Photos courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography

It is ‘Mom's Night Out’ at The Gables at Chadds Ford-the perfect night for a group of local moms to wine and dine in style!

Moms in and around Delaware County…you deserve a girl’s night out! How about a fantastic treat at The Gables at Chadds Ford courtesy of AML starting Tuesday, February 7th?

Cool History

Wondering about this gorgeous property you have probably passed by dozens of times on Baltimore Pike? The Gables at Chadds Ford is situated on land that was originally part of a 138 acre land grant from William Penn to Brinton King. Around 1745, a pre-Revolutionary style house was built on the property. One of the first homes to be built in Pennsbury Township, the property operated as a working farm and quietly became part of the Brandywine Valley’s history. The route along Route One is well known to have housed numerous stops for the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. It has been suspected that the King house may have been one of these stops.

The house was renovated in the late 1800s by George C. King, son of Brinton King. He adopted the popular Victorian style by adding wrap around porches and twenty three gables. And, two of the four original chimneys from the pre-Revolutionary style home are still visible. In March of 2002, the house was placed on the National Historic Register.

Dates and Deets for Mom’s Night Out

So…AML and The Gables put our heads together and thought this is just about the perfect setting for a very fun series, Mom’s Night Out. Starting every other Tuesday, February 7th and running through Tuesday, April 17th, every group of four moms or more who dine at The Gables for dinner will receive a complimentary cheese platter and half off one glass of house wine each. It’s a guilt-free and very fun excuse for local moms to get together and hang out with friends at one of the western suburbs best restaurants! The dates for Mom’s Night Out are as follows:

Tuesday, February 7th
Tuesday, February 21st
Tuesday, March 6th
Tuesday, March 20th
Tuesday, April 3rd
Tuesday, April 17th

How to RSVP for The Gables Mom’s Night Out

Call into the Gables (610-388-7700) and be sure to tell the host/hostess that you are coming in for Mom’s Night Out with your group of four or more moms. Remember Mom’s Night Out is only available on the dates listed above. You can also check back on The Gables’ OpenTable page for a Mom’s Night Out code to make an online reservation.

Be Social with The Gables at Chadds Ford

Join The Gables on Facebook
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About The Gables at Chadds Ford

The Gables at Chadds Ford is located at 423 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford, PA. Visit their website: thegablesatchaddsford.com. To make reservations for a group of four or more for Mom’s Night Out call 610-388-7700.

Photos courtesy of ME Photo & Design LLC

ME Photo & Design LLC is a boutique photography and design studio specializing in creative portraiture, documentary wedding photography and eclectic art.

One of the great privileges AML presents is the opportunity to connect with the region’s top local photographers. And over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a very talented photographer—Meagan Ebersole. Meagan is the owner of ME Photo & Design and this Friday is opening a brand new studio space in downtown Media. And, you are all invited!

Please join us for a very special evening on Friday, January 6th from 6pm to 9pm as ME Photo & Design Studio celebrates their brand new location with a Grand Opening Night Party! ME Photo & Design Studio is located at 16 South Orange Street in Media.

Sponsored by AroundMainLine.com, guests will have fun checking out the cool new retail location while mingling and meeting with local business owners and friends. Enjoy wine and light tapas to munch on while browsing ME’s photography display and the collection of handmade art.

One of the highlights of the evening is centered on a very special dessert table. Delaware’s famous Desserts by Dana will be catering the party with their award winning desserts and pastries-yum alert! Chef Dana Herbert is the winner of TLC’s hit show Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker, which premiered in December 2010. Known to his fans in Delaware and throughout the country as “The Sugar Daddy,” Herbert also was invited to work in Hoboken with the Cake Boss’s Buddy Valastro and can be seen on some episodes of TLC’s Cake Boss.

In addition at ME, there will be lots of door prizes to win from local businesses—including a complimentary social media consultation session with AroundMainLine.com! ME Photo & Design will also be offering a $50 print credit towards any sessions booked that night.

The new studio will also showcase a variety of fine art and handmade gifts for all seasons and occasions!

Join the growing AML family this Friday for this wonderful evening and celebration of our friends from ME Photo.

Be Social with ME Photo and Design

Facebook: Join ME Photo and Design on Facebook.
Twitter: Follow ME Photo and Design on Twitter.

