Hey, That Was Fun: Pizza on the Brain

   

PIZZA BRAIN

Philadelphia is hidden treasures. Everywhere you go, I can promise some of the best places to eat, drink, and be merry are otherwise off the map, and made popular by word of mouth/recommendation. So you have to pay attention - when someone says something is stellar, GO.

Which happened this weekend when, at work, Ben suggested that Pizza Brain be our next foodie date. He described it to me as "somewhere we would have gone in the 90's to hang out before a Nirvana concert" and I was sold at 90's. I live for the nostalgia, man.

So anyway, I jumped at the chance to try a recommendation, especially from Ben, who has literal impeccable taste in every area of life. So needless to say we decided to just go that night. No waiting involved - I love it. 

Ben having a car is so wonderful because it makes getting to places that aren't so easy to access on public transportation so much easier (THANK YOU FOR DRIVING, BEN! XOXOXO). So, Ben, Brit Brit, Gemma, Billy and I (all Owl Ambassadors, yippie!) hauled it down to Pizza Brain in Fishtown. 

 

FIRST OF ALL, this place is a self proclaimed Pizza Museum. Basically, the walls are lined with pizza memorabilia from decades past, including really sweet informational plaques that I so enjoyed reading from just while waiting for our pizza to be ready. My dad would have been there for ages - he reads EVERY single piece of signage in a museum no matter what it's about. Am I right, Mom? 

 

Some of the rad, rad history bits. I was loving it.

 We split a pie of their "Jane" pizza - mozzarella, aged provolone, grana padano, fresh basil. I died and went to Pizza Heaven and back. 

It's Ben himself, Keeper of the Pi

clearly not a single filter needed here. (Are you drooling?) 

This picture was taken exactly two minutes after the pizza showed up. HUNGRY OWLS.

The atmosphere was just so rad. I can't even think of of another way to describe it. The eclectic setup of the outside seating mixed with the awesome murals on the walls, the pizza swag everywhere you turned, and obviously the smell of fresh pizza dough just added up to one big Pizza Hug of an experience. 

An outdoor mural, I was LIVING for this. 

These next three pictures I take ZERO credit for, because Ben literally slayed the photography game when he snapped these. Prepare yourself. 

UMMMMMMMM. I'm obsessed with these pictures people. Gemma is not wrong about calling them Temple Publication Worthy. Aren't my pals good looking?

Brit, Ben, Gem, Bill. 

As if we God himself crafted this beautiful establishment, there is a cool as anything ice cream shope attached called Little Baby's.  Here's the long and short of it: it was PHENOMENAL. The flavors are unlike anything you can get anywhere else. Here's some examples: Everything Bagel (yes. as ice cream), Earl Grey Sriracha, Thai Iced Tea, Speculoos (Gingersnap, sorta?), and the fan favorite of our group: Sweet Potato  + Burnt Mashmallow. It was INSANE how accurate these flavors were, while still retaining tastiness. Like I said. Blown away.  

After we ate, we explored Fishtown a bit - a neighborhood I haven't ever been to. Of course, I was obssessed. We stepped into an amazing thrift store which I absolutely have to go back to called Two Percent to Glory. The owner was so kind and her dog made friends with us (Well. With Brit.) I had to snap a picture of sunset.

              

What can I say? Pizza Brain rocked my world. Fishtown was like magic. And my friends made it all the better. Thanks, Philadelphia.

All the best,

Paige

You don't love enough (and neither do I)

As is usually the case, I am taking painstaking measures to avoid the weekly task list piling up in my planner... a bad habit, sure, but whatever. It's happening.

Anyway, this procrastination train left the station loooooong ago. Like weeks ago. And as a result, my rad pal Emily and I started chatting about something that has been on my mind for a while, but was having trouble articulating. To be honest, I still am, but this is my best shot.

This is about love. I'm talking, strictly romantic, partner to partner kind of love. Dating and relationships and love is just one of those things that people get really hung up on. I do, at least. At least, everyone HAS. Either past or present tense. I totally see why. Most of our daily media consumption has love woven in the fabric - you'll love this new product, look at this cute couple kissing, fall is such a romantic season so drink a latte to make it even better, blah blah. Or more blatantly, love is the stories we read, the movies we watch, the Buzzfeed articles we skim.

It's there because it can be so beautiful. And rewarding, and cherished, and satisfying. It leads to families sometimes, it makes life more fun all around - it's like having a friend 24/7 and sleepovers every night, it makes Chinese food and movies a sweet idea rather than a lame lonely one that you would rather not admit to you friends you did. We love to love. We dig it, as a society. And we should. A lot of amazing things happen because love exists. 

