Hey, guys. How about this heat? (Thanks, Stereogum.)

Thankfully, we’ve hit a respite from the sun’s demented conspiracy to melt us all into oblivion. But I know you. I see you, on the subway, on the streets, walking through sloshy brownish gray puddles with cigarette butts floating with the rat feces.

Are you sufficiently disgusted yet? I’m sorry, but sometimes you need a little tough love. Especially when it comes to abandoning the idea that flip flops make for appropriate summer footwear in the city. Not only is it extremely unflattering to kick up your blackened feet, it’s unsanitary! It’s not safe! (just ask the girl who’s foot I stabbed with my stilettos…my bad) And, according to a recent NYTimes article, it’s way bad for your feet!

Ladies, you have options. After a long day at the office with the 3 inch heels, slip into a pair of these for the commute home, and leave the flip flops where they belong - at the beach.

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360 7th Ave (btw 10th St & 11th St), Brooklyn, 718-369-4086

With a name like 4 Play BK, you’d expect this trendy women’s shop should be sandwiched between a Contempo Casual and 5-7-9 in a suburban mall from yesteryear, not parked on the Slope’s main mommy drag. But to be deterred by the late 80s’ retro name is to miss out on neo-retro designs, a tremendous selection of designer denim, fun brands, and current kicks like Seychelles, Nicole, and Havaianas in every color of the rainbow.

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PinkyOtto: 3 locations
East Village 307 East 9th Street, New York
Nolita 49 Prince St, New York
Williamsburg 112 S. 1st St. (at Bedford Ave), Brooklyn

Back in Nolita, my brunch buddy and I wandered past the spangley jewelry vendors on Prince Street, unambitiously pursuing the overcrowded Pinkberry on Spring Street. Fortunately, we discovered another kind of pink diversion: PinkyOtto, the 2nd offshoot of the East Village boutique.

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(photo via Brownstoner)

Home Ec: 303 3rd Avenue (btw Carroll and 1st St), 718-783-0364.

Project Runway may be over (go Team Jillian!), but thankfully you can recreate your favorite pro-run moments, at Home Ec! Just a few blocks walk from the Union Street N/R station, Home Ec opened up last year as a studio for the design trio who comprise Brooklyn-based label & boutique, Flirt. Additionally, they created the space in response to customers who asked for sewing classes. What a girl-tastic idea!

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(photo via Breakfast at Anthropologie)

Anthropologie SoHo: 375 West Broadway (btw Broome & Spring), 212-343-7070

Friends and familiars believe that I am a style maven who meticulously edits a well-maintained, fashion-forward closet and a design-conscious home, and I totally do. I’ll spend some serious scratch on important pieces that I know will continue to look great after years of use (Tod’s handbag, Starck chair), signature pieces with special details you fall in love with. But among the D&G, I’ll admit there’s some H&M, and there’s no greater thrill than grabbing a good deal.

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photo: Robert Wright for the New York Times

On an overcast and somewhat chilly Sunday morning, I was sitting on the sofa, flipping through the TV when I got a text from a friend: Brooklyn Flea today? Perfect!

Turns out, it was opening day, and some 200 vendors set up shop in the 40,000 square foot playground of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, making Brooklyn Flea the largest flea market in New York. Curated by Brownstoner.com, the Flea is open every Sunday from 10 am to 5pm, rain or shine and the offerings include the standard flea finds like vintage clothes and furniture, as well as a glut of talented local jewelry designers.

My favorites after the jump.

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Saja, Inc, 250 Elizabeth Street between East Houston & Prince. M-Sat : 11- 7, Sun 12- 6.

Since 2000, Saja designer Yoo Lee has been creating utterly enchanting goddess gowns and whimsical cocktail dresses that are decidedly modern and wearable. Each garment displays an astounding attention to detail and unique flourishes, like silk covered buttons and pintucked pleats, that you rarely see in ready-to-wear. Lee’s creations are inspired by fashions of the 20s and 30s with a French twist - this season’s full-skirted, satin-sashed daffodil dress could’ve been plucked right off of Mia Farrow circa the Great Gatsby.

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Welcome to the Hive of Style! I’ll be your hostess of this fashionable turn through New York’s best boutiques & shops. New York, arguably the most diverse and stylish city in the US (if not the world), is home to major fashion houses and some of the brightest rising stars of independent design.

Every week, I’ll feature a shop, boutique, local designer, or full-blown department store (and the tricks to scoring the best finds). If you have a favorite spot that consistently outfits you in cutting edge original pieces or stocks the best bargain t-shirts & socks, share! Email me at Angela@neighborbeeblog.com. I’m looking forward to returning the favor by introducing you to fantastic new designers, their wares and of course, where to find them!

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