The Chelsea Flea Market is a wonderful place to spend several hours getting lost in history. Since the Antiques Garage closed to make way for a new high rise building, this outdoor market has become the new home to many sellers of old things. Strolling through the generous rows of tents is not only a nostalgic journey, but also a testimonial to the way things used to be made with attention to detail, quality and durability. One of my favorite spots is Booth #102. Market selle

I have to give a big shout out to the Lower East Side Ecology Center and their important composting program. Every weekend in New York City, you can drop off your compostables in bins at the Union Square Greenmarket. You can also pick up a large or small bag of nutrient rich Paydirt Potting Soil, made from NYC’s own composted scraps, with a bit of help from our friends the red wiggler worms. It’s perfect for planting your summer garden on the fire escape. With Earth Day comin

Super Duper Market 2013 Super (Duper) Market opened on Friday, and I managed to sneak away for an hour and run down for lunch. Hosted by Paper Magazine, the market features an exciting and diverse selection of food and food related products. Most of the sellers are from New York City, and the market is also hosting some outstanding companies from the West Coast. I wanted to share some images of the things I saw, ate and purchased. Humphry Slocombe’s Secret Breakfast Ice Cream

I recently paid a visit to one of our favorite chocolate companies, Li-Lac Chocolates. I have been frequenting their West Village shop for over a decade. I only recently learned that they have a formidable collection of vintage chocolate molds, which they have been using to make their beautiful chocolate shapes for ages. I am finishing up editing the story and a video or two of our visit, which I will be publishing shortly. I just wanted to give you a quick preview to get you

The Hester Street Fair’s Holiday Market is back with loads of great food, amazing artisans, workshops and more! Here is their press release: [singlepic id=1586 w=640 h=480 float=center] SHOP YOUR FAVORITE INDIE DESIGNERS + ARTISANS PLUS DIY WORKSHOPS, CHRISTMAS KARAOKE, LIGHT-O-RAMA SHOW, & A MONTH OF EVENTS! WHO: Hester Street Fair brings 60+ of New York’s top independent vendors with antiques, vintage, crafts, artisanal food products, exclusive holiday items and classic Hes

I actually recognized Cornelia’s jewelry designs with black and white photography from the Holiday Markets. My sister-in-law Judy loves her work too. Cornelia has a ring with a tiny image of a man who could be John Wayne or Charlie Chaplin, depending on your own mindset or mood (I saw John Wayne, but then I always see John Wayne). The bright enamel pieces are a nice contrast with the photo jewelry, and they are all quite lovely. You can find Coko Jewelry Fridays – Sundays at

This is the weekend to shop for Mother’s Day, especially if you need to send her gift in the mail. Luckily for us, there are fantastic market events going on in the city. And keep an eye out for my Mother’s Day Market Picks on NY1 All Weekend with Kristen Shaughnessy! Here are my Market Picks for this important Mother’s Day shopping weekend: Saturday Only, May 5, 2012 Handmade Cavalcade: The New York Etsy Street Team (formally known as The {NewNew}) represents the best of the

SUPER!market opened late last fall, and it has proven to be a wonderful design destination. I feel like I’m the first to know about the most amazing new trends in jewelry, fashion and design in general when I visit this market.  They also feature artisanal food purveyors (food needs to be designed too!), and other unique lines, including travel accessories and all-natural cleaning supplies. I love that the designers are right there, ready to help you find what you’re looking

So much for winter, but HELLO SPRINGTIME!  Because it’s so gorgeous out, I’m featuring the sweet, delicate flower blossom necklaces from Lyndee Designs.  Together they look like an early spring garden.  Individually, they are flattering and feminine, and they come in a lovely variety of gemstones and pearls.  Designer Linda Falco shows her full collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets on Saturdays at SUPER!market, the great new designers market on Mulberry Street. I ca

I am thrilled to feature an amazing jewelry designer, Melissa Draugsvold this weekend. I first heard the buzz about her designs at SUPER!market in January. You know you’re onto something when the other designers are wearing her jewelry themselves! Melissa’s one-of-a-kind designs are intriguing statement pieces made from romantic, evocative, and nostalgic pieces of vintage jewelry. You might recognize an element in one of her necklaces as something your favorite fabulous aun

We’re not talking 80’s Flash Dance leg warmers either.  We’re talking 2011 spandex, feathers, fur, ribbons, and sparkles.  The unique styles can be worn up to the knee or thigh.  You can twist them around the leg so the adornments swirl like a barber shop pole.  They also have an opening for the heel of your pump to slip through so the leg warmer can fit snugly around your arch. It you are in a rock band, or aspire to be one day, you absolutely must stop by and see Sara’s cre

For my Market Picks this weekend, I’m thinking about Lower Manhattan.  There are some wonderful, established markets that stay enticing and exciting by keeping outstanding sellers and bringing in new ones all the time.  An afternoon stroll through all of these markets takes you through Soho, Nolita, the Lower East Side and points in between. Saturday and Sunday Ahkun Summer Pop Up Shop:  Ahkun is a non-profit organization that connects micro-financed companies to the global

The Old Cathedral Market on Prince Street in Nolita is picturesque against the churchyard’s old brick wall.  It is a relatively small market, but it is filled with some pretty amazing handmade crafts.  Under one umbrella halfway down the block, you will find Mano Jewelry Designs.  This artisan creates handmade rings, necklaces, and cuffs in silver for men and women.  He uses rich and unusual accents in his pieces.  His silver rings and cuffs have bands of ebony wood around th