Most importantly, it makes you feel included. When you hear a love song, you think "I know what this person is singing about! I know that feeling too!" and when  you see a movie, you don't cry when they fall in love because you see the actors, you cry because you see yourself and the person YOU love, falling in love all over again. You see yourself in it. And when an image of ourselves is reflected in the media, it makes us feel really good inside. Especially when it's love! Love, in some capacity, is what we all seek. So we love when we have it. We love when we can be REMINDED that we have it.

Anyway, this is great if you happen to be with someone you think is totally and completely rad. But if you aren't with someone, we have this horrible nasty habit of being sad all of the sudden. If we don't have a love life, we want one so much that we get really down. The lovey stuff in the world makes us mad. We change the channel if The Notebook is on. We consider not even getting out of bed on Valentine's Day, simply because we "can't" be included in the celebrations. We see examples of love and dislike them just because we don't "have that". We get so bitter.

And I am NOT saying everyone who is single is cranky. That's so not true. I happen to be single and most of the time, I love every freedom that comes with it. And, actually, I can see examples of romantic love in the world without it making me bitter and sad and cranky. 95% of the time, I barely even think about this stuff! Life is so much bigger than a relationship, right? I think we can all agree about that. But the other 5%, for whatever reason, I decide that I'm just not satisfied without that somebody in my life. And I do all of those bitter single girl things I listed before - and, probably, pity eat chips and salsa and get pissed off at the crumbs being in my sheets later when I lay down for 6 hours of sad Netflix.

Where am I going with this. My point here is, we do all of this because we don't have romantic love. But we have so much other love to give and receive in the world.

Like, literally, an infinite amount of love. And for some reason, we only concentrate it in one place mostly. But, like.

We have our familial love - either blood relatives or people who's souls you cherish as if they were blood.

We have friends, people who would drop the world to help you. People who would gladly eat Chinese food and watch movies with you. People who care about your physical, mental, and emotional well being.

We have mentors, who love us so much they are willing to invest their own personal time and effort into making you a better personal or professional being.

We have SELF love. The kind that we always, always, always overlook. We have our own bodies, that keep safe our souls, that contain the things that literally no one else can know - the emotions that are impossible to put into words, but that YOU understand about YOURSELF without even thinking.

Why do we put romantic love on a golden throne and neglect the rest?

And WE DO NEGLECT THE REST. Don't flatter yourself by thinking you haven't. It's not our faults. It's the societal norm that gets ingrained into us every day. But you've done it. Your mom has told you that you look beautiful, but you didn't react like you did when the boy next to you in class or the gorgeous girl in your group told you the exact same thing.

You've thought about skipping a dance or a night out or any event because you don't have a date. You refuse to go alone, and going with a friend isn't right.

You've slaved over an outfit for a random Tinder blind date but you could take or leave getting lunch with your girlfriends on Monday. That's not the same.

WHY?!

It is the same! Your friends want to spend time with you because they love who you are. They want to surround themselves with your positive energy. They talk about you highly to their families. They would stand up for you without a second doubt. They love you.

Your family shaped you into the person you are. They are so proud of the things you do on a daily basis. They were proud of you for learning to walk and they're proud of you when you spend that $20 on groceries instead of beer. They'd be willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy. They want to know what you ate for breakfast and they call you too much sometimes because they care that much about the details of your life. They love you.

Your mentors will spend late nights correcting your mistakes so that you don't take the fall for them. They'll tell you not to listen to that guy in HR, he's always like that, because they don't want you to get down on yourself. They're willing to give someone else their word on your behalf because they have so much faith in your ability. They love you.

You let yourself sleep in on Saturdays because you know that you worked hard, and you deserve it. You pick yourself up when you're feeling down because you know whatever it was will soon pass, and life goes on. You smile at yourself in the mirror. You surround yourself with people that make you a better person, and you do everything in your power to be the best you can. Because you love yourself that much.

Relationships are great. Beautiful, even. But no more so than the other kinds of love in the world - the ones that get us through life every single day. And nothing is meant to be bombarded with all of that love all at once. If you don't have a healthy love balance with yourself and the other non-romance bits of your life, you might go a little love crazy when you find someone you do want to date.  So spread it out, dude. Balance is key. Balance is what makes schedules run smoothly, it's what aligns Chakras, it's what keeps a building from falling down. It's important.  It will make for better love all around.
And our other aspects of love deserve that attention, too.

