Cover Story: Shopping guide

A CAPPELLA New and used bookstore. Shop specializes in out-of-print rare title and first editions in addition to a large selection of reasonably priced used paperbacks. 1133 Euclid Ave. 404-681-5128.

ALESSI Retromodern’s store for kitschy and high-design housewares. Stylish tableware from brands like Mono, littala and Rosenthal is offered alongside whimsical items like toothpick holders in bunny shapes and funky floss dispensers. 805 Peachtree St. 404-724-0093. www.retromodern.com.

ANDREW High-end clothing and lifestyle boutique with men’s and women’s clothes. Features Adidas’ Y-3 line, Paul Smith, Etro and Evisu jeans. Also small selection of shoes and kids’ apparel as well as books, arts, music and home accessories. 1545 Peachtree St., Suite 100. 404-607-1747. www.andrewatlanta.com.

BEL FIORE Bridal and special occasion salon hosts its grand opening party Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Includes fashion show and trunk show by couture headpiece and veil designer Kristina Eaton. 4400 Roswell Road, suite 168, Marietta. 770-509-7185.

BILL HALLMAN Urban hipster central for men’s and women’s clothing. Boasts a wide selection of cutting-edge designers, including Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. line, Wrangler 47’s vintage Western looks and Fornarina’s off-beat glam, along with Diesel and James Jeans. 792 N. Highland Ave., 404-876-6055; 776 N. Highland Ave., 404-607-1171; and 424 Moreland Ave., 404-522-1010. www.billhallman.com.

BOB ELLIS High-end men’s and women’s shoes and accessories. Selection includes legendary names like Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Prada, as well as cutting-edge designers such as Alexandra Neel and Marc Jacobs. 3500 Peachtree Road, Suite A3. 404-841-0215.

BOOGALOOS Women’s clothing and accessory boutique featuring up-and-coming designers, from classic and clean to hip and funky. Designers include Emma Black, French Connection, New Frontier and more. 246 West Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-373-3237. www.boogaloosboutique.com..

BRINA BEADS Buckhead bead shop offers free workshops, including a “Get those Gifts Made” party on Nov. 26. Full range of beads, including glass and semi-precious stones, available. 3231-A Cains Hill Place. 404-816-8230. www.brinabeads.com.

CANTON STREET HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE The Chandlery and other Canton Street retailers and galleries will stay open until 8 p.m. and offer refreshments to evening shoppers. Dec. 2. The Chandlery, 950 Canton St., Roswell. 770-993-5962.

CANTONI Sophisticated and stylish, the furniture, lighting and accessories offered have a clean, minimalist and almost retro feel. Design consultants available at no charge to help you make your choice. 1011 Monroe Drive. 404-881-8111. www.cantoni.com.

CHARLIE’S TRADIN’ POST Discounted men’s clothing and accessories. Dig through piles of pants from Dickies work styles to Levis and Wrangler jeans, or pick up wife-beaters, galoshes and fishing equipment. 648 McDonough Blvd. 404-627-4242.

CITY LIVING Contemporary furniture, lighting, accessories and interior design with an urban attitude. Store carries a variety of styles, including brands like KL, Young and Innovations. 1135 Chattahoochee Ave. 404-350-9592. www.citylivinghome.com.

CLOTHING WAREHOUSE Carefully selected men’s and women’s used and vintage clothing. Inventory reflects up-to-the-minute retro-influenced styles. 420 Moreland Ave. NE. 404-524-5070.

CONSIGNKIDZ INC. Consignment shop for children’s clothing. Features a wide selection of outfits at low prices, from casual play clothes to European-label designer dresses. 2205-C LaVista Road. 404-929-0222.

COOK’S WAREHOUSE Paradise for foodies and the people who love them. Store features a wide array of kitchen gadgetry both predictable and highly specialized, along with every kind of cooking-related accessory imaginable. 549-I Amsterdam Ave., 404-815-4993; 4062 Peachtree Road, 404-949-9945. www.cookswarehouse.com.

