Parents in Prospect Lefferts Gardens have been thrilled with the addition of newcomer Play Kids to their area. Since it opened, it’s not only locals that come: parents from Ditmas Park, Prospect Heights, Park Slope and even as far away as Carroll Gardens are making the trip. What’s the draw? Their stellar lineup of unique classes and range of toys, baby items and clothing that meet the needs of Brooklyn families.

The specialty toy and baby shop, which opened on Nov. 1, 2011, is owned by Carl Blake and Shelley Kramer.  The owners, who reside across the street from Prospect Park with two kids of their own, saw a need for a neighborhood kids’ store that would carry products that are BPA, PVC, Phthalate Free and non-toxic but also those that are designed by local Brooklynites. As parents in the neighborhood, they believe in community and that “if we can buy and shop local, we will.” Local Brooklyn products include: Baby DeeDee Sleep Nests (loveliest sleep sacks!), Brooklyn Rocks tee’s, Herbal Postpartum Products made by Divine Daughters, Rooware (plates, bowls, utensils designed by a PLG mom) and felt flower barrettes made by local mom, Allyson Sen.

They have stocked their store only with items that don’t require batteries. Their belief in child engineered toys means they not only carry the classics toys but stock brands like Erector, Chugginton and Thomas, Trains, Playmobil, EeBoo, Djeco, Melissa & Doug, Faber-Castell, Automoblox, Seedling, Kid-O and more.  The store is filled with some of the most sought-after brands and there is ample space for testing them. Want to try a balance bike? Or an Ergo? Feel free to lay your things down and give them a spin.  The family-friendly store is buzzing with kids and parents coming to and from classes, meeting and checking out the shelves.

In true community spirit, Play Kids have opted to keep their classes affordable and so they offer as many “drop in” classes as possible. There isn’t any fee up front and each time that the class is offered, you can come as often as you are able. With a nod to the homeschooling group, they have classes for older kids too.

They are offering some special workshops this month too:

Saturday, Feb. 4 at 5pm they are offering an “Introducing Your Child to Solid Foods” Workshop. Maya Feller MS RD will lead the workshop which will include information on how to make your own baby food, readiness of the child to eat solid food, baby food making demonstrations, and a Question and Answer segment. The workshop will run about 90min and cost $20/person or $35/adult.

For Valentine’s Day, stop in for a photo shoot and craft-making at “Make Your Own Valentines” event.  The photo session is $20/print (five additional prints will be email to you to print or send at your leisure). Make your own Valentine’s will be free.

Classes:
Kids Can Cook!, Knitting (Ages 9+), Music Together, Rock-ucation, Art Classes from Manor Arts, Mom & Baby Yoga.
Tue 10 am Drumalong with Ivan ($5/family) All Ages
Wed. 10am  Story Time with Mary Jo ($5/family) All Ages
Thur. 9:45am, 12:15pm, 1:30pm Baby Clay with Melisa ($10/child) Ages 6mo-2yrs
Thurs: 11 am Baby Clay for Big Kids ($10/child) Ages 2 years and up
Fri. 10am  Sing-a-Long with Lloyd ($5/family) All Ages
(once a month) Sun 1:30pm Improv with Ashley ($8/child*) Ages 6+
2:30pm Creative Writing with Chris ($8/child*) Ages 6+
* $4 discount if your child participates in both Improv and Creative Writing*

Details:
Play Kids
676 Flatbush Ave (between Hawthrone and Winthrop St.)
Prospect Lefferts Gardens

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Though we only hear about the death of independent bookstores in the rest of the U.S., it seems like here in Brooklyn, small bookstores not only survive, but thrive. Why else would a seasoned Manhattan bookstore open a location in Cobble Hill? Idlewild Books will open this Monday, February 1st, though passers-by will note that the shops’ doors have been open for the past week or so. You might wonder how Cobble Hill can support another great bookstore when Book Court and The Community Bookstore do a pretty stellar job. Idlewild Books has a unique niche: they specialize in novels and kids’ books and language classes in French, Spanish and Italian.

Idlewild opened the first store in 2008 in Chelsea on 19th street between 5th and 6th avenue. That location is primarily travel books and world literature. For the past year or so, books in foreign languages were added. A lot of their clients came from Brooklyn and, the owner, David del Vecchio, thought it would be a great idea to open a store here where they would focus on French, Spanish and Italian (even though you will still find English language books about Europe and bilingual books for both kids and adults).

Idlewild Books in Chelsea

When I asked Idlewild about who has been popping into their store so far, they mentioned that they have had everything “from native speakers of all three languages looking for a good read, to Tintin fans looking to add another title to their collection, to parents looking for bilingual Spanish/English books for their children.”And, for that large French expat community we have in Brooklyn? The Idlewild staff said, “it is early to say who our main clientele will be but francophones and francophiles will probably take the lead.”

As of now the bookshop hasn’t planned any story times but they are considering doing it in the future. They do offer 10-week classes for children ages 7-9 and 10-12 in French and Spanish. They are an introduction to these languages that focus on oral communication and comprehension. The  children learn through songs, play, and arts and crafts. They will add more languages, levels and age groups in their spring term starting in April. Their Facebook page has a lot of up-to-date information, including the books they are unpacking each day.

Details:
Idlewild Books
249 Warren St (between Court and Smith)
Cobble Hill
Facebook page
718.403.9600

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Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

This is the tenth installment of our feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly (well, sometimes!) look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, is in charge of this feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work (See her “Spotted” work for us). I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about her newest find:

I’ve got no issues putting my children in hand me downs but every once in a while I can’t resist buying them something singular. Something I might keep for when my kids have kids. Last winter I bought my youngest a vintage inspired wool bonnet and mittens at a local craft market. Many compliments, and two seasons later, I ran across the maker, Rosi “Rouge” Zingales, again at the Smith Street Fair. Her street boutique, Hanky Blanky, was filled with treasures she had created from her deep collection of vintage patterns, fabrics and of course hankies.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

A costume designer by training, Rosi made her first blanket out of hankies for her godchild, and so began what would evolve into her top seller the Animal Wrapper blanket. She explains, “ANIMAL WRAPPER is a version of my best friend’s blanky she had as a baby, handmade by her grandmother! I loved all the animals and their cute stitched faces! I had found another idea to use all my vintage fabrics.”

Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

Hanky Blanky dresses are her other most popular item. Their details are really delightful, a rose or embroidery in key places. Each piece feels unique because of her mix of old and new. The shapes are comfy and easy to wear despite the complexity of their appearance. I especially liked the soft corduroys she used in some of her inter-seasonal pieces.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

The roominess of these overalls seemed so much more pleasant and functional than toddler jeggings. If only she made them in adult sizes.

Besides the street fairs you can look at Hanky Blanky’s online shop, but I think the in-person experience is definitely something to seek out and Hanky Blanky will be at a bunch of craft fairs for the holidays.

For the localists there is an added bonus that everything is made here in New York.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper Photography

This is where you can find Hanky Blanky this winter!

Dec 10th  11 – 5:30pm
Astoria Market’s Columbus Avenue Holiday Pop-Up Market
Church of St Paul the Apostle; 59th St. and Columbus Ave.

Dec 17&18, 12pm-6pm
Yelp Giftacular
82 Mercer Street (between Broome and Spring), New York, NY

******
Justine Cooper, our “Top of the Shop” photographer, loves capturing babies and families so much, she made a career out of it. Originally trained as a photojournalist, she also has a Masters in Fine Art. She splits her time between creating work for galleries and shooting families in the New York area. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn. Her portrait work can be seen at www.justinecooperphotography.com. Justine was voted “Brooklyn’s Best Family Photographer” by Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect.

A Child Grows, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: animal wrapper blanket, hanky blanky, Justine Cooper, rosi zingales, vintage fabrics

This is the ninth installment of our feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work (See her “Spotted” work for us). I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:

Bump Brooklyn on Bergen Street. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

Brooklyn has one of the best maternity stores in NYC: Bump Brooklyn. Before I show it’s lovely treasures and staples for the expecting mom,  I have to mention what they are doing this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day
Saturday & Sunday - 20% off all non-sale purchases and 10% off jewelry special orders
Saturday -2-4pm ice cream cones for everyone – asking for donations that they will match and be giving to local charity Providence House

Bump Brooklyn was started by Hannah Macdonald and SaSaDi Odunsi who bonded during downward-facing dogs in a mommy-baby yoga class back in 2007. Bump should be on the radar of all newly pregnant moms. They are super welcoming and knowledgeable. There are toys to play with if you are shopping with your kids (we all know how fun that is), and comfy chairs to relax in if that last trimester has worn you down.