I'm not sure what I hope you take from this, other than I hope you don't change the TV if The Notebook comes on tonight. I hope you kiss your partner when you see them, I hope you buy yourself a coffee instead of waiting for someone else to do it. I hope you call your mom or  your aunt or your best friend. I hope you eat that Chinese food, alone or with 15 people. I hope you go on a date (even if it's not with someone else).

I hope you catch up on all that love that I KNOW you have to give, and I hope you use it on every avenue of life - not just the one we think is most important in the long run.

All the best,

Paige

Hey, That Was Fun: Revolution Shakespeare's Macbeth

I really like Shakespeare. I don't quite know where this personal taste developed, but it's a not-so-secret love of mine. 

 I do know that once, in 5th grade, I dressed up as Shakespeare for one of those strange elementary school projects where you are required to dress up as someone and do research on them, and then everyone sort of pow-wows around in the classroom pretending to be dead people and you get a smiley face sticker grade on it all. Remember those? I do. 

I definitely used black lipstick to draw on a mustache and it melted off. #Neverforget. Mom, do we have a picture of this? My brain says I hope not, but my funny bone says please find one. I need a good laugh.

 And need I even remind anyone about the 5th grade play? Surely you remember Ms. Graybill's class production of a Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring yours truly as the ugly duckling Helena. I wore a swimsuit underneath of a strange rented costume and I ran around on stage in socks. Those were dark times. Too bad we still have an embarrassing VHS tape of that very production floating around the Knapp house. 

REGARDLESS, I still have a serious soft spot for the Bard. A coworker of mine is currently in a production of Macbeth, so last Friday when they opened I knew I had to go - to support Holly, but also to indulge in my secret love for Old English and tragedy. Plus, this particular fashion was done the way Shakespeare is meant to be - OUTSIDE. It's fall. I will take any excuse to be outside. 

Macbeth is being put on by Revolution Shakespeare, a Philly group of really talented folk - including Holly, our pal! 

So another co-worker and I trekked on down to Hawthorne Park, which is right off of South Street. First of all, look at how darling it was! People laid out a blanket, sat in chairs, brought their kids, brought their dogs, brought beer, and really committed to a night in the park. Love, I tell you. I was in love. 

Grass. I was happy about the grass. 

The stage setup was super neat, and the use of space was so cool - fight scenes in the "isles", etc etc.

The sun set, the lights came on, and the show got started. If you know Macbeth, you'll know it definitely doesn't take place in America, but this version plopped the story down smack dab in the middle of New Orleans - and it was so well done. The costumes complimented the NoLa feel and 3 piece brass band absolutely nailed the music of New Orleans. 

I could talk about a lot of things that I enjoyed about the show, but I think my favorite bit was how well the cast captured the spirit of Shakespeare. Macbeth is not a funny story, but ALL of Shakespeare's stories have some comedy woven within them, and they absolutely smashed it as far as delivery went. If you can deliver a line in Old English and have the whole park picking up on the comedy of it, and get a laugh from everyone, you've done it right. 

And I would be crazy if I didn't mention how much I loved the diversity of the cast. Banquo was a GIRL. And not just a girl playing a male character. Like, the character was a girl. That's what I'm talkin' about people. Applause all around for that creative decision. 

 

Something about the show, hanging out in a beautiful little park right in the heart of Philadelphia with no obligation but to enjoy the show was so, so refreshing. It was the perfect way to spend that Friday evening after what was, in truth, a really long week. 

OH MAN, how did I not mention this yet? A food truck, Cheese E Wagon, was there cooking up what is arguably one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I have ever tasted in my young life. So as if I wasn't already happy, I was suddenly fat and happy with a big ole cheezer in my stomach. 

noooooooooooooooooooom.

The evening was damn near perfect, and I am so happy that I got to be there. Basically, if you're in Philly and not doing anything this weekend, I highly recommend hauling a blanket down to Hawthorne Park and checking it out. It's free. 

IT

IS

FREE.

Bows. 

Big love to Holly and the rest of the cast as they continue their run of Macbeth! 

I've been working on a post for a while, and I think that's coming later this week. Otherwise, that's all for now, pals!

All the best, 

Paige 

The Oldest City.

I just have to say it.

I am genuinely in love with Philadelphia. Like if I could marry this city, I would do it. (Ew? Too much?)

