2013 Best of Baltimore: Lifestyle

Accessories

Treasure House Accessories

Great
accessories are a fashionista’s best friend, and with an unparalleled
selection of Longchamp products, MZ Wallace and Leibeskind bags, trendy
Alexis Bittar and Paige Novick jewelry, gorgeous cashmere wraps, and
leather jackets, Treasure House Accessories is destined to be your new
fashion BFF. Co-owners Jodi Brodie (a former Saks Fifth Avenue buyer)
and her mom, Rhona Rosengarden, have a combined 50 years of retail
experience, so whether you’re looking for the perfect bat mitzvah gift, a
wallet for your mother-in-law, or a wardrobe pick-me-up to breathe new
life into that LBD, there’s always a craving to be quenched at Treasure
House. 9163 Reisterstown Road., Owings Mills, 410-363-4110.

Athletic Gear

Under Armour Brand House

Walking
through the front doors of the 8,000 square-foot Brand House makes us
(even more) proud that Under Armour calls Baltimore home. The store not
only offers merchandise that isn’t available at any other location, but
does so in a way that screams Charm City. There’s the area-specific
graphic tees (like Team Little Italy Bocce Ball or Inner Harbor Swim
Club), the dressing rooms festooned with Baltimore landscapes, and the
window themes that coincide with local athletic and sporting events like
The Color Run and Preakness. Oh, and while picking up the hottest
studio capri or compression tee, don’t be surprised if you bump into
athletes like Michael Phelps, Ray Lewis, or Cam Newton. 700 S. President
Street, 410-528-5304.

Bike Shop

Race Pace

Race
Pace is most loved for its wide variety of cycles. Co-owners Alex
Obriecht and Marc Lefkowitz offer Baltimore a place to buy Kona road,
Trek mountain, the stripped down Linus, and Electra hybrid bikes—just to
name a few—as well as superior knowledge on how to care for your bike
with free classes and tune ups for a year. Their stock is ideal for all
skill levels, from first timer to triathlete. 1410 Key Highway, 410-986-0001.

Color Artist

Michelle Sartori at Corbin Salon

There’s
nothing like a bad color job to make your hair look like an instant ad
for Crayola Crayons. (Alloy Orange, anyone?) But color artist Michelle
Sartori of Corbin Salon has a command of the color wheel like none
other. As she mixes, matches, and blends with bayalage, she’s the Monet
of the hair world (and your head is her canvas). One caveat: Sartori
sees up to 90 clients a week and books up to four months in advance, but
even if you have to wear a wig because your roots are showing, take a
number, and get in line. Corbin Salon, 1422 Clarkview Road, 410-494-8888.

Cut

Cliff Butler at Sprout

The
mark of a truly great stylist is someone who has that je ne sais quoi
to give you what you ask for and not what they just learned on some
junket at New York’s Javits Center. Skilled in cut and color, veteran
Sprout stylist Cliff Butler has it all—including a great chair-side
manner. (This is Baltimore, Hon, leave the ’tude to those snootier
cities.) Butler is known around town not only for his serious scissor
skills and incredible artistry, but for his hair vocabulary, which is
vast—from classic pixies and edgy razor cuts to long layers and bobs.
925 W. 36th Street, 410-235-2269.

Fitness Classes

MAC

With
more than 30 classes offered morning, noon, and night ranging from the
usual suspects—yoga, spin, zumba—to combo classes like step-barre
fusion, paddleboard yoga, and MAC Attack (match boxing with
boot-camp-like drills), there’s something for every level and schedule
at the MAC. Spin classes have sign-up sheets 15 minutes beforehand, so
be sure to get there early to reserve your spot. (Tip: anything taught
by Eddie DeVaughn at Harbor East is known to be a sold-out show.) We
can’t guarantee the results, but we promise that, between the energetic
instructors and mind-boggling variety of options, your routine will
never get dull. Several locations, including 655 President Street, 410-625-5000.

