In the age of platinum package cable TV, high-speed internet, video games and iPods, it can be hard for most of us to stay interested in something for long—you might even be skipping parts of this article now just to get to the main point. Our senses are constantly bombarded with things to do, see, hear and react to. So we’ve grown accustomed to doing it all and doing it all at once. No wonder one-stop spots like J-Avenue where you can eat, go shopping, buy groceries, go bowling and get your nails done are so popular. But long before J-Avenue and Playground!, small independent businesses have been playing the multi-service card by providing more than one in-store service. These places have made it possible to enjoy a meal, get your hair and nails done and leave with something cool to wear or hang on your walls—without having to set foot outside even once. If that sounds like some time well spent, check out the places below.

It’s Happened To Be A Closet de Nero (32 Khao San Rd., Phranakorn, 02-629-5271/-2. Open Tue-Sun, 1–11pm). If you haven’t heard of this weirdly named shop yet, you’re missing out on one of Bangkok’s most unique and stylish boutiques. Having first opened in Siam Square, IHTBAC has now opened a second store in Khao San that is bigger and better. The new shop is set in a converted colonial style house tucked away within the vicinity of Tom Yum Koong Restaurant and True Shop. Stepping into this shop is like stepping into a different world filled with vintage furniture, precious knickknack, stacks of art books and fashion magazines and, of course, racks crammed full of eclectic, brightly colored tops, skirts and dresses. Though on the pricey side, the clothes are absolutely unique, with new designs added daily by prolific designer/owner “Jeah” Siriwan Tharananithikul. Besides clothes, IHTBAC also offers food: The mini restaurant serves tantalizing pastries and baked desserts, as well as Italian main dishes made in the store’s fully equipped display kitchen. Seating is available throughout the shop—just seek out your favorite corner, plop down and soak up the atmosphere. IHTBAC also triples as a beauty salon, offering hair, manicure and massage services. However, space is limited to one person at a time, so calling ahead for a reservation is a definite must. “It is not unusual for customers to spend a whole day in here, pampering themselves and taking advantage of what we have to offer,” says “Noon” Chantamol Laypradit, IHTBAC’s interior designer. “We even provide valet parking for our customers if they don’t want to look for a parking space themselves.”

Abstract Creations (125/21 Sukhumvit Soi 55 [just before Soi 7], 02-392-3330, 02-382-3330, 01-827-6922. Open Mon-Sat 9am-8pm) is a funky, brightly colored salon owned by multi-talented hair stylist Johnny Lim, who has been providing customized cuts and more for over six years. Walking in, you’ll find the Saluté juice café on the first floor, serving healthy fruit shakes and smoothies made from organic and pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. Light sandwiches and salads are available, as well as internet services, providing an ideal place for customers to sit back and relax while waiting to get their hair done. Upstairs you’ll find Johnny’s salon, where he offers numerous services such as hair and scalp treatments, hair coloring, perms and straightening. Originally hailing from Canada, Johnny trained as a hair stylist before moving to Bangkok in the 90’s. His approach to cutting hair is to design a style that is uniquely fitted to every person individually. That’s why you’ll usually have to make an appointment with the maestro: He takes his time to carefully detect which style will suit which customer. The walls of the salon and café double as a gallery for Johnny’s other creative interests: fashion photography and wood design. Johnny selects rosewood, ebony and teak from Laos and designs pieces, while local artisans craft them for him. His unique creations are on sale in the shop.

When asked if he was planning on expanding even more in the future, he replied, “I like to create things when I’m free; that’s how I work. If I’m idle I get bored, but when I’m doing something, I always get new ideas.”