Brooklyn Local Spotlight: Brooklyn Charm

Where to shop in Williamsburg? A common question in the hood. Much of Brooklyn's allure is its' "hard-to-find" nature. There are SO many places in Williamsburg that you would easily pass without knowing what lay behind that old rustic door you pass everyday on the way to work. But not to worry! There are locals that are willing to share the wealth! One of these hidden gems is Brooklyn Charm- an amazing little shop, full of CHARMS.  Right off Bedford Ave, just a few blocks from the L stop, Brooklyn Charm is definitely a spot to stop by when in Williamsburg. 

It's quite charming. 

My friends Emily, Emily, and I had a random Thursday off a few weeks ago and we decided to hit the streets and make it a day in the burg. We got a beer at Brooklyn Bowl, breakfast tacos at Whirly Bird, and ventured in all the vintage shops around Bedford. Our last stop was Brooklyn Charm. We were there for over an hour. Whoops! 

You can see why we took so long. Brooklyn Charm has EVERY charm you could ever imagine. Elephants, screwdrivers, horoscope signs, US states....I mean anything that you can imagine for real. 

I wanted them all. Andddd after a few beers, I REALLY wanted them all. The process is quite easy. Grab a tray, pick out ya charms, buy a chain, and check out! There is a dollar a charm assembly charge (You can obviously do it yourself to save money...Im not good with pliers so I left it to the pros) AND BADA BING. You have yourself a personal necklace.  

But this is what I put together. Princess Diana and a pyramid. The other charm above is me circa 1991. Fresh and Precious right? 

I love this shit. I wear my little charm necklaces allllllllll day every day. I love to pull a 90s fashion style and wear it over all my sweatahs. It's a great touch. 

RIP Princess Di. Sometimes the world gets jealous of too much perfection. 

Totally not your fault. 

Definitely check out this gem next time you are wandering through Williamsburg. It is fantastic for gifts and even more fantastic for yourself. There are SO many great shops in Brooklyn that just need a little discovery. We will find them all. 

Because we're obsessed. 

Fresh and Precious 

After shopping the streets of Bedford, walk a few blocks West to spend some time with this skyline. 

Clubhouse Mickey

m- Im sure you all have noticed, but if you have not...cartoon characters THEMSELVES are sneaking their way into the glorious realm of fashion. You heard it right folks, superstars like Minnie and Mickey are making their comeback via clothing. Welcoming little creatures of childhood memories to the canvas that is our dress may sound weird, but it is a reality that I am more than happy to embrace. 

Last week, Abe and I wandered through the park with the attempts to get a little sun on our faces. I'd like to think that we are on the better half of winter, with only sunnier and sunnier days to come. This being said, Im all about jeans and sweatshirt time. And the time is now. My sweatshirt today donned a talented mouse. 

I truly think that it is our generation's turn to take over when it comes to fashion. I mean, I think it's our turn to take over everything but for right this second, let's start with the clothes we wear. Since it is our time, it is our choice...thus, our decision. If I want to wear childhood sketches on my shirt at 22 years of age, I'm going to do just that.

So get this. I'm walking down the streets of Haight-Ashbury, in downtown San Francisco, ladies on either side. Sun on my face. Locals looking fresh as hell.

 At the time, I was thinking that I'm pretty sure this place is a piece of heaven itself...when all of a sudden, my daydreams were solidified. This is heaven. I had just arrived in thrifting paradise. The gate-keeper for this shopping afterlife- Mickey Mouse. 

He has been with me ever since. 

"Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication, yet devised for quick, mass appreciation." -Walt Disney  

Abe's sweatshirt/sweater of choice was appropirate for this light day as her holy stripes were made for breathing. Every other stripe gives the people a little bit to look at...and I love it. Abe's orange scarf, and vintage denim jacket were great accessories to her outfit. 

I scored this denim jacket from the most amazing Wasteland in the middle of San Francisco. 

Super fresh. 

Those accessories were great...but not as great at this baby pink Zac Posen purse. I died and went back to that fashion heaven I was alluding to earlier when I saw this puppy. HOLY this is good. These clean lines scream perfection. This purse may be one of the most important staples one should have in their Spring wardrobe this year. I mean just look at it...

I think there is a connection, linked with time, that is to blame for this youthful trend current in fashion. As I said before,  it is our turn to call the shots these days...I think that our playful attention to youth and our past is telling of our generation. We are done with older generations informing us that this is how we should think, work. love, and dress. We are going to think, work, and love the way we want....

...and, as we conquer our new, youth-driven world, we are going to wear spikes, polkadots, and cartoons while we do it. 

"Mickey Mouse is, to me, a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end."

-Walt Disney

Because we're obsessed. 

Fresh and Precious 

More Mickey Mouse fun here. 

Vintage 70's Glam

m- I had the most amazing opportunity to get a sneak peek at my grandmother's closet while I was in town for Christmas. My grandmother (Boobah for those keeping tabs at home), was, and still is, a fashion icon of her time. To our favor, she has archived many of her pieces from the past.
Naturally, we kept it in the family and Boobah graced my cousin and sister with some of these unique vintage pieces to re-live some of the best decades fashion has had to offer. 

My Boobah was Glam. 

The detail on this first dress of Boobah's is out of this world. This piece is 1970's vintage Oscar de la Renta. Gold and orange detail make this beautiful gown even more elegant. I love the 70's boho shape in the draping of the sleeves and waist.
 Payton's fiery hair completes the look. 

Boobah's powder room was the perfect place to shoot these two diva gowns. 

Vintage earrings always seem to have a unique shape, different from earrings today. I love the square. And the glitzy gold. Always love the gold. 

Boobah's Florence + the Machine dress. Completely obsessed with this. The detail.
The lace is so elegant and the little neck is EVERYTHING.
Again, the 70's draping and wide sleeves are giving me life.
I can't even...

Gold accessories can be draped, dipped, layered, and paired. I'm an advocate of covering yourself in gold. As long as the color of the gold all goes together...go for the gold. It's elegant and hip. 

Accessory of the day: Gold Monocle 

Thank you Boobah for beautiful clothes and beautiful genes. We'll take it!

We really couldn't pass up an old tub with legs...naturally, we jumped right in. 

I want to go out in this gown...

It is really hard to capture all of the elements of this dress, especially the significant weight of the garment, but this shot showcases some of the absolutely phenomenal details of the beading.

This is truly an amazing gown.

A lady can't leave the house in the winter in  beautiful gown without a beautiful fur. Fur is everything. There is nothing like fur. I could go on and on about fur but for now, invest yourself in fur. 

Mrs. Mary Rose did. 

Had to.

Because we're obsessed.

Fresh and Precious