Saks Fifth Avenue
Shoe heaven is, in fact, a place on earth—and you can find it at this second-floor salon, where heels from Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and other stalwarts mingle with pairs from rising stars like Tabitha Simmons and Sophia Webster. In short: If your soles need saving, look no further than Saks. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 2199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Kevin McHale
$220,000 a year, and he eats guys who make four times that for lunch.
Frank Phillips, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Beats the Globe with State House stories weekly, despite being outnumbered four to one by the Globe's reporters.
Jimy Williams, Red Sox
Management gives him a lineup of bat guano (including four second basemen); he gives us guacamole.
The Mall at Chestnut Hill
One of the most elegant malls on the East coast. Rated four stars by the Society of Bankrupt Husbands. Route 9, Newton, MA .
Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, for leading that historic comeback only to miss two free throws that might have iced the series with 1.1 seconds left in game four.
<em>Gulio Cesare in Eggito</em>
Gulio Cesare in Eggito, directed by Peter Sellars and Craig Smith. The full four and a half hours of Handel's original score and a Ronald Reagan look-alike as Caesar.
Bloomingdale's
Enjoy the selection—from the classical quality of Baker to the stark modernism of Jay Spectre; and the style—the four separate showrooms show off the talents of the store's designers. the Mall at Chestnut Hill, Newton, MA .
The Cafe at Maison Robert
What can we say? The four-course prix-fixe dinner ($15), which changes every month, is unmatched for quality, style, creativity, and sensitivity to patrons. 45 School St., Boston, MA .
Community Boating
One hundred, and count 'em, fourteen sailboats; fifteen to twenty-four footers. Anyone between sixteen and seventy-five can join. 21 Embankment Rd., Boston, MA .
Encore Boston Harbor
With travel outside the state still a gamble, we’re lucky to have this riverfront resort casino right in our backyard, providing top-notch dining options; gorgeous rooms with marble-tiled bathrooms; and, of course, a Vegas-worthy gaming floor to those in need of a break—preferably a lucky one. The one thing this place doesn’t roll the dice on? Guests’ well-being, with reopening plans developed in conjunction with public health experts. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
My Big Hair Day
Stylist Sarah Naslund may specialize in updos — headband braids, intricate twists, sleek buns — but you’d be hard-pressed to find a look this Boston-based expert hasn’t mastered. That’s because she carefully evaluates the length, texture, and color of each bride’s locks to help her choose a style that will look flawless in photos — and stay put on the dance floor. 56 Wareham St., Boston, MA 02118, mybighairday.com.
Landry's Bicycles
As interest in biking soars to new heights, Landry’s has met the moment with unmatched care and attention to newbies, while also catering to a wave of repairs — be they from road warriors putting in extra mileage or stir-crazy locals digging old rigs out of the basement. Upgrading your ride? Help the bike-hungry masses by trading in the old one at the Landry’s Comm. Ave. outpost, where the team can patch it up, get it back on the floor, and keep the cycling surge rolling along. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, landrys.com.
Étant
Dry skin. Aging skin. Sun-damaged skin. When your visage—and your spirit—need a boost, there’s no place better than this cozy spa, situated on the ground floor of a Tremont Street townhouse. Offering not one but 11 unique, glow-inducing facials, Étant’s detail-oriented aestheticians make sure no clogged pore, blemish, or wrinkle is overlooked (bonus points for the incredibly soothing upper-body massage). Purchase a pack of six or 12 and make this a habit, not an occasional indulgence. 524 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, etant.com.
Legal Harborside
For a port city, Boston is surprisingly lean on fantastic waterfront dining. Thankfully, Legal Sea Foods’ Titanic-size flagship offers prime views from lower-level patios and a swinging third-floor rooftop lounge that kisses the space where sky and ocean meet. (A retractable roof and glass walls assist in iffy weather.) Head here to soak up the sun, slurp down oysters, and smell that salty air. 270 Northern Ave. , Boston, MA legalseafoods.com.