These are a few of my favorite things: BROOKLYN

I've been away from blogging for a while, and really missed it. Not that I havent' been busy with all sorts of fun randomness.

Some of my time spent while being busy with work is also a whole lot of awesome. For example, I get to go to one of my favorite boroughs: BROOKLYN!

Brooklyn- a.k.a. Kings, is part of the island that is considered Long Island, as is it's neighboring (and where I hail from) borough of Queens. However, both Brooklyn and Queens are most definitely NOT part of Long Island proper (where I currently, but not permanently, live).

So between my appointments for work I get a chance to take advantage of the restaurants, coffee/tea/thrift shops, and boutiques in the area.

Gorilla Coffee: They are simple and delicious. They are an independently owned and operated entity. No corporate nastiness there. Also, they roast all their beans on sight. I've since stopped drinking coffee regularly, but when I am in the area you best believe that I'll be treating myself to some top notch, non-corporate coffee.

 

Then there is my most FAVORITE thrift shop ever! Beacons Closet .

There are multiple locations (one of which is across from the Brooklyn Brewery, stop by, it's a fun little tour!), and always ALWAYS a treasure buried amongst the forever 21, and urban outfitters castaways. They buy used clothing as well- So for example- Lets say that you bought (and over paid for!) a beautiful coat two years ago. It was trendy, and over priced and now you gained/lost a few lbs- and no matter what you try or do, the love is gone. Well, don't fret!You can march down to Beacons Closet and sell it for a decent price AND do some great shopping as well. I myself found an awesome 80's red striped Lacoste polo. For what? Not $75/55 dollars (ABOUT what they're sold for at Nordstrom right?). Yeah, I bought it for 10 dollars. AND the alligator patch is still in tact. LOVE IT!!! If you're ever in Brooklyn, check it out. It's worth the time it takes to weed through the weird and wily items to find your prize. Another reason to love them is because they do donate some of their profits to local causes. I love them. 

Another quaint spot that I adore, and don't have pictures of is The Clay Pot. I've gotten many gifts for people here, and have an extensive wish list of things that I hope to be given one day as well. Whats great is that these items are hand crafted by some of the countries best jewelry artisans who have names, and faces- Not soulless baubles on an assembly line, but in a real studio. They're beautiful pieces and I can't wait to go back!

http://www.clay-pot.com

A few other places that I  must make mention of are:
 For CHOCOLATE-GOODNESS

http://www.cocoabarnyc.com/

http://www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com/

For VEGANY/VEGETARIAN goodness:

http://www.spreadvegan.com/

http://www.redbamboobrooklyn.com/
For French Bistro-y goodness: *AMAZING Brunch. SO good*

http://www.bartabacny.com/index.html

And TEA and coziness galore:

Tea Lounge



And some newer things that I'd like to add to my list of favorites (and they don't specifically fit in with the theme of BROOKLYN, but I wanted to add them anyway...)

*Impromptu snow days*

*Toasted Nori*

 

  

SO TASTY DELICIOUS!! You can get it at Hmart .

My affinity to shop isn't always in line with my desire to make the world a better place- so as often as I can, I'll show thrift stores and consignment shops. You'll get great deals, on great clothes- AND you won't be contributing to slave labor, outsourced job etc.

And all of that leads me to a point that I'd like to make. I started this blog for a certain purpose and I find that it's seemingly gotten lost. Not entirely, but I need to make something clear-You see, from my point of view and as I have already mentioned, you vote with your dollar.  And when I spend my votes/dollars at local, small, privately owned businesses I tell the global economy that is what I want. MORE small, local, privately owned businesses. Now I am far from perfect because Hmart is primarily products that are NOT local/small- HOWEVER the majority of my votes/dollars are aimed to say that. I wanted to acknowledge that some of my posts will be politically themed, some will be fluff, and some will be a mixture.



So one way to make a statement is to focus on locally grown, sustainably sourced, products. Of course there isn't always time or an opportunity to do that- but just being conscientious and making an effort will get us closer to peaceful revolution.