If you've never been to FAO Schwarz, you need to put it on your "things to see & do" list. It is so much fun! No matter your age, there is something for everyone at this place. Whether you're a child at heart, or you feel like going down memory lane with what was important to you as a child, there's no better place to visit than here--from classic games, legos, Miss Barbie; to dollhouses, creating your own crayon boxes, & of course, that famous, "Big Piano," it's a real-life ToyLand. I Miss it! Who wouldn't want to spend a day just playing in this monstrous store?

When my family & I browsed down Fifth Avenue in New York a couple of weeks ago (we had an hour to shop, remember?) Some of the newer items (at least since I'd last been) I noticed were both strange & awesome. The strange item first: Barbie Foosball. Perfect for the tomboy, perhaps? I am not sure I'm sold on the idea--the armless Barbie's creep me out. Plus, it's selling for $2,500, so I'm not in any hurry to save up for it. It's still awesome, in a strange sort of way. Real Awesome item: Pantone Barbie (sold only in stores). Barbie gained brownie points on this from the creepy foosball table--even if you have never been into Barbie as a child, you almost have to have this if you're a designer...especially if your favorite swatch is PMS 219C!

Aside from the current day fun at FAO, did you know that, "Today, FAO Schwarz is not only the oldest toy store in the United States, but one of the oldest retail establishments of any kind?" FAO first started in Baltimore, Maryland, & 3 additional locations were added ("Toy Bazaars" as they initially called them) in Philadelphia, Boston, & New York. The rest is history! 

If you've gone to FAO, do you have any fun memories from it? The "Big Piano", talking to pretend lego people, playing board games? Who wants to go to FAO with me & forget about this brisk, cold weather for a while?