Miami, 1954. Fidel Castro was still smarting from his failed raid on the Moncada Barracks. Mobsters still ran Miami and Havana. And in the quiet suburb of Hialeah, Lou's Distributors set up shop with a simple mission: to keep South Florida's cops and civilian arms enthusiasts stocked with the best heat they could pack. A few things have changed in the six decades since, but Lou's has stayed put and grown into one of the largest suppliers of weaponry to Miami's law enforcement pros. And it's no wonder why. In addition to the usual guns, rifles, and pistols from nearly every major firearm maker — from $3,500 Armalite AR-15s to $719 Remington 1919 handguns — there's a wide range of ammunition and all of the cases and tactical gear that your heart desires (even a Drago Sentry Pack, specially designed so you can carry your iPad alongside your concealed weaponry). If a Miami business has lasted as long as the Castro regime, you know it's here to stay.

At AAA Pawnbrokers of North Miami, you may come for the guns and jewelry, but you'll stay for the conversation. The shop, which is marked by a big yellow sign with handguns in a strip mall just off West Dixie Highway, isn't much to look at from the outside. But inside, you'll find a great selection of rifles, pistols, gold, jewelry, cameras, fishing rods, iPads, DVDs, videogames, and power washers, plus hundreds of other things you didn't even realize you were looking for. Prices vary as widely as the selection: Used handguns start around $60, rifles start about $100, and watches range from around $30 to more than $1,000. What really distinguishes AAA, though, is the staff. Customers love AAA's fair-trade policy and relaxed environment. The manager, an ex-Marine named Domingo, boasts that "jokes and wisecracks are my specialty," and he's not wrong. In a room packed full of firearms, that levity goes a long way.

"We're not just a store," Sale Rack promises customers who wander into the charming storefront on a tree-lined block near CocoWalk. "We're an adventure." Normally, that kind of sales pitch would be hyperbole, but Sale Rack is the kind of eclectic free-for-all of modern, vintage, and just plain off-the-wall that makes perusing the aisles feel like a time-warp walk on the wild side. As great as the mix of home decor, fashion, and accessories is, though, the best items in the whole treasure trove are the jewelry pieces. Nowhere else can you find such a unique mix of vintage and vintage-inspired pieces, and Sale Rack almost always offers a two-for-$10 special on clip-on earrings and cocktail rings. Plus, in the afternoon Monday through Thursday, Sale Rack associates purchase pieces from the public (by appointment only), so if you have a batch of weird garage-sale relics you're ready to pass along, you can get cash or store credit in exchange. That's our kind of adventure.

Ever seen a dinosaur head on the wall doubling as a lamp and a killer conversation piece? How about an insect-robot hybrid built from rusted old yard tools? Or a battered life-size papier-mâché kid holding a giant hamburger next to a vintage '50s pinball machine and a dentist's examination light? You'll see all of these eye-popping sights and more if you pop into Worth Galleries, a beyond-quirky antique store in a shopping center under the Metrorail overpass in Coconut Grove. Worth Galleries is like a jam-packed fever dream of an antique shop — an unpretentious, overcrowded space that makes you feel like you're hanging out at the world's coolest grandma's house. Aside from all the insane knickknacks, there's even an impressive collection of over-the-top antique lamps and European stained-glass art.

Whisper "the Redland" to most Miamians, and a few things invariably come to mind: sprawling fields of tomatoes, the alligator-choked entrance to the Everglades, milkshakes at Robert Is Here, and carne asada at Taco Morelia. But flea markets? Believe it. Thanks to Redland Market Village, city dwellers have a new reason to take a road trip down south. Not only is Redland Market Village a fine place to discover weird found objects and crazy-cheap furniture, but it's also a one-stop shop for great food and entertainment thanks to an adjacent farmers' market and regular events like vintage car shows and face painting for kids. Plus, there's a pet shop for animal lovers, as well as the usual spoils of the average flea market. But unlike most flea markets in South Florida, Redland Market Village — which has zero entrance fee — offers some of the freshest air and wide-open spaces in Miami-Dade.

