the village tart: a sweet destination...

the village tart for me is all about the sweet stuff.  and while i cannot go there nearly every day, like these lucky girls, i will be stopping by whenever i’m in the neighborhood for a quick snack. i am still dreaming of this strawberry rhubarb almond frangipane.  this might be my perfect combination...

girl cat: silky classics to covet...

although i have gone up and down atlantic avenue a zillion times, only this weekend did i finally venture into  girlcat.  i have clearly been missing our or on the bright side saving money.  this little shop, basically a shrine for all things designed by the very talented anya ponorovskaya, is a...

in god we trust: high style at low price...

s. and i are off to chicago saturday morning, and in the rush to try and get ready for that (3 travels in one week make for one unhappy clam), my post lagged today but alas, here it is before we head out. in god we trust is one shop that i really cannot believe i have not discovered until now, and...

the sandra cameron dance studio: dancing...

given that i seem to be having a valentine’s day focus these days, i thought i would end the week with an idea for the romantic or for someone who likes to perform.  j. and i during our early days were big dancing fans, and we loved learning new tricks.  while we weren’t very good at it,...

mini guide: bottom of nolita...

just this past year, and as i have written about before, i feel that i have found this kind of hidden manhattan, well hidden in plain site that is.  this area covers a few blocks to the north and south of broome beginning at centre and lafayette streets.  this area feels a little like what old new...

oro bakery and bar: madelines and other ...

after this post by kathy yl chan, the sweets expert at serious eats, i really couldn’t not visit oro bakery and bar for their madelines.  well, i probably haven’t had as much madeline experience as kathy (though i do occasionally like to bake my own which are quite tasty) but from my limited...

michele varian: a little bit of domino i...

i feel like i should have known about michele varian for ages, but for some reason i had never even heard of it, or at least noticed that her wares had been popping up in domino until the last few months or so. when i finally went by, i was thrilled to find yet another great, little unusual gem of...

cafe gitane: a new sunny spot for a few ...

j and i have been going to café gitane for ages, maybe since it opened about 10 years ago or so.  the super euro “elite” nolita spot with french-moroccan food has become a bit overrun and maybe overused (at least based on a lot of comments i read), with lots of tourists, reflecting perhaps...

blue bag: bags galore...

trying to keep to a budget, i have amazingly not purchased a new bag for nearly two years which definitely might be a record.  however, i was not able to hold out after a visit to blue bag a few weeks ago.  this great shop carries a constantly revolving collection of purses in all shapes, colors,...