Fun Fitness

Earth Treks Climbing Center

We
love it when working out is something we actually look forward to. The
mighty Earth Treks houses a mix of climbs, from top rope to more
technical sport climbs, plus you’ll find the friendliest folks around,
including the regulars, who share the best “beta”—that’s climbing speak
for information—in the bouldering cave. While the Open Climb option
(three climbs, a harness rental, and an instructor for $25) is available
on weekends, a multi-gym membership gives you access to all locations,
use of the strength and cardio training area, and free clinics like yoga
(taught by our friends at Charm City Yoga) and core strength. You’ll
also get tips on footwork and injury prevention. Several locations,
including 7125-C Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, 410-872-0060.

New Gym

Brick Bodies

When
Lynne and Victor Brick opened the first Brick Bodies, in Timonium in
1985, they started with a small loan from Victor’s parents and crossed
their fingers. Twenty-eight years, seven gyms, and 26,500 members later,
the Bricks are fitness heavyweights as they continue to get not only
bigger but better with the recently opened 58,000-square-foot, flagship
facility. Double up on your multi-vitamins as you go from the full
basketball court to the state-of-the-art spin room to the 25-foot lap
pool to the mind-body studio. (And there’s a well-deserved steam room to
visit, too.) Add to that a top-notch roster of group exercise classes
and an awesome kids’ club, and it’s safe to say that breaking a sweat
has never been easier. 2430 Broad Avenue, Timonium, 410-252-5280.

Men’s Clothing: Old School

J.S. Edwards

Eddie
Steinberg has been supplying men with everything from the perfect Ted
Baker tie to Hugo Boss suits and Nat Nast shirts for the past 30 years.
1809 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, 410-653-2266.

Men’s Clothing: New School

Sixteen Tons

For
the gentlemen who doesn’t even try to be cool—but just is—Daniel
Wylie’s shop has all American-made threads, pomade and aftershave, and
timeless vintage pieces. 1021 W. 36th Street, 410-554-0101.

Found Objects

Second Chance

Is
there any store more perfectly named than Second Chance? Not only does
the large space house a rotating variety of used and antique furniture,
but the store adheres to its principle of hiring folks who could really
use the work, finding candidates off the mayor’s pre-screened
unemployment list and providing training. So not only is that gorgeous
couch, desk, or conversation piece getting a second chance in your home,
the staff is also given a second chance in the job market. 1700 Ridgely
Street, 410-385-1700.

Gifts

Trohv

The
artistic window displays may draw us to Trohv, but it’s the vast array
of gifts inside that keeps us shopping. Its merchandise changes to
reflect the season, although they keep some things year-round, like the
beloved Kobo candles and that well-curated selection of greeting cards.
You can find anything from a kitschy tumbler set to a book on how to be a
proper cowboy. Warm-hearted husband and wife co-owners Carmen Brock and
Ben Homola, along with their entire friendly team, have created a space
that feels a bit like shopping at someone’s cozy (and incredibly
well-accessorized) home. 921 W. 36th Street, 410-366-3456.

Women’s Clothing: Old School

Ruth Shaw

Owner
Ray Mitchener gives both loyal clients (more than three decades in the
making) and new fashionistas alike impeccable service with a curated
selection of designer lines like DKNY, Jason Wu, and Rag & Bone. 68
Village Square, 410-532-7886.

Women’s Clothing: New School

Brightside Boutique and Art Studio

Christie
Griffiths helps Baltimore’s shopping scene up its hip quotient by
selling affordable on-trend clothing and having an impressive online
presence. 1133 S. Charles Street, 410-244-1133.

Blowout

Hot Air

What’s
worse than a great hair day gone bad the second you leave the salon and
are left to wrestle with a brush and blow dryer? At Hot Air, the “do’s”
are never “don’ts.” The concept is simple: a team of talented stylists
will tend to your tendrils with an array of up-dos, long waves
(currently trending), and other blowouts whether you’re walking down the
aisle, prom- or, bat mitzvah-bound or just want to look great for a hot
date. (Massage and conditioning treatments are extra.) We love the
package deals (a 12-pack for $380) and the makeup and lash bar to
complete the glam factor (cover photo). 9101 Reisterstown Road, Owings
Mills, 410-363-0064.

