Tinailery
Similar to having your hair cut or colored, investing in nail art has the potential to completely transform your look—especially at Tinailery, an adorable Japanese-style salon that creates tiny masterpieces for your digits. Thumb through its vast collection of options (gems, glitter, and painted butterflies, oh my!) while enjoying tea served in graceful china, then let your nail artist work her magic. 92 State St., Boston, MA tinailery.com.
Leather World
The problem with wanderlust is that you never know exactly how you'll need to pack for your next expedition. Fortunately, Leather World has a bag for every journey, including a beach-getaway tote with just enough room for a suit and sarong; a chic Paris-shopping-spree suitcase with extra space for your scores; and a terrific camping pack that can handle your gear without destroying your back. 30 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, shopleatherworld.com.
Marathon Sports
Boston is (as a running city should be) chock full of running shops. But none provides the level of personal attention offered at Marathon Sports, where the staff is rigorously trained to labor over every sale. Salespeople here will consider your budget, your running level, and—above all—your foot structure and stride (test runs included) before weeding out your ideal buy from the store's epic stock. 1654 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA marathonsports.com.
Violet Skin Boutique
A blend of Eastern European sternness and a baby-soft touch makes Violet Mkhitaryan's all-natural facials the most welcome punishment your skin will ever endure. A biochemist turned aesthetician, Mkhitaryan mixes, then applies, a masque of organic herbs, oils, and floral extracts to your face after cleansing your pores and before massaging your neck and shoulders. That's some tough love we can get behind. 257 Newbury St., Boston, MA violetskinboutique.com.
Ellen Signaigo Brockman, Coldwell Banker/Hunneman realty
With the real estate market showing few signs of slowing, the only way to find your dream home is to have a great broker by your side. Ellen Brockman specializes in Cambridge real estate—she knows every property, every building, every transaction that occurs. For buyers, she's a quick study on your likes and dislikes, and her instincts are dead-on when it comes time to make an offer. For sellers, she offers tried-and-true advice for showing your home at its best and getting the right potential buyers in the door. 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA .
Marathon Sports
This is not your average athletic-shoe store. The staff will study your strut to determine whether your feet pronate or roll outward, and whether you need a wide shoe or a skinny one. Then they'll hold your hand and guide you through a sea of brands, sizes, and models until you find the perfect fit. Athletes swear their knees, heels, and other weak points improve after a proper fitting at Marathon. 255 Washington St., Wellesley, MA .
DoggieDay Pet Service
Whether you need your ferret cuddled or your cat walked, DoggieDay's caretakers are up to the challenge. You can trust them to watch and feed your pet while you're at work or on an extended vacation, or to make sure Fluffy gets his cardio—and your plants get watered—whenever you don't have time to take him out yourself. 400 Tremont St., Boston, MA doggieday.com.
Niche
Does your windowsill already resemble a jungle, but you still need one more hedgehog aloe? Is your sun porch incomplete without twin philodendrons flanking the entrance? Then you just might be the kind of urban gardener Niche caters to. Its two retail locations are all-in-one stops for plants, pots, soil, fertilizer, tools, and, yes, more plants, letting you indulge your green thumb without sacrificing your prime city real estate. 619 Tremont St., Boston, MA nicheplantshop.com.
C-Zone Entertainment
The DJs at C-Zone Entertainment have spun records for Clint Eastwood, Lady Gaga, and the Red Sox, and they’ll drop the bass at your wedding, too. Armed with your curated “play” and “do not play” lists, these music mixers will seamlessly transition from your favorite soulful ballads to Grandma-approved party hits (and maybe a few Cardi B songs in between). And with a number of skilled DJs to choose from, you can be sure that you’ll find someone in tune with your musical taste. czonemusic.com.
Marching and Chowder
We wish we had thought of this—a take-home-dinner kiosk in the middle of South Station. You can peruse the daily updated online menu (marchingandchowder.com) from the comfort of your office, then pick up your meal on your way to catch the train. This year-old business offers soups, salads, gourmet-style comfort foods, low-fat and vegetarian options—even sushi. We think you'll like it; if you don't, they'll give you back your money. South Station, Boston, MA .
Todd Lipman, Bistro du Midi
Not to diminish the importance of knowing your Rhône from your Rheingau, but technical expertise is but a fraction of the wine steward’s craft. What separates wonky savant from sommelier superstar is, quite simply, knowing how to read your audience. Next time you dine upstairs, perk up your ears as Todd Lipman morphs seamlessly from patient Sancerre 101 ambassador to wily investment strategist, saving the whale at Table 8 a cool hundo with some lesser-known (but better-drinking) Bordeaux. 272 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, bistrodumidi.com.
Jenny Luu Hair + Makeup
Trust Jenny Luu with your bridal makeup, and she’ll do so much more than expertly blend your foundation and apply false lashes. Weeks before you walk down the aisle, Luu (a self-proclaimed “skinthusiast”) will equip you with a personalized skin-care routine to ensure that your face remains blemish-free. Then, on the big day, the Boston-based artist will use products from Charlotte Tilbury and Dior, among others, to create a look that not only highlights your natural beauty, but also outlasts the after-party (seriously). 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, jcluu.com.
Bliss
Some pedicures are utilitarian—file, buff, polish, and out the door in 30 minutes or less. Bliss’s glam foot treatments are anything but. Want to watch your favorite show (headphones provided) while a technician buffs your calluses? Zone out with a fashion mag during your calf massage? Or just polish off a few mini brownies as your polish is applied? Done, done, and done. The spa’s heavenly scented scrubs and lotions, meanwhile, make pedicures here a delightfully sensory—and, yes, positively blissful—experience. 100 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, blissworld.com/spa/locations/massachusetts/bliss-boston.
Bambini Design
Sure, you can find a crib or changing table at any old baby-furniture warehouse, but here's what you'll be missing: design staffers who will come to your home, interview your child (who may or may not answer back), and determine the best furniture match for her budding personality. Meanwhile, they'll scope out the rest of your pad to ensure the nursery jibes with your carefully chosen décor. Expect high-end contemporary pieces by the likes of Oeuf and Monte, streamlined beauties that are still comfortable enough to take the edge off those 3 a.m. feedings. 82 Boylston St. (Rte. 9), Brookline, MA 2445, bellabambinidesign.com.
Suburban Appliance Servicenter
Bring your tired coffeemakers, your weary blenders, and just about any other small appliance; this repair shop will make them work like new at prices that will probably leave you with enough change in your pocket to pick up one of their factory seconds. 271 Moody St., Waltham, MA .