Shopping in Wildwood

Women's Closet Exchange's handpicked selection of pristine lady things has earned it recognition from piles of fashionable females, as well as St. Louis Woman Magazine. Lightly worn clothes that look heavily unworn fill the boutique's bright interior, with many bearing designer labels such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, and Juicy Couture. Due to the nature of the business, the inventory is in constant flux—questing shoppers never know what gems they might unearth from a rack, a shelf, or the diamond mines beneath the store. On any given day, customers might find a Tory Burch tunic for $59, a BCBG Max Azria dress for $38, or some True Religion jeans for $49.

An award-winning artist, Denninger's artistic spark was ignited after attending a particularly dreary exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The joyless displays fueled the positive painter to fill the world with inspirational imagery. Denninger's nature-scapes are the visual equivalent of a foot rub at the end of a long day of work: tiny blooms poke out of clouds, birds soar through the skies, and pretty streams peek out from hard rocks. Larger-sized wall coverings average $20 for an 8x10 and $75 for a 12x18. Upgraded options such as framing and signed prints vary from piece to piece. Those preferring a more-flippable option can invest in one of Denninger's limited-edition inspirational books for $75. To update your interiors without leaving them, apply a portion of today's Groupon to shipping (parcel shipping starts at $5.15 for a 5x7 print; shipping costs depend on the weight of the art and whether it's parcel, priority, or express mail).

Rolling Ridge Nursery contains an audio-nasal explosion of azaleas ($26.95), lilacs ($36.95), and forsythia plants ($36.95), all of which are waiting with cute little stamens pressed to the window in hopes that you'll take them home to your garden. Off-season gardeners, meanwhile, can get the jump on spring with an ambush of oxygen-rich houseplants (starting at $3.99). Options more practical than organic include hand-tuned wind chimes (starting at $25), planters, patio furniture, and essential gardening utensils like pruning shears and dynamite.

At Jule Lingerie & Loungewear, bras range in size from 28A to 42GG, and span the style spectrum, from supportive and comfortable to sheer and lacy. To help newcomers sift through the vast selection, experts offer complimentary fittings. Their helpful service and ample selection earned Jule a slew of accolades, including Best Local Lingerie of 2012, according to the Ladue News.

In keeping with their mission to provide feminine silhouettes with a comfortable fit, the shop’s lingerie experts also stock Spanx shapewear and basics including loungewear by PJ Salvage. Additionally, the store carries nursing bras and maternity pajamas.

Laurie Solet is named for owner Laurie Solet, who returned to St. Louis after years spent wheeling and dealing in Hollywood—bringing with her a leather-lined wave of fashion plus three ships laden with beaver pelts and exotic spices. Both of Laurie's boutiques offer a wide range of trendy apparel—including items from designers such as Melie Bianco, Black Halo, BB Dakota, La Mer, Amrita Singh, Candace Ang, and more, as well as Laurie's own private label—in an affordable price range. Pick up basics like an Alternative Apparel "Diane" Burnout V-neck for $45, and accessorize it with a statement Avant Garde "Pierre" double ring for $95. If one shoulder is more flammable than the other, keep it cool with an Ella Moss one-shoulder top ($108) and pair it with a Hobo "Lauren" exotic clutch ($108) stuffed with all your favorite toucans, dodo birds, and coral snakes. Otherwise, keep it light for a beach vacation or desert-island stranding in a Splendid stripe racerback tank ($50) and Free People cargo shorts ($68).

Like a plant in a sun chamber, your foot-digits will blossom under the possibilities of chic, versatile new styles. Wish Shoes has every possible occasion covered, from weddings to beach outings to simple evenings on the town. Put the best of your five feet forward with a pair of Lucchese pearl leather mid-rise cowboy boots ($450) or the latest gilded Caper flat ($99) from Sam Edelman. Glitzed and glammed runways, meanwhile, will require a shoe with better traction, such as the Cara ($245) from Something Bleu or Beverly Feldman's strutty Layla ($205). A Kate from Carolina Pagano ($230) or Beverly Feldman Buono Animal, meanwhile, will let your little piggies breathe in the fresh spring air while proudly displaying your ankle's wing tattoos to the world.