Shopping in California
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Best In Show
Your dog would be one proud puppy in that crystal collar and your cat tickled pink by the fuchsia faux-fur kitty couch. Give them George Bush squeak toys to chew or catnip-infused bubbles to chase, and they'll be blissed out like hippies c 1967.
reviewed
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Travelers Bookcase
Sate your travel palate at tiny Travelers Bookcase, where day-trippers and vagabonds alike find it hard to leave empty-handed. Guidebooks, adventure lit and chick-trip tomes camp out in front while maps, sanitizers and yoga mats loiter in back.
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My Roommate's Closet
All the half-off bargains and none of the clawing dangers of a sample sale. You'll find cloud-like Catherine Malandrino chiffon party dresses, executive Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dresses and designer denim at prices approaching reality.
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Bodhi Tree
Here since 1970, this cosy cottage of enlightenment carries an impressively broad range of spiritual-minded books – Buddhism, Christianity, astrology, shamanism – that’s attractive to students and dabblers alike. Psychic readings offered daily.
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Edelweiss Chocolates
Presidents, princes and Paris have kept this exquisite chocolate emporium in business since 1942. Dipped fruit to moist marshmallows and nut clusters, each confection is an edible gem and is handmade fresh in the tiny on-site ‘factory'.
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Palmetto
Jane Kennedy's all-natural beauty emporium lets you indulge all your femme pampering needs, from prettily packaged potions to Julie Hewitt's LA-based make-up line and Commando invisible underwear. Also in Santa Monica at 1034 Montana Ave.
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DNA Venice
Tiny DNA is crammed with the same hip garb selling for much more at Barneys, Neiman Marcus and top-level boutiques around town. The reason? It's all overstock, available here at clearance prices. Labels vary but stylish stuff abounds.
reviewed
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Storyopolis
A large and intelligent selection of children's books, family-friendly events (including free storytelling sessions at 11:30 Tuesday to Friday) and a gallery of original children's art make this place the best kids' bookstore in town.
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Sielian's Vintage Apparel
Sielian used to sell her frocks on flea markets but now her fan base of artists, stylists and celebs like Lucy Liu can feed their fashion cravings in a neatly kept storefront with dressing rooms. Most items cost between $80 and $200.
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Worn Out West
Left your gear at home? Pick up leathers, original-cut Levi's 501s, cockrings and tank tops at this old-school-Castro used-clothing store, and dress like a local. Good fetish wear at great prices. Not much for gals, alas.
reviewed
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ATYS
Tucked away in a courtyard, this design showcase offers version 2.0 of essential household items: a mirrored coat rack, a rechargeable flashlight that turns a wineglass into a lamp, and a zero-emissions, solar-powered toy airplane.
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Pho Siam Thai Spa
She may look tiny, but your Thai massage mistress will pull, stretch, push, knead and possibly walk on you until you feel like a marshmallow. The classy decor, soothing ambience and impeccable cleanliness make this place a steal.
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Giant Robot
The storefront of the uberhip Cali-Asian pop culture magazine understands exactly how you imagined life as a grown-up: stacks of comics, a never-ending supply of toys and stickers, and a wardrobe consisting entirely of T-shirts.
reviewed
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Ruddle Cottage
The most notable and original gallery in town is Jayne Bruck-Fryer's. The artist makes every ingenious creation here - sculptures to jewelry - from recycled materials. The pretty fish hanging in the window?… Dryer lint!
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Photoworks
Quick proquality photo processing and printing for film and digital shooters, plus bonus creative services: digital pics can be printed on classic Ilford black-and-white paper or even canvas.
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Farmers Markets
Downtown Sonoma was once the capital of a rogue nation, and though Sonoma Plaza looks stately with its chic boutiques. The plaza gets plenty lively on summer nights and farmers' market days.
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Five and Dime
Though some parts of town are rather shabby, downtown is a surprisingly upbeat mix of restored buildings, county offices, restaurants and antique shops, such as the Five and Dime inside an original Woolworth's building.
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Squaresville
Square never felt so right at this two-story corner shop jam-packed with gently used – but oh-so- happenin’ – T-shirts, jeans, dresses and accessories. Upstairs you’ll find men’s and shoes. It buys, sells and trades.
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8 Ball
It’s Vegas-kitsch with Swingers style at cozy 8 Ball, where leopard-print bowling shirts lounge beside tiki torches, Twinkie cookbooks and Betty Page heels. Frank and Elvis books flirt from shelves up front.
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Ruby
As resident pug-in-chief Ruby sniffs suspiciously at your ankles, browse necklaces made of tiny fern fronds captured in resin, robot-chic rings made of watch mechanisms and purses made of vintage upholstery fabric.
reviewed
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Oou
Hip, trendy, with a dash of funky attitude, this compact but well-stocked boutique – with a focus on young designers – has jackets, tees and boots that keep the Los Feliz fashion-forward safely ahead of the curve.
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Larchmont Village
Enjoy a cappuccino and a browse through tiny Larchmont Village, the area's small-town America-style commercial strip. Keep an eye out for celebs – Paramount Studios is just up the street.
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Kenneth Wingard
Upgrade from ho-hum IKEA to mod housewares that are positively scrumptious: glossy tangerine bud vases, vintage tiki-fabric cushions and mood-setting, ecofriendly, cork-shaded lamps, all priced for mass consumption.
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Remix Vintage Shoes
Feet feeling retro? Check out the never-worn vintage and reproduction footwear from the 1940s to ‘60s sold here. From baby-doll pumps or two-tone wingtips, your feet will be trippin’ the light fantastic.
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K Chocolatier
Dark mints to Viennese marzipan, Diane Krön's chocolate creations are truly decadent. This goes especially for the K Sensuals line made with Chinese herbs that supposedly work like Viagra for women.
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