When I think of shoes and artisan, I think of A Mano – a warm, comfortable, friendly shoe shop on First Avenue – downtown Seattle. (You’re inclined to call it a shop rather than a store because it feels like you’ve walked in off of a cobblestone alleyway in Italy.) Headed by the delightful Nealy Blau and stocked with shoes and handbags exuding old world craftsmanship which Nealy sources on her twice yearly excursions to Milan.

My personal obsessions are the to-die-for Fiorentini + Baker boots that I can’t seem to have enough of, as well as the n.d.c menswear style oxfords that all the cool girls are wearing. The additional 20% off all sale merchandise (excluding Jamie Joseph jewelry) certainly sweetens the deal.

*Not to be missed – Antipast socks from Japan and jewelry by local jewelry designer/jewelry goddess Jamie Joseph.