All Shopping

This is the go-to-place for South Bay area to buy/rent their outdoor gear. They even feature the ski/snowboard bus that takes you to the slopes and back, same-day. All-in-one, full service, outdoor recreation spot here in the South Bay area. Read my Sports Basement Rental Guide Read more...

Many years ago, a good friend of mine introduced me to Genevieve Santos’ work and I fell in love ever since. I can’t believe it took me this long to add her shop to my website, but here it is! I’ve gotten custom art from her, as well regularly purchasing birthday and thank you cards. I love the whimsical and Read more...

We came across this cute vendor in the 2022 Fall SJMade faire and really loved their creations. I am pleased to see that they have a brick n mortar shop locally. Listing them here so I remember to go shop there next I am in the area. Their products are hand-drawn maps of various locals that you can buy as Read more...

Over the summer, we had a fun visit up in the Santa Rosa area and stopped by this farm for a little olive oil tasting. Very fresh olive oil. Would recommend if you’re already in the area and enjoy nice olive oil. They also have some nice lavender flowers too. Read more...

Hub of quaint shops, art studios, unique structures & cultural events in a former prison dormitory. Chinese Address: 702台南市南區西門路一段689巷12號 Read more...

Banana Pier is where Kaohsiung used to export bananas and has since been turned into a cultural center with cafes, food, restaurants and eclectic shopping space. Chinese Address: 804高雄市鼓山區蓬萊路17號 Read more...

Amedei Chocolates (inside the BellaVita Mall) are considered probably the finest in the world and unless you are in NYC for us Americans, the next best place to get them is on my regular travels to Taiwan. 🙂 Every time I visit Taipei, I have to stop by to stock up on some of these chocolates. Read more...

ESLite is known for their 24 hour bookstore (not this location), their wide range of books, the architecture and not least their rich selection of curated lifestyle products. There are many ESLite stores in Taiwan, and now other parts of Asia. This is a great store to go to for homewares, books, gifts, fine foods and unique souvenirs. Out of Read more...

3 years ago when I visited this ESLite, it was very small and there wasn’t much, so on this trip I didn’t make it a priority. However, we stopped by today and it’s expanded so much and its offerings are so different from the Xinyi & XiMenDing locations This ESLite location has a very relaxing and tasteful ChunShuiTang Restaurant, but Read more...

XiMenDing is a famous shopping district of Taipei. Their wares typically center around hip fashion and affordable prices (where Xinyi is more luxury and $$$). You will find a lot of Taiwan teens/tweens here as well as tourists from all over the world. It’s very happening and some have likened it to Harajuku (youth culture and fashion). XiMenDing is also Read more...