DAKOTA J’S Women’s clothing and accessories. Boutique offers labels like Liquid and Ana Capri for trend-conscious shoppers. Also features a large selection of jewelry by local artists, including LEM Designs and Romero jewels. 1030 N. Highland Ave. 404-870-0690.

DOMESTIC INSTINCTS and TASTE Two funky housewares shops in one. Taste features fun, candy-colored kitchen items including espresso machines while Domestic Instincts specializes in gift-ready housewares, off-beat cards and locally designed jewelry. 416 Church St., Decatur. 404-370-1863.

THE DRESSING ROOM Men’s and women’s second-hand and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories at surprisingly low prices. 504 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-534-2200.

EGO Boutique specializing in women’s denim, tops and loungewear. Over 20 different jeans labels, including Juicy, Paper Denim, Lucky Brand, Frankie B and more. 1581 N. Decatur Road. 404-370-1667. egodenim.com.

FAB’RIK Too cool for school space combining up-to-the-minute men’s and women’s fashions, contemporary art and a water bar featuring 20 different brands of water from all over the world. 1114 W. Peachtree St. 404-881-8223. www.fabrikatlanta.com.

THE FICKLE MANOR Virginia-Highland clothing boutique hosts its Second Anniversary Party with specials, giveaways, refreshments and a trunk show by Carolyn Aycock. Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m. 1402-4 Highland Ave. 404-541-0960.

FRIEDMAN’S SHOES. Extensive selection of casual and dressy shoes for men and women that caters to large sizes in addition to more easily found sizes. Includes Italian-made offerings such as funky slip-ons by Donald J. Pliner and comfy lace-ups by Bacco Bucci, but also carries Steve Madden, Cole Haan, Timberland and others. 209 Mitchell St. 800-886-3668. www.largefeet.com.

INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE MARKET Antique and flea market with a wide selection of unpredictable merchandise. Used clothing for men, women and children, oddities, used CDs and more. 5000 Buford Highway. Friday-Sunday.

INTIMACY Women’s lingerie boutique, with a full line of sleepwear, panties and bras, as well as more exotic lingerie. Specializes in custom-fitted bras. Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road NE. 404-261-9333.

JUNKMAN’S DAUGHTER Department store-sized collection of unique and desperately cool stuff, as the name suggests. Men’s and women’s clothing, goth gear, footwear and any kind of accessory necessary for the hipster lifestyle. Unusual and vintage-inspired gifts such as metal lunchboxes, and there’s a tobacco-accessory room as well. 464 Moreland Ave. NE. 404-577-3188.

KALEIDOSCOPE Boutique specializing in chic, funky women’s clothing. Cute, colorful clothing and club wear by designers like Vitamina and Buffalo make this an excellent place to shop for casual wear and evening gowns alike. 225 East Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-378-1214.

KATE SPADE Upscale accessory boutique. Collection of the designer’s famous handbags, stylish shoes and movie star-ish sunglasses, updated each season to reflect the latest fashions. Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road NE. 404-841-8838. www.katespade.com.

KNITTINI Local artists and designers come together for this holiday accessory sale. Find handknit bags and scarves, purses, beaded jewelry, hats, earrings, watches and more. Sun., Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m. Birdi’s, 115 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-371-9906.

KOLO Upscale store for eclectic jewelry, featuring sophisticated pieces for non-traditional piercings. White gold nose rings with real diamonds, barbells capped with jade, and other semi-precious stone pieces. Large selection of handmade tribal jewelry from staff travels, including necklaces and bracelets. 1144 Euclid Ave. 404-523-1098.

KUDZU ANTIQUE MARKET Antique and flea market with multiple dealers specializing in American and European antiques, furniture and assorted collectibles. Some vintage clothing, jewelry and books. 2874 East Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-373-6498.

LUCKY DEVIL Rock star-style clothing for men, women and children, furniture and accessories. Goth gear abounds, as does Paul Frank merchandise and offbeat brands such as Cheap Thrill. For the more adventurous, the Throb side of the store features latex and leather gear. 1158 Euclid Ave. 404-681-LUCK.

LUXE Discount designer women’s clothing, shoes and accessories from over 40 high-end labels. The inventory constantly shifts, but shoppers can find labels such as Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo priced significantly lower than retail. 764 Miami Circle. 404-869-2493. www.luxeatlanta.com.

MAD BUG CLOTHING COMPANY Upscale clothing and shoes for children, teenage girls, and women. Cute and colorful items with a sense of fun; brands include Monkey Wear and Betsey Johnson, among others. 6297 Roswell Road. 404-250-1151. madbugclothing.com.

MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM Gift shop hosts a book and gift sale featuring everything from books on ancient cultures to Egyptian and Roman gifts Dec. 9-11. 571 S. Kilgo St. 404-727-4282.

MITZI AND ROMANO Luxury-brand women’s clothing that ranges from conservative to funky, and a high-quality accessories counter. Brands include Citizen, Seven, Michael Star, Earl and Max Azria, among others. 1038 N. Highland Ave., 404-876-7228; 1004 Virginia Ave., 404-873-4718.

OH! FINE LINGERIE, INC. Intimate garment shop specializing in collections from Coabella, mary Green, On Gossamer, Oscar de la Renta, Verena, vintage lingerie and jewelry. 3209 Paces Ferry Place, Suite 8. 404-949-9901

OUTWRITE Bookstore and coffee house. Stocks a wide array of gay and lesbian literature, in addition to books and gifts of local interest. 991 Piedmont Ave. 404-607-0082. www.outwritebooks.com.

OXFORD COMICS Carries the most comprehensive supply of comic titles (new and old), American and European graphic novels and manga in the city. Also features a menagerie of hard-to-find toys, DVDs, T-shirts and other collectibles. 2855 Piedmont Road. 404-233-8682.

PAISLEY Boutique offering designer women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry. Shoppers can find Juicy and James Jeans along with more sophisticated and dressy brands such as Tracy Reese. 4475 Roswell Road. 770-578-1120.

PARIS ON PONCE Gift and antique shop with a European flair. Seemingly endless rooms of vintage curious and furniture make this an ideal store for the shopper who loves to dig for buried treasure. 716 Ponce de Leon. 404-249-9965.

PERRYWINKLES Marietta gift shop hosts “Lady Primrose’s Engraving Event” with complimentary single initial engraving on all Lady Primrose’s engraveable crystal and sterling pieces. Sat., Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 3718 Dallas Hwy SW, Marietta. 770-795-0075.

PLAZA FIESTA Larger stores such as Marshalls and Burlington Coat Factory exist alongside a large marketplace and kiosks that feature everything from traditional Mexican clothing to jewelry and sunglasses. 4166 Buford Highway. 404-982-9138.

POSTER HUT Gift shop with a wide selection of sexually provocative novelty merchandise (think penis-shaped cake pans) in addition to tamer items like watches and lava lamps. Other novelties include Over the Hill toilet targets, crossword toilet paper and the Little Swimmers boobs water toy. A side room boasts leather bras, fetish gear and a few bondage items for the newlyweds. 2175 Cheshire Bridge Road. 404-633-7491.

RAZZLE DAZZLE Boutique offering women’s trend-conscious clothing, jewelry and accessories. Labels include Juicy Couture, Free People and Michael Stars. 310 East Paces Ferry Road. 404-233-6940.

RONDO DISTRIBUTING CO. Offbeat gift shop for all your talisman, charm and hex needs. This tiny storefront has more than its share of seriously weird products, from lucky mojo incense to lottery candles to air fresheners specially formulated to help you win lawsuits or chase away bad juju. 171 Mitchell St. 404-522-4379.

RUSCH HOME College Park shop specializes in home and garden décor, including shabby chic furniture and accessories. Also offers wide array of potpourri, scented candles and oils and handmade soaps. “3397 Main St., College Park. 404-669-9010. www.ruschhomes.com.

