In my neighborhood, everyone makes great meatballs. Betty the florist, her sister Trish, neice Peggy, Uncle Jimmy; everyone. They all have their secrets too. From chopped raisins to sale bread soaked in milk, everyone has some way that makes their meatball stand out. So just to stop everyone from proclaiming theirs is the best, Chef Lenny Strobel is holding, today Sunday April 27th, at Esposito’s in the historic Italian Market, the Golden Meatball Challenge! The contest will give entrants from amateur to professional, from South Philly to South Jersey, officially sanctioned bragging rights as to who makes the best meatball. Even if you’re not and official judge, you can still enjoy the crowd the music and the extravaganza along with the Philly Phanatic and throngs of locals. Don’t forget to grab a meatball sandwich from Fr. Kevin and leave a donation for St. John’s hospice. Even if the weather is a bit cool and cloudy, the atmosphere and this crowd will be warm and sunny.

Golden Meatball Challenge 12:00-5 PM * Esposito’s 9th and Carpenter, Philadelphia, PA

Perhaps you’re not the type to regularly frequent a local watering hole. More’s the pity. As residents of the Italian Market, our local by default was Villa Di Roma, a fine family owned Italian Restaurant that has been a staple of the market for years. It was great because neighbors, market stall holders and their workers would converge after work. On nights when there was a baseball, basketball or hockey game, regulars would have to fight dinner patrons waiting to be seated, for the slots at the bar. Eventually a few people began migrating a bit further like12 Steps Down 9^th &  Christian or Anastasio’s Seafood at 9^th and Washington and The Friendly Bar at 8^th and Washington. While I like a dive bar once in a while I was looking for something a little more light and a little less grotty. The search continued with Vesuvius. I loved the tin ceiling and the décor, the hub didn’t enjoy it. So we tried the Royal Tavern, which is great, but the small bar means the place fills up quickly, and more often then not, with poser hipsters. Finally, POPE(Pub On Passyunk East) became the spot. But now with the departure of everybody’s favorite bar keep David (English Dave) Linsall, the bar has now reverted to just a bar. You see, if you don’t have a regular, you’ll never know how it feels to have a barkeep who knows what you drink, converses with you when you want a confab and just keeps sending drinks you way when you’re moody and not desirous of using the English language. It’s like dating. There has to be chemistry. You have to be able to practice the art of small talk, be polite when required and strong enough to tell one of the punters that he’s barred in a tone that leaves no room for questions and the offending creature sliding off the barstool and slinking out into the night. That’s not to bash POPE. The food is good, the regulars are friendly and I’m sure it will live a long happy life without me, but my salad days are over and I’ll leave it to the wannabee hipsters to occupy. As for me, oh, I’ve found a new local. A brand spankin’ new, fabulous bartender (who ironically is a friend of English Dave). But before it’s overrun with you lot, my baby and me are keeping this one under our hat’s for a while. But if you know my neighborhood, I’ll give you a hint when I say, “POPE is dead. Long live The Devil.”

They’re  here!!

The Primaries are here!!

After weeks of having messages left on our phones, receiving all sorts of emails, junk mail and in the case of Obama, a DVD illuminating his platform, Pennsylvanians will finally get our say. Who am I voting for? Well actually I’m more interested in the local senate race but it’s Hillary and Obama the networks from ABC to BBC are interested in. On Broad and Walnut Streets alone, there are at least four large news vans replete with roof top satellite dishes  big enough to broadcast CNN to Chad and from cub reporters to anchors, the city ’s local haunts from blue collar dives to Mainline bistros are awash with the press. So when you’re accosted by journalists, or pressed for your opinion by a talking head as a camera man shoves a fish eye lens in your face, remember these tips to put your best face forward. 

1. Try to sound intelligent. That means pronouncing  words like “they, them and those” with the “th” sound as God intended, not the “d” as often used in South Philly. Now is not the time to play litterati and use every $5 word in your arsenal. You are not a political pundit.

2. Make no references to Hillary’s wardrobe or hairstyle. While overall presentation is important, she’s running for leader of the free world, not Miss Universe. It’s what’s under the hair that matters.

