This Christmas -- Buy LOCAL!

As The Californian's resident fashionista I feel it's my responsiblity ... no, scratch that ... DUTY to tell you people what's hot and what's not. I'm sorry. That's just the way it is. So, since there's only a few sparce days left until Christmas I'm going to tell you who's got the hottest looks locally that your lady will love (and ladies, don't be above just forwarding these links to your hombre. We all know it takes a little work to get the hint!)

Misa Misono Designs
I know Misa. I've met Misa and this girl knows purses. You want to make your woman happy? You want her to have a fly purse this Christmas? Well you better get her the hottest handbag in town, hand-stitched by the self-proclaimed, "sweatshop of one" Misa Misono.

Misa also makes scarves, capes, jewelry and various accessories and she likes to sell them while offering you wine and cheese. (She's a classy gal.) Her next show is this Friday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 14215 Table Rock Ave. in Bakersfield, west of Allen and Hageman.

Need to get the scoop on your own? Call her up at 331-6057.

Tangerine Boutique
If I'm The Californian's fashion guru then Tangerine's Josie Bowman is the woman I bow down to. The fashonista of 20th and Eye streets -- that lady knows clothes. Gorgeous, beautiful clothes by big name indie designers (I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but go with me.) She also sells the wares of local designers, like local jewerly line "Luna Bella."

Bellissima Boutique
I like Rhonda Montgomery. She sells Versace. Real Versace. Not the almost Versace, straight from Hong Kong look-a-like. Not the stuff you've been buying at other places, like frickin' kiosks at the mall and still shelling out $250 for something that's not the real thing. Rhonda's got the real thing. Like, she went to Italy and everything, met with the Versace family and they gave her their blessing to sell their high glam wares at her gorgeous boutique in Bakersfield.

Located strategically at 1712 K St. (conviently across the street from Uricchio's Trattoria. Perfect for a little shopping, then a little nosh, then a little drinky-poo.

Bellissima also supports local designers like the mom and daughter team featured in Saturday's Now section of The Californian Kristi Bratcher and Linda Bratcher. They knit their own line "Oops ... I Knit It Again," featuring scarves, capes, shawls, purses and more. To get custom jobs you can call 333-1249 or 332-8937. Or you can call the boutique diretly at 334-1712.

Shabby Chic
Have I ever told you how much I love the twin Davis sisters who run Shabby Chic? Yeah. I love them. They like Prince and you know that if you like Prince you're pretty much homies for life with me. Plus I love their crazy sense of style in their stuffed to the rafters funky little boutique at 1517 21st St. They always seem to be on the cutting edge of whatever people are wearing in Hollywood. Specializing in new and vintage (or new that looks like vintage), they've got everything a retro girl (or guy) would need.

Christine's and LoLo's
Both located in the Stockdale Fashion Plaza, (located conviently near my favorite martini place and home of the hottest waiters in town -- Cafe Med) these boutiques, owned by Lori Malkin, offer the best of both worlds. Christine's is for the stylish working woman. LoLo's is for the fiesty gal on the go.

Jezabelle's Unique Boutique
Neat clothes and handbags by local designers, Jezabelle's is a funky little boutique with lots to offer. They can even give you a hot tip on a local girl who can turn your cell phone into a glittery work of art. That would be "Glitz by Whitz" by local teen designer Whitney Killingsworth. She can make everything from your iPod to your thong sandal glitter at 246-5394.

Posh
It's a salon. It's a boutique. It's a boutique and a salon. I got to check out Posh right when it opened, chatting it up with long time hairdresser Leah Little about her business endeavour at 1317 20th St. There she has gorgeous knitted and fashion items, including t-shirts with her store's logo on it. It's fashion fun and you can get your hair done there and Leah has a wealth of knowledge that only lots of studying and years in the business can bring. Plus her shop has an ultra mod style. Most becoming for its name.

Bella at the Marketplace
When you enter Bella's there's a good chance you'll meet owner Heidi Sullivan's adorable little doggy, who has its own little posh puppy bed in the middle of this high end, girly-girl shoppe. Inc close proximity to A) some great Italian food, B) a great spa -- Essentials, C) a great movie theater and D) Tahoe Joe's, who makes the world's sneakiest Long Island Ice Tea.

Bella boasts big fashion mag brands like Shelli Segal's Laundry as well as jewelry by local designer Lyndia Krausgrill and her line "Two Paw Jewelry."

The House of Talula
Say hi to Chris Embrey for me. She's the owner of the House of Talula, a rapidly growing boutique downtown featuring indie and brand labels, high end and stylish. Need a dress for a Christmas party? Want to leave the house looking good, smelling good, feeling good? Chris can help you out.

Gigantic Vintage
It's big. It's funky. It's right next door to Downtown Records on 19 Street. Recently opened (and now sold) by my homie Beaux "Radio Shack Rahim" Mingus, the shop is run by his homie AJ (dude, they're musicians. It's a miracle I know Beaux's full name). AJ also does tailoring and in house you can find vintage fashions discovered and redefined by Sabrina Ramirez, an aspiring designer (whenever she finds the time.) And you know, if you have an hour to kill, just hang out. AJ, Beaux and the gang are like watching Scooby Doo with curse words. I don't watch sitcoms anymore. I just watch them. Ask 'em to tell you the story about when the mouse got loose in Downtown Records. I swear, they make it into an epic saga of woe and drama.