Shopping expert Allison Kaplan reviews Uptown neighborhood stores and shops.

• Atmosfere: This trendy shop caters to the young and social....
• Baystreet Shoes: Trendy boots and heels for women who wouldn't be caught in square toe during a pointy period in fashion...
• Brides of France: The ultimate budget bridal boutique featuring new and consignment wedding dresses...
• Covered: Dinkytown's best kept secret has graduated from college and grown into a second location in Uptown...
• Design Collective: This cool little shop has a noble goal: to support Minnesota fashion designers...
• Design Within Reach: The particleboard collection is getting a bit embarrassing, isn't it? This is a great resource for minimalist design and sleek lines.
• Drama: What working girls want to wear afterhours...
• Everyday People: The hippest clothing exchange in town offering updated trend wear and vintage pieces for girls and guys...
• Familia: Skateboarding grows up at this surprisingly fashionable shop co-owned by professional boarder Steve Nesser...
• GoHome: You might feel funny buying a $2,000 sofa at a place that sells dirty greeting cards, but look beyond the trinkets at the front of the store...
• Heartbreaker: A local version of the Forever 21 chain, with more emphasis on basics and name-brand denim...
• Intoto: An exclusive boutique experience for the Neiman Marcus crowd...
• Island Bride: Here in middle of the mainland, girls fantasize about getting away for their big day...
• Ivy: An expertly edited selection of fashion forward pieces for glamour girls and guys...
• Jeri Kaplan Jewelry: This accomplished jewelry designer has worked with museums and department stores, but she now concentrates on custom work - from every day pieces in silver to diamond engagement rings...
• Kitchen Window: It lacks the charm of some other specialty kitchen stores in town, but makes up for that with a comprehensive selection...
• Local Motion: This well-established shop has moved beyond local designers to stock a whimsical mix of feminine...
• Luna Vinca: More than a flower shop, this sweet enclave a few blocks down from the heart of Uptown is a great spot to grab a gift on the go...
• Mehera Shaw: Lets be honest: oftentimes, ethnic clothes is code for: not very stylish. This shop puts an end to that misconception once and for all...
• My Sister's Closet: The sisters from Grand Avenue bring their mix of consignment and vintage apparel and accessories to Uptown...
• Paper Source: Practice your penmanship - this sleek store will inspire you to actually write a letter. Like, on paper...
• Patina: Setting the standard for urban gift shops in the Twin Cities...
• Penzeys Spices: A fantastically fresh idea for ready-made gifts...
• Phenom: For the guy who doesn't just wear t-shirts and sneakers, but loves them, collects them and values exclusivity...
• Q: Things are looking up for this shop, which has a new home in Uptown and a better handle on youthful city style for women and men...
• Shoe Zoo: Michael Kors designs kiddie footwear? Oh dear. This is where shoe addicts are born...
• Shoe Zoo: Michael Kors designs kiddie footwear? Oh dear. This is where shoe addicts are born...
• Suit Up: Men's designer suits that retail for $1,000 or more are sold for $299 to $399...
• Urban Traveler: Support a Minnesota-based business on your way out of town by buying your bags, travel accessories and wrinkle-free clothing from this specialty shop...
• Vias Vintage: If you want quality retro - party dresses, plaid sport coats, hats, you name it - and don't have the time or desire to dig through bins at Goodwill, this is your one-stop shop...
• VState: No geeks allowed. This trendy shop caters to the club crowd...