3. Try to smile. Maybe people will believe Pennsylvania is  a nice place to live and that Philly isn’t really the murder capital of the free world.

4. Do not link Obama’s possible election with possible assassination. Sure, we’ve all thought it, but let’s move on.

5. Recycle all of the handouts, mailers and other promotional materials shoved into your hand prior to casting your ballot, because no mater who wins recycling helps all of us.

After all, it is Earth Day.

Any woman who has ever stepped into a changing room knows that sizes can differ greatly from designer to designer. While a 10 in Jones New York may fit your perfectly, a 10 in Ralph Lauren is cut significantly smaller. Sometimes, even within the same company, sizing differs; sometimes based on style, sometimes without reason. All of that goes out the window when you travel abroad. In the UK a 10 is really an 8. And that changes again if you buy vintage where a 16 from the 50s fits closer to a current size 10.

Taking all of that into consideration, we should all simply grab a hand full of clothes in the size we think we wear and one size up and down and be happy with the one that fits the best; but we don’t do that. Instead, we agonize over that number on that little teeny tag. A tag, that I might add, no one but us sees.

A friend of mine confessed that on a recent shopping spree, her sister bought a dress that fit; just! She told her sister that she should get the next size, but her sister flat out refused.  

I’ve also heard stories where designers had to remove all references to size from garments they were supplying to certain clients who refused to acknowledge her ever widening waistband.

I too have been tempted. I grabbed a pair of trousers that fit beautifully. When I checked the size, they were an 8. Of course I knew, with these thighs, the slacks were either mislabeled or vanity sized to the nth degree, but I happily bought them. On a subsequent shopping trip, when confronted with the cold reality of having to purchase a true 10, I was not a happy camper. I knew I neither gained nor sadly, lost weight since the time of the last purchase, but that pursuit of single digit couture was playing mind games with me.

So I’m starting a campaign here and now for finding what fits you well, without regard to the size label. Unless you’re wearing a bathing suit, which as previously discussed in an earlier blog, is a whole other issue, most of your bits are or can be covered and it’s better to look good and feel relaxed in something that fits well as opposed to buying clothing that looks as if it was vacuumed sealed to your body simply because you’re silly enough to be a slave to a number rather than using your own eyes, and common sense. If you just purchased what truly fit you, you’ll feel better immediately; mostly because things aren’t cutting off circulation. You’ll be more relaxed since you won’t be worried about things popping out, or tugging at something riding up. You’re bound to look better when you’re not, well, bound. So I invite you ladies, as I remind myself, let’s pay a bit more attention to the fit and what we see in the mirror as opposed to what we see on that tag in the back.

Didja ever fall head over heels in love with a joint only to have it close or change ownership? If you have, you can understand how I felt when Shank’s was sold. Their Health Sandwich, a veggie hoagie with fried eggplant, roasted peppers, spinach, zucchini, asparagus and cheese was a poem. For me, there was no other.

Then Shank’s changed ownership and my favorite sarnie went from Aston Martin to Pacer status, with lightening speed. Sure new version was bigger, but it was also greasier, heavier and some days missing many of the veggie bits I adored. I did what any self respecting foodie did, and pretended Shank’s had indeed closed, mourned and then began my search for a replacement favorite.

Then after ignoring the new Shenk’s existence, which took some doing since I live right around the corner, my husband said someone at work had brought in sandwiches from there and they were, much to his surprise, they tasted like they did before. Tired and bereft of mid week dinner ideas, the hub presented me with the Health Sandwich for dinner last night. Good, is an understatement. It wasn’t better than ever. It was the same as ever. It was the same fabulous taste I remember. The exact flavor that haunted my dreams de cuisine. I munched. My taste buds did the happy dance. I made the yummy noise.

Maybe it was a learning curve or perhaps they just found the original recipes used by the previous owners, but the Chicken Cutlet Parm, the Hot Roast beef and the Health Sandwich are back, and so am I; at least twice a month.

Shank’s & Evelyn’s

932 S 10th St

Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 629-1093

Open Tuesday -Saturday for breakfast and lunch.

