Mastering the art of a well-heeled West Coast life should include the following: a few down-dogs, perfecting the ordering of a massively complex warm dairy libation (a.k.a. the latte at Starbucks) without a flinch, and knowing where to get a leg-up on life. Whichever you choose to perfect, grasshopper, read the list below and reap the rewards.

● O Lounge (Downtown) - Wanna shoe-in for a fun night? They come in all shapes, heights, makes, and models here. The view is so much better from the top.
● Lift Bar and Grill (Coal Harbour) - The only thing better than watching the floatplanes take off from this yacht-laden enclave is gawking at the folks getting on them in their fabulous shoes.

An insatiable craving for Asian eats isn’t the only yearning that gets hipsters through the dragon gates. Chinatown is a constantly expanding fashion/art community featuring some of the city’s most diverse and interesting shopping. Pop-up stores with rotating fresh talents and highly curated concept boutiques all in a neighborhood with firecracker vendors, a wishing well, and the best dim sum to ever hit a pair of chop sticks.

● Choose Chinatown - A whole lot of Swedish pride hidden in Chinatown. This extensive collection of Scandinavian line Cheap Monday makes us happy every day of the week.
● Flock Shop - Risky business fashion for hipsters looking to be noticed, remembered, and coveted while hitting the scene.

Shopping for Japanese fashion in Los Angeles is not new. Nonetheless, it's fair to say that these days, Japan's innovative style is taking LA by storm a la Godzilla vs. Tokyo. Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe, and Issey Miyaki are must-have designers for every West Coast girl-on-the-go. Whether it's the heavy use of black, reshaping of the female form, or bright graphics, Japan's looks have become practically iconic. And lucky for Hollywood, there's no army to take down this monster.

● decadestwo (Hollywood) - Wham, bam, thank you decadestwo! Only the best vintage collection of the best designers to ever walk the face of the planet. Nothing says Saturday night like a rockin' vintage Comme des Garçons skirt and ensemble.
● Opening Ceremony (West Hollywood) - Charlie Chaplin's old dance studio transformed into a futuristic boutique where designers are separated into different rooms by country. Using geography to shop makes finding killer Japanese lines a no-brainer.

Times are tough, kids. Even under the promise land skies of Los Angeles with the powers of "Hollywood Magic," it's impossible not to feel the weight of the economical crisis. Luckily, we've found the way to chase the money blues away: shopping. Enter the vintage thrift store. Even a small wad of rainy day cash can go a long way to resurge the economy, save the dolphins, and instill national optimism. All while scoring yourself a priceless one-of-a-kind find.

● American Rag CIE (Hollywood) - Safari vintage adventure shopping complete with taxidermy beasts and clothes that make us hurt so good we'd take a bullet for 'em.
● Jet Rag (Hollywood) - Who doesn't need to thrash through an entire room devoted to leather and lingerie while browsing?

For those who would happily eat a pile of dead leaves, were they slathered in cream cheese frosting.

● Babycakes (Lower East Side) - For the vegan red velvet lover (they pull it off, in spite of the fact that real cream cheese frosting is key to any successful red velvet cake).
● Crumbs (Greenwich Village) - For the more mainstream experience, and the convenience of multiple locations.
● Solomon’s Porch (Brooklyn South) - Recently renovated soul food spot serves up blues and famous red velvet cake Bed Stuy style.

Here at BlackBook, we pay a lot of attention to where cool customers go out -- bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, hotels, you name it. So why not flip the frame and let you see where we go out? Here's a periodically updated, exhaustive list of hotspots currently favored by everyone at BlackBook, from the mighty bosses down to the humble interns, from the charming local lounges around the corner to the jet-setting temples of luxe living.

EDITORIAL
● Editorial Director/Editor-in-Chief - Ray Rogers, Café Mogador (NYC) - Hummus, crack-caliber coffee, and outdoor patio for primo people-judging and "novel writing."
● Creative Director - Jason Daniels, Babettes (East Hampton) - Don’t let the word “organic” turn you off .
● Executive Editor - Chris Mohney, Pegu Club (NYC) - OCD cocktail heaven. Pith helmet and ivory cane optional.
● Senior Editor - Nick Haramis, The Jane Hotel and Ballroom (NYC) - Latest smash from Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode gets all Edwardian on the WVill.

If Los Angeles were a band, Hollywood would be the showy lead singer. And Silver Lake would be the understated, contemplative bassist -- the George Harrison of LA neighborhoods. Here’s how to spend a day in this artsy section of the city.

Breakfast: Start your day with one of the scrambles -- Benedict or Florentine -- at Millie's, where they do everything the pain-in-the-ass, old-fashioned way: by hand and from scratch.

Walk: Think nobody walks in LA? Well, you’re probably right. But if you head down to the Silver Lake Reservoir, you’ll find plenty of locals cruising the newly opened walking path or sunning in the three-and-a-half-acre meadow, all part of a $2.1 million “all natural” project.

1. Yummy Cupcakes (Santa Monica) - With 140 cupcake flavors, Yummy offers a rotating daily menu in jumbo, classic, and mini sizes; recent specials include cupcake biscotti and cupcake-in-a-jar for Valentine’s Day.
2. Famous Cupcakes (Hollywood) - Start your day off right with Famous’ Good Morning Cupcake with vanilla beans and a sprinkled blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and graham crackers. Custom cupcake bouquets cover everything from weddings to Jewish holidays.
3. Sprinkles Cupcakes (Beverly Hills) - Possibly the most popular cupcake in the class with ingredients including bittersweet Belgian chocolate, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, and natural citrus zests. Sprinkles made the cupcake trendy again; their “modern dots” on flavors -- including mocha, pumpkin, and red velvet -- make them the leader of the pack.

C’mon! Big money! Big money!

1. Aureole (Strip: South) - Nothing says “winner” like a $500 bottle of wine before dinner. Nothing says big winner like ordering a $1,000 bottle of wine with the appetizer.
2. Fred Leighton (Bellagio) - Because an 8-carat diamond ring is vulgar, but a 16-carat emerald, diamond and platinum art deco bracelet is not.
3. Pinball Hall of Fame (Off-Strip East) - Go ahead, buy that Kiss pinball machine. You’re on your own getting it home, though.

Suddenly everything in your suitcase seems so ... blah.

1. Barney’s New York (Shoppes at the Palazzo) - Quirky flagship store where the sculpture and décor are as fabulous as the clothes. An entire floor of handbags!
2. Bettie Page (Miracle Mile Shops) - If your idea of stunning is more Ava Gardner than Mischa Barton. Lace petticoat dresses and vintage-inspired lingerie.
3. Prada (Bellagio) - Their shop window compels women toward the craps tables in hopes of a big win. “Mama needs a new pair of shoes” has never had more meaning.