Betty needed to purchase two gifts last week: one for her sister and one for her new friend at work. Every night was booked except Wednesday which left her very little time to hunt for treasure. A gem in the West Village was the secret to her success. Tina Tang Studio and Gold Label by Tina Tang (conveniently located across the street from each other) offer an amazing selection of gorgeous jewelry at a wide range of prices. Tina Tang Studio sells semi-stones, long necklaces, etc., while Gold Label by Tina Tang houses the bling bling. Both stores are adorable and well worth a visit.

For her big sis, Betty purchased the Victoria Tassel Necklace in Turquoise/Fuschia which is so gorgeous she’s fearing the moment she will have to give it up. For her coworker, she battled between the Camel Jewelry Roll and the Vintage Link Earrings. Unable to decide, Betty bought both. There was no reason why she couldn’t treat herself, too! Every day is Betty’s Day.

Betty had such an easy time finding her perfect presents at Tina Tang Studio and Gold Label, that she even had an hour to lounge at her favorite West Village bar, Woogies. Waffle fries and jewelry, while an unlikely pair, have proven to be a successful combination.

48 and 49 Greenwich Avenue between Charles and Perry Streets, 212-645-6890

http://www.tinatang.com/

Whowhatweardaily is just one of a billion sites out there that track celebrity fashion choices- but it stands apart from the pack for Betty because it’s highly edited, addictive and smart. Case in point- their tagline “We don’t care who you’re dating or if you eat, we only care what you wear.”With the recently launched Who What Wear TV, The seriously stylish Hilary Kerr and Catherine Power dole out loads of amazing fashion tips and outfit ideas right to your computer (Betty sometimes watches at her desk- sssh!) Check out the following, spot-on advice for choosing an outfit for a job interview.

http://www.whowhatweardaily.com/website/wwwtv.php?id=f6vqfndbpj

That’s all very useful - but it was this expose on the Gossip Girls’ style that forever cemented Whowhatweardaily’s place in her heart. How else would we have known Serena’s fabulous coat was from (gasp!) Forever 21!

http://www.whowhatweardaily.com/website/full_article.php?id=485

During these dry winter months, New York Betties understand the importance of humidifiers, lip balm, and La Mer. But with all their meticulous care, they seem to neglect their hands. Hidden under their Burberry gloves are rough and callused palms, yearning for the kind of attention reserved for their glowing cheeks and plump lips.

Whether shaking hands at a job interview, holding hands on a first date, or slipping on that much-awaited ring, your hands will be noticed. Don’t fret, Betty has found a cure: C.O. Bigelow’s Chapped Hands Cleanser. She lathers this miracle-inducing treatment on dry hands and washes away with lukewarm water.

The result: soft, velvety palms. For the truly shriveled, use the cleanser as a moisturizer and cover overnight with cotton socks wrapped in plastic wrap.

Available at C.O Bigelow Chemists, 414 6th Avenue or www.bigelowchemists.com

1849 boasts a variety of happy hour specials and a glance in the window had Betty’s hopes soaring. But her experience signaled that instead of striking it rich, all she may have found is fool’s gold. The décor is very loungey in the front with plush antique-like red velvet couches that clash with the numerous very modern flat screen TVs. The place is flooded with too much noise to enjoy gossiping over your happy hour specials.

While the prices make for a very happy hour indeed ($3 drafts), the act of waiting in line and the terrible service defeat the aim of happy hour altogether. One redeeming aspect: hot bartenders. If you’re heading out with one partner in crime hit the back and sit at the bar, there’s some eye candy gold to be ogled.

http://www.1849nyc.com/ 

183 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012-1406 Phone: 212.505.3200

A harbor seal was spotted Monday morning at the 79th Street Boat Basin! Check out this New York Times article for more details:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/a-seal-pays-a-visit-to-the-upper-west-side/

Being sick sucks the big one. As a rule, Betty always tries to take sick days from work when she is feeling as good as possible. What’s the fun of a sick day if you can’t enjoy it? But, sometimes she really is too sick to get out of bed. Who is going to take care of her and get her the chicken soup she is desperate for? Finally, there is an answer to this question that does not include the words “escort service”.

It is Max Delivery Service and Max will bring you whatever you need within an hour. Meds, ice cream, movies, you name it. When you’re feelin’ gross and want to curl up in the fetal position and hide from the world , Max will be your knight in shining armor.

www.maxdelivery.com

Betty got out of work at 6:30pm, and had to be ready for a date at 8! Her nails ragged and hair a mess- there was just no way it was possible to shower, blow dry and get a manicure at her usual neighborhood joint.

She headed to blow, located at the edge of the MPD at west 14th and 9th ave where she was promptly shown through (walk-ins welcome) to the shampoo room. After a relaxing scalp massage, her hair was blown out to sleek and shiny perfection while at the same time her ten digits were primped and polished. She emerged less than an hour later, a model of multi-tasking efficiency and feeling pretty darn hot.

342 W. 14th St, New York, NY 212.989.6282

http://www.blowstylingsalon.com

The only thing more fun than a crazy Friday night, is talking about it the next morning. On such occasions, Betty and her girls head to Paris Commune, a fashionable and intimate spot in the West Village.

Sipping coffee and sharing their famous gingerbread cake, Betty will babble about her “walk of shame,” while her friends assemble all the details from the previous night.

Paris Commune’s brunch has cures for hangovers (yummy French toast) and diets (egg white frittatas) and a Rouge Wine Bar downstairs for the girls who aren’t ready to end the night. They don’t take brunch reservations but the wait doesn’t deter a hungry Betty with great gossip.

99 Bank St., 212.929.0509

Betty was searching for the perfect thank you present to give her best friend for staying up with her all night and helping her study for the GMAT. After considering all of the possible jewelry options she could muster and buying and returning 2 scarves, she finally stumbled upon the ultimate thank you present: The Tank U Vase by La Tête au Cube. At $140, it’s no cheap trinket, but her best friend is worth it and so is her amazing score on the GMAT!

www.citenyc.com

With the dozens of Tapas restaurants popping up all over the city, it’s a wonder Betty hasn’t tired of them already. But, how can she get bored of the numerous adorable little plates…its like sample Saturday at Costco, but more upscale!

The other day she found herself searching for a light meal and luckily stumbled upon Cafe Tapeo, a new tapas restaurant in Park Slope on the corner of Bergen Street and 5th Avenue.

One of the first things that caught her attention was the extensive beer selection. Betty loves beer, you know. She found many fine Belgium beers unavailable at most NYC establishments. She snuggled into her corner seat in the dimly lit cafe and allowed the waiter to select her meal for her.

The owner, whose other claim to fame is the Black Sheep Pub next door, described the fare as New World and eclectic cuisine. So typically, she had no clue what to expect. What does New World mean anyway?

When he brought out the avocado and lump crabmeat salad she feasted and promptly ordered another double order. The best Tapa in the world (no exaggeration), it is made with lump crabmeat, sweet corn, tomato, avocado served in the avocado peel with a citrus vinaigrette.

All of the tapas scored high on Betty’s review card, soaring Cafe Tapeo to the top of Betty’s faves!

*One thing to note, Cafe Tapeo does not serve liquor, so if you are itching for a Jack and coke, head next door to the Black Sheep Pub.

52 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, 718.638.1066