Best of Atlanta 2009

Remember way back — at least several weeks ago — when Atlanta was suffering from a (gasp!) recession? Thank God that’s over. In the midst of the dreaded R-word, we had to confront a sobering question: Will it still be fun to shop if we can’t drop a decent wad of cash? Let’s face it: We’d gotten a bit spoiled, what with the Scottish cashmere and Filson luggage at Westside men’s shop Sid Mashburn; the Manolos, Prada and YSL at Buckhead’s frighteningly fashionable Jeffrey; and the triple-oxygen facials and hot cream manicures at the W hotel’s super-orgasmic Bliss.

Of course, we did learn a few things when we were forced, embarrassingly enough, to curb our spending. What did the recession teach us? We found that we didn’t have to abandon designer threads, thanks to the impressive stock of consigned labels at the Nearly New Shop. With the help of Alexis’ Suitcase consignment boutique, we could still traipse about town in Jimmy Choo’s. Nor did we have to sacrifice our routine spa-going, once we discovered Duluth’s surreal yet seductive JeJu Sauna. Basically, it’s not so bad being financially strained — as long as you know where to look.

— Mara Shalhoup