Shopping Safari: Edmonton exclusive

HIGH STREET (A.K.A. 124TH STREET)

Ginger

This boutique's open-concept environment offers lots of elbow room and showcases an eclectic mix of names: jewellery and handbags from Vancouver's Mimi & Marge and Montréal's Claudia Accessories as well as Line cashmere sweaters. Love the label Velvet? Check out dresses by its sister brand, Graham & Spencer. Ginger has also started carrying menswear, with Firetrap and Ben Sherman topping the list.
10116 124th St. • 780-488-3344
Prices: $15-$500

Lux Beauty Boutique

No fluffy footstools and vanity mirrors here, but that doesn't mean the merch isn't girly! This beauty boutique is stocked with shelf after shelf of some of the coolest brands around, including Canadian brands like Cake Beauty, Cargo, Principessa and Ojon. Einstein Lip Therapy heals a seriously parched pucker, Philip B straightening balm is absolutely humidity-proof and the new small sizes from Clean Perfume make for divine presents for your best friend. Not from Edmonton but want to snag some of the goodies? Check out the store website for a list of brands carried then call the helpful gals at the store and place your order: Shipping within Canada costs a flat rate of $10. Bonus: If your order is over $100, shipping is absolutely free. Be sure to sign up for the e-newsletter for beauty tips and event news.
10120 124th St. • 780-451-1423 • www.luxbeauty.com
Prices: $5-$200

Red Ribbon

Edmonton girls know R.R. for its excellent selection of clothing and accessories. The store carries great handbags and jewellery, like local designer Bauxo's interesting leather-and-wood pieces. When it comes to clothing, denim brands like Saltworks, Melting Pot, AG and Miss Me are on offer. Are you a girly girl? You'll love LA's Johnny Was, a super-feminine line of lacy, floral tops and frocks. With its red walls, fireplace and the comfiest couch ever, this store will entice you to hang out until closing time.
12505 102nd Ave. • 780-454-4336 • www.redribbon.ca
Prices: $5-$500

Notables

This stationery store goes way beyond basic birthday cards. It has chic congratulatory cards and thank-you notes that are gifts in and of themselves. The new Semikolon line of home and office storage supplies comes in fun, candy colours at good prices. Check out the hot Rag & Bone digital-photo albums that have removable pages you can print directly onto. Splurge on a quality pen by Lamy or Porsche and toss that old Bic out once and for all. Not finding quite what you were looking for? Talk to the staff about having custom stationery or wedding invitations created by Notables' own graphic designers.
12543 102nd Ave. • 780-488-4625 • www.notables.ca
Prices: 20c-$750

Call the Kettle Black

What foodie doesn't love a fabulous kitchen store? Gadgets, appliances and cookware line the shelves from top to bottom, so take a few laps to soak it all in. The store faves? Rosti pastel melamine dishes from Denmark, the full range of Wusthof knives and Italy's Gaggia espresso machines. Well-known big names, including Le Creuset, All-Clad and KitchenAid, make really terrific gifts, and haute hostesses love fun partyware from Fred, like the voodoo-doll toothpick holder. And don't forget the basics: This shop has plenty of stemware and flatware too. Southside Edmontonians can also check out the Kettle in their neck of the woods at the Riverbend location.
12523 102nd Ave. • 780-448-2861 • www.callthekettleblack.com
Prices: 50c-$2,000