Erica Martena Murphy
Life in the Valley
Briana’s Boutique @ Five Twenty
Whether you’re 18-years-old and looking for a cocktail dress or a man pushing 50 and hoping to find an evening tie, Briana’s Boutique @ Five Twenty has something to accommodate your needs. Owners Darlene and Briana Yost from Cherry Hill, PA made it their goal to have trendy fashions at reasonable prices, and have grown to house styles for men and women of all ages. This mother-daughter effort began in July as a way to help pay for Briana’s schooling at the Fashion Institute of Technology, but is now a go-to business in Historic Bethlehem. Not only does the boutique offer clothing and accessories from California and New York, but it also has a salon too. Make an appointment to get your hair and make-up done and then browse through the boutique to find the perfect ensemble for a special night out.
520 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.625.5252
Mamapatrice
In the retail world today, quality clothes made in the USA are a rare find. But Patrice Mitchell is trying to change that with her Mamapatrice creations. Seven years ago, Mitchell started an online clothing business from the comfort of her own Nazareth home. Beginning on eBay Inc., Mitchell creates and sells complete outfits for 1-8-year-old girls. Her designs are whimsical with a touch of vintage and use rich colors and patterns. Mitchell sews all the pieces herself and puts originality and creativity into each one. Because of her background in photography, Mitchell conducts her own photo shoots, which allows her to showcase both the clothes and photography on her website. Her clothes can be purchased online or at her newest location, Milk and Honey Kids, a children’s clothing store that sells local brands.
patricemitchell.com
Milk and Honey Kids | 3900 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown
3303 Bath Pike, Suite 4, Bethlehem | milkandhoneykids.com
Riding Real
As the seasons turn and our busy lives shift back into gear, those sunny memories of biking through Louise B. Moore County Park and hiking through Trexler Game Preserve become distant memories. Instead of going into your usual Winter hibernation, try taking your love of exercise indoors. Multisport Fitness, located in Mt. Bethel and Bethlehem, is the newest indoor biking craze for exercise enthusiasts and completely unique in the Lehigh Valley. Using RealRyder stationary bikes, this workout method increases endurance and stamina, sculpts core muscles, tones and strengthens the body, and burns 20 percent more calories than traditional stationary bikes. The bikes’ ability to turn, tilt and lean will have you riding into Winter looking your best. Choose from several classes varying in duration and intensity, and adjust all to fit your needs. With its fun atmosphere and laser light shows, you’ll never want to hit those outdoor tracks again.
2016 S. Delaware Dr., Mt. Bethel | 3864 Courtney St. Suite 140, Bethlehem
610.417.1308 | MyMultiSportFitness.com
Did Someone Say Shopping?
What better way to spend that hard earned gambling cash than at a luxury outlet shopping center? The Shoppes at Sands, a 200,000 square foot mall, is the next phase and newest addition to the Sands Bethlehem Casino Resort. It will house more than 30 nationally known retailers, giving shoppers the ability to browse brand names at affordable prices. The first stores will open in November, but the grand opening is scheduled for President’s Day weekend in 2012. With the casino, hotel, and shopping mall, the resort is hoping to attract people from near-by metropolitan areas. It is 90 minutes from New York City and one hour from Philadelphia, making the Sands Bethlehem Casino Resort a major entertainment destination for the entire tri-state area.
PaSands.com