Stuff Liz Belsky Likes

Cheap NYC Eats: Baked By Melissa

Like the rest of the world, I think cupcakes are great. In theory. In practice, however, I suffer from some serious sugar-sensitivity that makes eating more than a few bites of the average cupcake a depressingly unpleasant affair.

That’s why Baked By Melissa’s tiny mini-cupcakes are some of my favorite things in the world.

At $1 apiece, they’re the perfect size — two bites apiece, just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without actually making your teeth ache. The mint chocolate and chocolate chip pancake ones are the best, though I’ve also heard raves about the PB&J cupcakes.

Address: All over the city, but the one in Union Square (7 E 14th St) is my favorite.

Kinda Worth It: Frye Boots

Look, guys. It’s fall, which means it’s also boots season, but not all boots were created equal. There is a time and a place for Uggs. Actually, there are several times and places in which Uggs are not only acceptable, but recommended, including:

• After 8PM on a weeknight, when you’re making a drugstore run for tampons and shampoo (at least you thought to put on real pants)
• At sleepovers with your BFFs, when you’re debating who would make a better boyfriend, Joseph Gordon-Levitt or Ryan Gosling (totally Gosling, for the record)
• During the holidays at your parents’ house, right after you opened the Uggs box (they were so proud of themselves)
• If you’re an actress, model, or some other kind of celebrity who spends most of your time wearing stiletto heels, by all means, slouch around in them on your days off

But if you’re not in any of those situations, perhaps you should make another choice when it comes to boots. And this is why I heartily recommend Fryes.

And, okay, look. I’m not an idiot. These things are crazy expensive, moreso than I’d ever spend on any other single article of clothing. When I splurged on them about a year ago, my mom basically looked at me like I had just committed murder. But the upside to spending so much money on a pair of fantastic leather boots is — actually, there are several upsides.

One, if you take good care of them, they’ll pretty much last forever. This is the definition of “investment piece.” Two, they’re super versatile. I wear ‘em with skinny jeans, skirts and tights, leggings, that one pair of jeggings I will occasionally break out when I’m feeling adventurous, sometimes dresses — they class up jeans and dress down the fancy stuff (though I’m afraid the jeggings are beyond salvation). And three, if you live in an area where you do a lot of walking, Fryes are basically your new best friend. I can spend the entire day out and about in mine and come home with nary a toe blister or an achy joint. My arches are supported, the balls of my feet aren’t under too much pressure, my toes are nice and cozy but not too squished. They’re basically the perfect shoe and you will wear them for years.

Price: ~$300-$350 at Zappos, but I got mine for about $250 at DSW last December.

Awesome Way To Save: Lifebooker.com

Do you like doing nice things to your hair, nails, and body? Do you not like to spend ridiculous amounts of your hard-earned ca$h on that stuff? Do you live in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago?

WELL, LISTEN UP, BECAUSE I’M ABOUT TO CHANGE YOUR F’ING LIFE.

Lifebooker is essentially Priceline for salons. They offer up to 70% off beauty and health services at high-end salons all over the four aforementioned cities, which, obviously, is awesome. More awesome is that when you sign up, you get daily Loot emails with special limited-time deals. I’ve booked through Lifebooker before, and I’ve always had positive experiences.

Furthermore, if you rate the services you book through the site, you can earn rewards dollars. Which is also pretty awesome.

Bottom line, I can’t recommend Lifebooker enough. Click here to join.

Cheap NYC Fun: Saint’s Alp

I would argue that one of the finest Chinese exports available today is boba, or bubble tea. For the unaware (bless your souls), boba is milk tea (usually) with pearls of black tapioca on the bottom. Basically, it’s heaven and I’d have it every day if I could. And by far my favorite bubble tea place in the city is St’s Alp.

Fair warning: this place is super NYU-y. It was introduced to me by a friend who goes to NYU, after all. But don’t let that deter you — the vibe is chill, the staff is friendly, and nothing on the menu costs more than $7-$10. A jumbo sized tea usually runs about $4.50, and that’s more than enough to satiate your thirst for delicious tea and tapioca. Personal favorites include the coconut milk tea with bubbles, the mocha with coffee agar, and the apple lemon nata.

Good for first dates and casual friend-dates.

Address: 39 3rd Avenue (at E. 9th St)