Christmas at the Brandywine River Museum

Merry Christmas! While the fam and I finish opening presents and eating cookies for breakfast, enjoy a few pictures from the Brandywine River Museum's annual Christmas display. My little brother, my friend Katie, and I went yesterday for a little Christmas-Eve-festivity. I never get tired of all their beautiful, natural-material ornaments. This is only a small selection. They've got everything from a Cookie Monster ornament to corn husk angels, a Cheshire Cat ornament to a barber shop quartet! If you are ever in Chadds Ford, PA, don't overlook this little museum. It gets over shadowed by Longwood Gardens, but it is a perfect way to spend a few daylight hours before your check out the Longwood lights at night!

 

Rittenhouse Square - My Last Philly Post

I've been back in LA for 3 weeks now, and finally I am getting to the end of my Philadelphia posts. It's been nice reminiscing about the summer, but I'm excited to talk about what I've been up to in LA since I've been back. (Fun stuff like traveling, shopping, and dining out in new-to-me neighborhoods!) But before I move on, here is a few photos from one of the most famous places and one of the nicest neighborhoods in Philly, Rittenhouse Square. Also the restaurant in the last picture next to the square - Parc - is one of my favorite Stephen Starr restaurants. It's made to look like a French cafe left over from the time of Hemingway and Stein. Some people think it's too gimmicky, but I (a sucker for all things French) think it's perfect. I would highly recommend drinks there on a warm fall evening if you have the chance.

Totally Random Post about the Architecture in the Antropologie right next to Rittenhouse Square

Totally Random Post about the Architecture in the Antropologie right next to Rittenhouse Square . . .

I've got a post about Rittenhouse Square coming right up, but first I had to share a few pictures I took inside of the Anthropologie right next to the park. I know it seems a bit odd taking pictures of Anthropologie. I mean, there's one in every city. But this one is exceptional. It's the flagship (I didn't know until this summer that Anthro was based in Philly). And in addition to having a phenomenal flagship-worthy selection, it is also in a beautiful building with a spiral staircase at its center. Even if the clothes are not your thing, it is worth walking up and down the four floors just to admire the architecture. I'm dying to know what the building used to be. Anyone have any idea?

Dandelion's Scones

I love scones. They are by far my favorite breakfast pastry. I was very sad when I moved to LA because for some reason west coast Starbucks do not stock the raspberry scone, which can be found at all east coast Starbucks. I make due with the blueberry when I'm in need, but it's not the same. Anyway I digress. Starbucks is not related to this post, but scones are. One of my coworkers this summer swore to me that The Dandelion makes the best scones in the world. So I had to go and have them. Are they the best? No, but they were good. They come fresh out of the oven. Plus, I never get tired of the British pub theme here. But it's probably a better place to come for drinks (cocktails are great) and fish and chips (they never fail to impress).

Headhouse Farmers Market

Who doesn't love a good farmers market? Headhouse farmers market pops up on Sundays from 10-2 in the Society Hill neighborhood, the neighborhood just to the west of where I lived. It's not that large, but it has sort of a funny personality. It feels like it doesn't take its wholesome, trendy, farm-to-table vibe too seriously. I only wish I had gone more often. I got some of the best peaches I've had in years there.

Chemical free. Booyah!

Washington Square Park

This is the namesake park of the Philadelphia neighborhood I lived in this summer (Washington Square West). I loved living near this park because it had lots of open grassy areas for lounging on. I took advantage of that with impromptu picnics of fresh food that I picked up at Headhouse farmers market and lazy afternoons of reading outside.

Washington Square is also historically interesting (most things in Philly are) because it is the grave site for thousands of Revolutionary war soldiers and other citizens. And while the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for all other wars is in Arlington Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier and its eternal flame is in this park.