Category: Shopping

  • Atelier No. 27

    Atelier No. 27

    Old meets new at this beautifully curated Palm Desert boutique, where vintage treasures mingle with colorful contemporary finds sourced from travels throughout Europe. Stepping inside feels a little like wandering into the Tuscan sunshine, with everything from vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind accessories to modern décor, gifts and homewares filling the shelves. The selection is constantly changing, which means no two visits are ever quite the same. At the heart of it all is owner Jennifer Douheret, a longtime desert resident and a treasure in her own right. Before opening Atelier No. 27, Jennifer was behind the beloved El Paseo café Clementine—home to my all-time favorite cannoli, which I still crave every time I drive by its former location. Today, she draws inspiration for the shop from her childhood in Italy, her love of travel and her eye for finding beautiful, unexpected things.

  • Chicano Candle Co.

    Chicano Candle Co.

    Part candle shop, part creative experience, Chicano Candle Co. (located inside The Place in Indio) is all about the connection between scent and memory. Each of the brand’s fragrances is inspired by a distinctive scent or moment from owners Vincent and Adolfo’s past. Grass, for instance, was inspired by Adolfo’s father, a gardener who would come home from work smelling of freshly cut grass—a scent that signaled Dad was home and can still transport Adolfo straight back to his childhood today. 

    You can create a scent memory of your own at the shop’s custom candle bar. Set against a beautifully designed backdrop of colorful murals, retro-inspired tile and seating that perfectly matches Chicano’s vintage aesthetic, the experience is perfect for bachelorette parties, team outings, date nights—or simply an excuse to get creative. Vincent and Adolfo guide you through the process, from choosing your scent combination and vessel to pouring the wax and mixing everything together. Best of all, you walk away with a delicious-smelling keepsake. Not in the mood to make your own? Chicano Candle Co. offers its signature scents in small-batch candles, reed diffusers, wax melts and incense cones. My personal favorite fragrances? Powder, Clean, Spice and Top Shelf. In fact, I won’t host an open house without a Chicano candle in tow! 

  • Shields Date Garden Gift Shop

    Shields Date Garden Gift Shop

    Tchotchkes and spices and candies, oh my! This gift shop, located at Shields Date Garden, is bursting at the seams with all manner of date ephemera (including the company’s beloved date crystals), but there is plenty more to be had, such as t-shirts, books, mugs, magnets, signs and a plethora of retro novelty items. Reminiscent of the roadside stands of yesteryear, you’ll also find nostalgic games (Highway Bingo, anyone?) and plenty of other trinkets to keep kids busy on long car rides. It’s a must-stop when in town.

  • Madison Gardens

    Madison Gardens

    This longtime Valley nursery (it originally opened in 1979!) was recently acquired by new owners and given a full-blown glow-up. The 4-acre garden center features flowers, plants, and cacti of every size, shape, and color, a plethora of pretty pots, a conservatory with gorgeous displays, a coffee kiosk with a sunny patio, an arrangement bar, and a high-end gift shop. When it comes to all things flora and fauna, Madison Gardens has you covered!

  • Mimi & Rae

    Mimi & Rae

    Catering to a young professional demographic (an innovative and much-needed concept in the Coachella Valley!) with a “West Coast minimalist chic” aesthetic, this boutique’s offerings are sophisticated, stylish and shockingly affordable. From basics like classic tees and jeans to upscale cocktail dresses and even festival attire, the mother-and-daughter-owned shop is chock full of adorable options (most selected from female-owned, Los Angeles-based lines), and the inventory is updated regularly, so stepping inside is always a new experience!

  • Coco Rose

    Coco Rose

    Bright, colorful and sourced mainly from Bali, Coco Rose features some of the area’s most beautiful goods. Started by a mother-daughter team who vacation regularly on the Indonesian island, the establishment stocks necklaces, bracelets, earrings, purses, hats, cover-ups, dresses, home décor and other bohemian treasures – many handmade by Balinese artisans. It’s a great place to pick up presents for jewelry-obsessed friends. The company also has numerous sister shops in the area, so you’re never far from a Coco Rose fix anywhere in the Valley!

  • Roam.E Boutique

    Roam.E Boutique

    A delightful clothing, jewelry, gift, and card shop with a decided farmer’s market vibe, this newish spot (it opened in 2022) boasts a splendid selection of fashionable finds, many hand-crafted by local vendors and artists. Attractively arranged, reasonably priced and geared toward the desert’s younger set, Roam.e Boutique is an extremely welcome addition to the desert’s shopping scene.

  • Old Town La Quinta

    Old Town La Quinta

    With a bevy of restaurants and shops, as well as a fabulous Sunday morning farmer’s market and monthly art show, one can easily while away countless hours at this charming plaza. My favorite stores are detailed individually in this section, but additional not-to-miss spots include Main Street Coffee (featured in my Coffee section), Stuft Pizza (listed in my Happy Hour section), La Quinta Olive Oil Company, and elizabeth & prince.

  • La Quinta Resort Gift Shop

    La Quinta Resort Gift Shop

    While pricey (as all hotel gift shops tend to be), there are some great finds here, including many unique desert-related items and handcrafted wares. The inventory of Coachella Valley-related books is especially vast, with a heaping of landscaping, cooking, and design tomes that will satisfy anyone looking to learn more about the area and/or hoping to incorporate some of Palm Springs’ fab desert aesthetic into their own homes.

  • Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

    Jadabug’s Kids Boutique

    If it’s toys, clothes or games for kids you’re after, JadaBug’s is the place to be! A children’s wonderland, the sprawling store offers a bright inventory of the chicest clothing for little ones (I often find myself wishing some of the dresses came in my size!), educational toys and an entire wall of softer-than-soft stuffed animals. This is also the spot to head if you’re in need of any child-related rentals while in town, including cribs, strollers, car seats, etc. JadaBug’s is a one-stop shop for parents, grandparents and anyone with littles in tow! And for those in the market for more bargain buys, there’s a sister shop, JadaBug’s Elite Repeat, just three doors down featuring “gently used” kids’ clothing, maternity attire and more.