Photos courtesy of Weld Photography

Positively preppy and casually cool, Ella's bar is the absolute perfect setting for the sophisticated Wednesday Night Whinos' Winter Soiree January 11th.

Wednesday Night Whinos, AroundMainLine.com’s popular ladies social club, will host a fun winter social on Wednesday, January 11th at the Main Line’s hottest new restaurant—Wayne’s Ella’s American Bistro! All local ladies are invited to join us in the positively preppy and casually cool bar for complimentary cuisine, terrific conversation and lots of fantastic networking from 6pm to 8pm. A cash bar will be available as well.

About Ella’s

Ella’s American Bistro opened with much Main Line aplomb on Monday, December 19th and has a palpable buzz already thanks to the culinary talents of Executive Chef Matt Schuler. Ella’s is an upscale casual restaurant with the focus on a local farm-to-table dining concept. Schuler, a Lancaster County native, has noticeable influences of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine in his classic, comfort food-inspired menu.

Party Attire

As with all Whinos, business casual attire is highly recommended as we gather to meet and network with the region’s top businesswomen and great gals. RSVP is not required—we always welcome walk-ins to Whinos—but it does greatly help us to plan accordingly with our good friends at Ella’s.

Event Sponsor and Swag Bags

Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon is the official sponsor of Wednesday Night Whinos’ Winter Soiree at Ella’s American Bistro. One VERY lucky Whino will win a $250 gift certificate to pamper herself (and perhaps a friend) at the popular Joseph Anthony Spa! Simply bring your business card with your email address to drop in our raffle bowl or sign in at the table in the bar with Whinos founder Sarah Lockard.

In addition, the first 30 Whinos who attend will receive incredible swag bags also sponsored by Joseph Anthony with fantastic prizes from AML clients. There will also be FIVE VIP SUPER bags for our top Whinos who have continually shown their fantastic support over the past year!

Wednesday Night Whinos is open to all local women 21 and over, there are no membership fees or obligation. It is free to attend always! Our philosophy is always ‘The more Whinos, the merrier!’

Click here to RSVP to Wednesday Night Whinos at Ella’s American Bistro on Facebook! Or kindly send us an email to let us know you will be attending: rsvp@aroundmainline.com

Be Social with Ella’s American Bistro

Become a Fan of their Facebook page

Be Social with Wednesday Night Whinos

Become a Fan of our Facebook page

Follow us on Twitter: @WedNightWhinos

About Ella’s American Bistro

Ella’s American Bistro is located at 214 Sugartown Road in Wayne (across from Club La Maison gym). To make reservations call 610-964-3552.

BY AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Krista Patton Photography

Click here to view a photo gallery of The Little Apple on Facebook.

Shop owner Molly Cygan in her beautifully restored Manayunk boutique, The Little Apple.

Wednesday Night Whinos is headed to our favorite and chicest shop in Manayunk, The Little Apple, for a fabulous fall gal’s night out of shopping and networking on Wednesday evening, November 3rd.

Entrepreneur and Southern California native Molly Cygan opened The Little Apple boutique in February with an ‘Etsy-meets-Anthropologie’ feel to the charming, and now popular, shop. Cygan, a 2006 Berkeley grad who boasts an art history degree, was inspired years ago by her boarding school days at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. “The seeds were definitely planted when I was at boarding school at Exeter. Here we were-lots of young kids in a small town with disposable cash—but nowhere to spend it. I was determined when I went back for my five year reunion (at Exeter) to start looking into opening a little boutique. And, of course, when I returned the downtown was packed with great shops-so clearly a few other people had the same idea! So, I kind of gave it up at that time but still wanted to pursue opening my own shop when the time was just right,” explained Cygan.

In a case of six degrees of seperation, Cygan was a classmate of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during her Exeter days.

Cygan finds preppy, vintage accents at weekend flea market jaunts around the Main Line and in NYC.

AroundMainLine.com’s booming Main Line and local ladies social club, Whinos has no membership fee or obligations and is open to all women 21 and over. One lucky Whino will win a $50 gift card to The Little Apple as we will have a surprise raffle between 6pm and 8pm during the November 3rd party. The winner must be present to claim the prize so be sure to stay for a chance to win.

