Yale Appliance & Lighting
The kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home, which may explain why an outdated one can be such a source of agitation for image-conscious homeowners. Yale Appliance + Lighting can ease the pain. Its Dorchester headquarters packs in Thermador refrigerators, Viking stovetops, Sub-Zero wine coolers, and Bosch dishwashers. The store will deliver your purchase and remove your old gear for free, and also offers cooking and appliance seminars run by its resident chef, Kurt von Kahle. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA 2122, yaleappliance.com.
Laura Preshong
Goldsmith/jewelry designer Laura Preshong and her team use eco-friendly, recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds from Botswana and Canada to handcraft every ring—which translates to less impact on the environment and mining industry, and an even greater impact on your sweetheart. Choose from the store’s existing collection of sparklers, bring in your own sketch, or let the skilled jewelers transform Grandma’s gems into a new heirloom. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA laurapreshong.com.
Blue Moon Smoke Shop
The meteoric rise of vaporizers has changed what we smoke and how we smoke it. Nowadays, the marketplace is flooded with newfangled devices; choosing the proper vessel can feel like shopping for a laptop. Don’t let your mellow be harshed, man. The friendly fellas at Kenmore Square’s Blue Moon will help you find whatever type of delivery device your lungs desire, be it a simple e-cig or a high-tech Grenco Science G-Pen (Snoop Dogg’s vape of choice). 470 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, smokeshopboston.com.
Lunette Optic
If your eyewear shopping experience involves multiple rounds of “What do you think about these?” pay a visit to Lunette Optic’s glossy Financial District showroom, where skilled opticians blessed with saint-like patience make suggestions about the shapes, styles, and colors best suited for your face shape and personality. They’ll help you navigate options curated from the world’s finest eyewear designers, from prismatic Face à Face specs to posh Prada and Chanel frames. 121 High St., Boston, MA 02110, lunetteoptic.com.
Sault New England
Owner Philip Saul (pictured) will bring sartorially salty New England cred to your closet. Pick up a button-down, available in a variety of fabrics, from the store's eponymous label, made in Fall River. Or go for a trusty selection of familiar brands like Jack Purcell, Penfield, and Jack Spade—with surprising twists, like vintage leather brogues to pair with Unbranded Japanese selvage tapered denim jeans. Naturally, you'll want to grab some beer soap or beard oil on your way out. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Kara Hurston, Shag
Some cuts are simply about lopping off split ends, and some happen because you spotted a stranger with such incredible hair, you just had to track down her stylist. It's the latter that led us to Shag's Kara Hurston for a tousled, shoulder-length bob—dubbed "Lobs" and dutifully chronicled on Hurston's Instagram. Lest you worry about following the crowd by taming your tresses here, fret not: Though trendy, Hurston's cuts are tailored to your face shape and hair type. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA 02127, shagboston.com.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Meet your sweetheart under the enormous American flag swaying in the breeze, then stroll hand in hand into this waterfront hotel, which has been setting the standard for luxury in Boston since 1987. Romance packages include sweet touches such as champagne, chocolates, and breakfast beneath the silky Frette sheets, but if you really want to wow your SO, book one of the stunning suites with a terrace overlooking the harbor. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, bostonharborhotel.com.
Tile Showcase
The tile in your home is as much of an artistic expression as any painting you hang on your wall — an opportunity to bring in colors, textures, and patterns. Tile Showcase has long been known as a mecca for all of the above, from stunning New Ravenna sea-glass mosaics to retro penny rounds and classic subway tile. Bonus: The showroom, located at the Boston Design Center, always has an extensive inventory of in-stock tile, so you may not have to play the home-renovation waiting game. Boston Design Center, Ste. 204, Boston, MA 02210, tileshowcase.com.
Spin Boston
Tired of looking at your coworkers’ mugs on Zoom? Maybe some friendly competition — and a cocktail or two — is in order. At Spin, Fort Point’s hip new Ping-Pong nightclub (er, venue), staffers deal with the unhappy task of hunting down stray balls, so you can focus on showing your boss who’s boss — when it comes to spin serves, that is. 30 Melcher St., Boston, MA 02210, wearespin.com.
Sun Tan Van
Look like you’ve been to the tropics without leaving your living room: That’s the goal of Abby Reid’s mobile spray-tan unit. Step into her van (or a portable tent in your home) and let the glow master work her magic from head to toe with a hand-sprayed solution made of sugar, food coloring, and no preservatives. Having worked in the beauty industry for years, Reid will put you at ease while applying a wish-you-were-here tan that’s anything but orange. MA suntanvan.me.
The Boylston Rooms
Nestled inside a former textile factory, this alluring Pioneer Valley venue offers everything you’ll need for a killer party: a talented catering team to prepare your wedding feast, access to scenic outdoor areas for endless photo ops, and a much-needed bridal suite for when you need a break from schmoozing with guests. Dress up either of the Boylston Rooms’ function spaces with your choice of décor, or simply let the celebration spots speak for themselves: Effortlessly cool with swaths of white-painted brick and oversize windows, the high-ceilinged rooms are already rich in character. 122 Pleasant St., Easthampton, MA boylstonroom.com.
Grillfish
There are no ocean breezes or views of passing sailboats at Grillfish's location in the Back Bay. But the fried calamari melts in your mouth without leaving a coating of grease on your fingers, the pan-seared scallops are plump with an appealing crisp on the outside that seals in their juicy flavor, and the grilled fish—from trout to mahi-mahi to catfish—is light, flaky, and cooked to perfection. Who cares if the plates don't match, the wine list is written on a chalkboard, and the columns in the dining room are meant to look like the masts of lobster boats? A little kitsch is not such a bad thing when the fresh fish is so good. 162 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
The DogScoop
Call it whatever you want—the Puppy Palace, the Kitty Kastle—no euphemism will ever fool pets into believing a kennel is as good as their own bed (or yours). But when you just can't bring them along on the family trip to Cabo, this is the next best thing. Indoor and outdoor play spaces, trained staffers, and stimuli aplenty make for boarding that's almost fun; at-home visits cater to the finicky, moody, or antisocial. Plus, the DogScoop's handy pickup/drop-off service makes coaxing Cupcake into the car or crate their problem, not yours. 216 Webster St., Newton, MA 2465, thedogscoop.com.
Dani Wagener, Shu Uemura
For everyone out there who thinks you're attractive, chances are there's someone else who thinks you look like Shrek. Makeup tilts the odds in your favor. Fifteen-year vet Wagener works with your best features—and plays down the rest—to produce a flawless, universally appealing visage. Plus, the top-quality mineral-based products from fanatically beloved Japanese skin-care line Shu Uemura stand up to the hottest public spotlight, as well as those more prosaic 9-to-5 fluorescents. 130 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Yelena Courture
Sometimes it's impossible to resist buying something fabulous when the price has plummeted. That's when your tailor becomes your best friend/ The mark of a great tailor is the ability to pare something several sizes too big down to size without sacrificing the design. This small shop (located in the garage of The Atrium) transformed a heavily discounted Donna Karan skirt and made it look practically custom-made. The pros here also altered a heavily beaded bodice, work that required a large degree of finesse, and they did it in less than a week. The Atrium Mall, 300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA .