Your Ideal Week: Dec. 2 – Dec. 9

Book lovers should head to the fourth annual Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair on Saturday for rare and out-of-print reads to gift. Photo: Honey and Wax Booksellers
We’re in the home stretch, the last month of 2015, and you probably have a lot of nights blocked off already for holiday parties and get-togethers. For all the open spots on your calendar, we’ve got some good ways to fill the days ahead.
Yesterday was “Giving Tuesday,” but today the Big Brooklyn Toy Drive begins in earnest with bins spread through North Brooklyn, Dumbo and one Park Slope locale. Fill them with new, wrapped toys for kids ages 2-13 who will truly appreciate them. Be sure to read through all the perks involved, like free East River Ferry tickets, and a food-and-booze filled party on Dec. 16, the last day to donate presents.
If you’re shopping for a bibliophile this season, the Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair, filled with… Read More

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The New Artrider Craft Show Comes to the Brooklyn Expo Center this Weekend, December 4-6

Sponsored By Artrider’s CraftBrooklyn. CraftBrooklyn is a one-of-a-kind craft show and sale that features 100 makers from around the country. Created By BlankSlate
Meet 100 of the most talented fine craft makers in the country and shop for handmade goods at the new CraftBrooklyn this weekend. You’ll be able to find one-of-a-kind and limited edition creations of contemporary ceramics, furniture, fashion, steel sculpture, blown glass, home furnishings, painting, photography, and more. CraftBrooklyn takes place at the Brooklyn Expo Center this weekend with a special preview party Friday starting at 4 p.m.
… Read More

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Brooklyn-Made Bling: Lady J+1

Your kick-ass lady friend could use some new arm candy, and Lady J+1 has bold bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings destined to become her 2016 statement pieces. (Or yours!) All are made in Crown Heights by award-winning designer Jessica D’Amico, who exclusively carries Lady J Jewelry Designs at her indie artisan boutique and online at ladyjjewelry.com. Pictured here is a selection of her newest and hottest pieces for the holidays, including the Globus Cruciger necklace, a powerful design resurrected from the Middle Ages; a bold Moss Agate ring; the perfect pair of onyx studs; and the eye-catching Diaconicon Midi ring. 
Lady J+1 offers more than just D’Amico’s adornments–it also stocks Brooklyn’s best independent fashion designers like Apparel by Mary Meyer, Samantha Pleet, Family Affairs, Alex Creates and more; indie bath and body products by Cirque Nail Color, Morphologically, Apotheke and Goldie’s; art and home goods from Jonathan Castro Ceramics, SKT Ceramics and Owen &… Read More

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The Cost of an Urban Climate Crisis, #BHeard next Wednesday, December 9

Sponsored By BRIC. BRIC is a nonprofit arts and media cultural organization that presents free and low-cost programming to the community. Created By BlankSlate
Over the past few years, the issue of climate change has become impossible to ignore. The effects of climate change are not lost on those who call New York City home. Families who live in low-income housing are exposed to toxic and hazardous conditions, and their children are associated with a wide range of health conditions, including respiratory infections and asthma.
With repairs to various points of the city’s infrastructure still taking place and the financial costs of these repairs and insurance steadily rising for residents, there are some serious questions to be answered. How can members of the community cope with these effects while also dealing with a steep increase in their billing for necessary utilities and food? Climate change has transformed from a water cooler topic into a serious matter for everyone, especially individuals and families who are… Read More

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The Gift of a Garden: Seedsheet

After using a Seedsheet over the summer, I marveled at how easy it made growing plants from seed. Designed to be foolproof, this garden-in-a-sheet provides all the benefits of an organic garden, without the burdens of gardening. Each one includes a variety of organic nonGMO seeds and soil contained in water-soluble pods which are embedded within a weed barrier fabric. You just place atop soil and water for the perfect weedless garden that’s “planted” in 30 seconds. It’s simple, innovative, and quite literally allows you to give the gift of a garden.
There is a Seedsheet designed for every type of green thumb–foodies, tea or smoothie enthusiasts, busy parents, or all of the above–and every size space. It can fit in a windowsill, on a patio or a rooftop and it comes neatly folded in waterproof packaging. It also lasts for a year, so you can buy now and plant later in the spring. So enjoy those… Read More

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Getting Hygge With It

Learn the Danish concept of “hygge” (pronounced hoog-ah) and embrace winter.
Even though it remains unseasonably warm, we all know that winter is coming. The cold dark months combined with the wrong attitude can add up to a quarter of the year spent griping about the weather and its inconveniences.  You’re better than that. Change your outlook by embracing the magical Danish idea of hygge (pronounced hoog-ah), which translates loosely to the mindset of coziness.
Some of the happiest people in the world live in Denmark, where the winters are long, dark and quiet. But instead of lining up to jump off the Cliffs of Mon, the Danish embrace seasonal changes with all things hygge. Unlike hibernating alone inside your apartment, hygge is a more community-oriented feeling. Here’s an scenario: Drinks with dear friends nestled together next to a blazing fireplace, when the bartender suddenly yells, “Hey, it’s snowing outside” and you all look out… Read More

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