1. Whole Foods. It’s convenient because it’s right off the Union Square subway stop, the lines are actually pretty quick, and the vegan dishes from their salad bar make a tasty, super healthy dinner.

But every time I go to Whole Foods, I never make it out without spending less than $50, because I usually go in for coffee creamer and leave with organic face wash, raspberries, cookies made from tofu and kale from Madagascar that costs $13 a bushel.


2. Forever 21. Their stuff is cheap and uber-trendy, but I still never approach the cash register with my items thinking, “man, this is such a great idea.”


3. Laila Rowe. If you guys don’t have one of these around you, picture it as kind of the accessories section of H&M in its own store. We had one within walking distance of my job in Connecticut, and I can’t tell you how many times I set out innocently for a lunch break and came back with $20 worth of cute jewelry that eventually just turned my fingers green.

There are also several Laila Rowe’s in New York, which continue to entice me with their sunglasses and cheap rings. I will defy you, Laila!


4. Bloomingdale’s. I go in telling myself I’m going to head straight to the clearance racks, but then wind up in the Marc Jacobs section, talking myself down from the ledge of buying that $300 skirt that is just SO FAB.


5. The 24-hour natural foods store a block from my apartment. When I get home from yoga at 10 p.m., I COULD cook up some cheap pasta for dinner, OR, I could head to the health food store (it’s 24 hours, guys!) and buy some yummy vegetarian sushi, a ginormous bottle of Smartwater, a cookie that costs $2.50 and an organic banana. Guess what I usually do!

What stores do you know you should really stop shopping at?