There are a billion and  half reasons that I am constantly pinching myself while I'm here. The innumerable cultures? Yes. The fact that I can walk straight down a single road for about 25 minutes and be in the heart of a massive metropolitan city? Obviously. The fact that each neighborhood is like it's own little world? Yeah. The bagels? YES. The horrifyingly fat rats with fur also known as city squirrels? No. Not those. We can leave them out.....forever. Please.

I know it's lame, but I count myself so fortunate to be as  much a part of what makes Philly so....well, Philly as everyone and everything else that make up its radical city vibe & geo footprint.

My blog pal Alaina & I spent Friday afternoon maxin' in Old City, also known as the most charming of all the neighborhoods in Philadelphia. If you don't believe me, just google image it. There is something that feels different in Old City - maybe its the fact that the buildings sit a little lower on the skyline and that it contains some of the most historical bits of Philly, the cobblestone roads, or even the little bit of greenery that you can't quite catch in other city areas. All of it gives off this charm that is genuinely soul-refreshing.

Basically we had a blasty-blast having a 'blog' day together, including some thrifting finds and one of the hands down BEST iced teas I've ever had in my life ever ever ever, EVER.

If, perhaps, you are ever in the Old City area, please PLEASE stop in at Old City Coffee, which is at 221 Church Street. It's first of all adorable and second of all so tasty. I wish I had gotten a sweet treat but I was stuffed, so I'll be going back. What I did get was an herbal tea that blew my brain to mars and back. I haven't been drinking as much coffee as I used to lately, but that's another story in itself. So even if you aren't a coffee person, there's still a reason to go by.

I'm an idiot and forgot to grab a picture of the front, so here's one via the website (which also has the menu, so go!):

I know. I'm dying. Those cobblestone streets get me every time. 

 

<-- LOOK at her.
One of my favorite ladies.


  Can you tell I'm happy with it? I so was.        --->

One of the best bits of Old City is the treasure trove of little boutiques, vintage shops, and general neato-ness.We stopped in for a hot second into one that sold the coolest little bits and pieces, including sage bunches for cleansing  your living space of negative energies. I've been meaning to sage for a while, so I might have to stop back in.

I was most obsessed with old hotel key ring number tags. I'm beating myself up for not buying one of them. They were SO RAD. I'm a sucker for things with extra historical value and charm and these brass rings were so old school and wicked I was obsessed. I didn't even get a picture because I'm lame, but I did snap a shot of the old timey drinking glasses with cartoon prints. I know these aren't really that old at all, SORRY MOM, I know you had them as a kid.... and you're only 29. ;)

We walked from Old City proper over to South Street, another happenin' hipster bit of Philly so I could finally, finally, finally check out Philly Aids Thrift for the first time. It was, as expected, totes cool. I couldn't believe how much stuff was there. I ended up with a few itty bitty purchases, including a ten cent post card - literally obsessed. I'm gonna put it on Instagram a little bit after I post this I think, so do check that out. 

On the way there we took these, which just make me smile inside and out. 

And I could go on and on about Philly Aids Thrift, but I think this picture of Alaina sums it up:

I'm horrified. 

The point is, days like Friday remind me just exactly how much I am truly obsessed with the city I get to call my home away from home. And it's really my home now - it feels like my city; I leave a little piece of myself there every time I go. I know that doesn't happen to everyone or everywhere. I know that I am lucky, so brilliantly lucky, and I won't ever stop exploring as long as I have the absolute privilege of doing it. 

Many loves to Alaina for being an amazing blog pal and even better friend!

All the best, 

Paige 

Put Down Your F***ing Phones.

We all know I am a massive fan of live music. I also love when things are free. Obviously, I can't turn down a chance to see anyone if it's free. Saturday was the final Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party. I'd never been to one, and we happened to score some of the tickets that were released, so my pal Steph & I went for the day. 

It was completely outdoors. It poured for a greater majority of the afternoon. We went to the wrong pier (classic...). But it was a really solid day in the end! I'm glad we went, at least. All in all, five groups played: 

Brick & Mortar - Wolf Gang - Sir Sly - Vance Joy - Grouplove 

Admittedly, I only knew a single Sir Sly song, a few Vance Joy tunes, and a good handful of Grouplove jams. Even better! New music to be discovered! 

In fact, I ended up absolutely jamming to Wolf Gang during their set. Every single tune was catchy and they reminded me why I love live alternative music so much. I'm dropping a video in at the very end of the post of my favorite song from their set, the title track of their EP called Black River. If you're a fan of The 1975 meets Walk the Moon, these are the dudes you need to listen to. Hell, just listen to it anyway. It's synth driven and catchy and brilliant. They were also based out of London, so essentially I was in love as soon as they stepped on stage. Bias? Maybe. Impressed? Definitely. 

