BK (What the Cool Kids Call Brooklyn)

I know I've proclaimed my love for Brooklyn many times but I really can't say it enough. I love Brooklyn. My favorite area is Williamsburg and I know that some people can't stand the place but it does something to me every time I'm there. It is an escape from the chaos and crowds of Manhattan. It's quiet, quaint and charming. There are the best shops and restaurants along Bedford Ave that I could spend an entire afternoon popping in and out of. Williamsburg is serene and has a sort of calming effect that soothes my soul. If magic was a feeling, it would feel like that. It is the perfect remedy to whatever ails you. In a bad mood? Go to Williamsburg. Need time to think? Definitely Williamsburg. Want to see the sky and maybe a tree? Obviously Williamsburg.

I went with my roomie a few weeks ago (her first time there! I had a hard time concealing my shock) and brought the real camera to practice using in manual mode. It was a gorgeous blue sky day, the sun was out and Spring was teasing us all afternoon. We browsed and walked and ate and fun was had by all.

j.

An Outfit

"Harry Potter" glasses {boutique in Toronto} - triangle design tank {Brooklyn Flea} - beige maxi skirt {Joe Fresh} - 

purse {vintage Dooney & Bourke} - bronze gladiator sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

These are some clothes I put on that one time in Toronto. Impressive, no? She knows how to get dressed!!! Give the girl a blog. Anyways, I know this is an old outfit and one that does not really match the current weather but despite it's simplicity I kinda liked it. So you get to see it. There's not many things I like more than shapes on a shirt...okay, maybe words on a shirt. I bought this tank at the Brooklyn Flea (my favorite place) during the summer. I went to the flea market last Sunday with a friend from school who'd never been before. I feel like such a champ when I bring people to it because they are always impressed and always love it. This has little to do with me and everything to do with the awesomeness that is Brooklyn and flea markets. But I still like to take credit for it.

j.

Peace & Feathers

Happy Weekend Friends! Hope you all had a good one. I spent mine browsing flea markets and thrift stores in search of a vintage (or "vintage-y" looking) chair for my room, eating way too many eggs benedict and going for a walk along the West Side Highway (to balance out the benedicts...).

feather peace sign tank {H&M} - black shawl {Jacob} - tan maxi skirt {Joe Fresh} -

striped flats {Report via Century 21} - sunnies {H&M}

I'm finding it funny that when I lived in Victoria - land of the hipsters - my style was very non-hipster and now that I live in NYC, many of my outfits seem to be morphing into almost-hipster. I'm not fully there yet, I don't own enough plaid, ankle jeans and loafers to be considered full hipster. I've got nothing on the cool cats who reside in Brooklyn, that's for sure. Kiki and I went to listen to a friend DJ in Brooklyn the other night and once we sat down, I looked around the bar and, I kid you not, it was a sea of stripes and plaid.

Anyways, all this rambling about pretend hipster style has got me thinking about the evolution of personal style. I think a person's style can evolve throughout their lifetime. I think that circumstances play a large role in how we dress. I can feel my style changing but I still think it's a bit scattered. I'm trying to hone it, day by day, but I know that it will continually change to some degree. And I'm okay with that.

j.

Pleasant Peasant

Things are getting a bit crazy around here. Only three weeks left of school. Which is the procrastinator's code for mental breakdown. So. Much. Homework. If I post a little bit less in the next couple weeks, this is why. My apologies in advance.

coral earrings, peasant blouse and nude heels {Kiki} - floral tank {Old Navy} -

dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - photo credit {Kiki}

A few pleasants, as of late:

•  Kiki and I are the proud renters of the sexiest two bedroom apartment Manhattan has to offer. Can an apartment really be sexy, you ask? My exposed brick wall and heated bathroom floor say YES!
• Helping a nice couple find their way on the subway. Then being told that they think New Yorkers are nice. Ha! I fooled them with my impressive subway skills (I use the term "impressive" loosely...).
• Tart frozen yogurt. With blackberries. The only thing better would've been raspberries, but I'll take what I can get.

And the Not So Pleasant:

•  The subway I instructed the nice couple mentioned above to get on deciding to become a different train altogether. Oh...umm, excuse me, this train is now headed to Brooklyn. No. Big. Deal. I did help them get turned around again since I also ended up in Brooklyn...
• Me, just straight up, getting on the subway headed in entirely the wrong direction. Oh, hello Brooklyn, again. I've missed you terribly, since yesterday.
• Waiting to hear about a summer internship. For two and a half weeks. I'm patient, I really am. Not so much.
• Jumping in heels. Ha. Ha. Ha. (And by jumping, I mean hardly getting one foot off the ground, let alone both at the same time).
• Being told, and I quote, that "I will die" in my new bedroom this summer if I don't have an A/C installed. Big ugly A/C that costs hundreds of dollars versus my certain death.....I may take my chances. Any wagers on how long I'll last?

 

That's about it for now, friends. Until next time...

j.

Brooklyn Blues

I have a confession to make. I have a huge crush. That's always on my mind. I am completely, 100% enamored. Pure lusting. Painfully longing. For Brooklyn. No, I do not mean some emo guy with a trendy name. I am in love with the largest borough NYC has to offer. I heart Brooklyn! I have only had the chance to explore three separate areas of Brooklyn and I love each of them. But Williamsburg had my heart the moment I exited the subway onto Bedford Ave. It is like an escape from the city. A glimpse into another world. A trendy, boho, hipster sort of world. Where everybody knows your name....wait that's Cheers not Brooklyn. Anyways, I digress. It feels homey, trendy, vibrant, quaint. Oddly reminiscent of the West Coast. Who knew beanies and plaid would make me nostalgic for the hipster scene of Victoria. Want to know what the best part of all is? You can see the sky! AND stars!!! Without having to crane your neck to look directly above you. It's magical, really.

navy & white checkered button-up {Banana Republic} - tan knit sweater {Sweet Romeo via Century 21} -

dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - striped canvas flats {Report via Century 21} -

bronze beaded cuff {NYC flea market} - royal blue cuff {Aldo} - blue cluster earrings {etsy} - sunnies {Vancouver vintage shop}

What sparked this little love affair with Williamsburg, you ask? My roomies and I went there on Sunday night to watch a friend of theirs play soccer. Long story short, certain beverages consumed the previous night resulted in some misinformation being relayed. Such as the name of the field they were playing at. We did watch a lovely British men's soccer team play for about half an hour until we realized that we did not actually recognize any of the players. Yep. We were three creepy girls just chilling on the sidelines at a completely random soccer match. And this is us awkwardly getting up and walking the very long distance back to the entrance to the field.

My roomie felt badly for dragging us to Brooklyn for a nonexistent soccer game. I, however, was too busy falling in love to care. In order to stay in Brooklyn for as long as possible and keep the spark alive, I suggested going for a tea. After consulting Yelp (you never let me down), we ended up at Saint's Alp Teahouse. An amazing bubble tea and Asian restaurant. A coconut milk tea with tapioca pearls and steamed dumplings later, it was official. Williamsburg and I are forever.

j.

Brooklyn Flea

I had the best Saturday. Once again I travelled over the bridge to the glorious streets of Brooklyn. This time the destination was Ft. Greene. And the task at hand was the Brooklyn Flea. I went with one of my roomies and a friend who also lives in our building. Before we get started here, I would like to take a moment to introduce you all to my new friend. She is the photographer extraordinaire for all of the below photos (except the small ones...yes, those are my instagrams - slightly obsessessed). Now, I asked her what she wanted her blog alter-ego to be and we have tentatively decided upon what I think is the best alter-ego yet, but she's still pondering (so stay tuned!). Since I like to give my friends some anonymity but still have their nicknames be somewhat relevant, I think hers is just perfect because it basically rhymes with her name. So, without further ado, please enjoy the photography of Sesame Shoe (who will be referred to as Sesame from here on out)!

The flea market is held in an old bank building. Spread out over three floors. The main floor, pictured above, was the most expensive and where we started so once we hit the basement the goodies just started falling into my hands. Below are a couple goodies that came home with me.

Of course, all that fleaing (making up words now) makes a girl hungry. So we consulted Yelp (saves my life on the daily) and found a sub place nearby with four and a half stars. City Subs, I do think you make the best subs on the planet. Obviously after a monster sandwich we still weren't satisfied, so over to Blue Sky Bakery for a chai tea latte and chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. That did it!

Next, who doesn't love posing in photos after stuffing their belly?

striped scarf {gift} - black & white striped tank {Karen by Karen Kane via Palm Desert Outlets} - scissors necklace {thrifted from AuH2O} -

beige striped cardigan & fuschia belt {Loft} - dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

It was so great to have a real person snapping my goofy mug instead of the trusty ol' tripod. We did encounter a rather curious bystander who probably thought I was famous crazy. She asked what we were taking photos of. I said my outfit. She accepted that, was quiet for a moment and then said, "but what are you going to do with the photos?". Explaining a fashion blog to middle-aged women never gets old. She wasn't mean, just genuinely curious...unlike the boat lady.

So, this fleaster (Real word. Saw it on their website. Self-defined as: person who excels at flea market shopping; flea market shopping extraordinaire) has a penchant for new baubles, so I may have walked away with two new necklaces, two rings, a pair of earrings and a vintage key. Oh yeah....and a pretty awesome blue and white striped blazer, a leather purse that matches my hair, a wallet that matches the purse and don't even get me started on $1.00 books. Best. Day. Ever.

I may have a slight problem....

j.