I’m definitely not  expecting and I still walked away with some new pieces I love – about 20% of the shop is non-maternity and many things I have bought in the past there I’m still wearing. Remember the ridiculously low cut jeans phase? Yeah, well it’s important to have tops that cover up the belly!

Jeans are actually one of Bump’s top selling items. They have a huge selection of denim. Sasadi, who is 8 months pregnant with her third, has test driven just about every jean on the market. Her pick is the Maternal America Skinny Jeans ($104). “They are skinny, but not too tight and a great cut for most body types, plus they work through all trimesters and even post-baby, and they have a nice waist band that stays up!” she claims.

Maternal America Skinny Jeans. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

If you are going to try and wear the jeans you own a little bit longer then this neat little gizmo the Muffin Top Stopper, made by a local mompreneur Mindy Greene, might tide you over.

Muffin Top Stopper. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

I love an item that’s inexpensive and functional because then I can splurge on something irrational, yet pretty. My favorite dress in the shop was this fetching, and beautiful to feel, Schone Celine Silk Charmeuse Dress ($258) by local Brooklyn designer and new mother, Rebecca Schoneveld Cheek.

My favorite dress. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

I always found dressing for pregnancy to be a lot of fun, showing off the curves with something I might never wear non-pregnant. But post-baby, the nursing wardrobe can be pretty dire. Pulling your dress over your head to breastfeed is never a good look, though I admit to doing it on one or two occasions. I imagine that’s why Bump’s other best sellers are these good-looking, practical nursing dresses.  Each of these dresses have hidden openings to spare you that scenario. Dote Noir nursing dress (grey) $110 Jolie Nursing dress (blue) $110.

Nursing dresses. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

My other top pick were these bold chew beads, safe for babies to gnaw on while giving you a bit of glam. Very springtime colors, they really made me happy just looking at them.

Chew beads (really!) for teethers. Photo by © Justine Cooper Photography

Bump Brooklyn
If you can’t make it in person you can check out their online shop
464 Bergen St (btwn 5th Ave and Flatbush)
718-638-1960

******
Justine Cooper, our “Top of the Shop” photographer, loves capturing babies and families so much, she made a career out of it. Originally trained as a photojournalist, she also has a Masters in Fine Art. She splits her time between creating work for galleries and shooting families in the New York area. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn. Her portrait work can be seen at www.justinecooperphotography.com. Justine was voted “Brooklyn’s Best Family Photographer” by Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect.

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Post tags: brooklyn, bump brooklyn, family photographer, Justine Cooper, maternal america skinny jeans, maternity store, maternity store nyc, muffin top stopper, nursing bras, nursing tops, portrait photograher in Brooklyn

Papel's front in Cobble Hill

This is the eighth installment of our feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work (See her “Spotted” work for us). I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:

Papel is my neighborhood stationer and they just celebrated their 1 year anniversary! With the holidays around the bend I keep running over to get a card or small gift. Just got a nice bight red raw silk accordion photo album for the great-grandma. Papel itself is a real multi-generational setup. Owner Reagan Hirvela celebrated the arrival of her baby a few months ago and you’ll often see her little girl napping in the back room. Plus her Dad was persuaded to give up retirement and man the shop a few days a week. The vibe is very friendly and relaxed, room to push a stroller around and help if you need it. Raegan says her selection is based on what people ask for. So in some ways it’s all “Top of the Shop” and the collection of cards ranges from funny to lovely.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

Some of the card selection being perused. The little framed prints on the wall at the top are part of a not-for-profit program called Starting Artists which helps underserved middle and high school kids get professional training in the arts and show their work.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

The local New York vibe is definitely a winner at Papel. Their best sellers are Andy Pratt’s journals and note cards.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

And of course their other Top of the Shop right now are seasonal holiday cards. Shown here are ones by Greenwich letterpress (NYC) and Seltzer.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

I  loved their paper/gift wrap, many of them hand printed. Definitely one of my tops when the hallmark tissue paper isn’t going to cut it.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

I also loved these Rag & Bone Bindery baby books. Not too intimidating to fill in and made in the USA. They had cute questions like who was the president when you were born, and what was the #1 song. Plus room for photos and scrapbooking.

