Brooklyn College
2900 Bedford Ave. 718-951-5000
This local haunt for higher education offers several computer courses–including intro to Flash and Intro to Photoshop–for $145 a pop plus a $20 registration fee. The courses consist of 12 classes over six weeks and you need to have the programs you want to learn on your computer (or the friend’s computer you plan on borrowing).

Kingsboro Community College
2001 Oriental Blvd., 718-265-5343
Here, $125 will buy you 30 hours of  of beginner or intermediate Photoshp instruction at this Manhattan beach campus. This comes out to about $4 a class, which is our most frugal find. and, if you need to catch up on the basics before accepting an adminisrtative assistant-type job, one-day crash courses in Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) are offered for $75.  Registration for the next round of courses starts in early April.

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave. and 573 Metropolitan Ave. 718-715-4961
Members of this Williamsburg-based learning community are privy to reduced rates on a number of design courses. A package of four Photoshop or InDesign classes is $245 for members and $295 for non-members. Members pay just $80 for the three-hour intensive Photoshop class while non-member dole out $100. And members get to ride to class on one of these.

Craigslist is crawling with design students and freelancers who are willing to tutor locals on all things Adobe, and old faithful (You Tube) has tons of unstructional videos for the best price of all–free! Meetup.com has all kinds of groups for swapping tips on Photoshop and other programs. And you can also check out CreativeCow.net. Try not to be turned-off by the 12-year-olds on there–they know more than all of us.

We do! This ring from the Claypot made the cut.

When you’ve found the dame of your dreams, you want to give her the engagement ring of hers: one her friends will gush over, her family will discuss at the dinner table, and her cousin studying abroad will demand to see pics of on Facebook. While not everyone’s into mega-rocks (thankfully for you) even the most non-trad alterna girl wants a ring that she considers beautiful—whatever her taste may be. And you don’t have to eviscerate your savings accounts to find it. With a maximum budget of $1,000, we visited local jewelry stores in search of some baubles for every kind of Brooklyn bride.

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Fashiony
Andie Woo Gowanus 251 Smith St. 718-694-9336
Don’t be distracted by the lingerie, hand bags and home decor, the jewelry here is amazing. From as close as the diamond district and as far as Germany is a solid selection of reasonably priced gems. Our favorites were a citrine-and-diamond ring set in yellow gold for $456, and a white gold ring with a circle of chocolate diamonds for $523. The uber-sparkly set of three diamond flowers atop a white gold band for $448 gets honorable mention.

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Modern
The Clay Pot Park Slope
167 7th Ave 800-989-3579
Carla Caruso has a great set of organic stackable rings, each with one (or even better, two!) bezel-set diamonds on a 14k gold band priced at $866. Brooklyn-based designer Marian Maurer caught our eye with her $800 Armilla ring (above), as did a $830 smokey topaz

stunner by Ray Griffiths.

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DIY
Elleven Jewelry, 168 Court St., Cobble Hill, 718-624-2611
Understated is the theme at this Cobble Hill shop that doesn’t have a fancy web site to go with their fancy jewelry. However, their on-site studio lets buyers name their own budget, and will design a ring to your liking, drawing from their own collection of stones or even your own family heirlooms.

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Traditional
Facets
Park Slope 97 7th Ave #A 718-638-3898
Some of the pieces here induced sticker shock, but that didn’t keep us from looking. We were excited to find a delicate ruby ring for just $750 (right), as well as a few Art Deco pieces from the 1920s and 30s in the $850 range.

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Boho
Norbu Williamsburg 218 Bedford Ave. 718-302-8830
There’s a ton of great jewelry in this store, but most of it doesn’t scream “I do!” The exception: a small collection of antique-ish rings imported from India. Ranging from $565-958, most have more than one metal (white gold on rose gold, oxidized silver on yellow gold, etc.) and intricate designs accented by small diamonds.

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Indie
Catbird Williamsburg 219 Bedford 718-599-3457
This artsy Williamsburg shop is filled with stuff hipsters won’t hate—like the Vampress ring—a miniature set of vampire fangs “biting” onto a brillian-cut stone. Prices start at $800, and rings can be customized to include the stone and metal of your choosing. For the earth-mother, we spotted a twig-shaped ring wrapped around a marquis diamond for $650 and a diamond-accented earthworm ring for $675.

Red pandas share a branch at the Prospect Park Zoo. We can see where this is headed.

