Shopping Spree

Fashion > Forward

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

Billed as a "knock-down, drag-out" event, the second Crafty Balboa market hails from South Philly, just like our fictional heavyweight hero. Reward your cubicle mate for her eternal forbearance with Melo Studios' (melostudios.com) soy candles in scents like blackberry sage and silver fir touched with vanilla. Or encourage your little brother to cover up that ratty mop of his with a stylishly slouchy hand-knit hat from Modern Virtue (modernvirtue.etsy.com). Sat., Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St., craftybalboa.com.

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This wholesaler of Japanese-designed accessories and housewares is setting up a 10-day pop-up shop featuring ecologically produced, fast-drying, supersoft Yoshii towels, split-toe tabi (Japanese socks) and handbags in vintage kimono prints. The most fashion-y female on your list will adore the clear bubble necklaces from Yako Yano Jewelry — very Prada via Tokyo. Fri.-Sun., Dec. 4-13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 429 N. 13th St., Suite 1A, morihata.com.

You could intensify your hatred for humanity by wading through Best Buy on Black Friday, or you could sip sparkling wine and practice rouging Maren Reese's infinitely adjustable drawstring scarves at Bus Stop. Score a hooded or drawstring warmer, and receive 15 percent off any pair of shoes or boots in the shop. An extra 5 percent discount goes to those sensible souls buying black and brown shoes. Fri., Nov. 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 750 S. Fourth St., 215-627-2357, busstopboutique.com.

Visit any one of Traveling Wares' bar-stops this season and you can sip the more democratic bubbles of beer and give the gift of ironic serenity with Flederhaus' (etsy.com/shop/flederhaus) anatomy-screened prayer flags. First bar-stop Sat., Dec. 5, 1-6 p.m., McGlinchey's, 259 S. 15th St., visit travelingwares.com for more locations.

(felicia.dambrosio@citypaper.net)