In addition, the night promises to be a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of special store discounts and shop for holiday hostess gifts, Thanksgiving accents, stocking stuffers and more. Food and wine and guaranteed fun as Wednesday Night Whinos gears up for the holiday season. And, as always, ladies only—No BOYS ALLOWED!

Wednesday Night Whinos at Manayunk’s The Little Apple

When: Wednesday, November 3rd, 6pm-8pm

Where: The Little Apple Boutique, 4353 Main Street, Manayunk

What: AML’s popular ladies social club hosts a holiday shopping event.

Fare: Complimentary cocktails and catered cuisine await our wonderful Whinos.

Discounts: Fabulous discounts for the entire Whinos cocktail party will make for the perfect opportunity to get a jump start on all your holiday shopping.

RSVP: Click here to RSVP on Facebook and share with girlfriends!

Profile: Read our profile on The Little Apple on AroundMainLine.com.

Wednesday Night Whinos brings dozens of local women to your local business in a dynamic and fun fashion. Want to host a Whinos at your restaurant or boutique? Contact us for details today. Whinos events are growing in popularity and availability for 2011 is already very limited. Please note Whinos are booked/reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography
Click here for an online tour of the Little Apple on Facebook

A fresh face on Manayunk’s Main Street, Molly Cygan’s The Little Apple

A little piece of the O.C. has landed on Manayunk’s Main Street! Entrepreneur and Southern California native Molly Cygan opened The Little Apple boutique in February with an Etsy meets Anthropologie feel to the charming, and now popular, shop. Cygan, a 2006 Berkeley grad who boasts an art history degree, was inspired years ago by her boarding school days at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. “The seeds were definitely planted when I was at boarding school at Exeter. Here we were-lots of young kids in a small town with disposable cash—but nowhere to spend it. I was determined when I went back for my five year reunion (at Exeter) to start looking into opening a little boutique. And, of course, when I returned the downtown was packed with great shops-so clearly a few other people had the same idea! So, I kind of gave it up at that time but still wanted to pursue opening my own shop when the time was just right,” explained Cygan.

That time came last fall. After Berkeley, Cygan lived in New York City briefly before moving to Philadelphia this past October with her fiancé, who is in medical school at Drexel. (They will be tying the knot at her parent’s house in Cal July 3rd.) It was then that she started to rethink the idea of her own storefront. “I started to check out some spaces around the city and nothing seemed to be a fit. Then, some of my fiancé’s friends suggested that I look into Manayunk and that’s when I found this space on Craig’s List. It needed some serious TLC but I could see the potential,” said Cygan. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

The perfect pony party!

Like any busy mom, Linda H. was late getting started on the logistics of her daughter Lily’s third birthday party. So, in a time crunch, she went to the best source of inspiration: her child. “I asked Lily one afternoon what type of birthday party she would like and she did not hesitate for a second. She turned to me and said, ‘A pony party Mommy!’ Then of course that set the stage and that is really all I needed for my creative juices to start flowing,” recalled Linda. “I think she picked ponies because we are zoo addicts, and she loves to ride the ponies there. Lily picked the color too…I showed her three horses to choose from and she picked the brown pony. Alas, pink and brown became her colors for the day!”

Linda, a Penn Valley native and Notre Dame Academy grad, moved back to the area after over two years in Montana with husband Kevin-whom she met there. Lily was born in Big Sky, a gorgeous albeit less populated place Linda and Kevin, a Mississippi native, were accustomed too. “Montana was amazingly beautiful, but we had to drive baby Lily an hour each way just to go to the pediatrician…we knew it was time to come back to the east coast,” she explained.
Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Bryn Mawr’s Verdad was the sophisticated setting for Wednesday Night Whinos’ successful launch party.

AroundMainLine.com kicked off an exciting new ladies social club, Wednesday Night Whinos, at Bryn Mawr’s Verdad on the evening of March 3rd! Over 40 ladies from our AML Facebook fan page and Twitter group came out to Verdad to connect and celebrate the launch of Whinos, enjoy wonderful tapas food and Spanish wine and win fantastic prizes.

