Where Vanessa Mooney Finds Retro Wonders in Highland Park

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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.

From blogstars to celebs, the world can't get enough of Vanessa Mooney's boho chic jewels. To boot, the Cali-bred designer dreams up and handcrafts all of the pieces for her eponymous accessories line right here in LA. When the Highland Park resident isn't busy making new gypsy gems, she tells us she likes to wander down to a hidden retro wonderland in her hood.

Avalon Records & Vintage is a little out-of-the-way vintage clothing and record store in Highland Park [filled] with gems from the '20s, '40s, '60s and '70s—all my favorite time periods. [Everything is] curated by the owner and buyer Carmen Hawk. She makes you feel like she knew you were coming and has the perfect vintage dress hiding in the back for you. I love everything about her magical store and I am always surprised at the pieces I find.

· Avalon Records & Vintage [Official Site]
· Vanessa Mooney [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked]