Joey Lynn and Christie fight a lot.

When I was approached to write a review for Brooklyn 11223, the new reality series airing on the Oxygen channel tonight at 11, I was excited about the opportunity to give a true voice to the native Brooklynites who live in areas sitting below a 5 on the cool-o-meter that has come to represent BK. As a woman who hails from the 11223 world (Represent! Avenue X and East 2nd Street!), I find we are often regarded as gum-cracking, cawfee tawking, and generally obnoxious – and well, that kinda pisses me off. I cannot tell you how many times people ask me if I have mafia affiliations because I have a deep Brooklyn accent and because I am Italian. I’m not exaggerating here. It happens on a regular basis. That’s like asking an Irish person if they’re an alcoholic. (more…)

Sheepshead Bay pier, by Nimo Photography

Here we are, at the tail-end of summer, September drawing perilously near, and maybe that European jaunt you dreamed of just didn’t pan out this season. We expected as much, and we’ve been doing our best to provide substitutes: exotic home swaps, $500-a-week vacations, a special kind of working holiday and, well, Mexico. But if none of these was the thing for you, it’s not too late for this one last chance for a great almost-getaway: the South Brooklyn staycation. Here are 17 ways to have a (very full) weekend in our own down-under. (more…)

Prices at New Hair. Photo by Charna Meyers.

Admit it, venturing as far south as I live (Bensonhurst) only happens once (Mermaid Parade) maybe twice (Siren Festival) a year for most northerners. But would you make the trip if you knew that the subway stops which immediately precede the famed Stillwell Avenue station could save a ton of money on haircuts, blowouts, massages and facials?

I’ve been in this area for most of my 30 years and in that time I’ve found primpatoriums a-plenty. OK, they’re not exactly Bliss, but this is the South, and we aren’t as interested in the calming faux paint technique used on the walls as we are with the small amount of money coming out of our fake-Coach wallets. (more…)