cozbi’s a shop that i just cannot get out of my head. every time i am roaming down court street, which is often now that in gowanus and i really just must get some sandwiches from frankies 457 even if it takes me 20 minutes each way, i have to pop in to see the most gorgeous creations that come out of this boutique. made of out of beautiful linens and cottons, the children’s dresses have this incredible detailing and finesse that makes me want to buy them all. cozbi also creates lots of special designs for christenings and other special baby occassions. fortunately, for our family budget, k really does not like dresses and so i’ll have to hope that cozbi will come up with a new line of kid’s tennis gear (k has been wearing the same shorts all week since that is the only “tennis” appropriate pair, according to her, that fits right now — not a pretty thing when it’s been 90 degrees the last few days). she does do lots of special orders so maybe she’ll consider this radical request.

in addition to the really sweet children’s line, i think that cozbi’s women’s clothing is spectacular. all handmade and individually designed, she had some fantastic summer dresses like this classic white eyelet sheath dress, a beautiful silk chiffon blouse and a great going out black racy lace top that is not too over the top so that even i, miss prim, could wear it out and about. right now, much of what she still has in stock from her summer collection is on sale at 35% off.

cozbi also has a surprising number of work-ready items with her great skirts and tops and practical but well designed dresses. this fall, she’ll have another great season of coats and jackets made out of fabulous wools. the color scheme will be slates paired with deep rich reds — that might be enough to get me in the mood for some cooler weather. the pricing at cozbi is quite reasonable too. her coats will be in the $325 range, and her jackets go from $165 to $225. she also carries some great jewelry designers including kristin eno, akiko and baubles & thorn.

and i am just in awe of cozbi cabrera herself. with an art background from parsons, cozbi started her creative activities as children’s book illustrator, moved on to create handmade collectible cloth dolls also called muñecas which honor her honduran heritage. these dolls have their own crazy following. and then only after all that, did cozbi start this clothing shop a few years ago. if only i could have just a fraction of her talents. instead, i’ll just have to be a made-to-measure patron which isn’t too bad. cozbi, 530 court street between huntington and west 9th streets, brooklyn, new york 718.246.7960.

when j and i wandered into billy reid’s recently, just looking for somewhere cool to hang out for a few minutes, we were very pleasantly surprised with all this completely unexpected hospitality. we were offered drinks with ice. j was ushered gently downstairs to try on some clothes, and i was free to roam through the store on my own. not the usual fancy manhattan shop treatment.

although i had never heard of billy reid before, i soon learned it was part of a southern-based mini chain (six other stores in the south) which then made sense with all the very encouraged friendliness — and no i’m not complaining about that. before i get to the clothes, though, i really just loved the store’s lived-in design which was clearly very carefully put together using lots of reclaimed materials. with a mix of dark wood (the display cabinets came from a dry goods store in montgomery, alabama), oil paintings, beautiful mirrors and lots of great light both upstairs and downstairs, the place was a very comfortable place to browse.

the southerner behind the store, billy reid who is from and still lives in alabama, is on his second tour through new york. after winning an award as the best new menswear designer in 2001, he started production right around september 11th, and when that didn’t go well given the timing, he moved back to alabama to retool and started opening up the other stores which have been very well received. when we visited, i loved the gorgeous colors billy reid used in the women’s collection (that blue checked shirt above was fantastic). in general, however, the women’s clothing was maybe not at the top of its game (this was in june) so i feel it’s a bit unfair to say i didn’t like it as it seemed in transition, but i will come back to check out what billy reid has in the fall. some of the jackets did look super cute, as did the dresses, and i am guessing that this is a place where it really makes sense to try things on.

billy reid’s menswear had lots of very appealing low key but attractive options. for some reason, the few shirts that j was willing to try on (he had already been shopping a bit too long so he was at the end of his shopping window) were way too short — so it seems maybe this is a better place for those on the smaller side. in all, i really liked the designs, the fabrics and the colors, and the price point was good too. men’s shirts ran at around $145 or so and when on sale they could be marked down to half of that. in addition to casual pants and shirts, billy reid also carries great shoes and boots (handmade in italy), ties, bags, denim and suits. so with the reasonable price point, billy reid is a place to come by every now and then, and not just for the drink. billy reid, 54 bond street at bowery, manhattan, new york, 212.598.9355.

i travel a lot in my day job and as a result i am always thinking about how to balance lugging around a lot of stuff including a computer, masses of papers and some entertainment for those long days waiting and waiting and waiting to get home. for the longest while, especially when i was shuffling to chicago weekly from laguardia (fortunately those trips are over) my best bet was my trusted tumi — boring but incredibly reliable and hardcore for all that jostling for a spot on the plane.

