Featured exterior photo courtesy of Please Touch Museum
Carousel photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

The Storybook Ball promises to be a magical night full of storybook characters, carousel rides, theater shows, carriage rides, hot air balloon rides, and much more!

On Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the Please Touch Museum will be transformed into an international land of play for the family-fundraiser, Storybook Ball! Children and their grown-ups are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook characters for this year’s International theme. Kids will receive a passport to play, which will enable them to travel lands far, far away where they will find family-friendly international cuisine and performances. This promises to be a magical night full of storybook characters, carousel rides, theater shows, carriage rides, hot air balloon rides, and much more!

“Our Storybook Ball fundraiser promises to be a delightful event for the whole family,” says Laura Foster, President and CEO, Please Touch Museum. “We are thrilled to welcome families to travel the world with us on this special night.”

Guests will be able Travel to Japan, India, Italy, and Brazil to sample authentic, family-friendly cuisine and enjoy live cultural performances representing each of these regions. Please Touch once again welcomes GESU School’s Dancing with the Students to kick-off a Dance Party in Hamilton Hall, featuring music from DJ Prince Charming! Children will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite storybook characters including Little Nut Brown Hare, Curious George, Wild Thing and more. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Majestic Images

More than 700 people are expected to attend Let Them Eat Cake, Philadelphia’s Wedding Cake Design competition for professionals, students and those who love to bake to create.

City of Hope will hold its annual wedding cake competition, Let Them Eat Cake, on Monday, April 11th. More than 700 people are expected to attend the event, to be held at the Loews Hotel, Philadelphia. Over 35 of the best professional pastry artists from the tri-state area are entered, as well as 15 up and coming student pastry chefs. This year the annual event’s theme will be “Historical Romance, Love in any Age.”

Let Them Eat Cake is Philadelphia’s Wedding Cake Design competition for professionals, students and those who love to bake to create. Brides-to-be and fondant foodies will converge for the seventh annual competition featuring the best of the best. Enjoy samplings from fifty of the area’s best chefs, complimentary Korbel champagne cocktails, dancing the evening away to The Strangers, while mingling with celebrity chefs. All while benefitting the City of Hope. For more information and to get tickets please visit their website www.cityofhope.org/cake

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope’s research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org. Read the full story

Flower photos courtesy of Beautiful Blooms/Donna O’Brien and attributed photographers
Featured homepage photo courtesy of David Mielcerak
Food photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

The breathtaking work of Northern Liberties floral design studio Beautiful Blooms will be on display once again.
Photo courtesy of Tom Feehly

Philadelphia will command the world’s stage for a spectacular tribute to Europe’s City of Light when the Philadelphia International Flower Show debuts “Springtime in Paris,” March 6 – 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The entire city will be aglow with special displays and distinctive promotions to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend the festivities during Show week. The Philadelphia International Flower Show, presented by PNC, is this nation’s premiere horticultural event, an award-winning destination consistently ranked in North America’s Top 100 events; featured in the best-selling 1,000 Places to Visit Before You Die; and known throughout the world as a must-see for flower and garden lovers.

“The Philadelphia International Flower Show brings both area residents and visitors from around the world into the heart of our great city,” says PHS President Drew Becher. “We hope to showcase all that Philadelphia has to offer and solidify the City of Brotherly Love’s position as a vibrant place to live and a premier destination for travelers from all walks of life.”

This year’s Flower Show will transport winter-weary guests to the romantic and stylish streets of Paris, through acres of remarkable gardens, cafes, parks and floral displays. Visitors first enter a stunning Parisian park filled with the scent of lilac, lavender and roses and thousands of tulips blooming beneath the glittering, 37-foot-high arch of the Eiffel Tower. A cadre of colorful topiary animals – including a peacock, unicorn, ostrich and butterfly – created by Valley Forge Flowers will sprout from the display and lead to the Carousel Stage. Here, the magical recreation of Paris continues with daily performances by French can-can dancers and cabaret singers, all under the ornate canopy of one of Paris’s iconic landmarks. Read the full story

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Follow Whipped Bakeshop on Twitter: @WhippedBakeShop

You might recall Fishtown’s Whipped Bakeshop—which we discovered last February. Since our article, Chef Zoe Lukas’ business has boomed with local brides, events, corporate parties and more. The bakeshop even has an Etsy store now.