It was the 2002 romantic comedy Juwanna Mann, starring Miguel A. Núñez Jr. and Vivica A. Fox, that taught us the most important lesson in love. In the movie, Fox's character, Michelle, tells Juwanna (Nuñez's character Jamal in drag) that she wants a guy who will send her flowers just because it's Wednesday. Seriously, why do we wait until Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or birthdays to tell those dearest to us that we love them? At the end of the movie, after Jamal's deception is revealed, he wins Michelle back by sending her flowers "just because it's Wednesday." (Fight back the tears!) We're sure that if Jamal had any say, he would have stopped by Pistils & Petals in South Beach to order the perfect bouquet. Since 1997, this homegrown shop has been spreading the love through floral arrangements — uh, "design." Why design? Because these pieces border on the traditional while displaying a modern edge. Sure, you won't pay Publix flower prices here (most arrangements cost $80 to $300), but can you really put a price on love? And if your romantic gestures lead to wedded bliss, Pistils & Petals can help you with that too. It offers an in-house event service that includes everything from conceptualization to decor.

Choosing a wedding dress is arguably the most important fashion decision you'll ever make. In your entire life. EVER. No pressure, though! But seriously, this is not a shopping process that should have any hiccups or surprises. At the recently renovated Coral Gables Bridals, the employees go out of their way to help you find the perfect gown. They'll work around your schedule to accommodate fittings and will keep on smiling regardless of how many dresses you try on or how many times you change your mind. There's a reason they've been in business since 1982 and why former brides return as mothers-of-the-bride. That reason is service. The amazing selection — from elegant designs by the Barcelona-based company Pronovias to the brilliant work of Sydney's Maggie Sottero — at prices that won't make your heart ache doesn't hurt either.

Walk up the stairs outside a restaurant run by Italian twin brothers on the Upper Eastside and you'll immediately feel sexy. Visions of naughty positions and men with dark hair and olive complexions kneading dough fill your mind. And then, when you open the door to L.A. Boudoir Miami, it all comes together. Suddenly, you've entered a different decade, one of glamor and bombshell babes. Perhaps you think of the Hollywood starlets of yesteryear or daydream about a lady's opulent bedroom where you can snoop and play dress-up with pearls, silk, and lace. This place is miles away from the Kardashians wearing latex waist trainers on Instagram for millions of "likes." Instead, exquisite vintage corsets are carefully and privately shown in this undergarment-and-under-wraps world that women hold a bit closer to their skin. You can peep playful pink polka-dot panties for less than $10 and elaborate red-and-black beaded underbust corsets for more than $100. You can find that item to make you feel as sultry as these womanly and curvaceous surroundings. In case you need more inspiration, Marilyn Monroe prints cover many of the walls. Plus, the store's owner, Lauren Arkin, is available for styling consultations if you want to do a special sexy photo shoot for the only "like" that matters: yours.

When was the last time your clothing boutique had an official mission? This little shop in the heart of Wynwood does. Founded by fashionista friends Lisa and Leilani, Mimo Market proudly espouses "the freedom and courage to express your passions and who you are." That translates into a chic spot showcasing affordable fashions like a cute maxidress for around $50 and a pleather vest for less than $100 from brands like MinkPink. Men get equal time and can find a good selection of tanks, tees, and shorts. And all the clothes have been curated to look especially at home in the mural-splashed wonderland of Wynwood (yes, we're talking about that Andy Warhol-esque fruit-print bowling shirt). Next time you spill hot sauce on your frock during Taco Tuesday at Wood Tavern, you'll thank heaven that Mimo Market is right around the corner.

Readers' choice: ALX Couture

Laure Heriard-Dubreuil is an international style icon who is consistently featured in glossies such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Luckily for Miami shoppers, she's also the CEO and buyer for a high-end boutique in Miami Beach. At the Webster, her impeccable taste translates into an incredibly well-curated collection of clothing and accessories. With locations in Miami Beach and Bal Harbour Shops, the boutique is frequented by men and women searching for unique statement pieces like a suede fringe jacket by Saint Laurent (a cool $4,790) or a Balmain printed scarf (a tidy $805). Couture doesn't come cheap. Hardly anything costs less than $400 at the Webster, but even those without the cash can experience the store much like they would a fashion museum. After all, Heriard-Dubreuil is so influential that the world's top designers often create special collections just for the Webster. It's a spectacle worth seeing even if you don't plan to bust your credit limit.