1)Even if you cant afford one item at Bergdorf Goodman, anyone can wander in and almost always spot a celeb. Last week Kelsey Grammer and wife spotted in shoe dept.  PS. Fine dept stores are also very useful for their lovely bathrooms.

2)Street Vendors in Soho.  Some of the best authentic jewelry, hats, art & whatnot are sold on the streets of Soho. Talented folks without the overhead of stores, create and sell edgy & trendy at a fraction of the stores’ prices. TIP: The exception is those located on Broadway. These vendors sell the mass merch shipped in overseas.

3)Because some of the best music can be heard in the subways.

Shop Gotham shopping tours. www.shopgotham.com

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 gra.mer spoted w wife at BG better shoes, shout out to Conrans for bathroom stuff & other cool kitch – give link /address – new subject: shout out?

Who knows if the H & M Jimmy Choo line of clothing and accessories will look anything like their upscale line, but we are going in search of them on our Soho and Nolita shopping tour. www.shopgotham.com. Cause they won’t be in every H & M, but they will be in our NYC stores! 

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We who have our finger on the proverbial pulse of nyc sample sales see that the “season” is starting a good 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Waiting to come to NYC to score your fall/winter items. Don’t delay. The goods are here and they are already discounted.  Note for the unaffiliated: Designers each do but one sale per season ranging from  1- 5 days.

 Remember.. Shop Gotham vets out the good sales from the mediocre. Check out our Garment Center “Insider” Shopping Tours and our holiday time Cheap and Chic shopping tours. www.shopgotham.com

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Vintage apparel is genuinely hot in NYC. Lots of it and sought-after. But… depending on the neighborhood, it can be mighty pricey for “used goods”. If your teen is bent on checking out NYC vintage wearables, head directly to Zachary’s Smile. Part vintage “inspired”, part real deal, its not “designer laden”, but it does have cool and price appropriate duds with a big nod to the 70’s.  Recently, they have added a basement area; most items under $29 bucks. We like the Soho/Noho locale:  Zachary’s Smile 317 Lafayette (btw Houston & Bleeker)

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Come on, you know you want to shop!. Its getting chilly out there. Find that perfect grey sweater and leopard print boots. See what the fuss is all about with the new J + (Jil Sander) Kate Moss and Jimmy Choo lines hitting the mass market stores. Are they or are they not as cool as they sound?. Check it out on one of our NYC Soho & Nolita shopping tours with a Columbus Day savings of 15% on each ticket. Max of 4 tickets per purchase. Go to: www.shopgotham.com. discount Code:   Colum09

OR… explore the uber-cool, off-limits to the public Wholesalers on the Garment Center “Insider” shopping  tour.

15% is only good for tours taking place:

Oct 4- Oct 11. Hurry up and get shopping.

The visitors are leaving NYC, soon to return again. In the meantime, enjoy a 1st and last time Shop Gotham shopping tour special discount. 25% off tickets for any Regularly scheduled tour tours for the remainder of Sept. Max: 2 tickets per buyers. www.shopgotham.com. discount code: Sept09. See ya on the streets!

We like to give a heads-up about the Sample Sale “high” season. Typically, it commences mid-november, but our recession radar claims we can expect an early onslaught.    By early november, the designer for much less options will make your head swirl. As always, Shop Gotham will vet out the worthwhile from the junk-

See Shop Gotham Garment Center “insider” tours.

www.shopgotham.com

Book a private Shop Gotham tour for your trip! Perfect for everything from Sweet Sixteens to Bachelorette Parties, you can’t go wrong with our exclusive all-day discounts, insider shopping tips, and guided access to NYC’s hippest neighborhoods. Book now!

Morning: Head downtown and grab some breakfast at some of Soho’s best–but affordable!–spots. Try the lovely Spring Street Natural Restaurant (62 Spring St., corner of Lafayette) for fresh, delicious options or grab some charming homemade goodies and coffee at Once Upon a Tart (135 Sullivan St.)

Late Morning: Your Soho/Nolita Shop Gotham tour kicks off nearby. For two hours you will have exclusive guided access to the area’s hottest shops–and you get to use your Shop Gotham insider discounts all day! Book here.

Afternoon/Evening: While Soho is renowned for its fabulous shopping finds, that certainly isn’t the only activity available in this NYC neighborhood! Head over to Lucky Strike (59 Grand, btwn Wooster & W. B’way), the city’s hottest bowling alley, frequented by celebs and locals seeking a good time alike–no reservations required. Great for groups, this spot also serves up yummy food throughout the day along with DJed music and a bar.

You can also check out “HERE,” a unique, cutting-edge art space producing comedies, dance shows, music pieces, and much, much more. If you’re interested in an unforgettable, authentically NY experience, view the event calendar here.

After all this exploration you’ll have certainly worked up an appetite. Here are a few great downtown suggestions:

• For casual Asian “comfort food” try Soho gem Mooncake Foods (28 Watts St., nr Thompson St.). This friendly spot offers super-affordable salads, sandwiches, and great snacks like wontons and chicken wings.
• For delicious Thai food in a stylish and unique setting, try Peep (177 Prince St.).  A very trendy dinner spot, Peep (pictured below) also offers amazing multi-course lunch deals for under $10!

• For fresh, reliable Mediterranean options, try Snack (105 Thompson St., nr Prince St.). This popular lunch spot has great sandwiches and salads, and if it’s hot out don’t miss their killer mint lemonade!

Be sure to book your Shop Gotham tour in advance and your tour guide will be happy to point you in the right direction toward any of these amazing NYC hotspots! Enjoy!

A bold piece of jewelry can be the perfect way to spice up the basic, light pieces we so enjoy during the summer. As an NYC teen reporting to you from the streets of Manhattan, I can say that big statement necklaces are the perfect way to accent your outfits right now. Instantly transform a simple summer dress into an evening stunner with ribbon pieces like this one from J Crew (left), which comes in pink and black, and this beauty from Made Her Think:

Bib necklaces are also an awesome way to add some flair to a simple tank/blazer combo or your favorite Little Black Dress. Check out this one from BR (top) or, if you’re feeling daring, this Top Shop beaded piece:

All of these styles and many more can be found in the chic boutiques of NYC. Let our Shop Gotham tours take you there and get exclusive deals on this amazing trend. Book now!