Mor.e Ban.do Lov.e



(Image courtesy of Ban.do)

In the rare event that we have not already convinced you to stop what you're doing and treat yourselves at ban.do, let's try this one more time. Our favorite accessory mavens have taken the art of embellishment one step further and given us Shoe Clips. These adorable charms clip right in the front of your favorite kicks, breathing new life to your everyday wear. We're totally going to slip some adorable sequined hearts onto our trusty leopard flats. Choose from hearts, pom poms, or silk flowers at shopbando.com.

Holiday, Celebrate.

Halloween JUST happened, Thanksgiving is a week away, and already we're knee-deep in the holiday ad trenches with Jane Seymour Open Heart Pendants, Hess collectors trucks and those bumbling red & green M&M's. These premature cheery ads serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that December 25th is a mere 39 days away. We typically reject the notion of the Holidays until the week before, hurling ourselves into a full fledged panic, praying to Rudolph that we'll find parking at the mall.

 

Not this year. No. This year we are joining the minority of people ("adults," we think they're called) who have their shit together. Over the next few weeks, we're going to share with you the official CharmedCity Holiday Gift Guide, beginning with...

 

Something Special for Your Gay Bestie

He works hard making you laugh while simultaneously pointing out your love handles. For your BFF, we recommend:

...because New Directions is still lacking a lyrical Tenor

...because you can't afford Babs ticket prices 

...because you can borrow it

Garage Band

We just came across this DreamHome feature in the Sun, and cannot believe we live mere blocks from this urban retreat and have never noticed it. Architect Justin Seto converted a garage behind a Mt. Vernon row house into an incredible home for his family of four. We love his use of high-placed windows to capture tons of natural light, and are understandably envious of his dreamy rooftop deck. (Why does it seem Canton and Federal Hill have the monopoly on rooftop decks?!)

It's exciting to see such insightful, modern design in our neighborhood!

(*All images courtesy of The Baltimore Sun)

Bye Good

(Image courtesy of Everything Fabulous)

Cheers to drinks with friends, no work until Monday, and (hopefully) sleeping in.

Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me

(Image courtesy of Sugar)

Have you ever had a…err….naughty thought that was just too good to keep to yourself? Something so profound that it simply required an audience? No, we're not trying to make a sex tape with you but we are suggesting that you and your inner Anaïs Nin traipse over to Sugar tonight for their Erotic Reading Series. Whether you're brazen enough to share your tales with the room, or want to hide in the back and take it all in, participants of any kind are welcome. And did we mention that it's free? Free erotica = stop being a prude and go.    

Sugar
927 West 36th St
Baltimore, MD 21211
Hot Talk: An Erotic Reading Series
Friday, November 12^th
9 - 10:30 pm

Beer Light

On this lovely November Friday, we are full of promise for the weekend. The weather is supposed to not be an asshole, we have fun plans in the works, and pay day is inching closer and closer (come ON Monday!). While we await our bi-monthly gelt transfers, we remember the importance of not sacrificing our good time just because we live pay check to pay check. Enter: Beer Light.

Discovered during a particularly rowdy Pride celebration, this under-the-radar brew satiates all our needs. Balking at conventional nomenclature, Beer Light simply is what it is, and for Mount Vernon we think that's fabulously unpretentious. It is sold at Eddie's Market, meaning we can snack and buy beer in the same place. It is only sold at Eddie's Market, thus giving it a certain exclusivity. At less than 50 cents a can its within anyone's budget, plus the packaging gives the appearance of off-brand soda, which cuts down tremendously on open container arrests. And best (or worst) of all, it never tastes the same. Seriously, try it- it's like the Willy Wonka of beer. In our short relationship with Beer Light we've tasted Skittles, cinnamon, Utz chips and- oddly- even beer.

The next time you find yourself strolling empty-handed to a party, broke and embarrassed, we recommend a stop at Eddies to grab some wildly inexpensive local flavor.

A street gang samples BeerLight for the first time.

Olive Oil

(Image courtesy of O Olive Oil)

If you're anything like us (read: crazy overachievers) you've yearned to produce Top Chef worthy dishes in your not so Top Chef quality kitchen. But when you're trying to make foie gras de canard on a chopped liver budget, things can get a bit iffy. Before you let an inhumanly beautiful Indian model demand that you pack your knives and go, make your way over to Rue La La for some yummy deals. Now through Saturday, save big on O Olive oils and vinegars. This California based company has been producing citrus pressed olive oils, and aged wine vinegars for over 15 years. We're huge fans of their Meyer Lemon Olive Oil, especially when drizzled over sautéed spinach and pan seared salmon. Take that, Voltagio brothers.