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

Papel also works with a few local and national vendors to do custom letterpress invitations for weddings, barmitzvahs and announcements

Papel isn’t online. They are more a word of mouth kind of place, but you can learn/see more here.

Papel
225 Court St (between Baltic and Warren Sts)
Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
718-422-0255

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Post tags: baby book, baby shower invitation, brooklyn, cards, cobble hill, custom invitation, gift wrap, holiday card, invitations, journal, Justine Cooper, justine cooper photography, letterpress, note card, papel, paper store, starting artists, stationery store, store in brooklyn, thank you card, where to buy in brooklyn

This is the seventh installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work (See her “Spotted” work for us). I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:

The Green Onion, an independent children’s boutique, is one of my standby destinations when I’m looking for a special gift, plus I often pick up a great item or two from their sales rack. If I’m feeling flush, I’ll splurge on something interesting for one of my kids (they have great boy clothes which is hard to find!) I also love their focus on seasonal collections, so I’ll know what I’m buying is what’s hot now. Their selection spans infant through tween clothing from both classic brands like Petite Bateau and Tea, to more one-off and local pieces from both known (Egg) and up and coming labels (Kid Cuteture). Elliesha Villanueva has owned TGO since 2008, but it’s been around since 1998, growing with the neighborhood. I liked how helpful and knowledgeable she was about all the lines she carries.

The front of The Green Onion Photo by ©Justine Cooper

The interior of The Green Onion Photo by ©Justine Cooper

Vintage tables and shelves with yummy items tucked in everywhere

Top seller- fleece lined hat Photo by ©Justine Cooper

Jasper models one of The Green Onion’s top sellers – Melton’s full face fleece lined hat ($27). Apparently Jasper already owns one and his mom declared it the only hat he’ll wear. Plus it’s got a scarf built in. Cozy.

Top Seller- rompers Photo by ©Justine Cooper

TGO’s top selling items for babies are these Imps & Elfs rompers which highlight that cute baby shape and get snapped up for Layettes.

My top pick: Dale Kaplan pillows Photo by ©Justine Cooper

While technically not the best sellers in the spirit of the holidays, I thought these Dale Kaplan cupcake and cowboy pillows were pretty irresistible. She is a local artisan who has been making vintage inspired pieces since 1993 ($45)

My top pick: Egg sweaters with pockets Photo by ©Justine Cooper

For toddlers and young children, these sweaters by Egg are Top of the Shop. Dumbo designer Susan Lazar knows what kids and parents will like. My own son always needs to bring a toy with him in order to leave the house, so the brown boy style with pockets rocks.

Yes, and another top pick of mine: Old Soles shoes Photo by ©Justine Cooper

And for the holiday footwear I’m definitely going with these Old Soles metallic shoes for my, about to walk, bub. I loved the grips and the bottom.

The Green Onion
74 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-246-11231

******
Justine Cooper, our “Spotted!” photographer, loves capturing babies and families so much, she made a career out of it. Originally trained as a photojournalist, she also has a Masters in Fine Art. She splits her time between creating work for galleries and shooting families in the New York area. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn. Her portrait work can be seen at www.justinecooperphotography.com. You can see HER photo on our About page.

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Post tags: bococa, brooklyn, childrens shop, cobble hill, games, green onion, kid clothing, Kids, kids shoes, shoe store, smith street, the green onion, toy store, toys

The shop front on Atlantic Avenue. Photo © Justine Cooper

This is the sixth installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work (See her “Spotted” work for us). I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:

Mini Max Toys and Cuts is one of those shops where the longer you stay the more you realize exactly how much they are managing to achieve in their boutique sized space. Yes, you can get a toy or a haircut, but they also have free classes and special events, plus carry a lot of Brooklyn-made and other well curated and diverse items. The owners, which include 3 Brooklyn based sisters, underscore the value of promoting diversity within their Brooklyn community. They use cute mascots to help convey that message.

