Brown Eyed Girl

Where? In San Francisco's upmarket Pacific Heights, a quiet residential neighbourhood that features stylish interior design shops and high-end, but fun, clothing boutiques.

The crowd: young, hip teens or women wanting a fun day of shopping with friends. Kate Hudson has been known to stop by.

The vibe: the shop is designed to look like the interior of a young woman's apartment and comprises six adjoined rooms located in a renovated Victorian flat. It has a girlie vibe with pink walls, comfy couches, tables and a brass bed. Customers feel like they are in their best friend's bedroom.

The goods: the selection is girlie but high-end. Clothes are organised by colour and feature a range of brands including TSE Cashmere, Juicy Couture and Ella Moss. Shopaholics can choose from a range of lingerie, jumpers, dresses, clingy T-shirts and designer jeans. Popular brands include Milly (for its colourful circle skirts), denim from Seven, Blue Cult and Paige, and silk-screen portraits of fashion idols such as Audrey Hepburn by artist Patrick McCarthy. You'll also find accessories from Chan Luu and Hollywould, lotions and potions from Tocca, furniture and linens, as well as wedding or baby shower gifts. For haute brides, Something Blue is located next door.

Extras: it features a mini-library of fashion books and many well-read customers gather after-hours to chat about books and other topics. This year the store will also launch a make-up line, a range of accessories and plans to open several locations in Los Angeles. And if you like the furniture, everything is for sale and can be custom made to order.

Brown Eyed Girl, 2999 Washington Street, San Francisco, tel: 1 415 409 0214.