NSFW animal-mating demos are just one of of the attractions of a weekend-long love-fest sponsored by the Heart of Brooklyn, the partnership of cultural institutions near Grand Army Plaza. On Saturday, it’s love, family-style for stories and card decoration at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s “I love you because…” from 11:30 to 12:30 and 2:30 to 3:30. On Sunday, you can take free old-fashioned trolley rides through the neighborhood and Prospect Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or glide hand-in-hand at Wollman Rink with half-priced admission from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. The Prospect Park Zoo is offering some less-wholesome (but still perfectly natural) amusement in their “Animal Dating and Mating” program from 2 to 3:30, which explores reproductive strategies, “why size really does matter” and a live animal demo! See HOB’s complete list of V-weekend events and attractions here.

RightRides, now in its fifth year, has volunteers operate a fleet of Zipcar-donated cars to drive women and LGBTQ folk home for free on Friday and Saturday nights between midnight and 3 a.m. (The number is 1-888-215-SAFE (7233). All proceeds from the ball are going towards RighRides’ initiatives.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advanced online. Doors open at 8 p.m. with a steady stream of bearded bands (Transatlantic AM, Quiet Loudly, and Julius C) hitting the sage at 9. Drink specials–courtesy of Prohibition Distillery and Firefly Vodka–and a raffle round out the festivities. And FYI … no beard, no problem! Build-A-Beard welcomes everyone, from the closely shaven to the super scruffy.

Beard Ball, Feb. 4, 8 p.m., Matchless 557 Manhattan Ave., Greenpoint, 718-383-5333

Brooklyn Lyceum 227 4th Ave., Park Slope, 718-857-4816. R train at Union Street.

This Saturday, Jan. 23, is a special class for young women and transyouth, age 13 to 19. Participants will learn the basics of self-defense through a series of exercises, discussions and activities. The class runs from 12:30 to 2:30 and it’s co-taught by teens who’ve already taken the class and signed on to educate their peers.

And every Thursday from 4:30 to 6, the center offers Power Action Change for Teens (PACT)—a karate and self-defense class for women and transyouth age 12 to 19 (those who are 18 or 19 can sign up for free adult martial arts classes too).

The center also has classes for adults (LGBTQ-geared and general) and for pre-teens, all with free childcare and a sliding fee scale. More info and details for everything here. This Saturday’s class and the ongoing Thursday sessions at CAE, advanced registration required.

The Center for Anti-Violence Education, 327 7th St., 718-788-1775 info@caeny.org

This could be you. Photo by theothermrgomez.

Basking in the joy of recent engagement? Know a bride-to-be in search of the perfect non-trad gown? Shoot us an e-mail and we’ll get you into Brooklyn Based‘s inaugural wedding fair this weekend—for free!

Dubbed Wedding Crashers, the event is a one-stop spot to meet Brooklyn-centric caterers, bands, florists, dress designers and the like, this Saturday (Jan. 9) at the Bell House. Pick up tips on everything from DIY cermonies to food-and-wine pairings. More than 30 Brooklyn vendors will share their wedding wisdom during a handful of informational sessions. (“Catering on a Budget” is at 12:45—we’re so there!)

Full-day tickets are $40 a person, and we’ve got a pair to give away. Email us by Friday (Jan. 8th) noon at weddings@brokelyn.com with your favorite budget wedding tip (for possible use in an upcoming feature), and we’ll pick a winner. You must be on our mailing list to win (i.e. the occasional recipient of an awesome newsletter). Sign up here.

Wedding Crashers, Saturday January 9, 10:30am – 5pm, The Bell House 149 7th St. 718-643-6510

Smith & Vine in Carroll Gardens.

A holiday party without good wine is like… well… enough said. With the sheer number of get-togethers on most folks’ calendars this time of year, bringing a bottle to every gathering can get a little out of hand. But nobody wants to leave their celebrating cohorts dry either. We called up some of Brooklyn’s best sellers for their affordable holiday picks, and here’s what they recommend. All bottles are under $10 a pop and available at a wine shop near you.

Palacio de Vivero (Viura/Verdejo) $8.99
A Spanish white wine with a nice, crip finish
Fat Cat Wines (Carroll Gardens) 583 Court St., 347-599-0765

Sa-Ra-Da (Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell) $8.99
This quencher is made from four grapes and never poured into a barrel, giving the fruit all the shine.
Windsor Wine Merchants (Windsor Terrace) 216 Prospect Park West 718-768-2291

Olivier $9
Named for the obscure Hungarian grapes it’s made from, this dry white wine is marked by a citrus finish.
Smith & Vine (Carroll Gardens) 268 Smith St. 718-243-2864

Liotro (Nero D’Avola) $9.99
A juicy red from Sicily bursting with spicy tannins.
Fermented Grapes (Prospect Heights) 651 Vanderbilt Ave., 718-230-3216

Segura Viudas NV Brut Reserva Cava (Macabeo, Parellada) $6.99
Great for dinner parties, this easygoing bubbly goes well with any meal. Alas! Something vegans and meat-eaters can agree on at the dinner table.

