I love the Plaid Giraffe! It has the cuuutest statement jewelry!…read more Also is you're looking for a quirky bday gift they have plenty of knick-knackery to choose from! I purchased a gold necklace with a bold buck (deer) as the neckpiece and I get so many compliments on it! I feel like the price point is very reasonable and the staff was really helpful and nice!

I love this store, it's just so much fun being here! You can find great gifts here at the Plaid…read moreGiraffe. Some people might find the items generic, but I argue they are anything but. There are many items that your family and friends will most likely get a kick out of. Most of it is for the female population though (as like most stores). The Plaid Giraffe carries Nine & Co. bags from Nine West, unique scarves, jewelry (wow, do they have jewelry), and other neat gift items. As I made my way through the store recently, one guy was browsing as well and, while his girlfriend paid for her brand new bag at the counter, he was picking up one item after another and saying "How sweet is this?!?" again and again. I have to admit, it was pretty amusing. But then, so is their selection. Among their items that will make you laugh and gasp are barbed wire toilet paper (TP with a barbed wire design on it) and -- get this -- a hair-coloring kit specifically for your "hair down there". I'm dead serious! I had never seen anything like it before. I mean, who does that? Not that I'm judging or anything ... hey, it's something new! But the colors available were electric blue, pink, and orange. Whoa, now there's somethin' freaky going on there! My favorite thing about the Plaid Giraffe though, is their jewelry, which is pretty much the inner half of the shop. They have it all color-coded, so there are your blues, then purples, and black and whites, and so on. Some of it is a little pricey, but it depends on what materials it has, right? I find that most of their earrings start at $9.99 and go up from there. They've also got a wide selection of those neat purse-hanger things that have been popping up everywhere. The idea is that you basically hang part of it on the edge of a table, and it has a hook that your bag can hang from. Your bag won't be on the floor and get dirty, and has its own place. The Plaid Giraffe also carries items that make great traveler gifts, if you are shopping for a globe-trotter. They have typical items like travel pillows, but with and fun designs, so they're not as boring. Anyway, that's just a peek at what they have in store. I'm already looking forward to my next trip here!

Floc Boutique is the newest addition to the urban shopping district on 124 Street and Jasper…read moreAvenue. They cater to the style of the urban working woman, carrying items from professional business attire to formal evening wear. Everything is exquisite and beautiful, and it's also reflected in the price. If I were the average customer there though (i.e. a more mature woman with an established career), I suppose I would be able to afford it. They also carry jewelry, shoes, bags, and accessories like belts and hosiery. You'll be able to put together a whole outfit or two for work at one shop!

Floc is a great store for urban and stylish women. There is a fair bit of wear to work clothing as…read morewell as items for that cocktail after work. They also usually have cocktail and longer dresses as well as shoes, jackets and accessories. I love this shop, I just can't afford much in it! They do have some very reasonably priced jackets though and their shoes tend to be affordable. Everything in here is beautiful, very tailored and of the moment. I really love their jeans and found a really cool black pair of skinny jeans with black shiny accents of leather on the back pockets. Now I just have to save some pennies so I can go back and get them! Thankfully they are very good about putting items on hold.

This place is perfect if you wish to shop local. And the quality is outstanding! I first learned of…read moreSabrina Butterfly Designs at the Butterdome Craft Sale in the spring, and visited their grand opening at their new location in the Montrose area of Edmonton and was wowed at the quality of the merchandise! I bought a second dress with pockets (this time in red) to go with my personal favourite that I purchased in the spring (the favourite one is purple). I also got a top and a business jacket/sweater which I adore from the sales rack! The quality is awesome and the style of the garments is great too -- most are machine washable and many of the dresses have pockets. The shop also stocks other local art and jewelry. The space itself is gorgeous and well designed. It is a bit off of my beaten track but it's well worth a visit.

In the heart of highlands is a great little shop that puts its soul into supporting local…read moredesigners. The owner, whose first name, unsurprisingly, is Sabrina, and whose middle name is actually "Butterfly," has sewn most of the fashions on display. She's grown big enough that she sources out some of the manufacturing to home sewers, and she's got partnerships with other designers all over Canada. Sabrina stocks some of their jewelry and accessories. I'd describe the fashions as urban casual with a nostalgic homemade feel. If you've ever shopped at Nokomis, on Whyte Ave., the clothes remind me a bit of theirs. In fact, before she had her own shop she used to sell out of there. Her apparel is made of comfortable materials and aren't too tailored, so they are complimentary to all body shapes. She loves vibrant colours and pretty, classic cuts with a bit of an edge.

How often do you find a store inside of a mall that isn't a major chain? I think it might be one of…read morethe only ones in Southgate Mall. Sure, there's something to be said for consistency across the malls of Canada (where can't I find a Spring or an Aldo?), but it's such an awesome surprise to find something like this in a mall like that. The clothes here are gorgeous, with unique details and careful construction. The price is right, too. Even if I'm not in the market for a new garment, I can usually find a gorgeous new bag or jewelry piece. Dainty necklaces, feather earrings, you know the type. Lots of Matt and Nat stocked in here, too. Last time I was in, they were having a sale - bonus! Sales clerk was super friendly and explained the price reductions to me. Definitely coming back soon (esp. if there's another sale)!

I can't believe it's taken me so long to review Groove Stone! This is by far my favourite store in…read moreEdmonton. There honestly isn't anything that they sell that I wouldn't gladly wear. I honestly make trips to Southgate just to go to Groove Stone. I love that a local business like this is able to make it in a commercially saturated mall. It's so refreshing to see such a unique place here. First off, I'm a sucker for anything Matt & Nat and Groove Stone has an unbeatable selection. It can be tough to find high quality vegan accessories, but at least now I know where to look. I also love how they support Canadian artists and designers. On my last visit I snagged some amazing earrings from Flight Path designs and some really unique pieces that my friends and family are going to love to receive this Christmas. Not only is the merchandise amazing, the staff are all incredibly helpful and friendly. They're always quick to offer suggestions and go out of their way to search for untouched pieces in the backroom so you don't have to buy the floor model. My only complaint with Groove Stone is that they keep taking my money from me! It's impossible for me to walk out empty-handed.