SAGE Clothing boutique with affordably priced, unique finds hosts a customer appreciation weekend at both its Midtown and Buckhead locations. Discounts, complimentary gift wrapping, yuletide treats and live DJs. Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 27 West Paces Ferry Rd. 404-233-8280.

SABOT Upscale women’s shoe and accessory boutique specializing in dressy and sexy styles by French and Latin designers. 45 Irby Ave. NW. 404-816-0077.

SOLE Stylish shoes and accessories for men and women. Store stocks a wide selection of shoes from dressy to casual, including many hard-to-find designs. 419 West Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-377-9006. http://www.soleatlanta.com.

SOUTHERN NIGHTS Fetish and adult store that caters to both men and women. Lubes, toys, and protection are available, as is a variety of books and videos. Membership is free. 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road. 404-728-0701.

SPROUT Upscale children’s boutique. Offers nostalgia-inducing classic children’s toys such as wooden trains and flashcards, along with a selection of clothing for the hip kids on the playground. 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-352-0864.

SQUASH BLOSSOM Boutique carrying upscale but affordable women’s (and some children’s) clothing with a laid-back feel. Labels include FLAX, Free People, Velvet and Sweet Pea, among others. 113 E. Court Square. 404-373-1864. www.squashblossomboutique.com.

STANTON DESIGNS One-stop shop for dressing up your rec room in contemporary style with a hint of retro. From shaggy wall hangings to witty Jonathan Adler pottery to space-age furniture, upscale scented candles and an up-to-the-minute stock of electronica and lounge CDs. 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 1, Decatur. 404-371-1991. www.stantondesigns.com.

STAR PROVISIONS Marketplace for cooking needs. Shoppers can find restaurant-quality cookware, kitchen gadgets, aesthetically pleasing tableware and a knowledgeable staff, but the store also provides a selection of specialty food products such as foie gras, sushi-grade tuna and a variety of cheeses. 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-365-0410. www.starprovisions.com/star/.

STEFAN’S VINTAGE CLOTHING Vintage clothing boutique for men and women. Cashmere sweaters, real and faux furs, costume jewelry, handbags and gloves, suits, hats and more, all in pristine condition. 1160 Euclid Ave. 404-688-4929.

STONE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE Area shopping attraction offers candelight shopping for the holidays, featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides, gift wrapping, caroling and holiday refreshments. Shops stay open until 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Dec. 23. Exit 8, Highway 78, Stone Mountain. 770-465-6776. www.stonemountainpark.com.

STUART WEITZMAN Women’s shoes by the respected designer. Store carries a large selection of Weitzman’s stylish dress shoes, pumps and boots. Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road NE. 404-846-0101. stuartweitzman.com.

TABU Consignment shop specializing in women’s designer clothing. Careful shoppers can find a variety of vintage clothing along with still-new designer clothes from previous seasons. 3184 Roswell Road, 404-848-0806. taburesaleboutique.com.

THE TOY STORE Store features enough contemporary doodads like “The Simpsons” action figures to help decorate your cubicle, but impresses more with its smart, diverse selection of educational games and old-school toys like jigsaw puzzles and kites. Midtown Ansley Mall, 1544 Piedmont Road, Suite 222. 404-875-1137.

TRADERS Furniture and accessories with a hip urban edge. Shoppers can find folk-artsy gifts along with retro items and a large, ever-shifting selection of contemporary furniture. 485-B Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3006.

TWO STIX Knitting studio with a Technicolor array of yarns alongside boutique wares including locally designed and knitted sweaters and shawls, as well as jewelry from local artisans and purse-makers. 411 Church St., Decatur. 404-687-0285.

Urban Market Enjoy a plethora of shopping choices for the holidays, from home and garden to bed and bath. Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Market on Means Street, 600 Means Street. 770-481-0281.

WISH Urban gear for the discerning street sophisticate and avid club-goer. Clothing, accessories, and a wide array of footwear for men and women. 447 Moreland Ave. 404-880-0402. www.wish-atl.com.