Handy Candy Item: Laptop Bag by Built
www.builtny.com
Classic go-to laptop bag made of neoprene providing protection and durability. Pockets on front exterior, also comes with removable padded shoulder strap.
Get it: click

Annoying are airports, pleasing is traveling. Frustrating are waiting lines, satisfying are first class upgrades. However, waiting in lines, carrying luggage and plastic zip-bags are stuff we unfortunately have to deal with when traveling –but heaven knows how much I’d love an upgrade!

Lucky us, manufacturers and designers are people that understand these needs too and have helped us make our traveling passion a little bit easier.

Check out Built, an accessory line for people on the go, especially for people whose luggage has to match their underwear –like me. People can get picky, and if a pattern color bag for their camera, a polka dot skin cover for their netbook or even a black raspberry cover for their water bottle makes them happy, then go figure. Maybe waiting in line and carrying bags can become an art too, nowadays.

Vanessa Maldonado

This Venezuelan chic found in New York a new home second to her loved Caracas. She moved to the Big Apple in 2007 and since then she’s been walking a path towards one of her many talents, jewelry design. By manipulating, bending, embossing and playing with enamel and metal she has developed a diverse collection. Every item is spoiled by the designer’s wit with glimmers of humor and character. Meet the diamond pooping bird, the egg button or the bicycle tandem earrings, for example. This woman has traveled the world, worn the chef’s hat and worked on film sets. Her jewelry treasures mimic her varied and rich experienced life. Meet Vanessa at Artists and Fleas’ market, every weekend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

What:: Vanessa Maldonado
www:: http://www.vanessamaldonado.com/
Where:: Artist & Fleas
N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Why:: I want to poo diamonds

Fancy Sexy Me

Ronnie Aminov, jewelry designer, and Cynthia Catera, fashion designer, braided their expertise to compose the hot jewelry body collection, Fancy Sexy Me. They let convention jump off the boat and are conquering ladies and guys necks, fingers, wrists and bodies.

FSM’s signature look is their draped, medieval and fringed jewelry techniques. Their chains hang from your shoulders and neck falling below your chest. They rest like gold and brass waterfalls around your body. Too Fancy. Surrender to their knuckle “skull crusher,” “tough love,” or “fuck-off” duster rings. A flat silver or gold ring, handcuffing two or three fingers at the same time. Chose your fit, win the battle between life, death or overthrow. Too Sexy. Ronnie and Cynthia can be found at Artists and Fleas in Brooklyn. Take a peak at this indie bazaar every weekend and meet these masters.

What:: Fancy Sexy Me
www:: www.fancysexyme.com
Where:: Artist & Fleas
N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Why:: Me, Me, Me.

Knickers and no Fur Coat

Jana Kennedy is your typical British sweetheart with a contagious smile and a strident personality, darling’. A blond chick that once danced the can-can and designed the knickers for the U.K.’s biggest burlesque troupe CanBootyCan.

Now, located in New York, the hot summer has got her brain sweating burlesque-y creativity by coming up with retro-inspired astonishing bikinis. Her pin-up two-piece bathing suits come in funky acid colors, pink neon zebra prints, with striped or skulled up fabrics. Up top: find a strapless piece that might have a bow on it. Down below: meet hot pants with its back covered in ruffles. It gives your tush a visual lift up. Her empowered women 1950s attitude is embedded in her creations. You can catch Jana at Artists and Fleas every weekend in Brooklyn. Or if distance is an issue, her online store solves the problem.

What:: Knickers and no Fur Coat
www:: www.knickersandnofurcoat.com
Where:: Artist & Fleas
N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Why:: Can your booty can?

Every Little Counts

Amy Snider likes old movies, reads San Francisco’s poetess Anais Nin, drinks old man drinks and is a vegetarian. Adam Schwartz eats, breaths and teaches design, laughs too loud and is also a vegetarian. Amy and Adam are a happy witty married couple. They are residents of the bricked, oak wood Brooklyn boho neighborhood. Collectively they are the creators and designers behind Every Little Counts.

