Downtown Indulgence

Megan Muldary

With all the chaos of work, school and social activities, sometimes a woman just needs to have some "me" time. Downtown Bellingham can be just the getaway that any young woman wants. Railroad Avenue is close to the bus station, which makes for easy transportation, and has the right places to warrant spoiling for a few minutes or a few hours. Not only will your stomach be full, but so will your spirit as you find a fashionable outfit - including shoes - and a stylish new hairdo.

Mi Shoes

Hours of operation:

Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend was not living on a college budget. A more financially safe option, shoes, is where this day of pampering will begin.

Located at 1315 Railroad Ave., Mi Shoes has a plethora of beautiful shoes to choose from. Whether you are looking for something seasonal or something outrageous, owner Michelle Millar says her store has it all, including her favorite brand - Seychelles.

"I love the Seychelles," Millar says. "They are all about comfort and style."

The average price range of the sassy shoes found in the store is between $60 and $75. Millar says that during the spring and summer she has flip-flops available for $15, and during the winter she carries short and tall boots that are just under $200.

After finding the perfect shoes, the best thing to do next is splurge on that perfect outfit. Luckily, right next to Mi Shoes is Sojourn.

Sojourn

Hours of operation:

Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sojourn has an eclectic blend of seasonal, trendy clothing that sales assistant Robyn Oyler says is aimed at customers ranging from teenagers to style-conscious middle-age women.

This hole-in-the-wall store offers brands such as !iT Jeans and Kenzie. With name brands like these, the prices are a little more than those at Bellis Fair Mall, but they are definitely worth it. Once you try on the clothes, it will become apparent why many young women pay $60 to well over $120 for a pair of jeans.

Besides clothing, Sojourn also has jewelry and accessories available starting at $8 and going up to $30.

After you finish buying a stylish outfit that even has matching shoes, it is time to grab a bite to eat. If you want a fulfilling lunch then the place to go is Avenue Bread & Deli.

Avenue Bread & Deli

Hours of operation:

Monday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Closed on Sundays

Conveniently located on the other side of Mi Shoes, Avenue is known regionally for its sandwiches. The restaurant has won the Bellingham Weekly's Best of Bellingham Sandwiches award for the past four years.

Owner and manager Wendy DeFreest says customers can get a sandwich and a drink for about $7 or $8. The most popular sandwich is anything with turkey, especially if the turkey is placed on Avenue's freshly-baked rosemary bread.

Bakers work during all hours of the night to make sure the artisan breads are available for local grocery stores. When they finish, the day bakers arrive to make the breads, scones and cookies that are offered in the deli.

After a delectable lunch, the last stop to make this day and your outfit complete is a new hairstyle.

Envy a Boutique Salon

Hours of operation:

Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Closed Sundays and Mondays

Tucked off of Commercial Street, Envy a Boutique Salon has all the style needed to give clients the cut and color they dream of.

Owner and stylist Patrick Bertels says a client can get a cut and style for a little over $30 and a full foil for about $80. As at most salons, the prices vary with the stylist's experience. An appointment with stylist Brittany Fagundes should be scheduled at least a week in advance, but if you would like Bertels to style your hair, expect a couple months before his first open appointment.

No matter whom you meet with, the stylist will start the appointment with a consultation to determine the cut, color and price of the appointment.

Besides a great haircut, Envy also offers jewelry and bags from local artists as well as name brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

After a day full of spoiling, it would seem only right that you should go home, change into your new outfit and shoes and gather up the ladies for a night on the town.