STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Sandy · Kate Spade

New York again

sephorablue · Marc Jacobs

the best places for good, cheap shopping are Century 21, and also Loehmann's and Filene's Basement (which you may have gone to before, I'm not sure where you live, but they are national chains.) Century 21 is always a mob scene, but you can get really really good deals on everything, from normal-range stuff to really high-end stuff. It's down near the old WTC site.

As far as window displays, I honestly don't know... any of the big department stores, I would gess, although I don't remember any of them being especially exciting. This may sound strange but I actually like the holiday decorations that some of the huge office towers put up in their lobbies, like along Sixth Ave and Park Ave in the 40's and 50's.

cc · Marc Jacobs

W 34th street is kind of a tough area for restaurants. The only things I can think of that would be good breakfast options are diners. There an ok one called Tick Tock on 34th and 8th and a better diner called Skylight on 34th and 9th.

For cheapish shopping...definitely H&M (there are 2 on 34th St!), Chinatown can be fun but it's crazy crowded (though check out Pearl River Mart on Bway a bit north of Canal - maybe at Broome St?), if you go to Soho there are are lots of cheapo stores which often lean towards hoochie crap but sometimes have really cute stuff as well. I'm totally blanking on other cheap places that aren't chains. Of course sephorablue mentioned c21 and Loehmann's and you should check out both of them. I also like this place Find Outlet which is tiny but has discounted things from smaller designers. They have one location on W 17th (I think between 8th and 9th avenues) and another in Soho/Nolita on Mott Street.

Also you could try to go to some sample sales. There is a place called Clothingline on W 36th street which is sort of like a permanent rotating sample sale. They usually close for part of December but maybe you'll get lucky. You can also check NY Magazine and Time Out New York for other listings.

As for window displays...we actually don't have a Neiman's here. Maybe you were thinking of Saks? The best thing to do is walk along 5th avenue in the 50s which is where Saks, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman as well as most of the big designer shops are, plus you'll go by Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's. Macys has a big holiday thing too and your hotel is right near there so you can check it out as well.

Sandy · Kate Spade

Thanks for the advice, girls. I forgot to mention that we'd be going to C21, as well... but I've never been to Loehmann's. I've always wanted to check it out, but I forgot about it... that's on the list now! I've heard that the best thing to do, as far as seeing holiday displays, is to walk down 5th Ave, but I just thought it was worth a shot to see if there was anything that was supposed to be really spectacular... and yeah, cc, I did mean to say Saks, not Neiman Marcus, sorry about that

. Thanks again.

dot · Marc Jacobs

you have to eat at mitchel london on 9th ave (458 9th i think). they do catering and take-out, but they have a small dine-in area. the food is great quality and really fresh. i wished i worked in this area.. i would eat here all the time.

here is a blurbie on their uptown location (same thing) click

also you may want to walk up to cupcake cafe on 39th and 9th for breakfast. they have doughnuts and coffee and the cupcakes are to die for. not really the greatest area down there but these eateries and clean and yummy.

A cupcake from Cupcake Cafe

As for windows, like the others said.. just walk down 5th Avenue for Saks and Bergdorf's. Also check out Barneys! Macy's and Lord and Taylor's usually does windows too.. but I think Saks has the most beautiful ones and Barneys (although fewer in windows) has the most outrageous ones.