Right, but the thing is: I forgot how day lost festival type shows operated until I was at one. And there are just....things. That happen. That shouldn't happen.

the DID I REALLY JUST SEE THAT? list:

• The boy in front of us when we were actually in the crowd portion who whipped out his Nalgene bottle and peed in it. I guess that grossed him out as much as it did us, because he then dumped the pee onto the ground in front of us. We left. I had white shoes on, people! No thanks. 
• People. walking. around. barefoot. I suppose that's not so out of the ordinary, but it had just poured, the ground was a mix of sand and concrete... let's just say I wouldn't have done it. But I saw it!
• Moms and Dad's enjoying the show more than their kids. I LOVED this, absolutely loved this. You go, hip alternative parents. Don't ever stop being cool. 
• People in really, really expensive shoes. Maybe this is just me but I seeing people in their fairly pricey kicks absolutely sloshing through standing water made my heart ache a little. But you can't stop life from happening so I'm just glad they still had a good time regardless. Still. Dollar signs. My poor, cheap heart. 
• 13 dollar domestic beers. 
• let me repeat that. 
• 13
• dollars
• for a 
• domestic
• beer
• HUH?

But please don't let my list confuse you; I had an absolute blast. Music is the force that drives all humans together. I believe that completely. Saturday was no exception. During Grouplove's set, they said something that I just love between songs.

"Make art with your hands, however you can, and share it with others. And put down your f***king phones."

Happy Monday!

(WOLF GANG SMASHIN IT, JUST LOOK AT THOSE BABES.) 

Post downpour? Yes. Look at those puddles. 

Look at THESE puddles. 

The big finale, Grouplove absolutely chillin' right through their set.

Music Monday: Black River, Wolf Gang 

Ello' GOVNA! [London, here I come]

My roommate & I went out for a rad celebration dinner last night to Maggiano's, as you can see. It's not my family's Italian food, but it's really close. Basically, I left feeling fat and happy.

The reason we were celebrating is because within the last two weeks, both of us have gotten conformation of what is potentially going to be one of the coolest things either of us have ever done. This winter, we're moving out of our apartment early. Next semester, neither Tess nor I will be returning to Temple's main campus. 

            WE'RE GOING TO LONDON.

It has been months of planning, paperwork, and positive energy, but it's finally official. To be honest, I am hesitant to even mention it now because it won't truly be official until my butt is sitting on a plane, but everything is set. We'll both be studying through the School of Media and Communications semester program, while both living and interning in the city. (IS THIS REAL LIFE). Although the program dates are finalized, we will be gone roughly four months, from January to May.

It's so funny to think that at the beginning of last year, this idea seemed so far off. Neither Tess nor I expected it to work out, but we went ahead and bought a big whiteboard shaped like a red phone booth anyway. And on it, we wrote all of the steps we needed to take, hurdles we needed to clear, and exciting prospects we faced if we actually did make it there in the end. That whiteboard sat in our room for a full year, and slowly, we ended up checking off all of the boxes on it.

I'm so, so, so, so excited. It hasn't sunk in and it doesn't feel real, but I'm thrilled just thinking about it. So family & pals, I wanted to let you know! Especially because much of my life in the next few months will be slowly preparing to go - so now I can officially share those steps with you on the blog too.

Finally, and most importantly, I have to completely step back from all of this and say the worlds most massive, lovefilled thank you both my mom and dad, and my grandma and grandpa. All four of them listened to my pipedream idea, humored my giddiness, and most importantly offered me support to do this. I know it isn't easy, or cheap, or exciting that I'm going to be away. But they have shown me so much love and support and for that I am so thankful. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Anyway, all I know is, I'm looking forward to some real fish and chips sometime soon.

All the best,

British Accent-ed Paige 

low quality love.

Hey, hello, hi. It's already Friday. .....what? I know. 

I have a really, really, major, huge, giant, big announcement to make tomorrow. I was going to do this elsewhere, but now I have blog. And it's mine, and I want to make the announcement on here. What a concept. At any rate, tomorrow I'll be writing all about this big exciting also terrifying life change that's about to happen. 

In the meantime, I just really wanted to share with you a very small recap of this week, mostly in the form of some low qual iPhone shots. They aren't wild, but they do make me happy, and they remind me of some of the smallest moments of joy I found in the last few days.  Take a peek, and I'll see you back here tomorrow. 

Big love. See you tomorrow. 

All the best, 

Paige.