If you are a player of the ponies, you know what the end of July means. It is the opening of the season at the Del Mar Race Track, one of the prettiest places to enjoy horseracing, with some of the biggest stakes in the Southern California circuit. Races will be held five days a week through labor day, with particular highlights including the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on August 7 (in which unbeated Zenyatta is confirmed to race), the $1 million Pacific Classic on August 19, and the Del Mar Futurity.

Beverly Hills’ uniquely stylish Phillipe Starck-designed boutique hotel SLS is well known for its dinner service—when world famous Jose Andres is your Executive Chef, you can count on that. But alongside The Bazaar, the hotel also offers a more casual—but equally chic–lobby restaurant Tres, with a weekend brunch that’s a notable alternative both to Bazaar dining and standard brunches.

There aren’t many young singers these days that make a strong impression, and certainly few I’d want to endorse without reservation. But one new voice emerging from the indie world seems like she has the goods to break big. With different moods that recall anyone from Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval to Loretta Lynn, Bjork, or Sheryl Crow, Kelli Scarr has a seductive sound that draws you in and won’t let you go.

LA doesn’t lack for soles. Of course, we have Louboutin and Choo boutiques,and certainly Beverly Hills’ Barneys and Saks shoe departments are well stocked with all the big names. But you didn’t need me to tell you that. Here are the Haute 5 shoe boutiques that offer something more uncommon.

There’s no denying star-studded Los Angeles is one of the biggest style capitals of the world. Until the last few years, however, fashion here revolved mostly around the star names of New York and Europe. But recently L.A. has definitely come into its own as a breeding ground of serious designers, reigniting a huge new wave of boutiques.

In researching yesterday’s Haute 5 Home Décor shops, I came across another kind of décor installation worthwhile either for those seeking furnishing inspiration, or merely art appreciation. Artistic furniture designer Charles Rohlfs (1853-1936) was considered part of the American Arts & Crafts movement, but his work really stands out on its own.

Los Angeles being such a multi-ethnic, multi-faceted city, our lifestyles inform a wide variety of design aesthetics, from Mission to modern, antique to avant. Here’s a Haute 5 of stores that keep our domiciles inspired:

Many spa facilities try to impress with their size. What impresses about the Spa at the Beverly Wilshire by Four Seasons is its intimacy. In fact, though part of one of the best known hotels in LA—if not the world—this spa is almost like a hidden secret.

Selecting a Haute 5 of hair salons isn’t easy in Los Angeles. The entertainment industry here obviously makes it a focal point—virtually every world famous stylist has a serious presence here—and many major training institutes also call LA home. Still, taking into account the endorsements of celebrities and “normal” people alike, the following are some of the best for your tress.