reason #114 why i love new york

bargains, people. bargains.

mock designer sunglasses can be bought from a crazy man in SoHo for $3.

i got a full body, one hour massage for $34. however, there are a few catches with this one: the rooms are separated by curtains so though it's extremely quiet in there, you can still hear the japanese lady pounding on the woman's back the next "room" over. and no men are allowed (probably because it's so semi-private to begin with). BUT the massage tables are heated and since there's no shower they wipe you down with hot moist towels afterwards so you don't get lotion/oil all over your clothes. in all, it's a total steal.

there's a brunch place where, for $8 you get unlimited mimosas. i had brunch there last week and must have had nearly 10 of them. i literally almost fell down when i tried to stand up to leave. the catch: champagne hangovers are the WORST!

cheap cheap eyelash extensions and calonics can be found in the inner recesses of chinatown. catch: you have to go to chinatown. but the quality and cleanliness of both places is as good as can be. both places have been staples among people at my office.

and now trader joe's is finally open in the city. hooray for great food at next-to-nothing prices! however, the mile-long line outside really makes me re-think whether all my favorite things there are really worth that wait.

new yorkers: any good bargains you've found recently, feel free to e-mail them over. i'll return the favor...