If being able to type 90WPM is the most impressive computer skill you have, it may be difficult (i.e. impossible) to stay competitive in today’s hyper-digital workplace. Knowing how to use Photoshop, InDesign, FinalCut Pro and other programs can be beneficial when applying to jobs or landing freelance gigs. Though Pratt has an amazing list of computer graphics courses for the serious (and well-funded) student, some of us just want to dabble. So we did a price check to find the best rates on digital-design and video-editing classes around town. Got another lead? Please let us know in the comments. (more…)

We do! This ring from the Claypot made the cut.

When you’ve found the dame of your dreams, you want to give her the engagement ring of hers: one her friends will gush over, her family will discuss at the dinner table, and her cousin studying abroad will demand to see pics of on Facebook. While not everyone’s into mega-rocks (thankfully for you) even the most non-trad alterna girl wants a ring that she considers beautiful—whatever her taste may be. And you don’t have to eviscerate your savings accounts to find it. With a maximum budget of $1,000, we visited local jewelry stores in search of some baubles for every kind of Brooklyn bride. (more…)

Red pandas share a branch at the Prospect Park Zoo. We can see where this is headed.

NSFW animal-mating demos are just one of of the attractions of a weekend-long love-fest sponsored by the Heart of Brooklyn, the partnership of cultural institutions near Grand Army Plaza. On Saturday, it’s love, family-style for stories and card decoration at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s “I love you because…” from 11:30 to 12:30 and 2:30 to 3:30. On Sunday, you can take free old-fashioned trolley rides through the neighborhood and Prospect Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or glide hand-in-hand at Wollman Rink with half-priced admission from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. The Prospect Park Zoo is offering some less-wholesome (but still perfectly natural) amusement in their “Animal Dating and Mating” program from 2 to 3:30, which explores reproductive strategies, “why size really does matter” and a live animal demo! See HOB’s complete list of V-weekend events and attractions here.

Proving that Brooklyn lets no special interest go unnoticed, our friends at the Build-A-Beard blog are honoring the fabulosity of facial hair with a coming (or growing?) out benefit party next week dubbed the Beard Ball. On Thursday Feb. 4 at Matchless in Greenpoint, the event is both a beard-lovers’ bash and fundraiser for RightRides, a Brooklyn-based group that combats late-night sexual assault by offering free rides home on weekend nights. (more…)

We’re not Park Slope Parents or anything, but give us a family show that costs $5 to see and we’ll pretend. That’s the very recession-friendly ticket price for the latest in Brooklyn Lyceum‘s ongoing children’s theatre series. “Robin Hood: Prince of…MONSTERS!” is a spooky twist on a classic tale, written by local playwright Daniel John Kelley. Second in a series dubbed Monster Literature, the show is performed by muppet-esque characters, runs about 35 minutes and is good for kids ages 5 and up. Performances Saturday & Sunday Feb. 13 & 14, and Sat. & Sunday Feb. 20 & 21. (We know we’re a little early, but with prices like these…) Tickets are available online at www.brooklynlyceum.com or at the door.

Brooklyn Lyceum 227 4th Ave., Park Slope, 718-857-4816. R train at Union Street.

Brooklyn and grit are no strangers. We all love the street cred that comes from telling out-of-towners about our edgy urban lives (You’ve been mugged? Well, sort of… it was really scary, though), but of course sketchy situations can arise in Brooklyn, just like anywhere else. So we should all be at least a little prepared—especially the young and impressionable among us. Park Slope’s Center for Anti-violence Education (CAE) knows this, and they’re offering free self-defense classes for Brooklyn’s youth to help make those late-night subway rides and schoolyard bullies a little less scary. (more…)

This could be you. Photo by theothermrgomez.

Basking in the joy of recent engagement? Know a bride-to-be in search of the perfect non-trad gown? Shoot us an e-mail and we’ll get you into Brooklyn Based‘s inaugural wedding fair this weekend—for free!

Dubbed Wedding Crashers, the event is a one-stop spot to meet Brooklyn-centric caterers, bands, florists, dress designers and the like, this Saturday (Jan. 9) at the Bell House. Pick up tips on everything from DIY cermonies to food-and-wine pairings. More than 30 Brooklyn vendors will share their wedding wisdom during a handful of informational sessions. (“Catering on a Budget” is at 12:45—we’re so there!)

Full-day tickets are $40 a person, and we’ve got a pair to give away. Email us by Friday (Jan. 8th) noon at weddings@brokelyn.com with your favorite budget wedding tip (for possible use in an upcoming feature), and we’ll pick a winner. You must be on our mailing list to win (i.e. the occasional recipient of an awesome newsletter). Sign up here.

Wedding Crashers, Saturday January 9, 10:30am – 5pm, The Bell House 149 7th St. 718-643-6510

Smith & Vine in Carroll Gardens.

A holiday party without good wine is like… well… enough said. With the sheer number of get-togethers on most folks’ calendars this time of year, bringing a bottle to every gathering can get a little out of hand. But nobody wants to leave their celebrating cohorts dry either. We called up some of Brooklyn’s best sellers for their affordable holiday picks, and here’s what they recommend. All bottles are under $10 a pop and available at a wine shop near you. (more…)

If you’re a confirmed foodie, you already  know that celeb chef Katy Sparks recently joined the kitchen at Bussaco, the Mediterranean American bistro across Union Street from the Park Slope Food-Coop. Sparks has brought along some dreamy new dishes to the place, like oyster stew with saffron, leeks and anise bread crumbs; along with a “30-second” squid salad with chickpeas and chorizo. (Check out the full menu here).

So why is a humble blog like Brokelyn writing about a snazzy (but not obscenely expensive) joint like this? Because everyone needs a big night out, and one lucky Brokelyn reader is going to have that night, on us. We have a $75 gift certificate to give away to a random reader—just email us at bussaco@brokelyn.com by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 16 with some version of the words “feed me!” in the subject line. You must be a Brokelyn subscriber to win, which means you’ll get occasional emails from us that we promise you’ll like. Not already on our list? Sign up here.

Bussaco (Park Slope) 833 Union St., between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 718-857-8828

The eye-catching Rugby Gardens.

Visits from parents, friends and random relatives who’ve never been to New York are great. You get to spend quality time with those who knew and loved you before you became a cool New Yorker, and you’re guaranteed at least one free restaurant meal. What’s not so fun is cramming your entire family into your apartment. Thankfully, Brooklyn is home to a host of Bed and Breakfasts (Breakfasti?) that are a charming and inexpensive alternative to high-priced hotels.

Our B&B research entailed riding nearly every subway line in the borough in search of the comfiest beds and chicest decors. Focusing on abodes with rates topping off at around $150/night, we nixed the pricier pads, like Bed and Breakfast on the Park and Akwaaba Mansion (as well as those with hideous wallpaper and funny smells), to bring you some of Brooklyn’s best lodging options. After all, grandma may think your barista/drummer/tattoo artist/poet of a roommate is adorable, but she doesn’t want to share a bathroom with him. (more…)