Jeffrey Lyle
Once we were commitment-shy (dare we say promiscuous?) when it came to hair colorists—one specialist after another, never settling down. Then we met Lyle, and it was love at first highlight. While especially skillful at brightening blondes, he's made our brunette, redhead, and raven-haired pals happy, too. And despite his fancy address, Lyle's chairside manner is appropriately meticulous, never fussy. Emerge Spa & Salon, 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA emergespasalon.com.
Luxlash
Brow shaping may seem like a skill you can pick up from the average beauty mag. Alas—overplucked arches as our witness—it's not. The pros at LuxLash advise clients on the style that will most flatter their face, and then use wax, tweezers, and even hair extensions to create it. Thanks to cushy furnishings and Billie Holiday warbling in the background, the experience is surprisingly relaxing. Even more soothing is knowing you'll never have to endure growing out a do-it-yourself disaster again. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA luxlash.com.
Mint Julep
We feel pretty—and fizzy and funny and fine—every time we enter Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist's boutiques. They stock the fete-ready dresses we've come to expect, plus pieces from favorite brands like Yumi Kim, Myne, and Milly that inject style into our workaday and weekend wardrobes, too. The fact that we can build whole outfits here, from foundations (neon Hanky Panky thongs) to finishing touches (flirty JoJo earrings), makes Mint Julep worth toasting. 1302 Beacon St., Brookline, MA shopmintjulep.com.
Añejo Mexican Bistro
During peak season, this bustling Mexican restaurant always has a crowd and not just for the Taco Tuesday specials. Tequila lovers will enjoy the extensive bar menu offering everything from guava-jalapeño and strawberry-ginger margaritas to palomas to tequila and mezcal flights though you’ll need to employ the staff’s help to choose from more than 100 varieties. The Hyannis location’s moody Tequila Lounge has the best nightlife ambiance, but Falmouth’s sunny patio is our pick for warmer evenings. Hyannis and Falmouth, MA anejo.cc.
Neptune Oyster
Nineteen years in, Neptune still draws lines of eager diners daily, most seeking the lobster roll. It’s no mystery why: The generous portion of meat, served hot with butter (our pick) or cold with mayo, spills over the sides of a toasted brioche roll that’s sturdy enough to contain the meat but mild enough to let the lobster shine. 63 Salem St., North End, MA 02113, neptuneoyster.com.
Mike Felger, <em>Felger & Mazz</em>
Cynical to the core, Mike Felger relishes bashing our hometown teams — and inpure Boston fashion, we love him for it.Since scoring his first ratings victory over legacy sports station WEEI in May 2010, the radio host has dominated the afternoon drive, bringing a generation of local sports fans along for the ride. And the proof is in the pudding: His show on 98.5 the Sports Hub now claims a quarter of the coveted 25-to-54 demo for men. 985thesportshub.com.
SunBug Solar
You’re in good hands with these solar specialists, widely considered the go-tos by homeowners in the biz. Their estimates and proposals are free; they handle all permitting; and they’re quick, with most installations completed in three months. Of course, their service skills shine, too: When we called for help, they immediately pulled up a radar image of our home and chatted patiently about an unwieldy tree and the pros and cons of a new roof. sunbugsolar.com.
Polkadog Bakery
Dogs and cats were not meant to live on kibble alone, so thank our lucky paws there’s Polkadog. Unlike the endlessly bland aisles you’ll find at big-box pet-food stores, this homegrown success stocks its shelves with unexpected products, from “Clam Chowda” treats to New England-farmed meat jerky, made daily at its South Boston kitchen. And thanks to the locally sourced ingredients, you don’t have to let Fido’s diet go to the dogs. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118, polkadog.com.
Bethany Van Delft
Long one of our favorite Boston standups, this mother of two and tireless advocate for inclusion of children with special needs is a unique combination of high-alert neurosis and deadpan, low-key delivery. Since March 25, she’s been hosting her “Artisanal Comedy” show live on Instagram every Wednesday at 9 p.m., and her hilarious observations about the pandemic have kept us in stitches, even while we assiduously try to avoid the emergency room. MA bethanyvandelft.com.
Neiman Marcus
Where else in town can you score cult faves from hard-to-find lines such as Augustinus Bader, Supergoop!, and Lilah B., not to mention free facials, makeup consultations, and basically all things trending in beauty? It’s Neiman all the way. The department store’s curated high-end cosmetics selection, as well as tools and accessories, can always be found online, but we’re looking forward to making our way through the Copley Place outpost’s recently redesigned beauty department ASAP. Copley Place, Boston, MA 02116, neimanmarcus.com.
M. Flynn
Sure, we’d all love to have the Hope Diamond in our jewelry box, but it’s those pieces we wear every day that become part of who we are — and nobody understands that better than M. Flynn founders and sisters Moria and Megan Flynn. Their impeccable taste, refined over more than a decade in business, is what keeps their loyal fan base coming back for bold, statement earrings, colorful bracelets, and everything in between. 40 Waltham St, Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Saltie Girl
Quick, it’s 3 p.m. and you’re peckish from a grueling afternoon bolstering the Newbury Street economy. Where to pop in for pristine bivalves and a chilly glass of curated Chablis? Saltie Girl, open all day every day, is our favorite solution to the first-est of first-world problems. Here’s to the meticulous shuckery, the handy cheat sheets ("small, briny, cucumber"), and the ingenuity of eye-droppers for doling out hot sauce and bracing mignonette. 281 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, saltiegirl.com.
Crescent Ridge Dairy
Made from premium hormone- and antibiotic-free milk, the generous scoops at 50-plus-year-old Crescent Ridge are as thick and luscious as ever. And now that the Sharon-based ice cream maker has an operation in Boston Public Market, we can get our fix of cake batter, orange-pineapple, and salted-caramel chocolate-pretzel without leaving the city. 100 Hanover St., Boston, MA crescentridgedairybar.com.
Sam Kane, Blackroom
All too often, long-haired gals find themselves at the mercy of scissors-happy stylists with their own agenda. Not at this new South End salon. Owner Sam Kane approaches each cut as if it’s art in the making, shaping her canvas by listening carefully and never passing judgment. Case in point: She declined to scold us for waiting 10 months between cuts—and left our revitalized locks at just the right length. 61 Berkeley St., Boston, MA blackroomsalon.com.
Gronk
Who captures the spirit of the city of champions in this era of prosperity and decadent joy better than Rob Gronkowski? The man who brings raucous mischief wherever he goes, who both wins and dents championship trophies, and whom everyone loves both in spite of and because of his flaws, Gronk may be retiring from the Patriots, but he’s still number one in our hearts.