I anticipate the month of September in much the same way that I anticipated going to summer camp when I was growing up. Whenever I saw photos taken at camp from the year before, it proved how much experience one can pack into a relatively short period of time, and how much I had changed since the previous year. That feeling of “going back to school” has never left me, despite the fact that I completed my formal education a decade ago.
September is a good time to make sure your favorite gel pens still work, to organize your desk once and for all, or to recommit to packing a lunch every day. I find comfort in the rituals of
September: a time to refresh your wardrobe, to feel loved when you pull a handmade baked good from your lunch bag and the excitement of learning a new subject and actively participating in your own self-improvement. Maybe these creative and passionate locals will help you reconnect with the best parts of my favorite month, like they do me?
OpShopWear by MandyElizabeth and Rachel Amos
They met in the ninth grade at William Allen High School and now, nearly 30 years old, Mandy Elizabeth and Rachel Amos are best friends on a mission to celebrate confidence and their artistic visions through street style wardrobes and photography they've dubbed OpShopWear.
OpShop is short for “Opportunity Shopping” which describes how the duo acquires the pieces for their looks. It's not solely thrifting, and not solely flea market rummaging or sample sale scores. It is all of those, to be sure, in addition to using coupons at designer stores or just getting really lucky at a clearance rack. This blend of old and new, of high fashion and repurposed mass production pieces, is what gives the OpShop girls their signature looks.
Although OpShop outfits have a very recognizable aesthetic, you would have a hard time trying to pin down just one style influence. “It's hard for me to limit myself to a single description of my style, like classic or bohemian or even vintage revival, because what I wear each day is usually a representation of my mood—so watch out if I'm wearing all black,” Mandy jokes.
If you want to update your wardrobe, but don't have a lot to spend, they have mastered the art of finding the best deals every week throughout the Lehigh Valley and they are willing to share them with you.
“Wednesday is a great day to get in some retail therapy at some of our favorite places. The Salvation Army on Mickley Road in Whitehall does a family day promotion in which almost all items are half-off. American Family Service Thrift Store on MacArthur Road in Allentown has what they call a ‘3-for-1 Wednesday,'—if you have three items with the same color tag, you only pay for the most expensive item,” the OpShop experts explain.
“We adore Goodwill stores and have been finding a ton of ‘brand-new with tag' (NWT) items from Target. One of the places we enjoy the most for so many different reasons is The Attic in Bethlehem on Main Street. They buy, sell and trade and are particular about the condition of items they accept. It's nice to know you won't end up falling in love with something with a broken zipper or a spaghetti stain. They get new inventory in all the time, so any day of the week is a good time to stop in.”
OpShopWear is currently on social media with plans to expand to include a website. Currently, their outfits aren't for sale, but they are meant to inspire and spark their fans' creativity (although, they have big dreams, and a future store is not out of the question). For them, personal style is about self-expression and confidence. Amos says, “Confidence in my style definitely helps me feel confident as a person overall! I'm the only one that I need approval from when it comes to my style.”
Personal style is a form of self-expression; and it's about how you choose to show up and be seen by others. With OpShopWear, it's also about budgeting, friendship and outwardly expressing your inner spark. When you look good, you feel good.
Sweet Doe Bakery by Sarah Ricker
With a love of baking and a personal desire to promote savory and sweet vegan baked goods, Sarah Ricker forged ahead to turn her kitchen hobby into a full-fledged business. Sweet Doe Bakery was born from a desire to create unique, small-batch cupcakes, cookies and doughnuts that are always vegan and, often enough, gluten-free.
But if accessibility to sweet treats for those with diet restrictions doesn't particularly interest you, trust me—the flavors will. My reco: try the cherry streusel doughnuts and Mayan chocolate cupcakes with cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne pepper as a dessert after a savory veggie chili dinner. Samoa doughnuts—yes, imagine the Girl Scout cookie in doughnut form.
There's the Queen Bee cupcake, which is vanilla cake filled with apricot preserves, topped with lavender buttercream frosting and a dollop of bee-free “honee” (a honey-like sweetener made from apples).
Other doughnuts, like the Earl Grey made with tea, cardamom and vanilla glaze topped with a fresh blackberry, deserve a try, as well as the Matcha green tea doughnuts garnished with dried edible rose petals. There's even one that incorporates the bacon trend with a maple pecan glaze and a seitan “bacon” crumble (all vegan!).
When a single treat isn't enough, Sweet Doe offers huge, cake-sized 8-inch doughnuts to slice and share among friends. “They're perfect for parties, or when life is stressful and you need to eat your feelings,” Ricker muses.
