Apothecary Guru Review of "Harry's" Truman Shave Set

This kit (+ coupon for four free blades)
available at Pickwick's Mercantile for $22
Image from Fast Company

Pickwick's Perfumery Guru

Using a Harry’s razor is like using a paint brush to shave your face. The grip folds into your hand perfectly, and only the lightest amount of pressure is needed to achieve a perfectly close shave. The cartridge head is angled to make short, painless work of navigating the tricky curves around the neck, and even managing those awkward spots under the nose.

The shaving cream is thick, rich and loaded with good stuff like coconut oil. Your face should be baby smooth and hydrated for the entire day after a single use. Just remember to rinse the blade well as you shave.

So guys – forget the drive to the drugstore and try the Harry’s line. You can order more cartridges online at Harrys.com. They will be delivered to your doorstep as part of their subscription plan, based on your individual shaving needs (i.e. everyday smooth, sometimes smooth, and Viking bearded warrior style.)  

Fabulous Allen and Gerritsen interview

with Jeff Raider, Harry's co-founder

Fashion's Night Out

Last Thursday, the city gave off one final light and laughter filled bloom as the summer season drew to a close. The businesses of downtown came together and each presented their fiercest and finest for the fourth annual Portsmouth's Fashion's Night Out! From Flower Kiosk to Puttin' on the Glitz and Club Boutique/City Shoes to the double-threat neighbors of Concetta's Closet and Hazel, so many businesses stepped out and represented, flocks of lovely models pounding the pavement from five to eight and the runway at the Hilton Garden Inn from nine to ten. There were custom cocktails, fabulous music, a tap-snap booth for the delighted passerby and, of course, no shortage of fabulous outfits.

Sorry, the only pieces in my outfit that are for sale are the gorgeous bracelet ($75) and over-sized locket ($110), made in Paris. Still, someone had to bring the Pickwick's black and white stripe!

These crinolines are such a fail-safe knockout that we featured them twice. I call this gorgeous petite duo "Sister Light, Sister Dark". Adelaide, the graveyard lovely on the left, is wearing a Vollers corset ($110 at Lady Pickwick's), made in America crinoline ($64 at Lady Pickwick's), Fortuneteller lipstick ($24 at Lady Pickwick's) and a handmade gravestone t-shirt made by Kittery artist Andy Ritzo, with a shading of a stone from Portsmouth's famed Point of Graves. The darling Ariel to her right is channeling a young Carrie Bradshaw with her youthful Jean Queen lip ($20 at Lady Pickwick's), pink crinoline, chambray shirt, and multicolor white boned fan.

Gigi brought the street style sweetness in a kimono inspired dress (currently 30% off at Lady), kitty-cat wedge heels which you may remember from THIS blog post, a Brigitte Bardot approved silk hairband ($28 at Lady), and lacey peach earrings ($18 at Lady).

 We had so much fun mingling with all of the beautiful models from other shops, such graceful and sweet ladies, and lairds in the case of Celtic's Crossing tartan swathed congregation!

Flower Kiosk's gorgeous handmade "living" dresses

Lady Luck Burlesque representing for Puttin' on the Glitz

Bonny lairds
Rick Dumont Photography (Shop Portsmouth facebook)

Post by Concetta's Closet.

From the Concetta's Closet facebook page

A big thank you to all of the participating stores and fabulous photographers, to Shop Portsmouth and the Chamber and to every sweet face that jumped in to join our parade of chic! Happy Autumn- I'm glad we've greeted it in style. If you'd like to read further, Seacoast Online did a great article covering the event!

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See something you love, but can't come in to get it yourself?

Send an e-mail to thistlejones@gmail.com!

We'll send it right to your doorstep!

Best of Northshore Magazine Soiree

Northshore Magazine is an excellent publication that brings attention to the best places to dine, things to do, and places to shop on Boston's hopping North Shore. They use beautiful photography and excellent articles to spotlight deserving businesses and events, which are so essential to the cultural flavor of New England as a whole. While the magazine is a year round pursuit, there is a best issue to get the top flavor for the North Shore. For the "Best of Northshore Magazine" annual edition, the people are allowed to vote for the top businesses in the region and when the votes are in, the results are gathered and celebrated in the July issue. The excitement doesn't stop there, though. In August, Northshore Magazine hosted a fabulous evening of dining, dancing, and general good fun, catered by the winners of the food categories (Lexie's of Newburyport, but from Portsmouth originally! Represent!) at the Misselwood Estate in Beverly, MA.

Of course, Pickwick's had to bring some garden party style to the event and I was all dolled up in Lady Pickwick's goodness.

Besame Red Velvet: $20 at Pickwick's Mercantile

I wore my favorite lipstick- Besame's Velvet Red, so that I could eat everything in sight without having to worry about a touch-up and my favorite Pickwick's jewelry line in my ears. Made in Paris, these earrings are only $48 and come in a range of shapes, colors, sizes, and styles- all more lovely than the last. It was hard to choose, but one must always consider the eyes, I suppose!

Innouitoosh: $130 at Lady Pickwick's
Yestadt Millinery: 30% off at Lady Pickwick's

Hats are coming back, slowly but surely, and I intend to be part of that style revolution. The Innouitoosh wool scarf made both a lovely shawl, with its horse and carriage print spread out, and an effective belt for a dress designed to drape goddess style. I love the colors of this particular one, they are perfect for fall and winter, bunched at the throat with a brown coat, or complimenting a chambray shirt in September. 

There were cupcakes, sliders, lobster rolls, a candy bar, and a showing from the boogie-inducing Felix Brown Band. The energy was high and the room was full of beautiful people out in their best attire, coming together to celebrate over the bounty of great culture and business in the North Shore. Even when the rain began to fall, the energy remained high and the drops caught the matrices of amber light that wove through the bramble and thicket lining the event.

Boci (Made in Italy) Dress: $130 at Lady Pickwick's

We Dream in Colour Glass Bracelet: $150 at Pickwick's Mercantile

Deco Inspired Rose Gold Necklace: $28 at Pickwick's Mercantile

Over-all it was a lovely evening. I certainly indulged in my share of sweets and was exposed to so many wonderful businesses that I may not have otherwise known of. I'm so grateful that we neighbor on such an energetic and fabulous region, with so much to offer in every arena and I'm grateful that Northshore Magazine brings attention to it. And not for nothing, it was nice to dress up in a real summer outfit for perhaps one final time for the season. I hope you're all stretching your sunny prints and bare legs. It will be time to cover them up soon enough. Thank you, Northshore Magazine for giving me the opportunity to do the same!