Author: lindsay

A genuinely singular desert find, this designer showroom, initially established in 1982, is teeming with exquisite art and lavish permanent floral arrangements. A faux botanical dreamland, the custom pieces offered are costly but absolutely stunning. A bit outside your budget? Not to worry! The emporium also stocks a wide array of succulents and floral accessories (I’m talking shelves upon shelves upon shelves!) to craft your own masterpiece! An arrangement I created years back using Art in Nature wares still garners more compliments than pretty much anything else in my house!

Whenever I find myself at a loss for birthday gift ideas for a friend, I head straight to the Lobby Shop at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The stylish boutique sells all of your typical hotel sundries like wine, snacks and first aid items but also offers a fun stash of desert and California-themed pieces, including artwork, purses, clothing, jewelry and more. I always wind up leaving with the perfect gift in hand. Bonus – the Marriott’s other onsite shops (there are eight in total!) are also fabulous!

Looking for an area florist? This is the spot I’d recommend. Offering spectacular, show-stopping arrangements, you won’t find more beautiful flower designs anywhere in the desert. And there is plenty more to be had, as well, such as high-end gifts, furnishings and garden items. Decorated to the nines, the place reads like a museum or a decorator’s showplace and, as such, is worth a drop-in if only to peruse the fantastical retail displays, including the whimsical parasol-adorned front counter.

Love DIYs, wellness, and beauty? Head straight to It Refills! The “vegan, zero-waste refill station” is stocked with a seemingly endless supply of cruelty-free, all-natural, biodegradable soaps, shampoos, lotions, detergents, and even toothpaste (think Lemongrass Multi-Purpose Cleaner Spray, Un-Bleach, and Orange & Bergamot Wash) – all of which customers fill and package themselves, using their own containers or glass vessels supplied in store! The shop also carries vintage clothing, kitchen tools, and assorted gift items.

El Paseo’s most charming gift store, this is THE place to come when you’re on the hunt for a present of any kind. Whether for a birthday, holiday, dinner party or even just because, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at Trestle. It’s almost impossible to leave empty-handed! From the shop’s ever-popular cashmere ponchos to Palm Springs-inspired items to pickleball attire to graphic tees, Trestle has it all!

Extremely high-end and finely curated, Blonde offers an elevated shopping experience for those really hoping to splurge! Recently celebrating two decades of operation in the desert, the family-owned boutique stocks fine brands like Moussy, ISMBS, Aviator Nation, Free City and Kerri Rosenthal, among many others. Along with fabulous clothes, you’ll also find dainty jewelry, home décor and greeting cards.

A clotheshorse’s dream, this boutique is a multi-level wonderland of designer duds, sparkly baubles and trendy accessories. Inviting, friendly and well-priced, with many affordable brands on hand, Chrissy’s has something for everyone – including husbands! Yep, even your S.O. will enjoy shopping at this place because tucked away in a nearly hidden enclave is the man cave to end all man caves! Stocked with comfy couches and chairs, a television, magazines, free Wi-Fi and a wide array of snacks, it’s the ideal spot for husbands to relax (sans complaint!) while you shop the day away!

Some of the most vibrant and delightfully unexpected treasures – from formal dresses to colorful resort wear to whimsical accessories – can be found at this charming boutique. The front display is consistently a vibe – precisely themed (Stagecoach sparkle, Valentine’s romance, Fourth of July flair!), constantly evolving and always worth a second look. And then there’s the owner, Tatiana — genuinely one of the kindest souls in town, offering a rare brand of old-school customer service that makes you feel like a regular from the very first visit. Confession: half the time I pop in just to chat . . . though I somehow never manage to leave empty-handed.

Easily one of the most gorgeous spaces in the desert, Kaylie Nicole sits tucked off El Paseo in a charming Spanish courtyard, with an environment that feels like shopping in your chicest friend’s closet. Despite that upscale ambiance, the classy, on-trend wares are all shockingly affordable. Be sure not to miss the regular pop-ups (check the store’s Instagram for dates). Owner Kaylie Nicole Feist-Torres (one of the kindest people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet during my travels) has created a true community via the lively events (which are akin to little celebrations), with guest vendors offering jewelry, skincare, dog adoptions and more!