Tiffany & Co.

Okay, you've had breakfast here and sauntered down Fifth Avenue with Audrey Hepburn on your arm. Not really, say what you will about Tiffanys they do what they do better than anyone else. Who else could have saleshelp trying to sell $60,000 earrings while a gaggle of noisy tourists are posing for pictures right next to them. That is the charm of Tiffanys. Try to run amok in Harry Winstons down the block and security while quickly deposit you back onto Fifth Avenue but at Tiffany's there is an egaltarian we are in it together vibe. Take the elevator upstairs and look at the flatware and picture frames. Buy the cheapest thing you can find and walk home with the small blue bag. Just a tremendous place to adventure in or even shop.

PROS: Grade A
CONS: Very Expensive

Fassbinder

This is a lovely little jewelry store located way over in the West Village. They sell rings by designers I've never heard of before but that are tiny works of art. A great place for a quick browse and although they are not cheap, considering these are mostly gemstone rings, they are not silly either and you can pick from a lot of nice rings in the 150 - 300 range. They have some pricier jewelry also. The staff is very friendly and they will show you everything you want to see and never make you feel pressured. A fun place to shop.

PROS: Nice Staff Interesting Rings Open fairly Late
CONS: None

Murder Ink Bookstore

Murder Ink Bookstore has been serving up a helping of detective, suspense and espionage thrillers for years. They have a tremendous selection and they are a fun bunch of people to work with. A great place to shop.

Forbidden Planet

A funshop. Forbidden Planet serves up a mixture of comic books, statues, toys and other fantasy related products. The staff is not particularly helpful and sometimes the store gets really crowded but nonthe less it is a fun place to shop especially if you have kids 10-15 years old.

Fashion Design Books

Fashion Design Books is the number one shopping spot for Fashion insititute students. They carry a diverse array of products. Everything from sketching equipment to books about the history of fashion to books on design. A fun place to shop for anyone with a healthy curiousity about fasion not just for students.

Crawford Doyle Booksellers

Crawford Doyle Booksellers is a nice negihborhood indelendent book shop. They carry an eclectic mix, lots of books on art and photography mixed in with some best sellers. The service is top notch and very friendly. Just a block from the Metropolitan Museum so you can combine the two for a lovely day trip.

A Detacher

A neat concept but could use some polishing up. This tiny store looks like an apartment and everything in it is for sale. Cute chairs, a small selection of clothing and lots, for the space, of things for the hair and other impulse items strewn about for the casual shopper to buy. I find it hard to beleive they sell enough of this stuff to pay the rent but hey I'm a consumer not a retailer so what do i really know. the staff was a bit rude during my visit.

PROS: Quirky
CONS: Rude Staff not much to buy

Modell's Sporting Goods

Modells is a New York institution providing sporting goods to the average athelete for many years now. Unfortunately over the years they have gotten a little but away from gearing runners and street hockey players and have been devoting more and more space for major league team logo material. How many Derek Jeter Tee shirts does the city of New York need anyhow ? Still if you need some dumbells, or roller blades or a bike helmet they will probably be able to help you out.

PROS: Fairly large inventory
CONS: Some of the sales staff are not very responsive to answering questions

Zero

Very sparse and clean lines make up this boutique which showcases the work of Chilean designer Maria Cornejo. The clothes themselves are understated but elegant and some look more like costumes than functional clothing. Definitely a place to take a look at if you are in the NOLITA/Soho area.

PROS: Very cool looking
CONS: Like the name of the store, Zero cons

Henri Bendel Inc

Henri Bendel's is located a block away from Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue and is the place for make up fiends. The multi level shop is gorgeous and carries all the important make up especially the new cutting edge makeups and perfumes. They also sell a nice assortment of accessories. Be prepared to be spritzed by a dozen or so perfumes as you navigate the store and be prepared to have fun.