This has got to be the best toy store I have ever been to ever!

When it comes to their selection of stuffed toys, nothing beats F.A.O. Schwarz. They have the most realistic, if not the most humonguous ones I have ever seen.

Then again, they are the most expensive toys I’ve come across as well! Talk about stuffed animals that run into the hundreds if not thousands of dollars! Which is not a surprise, after all this flagship store is located on Fifth Avenue, the priciest street in Manhattan, and caters to Upper Eastsiders and loaded tourists who can afford to ship these toys back home.

This fabulous toy store was founded by Frederick August Otto Schwarz, (yep, that’s how the store name FAO Schwarz came about) and his three brothers from Westphalia, Germany more than 145 years ago. What started as a simple toy store is now “a must-see world-famous experience.”

Why? Because “FAO Schwarz is not only the oldest toy store in the United States, but one of the oldest retail establishments of any kind.”

How’s that for history and fun thrown into the mix?

Now this time, this interesting window display caught my eye, while walking around Chinatown…

And it wasn’t even the SALE sign that made me stop on my tracks! Hahaha! It was more of that cute houndstooth pug looking from the window towards the street! Note too that checkered hat with a little stuffed head of a dog on one side! (Look closer, it doesn’t look as icky as it sounds!)

So cute! Hmmm, I have a strong feeling the owner of this shop is a dog lover! What do you think?

This is what I love about walking around in this city. Even if I’m not looking for anything in particular, I always get these little visual treats that make every step I take just about worth it! See, I would rather walk a hundred blocks than drive here! I wouldn’t dare take the wheel in New York City, what with their crazy cussing cab drivers! Heehee!

The best thing about pounding the pavements of New York City is that there are so many things to see all around. I really don’t mind walking so many blocks, because I get amused by all the people and things I run into in this city. From fashionably dressed folks to talented street performers, from gawking tourists to cute babies in strollers. Not to mention, the shops are fabulous! It’s easy to spend tons of money here in New York! There are just so many nice things to want and have!

But for somebody like me who can only do lots of window shopping at this point, and can only indulge on something really nice once in a while, the best that I can do is look at shop windows. Yeah, kind of like Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s heehee!

The other day, this is what caught my eye while strolling by West 45th Street…

My loyalty of course is still with my favorite cat (Hello Kitty!), but aren’t these so cute as well?

Ok ok, I know the title sounds a bit forced (a word play on the Dr. Suess character “The Cat in The Hat”) but wouldn’t you say the same if you saw these hats on a store window display?

I passed by this hat shop on my way to Alice’s Tea Cup and I just couldn’t resist taking a picture of these hat creatures. If only I were a little less boring, I would wear a hat from this family too! Heehee!

Let me start off by saying that this is not one of my highly recommended Cheap Eats in NYC! But Alice’s Tea Cup is a must visit for the plain and simple fact that it is such a quaint little place for afternoon tea!

With three branches, or shall I say “Chapters” in Manhattan, it’s a good thing a loyal patron has options should her favorite store be full! My friend Shizuka and I went to the Upper West Side spot (Chapter I) and while it looks unassuming from the outside, the inside was packed with customers!

After a 15 minute wait, we had a very relaxing and filling afternoon filled with stories, sandwiches, scones and of course tea!

Get lost in this little slice of Wonderland and get your fill of teas from all over the world, plus salads, sandwiches, scones and desserts that will leave you coming back for more!

Take a look at all the cute stuff in their Shop as well! They’ve got tea things to fairy stuff and other curiosities! It will keep you occupied while waiting for your table, and will set the mood for a magical meal for sure!

With my birthday coming up, I thought it would be fun to feature Hello Kitty themed birthday goodies!

Just check out this Hello Kitty Deluxe Party Kit from buycostumes.com which will happily set the mood for a party of 8!

I remember having a Hello Kitty cake for my 7th birthday and I was the happiest birthday girl I tell you! Check out these birthday cakes from coolest-birthday-cakes.com, which reminded me so much of that super fun birthday I had over 2 decades ago (proof that Hello Kitty truly is a classic!):

The contributors really went all out in coming out with the prettiest Hello Kitty cakes for their kids. Note that these were all made lovingly from scratch. This brings these birthday cakes to a whole new level of “sweetness”. Great job moms!

Another favorite place of mine for reasonably priced and very filling meals is Shake Shack, a “roadside” food stand in Madison Square Park, which serves juicy burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and of course, milk shakes, sundaes and more!

According to their website, www. shakeshacknyc.com, ” as part of the ongoing renaissance of the historic park, Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group partnered with the Madison Square Park Conservancy to launch Shake Shack in Summer 2004. Designed by architecture firm SITE Environmental Design, Shake Shack blends harmoniously with the park and its surroundings.”

On a day with nice weather, this place is absolutely perfect for a leisurely lunch outdoors. Lot’s of people to watch too, considering that a line really does snake at the path leading to The Shack’s order line. Hahaha!

I normally spend about $10 for a meal at the Shake Shack, which includes a cheeseburger, fries, plus a shake or sundae (depending on my mood). Not bad, considering that I’m eating for a cause in a way… a portion of a purchase at the Shake Shack will benefit the Madison Square Park Conservancy!

I never really worried about aging until now that I am in my early 30s. Freckles have refused to go away, and have turned into age spots (horror show!) plus eyebags and gray shadows have settled in comfortably under my eyes (boohoo!).

I’ve always been mistaken to be much younger than I actually am, but if I don’t make an effort to stall the ravages of time, that may just happen to be a part of my “glory days” stories, and I wouldn’t want that of course!

First “project” on my list was to look for an eye cream that would combat under eye circles and wrinkles. I’ve tried The Body Shop’s Vitamin E eye cream, and Darphin’s Arovita Eye and Lip Counter Gel but it seemed I needed something more potent.

The thing is, I have super sensitive skin. I just can’t use any product on my face. And I had a budget. As much as I want to try La Mer or some other high level science “project” out there, my pockets just can’t hack it. So I turned to an old favorite of mine, Kiehl’s for help for my eyes. And I wasn’t disappointed!

Kiehl’s Eye Alert really did the trick for me! For just $20 for a tube, I saw results overnight! No kidding! The skin around my eyes looked better - less tired and the skin looked smoother.

This product is Kiehl’s “ultimate solution for eye-area fatigue after a long flight or a long night, our formula is made with cooling Cucumber and Alfalfa Extracts to energize and hydrate the thinner skin of the eye area. Its potent blend of Vitamin E and Caffeine fights fatigue as it helps combat dark circles and puffiness. With regular use, skin appears strengthened and the lookof fine dehydration lines is reduced.”

Another great thing about Kiehl’s, apart from reasonable prices and products that work is that they are generous with their samples! I got a small packet of this great Abyssine Eye Cream, which retails for about $30, and which I use in conjunction with Eye Alert.

Abyssine Eye Cream’s “gentle formula helps deter the effects of aging on the skin while providing instant moisturization and diminishing the look of fatigue. Survival molecules help soothe and protect against external aggression.”

These two eye creams together appear to work wonderfully well, and will hopefully battle, if not stall the appearance of aging eyes!
(Photos from Kiehls.com)

To all the beauty junkies, this one’s for you!

Should you happen to pass by a Sephora, I highly suggest you check this one out, as it only happens to be the leading retail beauty chain in Europe, whose mother company is LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) the world’s leading luxury products group (takes after the “mommy” huh?)

This beauty-retail concept was originally founded in France in 1969 , and acquired by LVMH in 1997. Each shop “features over 250 classic and emerging brands across a broad range of product categories including skincare, color, fragrance, makeup, bath & body, and haircare, in addition to Sephora’s own private label.”

There are about 515 stores in 14 countries worldwide, and an expanding base of over 126 stores across North America.

I know there’s a Sephora in China. I wonder if they will be expanding in Asia? I think it’s about time!!! There’s no BeneTint from Benefit in Manila!

Some people eat to live, while others live to eat. As for me, I live to shop, so I try to eat cheap. So that I have money left over for shopping! Hahaha!

I usually eat at home before I head off to shop. For one, its a bad idea to shop when you’re hungry. You end up buying more food than you can consume. In my case especially, I get irritable and that makes for irrational shopping choices! One needs full concentration when shopping, trust me!

But if worst comes to worst and I have no choice but to spend for a meal (I know, I’m such a cheapskate!), my first choice is Grey’s Papaya!

I usually get the “Recession Special” which actually is 2 hotdogs and a drink for $3.50! Not bad huh? Given that an average meal in the City could easily set you back $20 per person.

Check out the ambiance!

Uhhhmm, ok it might not be the best of places, but it sure fills me up! After all, it still is said to be the best hot dog in New York City!

With three locations on the West Side of Manhattan: 539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street, 402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street, and 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street, and with store hours 24/7, it’s a pretty convenient place to stop by for your fill of food.

So that you have lot’s of energy, plus of course, money left over for shopping! Heeheehee!