Wish
Call it Wish fulfillment: When the occasion calls for cocktail attire, this shop has the answers. Wish stocks Shoshanna seersucker A-line dresses, Tibi strapless threads, flirty Rebecca Taylor frocks, and Milly minis, plus an exquisite selection of accessories, including clutches, jewels, and earrings. Which means your outfit can be complete from head to toe by the time you walk out of the store. 49 Charles St., Boston, MA wishboston.wordpress.com.
Lux Bond & Green
When your getup calls for jewels that are more red carpet than red-tag sale, Lux Bond & Green has the fix. Anthony Nak's breathtakingly beautiful, delicate chandelier earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are the stars here, but the store's buyers are constantly scouting for new designers yet to appear in fashion magazines. Modern gemstone necklaces and other pieces by David Yurman and Marco Bicego round out the collection. 416 Boylston St., Boston, MA lbgreen.com.
Blades Board and Skate, Cambridge location
Boston has no shortage of snowboard shops. Some have good selections, some good service. One has both. Whether you huck in the halfpipe or just concentrate on getting down the hill with your tailbone intact, the folks at Blades will steer you toward the perfect board. Chances are, they have it in stock, too. And if not, chill out. They'll happily order it for you. 38 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .
Serenella
Serenella's racks are to Boston shoppers what the sirens were to Odysseus: pure, unadultered temptation. Maybe it's the thoughtfully edited assembly of Pucci brights, quivering with delicious swirls of aqua, canary yellow, and bubblegum pink. Or it could be the crisp Balenciaga skirts, the tasteful cashmere twinsets, or the Roberto Cavalli numbers that are, by turns, over the top and tame. Whatever your particular weakness, prepare to abandon all reservation when you enter. Everything here sings, and—like a siren—even when it's loud, it's beautiful. 134 Newbury St., Boston, MA serenella-boston.com.
City Sports
We're all for supporting the little guys, but we have yet to find a neighborhood shop that can offer even half of City Sports' selection. With one swift stop, you can score the newest super-shock-absorbing running shoe, dart tips for your aging set, and CamelBak water packs for long hikes. Then there's the clothing for indoor and outdoor sports, equipment, and shoes to go with it. 480 Boylston St., Boston, MA citysports.com.
L'Elite
Whether you're wearing a ball gown or a sheath on your big day, you'll find all the right accoutrements at L'élite, which stocks veils, headpieces, jewelry, belts and sashes, and heels by Badgley Mischka, Malis-Henderson, and Oscar de la Renta. In-store designers work with brides to create customized veils, and a sparkling array of crystal necklaces, pearl hairpins, and delicately feathered hair combs make mixing and matching a cinch. 121-123 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, lelite.com.
Cohasset Jewelers
When owner Mark Cirone's wife was battling cancer, he created a "Labor of Love" pin, which raised more than $60,000 for the couple's local hospital. And if that doesn't make you want to shop at his store, your heart is harder than diamonds. Of course, an eye-popping selection of gems and watches helps, and Cohasset has them in spades. 790A Chief Justice Cushing Hwy., Cohasset, MA 2025, cohassetjewelers.com.
Hilton's Tent City
Who knew the Hub's ultimate collection of camping gear would be found in a never-ending warehouse hidden away among bakeries and pizzerias on a West End side street? Packed with rough-and-ready labels like Marmot, Atlas, Sorel, Vasque, and Black Diamond, this four-floor emporium offers everything that outdoor adventurers might want to wear, pack, or carry for their trip, be it a weekend by Ponkapoag Pond or an assault on Everest. 272 Friend St., Boston, MA hiltonstentcity.com.
Gary Parker
A class-A PGA pro who's done teaching stints at the Legends Club of Tennessee and Stow Acres Country Club, Parker gives duffers a 21st-century swing at his high-tech indoor training center, outfitted with state-of-the-art practice bays and virtual rounds at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Free advice: "Most golfers slice to the right, and think they should align their feet to the right to fix it. But it's the opposite—align to the left. If you're a slicer, aim your feet to the shortstop and swing to the second baseman." CityGolf, 38 Bromfield St., Boston, MA citygolfboston.com.
Wine Gallery
This standout vino peddler has always put up a broad range of bottles and good advice. But the wine jukebox—a nifty contraption that doles out samples for free—at its Brookline location has officially taken the mystery out of wine selection by making the whole process as easy as taking a sip and seeing for yourself. If further guidance is required, both shops boast well-educated clerks and intelligent tasting cards. Best of all, the markups are low and the discounts high, something that's sure to please, no matter your taste. 375 Boylston St., Brookline, MA wine-gallery.com.
Brick Loomis
Loomis is the anti-sommelier (a fact that may or may not be rooted in his past as a punk rocker). He's not patronizing, despite knowing all the details on 600 labels and more than 6,000 bottles; his favorite wines are cheap French vintages. In fact, as far as we can tell, the only thing about Loomis that's remotely sommelierlike is his passion for the romance and culture of wine, and his ability to pick the perfect bottle for your meal. Aujourd'hui, Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston.
Bukowski Tavern
A great pub is measured not only by its pints, but also by the quality of the food it offers to absorb all that booze. Bukowksi's, for its part, offers plenty of delicious ways to fortify yourself for the myriad varieties of stellar frosty brews it pours. The burgers are large and messy, just as they should be. And the array of "barfly food"—the White-Trash Cheese Dip, a rib-sticking plate of barbecued chicken tenders—is sure to sate late-night appetites. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Blick
Whether you're seeking clay for your next sculpture or an easel for an al fresco painting adventure, this well-equipped emporium (who knew a whole aisle could be dedicated to canvases?) will furnish the right tool. And because many of the staffers are artists themselves, they're certain to steer you toward the appropriate horsehair brush for that imminent masterpiece. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA dickblick.com.
The Tannery
With more leather than an S&M shop, the Tannery has everything you need to shod your feet, including boat shoes, wingtips, and sandals, many displayed like high-end fashion pieces. If choosing between Prada loafers and the latest Lacoste trainers feels a lot like retail masochism, go ahead and treat yourself to both. You're worth it. 29 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, thetannery.com.
The Children's Book Shop
Will future generations see actual hold-in-your-hands books as curious, unidentifiable objects? Not if the scene at this Brookline Village gem is any indication. The area's oldest independent children's bookstore has aisles teeming with tykes digging into the 28,000-plus titles on offer (all handpicked by owner Terri Schmitz). It also keeps the magic going with regular events like author appearances and book-themed store parties. 237 Washington St., Brookline, MA 2445, .