Cry Wolf is the rare store that carries chic, cooler-than-thou clothing but still maintains a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. That's mostly due to the owners, a husband-and-wife team consisting of Abiri Ward and Nina Wolff (below), whose welcoming demeanors are a nice break from the aloof attitudes that plague this city's boutiques.   

And the clothing? Think sophisticated clothes for the arty downtown hipster set. The store carries up-and-coming and established men's and women's designers including Unruly Heir, Nudie Jeans, Junk de Luxe and Morphine Generation, to name a few. The sneaker selection is also something special: Shoes from Gram and Clae are unique without resorting to peacock-like displays of wild color.

Cry Wolf's official open date is April 3rd, although it's going through something of a soft opening right now. 

Name: Jen
Lives: Sunnyside, Queens
Job: Expert of all things MET Museum related

I like it when women put a creative spin on the suit. Where did you get this lovely ensemble? Banana Republic, but I mostly shop vintage and consignment.

Any favorite shops? I like Beacon's Closet, and the East Village has some great vintage shops. I just bought some really wonderful vintage dresses from the '50s and '60s there.

What is keeping you busy these days? Shopping and drinking Belgian beer.

Can you suggest any Sunnyside favorites? Yes! Gaslight has a great outdoor patio and is one of my favorites for drinking beer and PJ Horgan's seriously has the best burger!

Whenever I go back to visit my parents in sunny California, I find myself in need of gifts for my niece and parents. Yesterday I stopped by a new East Village boutique that fulfills all of these needs and more. The Pink Olive Boutique specializes in "baby, gift and getaway" products, meaning cute onesies with phrases like "Gucci Coo" and "Burpberry" on them, candles, soaps, stationery and clothing like Michael Stars T-shirts and vintage dresses.

The store is the very definition of homey: exposed brick everywhere, cluttered gifts and friendly owner Grace Kang behind the counter. A former buyer for Barney’s, Kang has also assembled a cute, feminine collection of vintage bags and dresses, plus quirky jewelry from local designer Erica Weiner. If you happen to be in the East Village and think one can never have too many scented candles, you should definitely stop by this store.

Name: Ryan
Lives: Queens, moving to Brooklyn
Spotted: In front of Dylan's Candy Bar

Tell me about this outfit of yours? This is an Urban Renewal vest from Urban Outfitters, and I got the shoes at Rags A-GoGo. The rosary I got from from my grandmother and the Stevie Nix pin on eBay.

Where else do you like to shop? Beacon's Closet in Williamsburg, Hot Topic and Atrium.

Are you a big Stevie Nix fan? Yeah, I love her, she's my fashion inspiration. I have lyrics from "Rhiannon" tattooed on my arm.

What are you doing this weekend? I'll probably end up at Beauty Bar, Lit, the Dark Room or some random house party.

What are some of your favorite eats in the city? Besides eating at Wrap n' Run every day, I love Olive Garden and Red Lobster, no joke, really.

Name: Sondra
Age: 30
Occupation: An aspiring illustrator posing as a retail sales associate
Lives: East Village

Where are you off to? I'm on my way to Pukk for dinner, it's this great vegetarian place on 1st Avenue.

Do you also work in the village? Yeah, I work at Urban Outfitters, but would love to find a career as an illustrator for the music magazine industry.

Speaking of music, what is your latest download? This band called "New," you can probably find them on Myspace.

Whats your inspiration for fashion and art these days and where did you get your outfit? Oh, I love Art Nouveau, but I get inspired by many things including music. I got this dress at a thrift store, this jacket at Wilson's Leather and these shoes at Urban Outfitters.

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? Yeah, to wear more dresses and to make the most of my New York experience.

Today, with the launch of our gift guide, we start small. Five bucks for your corner store guy, an acquaintance, a stocking.

Exit 9 in the East Village is just the place for something cheap but unique--it's brimming with tiny, enticing baubles and novelties. A meager $2.25 is all it takes to bring a friend back to their childhood with an egg-full of Silly Putty. And yes, paper clips can be adorable--and perfect for your boss--when they're bent in the shape of dog bones ($4.50). An animal-shaped Chunky Safari book ($4.95) will seem priceless to new parents when their little ones stop crying. If you want a little something extra so you don't look too cheap, Exit 9 has a beautiful selection of cards that'll dress up even the smallest gift.

Come back tomorrow for great $20 gift ideas. Wednesday for $40. And so on--it's a daily series. Want to see the real fireworks? Read on until December 22nd, when the final, $50,000 gift will be posted.

I make it a tradition to hit the Union Square holiday market every year in the hopes that I'll find that perfect, unique handmade gift that someone on my holiday list just can't live without. That never happens, but the ideal lives on. Here are my two favorites from this year's market:

The first is a bag made from recycled materials at the L.M. Designs booth. The second is a pink rooster-style hat from the Nirvanna booth. The hat is kind of horrible, and, despite breaking the new rules of winterwear, I couldn't help but loving it. Still, after browsing this year's myriad booths, I was reminded that my favorite part of the Union Square holiday market isn't the clothing, but the outdoor soup stand--plenty of warm goodness to choose from and no worrying about whether your nephew-in-law will snub your heartfelt present.

It may surprise you to learn that Tricia Romano doesn't have much of a "Fly Life" on her off nights. In fact, the club-hopping Village Voice writer keeps such a low profile close to home in Alphabet City that she's become a darn good expert on the neighborhood.

During daylight, you may spot Romano "stalking the purses" at knick-knacky shop Exit 9 or getting her nails done at the "cute little salon" on 4th Street, Go Girl. Thought you'd never find a decent burrito in the city? She's uncovered authentic West Coast Mexican at Downtown Bakery II. And if you're in the mood for a little "'Blade Runner' atmosphere," she's digs the lychee martinis at Decibel.

Read on for more of Tricia Romano's East Village favorites.

(Photo by Nikola Tamindzic)

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First stop, Tokio7, a funky consignment store that sells men's and women's designer goods for far less than they would sell new. Now you can buy that D&G coat, Miu Miu skirt or pair of Prada pumps with plenty of money left over for a large wedge of Brie at East Village Cheese.

To bring that quirky East Village charm to your apartment, stop by Exit 9. Tiki glasses, Nara postcards and kitschy refrigerator magnets are surefire way to give your pad a little color.

Also, don't forget to beef up your record collection with a visit to Etherea. The collection is an eclectic variety of electronica, indie rock, hip-hop and more--think Swedish duo The Knife next to Mission Of Burma next to RJD2.

Now that you're done shopping, it's time to get down to what the East Village is all about--boozin'. Stop by Ace Bar for the killer jukebox, stay for the skeeball. If you're a more cerebral drinker, try KGB bar, where you can imbibe both spirits and clever prose at the same time. Fiction, non-fiction and poetry readings are held almost nightly, and you can justify drinking for the fourth day in a row by telling yourself it's all in the name of gettin' edumacated.

Finally, end your day with a magical banh mi sandwich from Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches. Pate, ham, pork, cilantro, carrots and cucumber join forces on a crispy roll to satiate even the hungriest East Villager--all for under $4.

Attention all shoe junkies: Footwear from Chloe, Gucci, DKNY and Chanel is on sale now at 50 to 70 percent off at Gabay's in the East Village. The Chloe and Gucci is going fast, so get there ASAP to get the good stuff.