Ball and Buck
Spend two minutes inside Ball and Buck’s Newbury Street boutique and try to resist the urge to find the nearest Douglas fir and chop it down with your bare, brawny hands. Steeped in Americana and testosterone, the store offers all the tools needed to fine-tune your urban lumberjack aesthetic, from waxed canvas Dopp kits and camo bow ties right down to the wild-boar brush you’ll need to prep your handstitched Red Wing boots for inclement weather. 144B Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, ballandbuck.com.
Petite Étoile
Whether you’re looking for a mini Stella McCartney dress for your toddler or a sophisticated Roberto Cavalli button-up for your nephew, Petite Étoile has every fashion accessory your little trendsetter needs. And because Mom deserves a treat every now and again, owner Nicole Ablitt stocks a fashionista-approved Fendi diaper bag as well. 318 Derby St., Salem, MA 1970, petiteetoile.com/childrens-clothing.html.
Flair
Despite some fierce new competition (BHLDN in Chestnut Hill, we’re looking at you), this boutique still offers the most swoon-worthy in-store frock selection in the area. No matter how picky or size-diverse your bridal party, the associates here will help you find dresses from designers like Jenny Yoo and Lynn Lugo that’ll match your vision and keep your ’maids happy. 140 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Barmakian Jewelers
If you like numbers, try these: Some 60,000 loose diamonds and 20,000 settings are available at this century-old family jeweler, where you can design a sparkler that perfectly matches your style—and your budget. 333 Washington St., Boston, MA barmakianjewelers.com.
The Pawsitive Dog
The wait for a consultation can be long (up to three months), but it'll be worth it when the customized training approach here leads to your dog's behavior finally matching your lifestyle. 188, 88 Black Falcon Ave., Boston, MA 2210, thepawsitivedog.com.
Steve Buckley
Sports guy Steve Buckley holds down four, count'em, four jobs: ESPN2 staffer, Herald columnist, WEEI weekend man, and prodigious freelancer. A little Buckley goes a long way.
Shreve, Crump & Low
This fine jeweler, which celebrates its 225th anniversary this year, does more than just sell high-end wrist candy: You can also bring your favorite piece here and the master watchmakers will get it ticking again, whether it’s from the store or not. Head over to the Newbury Street flagship and see just how knowledgeable and gracious staffers are when it comes to your time and your timepiece. 39 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, shrevecrumpandlow.com.
Timothy Ro, SalonCapri
Psst—you over there with the weekly date at the blow-dry bar. Yeah, you. Tired of getting your locks pulled and your scalp burnt as you’re rushed from sink to dryer to cashier? There’s a better way. Namely, placing your hair in the skilled hands of Timothy Ro. Drawing on his experience backstage at Fashion Week, the SalonCapri stylist confidently (and efficiently) churns out runway-worthy looks—no laminated menu required. 11 Newbury St., Boston, MA saloncapri.com.
Hitched Studios
In a perfect world, your wedding photographer would be an ace professional and your best friend. In the real world, superduo Tara Morris and Ben Wight come pretty darn close. The pleasant pair transcend the typical shutterbug-client relationship not only by taking top-notch photos, but also by making you and your guests feel shockingly comfortable. Be forewarned: Before the evening ends, you will get attached. 75 Walk Hill St., Boston, MA 2130, hitchedstudios.com.
Dependable Cleaners
Maybe you sipped cabernet on your wedding day—and spilled. Maybe, three years later, your stained, crumpled gown is still gathering dust in your closed. Dependable Cleaners has seen worse. There's not an "oops" moment these pros can't handle, and with more than a dozen outlets in and around Boston, you won't have to drive far to complete this most essential errand. dependablecleaners.com.
Hitched Studios
In a perfect world, your wedding photographer would be an ace professional and your best friend. In the real world, superduo Tara Morris and Ben Wight come pretty darn close. The pleasant pair transcend the typical shutterbug-client relationship not only by taking top-notch photos, but also by making you and your guests feel shockingly comfortable. Be forewarned: Before the evening ends, you will get attached. 75 Walk Hill St., Boston, MA 2130, hitchedstudios.com.
East Coast Alpine
East Coast Alpine, which made its Boston debut last fall, carries a truly comprehensive array of top-name snow-carving equipment, clothing, and accessories. Staffers, meanwhile, are adept at customizing your purchase to your skill level, ensuring that you leave perfectly primed for the mountains (or less terrified about your maiden voyage on the bunny slopes). 860 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, eastcoastalpine.com.
Charles Maksou
This man is an artist, sans the temperament problem. But first-timers take note: your hair will be washed and dried before Maksou takes scissors to head. Using the DryCut method favored by stylist John Sahag, Maksou hones in on your best features, offers a complement or two, and designs a cut around them. Best of all, he listens to what you want and takes your lifestyle into account. HAIR FX Studio, 627 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Shreve, Crump & Low
Boston's Breakfast at Tiffany's; press your nose to the glass and dream. This is the place to go with your honey when you want to browse without paying mind to price tags, to decide whether the bar-set or the channel-set band looks better with your solitaire. The staff gives everyone an upmarket education in ideal-cut diamonds. This is where you got schooled, and everyone respects the professor. 330 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Luxe at Mohr & McPherson
Run your hand across the wall of hanging fabric and imagine it transforming your home: a swath of creamy silk; a swag of blended cotton or crinkly linen. Resident textiles expert Chloe Sachs gets a dreamy look when she describes how draperies can divide spaces. And you'll discover she's not too far off base when Luxe turns your boxy bedroom into a filmy-walled boudoir. 81 Arlington St., Boston, MA .