Vina Borgia Campo Borja (Grenache) $6.99
Blackberries, blueberries and autumn spices make this bottle a steal.
Heights Chateau (Cobble Hill) 123 Atlantic Ave. 718-330-0963

Grao (Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro) $8
Hailing from Portugal, this medium-bodied red is accented with cherry and cedar flavors.

Astica (Cabernet Sauvignon) $7
Tempted to grab a cabernet from Duane Reade? Don’t. Shell out an extra Washington or two for this yummy, cherry flavored bottle.
Big Nose Full Body (Park Slope) 382 7th Ave. 718-369-4030

Tochuelo (Malvar) $6.50
Fruity and light bodied, it’s a great compliemt to a spread of cured meats.
Gnarly Vines (Clinton Hill) 350 Myrtle 718-797-3183

Tannat $8.99
Described by one D.O.C. sales rep as “a Cabernet on steroids,” this tasty gem from Uraguay is a great pic for frugal cab lovers.
D.O.C Wine Shop (Williamsburg) 147 Broadway 718-388-0087

Domaine le Couroulu Vin de Pays (Grenache) $9.99
Since the Grenace grape count in this wine is just shy of the minimun to be classified a Vacqueyras (a fancy wine hailing from the French region of its namesake), the price is cut in half. However, you still get the full flavor–boysenberry with a hint of tobacco leaf.
T.B Ackerson Wine Merchants (Ditmas Park) 1205 Cortelyou 718-826-6600

So why is a humble blog like Brokelyn writing about a snazzy (but not obscenely expensive) joint like this? Because everyone needs a big night out, and one lucky Brokelyn reader is going to have that night, on us. We have a $75 gift certificate to give away to a random reader—just email us at bussaco@brokelyn.com by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 16 with some version of the words “feed me!” in the subject line. You must be a Brokelyn subscriber to win, which means you’ll get occasional emails from us that we promise you’ll like. Not already on our list? Sign up here.

Bussaco (Park Slope) 833 Union St., between Sixth and Seventh Aves., 718-857-8828

The eye-catching Rugby Gardens.

Visits from parents, friends and random relatives who’ve never been to New York are great. You get to spend quality time with those who knew and loved you before you became a cool New Yorker, and you’re guaranteed at least one free restaurant meal. What’s not so fun is cramming your entire family into your apartment. Thankfully, Brooklyn is home to a host of Bed and Breakfasts (Breakfasti?) that are a charming and inexpensive alternative to high-priced hotels.

Our B&B research entailed riding nearly every subway line in the borough in search of the comfiest beds and chicest decors. Focusing on abodes with rates topping off at around $150/night, we nixed the pricier pads, like Bed and Breakfast on the Park and Akwaaba Mansion (as well as those with hideous wallpaper and funny smells), to bring you some of Brooklyn’s best lodging options. After all, grandma may think your barista/drummer/tattoo artist/poet of a roommate is adorable, but she doesn’t want to share a bathroom with him.

Best Home Away from Home
The Loralei
The first thing you’ll notice upon stepping inside this Victorian home is the pleasant scent (maybe just Febreze, we’re not sure). The place is simple yet inviting, with a two-bedroom suite and another with one bedroom—both with their own bathroom. Guests must be 15 years or older (which may explain why the place is so immaculate). If any of your out of town visitors are suckers for an Australian accent, this may be the place for them. About a third of the guests are international and a ton hail from down under.
667 Argyle Rd. (West Midwood), 646-228-4656
Nightly rate: $125-$165; Transportation: B and Q trains to Newkirk Ave.

Most Eye-catching
Rugby Gardens
After catching a case of empty nest syndrome in 2005, Sue and Michael decided to open the doors of their iconic Ditmas Park home to travelers from around the globe. Known for its muted Rainbow Bright-esque paint job, Rugby Gardens is a three-story Victorian home that can accommodate five guests between two bedrooms, with a shared bathroom. The rooms are smallish but the décor is very home-away-from-home, full of old photographs and paintings by the owners’ artist son. For leisurely nights spent in, each room has a DVD player, and there’s a sweet collection of movies in the hallway. The “take your shoes off at the door” policy is made less awkward by the basket of comfy slippers next to the stairs. Breakfast is a continental spread of baked goods, fruits, and cereals.
317 Rugby Rd. (Beverley Square West), 718-469-2244
Nightly rate: $150; Transportation: B and Q trains to Cortelyou Rd. or Beverley Rd.

