Shopping in Okemos

Nestled in the Kerrytown Market & Shops, Elephant Ears swaddles babies in a bevy of fair-trade, organic, and sustainable apparel and accessories made from natural fibers. The store seeks out manufacturers with ethical business practices, and a large portion of its inventory is crafted outside of the United States, in countries such as Israel, Canada, and New Zealand. Bright colors, interesting patterns, and comfortable fabrics set apart Elephant Ears' cloth diapers, wearable blankets, and baby slings perfect for sneaking extra buffet portions.

Though Perpetua owners Catheryn and John Snyder are masters of compromise when it comes to their differences in taste, there’s one thing they won’t arbitrate over: the wellness of the planet. That’s why the duo’s clothing boutique houses an environmentally friendly stock of organic and vegan clothing for both men and women, with garments and accessories from high-end brands such as Reveal and Eco Skin. Within the space’s mint-green walls, clients may peruse a rotating stock of shoes, apparel, jewelry, and wallets made from hemp and organic cotton, as well as repurposed materials such as bicycle tubes, billboards, and the red carpets of fashion shows past.

Voted the area’s best women's clothing store by the readers of the Towne Courier in the 2010 People's Choice Awards, Kellie's Consignments houses an ever-changing selection of men's and women's consignment apparel, furniture, and designer shoes and accessories in its expansive 13,500-square-foot showroom. The shop's one-of-a-kind inventory shifts more quickly than a caffeinated racecar, with a fresh selection of vintage items and new merchandise from store liquidators constantly rotated in from consignors as far away as Texas. Handbags and footwear with pedigrees from designers such as Fendi and Roberto Cavalli keep patrons decked out in timeless fashions, and a selection of jewelry lets them further accessorize any outfit.

Hemmed into the East Lansing fashion scene by a mother-daughter team in 2010, Jeanologie Boutique presents a big-city shopping experience inspired by the likes of New York City stores. Inside, the boutique houses the latest trends in women's fashion, including dresses, bags, and a large selection of premium denim. Alongside brand names and popular designers, Jeanologie also uses its rack space to showcase the industry's up-and-coming stars by collaborating with students from Michigan State University's Apparel and Textile program.

Underneath a canopy of natural greenery sits The Weed Lady's rustic gift shop and greenhouse. A stone foundation forms the roots for the charming, cottage-like gift shop, which is filled with a plethora of home-decor items, including glassware, garden ornaments, and candles. Behind the gift shop, an onsite greenhouse nurtures verdant plantsincluding unusual perennials, such as lady's mantle and Dark Dancer white cloverthat bloom under natural light spilling in through pellucid windows. The nursery's potted succulents and hard-to-find herbs extend their leafy limbs toward visitors looking to add a touch of greenery to their desks, windowsills, and drab bomb shelters.

As conveyed through its name, Nomad Anglers stocks gear, equipment, and apparel for outdoors adventures both near and far. With a history that stretches back to 1989, the business has prepared anglers for all types of trips, and today, features such major brands as Orvis, Patagonia, and Simms. In addition to its wealth of products, Nomad also helps customers reel in education with fly-fishing classes, free seminars, and local fishing reports.