I've been following Brooklyn local Caitlin Mociun since last fall, when she showed a collection of the most brilliant printed tights and dresses. A RISD graduate in textile design, Mociun claims that she is stronger in textile design than fashion design, but I disagree. Her garments are both beautiful and innovative in cut and conception. This season, she's back with an array of printed fashions inspired by Dadaism, old family photos and her travels throughout Asia and Europe. Her simple silhouettes defy the Western emphasis on the body, and her prints are a combination of fantasy and natural wonderment. Mociun also practices green design and uses organic cotton and bamboo in her garments. Snag a must-have for  fall from her latest collection at Jumelle, Bird, or Honey in the Rough.

One of my weekend rituals is stopping by Soula in Boerum Hill to gaze at shoes that my budget really doesn't have room for. This weekend, I discovered the store has heels made by Frye Boots. I didn't even realize Frye made anything but their line of butt-kicking boots, but a quick tour of Zappos tells a different story with pages and pages of the brand's footwear that includes clogs, flats, heels and sandals. I had a strange magnetic attraction to these shiny, blue-green peep-toe pumps that Soula is currently stocking. Anybody ever worn a pair of anything other than their boots?

Happy Martin Luther King three-day weekend! With the extra day, you'll have enough time to relax and enjoy some of these fashion offerings.

1. If fashion photography is your thing, and you've already checked out Annie Leibovitz's photography show at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, head over to the meatpacking district and view Jean-Paul Goude's fashion and art photos at the Hasted Hunt gallery. Fans of David LaChapelle are highly encouraged to attend, but don't be disappointed--the ping-pong ball photo has already been sold to Paper Magazine's Kim Hastreiter. You can pick up Goude's signed hardback photo book for $70.

2. For the jet setters with a million frequent flier miles, now's your chance to zip across the world and attend Milan Fashion Week, which begins on Sunday, and Hong Kong Fashion Week, starting on Monday. If you're too busy washing your hair, tune into Fashion TV to the get the latest news and footage from the runway shows.

3. If you're not at Opening Ceremony's fabo sale, you are crazy! Stop reading this blog and go right now, or sometime today or tomorrow. For fans of Stuart and Wright and Bird, there's less of a rush. Discount sales for these two boutiques start this week and last into February.

4. You know what a three-day weekend means? An extra day to recover from dancing till dawn! Break out your sequined garments, leg warmers and dancing shoes and hit up the various dance parties offered throughout the city this weekend. On Sunday, check out the celebrated deep house event Body and Soul at Pacha, groove master Norman Jay at Cielo, or head out to Studio B in Brooklyn for a night of Chicago mashup.

5. For the few New Yorkers who are stuck with the flu, stay in, medicate and start your financial plan. How else are you going to save to purchase Apple's new and oh-so-beautiful iPhone on the market in June? Since Cingular is monopolizing the iPhone, you may also have to save up for the hefty fee you'll be paying when you break your current contract and join Cingular.

With the crazy holiday season in full gear, count on Friday Fives to suggest a few pain easing remedies to get you through the next week of shopping mayhem.

1. Support your local indie fashion labels in Cobble Hill this Sunday at the free Indie*licious Holiday Bazaar held at the MicroMuseum.

2. Swing by American Apparel for that one piece leotard, leg warmers and scarf, and head out to one of the many ice skating rinks open in the city.

3.  Need a breather from the chaos of unfolded sweaters and empty hangers? Then take a second to check out the MF Gallery Toy Show down in the Lower East Side this weekend, with a snack break at Clinton Street Bakery.

4. Save some cash and take a stroll to the garment district to visit F.I.T’s free exhibit, “She’s Like a Rainbow: Colors in Fashion,” for a interesting fashion experience through color.

5. And in case you have to hit up some shopping, squeeze into these retail sales for some last minute gift shopping: Ben Sherman/Evisu, Triple 5 Soul/Subscript and A.P.C.

Who's got the best shop in Brooklyn? Soula Shoes in Cobble Hill currently has the top spot in our Best of Citysearch poll, but cute Park Slope boutique Kiwi and quirky home decor store The Future Perfect (pictured above) aren't far behind. Today is the last day to vote for your favorite stores, so speak up!

Last week I revealed Swallow to be one of my favorite  Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill stores. Next in line is shoe boutique Soula on Smith Street. Soula knows the neighborhood market well. Every shoe that owner Rick Lee (previously a buyer at Barney's) puts in that store walks the fine line between style and comfort, or Manhattan chic and Brooklyn practicality. One of my favorite lines he carries is Chie Mihara, a brand that gives such elegance to the rounded toe (what a beautiful, beautiful boot!). Beyond fab winter boots, pretty pumps, adorable Mary Janes and the best selection of Campers this side of Soho, Soula also stocks a satisfying selection of Pumas, my personal sneaker of choice.

Living in Carroll Gardens is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to shopping. A blessing because there are so many stores to choose from that I don't need to go into Manhattan to shop, and a curse because I often get lazy and stick to Brooklyn shopping on the weekends. It's hard to pick one, but in the home decor category, I name Swallow the city's most charming gift shop. Swallow is less of a secret than it used to be--Apartment Therapy, Style Maven and Design Sponge all fawn over it--but there's something about the shop that says "secret" even when it's packed with people ogling the wares by more than 100 local and international artists.

Why I stop by so often: the glittering display of handblown glass by designers who often mimic natural forms (jellyfish, branches), the bring-the-outdoors-in aesthetic of leaves dipped in metal and spider webs suspended on black glass, and the delicate jewelry in both precious and semi-precious materials. Though some of these items carry high price tags, I can always find a gift for under $30 that's unique and makes it look like I really care (I do!).

Next week, I'll reveal my favorite women's boutique in the neighborhood.