now that my travel is a bit more reasonable, and more like a day here and there so i don’t need to worry so much about my stuff and maybe i’m just a wee bit more sensitive to how i look as i trek through the likes of pittsburgh and baltimore with luggage, i have discovered the great style of hayden-harnett, two designers based in greenpoint where there great original store is located. i am particularly smitten with their paule marrot editions of travel totes like the one pictured above. and although i haven’t yet made the splurge, these super cute, and super functional bags would definitely brighten up my days so one of these is on the must purchase list. i have already gotten myself one of their very functional, super light , quite affordable backpacks that nicely fits all my heavier things and i don’t hurt my back at the same time — nice.

hayden-harnett has lots of other great bags including shoulder bags, satchels and clutches. they have plenty of very cute accessories too like wallets, coin purses, luggage tags and key chains. at the newer nolita store which opened this spring hayden-harnett also offers a bunch of gift ideas from other brands like digby & iona jewelry and yee-haw industries stationery.

and they also design some clothes though that is definitely not the mainstay of the company. i thought those blouses above were quite cute, and some other fun dresses. and although they no longer seem to be designing for target at some great price points (let’s hope that comes back), there are always some kind of sales or promotions on at hayden-harnett, especially if you follow them on twitter. right now on the website though there are definitely some great deals on dresses, swimsuits (so cute!), shoes and even a couple of boots and of course lots of bags and totes. hayden-harnett, 211 franklin street at freeman street, brooklyn, new york, 718.349.2247; 253 elizabeth street near houston street, manhattan, new york, 212.334.2247.

roberta roller rabbit is not the kind of store i expect to find on the upper east side. filled with great affordably priced brightly colored fabrics with great original graphic designs for quilts, baby blankets, bedspreads, table cloths, roberta roller rabbit is housed in a cute and unassuming space. robert freymann, who owns the store, travels the world collecting ideas and fabrics with a heavy emphasis on indian prints produced through hand block printing method and then dried in the sun. the designs themselves are modern looking fabrics but the production produces a product that is unique and a nice change from marimekko. roberta roller rabbit also sells fabrics for use on sofas, chairs and curtains at about $15 to $20 a yard and some furniture.

in addition to the great fabrics and quilts, roberta roller rabbit also carries a smattering of other items made with her trademark look including great summer hats for kids and adults, placemats, bags, pillows, backpacks. she also has a nice collection of cute cotton tunics or kurtas (also in kids and adult sizes) which make a great quick present or a fairly easily justified reward for something — i think my reason today would be suffering through my neighbor’s endlessly beeping smoke alarm which seems to be making me go crazy — definitely justification for a new treat.

roberta roller rabbit is a spin off from the original store called roberta freymann, located around the corner, and which focuses more on the clothes with jewelry, bags and other accessories. and it looks like roberta roller rabbit’s trying to expand too, or at least experimenting with relatively new stores in l.a. and the hamptons. roberta roller rabbit, 1019 lexington avenue at 73rd street, manhattan, new york, 212.772.7200.

while there were certainly great parts about being pregnant, shopping for clothes was not one of them. there were so few good choices in any reasonable price range. there were the crazy sample sales where you tried to predict what you might actually look like in five months. there were the completely distressing trips to “maternity shops” and then there were the splurges like a way too expensive summer dress that i never wore because that june the temperature never exceeded 65. my usual standbyes included a few items from the gorgeous pieces at cadeau maternity and veronique, lots of day to day things from old navy and h&m, finding some normal low riding jeans (no huge elastic band for me), and then really hope that i never needed a suit for work.

when i passed by madison rose, a buy-sell-trade shop which opened last month in carroll gardens, i was incredibly envious as this is just the kind of maternity store i would have loved (and no, no more babies will be happening so i will just need to send my friends here). madison rose’s maternity clothing collection was filled with tops and dresses made from lovely silks, linens and cotton fabrics, and beautiful (and not at all matronly) designs at more than half off retail or more. and i know i promised no more vintage but i really think that madison rose falls into a separate category offering only high quality gently used clothes from well known designers.

madison rose’s selection was really stylish, useful and so very appealing starting with an extensive designer denim selection (7 for all mankind, citizens of humanity, habitual). some of the other designers included favorite cadeau (especially now that their shop has closed) as well as diane von furstenberg, pea in the pod and chiarakruza. the inventory turns over constantly, and they really try to offer many styles with a wide range of price points: $80 to $90 for the demin, and tops and dresses will fall in the $40 to $60 range with some more fancy items going up to $150. they have started to carry some new nursing clothes (not used) from milk which are super cute.