Best Place for a Trip Back in Time
Baisley House
Once the house of actress Susan Hayward, this town home is now bursting at the frame with paintings, sculptures and upholstery that immediately transport guests back to 19th-century Brooklyn. All three rooms share one bath, which some may find a little too 1851 (the year the manse was built). Still, Baisley guests frequently book stays for upwards of 10 nights. Breakfast is a full American spread, and features such a.m. faves as quiche and French toast. When the weather is nice, you’ll be served outside in the the garden.
294 Hoyt St. (Carroll Gardens), 718-935-1959
Nightly rate: $125-$168; Transportation: F and G trains  to Carroll St.

Best Place to Socialize with Fellow Travelers
Lefferts Manor
You feel a world away from bustling Flatbush Ave. the moment you step inside Lefferts Manor, even though you’re just a block away. The spacious living room is accented with Moroccan decor and the high ceiling gives the place a cool, Cosby show vibe (no Theo sightings yet). The rooms are television-free, which encourages reading and great conversation among guests (or boredom among teenage girls dying to find out what will happen next on the Hills). There are five guest rooms, two bathrooms and a cute kitchenette for heating up the leftovers from one of the many take-out joints down the street.
80 Rutland Rd. (Prospect-Lefferts Gardens), 347-351-9065
Nightly rate: $69-$169; Transportation: B and Q trains Prospect Park

Best Bang for your Buck
Dekoven Suites
For $150/night, Dekoven Suites will hand you the keys to their entire bottom floor, complete with a private entrance, kitchenette, washer/dryer and full bathroom. The day we stopped by, a family with three kids had just left and there was plenty of room for all (the innkeepers even provided a crib for the smallest traveler). Upstairs are two large rooms and two bathrooms (one with a sick jacuzzi tub)! The diplomas on the walls and home office give the place a lived-in quality that other B&Bs often lack. It’s obvious you’re in someone else’s home, but the vibe is so casual that it’s not long before you start to feel like it’s your house too.
30 Dekoven Court (West Midwood), 718-421-1052
Nightly rate: $140-$150; Transportation: B and Q trains to Newkirk Ave.

Best Bed Without the Breakfast
Inn on Second
Who comes to New York to stay inside all day? Nobody—which is why the owners of Inn on Second offer guests a great bed, minus the breakfast. The two guest rooms share one bath (which has the best blow dryer ever… the Yellowbird), and are both decked out with stocked mini fridges and personal computers. The bathroom is cleaned every day and guestroom-cleaning can be arranged for longer stays.
60 2nd St. (Carroll Gardens), 718-596-3185
Nightly rate: $125; Transportation: F and G trains to Carroll St.

Most Adorable Hosts
Bibi’s Garden
From the moment your enter the door, Bibi and her husband make you feel right at home. Friendly, chatty and welcoming, the couple reminds you of those cool neighbors you grew up with who would spoil you with junk food. Their nine-year-old B&B has two suites, each with a private bath (for $165) and three rooms that share a bath for $135. (Here’s a tip: if you stay for four nights or more, the price is bumped down to $130). The two suites are on the third floor and get their own living room and full kitchen. While the rooms don’t get a common area, there is a full kitchen. In the mornings, breakfast is served between 8 and 10 with a continental spread, and if you like your eggs a certain way, Bibi takes requests.
762 Westminster Rd. (West Midwood), 718-434-3119
Nightly Rate: $135-$165; Transportation: B and Q trains to Newkirk Ave.

Best Near the Slope
Sofia Inn
Though this isn’t technically a bed & breakfast (breakfast is only served upon request), it’s still worth a place on our list. Boasting two suites and four standard rooms, each suite has its own bathroom, kitchen, dining area and back patio. The other rooms share a bathroom and are equipped with a mini fridge, coffee pot and microwave. The decor is simple and uncluttered (no antique collection of dolls and knick knacks here). The spacious suites go for $175, and the rooms go for $115 (both low-season prices). There’s also van service to and from the airport and for tours, both for an additional fee.
288 Park Place (Prospect Heights), 917-865-7428
Nightly Rate: $125-$175; Transportation: B and Q trains to Seventh Ave.; or 2 and 3 trains to Grand Army Plaza

Nina Koske contributed to this article.