WOMEN BE SHOPPIN', WOMEN BE SHOPPIN, WOMEN BE SHOPPIN'

Live from New York, it's Mother of all Mavens!

Except I'm not really live from New York at all. I'm live, post-New York and I gotta say, I heart New York. F&ck the spas....Looking to rejuvenate? Then pack your bags - and check 'em, why not?! - and head to the Big Apple. That's what I did - sans babes or my man. No offence boys, but it was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. The sights, the sounds, the smells....THE SHOPPING.

Bear in mind I haven't been alone in 3 years. And I haven't been on a successful shopping spree in longer. 'member? Pregnant, post-pregnant, almost-there. Pregnant, post-pregnant, etc. Not a great look, no matter how you slice it. Back in the almost-there phase, alone, with a pal, in NYC, how could I resist?

Answer: I couldn't.

So after lounging (alone!) and coffee (alone! in bed!) I hit the streets, Visas blazin'.

Ladies, and those who love 'em, take note: Olive and Bette's. That's all you need to know. I was sent there by a fashionista friend and boy-yoy-yoing was she on the beam with this one. Unreal. All pink and girly on the outside, hip and not too-too-trendy on the inside. Talk about girls gone wild. This place was the bomb.

I walked in wearing one outfit, walked out in another. And then shopped at a different Olive & Bette's in yet another O & B combo. Talk about wearing the concert T to the concert!! But I did, proudly. It was one of those places where you try to hold off but just can't. I think that could be the number one rule when it comes to shopping (and dating, kind of): if you love it, buy it. Sounds obvo, I know. But bird in hand, folks, bird in hand.

And guess what? There are four of these lovely boutiques across the city - something for everyone, everywhere! I only hit two: West Village and Soho. And here's the scoop (aside from being better than Scoop, another clothing emporium par excellence): Bleeker was better.

I met a lovely lady named Amy who quickly became my new best friend. She had me trying - and buying - everything. And she got me, really got me! Knew her butt-skimmin' skirts from her cling-ons. The look-like-you've-had-your-boobs-done tops from the where'd-they-go's. We played dress-up girlfriends for about an hour before I was utterly spent - literally.

Or not. Because I couldn't resist checking out the Soho shop (concert-T to the concert, remember?). Now these chicitas saw me comin' a mile away. How could they not when I was dressed to the nines in my new duds from their sister shop? They circled, my pal and I, hurling so many compliments it made us want to, well, hurl. Sure, they introduced my ass to a lovely new pair of jeans (Paige, since you asked) but after entering the changeroom with piles of stuff and emerging with only the jeans and a cardy, all these new best friends dropped us. But fast. We could barely find someone to take our money. That ain't right!

Soho staff aside, it's a mighty fine find. So remember, when next you find yourself in New York: ditch your men, hit the streets, and run, don't walk to Olive & Bette's. And then cut your visas into millions of itty bitty pieces because this place'll break the bank. But at least you'll look good. Damn good.