What We Heart

Philthy Hoops

by Luke Sirinides

$45, www.philthyhoops.com

Emily Lopizzo is putting the hula back in the hoop. Between gigs at a Web design firm and coffee shop, she's the force behind Philthyhoops, a playful company dedicated to anything but ordinary hooping. Striped, animal-printed, flame-streaked, polka-dotted: She's got them for beginners and experienced tricksters alike. As for Lopizzo, she's more interested in having fun than impressing anyone. "I can do a few tricks that might impress my grandmother, but that's about it," she says. "I don't want to be a performer, I don't want to have long armpit hair or run off to Burning Man and I don't want to lose weight. I just do it and pass it on because it's hysterical and fun."