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The Localist
How To Spend
Life

How To Spend: 24 Hours in New York

Morning – Meditation & Bittersweet

I start my morning with meditation – either Stephen Halpern or one on To Be Magnetic – then head straight to my favourite coffee shop in my Fort Greene neighbourhood called Bittersweet. They make their own almond milk, which makes for a mean cappuccino. It’s so great, in fact, there is a line out the door most mornings. I highly suggest their freshly baked scones too. Afterwards I will walk through the Fort Greene park on my way back home to finish getting ready for the day.

 

Caroline Z Hurley Studio

We JUST moved to a brand new studio in Red Hook and we love the new scene out there! We are located on Richards Street, right across the street from Coffey Park. We sell pillows, blankets, rugs, fabric by the yard and paintings –all things related to the home –and host events there, too!

Break – Baked

When I feel stuck on a project, or if I feel like I need a break, I take a walk around the block and head to Baked, my favorite bakery and coffee shop in the neighborhood. They have an amazing array of sweet treats and they bake custom cakes and cookies for our events too. I have never been able to resist a chocolate chip cookie!

 

Lunch – Court Street Grocers Hero Shop

If I take a break for lunch, my favorite place is Court Street Grocers Hero Shop, which has the best sandwiches in town. My favorite variety is called ‘The Sleeper’, which is sardines, mayo and romaine lettuce on a baguette. I highly recommend! And they make their own bottled seltzer water in a variety of flavors, one of which is celery.

• Baked
• Court Street Grocers Hero Shop

Dinner – Howtown BBQ & Brooklyn Crab

My Red Hook staples for food –lunch or dinner –are Hometown BBQ and the Brooklyn Crab. Both are excellent. People travel far and wide to taste the BBQ at Hometown and there is typically a line out the door. Brooklyn Crab is super fun for after work because they have a terrace where you can sit and eat and watch the sunset with the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

 

Events – Pioneer Works

One of my favorite things about Red Hook is the artist community out here. I went to RISD and it’s so exciting to know so many of my classmates have painting and design studios close by. Most artist studios aren’t open to the public, but you may be able to catch their work at Pioneer Works for special exhibitions. Pioneer Works is an old factory building that has been converted into an artist residency and events space. They have loads of programming in the summer and often have concerts throughout the year. It’s membership based, but on the weekends, it’s open to the public and you can stroll through and see the property and the grounds. It’s quite spectacular.

One of my favorite things about Red Hook is the artist community out here.”

Drinks – Sunny’s

Typically, my team and I work in our studio until around 5pm or 6pm and after work, we’ll walk over to the best bar in the hood called Sunny’s. It’s a little spot close to the water with a cozy scene. There is a courtyard with twinkly lights and live music and they have a great selection of beers.

 

Evening – at home

After a long day, I’ll head back to my place in Fort Greene. If I am feeling really indulgent, I will take a relaxing bath with a soak that I love called Mustard Seed, which I get from one of my favorite skin care boutiques, Carrie Lindsey on Fulton Street.

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