Generally are trainers cheaper in NYC?

[EachandEveryone]

Because I need some decent footwear but I'm conscious of how much trainers are these days. I don't go to the gym but I walk a lot and in NYC I am planning on walking everywhere but I still need to look alright to go into a bar after all that walking. Should I wait until I get there or should I potentially pay more money but buy them now and start breaking them in?

[Helgathehairy]

I THINK we're OK. It's always a bit more worrying when you're in a different country! She's fine in between puking - she's not sleepy or cranky and is playing happily with playdoh right now. She's had some banana and I'm hoping it stays down!

Those sachets - are they something you need a prescription for? We're staying in Times Square. DH is here with me (well he's just gone out to get some food)

[Want2bSupermum]

No prescription needed. This is the stuff.

Don't get the bottles of readymade liquid as it has to be ice cold for my kids to drink it. Also you must keep it refrigerated after opening and it doesn't always fit in the mini fridge.

I know the Duane Reade by Port Authority has these sachets because I bought some more for the diaper bag last month. It's on the corner of 8th avenue and 42nd St.

[Chimchar]

Oh no helga! You poor things!!
Hope your little girl is better soon. We had a similar experience when my kids were little in Bruges....dd was 1 and puked all over me and her in a taxi and we arrived at our very posh marble fronted hotel dripping in vomit. The manager took one look at us and ushered us into a side room and came with towels and cloths and stuff. Then a day later, ds, who was about 4 got a fucking ear infection. He needed antibiotics. We had to use all our cash to pay the excess on our medical insurance and couldn't go out anywhere!! Bloody kids.

Anyway. We fly over tomorrow morning. I'm getting in a Tiz about the flight already. I hate flying.

Just finished packing. Have no idea if I've packed the right kind of stuff or not!!

See you there!!! Hope things get better for you very soon. X

[Want2bSupermum]

Ugh! If you end up needing antibiotics in NYC go to target. It's $4 for a lot of generic prescriptions. Just pray they don't get pink eye. The drops are $50 with our insurance and I think they are $200 if paying cash.

[Helgathehairy]

Just to update - DD is recovered! She spent the day running around Central Park zoo calling the snow leopards 'big kitty' and the Bears 'monsters'. She also loved the carousel in Central Park.

[EachandEveryone]

Don't suppose you went to the J.Crew sale?

[EachandEveryone]

Oh, and should I bring my coat or not? I'm flying Monday!

[Want2bSupermum]

Yes bring your coat. It's down to the low 50s at night. We have rain on Wednesday I think.

[Want2bSupermum]

helga sorry was so tired last night when I posted and didn't mention your DD being better. Great news and my kids love Central Park. The zoo is fab for them plus we had fab weather yesterday.

[Helgathehairy]

want2b no worries! Just wanted to update.

each bring a coat. I'm Irish and finding it chilly enough.

[EachandEveryone]

The Irish members of our little party have said they'll buy there and they are hoping for snow! I've got a wool coat I'll travel in. All packed now!

[Want2bSupermum]

Coats are still full price and not cheap right now. The best time to buy a coat is in Feb. Right now it's the tail end of fall with places like gap having lots of summer things heavily reduced. If anyone needs maternity stuff they had gap maternity jeans reduced to $7 today in our local store.

[Helgathehairy]

I was in Gap today (not for long as DD decided to run rampant) but it had outerwear 30% off. I saw a really nice short parka but I'm pregnant (only 5 weeks) so I wasn't sure how much use I'd get out of it.

[Want2bSupermum]

Yes the kids one had 30% off. Here it's only a sale of it's 50%+ off that is considered w sale. When you get to 75% off you see people drawn in who might not go in normally. Clearance is normally 80%+ off.

[EachandEveryone]

My friend got back yesterday and said she bought from Old Navy on Union Square I know it gets dissed a lot on here but my friend is very snobby about material things and she loves abit of Old Navy. Her sister who lives in NYC really looks diwn on it! I don't understand why this time around the 20% coupon is not printable but can only be used in store. She said J.Crew was horrendously overpriced.

[Want2bSupermum]

Old navy just doesn't hold up. It looks and feels great but after 3 washes it looks old. I'm not sure what's going on with j crew. Ann Taylor is very good this season for office wear. I also like talbots for certain things. Yes it's for old ladies but it's very good quality (think M&S from the early 80s) for lower prices than j crew. Just don't do it head to toe and watch it isn't frumpy.

[Helgathehairy]

I've had my major splurge of the trip. Well to be fair DH bought it as my Christmas present. this bag

I love it. It has tons of compartments and pockets. I was going to get the slightly smaller version but this was only $10 more expensive and I'm going to use it as a changing bag.

[EachandEveryone]

How come Boits No 7 is massively cheaper here. I left my foundation at home and just bought theirs. £9 my friend said it's £16 at home. I'm surprised they wouldn't let me have a Duane Reede card this time as I could've got another 25% off.

[Want2bSupermum]

First difference is lower sales taxes. Also lower rents, lower wages for positions at the bottom and distribution costs end up being lower on a per unit basis as volumes being moved are so much greater.

[EachandEveryone]

My friend got a Michael Kors bag from the shop last night. $149 reduced. I haven't seen any other sales on though.

[EachandEveryone]

I can confirn that Uniqlo is the same price as the uk. I had to buy a blinking jacket there yesterday and I've checked their site to compare. Ditto Victorias Secret feel well ripped off. Levi's are much cheaper and their new style fits like a glove. Trainers are too. That's all is can see so far.

[bigTillyMint]

Only just seen this again - we came back Friday.

Helga, glad your toddler is OK. We loved Central Park - went on a sunny morning and it was beautiful. The bag looks lovely!

We spent $150 in Old Navy (yes, the quality does feel a bit Primarni - we will see) and got shedloads of sportswear stuff - on offer with the extra 20% (shown on my phone) on top!
DD also relieved me of $120 in Victorias Secret for 2 bras (she is tiny but has massive ones) when I spend £15 on mine in M&S. But they are beautiful.
We got great Levis in OMG jeans which are every few yards on Broadway.
I got 2 pairs of "sneakers" at $80 each (both on sale) and a pair of Converse for $50

DD reckons the MAC makeup was much cheaper, but it's still $$$!

[EachandEveryone]

Yes I don't think any of the make up is cheaper but I bought a beautiful Tarte set from Sephora. They do a good set leading up to Xmas.

[EachandEveryone]

Keihls was more expensive if that's even possible. I bought a small perfume for the plane it was £30 and I've just looked on their website and its £24 so that's annoying.

Got loads of Kate Spade and Spanx tights from C21 and a pair of Raybannes for £50. Levi's buy one second half price. Senhora sets reasonable. All in all though it wasn't much cheaper tbh.

[bigTillyMint]

No, the shopping wasn't really much cheaper. But I loved NYC!