a nice place to visit, and your pictures are truly lovely. you are a talented artist emily!!!
but philly is far from magical. sorry to be so blunt, but the crime rates here are sky high, tarrible shop lifting, highest murder rate per capita, a serious homeless problem, and there is bad air and water pollution.
so...if you want to visit, come to the nice spots, stay for a couple days, but its not a place to live downtown!
rachel
rachel · May 18, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I would have to agree with rachel on this one, after living in philly for over 10 years, we moved just over the bridge to jersey after having our daughter. It was a great place to live, but slowly over the past ten years it has gone way down hill. It is sad to say, especially after visiting there last weekend ourselves and being very upset by the closing of all our favorite stores that we loved for years and years. :(
But it was time to move after we took out daughter to play at the park a few blocks from our house and watching a drug deal and a guy throwing up into a trash can, in the middle of the day with tons of kids around, that we decided it wasn't such a great place anymore.
yes, great place to visit, not so great to live in.
jen · May 18, 2008 at 03:24 PM
That last picture of Germantown reminded me so much of my apartment in Milwaukee years ago, an area that was mostly German at one point. My apartment was above the (empty) storefront, across the street from one of those Mom and Pop bars. The only problem, when we had a heat wave, the trapped heat from downstairs would seep up through the floors into my non-airconditioned apartment!
madmommy · May 18, 2008 at 06:00 PM
I and my family are from Philly. My mom grew up in Germantown. Thanks for painting our city in such a wonderful light. Glad you had a good trip!
Christine · May 18, 2008 at 08:44 PM
that IS fun seeing old towns like that.
kim* · May 18, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I have lived in Philly now for the past three years. I really enjoy your pictures and words here. My recent artwork has been hugely influenced by the humble row homes in this city (including the one I live in). I think your description, " unpretentious, full of details, splendid, sad, and comforting" sums it up beautifully. Thank you for this lovely post.
mandygerth · May 19, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Welcome back. You have inspired me to check out Philly on my next trek east. :)
Cherry Tree Lane · May 19, 2008 at 01:06 AM
oh yes those houses in germantown do look so pretty!
Nice-Etc · May 19, 2008 at 01:30 AM
hello,
i`m from germany and i see this boring houses every day :-)
conny
conny · May 19, 2008 at 05:50 AM
Hi Emily! You are amazing, since I've discovered your blog I can't stop thinking about your lovely paintings, your dolls and even you house (I want your tree and your green walls in my bedroom!). I saw you at Martha Stewart's show and you seem to be a very nice person too. I've just created my own blog(http://findinglittletreasures.blogspot.com),and even before writing my personal information I knew my first post would be dedicated to you and your work so that all my friends could visit your blog!
You are so special, a true artist!
Kisses from Spain.
Cokito.
Cokito · May 19, 2008 at 09:55 AM
One of my other favorite bloggers visited Philadelphia this weekend too...what a coincidence. http://www.brooklynlimestone.blogspot.com/
And I am going to go out on a limb and suggest a blog that seems a lot like something you would like...if you have not discovered it already...it is the best. http://www.thesnailandthecyclops.blogspot.com/
K · May 19, 2008 at 02:42 PM
You did sum up Philly well. But I disagree with a couple of bloggers who seem to say that Philly as a whole has high crime rates,murder rates,etc. There are many safe,beautiful areas in Philly.
Carrie · May 19, 2008 at 03:40 PM