 Recently I went to a Shecky’s show and met Emmett McCarthy, aspiring designer from Project Runway Season 3.  I loved several of his designs, but what took my breath away was a lovely black cotton halter dress. The back was low, the bottom full and believe it or not, a 10 fit like a 10, not a vanity sized 10 which really has the proportions of a 12. It was a great dress and it looked amazing on me, except it had been cool that morning and I was wearing a full pair of tights and Underarmour long underwear underneath. The designer in question remarked that he loved the dress on me, but that I needed a pair of Spanx. How cheeky? Or was it, that I was too cheeky? Regardless, I bought them and it did make a big difference. Not under the dress so much, because once I did strip off the long underwear, the dress fit worlds better anyway, but when I wore a pair of Spanx power panties under a pair of sweatpants, that pooch, between my navel and pubic bone miraculously disappeared. Now this in no way means I’m quitting the gym, eating with abandon or drinking the magnums of champagne that eventually encouraged me to dry out for 30 days, but WOW! They were smooth, non binding, and about the most uncomplicated, untaxing thing I’ve done to improve my body in years. So if you’ve want to feel slick in your power suit, alluring in that hot date dress, or  incredibly fit when attending that function where you really need to make that slime ball ex of yours and his new girlfriend squirm, check out Spanx. (I think they’re named that because my hub couldn’t keep his hands from tapping my divine derriere the whole time I was wearing them.)And remember girls; Spanx ain’t just for bum control any more! They’ve waist cinchers, bras that fight back fat and, Bod a Bing! Slimming pants, tops and skirts with the Spanx body smoothers built in. www.spanx.com

When you suffer from allergies as much as I do, sneezing, watery eyes and sinus congestion are all part of the joys of spring. I stay medicated to prevent the absolute worst of it, and, as I did yesterday, cash in a precious precious personal day to recover in the privacy and mirrorless sanctity of my own home. But what’s a girl to do when you’ve a meeting you can’t cancel or an appearance you simply must make, and your face is as red and drippy as an albino basset hound with third degree sunburn. Here are some ideas for covering up and pressing on when all you want to do is wrap yourself in Kleenex and try not to drown in your own mucus. Face Before I even attempt foundation, I believe in moisturizing; heavily. Despite the amount of fluids being expelled by your facial orifices, you need to slather on moisturizer to guard against chapped skin and abrasions from constant tissue wiping. Because the prolonged sneezing tends to make my face red, I begin with Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer for the face. The color builds gradually with each use and by putting it on and letting it dry before I use foundation, I have a chance that the color will develop and overshadow my Ruldolph red nose. After moisturizer, use a cream foundation. Unlike thinner liquid foundations, a cream foundation offers thicker coverage that allows you in one sweep of a sponge to cover more surface area without pulling and tugging your already swollen face. Two of my favorites are Avene Couvrance Correcteur de Tient (available at Drugstore.com) and MAC Studio tech foundation.(available in Mac Studio salons and www.maccosmetics.com) Both offer the heavier coverage you need on days like this. Eyes 

When your eyes are pink and goopy, the last thing you want to think about is putting anything on your eye, but alas, to look human, it’s a necessary evil. On sniffly sneezy days, less is more. If you’re using a heavier foundation, the take a moment to sweep it over your eyelids as well as under your eyes to camouflage any dark circles. Using a waterproof eye pencil, run a quick line across your top lid close to your lashes. In your delicate condition, remember to line only the upper lid. Save full blown drag queen eyes for another day. We’re just making you presentable so you can proceed with life. Glamorous will have to wait for another day. I recommend Styli Style Line and Seal in Blackest black (available in drugstores nationwide or on amazon.com). This silicone based formula goes on smoothly and stays put. Just remember, if your eyes do get a bit weepy, dab with tissues, don’t rub.

