Where Beckley's Melissa Akkaway Scores Sunnies in Brentwood

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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.

Santa Monica resident Melissa Akkaway is the owner of essential women's designer emporium Beckley. In addition to stocking a lust-worthy selection of covetable designers, hosting blogger-filled soirees and having one of the coolest restrooms in LA, the style maven also designs for her own collection, Beckley By Melissa. Below, she shares one of her go-to hidden shopping gems tucked away in the Brentwood Country Mart where she scores rad designer sunnies.

Selima et Benjamin optique is a small—no bigger than a closet—sunglass and optical shop located within the Brentwood Country Mart. Every time I am in need of a new pair of sunglasses, I head on over. The staff is beyond knowledgeable and will help anyone choose the right pair of glasses for their face. I recently wanted a pair of red sunglasses and tried on several pairs ranging in designers from Salt to Tom Ford to Ray-bans and I ended up with the red pair of glasses I was searching for from Celine. If you need prescription frames, the selection is bountiful and stylish. Next time you are in need of a pair of shades, head over to the Country Mart.

· Selima et Benjamin [Official Site]
· Beckley Boutique [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked]