Pretty little things

Natalie Graham, the visionary owner of The Doll House Boutique on Charles and designer of The Rag Dolls line, launched Pretty Little Things last fall. It’s a walk-in closet of a boutique stocked with happening jewelry and gear to finish off the party girl’s sexy ensemble. We dig the handbags by World According to Jess, a New-York-based designer who creates hyper-imaginative purses and luggage light. Natalie is the only Maryland retailer to carry them. She sells Jess’s groovy travel satchel with paint-by-number face—the “Arthack Handbag”—for $190 (shown). Sacco high heels, Foxy Flair accessories (think bold, gold disco looks for today), party purses with pearl straps, pink snakeskin heels, and funky belt buckles cheer us. Torn out pages from “Vogue” adorn the walls, and make us feel sixteen again. If we had Dad’s charge card, we’d buy six World According to Jess totes! 815 N. Charles Street in Mt. Vernon (410) 585-8875

Turn that frown upside down

This spring, our hearts flutter for the new Blue Mercury location at The Gallery at HarborPlace. The manager Lynette is so helpful, knowledgeable and wonderfully generous with her anti-wrinkle serum samples, we don’t mind paying $10 to park. The store carries the best brands out there, like the hard-to-find-in-Baltimore Kiehl’s, Dermalogica, MD Skincare, Darphin, Molton Brown, Fresh, T. LeClerc Poudre Dermophile, Nars, and many more. Each week, artists from Laura Mercier and Trish McAvoy conduct applications and teach tricks (a 50-minute lesson costs $90). Facials, brow styling, waxing, microdermabrasion, and massage are also available. We hope to start getting carded by early summer. 200 East Pratt Street, Inner Harbor (410) 576-9090

Dive into denim

Jean Pool owners Josh Dunkin and Scott Wable consider comfort and fit when they handpick the latest West Coast jeans—many brands you won’t find at other local retail shops. We love the great lines—over 20 of them—including Stitch’s, Robin’s Jeans, Skinny Jeans, Freedom of Choice, Dead Sexy, Cashmere, J & Company, Rich and Skinny, Mink, 1921 (made on 1921 sewing machines—and rumored to be comfy as pajamas), Big Star for the fuller figured woman (a size 32 will fit a 14), and more. Sassy T-shirts from Local Celebrity ($30) and bright thermals ($62) are perfect for layering with jeans. Sexy tops by Sky, Shine and Bobby dress up the denim. Josh and Scott serve wine and mimosas and and they’re happy to offer advice, too. “I want people to come here and feel comfortable,” he says. Denim prices range from $90-$250. Alterations available—$20 for original hem; $10 regular hem. 5616 Newbury Street in Mt. Washington (410) 466-1177

Four saucy new spots on the southwest side of The Avenue in Hampden are turning heads and broadening the sophisticated shopper’s local options…

We’re green with envy

Their back-story is cute as pie—so is the home accessories boutique, The Red Tree. Storeowners Carmen Brock, Ben Homola, Kacey and Scott Stafford met at summer camp 10 years ago—the two married couples relocated to Baltimore from Kentucky and opened their outstanding boutique last October. The ladies run the show, day-to-day. Every corner of the shop features artistic wares. 921 W. 36th St. (410) 366-3456

Go home again

Sweet collectibles, tempting edibles, candles scented like cherry pie, inspirational folk-art that manages not to come off cheesy, that’s what you get at HoneyBea Haven. Alta Lopez and Lisa Roche relocated to 36th Street from Perry Hall last fall—they named the shop after Lisa’s grandmother, Bea. Enjoy the many goodies and gorgeous costume necklaces and earrings—think 1920s socialite jewelry—much of the stock designed by Lisa herself. “We don’t want anybody to walk into Hallmark and find what we have,” Alta says. Not to worry, dearie! 931 W. 36th St. (410) 235-1789

Naturally grown beauty

Stylist Rachael Epstein’s visionary new salon has been many years in the making. An organic eater, Rachel always despised the damaging chemicals in hair products. At her dreamy new Hampden salon, Sprout—built by her husband, Alan Kolb, using natural elements like bamboo—Rachael uses all organic products, including non-toxic natural hair color. The goal: healthy, gorgeous hair, risk-free. “Ninety percent [of so-called organic products] are not even safe,” Rachael says. Rachael uses and sells Aubrey Organics and John Masters Organics. Cuts range in price from $35-70; color starts at $60; full color refresh is $85. 925 W. 36th St. (410) 235-2269

Sugar & Spice

Situated in the basement below Sprout, this brand-new boutique, Sugar & Spice, stocks love toys for women looking to unwind and maybe even evolve a little bit—owner Jacq Jones and her partner hope Sugar will help both gay and straight women discover what truly fulfills them. Jones logged time in the reproductive health field, and most recently managed Babeland, an intimate accessories store in New York. Her store’s products, designed to enhance sexual intimacy, range in price from $10 to $125. Welcome to the neighborhood! 927 W. 36th St.