West Philly

Baltimore Avenue and University City


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Published: Dec 8, 2010

Apparel + Accessories

WEST PHILLY HOODIE, VIX Emporium: If it was ever acceptable to use the term "diamond in the rough," VIX Emporium fits the bill. This gift boutique, the only one of its kind in West Philly, is crammed with local jewelry, home decor and threads, like this West Philly hoodie designed by shop owners Emily and Sean Dorn. It's sold in men's and women's sizes, so you andyour boo can rep your neighb' in style.

$35, 5009 Baltimore Ave., 215-471-7700, vixemporium.com.

Books + MagaZines

APIARY and WILD FERMENTATION, Bindlestiff Books: Forget trolling through those sprawling big-box bookstores, with their fancy cafés and blasé staff, when you're hunting for gifty page-turners. This cozy bookshop is celebrating its fifth year by expanding into the middle room. Two of our favorites among the store's vast, neighborhood-friendly collection are Apiary,a glossy-covered, locally written lit mag, and Wild Fermentation, which instructs readers on how to ferment things like dandelion wine, kimchis and krauts.

Bindlestiff Books, 4530 Baltimore Ave., 215-222-2432, bindlestiffbooks.com.

Food + Drink

GIFT BASKET, Milk & Honey Market: It's hard to ignore Milk & Honey, the popular locavore haven on Baltimore Avenue, and why should you? The company's Summer in the City Honey, harvested from urban stingers, gained this little market serious, well-deserved press. This gift basket provides a collection of breakfast goodies, like Michele's Pumpkin Spice Granola and Grade A pure maple syrup made in Pennsylvania, so your honey will never go hungry.

$24.95, 4435 Baltimore Ave., 215-387-6455, milkandhoneymarket.com.

Home + Garden

TOOL MEMBERSHIP, West Philly Tool Library: If you're buying for someone living in a fixer-upper, or a regular household handyman, this is a gift that'll last. For $20 you can purchase a yearlong membership to the West Philly Tool Library, where there are tons of tools ready to be loaned. There are modern power circular saws and leaf blowers as well as this more elemental caulk gun and old-timey screwdriver.

$20, 4620 Woodland Ave., 215-833-3190, westphillytools.org.

Kids + Pets

TIGER DREAMS' THREE-WAY TRUNDLE BED, Baltimore Pet Shoppe: Whether you're shopping for your cat-lady aunt or surprising Rover with a treat, you'll be well-covered at this quaint store. Baltimore Pet Shoppe carries plenty of feline and canine goodies, including this three-way bed — which isn't as naughty as it sounds. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, it changes from sleeping bag to regular old pet bed to oval mat. Does this mean your dog will now have a more luxurious bed than you? Yes.

$48.99, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, 4532 Baltimore Ave., 215-222-7387, baltimorepetshoppe.com.

mind + Body

JADE YOGA MAT, Dhyana Yoga: Give that tree-hugger what she really wants: an all-natural, no-slip rubber JadeYoga mat created by Conshohocken entrepreneur Dean Jerrehian (jadeyoga.com). These mats are flying off the bamboo shelves at Dhyana, where, if you're feeling extra-generous, you could also gift your bud a trial yoga-class membership. The studio offers more than 125 classes each week for beginners and expert yogis alike. Even though it may cost a pretty penny, serenity is priceless.

$70, 3945 Chestnut St., 215-222-9642, dhyana-yoga.com.