Katie Meade

Not all floral shears are created equal, and if you’ve ever wrestled with dull clippers or a sad roll of cheap floral tape, you already know that. The right tools don’t just make arranging easier—they make it possible. This list is for those who take their blooms seriously, whether you’re a seasoned florist or just someone who wants their farmers’ market bouquet to last longer than a weekend. These are the tried-and-true essentials that professionals swear by, no fluff, no gimmicks—just the real deal.

I live in NYC, where world-class dermatologists and high-tech treatment spas are everywhere—but instead of dropping thousands on lasers, I stick to this power-packed, relatively affordable skincare routine (plus a few beauty rituals, like daily lymphatic drainage massage). At [your age], I’ve tested it all, and these products and techniques deliver results that rival in-office treatments—smoothing fine lines, fading hyperpigmentation, and refining texture for that ‘just-had-a-facial’ glow, no appointment necessary.

A hotel concierge would send you to the polished, corporate-friendly spots—the ones with PR teams and investor backing. But Williamsburg still has its secrets, if you know where to look. This list is for those who want the real thing: the hole-in-the-wall café where the regulars roll their eyes at new faces (but soften after your second visit), the shop where the owner actually curates the shelves, the bar that doesn’t have a neon sign out front but makes a martini you’ll dream about. These are the places that make Williamsburg Williamsburg—before the algorithm got to it. Just, you know… don’t say I sent you. I like being allowed back.