Massage

Ojas

With
50 massage therapists on staff and 17 massage treatment rooms across
three locations, it’s no secret that Ojas Wellness Center is the place
to go when you need some respite from life’s storms. You can’t go wrong
with any of the therapists, but we’re particularly partial to Tasha
Brodbeck, with hands so nimble they make us weep as she caters to our
every need, from a therapeutic deep-tissue massage to a bliss-inducing
relaxation massage. Add to that complimentary aromatherapy, hot towels,
and hot stones, and you can kiss the real world goodbye. Several
locations including 1501 Sulgrave Avenue, 410-664-6527.

Kid’s Clothing: Old School

The Pied Piper

Helping
you to keep up with your kids’ social calendars for over 40 years by
stocking party frocks and suits, plus everyday wares from the likes of
Lilly Pulitzer and David Charles. 32 Village Square, 410-435-2676.

Kid’s Clothing: New School

Wee Chic

Oh,
we can’t resist a mini hipster. Owner Bridget Stickline will fill your
kid’s wardrobe with graphic tees, jackets, and jeans from Joe’s Jeans,
Tea, and Appaman in sizes infant to 6 (boys) and 12 (girls). 10751 Falls
Road, Lutherville, 410-878-7400.

Vintage

Hunting Ground

Just
over a year old, this vintage heaven on the holy ground of an old
church has made its mark on Baltimore. Co-owners Jenna Hattenburg and
Jess Soulen have been collecting pieces for years to build their cool
collection ranging from leather jackets to Jenny McCarthy tee shirts and
everything in between. Limited sizes of vintage items are supplemented
with new items from brands like Baggu and Courtshop. And if you’ve got
some extra vintage lying around, stop in any day and they’ll give you
some cash to further feed your vintage habit. 3649 Falls Road, 410-243-0789.

Online Vendor

Petal and Print

Your
days of searching for one store that does flowers and another that does
custom cards and invitations are over. At Petal and Print, owner Katie
does picture-perfect floral arrangements and charming hand-printed cards
to go with them. Plus, she makes hand-dyed fabric flowers, too. What a
woman! petalandprint.com.

Pet Store

Dogma-Life, With Your Pet

We’ve
said it before, but doggone it, we’ll say it again, Dogma—Life, With
Your Pet, is, paws down, the best pet store in Baltimore. Is it the
great grooming services and the fact that the staff knows our dogs by
name when we come in the double-glass doors? Is it the hard-to-find
brands of puppy chow for sale? (Freeze-dried Stella and Chewy’s is our
Fido’s favorite.) Is it the endlessly adorable supply of fashion-forward
leashes, collars, knitted sweaters, and mod water bowls that makes us
pant? Or is it the fact that our deepest fantasies entail curling up in
one of the oversized plush dog beds? Even if we didn’t possess a pooch,
we would adopt one just so we could shop here. Several locations,
including 3600 Boston Street, 410-276-3410.

Women’s Shoes

Nordstrom

There’s
no doubt that we heart our locally-owned shoe shops, but it’s nearly
impossible to ignore the selection offered at Nordstrom, from UGG boots,
to TOMS, to Wolverine boots, and the most coveted Jimmy Choos and
Manolos. And because most of us aren’t blessed with the perfect feet the
store offers sizes 4-13, with the option of ordering half-size
different fits for each foot. Several locations, including 700 Fairmount
Avenue, Towson, 410-296-2111.

Yoga

Charm City Yoga

Turns
out that just wearing Lululemon doesn’t give you a perfect yoga body.
Enter Charm City Yoga. With six studios stretching from Severna Park to
Pikesville (and a new location soon to open in Columbia), it’s our
favorite place to say “Namaste.” Classes are offered almost every hour,
and the dedicated staff (special shout outs to CJ, Edith, and Camille)
manages to kick our butts (but with love). CCY also offers a wide
variety of interesting workshops from the Yoga of Running to Yoga After
Dark (featuring a live DJ). And if you can’t afford a weekly visit,
don’t stress—you can practice free every Sunday morning on the Inner
Harbor. Actor Robert Downey Jr., Raven Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden,
Leann Rimes, and even the Prince of Saudi Arabia have all made it to the
mat here. Several locations, including 107 E. Preston Street, 800-336-YOGA.