Modified from story written by William J. Purpura and originally appeared in AAA's Home & Away magazine.

Bobbie Thomas’ path to NBC’s Today show is best described as unconventional. During her three years of graduate studies, she volunteered as an advocate and counselor at the Valley Trauma Center in Van Nuys, Calif., a rape crisis treatment facility.

Later she served as the West Coast editor and columnist for two national teen magazines, J-14 and Twist. Soon, Thomas found herself moving from print to television, doing work for Fox, CNN, VH-1, MTV, ABC, Style Network, E! News and Extra.

Her work is part fashion, part beauty and part female empowerment.

Thomas is complex, worldly, polished and highly infectious, which makes her well-suited for New York life.

Beginner Tips

New York City is every adjective. And it’s a place that’s impossible to comprehend without having been there. What first-time visitors will notice first is that the pace is wicked fast; the streets and subways are filled with people on a mission. Trying to absorb all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this city of 9 million at first is like watching the world go by while looking 90 degrees right from a spinning carousel. It requires concentration and practice.

In an effort to enhance visitors’ experiences, Thomas offered up a few tips.

Carry cash for cabs, she advised, because the credit-card readers don’t always work; save heels for evenings out; don’t be intimidated by the city’s subway and rail systems; explore the places that residents take advantage of instead of heading right to all the big-name venues; and don’t stand in everyone’s way holding up a map and guidebook.

Street Style

Thomas’ richest advice revolves around how to shop New York.

Shoppers, she said, should arrive on a Monday to do their shopping during the week to avoid the crowds. They should start at the discount stores, including DSW, Filene’s Basement, Century 21 and Loehmann’s. Shoppers should know these stores carry a lot of massively discounted designer labels, such as Prada and Oscar de la Renta. How about a $750 pair of Prada shoes for $180? Thomas did it.

After a daylong discount-shopping binge, Thomas suggested moving a bit uptown to the boutiques of SoHo and the surrounding neighborhoods to hunt down exclusive accessories. Lastly, shoppers should hit the clearance racks at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

But if money’s no object, visitors should head straight to uptown Manhattan.

The art of shopping is described this way by Thomas: “I think what’s exciting about shopping is that your goal is to find something that you can’t find elsewhere and will give you the most bang for your buck.”

Asked about her favorite restaurants, Thomas answered in a flash: Café Havana, where there is always a wait. The kitchen serves a variety of dishes, including Cuban sandwiches and chorizo and eggs. The to-die-for dish is corn on the cob “that’s smothered in deliciousness.”

The restaurant has a takeout side and a sit-down side. Those who choose the sit-down side can order a frozen mojito, which, according to Thomas, will make it worth the 15- to 40-minute wait.

Thomas also recommends the lobster salad at Nello’s and the chicken tikka masala at Cameron’s.

A restaurant she frequents in her own neighborhood is Tre Dici, and she advises visitors to seek out these kinds of tucked-away places.

“Sometimes I think that it’s not such a bad thing if you don’t know the go-to spots,” she said. “The great thing about New York is that there is something new to be discovered around every corner.”

Visitors should feel comfortable asking residents for their dining advice. New Yorkers are helpful and proud to show off their neighborhoods. A hint: When people are walking dogs, it’s a sure sign they live nearby.

Thomas’ sense of humor boiled to the top when asked about the city’s legendary nightclubs.

“I am a grandma,” she joked, “so my favorite nightclub is right here in the living room.”

She does like the city’s selection of wine bars, though. Among her haunts is Bar Jamon.

Asked about her other favorite pastimes, Thomas praised the Affordable Art Fair held in May, admitted her affinity for people watching and melted as she talked about the magic of Rockefeller Plaza at Christmas.

Asked what she would miss most about the city if she had to move on,“Hands down, it would be the people,” she said. “There’s a current, and that comes from the people. You don’t get that anywhere else. It’s the soul of the city.”