Enjoy retail therapy in Walnut Creek, California

SHOP

Deliciouz You'll be drawn in by the shop's bright colors and seduced by hard-to-find shoes, including Italian and Spanish lines that owner Tamara Vladic describes as "funky, but comfortable and functional." INFO: 1506 N. Main St.; 925/933-7489.

Jeu.de.jupe This intimate atelier offers an all-European selection of sophisticated, edgy clothes from such lines as MC Planet, Save the Queen, and One Step. INFO: 1519 N. Main St.; 925/932-8122.

Samantha Lee The girly decor - crystal sconces, silver-metallic flooring, and robin's-egg-blue tables with marble tops - is as glamorous as the denim and cashmere at this local fave, recently relocated and expanded to include mod party dresses and housewares. INFO: 1388 N. Main St.; 925/935-5502.

SIP

Va de Vi Guess the mystery flight, or taste from the iconoclastic lineup at this wine bar, which also offers small plates, perfect for dinner or as a reviving mid-shopping snack. INFO: $$; 1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd.; 925/979-0100.

HAPPENING NOW

Just blocks from the browsing, downtown's Civic Park, at the corner of Civic Dr. and Broadway, mutates into a twinkly ice-skating rink each November. To get into the spirit of winter, lace up your skates and show off your best moves. Even if your double axel is rusty, it's still fun to watch the skaters twirl. INFO: Opens Nov 8; from $10; 1375 Civic Dr.; iceskatewalnutcreek.com or 925/935-7669.