Their t-shirt line appeals to a violent-sensual-sensitive-girl*. They hand print with eco-friendly water based inks modern graphics, and words-of-love over lightweight solid color cotton tops. If a product is made with love… every little counts.

*One of ELC’s graphic Ts.

What:: Every Little Counts
www:: www.everylittlecounts.net
Where:: Artist & Fleas
N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Buy:: http://www.etsy.com/shop/everylittlecounts
Why:: Lost in Love

Another Work In Progress

It’s right-hand red and left-foot yellow time. Why? Because Another Work in Progress’s clock looks like a Twister board. It’s one of many recycled creations from AWIP.

Their eco-friendly line consists of journals, sketchbooks, photo albums, wall clocks and stationary. They are all handmade out of recycled products and antique board games. Your great-grandma probably played with these classics in the early 1900s. Still, there is one more challenge to this wonderful store’s allure. It’s name. Another Work in Progress’s name gets tricky. For everyone’s work to be completed, these one-of-a-kind notebooks have to be filled. So, step up to the game, roll your imagination’s dice and write your brain off on the blank pages. Claim your victory.

What:: Another Work in Progress
www:: http://www.anotherworkinprogress.com
Where:: Artist & Fleas
N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Buy:: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anotherworkinprogres
Why:: Twister time, you never heard that before?

Artists & Fleas

Create a checklist of the spots where you love shopping or hanging out. You are going to come up with one constant; all those places are destinations where more than one store, bar or restaurant hangs next to another.

A key factor to a commercial neighborhood’s success is to attract a sense of community.

Artists & Fleas understands the needs of emerging designers, vintage collectors, and craftsmen. Up and coming artists need cheap rent and a customer friendly environment. They need to sell, sell, sell. Amy Abrams & Ronen Glimer, founders of A&F, came up with a solution so the fancy shopper could shop, and the arts-and-crafts seller could sell underneath the same roof.

Amy and Ronen planted a seed in Williamsburg in 2003 that bloomed into a flourishing gathering spot for entrepreneurial artists.

Artists & Fleas is an indie bazaar offering an atmosphere ignited by the young designer’s creative energy, the trend hunter’s fashion eye and a guest DJ keeping the crowd humming while shopping. They are a market open only on the weekends from noon to 8pm, providing designers an affordable spot to rent, even if only for one day. Every week, one can find a fresh new face behind the stands or a fashion addict snorting up the indie vibe and loving every second of it.

What:: Visit Artist & Fleas
www:: www.artistsandfleas.com
Where:: N. 6^th St between Bedford & Berry
Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
When:: Weekends noon to 8pm
Why:: It’s about a community gathering!

Guvnor’s

Guvnor’s, a thrift store located in Parkside, New York, greets you with a Honky Tonk atmosphere, providing burlesque, rockabilly, vaudeville and western fashion. Come in to sell or exchange clothes. Or, customize your new acquisitions with an in-house tailoring master. The Guvnor’s smirk invites any rock and roll fan to come inside and encounter pre-1990s original vintage clothing for the Danny Zuko or Sandy Ollsen hidden in you. This boutique holds in its chest a musical stage, P/A system and DJ booth. The Guv’ takes his music fixation seriously providing live musical events, roof parties and a scandalous grease lightin’ vibe for your shopping entertainment.

What:: The Guvnor’s
www:: www.guvnorsnyc.com
Where:: 178 Fifth Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Call:: 718 230 4887
Why:: Grease Lightin’

Odd Twin

Odd Twin resides in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Quirky but versatile, varied yet charming, this store will appeal to anyone proud to stand out in a crowd. They represent oddity over conformism and individuality instead of routine.

Odd Twin is a vintage and thrift store treasuring original clothes, accessories, jewelry and home decorations from back in the day. Every item hangs with an air of history and coquette. You’ll find on the tags the exact year and epoch the clothes once belonged to. Transcend time with their garments. Have one foot in the 1950s and the other on a 21^st century dance floor.

Odd Twin proudly stands as one of the few vintage stores holding a perfectly extensive and unique men’s collection. 1950’s suits, pants, dress shirts and shoes, all in a well-organized manner, array of colors and styles.

It’s sexy to be odd.

What:: Odd Twin
www:: www.oddtwin.com
Where:: 164 5^th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn NY 11217
Call:: 718 ODD TWIN
Why:: It’s sexy to be od

Peach Frog

Hardly will you discover an indie store like Peach Frog. The odds are as rare as literally seeing a peach frog.
On the tags you’ll find two prices, first, the original price of the precious item you hold in your arms that looks unaffordable, and second, your lucky number. The original price is reduced up to ninety percent.

In their collection you’ll find brands like Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Narcizo Rodriguez, Betsey Johnson, D&G, Levis, Penguin, Von Dutch, Lucky Brand and Junk Food amongst others. As well as vintage furniture, accessories, footwear and leather purses. All items are blessed with the two-price peach frog tag.

Peach Frog also serves as a welcomed neighbor for New York residents. The boutique hosts contests open to patrons to select “Sexy Sunday Models” for an in-store fashion show. The winners get to be the star of the show and receive a $100 certificate to spend at Peach Frog. “Sexy Sunday Bands” is another event hosting fresh talent at the store.

If you kiss this frog, it might turn into a prince. Is it not royalty treatment to have such accessible prices at the reach of your fingertips?

What:: Peach Frog
www:: www.peachfrog.com
Buy Online:: www.stores.ebay.com/peachfrogny
Where:: 136 N, 10^th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Call:: 718 387 3224
When:: Monday- Friday 12pm- 9pm
Saturday- Sunday 11am- 8pm
Why:: Sexy Sunday Shopping

Monk

Williamsburg, home to an array of funky thrift and vintage stores. They are splashed along its streets and avenues—rubbing stylie shoulders with cozy little bars and vegan restaurants. Monk is no exception.

One of the few stores that allocates equal space and quality for both genders, Monk is a store where you can bump into a set designer or a wardrobe stylist. Like a good vintage store, all clothes are in perfect condition, and the merchandise is organized by size directing you to fall in love with the garment that suits you right.

What:: Monk
Where:: 496 Driggs Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Call:: 718 384 6665
Why:: Be the character of your own movie

Mini Minimarket

Mini Minimarket is your fashion bodega of Williamsburg. Any impulse you may have to get a new pair of shoes for a party, or maybe a desire to accseorize your most precious outfit with cheap colorful sunglasses. It can be found here.

The store exudes a vintage breeze–relaxed clothes, soft fabrics and practical dresses, yet items are brand new. This place is fun and friendly, even their custumer service. They have random merchandise piled high on walls, sitting tight with a humorous presence–an eclectic selection of clothes, accessories and jewelry arranged just to make your life a little bit more colorful.

What:: Mini Minimarket, the fashion bodega
www:: www.miniminimarket.com
Where:: 218 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Call:: 718 218 7849
Why:: Girls just wanna have fun

Meme Antenna

Have you ever been called the black sheep of your family? Glad you’ve heard that term before. Meme Antenna is the right shepherd for you. It is a gift store offering jewelry, decorations, stationary, furniture, vinyl, cds and rare synthesizers. Their common characteristic is that they are not common at all. Wear your “I love Nerds” shirt if going to Meme Antenna. And if you’re not that type, but have that type of friend, then for birthdays you know where to go.

What:: Meme Antenna, gift shop.
www:: www.memeantenna.com
Where:: 218 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Why:: I heart nerds

Junk

Mirrors, old photographs, frames, Life Magazines, books, wooden cabinets, dolls, typewriters, lamps, broken mannequins, recliners, cowboy hats, spoons, vinyl, tape recorders, polaroids, glass candlesticks, Playboy, Jesus Christs, hair pins, bras, fortune teller machines. Do you get it? Everything you don’t need to have but you want to make your life a little bit more dusty, fun or heavy. Junk.

What:: Junk
Where:: 197 North 9^th St.
Brooklyn, NY
Why: Why not.