lastly, madison rose itself is just charming. nice and airy, with lots of space so it feels like a fancy boutique — there is no musty smell here. and the shop also has a small collection of vintage children’s books and toys, and are hunting down some of those old. the trade aspect of the shop allows customers to come in and receive cash up front or trade credit for something in the store. as an added bonus, they are doing good. for the maternity clothes that don’t make the cut for sale in the store, madison rose has developed a partnership with safe horizons, a non profit focused on helping victims of violence, ensuring that the clothes do go to women in need. madison rose, 313 court street between degraw and sackett streets, brooklyn, new york, 347.689.3365.

as i have mentioned before, although j does like to have nice clothing and to look smart, he is is not really the best clothing shopper. he has a super hard time deciding what he likes, and then that makes deciding what to buy even harder if not possible. as a result many months and really years can go by without a wardrobe upgrade other than the few random pieces he gets here and there (and i do like to indulge him in the occasional seize sur vingt off the rack shirts). given that i don’t think he and i had gone on a summer shopping spree since pre k (that is at least six years ago), it was about time that we upgraded j’s shrunken, holey shirts and way too old and ratty shorts.

so this spring, after i finally was able to check save khaki out in their quaint, comfortable shop in the lower east side, i thought this was place was perfect for a solo shopping expedition. i could just send j unaccompanied because everything is so basic and pared down but still stylish and looks good. focusing on cotton goods, save khaki only has a few styles of short sleeve shirts, one more long sleeve style of shirt and then just a few pair of shorts. and while they have a few other items like hoodies, swimsuits and boxers, i thought that wouldn’t distract j from his mission. i also really loved save khaki’s different fabrics and the simplicity of the styles. the all cotton shirts were incredibly soft and silky and the shorts had a brushed cotton look that i assumed would look great on him, and they had some fun colors — nothing wild mind you — but some turquoises and orange. and it didn’t hurt that some the new brand (started in 2006) has obviously gotten a lot of play being carried at such hot spots as barneys and even featured in gq as one of the year’s best new menswear american designers.

so of course i was a little too optimistic. j returned from his save khaki journey with not a thing. discouraged by the muted tones (he does love crazy colors), he had failed to try on anything. fortunately, a few weeks ago we were able to go back together so that i could show him what he had missed. with just a little bit of prodding, he made his way to the dressing room, and we left with a new summer wardrobe which even included a frayed pair of shorts — shocking. this boy is now one happy clam. he loves the save khaki short sleeve shirts (so luxurious, so cool looking and so not fussy) and the shorts look great. and i have even gotten him to get rid of a few of the old pairs which is a minor miracle.

while i don’t think the fit at save khakiis for everyone (and j hasn’t tried their signature slim fit khakis yet) - at the shop i noticed another more hunky guy’s shirts seemed a little too tight — i know that for j’s skinny upper body build that i cannot wait for save khaki’s fall collection of cashmere sweaters and lightweight jackets. i think we may have finally found our “go to” menswear casual shop. save khaki, 327 lafayette street at bleeker street, 212.925.0134; and 254 broome street at orchard street, 212.614.7283, manhattan, new york.

i had heard of this place cloth mentioned a few times, but never knew quite where it was or what it was — some kind of crafty place is what i thought so maybe i just wasn’t that interested. when i finally stumbled upon cloth recently in quest for other clothing stores in fort greene it was a lovely surprise. located on a residential block just off of hanson place (very very close to target and more appealingly, to the brooklyn academy of music), cloth will become a frequent destination because of the quality, style and affordability on offer there. given my fondness for sneakers, i may first have to go back to get those cute silver tournament tretorns above, and maybe think about this big, poufy, super bright, but so very me, bag.

cloth also had an excellent, highly edited selection of cotton, mostly eco-friendly, clothing including designs from stuart+brown, velvet designed by graham & spencer, and blouses from taboo, as well as great dresses by utility canvas. i particularly liked that the clothing could be worn for work or fun, and that nothing was too trendy or too boring, and best of all it was quite affordable with most items coming in somewhere around $100 (either above or below that price point) and that is something that i can appreciate these days.

while they don’t carry that many accessories, cloth does carry my favorite soap saipua. and now when i have to hang around for k in case she decides to return to dance class at mark morris (i am wanting her to take tap, we’ll see if that happens), i definitely know where to go. cloth, 138 fort greene place between hanson place and lafayette avenue, brooklyn, new york, 718.403.0223.

