Northwest Philly

Chestnut Hill, Germantown and Mount Airy


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Published: Dec 8, 2010

Apparel + Accessories

GORILLA SACKS RECYCLED BILLBOARD TOTE, Dirty Girl Brigade: What once decorated the side of an interstate can now adorn the shoulder of your eco-savvy bestie. And if that doesn't set her hippie heart aflutter, each bag sold benefits animal conservation group Gorilla Haven. These insanely durable totes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors at Gabrielle Rossi's three-year-old Mount Airy shop dedicated to selling "American-made, environmentally friendly lifestyle products."

$30, 7125 Germantown Ave., 215-242-2976, dirtygirlbrigade.com.

Books + Magazines

HINT FICTION, Big Blue Marble Bookstore: Hint Fiction(W.W. Norton) is an anthology of uber-short stories, including one by Mount Airy-ite Minter Krotzer. Big Blue Marble employee Maleka Fruean says the bookstore's predominately progressive collection caters to an area full of multi-cultured progressives who'd rather get book info from "actual people ... instead of going directly to [the Web]."

$13.95, 551 Carpenter Lane, 215-844-1870, bigbluemarblebooks.com.

Food + Drink

LOVELY LADY CHEESE GRATER, The Little Apple: This is the first holiday shopping season for The Little Apple, supplier of new, vintage and repurposed goods in Manayunk. Owner Molly Cygan's quirky yet tasteful inventory of home goods and accessories reaches far beyond the kitchen, but we couldn't resist touting this sassy cheese grater for the kitschy foodie on your list. She's no Mrs. Butterworth, but this little darlin' can shred Parmesan like nobody's business.

$36, 4353 Main St., 267-335-4968, thelittleapplestore.com.

Home + Garden

EDGI VASE BY FRED, Jean-Jacques Gallery: When he claimed ownership of Mount Airy's Jean-Jacques Gallery in early 2007, Sherman Oberson brought with him a penchant for flare, and it shows in the shop's whimsical mix of home goods. This knock-ya-in-the-face-with-color plastic vase, available in a mélange of sizes and hues, would make a perfect gift for the artsy auntie with a knack for incorporating kooky into her home decor.

$6, 7118 Germantown Ave., 215-242-5440, jean-jacquesgallery.com.

Kids + Pets

WOODEN OWL COIN BANK, Three Potato Four: What little tyke could resist this adorable piggy, er, owly bank? The shiny wooden penny-pincher represents the kid-friendly items in husband and wife Stu Eli and Janet Morales' brand-new Manayunk treasure trove, which is mostly packed with grown-up vintage collectables and graphic antiques. Many of the store's items can be found online, but don't miss a stroll through their "grandpa's garage"-inspired showroom that was once an 1800s wool mill.

$32, 376 Shurs Lane, Building A, 267-335-3633, threepotatofourshop.com.

mind + Body

PUMPKIN FACIAL WASH, Jahaya's Organics: This face wash, made with organic freeze-dried pumpkin and willow bark, is made to perk up aging skin, but you don't have to mention that when you gift it to the inching-over-the-hill beauty in your life. And if you'd rather not risk the insult, Jahaya Curtis' Chestnut Hill beauty nook specializes in a variety of all-natural skin nourishing products that she says are ideal for anyone looking to flaunt a healthy glow.

$15, 8138 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8226.