Whipped Bakeshop is the first food-related biz that is launching AML’s new series: Food Bites! Food Bites is a brief—albeit yummy—look at a local biz that has caught our culinary curiosity. Businesses that have a strong social media presence with Facebook and Twitter will receive the highest consideration for Food Bites.

Food Bites will seek out special restaurants, menus, food-related events, businesses, chefs and more across the entire Delaware Valley.

As for Whipped Bakeshop, check out their scrumptious Valentine’s Day menu below. The shop is open Valentine’s Day: Monday 12pm-6pm. Be sure to stop by and snag some of their delicious delicacies for the sweetheart in your life!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of The Red Ball/ Photographer Paul Loftland

The Red Cross’s annual gala will feature Vin Diesel and over 40 restaurants.

The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Chapter will host its 11th Annual Red Ball, presented by ModSpace, on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park.

The modular space company ModSpace, headquartered in Berwyn, PA is this year’s title sponsor. This is the first time, in the 11 year history of the Red Ball, that the gala has had a title sponsor. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Nicole Miller

Brides-to-be looking for an incredible value—Don’t be late for the frenzy of bridal bliss at Nicole Miller in Manayunk!

On Friday, November 26th, 2010 Nicole Miller Philadelphia will be ready for marriage mayhem at 8AM during the 3RD ANNUAL WHITE FRIDAY at 4249 Main Street in Manayunk. The buzz worthy event is bringing out the bridezillas this Thanksgiving season with incredible discounts of 50-75% off and more offered for one day only on the designer’s exquisite bridal collection, with original prices ranging from $595.00-$3,000!

A multitude of styles in sizes 0-16 will be available for purchase to accommodate every bargain-hunting beauty. Who says you can’t find the perfect dress for less? Store owner Mary K. Dougherty agrees, “Our fabulous White Friday sale gives brides the chance to get the exclusive designer wedding gown they’ve always dreamed of for a fraction of the price, without having to sacrifice the superior quality and fit that Nicole Miller is known for.”

Don’t be late for the frenzy of bridal bliss! With eager brides-to-be lined up at the door, it is essential that shoppers arrive early to ensure they are able to beat the rush and get first choice on the discounted bridal, bridesmaid, and mother of the bride or groom dresses! The excitement will last until 8pm, with Nicole Miller bridal experts working with each bride to ensure every bride leaves feeling beautiful and confident with her purchase, as all sales are final.

Nicole Miller’s bridal collection embodies pure elegance while each style focuses on creating a streamlined and flattering silhouette. Since beginning her bridal collection in 1996, Nicole Miller has been able to deliver her bridal collections at affordable prices that are ideal for the budget-conscious fashionista. Brides do not want to miss out on this amazing opportunity to get the dress for less during our 3RD ANNUAL WHITE FRIDAY!

Nicole Miller’s Third Annual White Friday Sale

When: Friday, November 26th, 2010 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: 4249 Main Street (Manayunk) Philadelphia, PA 19127

Why: Offering local brides-to-be incredible discounts of 50-75% off and more for one day only on the designer’s exquisite bridal collection, with original prices ranging from $595.00-$3,000!

Event Partners: Art + Science, Bella Trattoria, Cresson Lot, DairyLand Ice Cream, Designs by Scottie, DJ Guiliano Presta, Main Line Models, Nell Hoving Photography, Starbucks Coffee

AML Publisher
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

The Bad Dog Ball, geared towards young professionals, will follow the fourth-annual Good Dog Gala.

