Part store, part spa, part pet community center, this store has it all – if it’s good for your pet, it’ll be here. From hard to find dog brands like Evo to beautiful beds (with removable slip covers that you can order separately to match your changing decor, of course), to vitamin supplements and over all pet health care, it’s all here. And if you’re overwhelmed by their selection of toys and treats, don’t worry – this highly trained and caring staff can answer any and all questions. Trust me, I think I asked them everything I could think of when I had to get supplies for my dog who was going to have surgery.

And speaking of surgery, after my pooch was healed enough, I brought him in for a one hour massage to help relax him and stretch out his healing leg. He. Loved. It. and came out wagging his tail and smelling like lavender. And only in LA would your dog be given affirmations after a massage!

The full service salon offers the basics plus a few things you probably don’t want to do at home (like teeth cleaning). When you walk in, you see a lot of happy dogs getting clean and you never, ever smell any dirty dog smell at all which is great considering there are always dogs here. They have training classes and big aisles so it’s easy to bring your dog. And with parking in the back, there’s no reason not to.

TIP: They also sell treats and supplements as well as frozen raw food.

HEALTHY SPOT
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-582
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ph: 310-458-2004

With winding, narrow hallways, little boutique shops (most are about 300 square feet) and free parking, this is a great place to shop, run errands, eat, hang out and be seen (you’re sure to run into a celebrity or two, after all, they need to pick up flowers, cut their hair, repair those Manolo’s, too). You can even write about your time and mail your letter at the post office (we like to send Santa our wishlists from here after perusing shop after shop). And writing home is something you’ll want to do because shops here aren’t everywhere else which adds another reason why Brentmart is loved by locals.

Shops such as Cath Kidston, Jigsaw (an exclusive London retailer of womens and girls’ apparel); Sugar Paper, a pretty custom stationer; Apartment Number 9, a men’s haberdasher with a store in Chicago; Marie Mason Apothecary a shop for soap and perfume lovers; and City Bakery which was made famous in lower Manhattan are chic enough to make up for the kitchy outside. And the relaxed atmosphere, personal service without attitude and cheap eats in the outdoor courtyard will keep you around for awhile and quite possibly coming back.

TIP: Come Monday through Saturday – Sunday’s most shops are closed. And forget valet – it’s the only place in Brentoowd where you have to park your own car.

Brentwood Country Mart
26th & San Vicente, Brentwood

Sue Balmforth made this dream real when she created her store Bountiful, located in the trendy part of Venice on Abbot Kinney.

Over 12,000 square feet of floor to ceiling antiques – many of them French and hundreds of years old – can be found here, though most of them are found in the back of the store and up rickety stairs here and there. The front carries newer goods such as pretty soaps, shells, linens and pretty kitchen wares (it also smells the best, here) Follow the little pathways around the shop and eventually you’ll be led to Sue’s bedroom, which you can purchase should you wish (and that goes for her living room, too!).

It was, at first, a little overwhelming – so many beautiful things to look at and I had so little time. But I’ll be back. Even if it’s just to pretend it’s actually my place.

Tip: Don’t be intimidated but the shut gate in front; it’s to keep her dogs in, not her customers out. Just ring the bell and voila, you’ll be invited in. Just don’t expect tea – expect to shop.

Bountiful
1335 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice CA

Being someone who adores the Shabby Chic look but not the rummaging for a find, I appreciate Kathy taking the time to find all the goods for me and arranging it artfully in her store so that I can better see pieces I might have over looked if I had to scour isles at flea markets in Provence. She makes each nook and cranny a vignette; telling stories by combining 200-year-old one of a kind lamps with modern glassware. From hand stitched high quality linens to pretty little soaps, Vintageweave is a treasure hunt of beautiful things. It’s also terribly inspiring; her elegant display of cake plates alone gave me ideas!

Her specialty, however, is putting together gift baskets – but not your average, boring, pre-packaged kind. How about a hundred year old hand carved bowl from the South Pacific to hold beautiful hand made sachets filled with true French lavender, some bath salts and something else that just says “thank you?” No? Then all you have to do is let Kathy know your budget, the person and let her go to work – she’ll put something together that will make you think she knows your friend better than you.

From $5 to $5,000 every penny spent here is spent well for it’s where you’ll find unique, beautiful and oh so charming things either for yourself or someone else. And best of all, you’ll come out feeling a little chic as though you’d just flown home from France.

TIP: Pick up a beautiful (and inexpensive) small dress shaped Lavender sachet to keep your clothes smelling wonderful. I use mine for traveling, just tossing it into my clothes cube. Also a portion of certain item’s proceeds also go to foundations for Breast Cancer Awareness and Peonies from Heaven for Diabetes Research so check with Kathy to see how you can benefit yourself and someone else with a purchase.

