Hipster Hangin' in Brooklyn

For New York work trip #2, I flew out a few days early to spend some "off duty" fun time with my friend Ellen who moved back last year from L.A.

We had the BEST time exploring the city and making like tourists - cool ones, of course - in the eclectic neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that came to sort of define our generation's hipster cultural movement that's now mainstream.

Some snaps are below, as pictures tell the story of this sun-dappled afternoon in Brooklyn way better than I could with words...

Graffiti streetscape before crossing the Brooklyn Bridge

It was quite a moment for me to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!

So lucky to stumble across this magical greenhouse patio at super cute Wild restaurant

A summer scene of yummy burrata, tomatoes, baby figs and a glass of rose

Fell in love with this panama hat at the sublimely vintage Goorin Bros. hat shop

Ellen's stylish pick

Tables of interesting books lining the leafy streets

The stinky cheese I chose at the delightful Bedford Cheese Shop -- the staff apparently gets creative carte blanche for their "whoa!" written descriptions ... my Cypress Grove Truffle Tremor goat cheese was immortalized as: "If Humbolt Fog is the cocaine of cheese, this is the giant crack rock..."

People watching on the patio as the sun lowered at Trix

Cheers to a memorable afternoon getting to know Williamsburg...