Brooklyn Flea » Markets of New York

Check Out My New Threads on the Nate Berkus Show!

My Fashion Makeover on the Nate Berkus Show airs today on the season premier at 2PM on NBC in New York! For listings in other cities, check here! No photo – I don’t want to ruin the surprise!

I lost 25 lbs. over the last two year with the help and support of my husband and my sister-in-law, the amazing Marcy Green, and Weight Watchers! But none of my clothes fit, and I have been pretty much lost for a strategy as to what to wear for the last two years as the founder of Sirene MediaWorks.

The interesting thing is that I lost the weight while I was researching for Markets of New York City, eating every last farm fresh veggie and fruit, taco, pupusa, oven-fired pizza, cheese, handmade chocolate, apple cider donut, cupcake, pie, and bacon product I found in the markets. The reason I didn’t turn into Violet Beauregarde (warning: Oompa Loompas scare the c**p out of me to this day) is the fact that everything was so delicious and made with such high quality ingredients. My cakehole was happy, and my belly got everything my body needed to be healthy and satisfied. Michael Pollan is right: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” I’d just like to add: Don’t be scared to add a small taste of chocolate covered bacon here and there.

But back to Nate Berkus. We all loved his visit to the Brookyn Flea. So when his staff called to let me know I was a go for the makeover, I was thrilled. It was a great experience from start to finish!!! And that’s all I can say until it airs!!

Thank you to Nate and his kind and kickass team, to amazing stylist Mary Alice Stephensen and her crew for making me feel so amazing, and to the Ted Gibson Salon for the princess treatment! And Talbots for the really beautiful, flattering clothes and accessories (and those shoes)! And thank you to my darling, brilliant, hysterically funny sister-in-law Marcy Green, who made this experience even more fun!

OK – it just aired, so here’s the photo!

My Fashion Makeover on the Nate Berkus Show

Get Luscious Locks with Hot Hair Pomade from Australian Scent

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Eddie Enriquez Rowe, one of the wonderful proprietors of Australian Scent, at the Brooklyn Flea on Saturday. Australian Scent’s organic, handcrafted body products are some of the luxuries to be found in New York’s markets.

On Saturday, one of Australian Scent’s other faithful customers and I tested the Hot Hair Pomade. Eddie put a tiny, pea sized sample on our hands. We rubbed our palms together to heat the pomade, and then he instructed us to work it into the ponytail, or the long ends of our hair. It was one of those hot, humid day, when your hair frizzes to twice its normal size. I am thrilled to report that once I worked in the tiny bit of the pomade (the jar will last forever), I saw a warm sheen on my hair. My frizz went away, and my curls popped to life. The other tester had gorgeous, thick hair to begin with, but it was a little thirsty. After using the pomade, her hair came to life with a rich glow.

I have to take this opportunity to give another testament to Australian Scent. I have been using their Balm of Gilead and Intensive Wrinkle Therapy Eyes for 18 months, and I can personally verify the quality and effectiveness of their products. Just a tiny bit makes my skin look and feel luminous and cared-for. The Balm also has healing powers. I’d gotten a jagged gash on the back of my hand from Cricket, a sweet, happy puggle with loads of energy and love, but also long dirty toenails. I was worried about an ugly scar or infection. So I put Balm of Gilead on it every day for a month, and the scar healed beautifully. It is now a thin, barely noticeable line. I wholeheartedly attribute the recovery the Balm and its soothing, healing ingredients.

Try the entire Australian Scent line of products each weekend at the Brooklyn Flea each weekend and in fine stores, including Whole Foods!

Photo of the Day – August 18, 2011: Kings County Jerky Company

I grew up thinking that beef jerky meant Slim Jims, tubular bombs of weird meat and salt, sometimes filled with orange cheesefood product. It got weirder when we were working in Mozambique and tried some South African biltong made from ostrich and even game culled from the herds in the big game parks around the country. It was all salty and fairly tasty, but weird.

Thank heaven for the New York artisanal jerky movement that has taken root over the past couple of years. At the forefront is the rich, complex, and deeply satisfying beef jerky from the Kings County Jerky Company. I remember first seeing their jerky at the fabulous food free-for-all formerly known as the Greenpoint Food Market, but they were sold out by the time we squeezed up to their table.

Lucky for us, they have continued to grow in popularity because of their diligence and talent in producing luscious meat products, and even a stunning vegetarian jerky made from fat portobello mushrooms. Their three main flavors are the peppery Classic, the sweet Korean BBQ, and Sichuan flavored Orange Ginger. They are all a mouthful of flavor, and I’m especially partial to the Orange Ginger. The story gets even better because they use grass-fed beef sourced from local farms, and no artificial flavorings. I’ve seen photos of their amazing new kitchen space, and I’m hoping to do our first Kitchen Tour photo shoot there soon.

You can find Kings County beef jerky at the fabulous food markets of NYC: Saturdays at Smorgasburg and the Brooklyn Flea in Ft. Greene, and Sundays at the New Amsterdam Market. Artisanal is the new beef jerky. Or something like that.

Weekend Market Picks for August 13-14, 2011 Featuring ShayaNYC!

Hammered Gold and Rose Gold-filled Rings by ShayaNYC Handmade in Brooklyn

ShayaNYC is one of my very favorite jewelry designers. My husband listened very carefully and got me a Victoria double lariat necklace and matching Delta earrings as a gift for Christmas last year. I just can’t find an outfit that they haven’t been perfect for, and it wouldn’t matter if I did because I can’t stop wearing them anyway.

Designer Shay Mehubad sells most weekends at the Nolita Market, and he just launched his new website – www.ShayaNYC.com. He’s running a giveaway right now – sign up for his mailing list, and you could win a pair of his hand-hammered Isabelle earrings! Can’t pass up a chance like that, can we?

Weekend Market Picks!

This weekend, I’m featuring the wonderful and diverse markets in Williamsburg!

Saturday and Sunday

Artists & Fleas: This market is one of the first of the new breed of markets in New York City. It is a wonderful, indoor collection of artisans and flea market vendors. And I’ll let you in on a secret – they have awesome food vendors too!

Saturday

Smorgasburg: As I’ve said before, I think this market is a wonderful addition to the market and the foodie scene, not to mention the tremendous creative and entrepreneurial spirit that abounds. Go for lunch or dinner, and bring home some tasty ingredients for the rest of the week.

Williamsburg Waterfront Greenmarket: Set in the same waterfront location as Smorgasburg, this weekend farmers market market provides the neighborhood with fresh local produce and artisanal food products.

Moore Street Market / La Marqueta the Williamsburg: I strongly suggest you visit this indoor food market, serving Williamsburg since 1941. The fare is primarily Caribbean and Latin American ingredients, and there are two food counters serving up delicious lunches. Urban Oyster offers a wonderful neighborhood tour that features the history of the Moore Street Market.

Sunday

Brooklyn Flea: On Sundays, the Brooklyn Flea sets up its tents at the Williamsburg Waterfront as well. You know the Flea? The international tourist destination filled with handmade, vintage, home decor, and edible treasures? Yeah, that’s the place.

So hop on the L train and get yourself over to Williamsburg sometime this weekend! Your wallet, walls, wardrobe, and tastebuds will appreciate it!

Photo of the Day – August 4, 2011: Robicelli’s Rocky Road Whoopee Pies

You’re welcome.

Supreme bakers Allison and Matt Robicelli launched their new Rocky Road Whoopee Pies last Sunday at the Dekalb Market. Three words to describe the flavor, texture, and finger-licking goodness: Oh. Mah. Gah.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend Kathy Blake, a.k.a. The Experimental Gourmand, for sharing her stash of two when we met up at the Brooklyn Flea on Sunday afternoon. We sat on the stairs in a small patch of shade and dug in.

The Robicellis’ take on this traditional, all American snack is a wonderful success. Chocolatey cakey outsides are super moist, and intensely rich. They are immediately offset by the smooth, creamy, cool white filling, which is punctuated with tiny, flavorful nuggets of roasted almonds. You can clearly see the scrumptious qualities of this sweet confection in the photo, but you really have to taste it for yourself.

Congratulations to the Robicelli’s on the opening of their first shop at the Dekalb Market. Lucky for us, they’re open 7 days a week. I predict their converted shipping container bakery will become the meeting place of choice in downtown Brooklyn.

Weekend Market Picks: July 9-10, 2011 + Cherries!!!

It is going to be a fantastic weekend to spend outdoors in New York City. If you are second homeless and therefore staying in town all summer, then come hang out with me at the markets. And if you are visiting New York City, definitely check out the fantastic food and buy all your souvenirs directly from New York’s finest artisans!

And stop by any Greenmarket to pick up plump, juicy cherries, like the ones in the photo from the Cheerful Cherry Farm!

Saturday & Sunday

Brooklyn Flea: I’m definitely feeling the need to visit the Brooklyn Flea, as it’s been a few weeks. Looking forward to seeing my usual favorites and checking out what’s new in food, artisans, and fleas! Saturday in the Ft. Green location and Sunday in Williamsburg.

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market and Sunday Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar: The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is one of the largest and best traditional fleas in the city, and they have invited members of the {NewNew} Etsy Artisan Group to add to the variety. The first Sunday of every month, they also host the Food Truck Bazaar, featuring some of the city’s fabulous food on wheels!

Saturday

Hester Street Fair: Gotta send you to the Hester Street Fair this Saturday! In addition to the well-selected vintage, flea, and handmade sellers there, they sent out the list of featured food vendors. Appetizers, main course, main course, dessert, dessert, dessert. Take notes and let me know what you ate!

St. George Greenmarket: This is a good weekend to hop on the Staten Island Ferry and visit the St. George Greenmarket. It overlooks the harbor and the New York City skyline, and it features premier Greenmarket sellers of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seafood, and more. This borough features amazing vistas, architecture, and even wildlife – more than 117 species of birds!

Sunday

Astoria Market: Yes! The Astoria Market is back this weekend. Handmade and vintage goods at this artisan market in the Main Hall of the Bohemian Hall — you know, the one with the Beer Garden! Check out some of the very cool products you’ll find there this weekend on the Astoria Market Blog!

New Amsterdam Market: The New Amsterdam Market is back this Sunday after a July 4th hiatus. This weekend’s food market lineup includes breads, meats, mead, lobster rolls, artisanal sodas, sweets, imported tea, and many more edible luxuries.

Take pictures and let us know your favorite finds and tastiest treats! Someone is making me a cherry pie on Sunday! If you have a great recipe, please share!

Photo of the Day – Wednesday 6/29/11: Caja Jewelry

Caja Jewelry was one of the first design companies that I met at the Brooklyn Flea when I first started doing research for my book, Markets of New York City: A Guide to the Best Artisan, Farmer, Food and Flea Markets. I immediately loved their nameplate jewelry. It reminded me of the Sex and the City scene in Paris when Carrie Bradshaw finds her missing “Carrie” nameplate in her vintage Chanel clutch and gets her mojo back.

Fast forward to February, 2011 when Caja’s nameplates adorned the models on no less than 20 pages of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Not to mention the ads I saw on bus stops and in the 14th Street subway station. Seriously huge deal. And because SI gives credit where credit is due, Caja’s company name appeared next to each photo.

Caja makes a wide range of handcut designs in addition to the name plates. They make name plate cuffs, which I’ve never seen before. And their charms are delicate and whimsical. I love them all, but the cleaver really speaks to me for some reason…

So I am thrilled to report that while they’re business is taking off, Caja owners and designers Andrea and Juan can still be found in the city’s artisan markets. I recently ran into them at the Renegade Craft Fair, and they sell their designs at several local shops, including our favorite Better Than Jam Coop. Visit the Caja Jewelry online shop, and please “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

Photo of the Day: Birdhouse Jewelry

Birdhouse Jewelry’s tented boutique at the Brooklyn Flea has become a destination in and of itself within the flea. Designers Amy and Alen Lapierre create lovely, versatile, and unusual pieces that suit any taste. From dainty to edgy, sparkly crystals to headphone charms, the designs are so diverse that I could not choose just one photo to represent their lines. In fact, five photos barely scratches the surface of all that Birdhouse Jewelry has on their display tables.

Amy and Alen’s pieces are all handmade, and they incorporate beautiful crystals, quartz, pearls and more. One of my favorite aspects of their design is the subtle detail, like a teensy bird or a small crystal halfway up a necklace chain. And they are always coming out with new items, including mixed metals, which is definitely a favorite market trend. And even small animal figurines. You just have to go check it all out for yourself.

If you can’t make it to the Brooklyn Flea, check out Birdhouse Jewelry on Etsy!

Belly Up to the TOASTbar for a Scratchbread MOZZwich

Scratchbread is a food fixture at the Brooklyn Flea, and now owner Matthew Tilden is trying out a new concept at Smorgasburg: TOASTBar, a wooden sandwich bar set up around his tent, where you can try delicious savory and sweet bread-based delicacies.

The Flea has been about food on the go, things you can eat while you wander around the market. The idea behind TOASTbar is to belly up to the bar, casually eat something that will blow your mind, and have a chat with Matt. I had a taste of the rich, sweet, mozzarella that Matt made two hours before, as I watched him make the MOZZwich. The Mozzwich is fresh pulled mozzarella, fennel seed, burgundy powder, lemon juice, and a dash of olive oil on Scratchbread focaccia. Yes, it was amazing!

And it was also nice not to have to grab my food and head straight back into the throngs. While I love to see a crowded market, sometimes it’s nice to take a moment, savor the flavors, and chat with a baker.

Two Fleas Grow in Williamsburg

A lot of people asked me what I thought of the Brooklyn Flea moving to Williamsburg, just steps away from the new location for Artists & Fleas. In my experience, several markets in close proximity to each other pretty much always thrive and benefit from the increased number of visitors. For shoppers, it’s fun to be able to visit several different markets in easy walking distance from each other. So I am looking forward to the warmer weather and the throngs of fans of each market cross pollinating the two. I urge everyone to migrate over to the Meeker Avenue Flea Market as well for more vintage furnishings.

The new location for the Artists & Fleas market feels like they found a new, better, comfy home for their local vintage and artisan vendors. It’s just a great space, and I thought the lighting was perfect. Then I looked up and saw that the bright light was actually from the full sun shining through multiple skylights. The market vendors can keep their tables and products in place during the week, and so they each have created distinct looks and displays in their booths, making the market a jewel box of tiny handmade and vintage gems. I’ll post about several of the fantastic artisans there soon, but I have to say that the guaco taco I had from the Brooklyn Taco Company was delicious, healthy, and satisfying. And if you’re looking for Mexican Coca-Cola, which is sweetened with sugar rather than corn syrup, the Brooklyn Taco Co. has a bottle for you at Artists & Fleas.

The Brooklyn Flea’s latest location on the waterfront in Williamsburg is wide, open, and welcoming. It’s been a bit breezy, but it’s a great location with all of the charms and quirky hallmarks of this market. I went on opening day two weekends ago and everyone seemed quite at home in the new location. In addition to rows and rows of tents teeming with flea finds, vintage treasures, and handmade clothing, accessories and more, the famous food vendors were out in full force with loads of people waiting in line for a delicious, artisanal nosh.

Featured in the photos below:

Olde Good Things (pink elephant)
Organic Blossoms (tiny terrarium graveyard)
Park Delicatessen (skateboards, flowers, dry goods)
She Hit Pause Studios (Polaroid photo images)

I have to say it was wonderful to run into a friend from Washington, DC in the crowd! Wendy McAllister is the author of Crave DC, a “unique and stylish guidebook for DC living.” Follow her on Twitter @CraveDC! Congratulations on your awesome book, Wendy!