This is a cool little special shop in Londonderry mall with an amazing selection of body…read morejewelry,makeup,videogame,anime,and manga themed merchandise just to cover a small section of their offerings. If you are a fan of shows like Black Butler or Attack on Titan prepare to drool over bags,sweaters,and jewelry that is super unique although in some cases a wee bit on the pricey side. The staff are hardworking,approachable,and great to chat with. I really appreciated the time they took in answering my questions and getting prices even though I didn't actually walk out with anything that day. Don't just take my word for it though when it comes to how cool this place is....definitely go check it out for yourself! You may even spot me down there in person staring lustfully at an $80.00 Legend of Zelda triforce backpack.

Visited this shop this afternoon. The two girls that worked there, were awesome, friendly, and so…read morehelpful! I encourage anyone to go there. Love this place. They have super cool bellybutton rings!

I have been coming here for years, to look around at all the beautiful items or to purchase one of…read morethese hand crafted goods. I love that all of the items come from around the world and that I can able to support that and get something that you won't find anywhere else. They have toys, coffee, house wares, clothes, seasonal items for Christmas, picture frames, and of course my favourite the jewelry. Several of my favourite pieces have come from here. I bought a beautiful yoga pillow here once as well and it it is so unique, I always get comments when people come to my place. The staff are all volunteers so full profit goes to the artists and they are so friendly.

Ten Thousand Villages specializes in handmade gifts and crafts by artisans from around the globe…read more They are a non-profit fair-trade organization, and also a member of the International Fair Trade Organization. Artisans are paid a fair amount for their work, to sustain a healthy and respectable lifestyle. The store carries a vast range of home decor and gift items, including tea sets, bowls, jewelry, scarves, toys, CD's, and fair trade coffee and chocolate. Represented nations include Kenya, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and Peru. Everything is exquisite, in a way that only handmade talent can create. All the items are labelled with where they were made, so you know what bit of culture you're taking home with you. They currently have some amazing items out for the holiday season now, from ornaments to hand-carved nativity scenes. It'd be cool to have a tree covered in ornaments that represented different cultures from around the world. While some pieces are a bit more than elsewhere, keep in mind that these are handmade and fair trade. I think it's well worth the price, to have something so exquisite, and know that the hands with which that piece was made were given a fair value.

This is one of my favourite Reitman's in the city. It's a big store with sections for petites,…read moreplus, and shoes. They also sell accessories like socks, and jewelry. I shop at Reitman's a few times a year to pick up a blazer, work tops, or pants and find the decent quality for the price. Many of their pants are pull up ones with no zipper or buttons. I usually shop this store during their Boxing Day sales. They often have sales for 50% off last ticketed price so I can walk out with a handful of clothes for me or gifts for not much money. There are many change rooms and a sales associate who works in that area so I have rarely had to wait for a room. When it's time to pay, I have never found the line up too long and they are quick and efficient to ring up my purchases. Will shop here again the near future!

This store is pretty decent. I go into Reitman's once in awhile since my mom started shopping…read morethere. She looks pretty good so I thought I'd check it out. The clothes aren't bad. This location is huge! It's got a full section for each of average, petite and above average sizes. They've got decent prices and sales. They have a decent range of casual to business casual clothing. I ended up buying a shirt I found on the clearance rack. What impressed me most was at the checkout. They had a display of nylon pouches that were bags all folded up available in four different colors. I thought that was awesome! I love bringing my own bags when I can but just had grocery bags that fold, but don't stay folded too well. This was the solution I was seeking. Now I can just pop my new, reusable bag in my purse and pull it out whenever I feel I need a bag for my purchases. They sell for around $3.

On my shopping local this Christmas hit list was Gravity Pope. I don't know why I'd never been in…read morebefore but somehow now it's got Holy Roller next door, it feels more approachable. I've walked by the Gateway Boulevard shop window many times and admired the displays every time. Now I know the inside of the store is just as impressive. Gravity Pope is a YEG original and here to stay. Offering so many amazing designer goods that they somehow select with a unique individuality that really keeps the vibe of the store throughout. There are no bad items that drag down this places street cred. Even the sock are displayed on a cure washing line. They sell really funky sunglasses which my husband will love, I can't wait to take him with me next time. Really smart, fashionable street and work wear for bold Edmontonians. I love it.

I think I'm a bigger fan of Gravity Pope shoes than I am of their clothing branch. They are…read moregenerally expensive to begin with, but the prices of their clothes are just ridiculously up there. I mean, $65 for a pair of nylon socks, are you kidding me? Most of their items are different from what you see at other stores, but I'm still not sure it's worth the price. They carry high-end designer brands such as Betsey Johnson and Hugo Boss. There is a wide selection in jeans, which include the Diesel brand. I think I saw some Diesel underwear for guys too ... Gravity Pope Tailored Goods also sells colognes and perfumes, along with a matching line of scented candles. The candles smelled really nice (especially the dark rum and mochito), but again, I didn't bother checking the price because I saw no point. The shop is fairly large, with another half extending past a ramp. They've got the old wooden floors that creak, and really creepy-looking dummies on either side of the entrance at the ramp. They were also playing creepy music when I was there, but I guess that's beside the main point. Maybe if most of the items weren't made in either China or Turkey, I would consider buying something on sale. But since they are, it's not even worth an exclusive Betsey Johnson dress, in my opinion.