The more kids we have, the more I realize that, even though I do love alone time with Peter, days where we adventure around the city as a family of four are in fact some of my favorite. Very favorite to be exact. No matter how many times you've done the same thing in New York City, it really doesn't get old. Everyone is a little bit older, wiser, in a better mood, and there are new strangers to meet and familiar people to catch up with. Each outing is like a mini family reunion for us. Most of our friends are always moving and shaking, and with two kids, we hardly get to fully catch up via phone or text message. So our weekend dates as a family are for those too.
The other weekend we decided to take advantage of the weather and soak in one of the last days at the Brooklyn Flea. But the Flea can't truly be enjoyed without a full belly for all first. Burgers, the Flea, and a bit of music and visiting friends too. It was fantastic!
Part One: Burgers
Peter and I have a long relationship with Pop's, located in Williamsburg Brooklyn. It's one of the many places in Williamsburg where we come back and reminisce each and every visit. A few years back during one hot summer, Peter and I sat on the front bench of Pop's and decided that our daughter River would be named River. I remember that day so clearly, and when River gets older, I want to take her back to Pop's and explain it all to her once again.
Even though I haven't had a beef burger in 10 years, Peter and I agree that Pop's does the beef and turkey burger just right. Our combination is always topped off with the largest order of soft fried fries to share, and plenty of ketchup for dipping.
What I love about this burger place the most is that it's owned by a local family. The owner's wife and I were pregnant around the same time (she was pregnant with twins) when I was pregnant with River. We try our best to support local family-owned places. We also make it a point to only eat at child-friendly restaurants, like this one. The music is great and loud enough, and it doesn't get too crowded. Both are great if your kids end up crying and if you have a stroller in tow.
Part Two: Flea Market
We are big fans of the Brooklyn Flea market, and make it a habit to roam around, visit friends, and shop a little a few weekends in a month. We have one closer to our home in Fort Greene, but I tend to be a sucker for the Willamsburg one because of the crazy Manhattan skyline you see while shopping. Also, the grassy area with a little train park for our tired toddler isn't too shabby.
Usually before we go, I try and purge a thing or two from my closet that I no longer wear or I don't intend on wearing. This helps with the shopping guilt. 😉 Between the inexpensive baby clothes, vintage home accents, and costume jewelry, you've got so much eye candy. The flea market has over 150 vendors (including food), so it's hard to leave empty-handed!
Some people have weird feelings when it comes to purchasing used shoes, not me! I'll take all the vintage oxfords, please and thank you.
Since it's getting colder here in the city, the Flea has moved to a beautiful parent-friendly location in Crown Heights Brooklyn. The new space is a beautiful loft, with over 30,000 sq ft!
Thank you for letting me share our typical date as a family here in New York City!
Credits// Author and Photography: LaTonya Staubs. Photos edited with Bella from the Folk Collection.
53 Comments
Lovely pictures, and you are making me crave burgers!!! This has made me realise that I am absolutely famished.
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burgers AND fun vintage items?! sounds like the perfect date indeed!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
I have to ask – what lip color are you wearing, its just gorgeous on you!
That sounds like a delightful day. Thrifting + food = the best 🙂
OMG! I want to go to the Brooklyn Flea so bad. My husband and I keep talking about it but we haven’t worked out a plan for it yet. We live north of Philly so it requires some planning. And now we know where to get some good food when we do finally make it to Brooklyn. Loved your photos. Your family is beautiful!
~Bonnie @ Our Secondhand House
You have one beautiful family! I wish wish wish there was a local flea market somwhere (anywhere) around here!! and burgers…. yes girl!
Brooklyn Flea looks awesome, I’d love to go to a flea market in the US, it looks like you get loads more variety! My local is the Malvern Flea, if you ever make a visit to the UK I recommend it! http://www.josephinepenelope.com/malvern-flea-market-finds/
Those last 2 pics…. adorable.
I hope you write many guest posts in future on ABM LaTonya. This one was really special :-)… I think every couple should have a place they can call their own – one that instantly brings up the strongest feelings of nostalgia.
Your post made me dream of visiting Brooklyn! Maybe Elsie & Emma can invite you to write a “best spots to visit in NYC” post someday. From the perspective of a New Yorker, I’m sure it would be really interesting and helpful!
Kristina
Oh man, that family is the cutest.
http://brittannytaylor.com/blog/
Ooooo those burgers look good! Love the pictures looks like such a nice place to visit.
nimblenote.blogspot.com
Adore this date idea. Life has been so crazy and busy, that it’s hard for me to find time for dates with my man, or even with friends and family! These posts are a good reminder to take a couple hours out of my week to enjoy it and have fun.
xoxo
Taylor
I always love LaTonya’s posts.
This makes me want to book myself a trip to NYC!
