HOT TIPS : THERE, THERE ... EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

It's a cruel world out there and suddenly you're alone. Mom and Dad aren't always there to give you a hug and tell you tomorrow will be a better day ... or dispense advice about how to keep afloat in love and office politics.

But hey, you've got Aristotle, Plato and Socrates to cuddle up to. No, Miz Hot Tips isn't talking about the philosophers, but a trio of electronic talking plush animal guides inspired by the PBS animated series ``Adventures From the Book of Virtues.''

She was recently introduced to Socrates, a cute orange bobcat with eyebrows that look like furry caterpillars, and as she squeezed his paw heard reassuring comments like ``It's OK to be afraid,'' and ``Now, you're cookin'. The little guy now talks in slow-mo because everybody in Miz Hot Tips' office came over for a hug, but new AA batteries should have it up to speed in no time.

The furry talking pets who dispense words of compassion, faith, loyalty, honesty, perserverance, courage and responsibility (just like Mom or Aunt Dottie) are made by the Family Co., priced at $27.99 at Toys R Us and other toy stores. Best of all, you can turn them off when you've had enough advice and not hurt anybody's feelings.

And instead of waking up to an annoying buzzzzz, or Mom shaking you, Nickelodeon has invented the Rugrats Talking Alarm Clock. Not to worry, as it's G-rated, with music and cutesy comments from the TV show characters. Among them are ``I kind of like you the way you are,'' and ``I think we'd better go now.'' The colorful clock is $24.99 at toy stores.

Wal-Mart mania:. Everybody's been talking about how great Wal-Mart stores are, so Miz Hot Tips finally got over to the Panorama Mall in Panorama City to see the Valley's first Wal-Mart.

She was impressed. It's not just another oversize drug store, as she was led to believe. Housed in the old Broadway store, merchandise is displayed more like a real department store than other stores in the chain.

In case you haven't been there yet, you can find children's school uniforms, a huge lingerie department, fancy wrought-iron patio furniture and even fabric by the yard. The store has a restaurant and kids' toy zone with coin-operated rides, too.

Fancy furnishings: Z Gallerie has finally opened at the Promenade in Woodland Hills, and Miz Hot Tips found it worth the wait.

The place is huge, filled with cool film noir furnishings, from black dressers, oversize chairs with ottomans, and dark velvet sofas and draperies. There are even some stunning reproductions of old movie posters in retro frames to complete the scene.

Cheery floral plates with a '50s mood are there, too, as well as a witty collection of bathroom accessories. Miz Hot Tips' fave is the yellow rubber ducky attached to a drain stopper for about $5.

If you're on the prowl for new furniture, also check out Resources House and Garden, which recently opened at 8440 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. You'll find new and old furnishings, plus a cafe and flower stand.

And if you're in the market for window coverings, there's the new 3 Day Blinds & More showroom that opened earlier this month at 6537 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. It's got draperies, swags and valances, too.

On mall patrol: The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks now has an electric vehicle charging station and a bunch of new businesses, including Regis Hairstylists, Island Nut House, King of Knives, Thomas Kinkade Gallery and People's Pottery. A fall opening is planned for Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Nickelodeon, Toys International, K B Toys, Skechers (the sneaker store) and LaSalsa.

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Photo: When Mom and Dad aren't there, get a hug from the new electronic talking toys inspired by the PBS show ``Adventures From the Book of Virtues.''