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Jordan Dené is a matchmaker of sorts, first introducing and later marrying practicality and pop culture. This Brooklyn-based seamstress creates everything from Star Trek aprons to crayon bandoliers in her somewhat cramped, fabric full, studio apartment. Her work is a pitch-perfect fusion of geeky, gritty and all that is trendy.

While Jordan’s shop trends towards fun-loving tools for kids, she designed her newest creation for adults: a crayon-toting ammo belt. Great for parents or teachers or those of us who are still very much kids at heart.

See more of Jordan’s creations at her Etsy shop and leave us a comment below telling us your favorite!

Personally, I just about never wear nail polish. I rarely have the time for a manicure and even when I do, I know I’m just going to ruin it during my next visit to the gym. You see, I’m a rock climber, and my visits to Brooklyn Boulders in Gowanus require my nails to be as short as possible in order to get the best grip on the wall. And all that climbing wreaks havoc on whatever is left of my nails. But I have to say, Prima Creative has inspired me to change that.

If you’re not familiar, Prima Creative is a full service boutique creative studio in Bushwick. Recently their creative energies have gone into creating stunning nail designs inspired by pieces of art or clothing — and the results are incredible. Keep reading to see some of my favorite designs and stay tuned for when we go behind the scenes with Prima Creative next month!

Have your own idea for a nail design? Post a photo of something that inspires you on our Facebook page or leave a comment below!

Thank you to everyone who entered bkstyled.com’s first giveaway! We are so excited to give away this $50 gift certificate to the Brooklyn Winery – though we secretly wish we could keep it for ourselves! Everyone who commented on our first post on January 1, 2013 had their names put into a very stylish hat and the name that emerged belongs to…drum roll please…

Congratulations Nadine! We will be getting in touch with you soon and hope you enjoy the heck out of your visit to the Brooklyn Winery! Be sure to post a picture of your visit on our Facebook page so we can all live vicariously through you!

Get ready Brooklyn, spring is on its way and the launch of Brooklyn Industries’ pre spring line this Thursday is proof. We are loving the new clean look and desaturated colors — especially for men. Read on for the latest brought to you by the artist-owned and operated clothing company that can’t get any more Brooklyn.

The new line hits stores this Thursday, January 10th. What do you think of Brooklyn Industries’ new look? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Aelfie, modern rug designer and vintage rug dealer, in her Bushwick showroom and design studio. She’s Turkish and a French-American citizen who has traveled all over the world, and now calls Brooklyn (Williamsburg, to be exact) her home. Her showroom is a lovely corner unit with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. The bright light streams through the windows, casting warm, golden sun rays over the handful of Moroccan, Peruvian, and Navajo rugs she has draped over the floors. Just like her space, the first thing I noticed about Aelfie was her vibrant, eclectic style and sunny personality.

Her goal is to offer clients in her same age group and income bracket an opportunity to buy textiles and rugs that will grow in value over time. Each of these pieces (which range from just $150 and up) is a timeless keepsake. What I thoroughly enjoyed about meeting her was the way she could tell a story for each rug in the room. She showed me a 20-foot rug that was woven by inmates in Bombay and an Indian rug embellished with little reflective sequins, placed to ward off the evil eye.

One remarkable rug was woven with whimsical depictions of the local mountains, the evil eye, and what appeared to be little alien figures. Aelfie informed me that rugs like this seemed to give off a Marxist or non-commercial vibe, since they were not created with a design purpose in mind, like a color scheme or style. Rather, this rug was pieced together casually, perhaps during a small gathering, with inspirations drawn from superstitions and the local landscape. It was even constructed of old t-shirt pieces in some areas. She explains that whimsical details like this are sometimes missing in the realm of design in American culture.

What makes Aelfie important to this industry is not only her ability to share these stories, but to instill them onto a buyer as part of the rug’s history and essence, effectively changing the way we view rugs. The textile we once saw as simply being beautiful has now been transformed into a charming, sentimental memorial that can be treasured for many years to come.

Aelfie is currently working on a project in Afghanistan designing modern monochromatic geometric textiles. These new designs should be showing up in her showroom within the next four to six months, and will help benefit those affected by the war. I’m excited to hear about her travels and see what new stories she brings back with this new batch of rugs.

Also, if you’re loving Aelfie’s personal style as much as I am, you can find every piece of her outfit from these local Brooklyn shops:

Necklace made in India and available at Mary Meyer in Bushwick

Hemp leggings designed and made in Brooklyn by Strange Vixens

Tunic made in Nepal and available at Mandala Tiebetan Store in Williamsburg

Aelfie’s design studio and rug showroom is located in Bushwick (off the Morgan stop on the L train). Appointments are available Tues – Sun, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Visit her website for more information.

Do you have any cultural items you’ve showcased in your home? I’d love to hear about where you got them and how they have enriched your space! Leave me a comment below!

// Brooklyn Heights //

Family Movie Night The Moxie Place, 81 Atlantic Avenue Every Friday at 6:15 p.m.

// Bushwick //

The Order of Things, Opening Reception NURTUREart, 56 Bogart Street Friday at 7 p.m., Free

Stories and Rhythms of Polynesia and South India Biko Center, 1474 Bushwick Avenue Friday at 7 p.m., $20

// Downtown Brooklyn //

The Brooklyn Nets take on the Sacramento Kings Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

// Flatbush //

How I Became a Pirate Walt Whitman Theater, 2900 Campus Road Sunday at 2 p.m., $7

// Greenpoint //

Lena Henke Real Fine Arts, 673 Meeker Avenue Showing through January 6th

// Prospect Heights //

Koshka The Way Station, 683 Washington Avenue Friday at 10 p.m., Free

Target First Saturdays Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway First Saturday of the month

GO: a community-curated open-studio project Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway Showing through February 24th

Mickalene Thomas: Origin of the Universe Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway Showing through January 20th

// Williamsburg //

Jeff Elrod The Journal Gallery, 106 N. 1st Street Showing through January 27th

Santa Clause Association City Reliquary Museum, 370 Metropolitan Avenue Thursdays through Sundays at 12 p.m. through February 20th

Zoso Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue Friday at 8 p.m., $7

Meet the Band + Backlights The Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent Avenue Friday at 8:30 p.m., $10

The Bunker 10 Year Anniversary Public Assembly, 70 N. 6th Street Friday at 10 p.m., $20

Compactor + Opponents Death by Audio, 49 S. 2nd Street Saturday at 8 p.m., $7

We are in love with peter pan collars this month and when paired with loose-fitting silk leggings (pockets are a must!), you’re ready for a day of work or play. We suggest statement ankle boots with just a hint of a heel and an angular piece of jewelry to contrast all that femininity you’re showcasing. Finish it all off with an oversized bag and a subtle, floral scent to keep the dream of spring in your heart.

Get January’s look at these Brooklyn locations…

Pearl Peter Pan Collar Blouse // Brooklyn Industries Stretch Silk Leggings // Bird Polka Booties // k* Black Larch Bag // Valhalla Brooklyn Silver Faceted Bar Ring // Kerrie Yeung 1509 Woman Perfume // 1509

What are you wearing this month? Give us a shout out in the comments below or post a photo of your favorite cold-weather outfit on our Facebook page. Post something we like and you could be picked for a “Reader’s Closet” post!