Flair
You don't want your girls in some garish getup out of 27 Dresses. Thankfully, a trip here makes finding the right dresses simple, owing to a tight selection of gorgeous (and, happily, understated) frocks from the likes of Coren Moore, Jenny Yoo, and Lynn Lugo. There are tons of colors, fabrics, and styles, and the service is both professional and patient. 10 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Détente
It may not have an ocean view, but who cares? At Détente, all eyes should be on the food. The innovative chefs craft dishes like a refreshing peach-and-taleggio salad, a fantastic wild boar ragù, and a delightful spin on surf-and-turf done with ancho-rubbed veal and soft-shell crab. Grab a spot at the bar when the restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m. and make the most of the summer special, which gets you the entire meal at half off. Then order two of everything. 15 Winter St., Edgartown, MA 2539, detentemv.com.
Corazón del Mar
When we walked through the door and spied the ceviche and raw bar, we were infatuated. When we climbed the staircase and saw the packed, boisterous tequila bar, we were besotted. But once we took a sip of the hibiscus margarita laced with fresh lime and chili salt, it was a full-on love affair. It may not be the scene-iest spot on the island (that would be the Pearl), nor the most debaucherous (the Chicken Box). But Corazón's good looks and charming vibe have completely stolen our hearts. 215 Water St., Nantucket, MA 2554, corazonnantucket.com.
Uptown Espresso
It's not hard to miss Uptown Espresso, tucked into the first floor of a townhouse in the South End—although once you know it's there, it's virtually impossible to walk past. The coffee, a dark roast from upstate New York, is bracing without being overwhelming; tea lovers can choose from more than 20 blends. Order an iced espresso, latte, or steamer to go, or settle in for a quiet moment on the sunny glassed-in porch. 563 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Crossing Main
Once a land overrun with whale belts, Hingham is casting off its preppy past. Leading the charge is Crossing Main, a fashion-forward boutique that sells sophisticated clothes, shoes, jewelry, and handbags. On hand are frilly Tracy Reese dresses, bright hibiscus-print shifts by Milly, Tibi tunics, and quasi-bohemian dresses from Nanette Lepore. So if you're still putting off that wardrobe overhaul: Give your surplus Lilly Pulitzer to Goodwill and embrace the new soccer mom chic. 5 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, .
C.O. Bigelow
Cracked elbows, oily T-zones, and damaged locks all require different care routines, which is why C.O. Bigelow fills its floor-to-ceiling shelves with enough creams, soaps, balms, masks, and bath salts to satisfy even the biggest product pack rat. Favorites include Kevyn Aucoin makeup, Frederic Fekkai hair care, and exclusive skin-care treatments from Patricia Wexler M.D., as well as the store's eponymous line of quince and grapefruit hand and body lotions. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, bigelowchemists.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
For two decades, Boston’s style mavens have trusted this family-owned business with their most valuable wearables, and for good reason. Whether you need your entire wardrobe taken in or a few nips and tucks on an extra-special evening gown, you can trust tailor Flavio Antonio Rivas to get the job done masterfully — and efficiently. 324 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Kloth
For the past two years, this high-end boutique in Hingham Center has given South Shore women the opportunity to shop small—and stylishly. Once a buyer for Prada, owner Katia Orth brings her impeccable taste and eye to the community, offering a curated selection of special pieces such as Grlfrnd jean jackets, James Smith leather slides, and Shoshanna swimwear. Forget farm-to-table—this is designer-to-closet at its best. 28 South St., Hingham, MA 02043, klothhingham.com.
The Butcher Shop
We like our wine bars like we like our Burgundies: aged 15 years, preferably with piles of rich salumi lurking somewhere convenient. Barbara Lynch’s meat-meets-Margaux South End stalwart, which opened in 2003, still has its bar-setting roster of high-toned Old Worlders by Cat Silirie, and its all-day hours (even sessionable Sundays!). But the seasonal menu and staff wisdom are showing better than ever. 552 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, thebutchershopboston.com.
Gre.Co
This new counter-service spot on Newbury serves up everything you love about classic Greek street food, only with less grease than you might find at a cart. With well-done classics like avgolemono and fluffy pita wraps with a few thick-cut fries tucked in, owner Demetri Tsolakis has created an Olympus-worthy lunch spot. 225 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, grecoboston.com.
Good Vibrations
If you think shopping for a new adult toy should be done under a veil of secrecy, you’re out of luck at Good Vibrations. The sex-positive store sells all the accessories needed for a good romp in the sheets in a brightly lit, well-designed space that easily blends with the neighboring stores in both locations. Bonus points for a calendar chock-full of events and seminars about various types of play, all of which confirms that talking about sex out loud is totally normal—and completely healthy. 52 JFK St., Cambridge, MA goodvibes.com.
Shred
Boston's fitness studios offer just about every workout under the sun. But to take SurfSet—a boot-camp-style class held on mock surfboards that simulates the feeling of being on water—you have to visit this three-year-old spot in Quincy. Once you finish blasting your core on the boards, head back to solid land for Shred's Spinning, reformer Pilates, and mat Pilates classes. 453 Washington St., Quincy, MA 2169, shredbody.com.
Superfine Food
Fans of West Bridge mourned when the Kendall Square favorite closed, but chef Matthew Gaudet has returned triumphant some 30 miles north with Superfine Food, a super-casual joint in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Incorporating ingredients from local purveyors, the high-low menu features pizza and ribs—done to Gaudet perfection, naturally—as well as healthier options, including charred kale salad and a fish burger with crispy shallots. Beer and wine appropriately run the gamut from Bud Light to the Loire Valley. 25 Union St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 1944, superfinefood.com.
Colonial Drug
What's your scent? Woodsy? Spicy? Floral? Citrusy? Let the fragrance specialists at this 70-year-old institution help you discover your olfactory predilections as you sample their collection of 1,000-plus perfumes and colognes. Once a Harvard Square mainstay, the Newton boutique stocks classic and limited-edition European fragrances (starting at $35 per bottle), as well as old-school grooming aids such as shaving creams, badger-hair brushes, and, of course, mustache wax. 350 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02458, .
Oleana
Oleana could serve its lush menu from the back of a pickup truck in a parking lot and the place would still draw crowds. Fortunately, Ana Sortun's ode to all things Turkish and Mediterranean has a patio oasis, complete with a bubbling fountain, fragrant herb garden, shady fig tree, and heat lamps for chilly summer nights, all lit by strands of overhead lights. During stormy weather, the glassed-in porch makes an equally fine perch. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, oleanarestaurant.com.