Random Baltimore Photo

at Nicks Fish House

by Dana of Whoop

Baltimore Life- After Hours at the Zoo

I am very lucky that I live so close to the Baltimore zoo. When we walk our dogs in the park, I can sometimes hear the roar of those beautiful lions.

Now you have a chance to experience the zoo after hours!  Every Thursday in July and August the zoo stays open late.  And you get 50% off admission on Thursday from 4-7pm until August 30th. So, take a break from the summer heat and bring the kids to the zoo for a fun stroll among the elephants, polar bears and penguins!

For more information, visit their website. 

Written by Stacey Phinney of Phinney Studios   

Favorite Etsy Shop - Motherbored

I love the creativity of MOTHERBORED. Michelle recycles desktop-laptop computers into beautiful unique jewelry and accessories.  No two pieces are alike.  There are necklaces, cuff links, earrings, key chains, belt buckles, hair pins, and tie tacs.  They are beautiful and unique!

Here are some of my favorites:

Recycled Computer Flex Lead Necklace

 Vintage CPU 1978 Recycled Necklace

24K Gold Hard Drive Computer Necklace

  written by Erica at Becca & Mars

Tutorial: Fruit Balloons

This tutorial is so much fun, how can you not like it?  Easy to make, great for parties, and kid-friendly.  Brought to you by Jordan of Oh Happy Day, a wife and mother of two who is currently living abroad with her family in Paris.  I love the whimsy and simplicity of this idea, and can definitely see it adding a special touch to summer backyard bar-b-ques and birthday parties.  Check out her blog for the how-to's and the rest of the photos.

Photos courtesy Oh Happy Day.


written by Rachel of Open Eyes Press

My Three Things- Camping

Every June I go camping.  I've never seen a bear like in this handsome shirt by blackbirdtees, which incidentally looks like it would make an excellent father's day gift.

Or a cool trailer like in this card by B.E.S.T.'s own Holler and Whistle 

But, I always find the marshmallows.  Always.  And I hope these delicious looking Mexican chocolate marshmallows by TheTwistedTine find their way into my cooler! 

Written by Dana of whoop 

HonFest Recap

It's So Much Fun To Be A Hon

Hon: 1) a term of endearment derived from the word honey.

2) your friendly Baltimore woman from the late 1950's to early 1960's who is devoted to Elvis, loves leopard print, and has a pink flamingo or two in her front yard. She lives with one simple motto : "The Higher the Hair the Closer to God"

She is our Grandmother, our Mother, our neighbor, the friend you run into at Giant. She is our heritage. She is Bawlmer Hon!

Every Year in June, for one weekend, one little street in downtown Baltimore erupts into a plume of pink feather boas, leopard print spandex and cat eye glasses. Hon Fest. The 2 day celebration that pays homage to the HON and everything Baltimore. A few years ago my cousins and I started getting dressed up to go to Hon Fest just for something fun. It has now become a holiday for us and every year more and more ladies join our hon pack.

The hours leading up to the group of us caravan down to Hampden is just a haze of hairspray, jewelry, and red lipstick (no wonder the husband has never accompanied me). Nothing is "too much" no hair can be "too big" and one can of aquanet will just not do.

Once we arrive, we manage to make a stir, that thing about strength in numbers proves true. We smack our gum and blow kisses and shout some "Hey Hons" for videographers and pose for photographers, both professional and not. People have even handed us their kids wanting to take pictures of us all adoring their clearly terrified children. And of course we do it. I mean why wouldn't we?

 

 One of my cousins and myself ready to Hon.

 My annual photo with Elvis.

 

Between the craziness, we get the opportunity to really take in the festival. Sampling the food, grabbing a beer, and visiting the awesome stores along the Avenue. For me, the best part is perusing the super fun vendors that come out for Hon Fest year after year. I always find Baltimore crafters that I recognise and adore and each year I manage to discover new ones!

Some of the beautiful hair clips by one of my favorite Baltimore Crafters, Kolleen Kilduff of Design By Night

 

 

 After admiring their work online for so long, I finally got to meet the lovely ladies of Charms City Company - I am obsessed with these initial necklaces.

 

The bright, colorful baltimore inspired works of Ramon Matheu.
 

 

 

Be sure you check out Hon Fest's website and be sure you watch the adorable movie they have posted on their page . If you need your reminder for Hon Fest for next year, give their facebook page a like!
 

 

 written by Sara of Heavens to Bessie

 

Random Baltimore Photo

by Sara of Heavens to Bessie

PA Burlesque Festival

Greetings, Ladies and Gents!

Join BEST member and Burlesque festival vendor  Design by Night at the PA Burlesque Festival!

The festival includes Burlesque classes, workshops, and lectures presented by professional, knowledgable performers. And no Glamazon is complete until she's found the right accoutrements! Shop our BURLESQUE BAZAAR for everything you need to stand out in the crowd.

When: June 29 - July 1, 2012
Where: 334 South Street, Philadelphia PA

"The Burlesque Gala" Friday, June 29
"The Big Reveal" Saturday, June 30
Classes and the Bazaar will be held on Saturday, June 30th and Sunday, July 1st

For more information visit www.paburlesque.com.

Featured Performer Jacqueline Hyde

Favorite Etsy Shop - Uncorked Jewelry

Uncorked Jewelry sells very cool, unique jewelry and cork boards made from wine bottle corks. If your looking for a great gift that no one else will have, this is definitely the place to shop.

British Flag Necklace - Upcycled Cork in Test Tube - 

London Invasion by Uncorked Jewelry  

Octopus Ring - Upcycled Wood - Silver Hammered Band - 

Adjustable by Uncorked Jewelry

Wine Cork Necklace - Bluebirds - Upcycled Silver 

by Uncorked Jewelry

Wine Cork Board - It's a Cupcake War - upcycled by 

Uncorked Jewelry

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags

Friday Finds

I love the idea of using or inspired by legos to make unique items such as jewelry, soaps and coat racks. Enjoy these great items made from or inspired by legos.

Five Lego Soaps with matching men by Southern Diva Soap

Heart Key Chain made from Genuine Lego Heart Pieces by MoL Gifts

Lego Deluxe Chunky Style Coat Rack by Happywood Goods

Medallion Lego Necklace by Eclective

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags