Catherine, Founder of Kitty Rose Lyfestyle wearing her statement earrings (Photo courtesy of Kitty Rose LyfeStyle)
I recently visited The Market NYC and went straight downstairs. I usually go up into the upper levels, but I hadn’t been downstairs in a while. And I hadn’t realize it had developed its own identity. The vendors who set up shop on the lower level have begun calling it “The Underground.” They even have their own Facebook page.
There’s a nice sense of community among the vendors in The Underground, where I met Catherine, the wonderful woman behind The Kitty Rose LyfeStyle. She creates statement earrings using lightweight materials. So you can enjoy large, bright accessories without injuring your earlobes. Her materials also keeps her prices nicely accessible. Cat designs t-shirts featuring unique graphics, such as her own beautiful logo and the men’s tee (pictured below).
Cat has a background in dance and fashion, as both a model and as a designer. She danced on MTV and has worked with LL Cool J, among many other artists. She launched Kitty Rose Lyfestyle, in 2005. She has a larger mission of helping women and strengthening her community, including an ongoing association with the Mary J. Blige Association for Women, where she gives social media and business training workshops.
I chatted with Cat for an hour or more, and I loved her energy, her optimism and her style. This weekend, I encourage you to go visit her and the other handmade and vintage sellers in The Underground at the Market NYC. And then go upstairs for more amazing shopping too. Visit Kitty Rose LyfeStyle on Etsy and Facebook!
Are you ready for the long weekend?! I know I am, especially with so many outstanding market events going on:
Memorial Day Weekend Market Picks
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Real NYC Market: This designer market gathers talented independent designers of fashion, accessories and decor. I have found some of my favorite clothing and jewelry there, some of which has happily pushed me beyond my comfort zone. You never know what you’ll find there, and you will not be disappointed! NOTE the time on Saturday! 1PM – 9PM, 109 Mulberry Street, Manhattan
East 67th Street Flea Market: I truly enjoy visiting this classic flea market on Saturdays. There are vendors with so many things on their table that you just know you are going to find a treasure there. It’s indoors and outdoors, and you can find snacks and farm fresh produce too! 6AM – 5PM, PS 183, East 67th Street between 1st and York Avenues, Manhattan
Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2014
Gallery LaLa: Gallery LaLa is host to a lovely, curated selection of local handmade artisans. The gallery setting makes it a perfect venue for actually chatting with the makers and learning about how they do what they do. I like to see the variety from week to week. 12PM – 7PM, 138 Sullivan Street, Manhattan
Hell’s Kitchen Flea: It’s time to visit this large, outdoor flea market if you haven’t gone in a while. The wide open space on the West Side is perfect for strolling slowly as you notice all of the vintage and antique artifacts, furnishings and clothing. Keep a sharp eye on the shoes because you’ll probably find some great ones. 9AM – 5PM, West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, Manhattan
Hester Street Fair: I love Hester Street for its great mix of vintage and handmade vendors, as well as the great selection of artisanal food. You want to stroll through each tent and then rest a while with a tasty snack at picnic table at the far end of the market. It’s a beautiful space in a great part of town, so plan on spending half a day in the market and the neighborhood! 11AM – 6PM, corner of Hester and Essex Streets, Manhattan
The Market NYC:Congratulations to The Market NYC on their second anniversary in their beautiful space on Bleecker Street. This market features multiple floors filled with beautiful small boutiques. It is open five days a week, and each vendor is encouraged to express their creativity in the design of their own space. 12PM – 8PM, 159 Bleecker Street between Thompson and Sullivan Streets, Manhattan
The Marketplace at St. Anthony’s: I know you’ve walked by this sidewalk market before. This time, stop and have a good look at all the interesting things on the vendor tables! Each weekend is a different and dynamic collection of vintage, handmade and fair trade products, and surely some tasty snacks too. 10AM – Dusk, on West Houston Street between Thompson and Macdougal Streets, Manhattan
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 24 – 26, 2014
BAM’s Dance Africa 2013 Outdoor Bazaar: As part of their Dance Africa series, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) sponsor a wonderful outdoor market, featuring crafts, fashion and food made by African, African American and Caribbean artisans. Enjoy the culture of this amazing continent in this outdoor marketplace. Saturday 12pm-10pm, Sunday & Monday 12p-8pm, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Lafayette Ave & Ashland Place, Brooklyn
SmorgasBar: Brooklyn By The Beach: The Brooklyn Flea’s Smorgasburg food market is opening at Jones Beach for the summer! Luscious local food purveyors will be serving up fresh, delicious edibles, as well as juices and slushies (with and without alcohol). They open this weekend through Labor Day! Tentative hours are 11AM to 9PM. Friday-Sunday from May 23 to June 15 (plus Monday, May 26), then daily through Labor Day, Jones Beach State Park, Central Mall, Wantagh, NY
Governor’s Island BTJ Summer Pop Up: Celebrating it’s 4th year, this wonderful shop pops up in one of the historic houses on Governers Island. Hosted by the handmade boutique Better Than Jam, in coordination with the Etsy NY Street Team, this shop is a creative wonderland of locally handmade artisan wares. Take the free ferry from the Battery and enjoy a day of island hopping from Manhattan. This pop up runs this weekend through September 29th. 11AM – 6PM Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-5pm Friday and Mondays. House #16 in Nolan Park on Governors Island
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit: Started in 1931, this may be the longest running market type event in the city. It began during the Depression when Willem de Kooning and Jasper Johns desperately needed money to live. So they set up shop on the sidewalk of Greenwich Village and sold their paintings. All these years later, the tradition lives on for two consecutive weekends, starting on Saturday. It’s an amazing experience to meet the artists in person. Here’s one of my favorite interviews with Artist Tracy Silva Barbosa. She’ll be there too. 12PM – 6PM, on the sidewalks of University Place from East 13th Street South, Manhattan
Kitty Rose LyfeStyle’s beautiful logo available on tees in different colors
Lightweight, colorful earrings handmade by Kitty Rose LyfeStyle
Black Star Tee by Kitty Rose Lyfestyle
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