Since I’m heading out of the country this weekend (to sunny Cabo!), I decided to stay local last weekend and explore one of the 5 different boroughs of New York City more – Brooklyn! Even though Brooklyn is a short subway ride away from Manhattan, it has a completely different vibe than Manhattan, and I love heading out there to explore it whenever I get a chance – gorgeous tree-lined streets with brick houses, intimate restaurants with unique menus and vintage stores galore.
This trip into Brooklyn, I walked through the areas of Clinton Hill, Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant, stopping along the way at Aita, the Brooklyn Flea and Dough. Keep reading for information on all of these places and to check out my style for this fun day!
Outfit details – Faux Fur Jacket: Forever 21 (old); Dress: Wren, on sale here; Bag: Clare Vivier, available here
Aita
I started my day with brunch at Aita, an Italian restaurant in Clinton Hill that has one of the best brunches in Brooklyn. It is a Michelin Guide recommended restaurant for 2015, and the food is delish!! Aita considers itself a neighborhood restaurant, and it definitely has a homey feel, with decor reminiscent of eating in a brownstone home from the 1920s (even the bathroom decor fits the theme with goodies like a typewriter strategically placed). I certainly wish this restaurant was in my neighborhood, I would be there every weekend for the variety of menu items.
From left to right: Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes with Lemon Ricotta Cream, Parmesan Home Fries (hidden behind flowers) and Avocado Benedict with a side of Parmesan Home Fries
The Brooklyn Flea
The Brooklyn Flea changes locations from winter to summer – In the winter it’s indoors in Crown Heights and in the summer it’s primary locations are in Williamsburg and Fort Greene. For anyone who loves flea markets, the Brooklyn Flea is consistently ranked as one of the top ten flea markets in the country and it’s pretty cool! This was my first time at this particular flea market, but I have fond memories of visiting flea markets every weekend as a child with my parents. You never know what you will find, and you always learn something new, just as I did with this visit.
This was my favorite booth and story at the Brooklyn Flea – Can you see the saw necklace? A sterling silver freebie that was handed out by a company that made saws in the early 1900s. Handing out necklaces with little symbols that represented a retailer was common practice by various retailers during that time period.
Wood and metal works – So much better than Restoration Hardware
Antique wooden trunk and other knick knacks to decorate your home
Vintage license plates
Bricks and plants – what better combo?
Vintage jewels
Adorable bowls painted with different animals; Photo courtesy of Minh-Van Do
Dough
Can you spot the celebrity in the pictures below? People travel many miles for a taste of the donuts at Dough in Bedford Stuyvesant, and let me tell you, they are well worth the wait (which even the celebs have to bear!). With flavors like Cheesecake, Nutella and Hibiscus, it’s impossible not to find a flavor you love. Warm and gooey, these doughnuts are best eaten right after you pick them up from the shop, like I did, street-side!
If you don’t want to make the trek to Brooklyn, Dough has now opened up a second location in Manhattan (flatiron). Although it’s much easier for me to head over to that location, I much preferred trying the doughnuts for the first time from their original shop and location.
Entrance to the shop
Inside the shop – Second person from the left (hint: Gotham)
Donutsss
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