 If you can manage mascara, I recommend a quick coat of Rimmel Eye Magnifier Waterproof in black. I can hear my eyebrow specialist cringing now, because waterproof mascara can leave your lashes dry and brittle, but if you don’t want black tears streaming down your face, waterproof is the only way to go. With Rimmel’s coverage, if you can simply manage one coat, you‘ll look less ill instantly. Eye promise J 

LipstickI don’t care if you wear Dita Von Tease red lips every day of your life, but not today. Chances are if you’re having a full blown attack, you’re naturally sporting enough red on your face. These are the days for a neutral lip in either a brown, pinkish gold of something that just gives lips a hint of color. I opt for L3 by Styli-Style in Barely There. This medium brownish pink with gold flecks is just slightly pinker than my natural lip shade and the stay on formula topped with a gloss gives just enough color without looking like you’re overcompensating. Finally, make sure your bag is loaded with purse packs of tissues, over the counter remedies like Zyrtec, or sprays like Nasalcrom in the event that your prescription meds stop working and there’s no pharmacy in the vicinity. And since many of the nasal sprays can cause throat irritation and keep  lozenges in your bag should your throat become dry and raspy from the other medications. 

Finally, go forth! Sure the dripping and sneezing is annoying, but I’ll take a sneezy spell in jacket weather over brilliant health and a below zero clime any day of the week.

If you’ve purchased your shoes at Zappos, as suggested, your shoes should fit, or you would have returned them right?Yabbut, sometimes the manufacturer doesn’t make a half size, or that shoe that used to fit, gets a bit stretched and threatens to make a swift departure from your foot with each step. What do you do? 

Well the answer depends on the problem so here’s a list of quick fixes for those niggling shoe problems.   Great Balls of Fire!I love a heel, but if they’re too high, the resulting shift of body weight can leave the balls of your feet burning like the Great Chicago Fire. While the new Nike comfort foot bed in the new Cole Haan shoes make a point to provide extra cushioning at the ball of the foot, the large majority of shoes I buy are bereft of that feature.

The answer is Dr. Scholl’s for Her, Ball Cushions. ($6.95/pair) These gel filled cushions adhere to the inside of your shoe and provide squishy padding for your foot, but they do feel a bit thick, so if your shoe already fits snuggly, the extra puffiness may do more harm then good.If the problem is really that the weight shift is causing your foot to slide towards the front of the shoe, then you might want to try Foot Petals, Tip Toes. These flower shaped pads are available in a number of colors including black iris, rose, butter cup and silver and are thin, but once applied to the inside of the shoe do help prevent the foot from sliding forward which can be a real savior with peep toe shoes. ($6.95/pair)    
Heel Owies  I have scars on my heels from where a strap or the back of a shoe has cut, and more often than not, drawn blood, as penance for the privilege of wearing a pretty shoe.  Foot Petals also make a patch for these called “Heavenly Heels”. While these strips are designed to adhere to the inside rear of the heel, you could also solve the problem by cutting a self adhesive mole skin and for almost the same price, you’ll have enough to cover the insides of a number of shoes instead of just the one pair. Unfortunately the moleskin is available in only tan not the rose, buttercup, black iris and silver colors. For something that small, I’m willing to save the cash and use the cheaper fix.  If the problem is the actual heel as in your cracked and calloused heels hurt from walking in shoes, then Foot Petals, offer Haute Heels, an round pad with slightly oblong edges that can be stuck in the bottom of your shoe for additional comfort.    All over padding I really need a 9 ½, but not every shoe I love is available in a half size so I simply buy the 10 and make it fit. How? There are a number of ways. If the shoe is a bit too long for me or wide, I simply purchase the old fashioned foam inserts. These are glamorous  but they’re completely functional and because they’re thin, they’ll not only allow me the ability to cut them to the shape of the shoe, but I can also glue two together if I want to fill my shoe in smaller increments, which gel inserts won’t allow. If you have a very glam shoe or sandal and you don’t want the world to see your shoe under pinnings, Foot Petals offers what Allure readers chose as one of the best inventions ever, Killer Kushionz. (At $12.95/pair 3 pairs @ $40), these are a bit pricey, but available in a range of fashion colors, these long and slim liners with flower petal portion at the end of the strip can help to fill up a too large shoe, offer a bit of padding for the ball of your fit and keep your toes from sliding out the front of you shoes. When your have to be on your feet, they imbue those fabulous shoes with a few more hours of comfort when you have to stand for long periods followed by the obligatory spin around the dance floor required at weddings and charity doos. The best part, should your shoe slip out at midnight, the padding revealed looks elegant, unlike gianormous foam or gel full sole pads.    And don’t forget the outside.When I was  a kid, it was de rigeur to scuff up the bottoms of new shoes, so you didn’t slip or fall on the slick surface. For this problem, Foot Petals provides Stopperz, a self adhesive gripping pad you adhere to the bottom of your shoe to prevent that trip across the light fantastic from becoming a slip and fall culminating in at least two bodies down on the dance floor. Besides, Stopperz are easier to order and faster to arrive than an ambulance.    Foot Petals: For a complete selection of all colors and styles of  Heavenly Heels, Haute Heels, Killer Kushionz visit www.footpetals.com , or order while you purchase your shoes at www.zappos.com;   

