Edition: The Arts Take Center Stage

St. Louis Spree

Author: Beth Custer

Jewelry 

Hamilton Jewelers (750 Locust St., 314-241-5653) is a mainstay among our concierges, and is highly recommended by them.  It carries an especially large selection of watches and offers expert design services done on the premises.  Tiffany & Co. (Plaza Frontenac, 314-692-2255), home of the little turquoise box that every woman dreams of receiving, is also a clear favorite of our concierges.  It's the place to go for the ultimate engagement ring or a very special gift.  Shane Co. (10 Brentwood Promenade Ct., 134-968-9700) will help you design your own ring or earrings.  Choose from their many shimmering ring settings or eaaring jackets; they will add the gemstone of your choice.  Helzberg Diamonds (eight locations throughout the metro area; check with your concierge for specifics) offers a wide selection, from a variety of gemstones and metals to their exclusive Radiant Star™ diamonds.  

Shoes

Those who feel faint at the sight of the latest European shoe designs might want to bring the smelling salts along to ShoeLadue (9807 Clayton Rd, 314-569-1330); it's a wonderful source of French and Italian footwear.  If you're one of those people who buys shoes first, clothing later, DSW Shoe Warehouse (314-962-8181 and 636-256-7463) will keep you happily occupied for hours.  Its bare bones decor is overshadowed by rows and rows of bargains.  Women with difficult-to-find shoe sizes will be thrilled by the impressive range at Marmi (St. Louis Galleria, 314-863-1986), which carries sizes 4-12 in five widths from super slim to wide.    

Apparel

Recently at Mister Guy (9817 Clayton Rd., 314-991-5262), a haven of chic women's clothing and jewelry, the staff was showing bohemian but luxurious fur capelets and baby-soft cashmere sweaters in multiple hues, along with the latest in tweed bags.  Famous-Barr (many locations in and around the city), a favorite department store in St. Louis, carries a huge assortment of products.  It's especially appreciated for its fashions from Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, and Jones New York, among others.  Resort Classics (9810 Clayton Rd., 314-997-6161), is a Lilly Pulitzer signature store that carries the brightly colored, summery prints that made the Pulitzer line famous.  In addition to women's resort wear, it features a children's section with cuddly blankets, towels, and special pillows.  

Gifts

A treasure trove of colors and textures awaits at The Designing Block (7735 Clayton Rd., 314-721-4244).  Two floors of whimsical accoutrements include chaise longues, throw pillows with witty sayings, unusual purses and bags, bold jewelry, and English-flavored occasional furniture.  New at Gringo Jones Imports (4468 Shaw Blvd., 314-664-1666) is a line of purses designed by the store's own Rod Nelson.  A virtual Mexican mercado, the shop is brimming with accessories for self and home, including jewelry, brightly painted ceramics, and garden statuary.  St. Louis Union Station (18th and Market, 314-421-6655) is a great place to pick up a souvenir of the city, from baseball items at the Cardinal's Clubhouse, to Anheuser-Busch collectibles at the Bud Shop, to regionally themed gifts at Best of St. Louis.  Several fine restaurants plus a diverse food court ensure you won't go hungry while you're shopping.  At Ken Miesner's (Plaza Frontenac, 314-567-6650) flowers cover almost every inch of available space, with the overflow displayed outside the shop's front doors.  Holiday items, beautiful hostess gifts, and wreaths for all seasons will tempt you.  

Neighborhood Shopping Districts

The Central West End is a cosmopolitan area of appealing restaurants, boutiques with interesting, hard-to-find items, and prestigious homes.  It's an easy neighborhood to tour on foot - streets and buildings are scaled to pedestrians rather than automobile traffic, so walking to your destination is a pleasure.  The Market Place, a collection of style-conscious shops in Ladue, is filled with establishments that carry everything from traditional european clothing to flirty lingerie.  Its stone-and brick-fronted stores and cafés make you feel you've left the Midwest and arrived in a prosperous European village.  The Loop is a funky part of town where college students, artists, and musicians congregate due to the proximity of Washington University, the Symphony Music School, and the Center of Contemporary Arts.  Specialty shops abound , along with restaurants specializing in every cuisine imaginable.  You may hear a street musician or two while you window shop.  For a completely different shopping experience, do a cultural reversal and step back in time with a visit to the St. Charles Historic District.  It may look as if time has stood still, but there are plenty of modern amenities; cobblestoned Main Street is lined with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants.  

Children's Stores

The St. Louis Woman's Exchange (9214 Clayton Rd., 314-997-4411) offers exquisite hand made clothing and toys.  The selection of delicate dresses and smocked baby clothes is delightful, and the soft toys and dolls are classics.  Clothing and pained furniture can be custom made to your specifications, then delivered to your door.  The best part is that the purchase you make at this not-for-profit organization help support women with difficult family situations.  Los Niños (9793 Clayton Rd., 314-692-9133) stocks tradition but updated children's clothing, including the brand in which Jackie Onassis and Princess Grace dressed their own offspring.  For boys there are hand-knit sweaters with fire trucks or puppy dogs, and sailor coats of fine navy blue wool.  The selection for girls includes every manner of cute dress, from sweet pastels to slightly more sophisticated, but always appropriate, fashions for pre-teens.  If you're in the market for something fun, Imagination Toys (9737 Clayton Rd., 314-993-6288) is the place to go.  It's filled with hundreds of colorful toys, games, kits, and art supplies, all designed to stimulate creativity.  When the boy in your life needs a suit or "business casual" look, look to Roberts Boys Shop (9733 Clayton Rd., 314-997-1770) for what you need.  A large selection of dark suits hangs along the long back wall, and nicer sportswear from Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, and others fills the rest of the store.   

Spas

After all that shopping, you're sure to need a place to relax and rejuvenate.  Ginger Bay Salon & Spa (437 S. Kirkwood, 314-966-0655), seen recently on the TV program Ambush Makeover, is a calm place to refresh body and soul with a stress-relieving massage or facial.  Another oasis of tranquility is The Face & the Body Day Spa (locations in Clayton, Chesterfield, and O'Fallon).  Try the "Traveler's Retreat," a 1/2 day escape that includes a Swedish massage, facial, and aromatherapy pedicure.  Prepare for a transforming experience at the clean-lined Salon and Spa at the Chase Park Plaza (232 N. Kingshighway, 314-633-3081).  Its menu of pampering facials, massages, and nail services will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to shop once more.