Party animals and animal lovers across the Philadelphia region now have a late night celebration that is pet friendly—and for a great cause. The Pennsylvania SPCA will host their first-ever Bad Dog Ball, hosted by the Young Friends of the Pennsylvania SPCA, at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel on Saturday evening, November 6th. The fundraiser is a young professionals’ cocktail party that will double as the “after-party with attitude” for the more formal Good Dog Gala, which takes place at the Loews earlier in the evening.

The Ball will be held from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, a live DJ, raffles, dancing, a private VIP lounge and plenty of photo opportunities. Hosting the event as the Master of Ceremonies will be VH1’s Tough Love Host and Executive Producer, Steven Ward. He will invite guests to dance the night away to music orchestrated by DEL while enjoying an open bar sponsored in part by the Philadelphia Brewing Company, Pinnacle Vodka and Skinny Water.

“We have great expectations for our first-ever Bad Dog Ball,” says Sue Cosby, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “It is a fabulous opportunity for philanthropic professionals in our community to enjoy a night out while raising much-needed funds for the animals that rely on our services.” Read the full story

Photos by Courtney Apple Photography

Main Line Restaurant Week is Philadelphia’s largest suburban dining event!

It was most certainly a week of culinary delights to remember! 38 restaurants participated in the inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week, organized by AroundMainLine.com. This incredible celebration of the region’s finest chefs proved to be the most successful restaurant event to date in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Main Line Restaurant Week, which offered fixed price dinner menus for the entire week of September 27th through October 3rd, brought tens of thousands of locals out to support the western suburbs’ tastiest restaurants. “I’m so proud to have worked closely with so many of the area’s best restaurants. There has never been a dining event of this magnitude in the suburbs and I felt our area was long overdue. Many restaurants are reporting they had record weeks or were sold out several of the nights, so I know we have a good thing going here. I am thrilled everything turned out so well!” enthused Main Line Restaurant Week founder Sarah Lockard. Read the full story

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Saffron Indian Kitchen, a popular BYOB with locations in both Bala Cynywd and Ambler, has received a tremendous response for reservations for Main Line Restaurant Week starting September 27th.

It is the Philadelphia suburb’s largest dining event ever—Main Line Restaurant Week! Created and organized by AroundMainLine.com, a week of culinary delights awaits thousands of foodies across the western suburbs starting tomorrow night, September 27th and running through October 3rd, 2010.

I have been a huge fan of the Main Line and western suburb dining scene having grown up here. And, we have some of the best chefs in the region and the most successful restaurants right in our own backyard. To me, it was due time to bring Main Line Restaurant Week to life this fall. When I announced the launch in early May, the immediate and enthusiastic response from our 2,200 AroundMainLine.com Facebook fans proved that we were on our way to a very successful event.

Here’s how it works. Our restaurants offer a prix fixe, three course dinner menu for one of the four tiers: dinner for $15, $20, $30 or $40. In addition, starting Monday night September 27th, we will kick off the first of eight special events that are a part of Main Line Restaurant Week with a ‘Monday Night Meetup’ at The Desmond in Malvern! Read the full story

The Hamels Foundation exciting fundraiser will be held at Union Trust Steak House.

Photos courtesy of Union Trust Steak House

Diamonds and Denim, an inaugural event benefiting The Hamels Foundation, will take place Thursday, September 23rd at the Union Trust Steak House in Center City. Attendees will have the chance to experience an exceptional evening while raising money for the foundation founded by Phillies’s star Cole Hamels and his wife Heidi. Diamonds and Denim encourages guests to sport their best denim and high fashion, enjoy cocktails and appetizers, laugh with comedian Joe Conklin and bid on live auction items. “I am from Southern Missouri so I wanted to bring a bit of a fun, Southern feel to this event and get everyone excited about the concept. And Union Trust is such a fantastic location for a party,” explained Heidi Hamels.

Beginning in 2008, The Hamels Foundation has been dedicated to bringing an end to extreme poverty and hardship endured by lack of educational support. Read the full story