Dr. Scholl’s: Available in the foot remedy aisle at pharmacies nationwide including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aidand www.drugstore.com   Moleskin available from Dr. Scholls and other store brands available at in the foot remedy aisle at pharmacies nationwide including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and www.drugstore.com 

When I want a shoe, I love shoe shopping.

When I need a shoe; not so much.

And while I still enjoy a stroll throug Benjamin Lovell’s or Aerosoles, my “A “number one choice for all shoes: men and women’s, couture to Clarks, Hugo Boss to Hush Puppies or Ralph Lauren to Rocket Dog; Zappos has it all.

With hundreds of designer brand labels and an ability to sort by price, heel height, color, size and style, this is the easiest way to shop for shoes. Worried about fit? No problem, Zappos will cover delivery to you and returns if the shoe doesn’t fit. The best thing is the selection. A recent search for wedges with  heel height between 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches returned six pages of options. The search returned eight pages of options for heels higher than 2 1/2 inches in my size. And if you’re searching  for something very specific, Zappos is the only purveyor of chausseurs with enough stock to actually provide multiple takes on an ultra specific request for a strappy wedge sandal to  perfectly match a bronze taffeta dress I was wearing to a mate’s June wedding. (Yup,true story.)

Is it any reason  they furnish footwear to TLC’s What Not To Wear?

www.zappos.com

What you will need

·                       1 suede protector spray ·                       1 suede cleaning brush ·                       1 small knife ·                       1 nail brush ·                       1 sponge ·                       1 shoe tree / white tissue paper ·                       1 crepe rubber / pencil eraser ·                       One towel  Suede is fabulous, but sometimes I think it’s wasted on shoes because deployment on the feet, places suede in close proximity to it’s mortal enemies; mud, grass and water. All can be cleaned up,(to varying degrees) with a little TLC.If your shoes are muddy, wait for the mud to dry completely, and then brush the shoe with a suede brush. Be careful to  brush only in one direction to pull the mud up and clean the shoes. If you have scuff makers brush the area vigorously, remembering to brush in only one direction. If the nap is matted down, carefully try and raise the nap by scraping it gently with a butter knife. If you cannot remove a muddy or dirty spot by brushing, try using an art gum eraser. Rub the eraser over the stain and as the rubbery bits shred.Water stainsWater stains can discolor suede and the original color may never return. In a worst case scenario, you may never be able to renew the shoes to their original color, but you can strive for a uniform color between the two shoes. First, using a nail brush dampened with water, brush the entire surface of both those. Then using a dry towel blot up as much excess water as possible. Either fill shoes with brown paper, paper toweling or shoe trees and let dry. Don’t use any newspaper that may transfer ink to your shoes.Removing oil stains.First try using the suede brush to brush out the stain. If that doesn’t work, then cover the stain with talcum, cornmeal or salt. Let sit. Once the talcum, cornmeal or salt has dried, brush again. Most of the stain should be removed.  If the stain is ink or grass, try dabbing a bit of milk on the stain first and then covering with salt. Let dry and brush.
If your stain is very large or very dark, like you were changing the Xerox machine and a big blob of inky toner drops on your best pair of blue suede shoes, then seek the help of a professional. Remember, with suede as with canvas, an once of protection is worth a pound of cure. Grab a can of suede protectant when you buy the shoes, and make sure to spray them in a well ventilated area before wearing them for the first time. And do yourself a favor, check the weather forecast and avoid wearing suede on any day when the chance of precipitation is above 50%.