With an extra 25% off, I went to the final day of the TT/HL Sale. I wasn’t that convinced about the bag after all, I did buy this draped Helmut Lang dress though! I’m so happy with my almost new wardrobe; a Theyskens’ blazer, Theyskens’ pants, Helmut Lang dress and a Helmut Lang scarf.
Happy with my treasures, not with the service of the sales staff that is, the ladies were absolutely the rudest and most snobbish I’ve experienced during three months of New York shopping, and trust me, I did a lot of it!
Herr Helmut, Monsieur Olivier, my humble advice to you, please hire new New York Soho staff who DO appreciate and sell the clothes with the love they deserve.

Helmut Lang/ Theyskens’ Theory, 93 Mercer Street, SoHo

Probably your number one goal, shopping! While I recommend SoHo, Nolita, Greenwich Village and the Meatpacking for good boutique shopping in a nice atmosphere, you can’t miss out on the department stores. Remember that most of them are all packed with the big designers, from Chanel, Chloé and Céline to Michael Kors and Prada, so unless it’s Sales, and even then, it’s most likely you just drop by for inspiration, eye candy and the most gorgeous window displays you’ve ever seen.

* Barneys, my number one favourite, spacious and beautiful, like a museum, just remember, Seven Is Fashion Heaven, the 7th floor (sportswear?!) is packed with brands like Theyskens’ Theory, (T by) Alexander Wang, Acne, Rick Owens and Isabel Marant. These edgier brands are also united in a few Barneys CO-OP stores around the city. I’m really gonna miss Barneys back home!

Barneys, 660 Madison Av., 47th/48th

* Bergdorf, anything but spacious, but still a favourite for their gorgeous windows. If available, remember to pick up their free catalogue, or should I say fashion glossy, more than 100 pages free eyecandy for your flight back.

Bergdorf Goodman, 754 5th Avenue, 58th St.

* Bloomingdale’s, also more affordable brands, not quite the designer feel of Barneys or Bergdorff, nevertheless a classic, if only so you can bring home a signature brown bag.

Bloomingdale’s, 1000 3rd Avenue, 59th/60th

* Saks, quite spacious with shop in shops, while you can find all the designers here, the overall feel is nice, not edgy.

Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, West 49th St.

* Century 21, I went once on a sunday and it was fashion hell, think Dolle Dwaze Dagen, Prijzencircus, Crazy Prices and Wibra (Yes! Wibra!) all happening at once in one store. To get the best buys and avoid the crowds, I was recommended by a local to go early on a weekday, they open at 7.45 am. Note that they will open a second store on Columbus Av. this Fall 2011. For budget buys, I really recommend going to a Sample Sale instead.

Century 21, 22 Cortlandt Street, WTC site

Of all Italian dishes, risotto is the number one comfort food, the feel good-factor in that creamy richness is just beyond perfect. Now, New York kitchens most of the time are not very inviting for stirring into pots for more than an hour, or for more than five minutes for that matter, so I haven’t made or ate it in a while. Fridaynight was my happy night when we went to Risotteria, a restaurant totally dedicated to my favourite Italian grain. If your belly requires a gluten free diet, you won’t experience any problems here, all G-dishes are gluten free!

Risotteria, 270 Bleecker St., corner of Morton St., West Village

If Lee, Lady Pink, Futura, Seen, Obey or Cope2 mean anything to you, going to 5 Pointz should be high on your wishlist. At this graffiti mecca, aerosol artists from around the globe paint colorful pieces on the walls of a 200.000-square-foot factory building.
The gallery curator is graffiti veteran Jonathan Cohen, best known by his signature tag, Meres One. His goal is to convert the five-story, block-long industrial complex into a graffiti art museum.

5 Pointz “The Institute of Higher Burnin’” , Jackson Avenue and Davis Street, Long Island, Queens

Where to take the parents? To Loeb Boathouse in Central Park! With views on the lake and the skyline and the affordable luxury food, it’s probably the most romantic place to brunch in New York.

Loeb Boathouse, 14 East 60th St, Central Park