On The DL

Lord Whimsy

by Lauren Fleming

Wed., March 25, 6-8 p.m., free, The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop, 713 N. Fourth St., 267-639-2442, therandomtearoom.com

Lord Breaulove Swells Whimsy calls himself a witch doctor in a bespoke suit and tie. But as the eloquent writer of The Affected Provincial's Companion (Bloomsbury USA, $14.95), he has clearly read up on more than just spells and potions. His book, as well as his blog The Affected Provincial's Almanack: A Journal of Aesthetic Ecologies, Microluxury and Other Pretentious Twaddle, contain his well-educated thoughts on nature, photography, fashion and whatever else strikes his fancy.

"I simply report on whatever I'm excited about, really," he says. "One day I'll post a photo of a rare orchid I found in a remote part of the Pine Barrens, and the next I'll post about an interesting example of modern architecture in Polynesia."

Known as Allen Crawford to those who know him best, Lord Whimsy was born, raised and entertained in South Jersey, and got his start writing for the currently defunct Philadelphia Independent. Now he's headed for the big time — Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, has optioned his book for a film. That doesn't mean he plans on joining The Roots and leaving his hometown for fame, though. He hopes that his reading at The Random Tea Room will blossom into an event series, in which he'll explore his curiosities about the natural world with others.

Thank goodness for that — because where would Philly be without its prince?