Photo © Justine Cooper

I was there for Wednesdays Jam Session. Every week, they offer regular events for children at no charge. They have weekly free events which are on A Child Grow’s Daily Calendar:
Storytime - Tuesday, 10am (all ages)
Jam Session and Sing Along – Wednesday, 10am (all ages)
French Storytime – Thursday, 10am (all ages)
Punk Rock Bracelets (“friendship bracelets with an attitude”) – Friday, 4pm (recommended ages 6+ or younger with an adult or older sibling who can assist)

Their staff were friendly and really helped me find the perfect gift on my first visit a few months ago. This time I hung out for one of their sing along classes, then stuck around to witness a haircut in their very cool taxi car chair. I also spied some personal favorites in their shop. Matt, their very knowledgeable manager, pointed me to their own Top of the Shop.

Photo © Justine Cooper

Aidan stays happy in his flying taxi and barely notices he’s getting a haircut. I love the whole cityscape theme and maps on the walls in the salon area (Anyone remember Florent?)

Photo by © Justine Cooper

One of Mini Max’s Top Sellers are all the Plan Toys. They have this great Plan dollhouse setup in the shop to distract your young ones while you shop.

Photo by © Justine Cooper

Mini Max’s other top seller are these lovely MiYim Organic line of baby teethers, rattles and future favorite stuffed animals. My baby daughter was given a MiYim bunny toy that makes her squeal with delight. Just to prove it doesn’t have to be optical and over the top for a baby to love it!

Photo by ©Justine Cooper

Okay so this was one of my favorite things here because they just seemed so great for any age. The toddler is going to enjoy them because they are simply fun. An older child might be piqued to learn some history, and my green friends will dig them because they are made in Brooklyn by Jailbreak Collective.

Photo by © Justine Cooper

I thought these Calafant sets were awesome. My own son has been into nailing and glueing anything he can get his hands on, then painting it. These tap right into that desire, with slightly more sophisticated designs like pirate ships and tree houses.

Mini Max Toys and Cuts
152 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11201
Store hours 10-7 everyday
Haircut hours 10-6 everyday
718-222- TOYS (8697)
minimax@minimaxnyc.com

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Post tags: boerum hill, brooklyn, brooklyn heights, calafant, carroll gardens, childrens haircut, cobble hill, dollhouse, jailbreak collective, kid haircut, kids haircut, mini max, mini max toys and cuts, new york, plan toys, retail store, store, toy store, toys and cuts, Where to Buy

Lily in Cobble Hill

This is the fourth installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work. I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let us know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:
Lily was opened in 1999 by long-time Cobble Hill resident (and mom) Jennifer Gerien.  It was one of the first boutiques to open on Court Street. Their stuff is comfortable, fashionable and affordable. It’s definitely a favorite shopping destination in the neighborhood.  They also have a great selection of handbags, small leather goods and jewelry.  I’ve been saved on more than one occasion by their dress selection too.

A lovely window dress

So what’s their best selling item? Consistently, it’s the Hanky Panky Lace Boyshort – comfortable, gives great coverage and shows no lines!    (xs – large $29) and the Hanky Panky Lace Thong in Original and Low-Rise, which is purportedly the world’s most comfortable thong.  No comment on if a thong can be comfortable but it does come in tons of great colors. (One size $17)

Best seller- Hanky Panky Lace Boyshort

My Top of the Shop was these Kit + Lili canvas tote bags. Kit + Lili is a Brooklyn based company and the bags are made from super strong canvas and come in amazing prints. I especially liked the faux bois in the middle ($72 – $88).

Kit + Lilli canvas tote bags

And I also loved these Time Will Tell Watches. As Oprah says “plastic is the new gold”?! These ones come in more grown up tortoises if you don’t love the bubblegum pink ($65).

Time Will Tell watch in bubblegum pink

If you have to get something for the kids too, check out their “bklyn” onesies and tees for babies and toddlers. These were designed for Lily over 10 years ago by former Brooklyn resident, Eric Cline, and are still going strong with tourists and Brooklynites alike. (3-6 months – 4T $18 – $23)

"bklyn" onesies- if you must shop for your kids too!

