Do people even buy CDs anymore? They must, because Half Price Books keeps stocking them. The budget-media retailer may not have a Cactus-like variety, but it usually has a few titles by most major artists, especially if they weren't big blockbuster albums. It also seems to specialize in CDs by artists you had almost completely forgotten about but who had one or two songs you'd pay two or three bucks for — hell, you'd do it with iTunes, except here you get a whole album. While you're there, don't forget to browse Half Price's vinyl selection, which is likewise better than you'd think. Or hell, pick up a book or two while you're at it.

Sure, you may have seen this one coming a mile away, but it's not without reason: Simply put, this place meets the needs of anyone from casual doodlers to professional painters. Brushes, pens, ink, clay, paper, stencils, mosaics, fabric — there's no way you can spend five minutes at Texas Art Supply and not feel your creative side getting goosed. And even if you're just looking for a gift for an artistically inclined friend and you don't know canvas from ­papier-­mâché, you don't have to worry about feeling intimidated or overwhelmed; the crack staff is eager to help, and they know their stuff. Texas Art Supply is an institution in Houston, and if you haven't been yet, then it's time to find out why.

We like smelling good — and our significant others smelling good — without spending a fortune. And we learned the hard way that this isn't reasonably accomplished by buying knockoff brands at gas-station convenience stores. (We also learned that Drakkar Noir actually isn't the best man-scent out there, regardless of what that dude selling it out of the back of his van told us, but that's a story for another time.) So that's why Perfumania is our number one choice when it comes to cologne and perfume. You get a huge selection without putting a huge dent in your pocketbook — and we're talking top-shelf stuff, too, not just the same-old, same-old you can get with a free gym bag at any department store. If you want to expand your olfactory horizons, there's no better place to start than Perfumania.

Because you just never know when you might want to buy a Pink Panther clock at 1:30 in the morning. Fantasy Gifts and Toys resembles an overstuffed, naughty museum, and has been outfitting Houstonians who are up to no good for more than 30 years. Conveniently located near most Lower West­heimer bars including neighboring Catbird's, Fantasy offers hundreds of glass pipes (many made by local craftsmen), vaporizers, hookahs, papers and any other smoking accessory you can think of down to the skull ashtrays. Then there's the T-shirts, rock posters, candles, costumes, other miscellaneous gifts — antidepressant refrigerator magnets or Reservoir Dogs figurines? Tough call — and an entire wall of, well, adult toys. Sometimes that Pink Panther clock just isn't enough, and only something called a "Naughty Judge" or "Wabbit Tickler" will get the job done.

Laura Levine and "Crazy" Mike Hildebrand curate their Heights-area store so carefully, they almost have an encyclopedic knowledge of every item and its location. Looking for embroidered cowboy boots, Polynesian mod or an old concert T-shirt? Just ask at the desk, and if they have it (they likely do), they'll take you right to it. Prices are super-reasonable considering you're saving yourself the hassle of digging through bargain bins at thrift stores, plus they take trades and get new items at least once a week. One of our favorite things to shop for at Replay is vintage swimsuits. Follow them on Facebook for advance notice of new hauls.

Sometimes, just for fun, we'll browse through Big LeRoy's enormous online inventory, randomly picking a car, looking at the photo of it sitting there in the yard, and poring over the VIN breakdown. The other day, we clicked on a 1991 Accord at random, saw all the parts that were available, as well as what condition the car was in, and thought to ourselves that, if we ever needed a fender from a 1991 Accord, how freaking cool would this be? And that's what Big LeRoy's is all about: customer service. You can find what you're looking for before you even make the drive over, plus you'll be assured of a good price.

Though Reeves, located at the corner of Taft and Fairview, specializes in Mid-Century modern, that's not all the father-and-son team has to offer. Their selection of MCM is, however, one of the best in the city, especially when you factor in the prices, which are the lowest we've seen for good-condition vintage outside of garage sales and Craigslist.

Of course Penzeys Spices is the best spice shop in the Houston area, you say. It's the only spice shop. Not true: There are specialty shops and grocers all over, some catering to only one type of cuisine. There are Chinese stores, Vietnamese purveyors, a Russian general store...we've seen them all in our culinary pursuits through Houston. But any spice you've ever dreamed of, you'll find at Penzeys. And then some. Think of the iterations of spice combos possible in this place! Being the only real game in town has not made them snooty, though. Pam and the other kind women who work there cater to you as if you are the only customer they've ever had.

Conveniently located just a few blocks away from Memorial Park, Finish Strong Sports is a runner's paradise. Staffers help fit you in the right running shoes, offering expert advice so you don't end up wearing a pair of fancy sneakers that will turn your feet into hamburger meat. When you finish your first marathon, be sure to send the staff some cupcakes. They'll just run it off anyway.

Want to spruce up your place but aren't sure where to start? Have no fear: The professionals at Calico Corners will help find the right look for you, whether you choose an in-store or in-home appointment. Oh, and did we mention that this wonderful consultation is free? Yeah, free guidance from experts who know their way around the 7,000 kinds of fabrics; the 250 furniture frames; the custom bedding options; the window treatments; and all manner of valences, treatments, coverings and other thingamajigs that will make your guests instantly jealous and ashamed of their own crackhouse-like dwellings. It doesn't matter if you don't know a duvet from a doily: These people are here to help, and if you're smart, you will let them.