Verdad head chef Nick Farina, formerly of Bryn Mawr’s Blush, is a good friend of the AML family. In October of 2008, AML hosted our emagazine’s launch party at Blush and have been working with Farina ever since. Verdad proved the perfect central location for the Whinos kickoff party with delicious tapas food served all night long in the bar area. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of Katie Reim/Cultivar

Cultivar hairpieces and bouquets are ideal for brides, bridal parties or the Main Line fashionista who wants to embrace her inner Coco Chanel. Photo courtesy of Mary Kate Timbers (kateslens.com)

Katie Reim came about the idea of using recyclable materials for hair pins and Victoriana headpieces in February 2009 while recovering from brain surgery. One year later, Reim has a clean bill of health and a successful Etsy shop. Reim is also a local artist with a line of perfectly charming illustrations of some of the Delaware Valley’s most beloved landmarks and events. I chose Cultivar, Reim’s booming accessory business on Etsy, as party of AML’s ongoing series, Etsy Phavorites. Her gorgeous clips, headbands and pins are irrestible and so SJP, I knew my AML gals will appreciate the selection!

Each piece of the Cultivar collection is constructed by hand using cleaned, recycled fabrics (mostly acquired at a Philadelphia Salvation Army) and buttons, in addition to new and reclaimed beads. Want to check out the designs in person? Look for Cultivar pieces at Manayunk’s new chic boutique, The Little Apple. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Shop photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
Cupcakes Gourmet photo courtesy of Cupcakes Gourmet

Whinos in Wayne is almost here! What to expect? An amazing night of networking at Beethoven Wraps with prizes, fab food and new friends, great shopping and tons of fun!

Wednesday Night Whinos, AML’s official Main Line ladies social club, is hosting its second event in downtown Wayne! Whinos’ April 14th evening of fun and networking will be at the popular Wayne boutique, Beethoven Wraps. For more than a decade, Wraps owner Donna Martella has offered Main Liners unique gifts and distinctive, customized gift baskets for some of the region’s most prestigious corporations. Martella’s shop is named after a beloved stuffed animal her son, Artie, now sixteen, carried around as a toddler—during the time of the popular children’s movie Beethoven.

The shop carries select table top gifts and dinnerware ideal for hostess, welcome and wedding gifts. Several popular lines include Lilly Pulitzer stationery, candles and accessories; elegant stainless serveware and flatware by Mariposa; Thymes bath, body and home products; Spartina handbags; Robeez children’s shoes and more. In addition, Beethoven Wraps has an extensive selection of gourmet foods and Souderton’s Asher’s chocolates. “I think we have something for everyone in here. We can really help our customers find a great gift for a hostess or birthday party and then customize it in a fun way with our wrapping. Every gift should have a personal touch—so we always work with that customer to find creative ways to put a present together. For my corporate clients and their gift baskets, we are really an extension of that company’s marketing and image. Presentation is really important. So, we will work with them to make the basket a collaboration of their ideas and logo and something remembered,” explained Martella. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos Courtesy of High Street Market

Fly Like an Eagle
From Robson’s personal collection, an extra large 48" vintage cast metal wall eagle, $125

Interior designer Kelly Galvin Robson has a love of everything vintage. Her prolific Etsy site is brimming with irresistibly preppy, distinguished home accents-from an old set of German framed bird prints to cocktail glasses, Vera linens, milk glass, a vintage large brass horse head door knocker, McCoy pottery and more. If you are a fan of the AMC series Mad Men (the Golden-Globe winning series which depicts the lives of a group of Madison Avenue advertising executives in the ‘60s) then you will fall in love with High Street Market’s uber-chic retro collection. “I love the Philadelphia area, and I just love the creativity here among the design community. When I worked for a very high profile interior design firm in L.A., our clients always challenged us to find these amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces. They were not interested in hiring us for a living room that ended up filled with mass produced items. Every day there was the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of discovering special items for their home,” explained Robson.

But, Robson, an Orange County native, found the scarce amount of L.A. flea markets impossible to source regularly for those perfect vintage treasures. So when she and her husband moved to Bucks County a little over a year ago, she was thrilled. “I love how easily I can go to a bunch of flea markets and antique stores in one afternoon here. It was not that convenient in L.A., they were not that prolific and just working through the traffic was nuts! The Philadelphia suburbs are a treasure trove for me as a designer.”
Read the full story