Location - 357 Bleecker Steet (between Charles & W. 10th)

A boutique filled with hard-to-find gems and closet staples, Sucre - meaning Sugar in French - is a definite spot to find something sweet for your closet. On bustling Bleecker Street, owners Candace Mohr and Selima Salaun make sure Sucre is a haven for unique quality pieces and fun, ornate accessories.

Stocked with pieces that are flirty and edgy, there's something for everyone at every price.  Items range from as low as $70 to $600+ from well-known brands as well as hard-to-find designers.  Great stretch cotton pieces from Alexander Wang range from $70-$150 and include tanks, tees, and slim-fitting dresses that drape in all the right places. Gar-de supple leather jackets in perfectly tailored cuts hover around $600.  You can find a rare selection of items from Hero Crane, a Japanese line that boasts beautifully de-constructed organic shirts for $185. Make sure to check out the flowy silk prints from Margarita Saplala, the studded-shoulder tunic from Aiko, and the "Perfect Shirt" from Current/Elliot.

The accessories are edgy and trend-setting, with unique pieces including body and shoe jewelry that add flare to any outfit with chain, metal, and fringe - definitely check out a statement-making cross-body jewelry piece with a feather-shoulder flare that would spice up anything from a tank to a jacket.  The jewelry is beautiful and ornate with bright colors, precious metals, and a punk-edge, with pieces from Lulu Frost, Toki, Christina Viviani, Annie Costello Brown, and Saya Hibino.

In addition to the unique clothing and bold jewelry, the display cases full of eyewear is not only vast - it includes both sunglasses and optical glasses - but is a mix of both vintage re-worked frames and new contemporary styles that would make an instant standout of anyone who wore them.  Eyewear designer and Sucre co-owner, Selima Salaun, has her own line of beautiful glasses in retro-with-a-twist styles. Favorites includes colorful glasses with unique details including snakeskin on the frame edges. Styles from Benjamin from LA and Balenciaga can also be found.

Location - 552 La Guardia Place (between W. 3rd & Bleecker) and 196 Spring Street (and Sullivan)

 Steps from Washington Square Park, this youthful boutique carries easy-to-wear pieces that bring out anyone's inner girliness.  With a range of brands and trends matching anyone's look of the day, it's fun to shop their whimsical, airy collection and chat with their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The best part of Helianthus, meaning "sun" and "flower" in Greek, is the fun and quirky accessories. Everything from hats, belts, hair accessories, sunglasses, and jewelry can be found in fun colors and contemporary styles ($15-$75). Check out the playful jewelry along the entrance wall and in the coffee table display case. Pieces such as a rocking-chair pendant necklace ($28) to rhinestone pink snoopy earrings ($23) as well as bangles, rings and headbands can be found. Leather cross-body bags in jewel-tones are also displayed for $100-$250.

The womenswear ranges from $30-$250 include flirty, brightly colored dresses and tops that have edgy embellished details, such as a black ruched zipper-trim tank for $104.  Asian and Western trends meet with the collections from Kloset, Liza Chen, Wish, Twinkle, Pepper & Pistol, Wren, and Graham & Spencer.  There's a large sale selection in the back, and make sure to use the student discount if attending NYU.