Shopping in Burbank

The all-mother staff at Bellies, Babies & Bosoms know everything there is to know about breastfeeding. Their certified lactation educators share their knowledge in free support sessions for nervous new moms, and with the purchase of every breast pump, they include a complimentary training session to ensure that the mother understands the pump’s mechanics and the steps needed to produce chocolate milk.

Within the store’s pastel-hued walls, delicate chandeliers and gleaming wooden floors set a serene mood. Moms drop in to browse the boutique’s array of maternity and baby clothes, diaper bags, and toys, many of which are crafted with organic materials or bamboo, making them safe for curious babies and fashion-forward pandas alike. In addition to their work helping new mothers get acquainted with breastfeeding, they regularly donate to family-focused charities.

Like an Italian sports car or meticulously oiled baseball glove, a well-maintained kitchen knife simply works better. Laurence Segal, knife craftsman and owner of Westside Sharpening & Cutlery Center, knows this all too well. While sitting down with Mary MacVean for an article for the Los Angeles Times, he enthusiastically discusses Asian, Japanese, and European blades, explaining their composition and uses in cooking, chopping, and opening stuck jacket zippers. This passion for cutlery is present in all of his services, from crafting custom blades with fine wooden handles to sharpening others on a stationary grinder with the care of a dedicated artist.

Optician and eyewear designer Karina Leigh draws from her years of experience running upscale boutiques to outfit a clientele of celebrities such as Kanye West, LL Cool J, and J. Lo with top-shelf eyewear from both well-known and up-and-coming artisans. Like an elegant sword-cane or a cast bedazzled in tiny diamonds, the upscale assortment of eyewear turns a necessary tool into a must-have fashion accessory, as evidenced by the patronage of people who are frequently photographed. The Amir Taj–designed studio blends aristocratic grace with notes of whimsy, surrounding visitors with a pristine interior of white lacquered wood, Louis XV furniture, chandeliers made with crystals by Swarovski, and light globes that model some of the store's most popular frames. A huge vintage collection adorns noses with the haute fashion of bygone eras, and pieces from designers such as Gucci, Tom Ford, Prada, and Benjamin Eyewear deck out faces with the modish looks of the near future.

Europe’s choicest threads and boldest fashion statements line the shelves at Premier Men, a contemporary menswear boutique replete with items ready for the nightclub or vacation yacht. Gentlemanly legs slip into designer denim jeans by Rock Revival and Joe's, and button-down shirts from brands such as Recognition and Rawyalty draw attention upward with details such as contrast piping and crystal appliqués. Plain V-necks celebrate fashion’s favorite letter in casual sophistication, and torso-hugging shirts show off manly graphics inspired by cars, motorcycles, and velocipedes. Designer Mark Nason tips his cowboy hat to the Old West with a svelte yet rugged selection of leather boots, and silver-cross necklaces by Cerca Trova round out the dashing ensembles.

With locations in Downtown Los Angeles and Downey and an online emporium, Your Furniture Now's experienced staff outfits homes with bed stands, chairs, dining-room sets, tables, and other essential pieces. Throughout the virtual and brick-and-mortar showrooms, the stock shines with glass-topped coffee tables, leather recliners, and team members who can provide in-person or online consultation. They can also assist clients as they figure out how to best position a sofa in the living room or during a food fight.

After customers select their items, such as a durable innerspring Serta mattress or a marble-accented bar set, the company delivers the products as soon as the following day. They even assemble pieces for free, saving homeowners the hassle of having to find something other than a toolbox to weigh down important documents.

Twenty-five years ago, Terry August was making gift baskets for her friends at her kitchen table. Encouraged by their enthusiasm and insistence on paying her for her artistically arranged wares, she decided to start a gift-basket business—and Fanciful was born. Today, with the help of her husband Wally, Terry seeks out new imports and hard-to-find products to fill out a vast inventory of wines, cheeses, chocolates, and other delicacies. Drawing from this enormous selection, Terry and her staff put together gift baskets on themes such as natural and organic foods or Italian cuisine. They can also design custom baskets for special events, such as the birth of a very hungry baby. At the storefront, Terry and Wally also lead wine-, cheese-, and chocolate-tasting classes, illuminating groups on the nuanced notes and origins of fine foods.