Vintageweave
169 Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles
323.932.0451

But once inside, there was no mistaking that this was Prada; the designs, the colour, the prices. But more stunning than the prices was the 3-story building; built out of aluminum and glass, a stainless-steel “time tunnel” showing classic looks, an oiled wood staircase and pink fiberglass shelves. If that wasn’t new age enough, Prada’s combined technology into their store, using “magic mirros” in their dressing rooms, in which customers can switch the glass from transparent to translucent to control the privacy. And the change rooms get even fancier with “Radio Frequency Identity Antennas – which registers merchandise brought into the dressing room and displays an inventory of icons on a touch screen, allowing the customer to request more information on the clothes and search for alternatives.

But of course, the main draw to this store is the beautiful goods it sells. It was over at the bag side that I got into trouble and it was Beatrice Laver, Bag Sales Associate, who encouraged me to get naughty.

Bringing out my favourite bags in every colour, explaining them inside and out and telling me how to work them with outfits, Beatrice really knew how to make a $1000.00 bag seem like a steal. And with a price per wear mentality, it almost made sense. Maybe I should apply this logic to the shoes…

Prada
343 North Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills
310.278.8661

Not only are the couches beautiful, with so many shapes and designs, but they’re all 100% slip covered making them easy to clean or change with your decor. Literally thousands of fabrics are on hand to choose from, allowing customization of every chair and couch they sell. I happened to fall for a floor model, the Tiffany Couch (Britney Spears came in a week before I and had the same reaction) which lead to a discount and quicker delivery (custom couches take 4 weeks).

Pillows and couch bottoms are stuffed with down making them feel like little cosy beds – perfect for watching movies or having an overnight guest sleep on. And the slipcovers make it perfect; having a black cat and white couch causes me no fear. When the mess hits, I unzip and toss in the wash.

Cozi Couch also sells antique tables and lights as well as matching ottomans. Being cosy and stylish was never so easy.

Cozi Couch
700 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica CA
(310)451-7759

A pretty, airy, little boutique with cards, appointment books and paper for every event, this store is paper heaven. The staff can help you find what you need (their passion almost matches mine) but browsing and getting lost in the aisle is much more fun. Take your time here and in writing a note. You’ll be a happy girl (as will your recipient).

La Partie
1628 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: 310 – 829 – 4021

My favorite way to shop is by purchasing all the foods that are currently in season – blood oranges, different mixed greens, asparagus – and then a few things I want to try (such as homemade preserves). I talk to the sellers, learn what their specialty is, a new recipe or two and what I really need to get. It makes for a fabulous way to grocery shop (reminding me of my favorite Provencal markets).

All Santa Monica markets are Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFM’s). There are three basic criteria for CFM’s: (1) they must consist of farmers who possess a current Certified Producer’s Certificate issued to them by their county’s agricultural commissioner; (2) they must be non-profit entities, sponsored by the farmers themselves, a non-profit organization or a municipality; and (3) all produce and products sold at a California farmers’ market must be grown or made in California. These simple guidelines help to ensure that CFM’s continue to exist for the benefit of the communities they serve. And I, for one, hope it’s for a very long time.

WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY
8:30am-1:30pm
Arizona Ave & 2nd St. Santa Monica

With its retro color scheme, interesting (though sometimes confusing) corridors that contain boutiques and designer gear, I was, at first entrance, a little overwhelmed. The layout doesn’t make sense at first (especially since there are two buildings) but once I gave into the kookiness of the design and just let myself wander, I began to relax and enjoy it all – especially the beauty bar.

With pretty packaged soaps from around the world, exotic home and personal scents and hard to find brands such as Terax, Ojan, Mason Pearson, Phyto, Kerastase, Sundri and Mario Badscue, I was in girly heaven.

Unique soaps packaged so pretty (no need for wrapping if you’re gift giving), parfumes to suit every mood and lotions and potions for every part of ones body. Their newly opened salon has special mani-pedi rooms, top coiffures and masseurs who can relax you after carrying around far too many goods in the store. And if you need a pick me up after taking it all in, they have both a café and a restaurant, specializing in fantastic, organic homemade fare and Elixer teas (which can pep up any shopper).

Don’t be surprised if you see Nicole Kidman shopping with her kids here. After all, how do you think she stays so beautiful?

Fred Segal
420 Broadway
Santa Monica CA

Heading out at 8am with cash in hand and a keen eye is worth it, however, as this market doesn’t disappoint. With true antiques, upscale merchandise and vendors that are willing to barter, you can most certainly find a steal here. I did with a 1940′s handmade wooden Italian jewellery box for $10 (after some very easy bartering, I might add).

Lots of furniture, rugs, jewellery and household goodies can be found and sometimes even the odd celebrity or designer (Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic is often found strolling the grounds).

It’s a great way to spend a morning whether you’re in the mood to buy or not. Just remember to bring cash (most people don’t accept cheques), a sense of fun and, if you’re like me, a really large coffee.

Santa Monica Outdoor Antique Market
$5 gate admission
8AM to 3PM
In the parking lots at Airport Avenue and Bundy Avenue.