Washington Stores and Shopping

Gotta Have Shoes! brims with an extensive collection of one-of-a-kind footwear, sleek handbags, and chic accessories from more than 30 American and European designers, earning rave reviews from the local press. Give yourself an added boost while dancing the night away or attending a rock concert filled with Abe Lincoln impersonators in a pair of sequin-studded pumps from oh…Deer!, or stylishly attack a zebra-print couch in leopard-print high heels from Jessica Bennett. A glossy handbag ($55–$199) from Isabella Fiore or Helena de Natalio stylishly totes ladylike accessories ($15–$250), including a pair of 1950s-style Prada sunglasses. Gotta Have Shoes! often hosts glamorous events, such as fashion shows and anniversary celebrations, complete with bubbly beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and premium air molecules free for the breathing.

• For $8, you get a one-year subscription (a $16.95 value). • For $16, you get a two-year subscription (a $30 value).

The purveyors behind Bellevue Art & Frame and The Toy Place have been honing their artistic eyes and skilled craftsmanship since 1962, when they launched Bucket & Brush—their original paint and home-decorating store. Through the transpiring decades, they elevated Bellevue Art & Frame into a full-fledged behemoth of all things artistic and creative, compiling a diverse collection of art supplies including paintbrushes, clay, and stationery. They work alongside skilled frame designers, who enlist high-tech software to help customers to visualize what custom enclosures will look like when filled with a family portrait or Jackson Pollock’s baby bib.

In 2007, Bellevue Art & Frame opened The Toy Place to meet the needs of the budding artists who kept frequenting the children’s arts-and-crafts department. Inside the toy emporium, tots peruse a bevy of specialty toys, books, and games in a kid-centric space that also hosts frequent art workshops for little ones. Craftspeople of all ages can head in for adult classes, during which knowledgeable artists and sentient Mona Lisas divulge wisdom in such techniques as calligraphy and mat cutting. The shop also organizes regular community events, including gallery showcases that spotlight local artists.

Although most chefs have their own unique style of peeling, dicing, and julienning veggies, they all have one thing in common: they each require precise, sharp knives. At Excalibur Cutlery and Gifts, the staff ensures that tools remain as close to their factory condition as possible. During sharpening services, a water-cooled belt system and buffing wheels restore a piercing blade while removing a minimal amount of steel. They can sharpen kitchen, pocket, and hunting knives, as well as dull scissors and razors.

The shop also stocks premium models of nearly every edge they sharpen. The cutlery department stocks German-made Wusthof and Henckels, Swiss-made Forschner, and Oregon-grown Kershaw knives. Ideal for camping trips, pocket knives come in both blade and multitool varieties. More genteel wares include manicure sets and old-fashioned shaving kits. Excalibur also boasts a collection of swords for the collector or CEO whose business suit needs extra panache.

Blue Luna's staff of style mavens culls designs straight from the runways of Paris and Milan to assemble seasonal wardrobes from brands such as Cop-Copine, Sunlight, and Isabel De Pedro. Like a bicep tattoo of Judy Garland, the lineup of European apparel balances youthful edginess with gentle femininity, whether in colorful, printed T-shirts, simple dresses with slim silhouettes, or funky blazers. To round out each stylish ensemble, Swarovski crystals and jewelry pieces from Lauren G Adams add a splash of elegant refinement.

City Hardware's inventory of about 20,000 brand name and independent home-improvement gizmos equips neighborhood handymen for a massive range of tasks. Experienced staff presides over LED flashlights ($5.99+), gallons of paint ($19.99+), and tool kits ($16.99+). Bags of garden soil ($3.49+) fuel agricultural endeavors or attempts to make mole dinner guests feel more at home. City Hardware also offers on-site services, including paint-color matching and key cutting.