I love burgers and I guess I would love the Brooklyn flea market as well 🙂
Thanks for sharing and love from Italy,
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.it/2014/10/barcolana.html
Bambi
I was thinking the same thing! SO FAB!
I’m so glad you share my perception about previously owned shoes! I am always getting weird looks from my friends after purchasing thrift or vintage shoes but I believe that gives them more personality! If shoes had a personality, that is… ha! Thanks for sharing, loved it!
Nicole
So great to see a woman of color on your page! Thank you ABM, love your site even more now!
Such a sweet family! Diana is in NYC right now too and this is making Kali and I want to go even more! XO, Sarah
This looks like such the perfect day! My boyfriend and I love food and love flea markets! This year we visited the largest one in Europe, you can see it here: http://www.honeybourneline.co.uk/2014/09/out-of-shire-1-braderie-de-lille.html and think we may have to try and get to New York City!
Loved seeing a post from Brooklyn 🙂 The Brooklyn Flea is right down the street from me and it’s seriously the best. Would love to see more posts like this featuring other people in other cities!
Lovely post, I read the whole thing which is very unusual for me 🙂 you have great writing style!
Fashion latte with vanilla
So fun! Thanks for sharing!
I would love to visit that flea market! And I have nothing against buying used shoes, either, but my husband finds it weird. Haha! He’s a little bit more germophobic about shoes.
xo
Kristina
http://www.eccentricowl.com
Cardigan Giveaway!
What a gorgeous feature! I love the bit about supporting local businesses – that is so powerful! I wish more Americans prioritized this. Amazing to be pregnant at the same time – what a bond!
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
This is my favorite post on ABM to-date! It reals like a rarely-used topic/format on this blog, describing an outing, but with the absolutely gorgeous photos, the style, and the warmth, it fits perfectly. And, along with every other commenter, I covet your lip color. Thanks for sharing!!
Love the idea of burgers and flea market.. one of a kind dates.. might be doing it this weekend! 🙂
xo
Hems
http://agoldentulip.blogspot.com/
There is just so much sweetness in this single post! Burgers, family time, flea markets, SUPER cute babies, little girl dresses, a rockin shade of lipstick…can’t get enough! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
This sounds like the perfect date to me!
Beautiful family! I’m always perusing Brooklyn so I need to check this market out!
That loooks so fun! Beautiful family ❤️❤️❤️
I LOVE dates at the flea market!
The flea market looks so cool, I wish we had one like this..
http://www.fashionpartyblog.com/
I love it! I used to pop in and out of an apartment in Astoria for auditions:) Now I’m a dance teacher in Hawaii! But the Brooklyn Flea was always notorious for filling up my suitcase!
Aww what beautiful pictures and what a great day in Brooklyn! This post made me happy. Thanks for the great share!
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Your lipstick is phenomenal! You are one gorgeous mama!
You are blessed with a beautiful family.. Sounds like a great day you had 🙂
I love flea markets! There are always so many treasures to find! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Great post! And that last picture of you and your peanut is about the sweetest thing ever
Beautiful! <3
What a fabulous time! It all looks so fantastic. Love a good Flea market.
LOVE your posts LaTonya! Keep em coming;-) So nice to get som tips for New York. Such a great city. Can’t wait to go back!
What a lovely capture of the day! Thanks for sharing! Booking a flight to Brooklyn now! 😀
Enjoyed this. Beautiful family and flea markets are truly the best. Happy Fall to all. 🙂
Thanks so much for this post! I love the Flea and now I have to go try Pop’s… nice to see something I can get to by car or a quick train ride (rather than a plane to the midwest!)
I love flea markets!!!!
but there is not one in my little city
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es/2014/10/promotion-sheinside.html
This is lovely! I must visit these places as they are right over the bridge.
I saw the first picture and knew right where it was! A few years ago I did a painting of the view from inside Pop’s, looking at a row of planters on the roof across the street and a woman walking by! Loved that place, even though I was just visiting!
More LaTonya please!! Loving her & her beautiful family 🙂
I’ve never been to the Brooklyn Flea! An acquaintance of mine had a booth there for a year or so. I’ve seen so many photos, but I always think of Brooklyn as being so far away…even though it’s not. I’m only 20 minutes outside of the city. I’m going to challenge myself to make it there before the year is through.
Thank you for the photos and inspiration!
What a beautiful day out for a beautiful family. I was never interested in NY when I was younger, but the more posts I see like this the more my interest has grown. Thanks for this.
Hi Melanie and Kristina!
It’s Rebel by Mac! I’ve been using it forever, but recently read somewhere that it looks good on basically everyone. give it a try!
xx
LaTonya
Thank you Chrissie!
xx
Kristina,
You are the sweetest! I plan on coming back soon enough with another post. Thank you and come visit!!