It may seem like a small comfort, but strolling through the narrow aisle of flowers at Dean and Deluca?always brightens even the gloomiest of days, for a moment at least. While I can never really afford them, just being in their presence for a little while is enough.

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Posted on October 12, 2009

The Greenpoint Food Market is a brand new local centric spot that launched last week near McGolrick Park. Open from noon to six every Saturday, the market has something for any food lover. My favorite purchase: spicy pickled heirloom cucumbers. The company, Brooklyn Brine, is working on a whiskey barrel pickle that will be ready soon.

We also got a delicious ginger syrup from Morris Kitchen that mixes well with seltzer and will be fantastic when I try it in some cocktail concoctions, sticky, yummy pecan pie from Dixie, sweet and yummy pumpkin butter from Skimkim (will have to get a bag of their flavored popcorn next time), excellent curry lentil soup from The Soup Spoon , Bing Means Pancake scallion pancakes(best to eat them right off the pan while they're still warm) and we took home some tea eggs.

Support local businesses! And take a look at all my photos at RC!

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Food Greenpoint Shops

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Posted on September 21, 2009

The Gap used to be the place for nerdy jeans. When denim became fashion, they fell behind. Now with the 1969 line and the help of adorable designer Patrick Robinson, they're seriously getting into the premium denim business with new, carefully fitted jeans. According to Robinson “We went out there and made the best-fitting jeans in the world. And that's a big statement.”

I have to say, he may be right. I went to the store with co workers to study their branding, and every single one of us walked away with a new pair of jeans – even me, and I rarely wear pants at all.

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Posted on August 31, 2009

Unleash Brooklyn is such a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Not only is there now a near by pet store with truly helpful employees, but the food is healthier and not made with any questionable animal parts or practices. I Hop and Tiptoe (my adorable kitties) are particularly huge fans of the Evo brand Duck.

Even more impressive than the retail store are the facilities for boarding dogs and cats. The dogs get individual beds and a devoted caretaker that even sleeps nights in the same room. Kitties get impressive individual condos as well as a larger area for play.

Everyone that works here is devoted to animals and the stores philosphy:

“Quite simply, we built Unleash Brooklyn for our dogs and cats. We wanted a local place where our pets would receive top-notch care during the day or for an extended period of time.

Unleash Brooklyn is “Green” We built Unleash Brooklyn using recycled, shock-absorbing rubber mats and repurposed lumber. Our cleaning products are green and we implement earth-friendly materials whenever possible.

The concept behind our holistic loft is to bring some of the best professionals in pet care under one roof to redefine the standard of daycare and overnight boarding for dogs and cats.”

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes Animals Greenpoint Shops

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Posted on August 17, 2009

Aside from the usual spots we hit for work shopping, this trip offered some more unique places that I found exciting and irresistible.

Una Mae's has an often great selection of both new and vintage and both times I have visited in the last few years I have gone home with something great. This time a red and white patterned breezy off the shoulder number that begs for my red high heels.

About three minutes away you'll find Reform School, one of the city's hippest little stores with a very “new craft” vibe that would fit in very comfortably back here in Brooklyn. Merrimeko table cloths, organic kids toys, and interesting body washes (I got a lime scrub) were nestled among cute cards, gifts, art and house wares. The staff is incredibly helpful and nice.

Right around the corner, though, is where I went the most crazy with the spending at Casbah Cafe. In the front area, you can order a most refreshing mint tea to stay or go, but up the back stairs lies a treasure trove of worldly colorful clothing and jewelry. I went home with a new gold and turquoise dress, a large cheetah brooch, a beaded necklace, and a tote. What can I say? I saw too many things I fell in love with.

I could have gone home with just as much stuff from the similarly french Moroccan inspired but far more gorgeous shop, Indigo Seas, if I were a millionaire. Indian settees and handmade quilted down blankets don't come cheap here, but at least you can walk away comfortably with a few bars of amazingly scented handmade french soaps without burning a hole in your pocket.

Run by Lynn von Kersting who is a famous taste maker and the proprietress of the famous Ivy restaurant next door, Indigo Seas is an experience just to walk through the effortless west coast luxury and ease of lush colors, tropical prints and lovely first edition hard bound books that speckle the store.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours California Shops

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Posted on July 20, 2009