Don't Leave Home Without It: Peek Into Philly Shop Owners' Summer Suitcases

From sunscreen and sunglasses to popsicles and personal effects, Philly's hottest names in retail and design reveal their must-pack summer essentials.

See what they'll be bringing along with them to this season's warm weather weekend getaways, and learn what the boutiques recommend you purchase this summer via the stores' "Shop Picks."

Shop Pick from Sonia Grasse, shop buyer for Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction : Phosphorescence Sunglasses ($250), which are handmade and shield eyes from 99% of UV rays.
Grasse's Summer Travel Must-Have: MCMC roll-on perfumes

Sustainable Terrariums
Thu., May 26, 6 p.m., free, Art in the Age, 116 N. Third St.

Once you've polished off the last delicious drop of ROOT, it's hard to say goodbye to that bottle — it's just so damn pretty. Art in the Age — purveyors of the aforementioned bespoke liqueur and its gingerbready sister, SNAP — has concocted a clever means to keep those ROOT remnants around without turning your living room into a bottle-lined frat house. Dave Seator and Louis Cook encourage Earth-friendly artistry with their Sustainable Terrariums workshop, in which they'll teach reduce/reuse/recyclers how to make tiny ecosystems inside those aesthetically pleasing empties.
Thu., May 26, 6 p.m., free (RSVP to daniel@artintheage.com), Art in the Age, 116 N. Third St., 215-922-2600, artintheage.com, daveseator.com.

Art In The Age Of ~ is having a Terrarium Making Workshop to recycle Root + Snap liquor bottles! (Sadly, event is only in Philly!)

The Round Up

Beach Gear Bingo
Bum at the beach like a pro

Bag 'n' Noun Reverse Tote
Available at: artintheage.com
Price: $150
Seen: Summer 2011

Tellason Denim

AITA’s stocking these uber-limited (200 pairs total), Joe Strummer-inspired, made-just-about-everywhere straight-leggers, which employ indigo selvedge denim loomed in NC and get stitched in SF before getting hit with a label stamped on a swath of leather from Portland, OR’s Tanner Goods, even though most would argue that Aunt Becky was “great” and Danny was “kinda the worst”.

And the consensus is that Stephanie was "more interesting when she was on meth". Anyway, these things ain't gonna hang around long, so pick 'em up at AITA's brick and mortar, or read more about them on their blog.

The Feast/Shop's Guide to the Weekend
Sustaining Spring Opening Reception at Art in the Age; 116 N 3rd St, Philadelphia
Friday, May 6; 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Old City boutique will host the opening reception for the group exhibition of six Philadelphia artists. Each artist and craftsperson draws inspiration from environmental sources.  This exhibit will run through May 29.