Neighborhood Watch: South Hamilton
From stellar shoes to adorably hip baby duds, there’s nothing small-town about these shopping destinations.
- French Lessons.
South Hamilton’s winning lineup of new stores has all the range of Newbury Street, minus the sightseers and BU prospectives. Accessible by commuter rail or by car (and offering ample parking), the North Shore town makes for an ideal wardrobe-pumping, kid-outfitting, beauty-magnifying, gift-stocking day trip.
Pretty Girl Soaps and scrubs from Philosophy and Fresh line the pink walls at beauty boutique Making Faces (15 Walnut Rd., 978-233-4112), which also carries complete makeup collections from Paula Dorf, Smashbox, and Nars, in addition to high-end baby products by Lil’ Dipper.
Something to Write Home About At new arrival Scribe (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-6300), vibrant stationery from local companies Smudge Ink and Gina B. Designs may inspire an e-mail boycott, while the handpainted paper lampshades from Lisa B. Studios could serve as creative, versatile gifts. Down the street, home store Blue Peacock brims with unfussy pillows, framed prints, and tableware (264 Bay Rd., 888-468-1228, bluepeacock.com).
Best Dressed Sociable staffers make shopping at French Lessons (26 Bay Rd., 978-468-1399) feel like raiding the closet of a fashion-savvy friend. The intimate boutique carries the latest looks from Nanette Lepore and Theory, plus North Shore exclusives Marc by Marc Jacobs and Elie Tahari. Next month Maine-based retailer Hélène M. is scheduled to take its upscale style south with women’s wear by such names as Nicole Miller and Hadley Pollet (15 Walnut St., helenem.com).
Shop, Then Drop The team at Taylor Danielle Day Spa (28 Bay Rd., 978-468-7511) can help rid your complexion of that greasy city feeling with an “aromaplasty” facial—a classic Decléor treatment finished off with a mask —and also offers mani-pedis, chemical peels, and massage.
Child’s Play At the just-opened outpost of Beacon Hill’s the Red Wagon (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-5200, theredwagon.com), racks of stylish togs from Vineyard Vines and Diesel and shoes by Primigi and Ecco await the preschool set. Activities—like stories about Angelina Ballerina—keep the kids busy while you browse.
Thou Shall be Heeled The selection of tony shoes at Viola (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-1775, violashoe.com) rivals those of Boston’s best shops, with brands including Missoni, Tory Burch, and hard-to-find Loeffler Randall. The spacious store also stocks embellished bags from Calleen Cordero, shades from Oliver Peoples, and hats by Eugenia Kim.
Pretty Girl Soaps and scrubs from Philosophy and Fresh line the pink walls at beauty boutique Making Faces (15 Walnut Rd., 978-233-4112), which also carries complete makeup collections from Paula Dorf, Smashbox, and Nars, in addition to high-end baby products by Lil’ Dipper.
Something to Write Home About At new arrival Scribe (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-6300), vibrant stationery from local companies Smudge Ink and Gina B. Designs may inspire an e-mail boycott, while the handpainted paper lampshades from Lisa B. Studios could serve as creative, versatile gifts. Down the street, home store Blue Peacock brims with unfussy pillows, framed prints, and tableware (264 Bay Rd., 888-468-1228, bluepeacock.com).
Best Dressed Sociable staffers make shopping at French Lessons (26 Bay Rd., 978-468-1399) feel like raiding the closet of a fashion-savvy friend. The intimate boutique carries the latest looks from Nanette Lepore and Theory, plus North Shore exclusives Marc by Marc Jacobs and Elie Tahari. Next month Maine-based retailer Hélène M. is scheduled to take its upscale style south with women’s wear by such names as Nicole Miller and Hadley Pollet (15 Walnut St., helenem.com).
Shop, Then Drop The team at Taylor Danielle Day Spa (28 Bay Rd., 978-468-7511) can help rid your complexion of that greasy city feeling with an “aromaplasty” facial—a classic Decléor treatment finished off with a mask —and also offers mani-pedis, chemical peels, and massage.
Child’s Play At the just-opened outpost of Beacon Hill’s the Red Wagon (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-5200, theredwagon.com), racks of stylish togs from Vineyard Vines and Diesel and shoes by Primigi and Ecco await the preschool set. Activities—like stories about Angelina Ballerina—keep the kids busy while you browse.
Thou Shall be Heeled The selection of tony shoes at Viola (15 Walnut Rd., 978-468-1775, violashoe.com) rivals those of Boston’s best shops, with brands including Missoni, Tory Burch, and hard-to-find Loeffler Randall. The spacious store also stocks embellished bags from Calleen Cordero, shades from Oliver Peoples, and hats by Eugenia Kim.
Originally published in Boston magazine, August 2007
