Lisa Rigby Photography
Every wedding has its own unique story. And Lisa Rigby, with backgrounds in professional writing and art history, knows just how to tell it. Her work has a cinematic quality that transcends traditional documentary-style photography, capturing expressions full of emotion and maximizing the scenery, whether it's your parents' lush backyard or the Museum of Fine Arts at 11:59 p.m. on New Year's Eve. lisarigbyphotography.com.
Henry Bear's Park
Put another gold star on the reward chart for this shop: In addition to the Lego sets and Melissa & Doug puzzles your kids demand, the shop stocks craft supplies, beginner's chemistry kits, and several types of terrariums. Even better, the book selection, ranging from board books to Dr. Seuss to Narnia, offers a story for any age. 17 White St., Cambridge, MA 02140, henrybear.com.
Orly Khon Floral Boutique
Boston has its fair share of both floral shops and high-end designers, but Orly Khon Floral Boutique gives us the best of both worlds. Khon's portfolio—which includes everything from holiday bashes to corporate events—is packed with installations and decorations that have us pining to plan a party, stat. But if you're just looking for a few blooms for your home or desk, her inviting boutique inside Restoration Hardware is worth the trip. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, orlykhon.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra
Whether she's beautifying a model for a photo shoot or touching up a client for a special occasion, Lauren Genatossio isn't covering flaws—she's enhancing features. She's the queen of natural beauty, with an uncanny ability to blend makeup so flawlessly, it almost appears invisible. Pay her a visit before a swanky soiree, a big board meeting, or any old Tuesday, and leave looking like your best self. 840 Summer St., Boston, MA 02127, sarrastudios.com.
Lash L'Amour
Full lashes and brows are having a moment, and no salon has embraced the trend with quite as much gusto as Lash L'Amour. Here, rigorously trained aestheticians meticulously apply your choice of synthetic or natural mink fibers to existing hairs, adding length and volume to scant lashes and brows with equal aplomb. They can also hook you up with other hard-to-find specialty services, including lash- and brow-tinting. 129 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, lashlamour.com.
Brattle Theatre
Rule number one for any movie-going experience: Don't forget the popcorn. / Photograph by Toan Trinh, styling by Taylor Greeley/Ennis The fortunes of mainstream movie theaters may ebb and flow with the success of the latest comic-book adaptation, but this small theater will always have a stellar lineup of the odd, the obscure, and the cultishly adored. Whether it's running a Bad Hombres/Nasty Women series (grit your teeth like Clint in A Fistful of Dollars) or taking part in film festivals throughout the city, the theater is sure to introduce you to the next movie that makes you rethink cinema. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, brattlefilm.org.
Aeronaut
In a town saturated with the same old prepackaged bar trivia, Aeronaut has perfected the art of the artisanal quiz. Every Tuesday night at this zany brew hall, local hosts read handcrafted questions on everything from famous drummers to authors who use pen names. Bring your own snacks or enjoy delivery pizza accompanied by an ice-cold glass of "Dr. Nandu," Aeronaut's oh-so-good IPA. And be sure to show up early—trivia night here fills up fast. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, aeronautbrewing.com.
Night Shift Brewing
What started as a hobby has grown into, among other developments, a buzzy brewery producing a diverse lineup of solid beers. This past year's addition of a second taproom has helped mitigate the crowds clamoring for an oft-rotating lineup of fruited sour weisses, neo-Euro styles, and balanced American hop bombs, like the World Beer Cup-bronzed Santilli IPA. 87 Santilli Hwy., Everett, MA 02149, nightshiftbrewing.com.
Sarma
Maybe it's the enticing dim-sum-style presentation of the specials that keeps us coming back. Or perhaps it's the bold Mediterranean/Middle Eastern flavor combinations with a comfort-food spin: brisket shawarma with rhubarb hilbeh, pork-belly biscuits with jalapeձo-whipped feta. Put simply, four years after chef Cassie Piuma and her partner, Ana Sortun, debuted this vibrant small-plates spot, dining here is still a most exhilarating journey. 249 Pearl St., Somerville, MA 02145, sarmarestaurant.com.
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Want to experience a European café without the jet lag? Head to Burdick. The true test of chocoholism is actually finishing the iced hot chocolate—a deeply decadent concoction poured over ice, and crowned with a veil of whipped cream. If the craving persists, move on to the signature (and adorable) chocolate mice, filled with cinnamon, mocha, or orange. Or snag a spot at one of the café's tables by the window, and survey the march of humanity in Harvard Square as you linger over any of the 13 truffle varieties and slip into a Proustian peace. 52D Brattle St., Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.
DeLux Café & Lounge
Walls covered in '50s album covers, an Elvis shrine offset by Christmas lights, a crowd as thick with tattoos as with suits, restrooms wallpapered with old Eloise and Spiderman clippings—DeLux is so funky and cozy, we'd come even if the food weren't terrific. But terrific it is: fat quesadillas stuffed with moist chicken and an abundance of veggies; a grilled-cheese sandwich with artichokes and tomatoes, that melts on your tongue; and a shrimp and crab tamale that evokes warm Latin vibes. 100 Chandler St., Boston, MA .
Tea Tray in the Sky
This little cafe offers a welcome respite from Starbucks culture, offering everything from your standard Assam to more exotic blends, from scented and flavored teas to herbal infusions. For summer, try the iced ginger-and-lemongrass tea with one of Tea Tray's sandwiches or desserts. Complimentary tea tastings Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
East Coast Grill & Raw Bar
The essence of a perfect margarita is in its simplicity: fresh lime juice, a dash of orange-flavored liqueur, and top-shelf tequila (we prefer gold). Any joint that junks up a fine shot of tequila with that presweetened sour mix just doesn't know what it's doing. That's far from a problem at the East Coast Grill, which does it all perfectly. Purists prefer their 'ritas on the rocks, with salt on the rim. But during an August heat wave, we'll happily endure the Grill's chilled take on tradition. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
David's Instant Shoe Repair
Nothing ruins a good pair of Ferragamos like a scuff. Or sidewalk salt. Or dog poop. So if you've got road hazards nipping at your heels, let us suggest you sic David's on them. A Financial District landmark, this homespun business has shoeshine chairs out front for lightning-quick buff-ups. But watch where you step, would ya?
Shanti
The services brochure is more richly designed than most wedding invitations. The décor is a balance of industrial details, chocolate leather, and walls soaked in cool blue-green. Everything about this six-year-old salon, renovated and renamed last year, suggests a keen attention to how things look—which bodes extremely well for your hair. The pros here will quiz you closely on cut and color, and may keep you in the chair longer than you're used to, but the results are unimpeachable. 50 Water St., Newburyport, MA 1950, .