Best Boutiques Around Sacramento

Madam Butterfly

500 Pavilions Ln (on Fair Oaks Blvd. near Howe Ave.)
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 920-1220
www.shopmadambutterfly.com

Madam Butterfly is where the hip and trendy ladies shop. You will find unique and fashion-forward items here from casual wear to business wear to party wear. They also carry fashionably artistic handbags, jewelry and other accessories. What you might also enjoy is the staff's friendliness and their helpful-without-being-pushy service.

Bows and Arrows

1712 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-3606
www.bowsandarrowsvintage.com

Bows and Arrows is the place to go for funky dresses and skirts. They carry vintage clothing and have a good variety of sizes, not just for the skinny kids. And they've got other cool stuff like Jelly bracelets and Rainbow Brite paraphernalia. The next time you're going to a nostalgia party where you have to wear fabulous clothing circa pre-2000, stop in here.

Krazy Mary's Boutique

3230 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 442-MARY (6279)
www.myspace.com/krazymarys

Krazy Mary's, in East Sacramento, carries a variety of fashionable women's clothing in a wide range of prices. They also carry handbags, jewelry and shoes. Some of their items are locally made in Sacramento. They cater to a slightly older, more affluent crowd than their sister store in midtown, Sugar Shack, which caters to the hip, younger urbanite.

Serendipity

5362 H St.
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 454-2900
www.serendipityboutique.com

Serendipity Boutique is a locally owned contemporary women's clothing boutique in East Sacramento. In addition to clothing in a variety of price ranges, they also carry shoes, jewelry, handbags, lingerie, accessories and specialty gifts.

Evangeline's

113 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 448-2594
http://www.evangelines.com

Evangeline's: Pop Culture Heaven, Practical Joke Headquarters, Costume Central. This boutique in Old Sacramento is a fun place to shop for all ages. Some of their items change with the seasons, so you might find a plethora of Halloween costumes on one visit and a load of Mardi Gras masks the next. And if you're looking for some buttons with which to load up your Mork from Ork suspenders, check out their amazing button inventory. Evangeline's is a great place to find the unique, the funky, and the tacky. So if you're looking for a pink flamingo or a rubber chicken, look no further.

Calla Lily Fine Linens

558 Pavilions Ln (on Fair Oaks Blvd. near Howe Ave.)
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 564-1800

This sophisticated boutique in the Pavilions Shopping Center sells high-quality linens and classy lingerie. They also sell pillows and sculptured soaps for the bath. Their helpful staff will help you find just the right thing for you or the woman in your life.

Gifted Gardener

1730 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95811-3008
(916) 447-5956

This boutique in midtown has a wide selection of garden decorations. You can find things like plaques, fountains, sculptures, and wind chimes. Maybe you want a cute little animal decoration to hang on the end of your pot, or how about one of those See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil frog triplets? They also carry many items made by local artists. The stuff here is higher quality than what you'd find in discount garden centers.

Visions of Eden

126 J St. Ste #8
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.visions-of-eden.com

Visions of Eden, in Old Sacramento, carries an eclectic mix of items for the home, the garden, the body and the soul. The use of furniture to display their products gives the store an overall warm feeling. They carry tapestries, fountains, designer tableware, glassware, and body care products. If you're in search of Roman glass jewelry or one of those natural wood Pit and Pendulums, this is the place to go. It's a great place to shop for an unusual or unique gift.

- Margaret Andrews is a blogger living in Sacramento. You can see more of her work on her blog, NannyGoatsInPanties.com.