Lily
209 Court St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-6261
Subway: Bergen Street
Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

******

Justine Cooper, our “Spotted!” photographer, loves capturing babies and families so much, she made a career out of it. Originally trained as a photojournalist, she also has a Masters in Fine Art. She splits her time between creating work for galleries and shooting families in the New York area. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn. Her portrait work can be seen at www.justinecooperphotography.com. You can see HER photo on our About page.

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Post tags: boutique, brookln, brooklyn, brooklyn boutique, brooklyn womens clothes, cobble hill, court street, dresses, lily, lilys, woman's shop

This is the fourth installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a weekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing photographer, Justine Cooper, has agreed to take on the feature, even though she is mainly known for her family portrait work. I think you will appreciate getting to see Brooklyn stores through her elegant photography. Let me know what you think.

From Justine about the shoot and shop:
Madison Rose was launched about a year ago by a husband and wife team, Chris and Jilian, on Court St Boerum Hill Cobble Hill (shown below).  They just opened another location in Park Slope. Madison Rose has high quality designer resale, plus new, well chosen (and priced) pieces and accessories for maternity and new mothers. They have a great eye and each thing in here has been hand chosen. It shows. I loved all the more distinct pieces and their stock revolves quickly, so worth checking in periodically.

This Dress made by Cotton Glam for $69, also available in other colors and fabrics. The diaper tote ($74) is by Hedvig Bourbon , a local mom. Plates were commissioned from Rehabilitation Dishware $65.  I loved the signature motif on the wall, designed and hand stamped on the wall by Jilian. (priceless)

An example of something sweet for the expectant mom, no size needed and only $26.

This is more my style, and while not pregnant I was still tempted. Beaded tunic by Cadeau.

Very gorgeous empirewaist floor length gown. My personal Top of the Shop. Where else will you fine one-of-a-kind finds like this for under $100?

Madison Rose
Designer Maternity Resale

313 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
(347) 689-3365

171 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(347) 763-1194

www.madisonrosematernity.com
info@madisonrosematernity.com

******

Justine Cooper, our “Spotted!” photographer, loves capturing babies and families so much, she made a career out of it. Originally trained as a photojournalist, she also has a Masters in Fine Art. She splits her time between creating work for galleries and shooting families in the New York area. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn. Her portrait work can be seen at www.justinecooperphotography.com. You can see HER photo on our About page.

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Post tags: boutique, brooklyn, cobble hill, consignment shop, madison rose, maternity clothes, maternity wear, park slope. clothing, pregnant, resale

Park Delicatessen's fresh cut flowers

Valentine Leung and Michael Sclafani are the co-owners of Brooklyn’s super cool and fantastically multi-purpose Park Delicatessen where in addition to selling skateboards and lovely flower arrangements in hand painted cans, you can also pick up a patchwork baby quilt ($275) with a matching pillow ($46) as well as bibs ($18) and baby clothing.  Valentine, who had her own clothing line that was sold at stores like Barneys, Nordstrom and Intermix makes the items herself out of 100% cotton Indian fabric.  If it’s a simple gift you require, the good news for Prospect Heights and Crown Heights is that we no longer have to run over to Park Slope for a good bar of chocolate.  Park Delicatessen offers letterpress cards, cut paper cards, Joy’s truffles, Mast Brother’s chocolate, and a truly adorable selection of miscellaneous gifts including print bags and vintage toys.  And if you’re wondering about the skateboards, Michael Scalfani is not only offering limited edition artist series boards from Andy Warhol and Chris Johanson, but his skating lessons for kids ages 4 and up are sure to be a huge hit this summer.

Park Delicatessen
533 Park Place between Washington & Classon, Brooklyn
718-789-8889
www.parkdelibk.com

Handmade pillows and bibs

Such cool skateboards!

Vintage bus and trucks

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Paula Balzer: a Brooklyn based literary agent and co-founder of the blog www.adhocmom.com, the blog for freelance and part-time working moms.

A Child Grows, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: brooklyn, flowers brooklyn, fresh cut flowers, michael sclafani, park deli, park delicatessen, prospect heights, skateboard, skateboarding lessons, valentine leung