Mixing creative flavor profiles with a knack for vegan and allergy-friendly baking means Sweet Doe goodies can be shared with everyone in the lunchroom or classroom. While she has plans to expand, Sweet Doe Bakery currently takes custom orders only.
facebook.com/sweetdoeveganbakerysweetdoebakeryx@gmail.com
Crunchy Potato and Carrot Crisps with Vegan Sriracha Ranch
(vegan. gluten-free. soy-free.)
This is an earthy, light snack with a rustic-pretty presentation, but couldn't be easier to make using such simple main ingredients. This is a perfect way to use leftover potato or carrot peels from other recipes. Pesticide-free veggies are preferable since you'll be eating the skins, and are easy to find at one of the Lehigh Valley's many farmers' markets. Multi-colored carrots make a colorful pop.
Crunchy Veggie Crisps
4-8 russet potatoes (preferably organic)4-8 large carrots (preferably organic)2 teaspoons olive oil1 1/2 teaspoons saltRanch Sauce1/2 cup raw unsalted cashews1/4 cup water2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegarJuice of half a lemon2 Tablespoons agave nectar2 cloves of garlic1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon dried basil1/2 teaspoon salt3-4 Tablespoons sriracha sauce
Preheat oven to 350°F. Using a hand-held peeler, peel the skins off the potatoes in long pieces. Put them in a small bowl with olive oil and salt; toss to coat lightly. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and put the potato skins in an even layer on the tray. Do the same for the carrots, but peel and shred the whole carrot. Bake carrots and potatoes on separate trays as cooking times may vary. Bake for 15-25 minutes or until brown and crisp. Allow to cool thoroughly. Veggies will get crispier as they cool.
To make the sauce, blend all ingredients in a blender for a minute or more, until very smooth. Sauce will keep for a few days in the fridge in a sealed container, and water can be added if it gets too thick.
Education is ongoing!
Try some of these unique noncredit courses, classes and workshops held in businesses and creative spaces all over the Lehigh Valley:
Starting an Etsy Business
If you're a talented crafter or artist, learn how to make money by selling your wares on Etsy, the hugely popular art and craft retail site with pages managed and run entirely by the makers. This series of classes can be taken consecutively or individually. Learn how to photograph your wares for optimal online shopping, and how to write descriptions to increase sales and boost search engine results.
Beer Brewing Classes
If you've drunk enough of it, you've probably wondered if you could brew it. Keystone Brewing Supply, a business dedicated to providing supplies to home brewers from novices to seasoned brew masters, offers classes that cover a range of skill levels. Start with an intro class or jump right in to their All-Grain Brewing class, which it touted, “Will give you the ultimate level of flexibility and control over the characteristics and quality of your beer.” Cheers to that!
Home Ec
Shibori is a Japanese fabric-dying technique using indigo, and the results look like a more intentional and symmetrical tie-dye of deep bluish-purple dye and white negative space. This is one of the most popular of all the Home Ec classes held at Mercantile Home, and 101- and 201-level classes are also held on location in their downtown Easton retail space.
Get Inspired
If you've ever felt like you could conquer the world after losing an afternoon to watching those celebrated TED Talks online, you'll be interested in the “ideas worth spreading” from game-
changers and awe-inspiring professionals right here in the Lehigh Valley. TEDx Lehigh River annually features a juried selection of speakers
who follow the TED format of informative and entertaining talks meant to uplift, connect and inspire. The next event will be held on September 19, 2015, in Allentown. While this one is by invitation only, each talk is taped and will be available online at a later date.
@calderonphoto
@calderonphotoName:
Marco Calderon
Location:
Allentown
Camera Used:
Mostly my phone, some digital, analogue and some instant images.
Day Job:
Photographer
Passion Project:
I do a bit of work for non-profit organizations and I am committed to community collaboration. My personal projects include a series of environmental portraits, fellow immigrants, youth boxers and small business owners. Currently, I am starting a series of images of youth gospel singers in Allentown using a medium format camera.
Where can we find your work?
Various local art shows and on my website: calderonphoto.com
What do you most love to photograph?
Where do you find inspiration? I've always been inspired by portraiture photographers. For example, Alec Soth or Chris Buck. I love shots that capture real people with real emotions. Usually after combining both realities you can find characters that tell a story in one single frame. Therefore, typically you will find me taking pictures of people.
What's your favorite thing about the Lehigh Valley?
I enjoy being immersed in diversity, access to the arts and social events. I did not grow up here, in this country. Therefore, I see life through different built-in cultural lenses. I enjoy meeting people through my camera. I like people, their faces and the stories they tell without speaking. I think that the Lehigh Valley is building a new collective memory; in the future, I want to be part of that memory, waiting to be brought forward at any point.