so without meaning too, i seem to have been doing a few posts lately on shops with some amount of vintage including general and finds and franny and roey, and they are great stores. i have one more to report on today deluxa, which opened last fall, and then i plan to give the vintage a break for the summer no matter how popular this kind of shop seems to be. it’s funny that i keep profiling them as i almost never shop for vintage clothes but i am drawn to these stores with their charm and old-fashioned sensibility, and maybe a little bit of guilt too as this should really be the way i should be shopping if i were really thinking green.

with a varied collection of clothes for kids as well as men and women, deluxa is well suited for a “family shop” — well except for the fact that they aren’t so big so maybe it’s not such a good idea to bring lots of little kiddies around with the beautiful old perfume bottles, lots of glassware and tons of just incredibly appealing colorful knicknacks that any toddler would love. fortunately, deluxa is just down the block from my favorite dumpling spot eton and now that it is warm again, and eton is serving their fabulous hawaiian rainbow ices, it’s easy to split up and leave j and the kids there while i check things out at deluxa. (and my apologies for the more spring, than summer, photo above but i had taken photos a few months ago and still find that sweater dress combo adorable. their current store window showcases a more appropriate vacation look with lots of cute travel trunks.)

deluxa also has a strong mid century modern furniture obsession and put their recent finds on craigslist making it easy to find out some of their great pieces like this cute vintage daisy lamp and this shiny brass cube. i think i might just have to put them in my google reader so i can keep track of their finds. another good way to keep up with the store, or to just be inspired, is to follow their very informative blog. so given how easy it is to know what is going on here, how excellent the clothes are and that i’ll be nearby often this summer snacking at eton, i might finally start buying vintage. deluxa, 187 sackett street between henry and hicks streets, carroll gardens, brooklyn, new york, 347.721.3401.

general and finds (which until very recently had been store518) joins some of my other favorite little shops and food pit stops (including ruby moriarty and prime meats) concentrated in this great area at the far end of court street in brooklyn.

general and finds is the creation of designer nadia tarr, who got lots of acclaim this past year (and maybe elsewhere i just am not the most up to date in the fashion world) with her crazy wrap dress that has about a zillion configurations and looks pretty cute too which she designs as butter by nadia. set up like a general store with all sorts of cute wooden drawers and shelves filled with all sorts of treasures, general and goods is first and foremost a great source for the butter by nadia designs. With many of the stylish wrap jersey dresses on hand, in lots of colors, the shop has become quite the source for hip bridal parties, and i have to say that seems like a promising trend (please no more j. crew).

but the general and finds is more than just jersey dresses. nadia collects lots of interesting vintage clothing such as mexican sundresses and indian prints. she also features the occasional new designer such as archibald leach, a red hook designer, who reconfigures oxfords and other mens’ shirts into super cute sundresses (i love her slogan — dresses for girls inspired by boys). there’s some great children’s vintage too with jumpers from gay sprites.

general and finds offers some great vintage jewelry too with an emphasis on victorian memorial rings made out of cut glass or cellulite and rock crystal globe lockets. she’s also currently carrying some reworked vintage necklaces by a brooklyn designer. and if you’re a fan of the old coach, she seems to be obsessed with vintage coach bags of all shapes and sizes.

general and finds also offers my favorite soaps from saipua, and then there are some knicknacks as well as lots of nostalgic candy — squirrel nut zippers, necco, sky bars and cherry mash - all still made fresh but just reminders of the “good old days.” from the candy, to the soaps and the dresses, it’s hard to imagine leaving this shop without some find. general and finds, 518 court street between huntington and court streets, brooklyn, new york, 646.256.5041.

i had seen shop mentioned in a few shopping guides including this one, and thought i definitely should come by as it seemed like my kind of store — fairly affordable yet chock full of interesting, comfortable, and stylish clothes that i would be more than happy to wear for work or for play. i defiitely fell for karma’s plaid blouse pictured above. they also had cute john eshaya tee shirts as well as dresses by manisse, bikinis by vitamin a, panties by eberjey. they have quite an extensive jean selection in various shades and colors with brands such as siwy (blue and white swirled), kasil and blank.

and they had plenty of accessories. spring clutch purses by abaco and others by salome, and lots of jewelry including the super cute necklace above by bearhead factory. so if you’re in need for a few things for summer, which finally seems like it is in sight, i think that shop would be a good place for a little splurge that won’t make you feel too guilty. shop, 94 orchard street between broome and delancey streets, manhattan, new york, 212.375.0304.