Robert Charlton
Robert Charlton uses a vintage letterpress to produce classic handset type on textured card stock. His invitations, stationery, and note cards will impress party guests and future employers. And his willingness to work on the fly means that while your wedding might be shotgun, your invitations won't give you away. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, goosefishpress.com.
Luxlash
This tiny beauty oasis focuses solely on the eyes—reassuring when it comes to the fastidious work of lash extensions. Combining patience and precision, the LuxLash pros will fill out your fringe with semipermanent synthetic lashes or your choice of colored and exotic styles. The result? A come-hither look that'll have everyone aflutter. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, luxlash.com.
Longfellow Sports Club
At Longfellow, childcare does not mean dumping your toddler in a playpen. The club offers day caps (ages 5 to 12) where elementary-age children can play ball games, run, or read. In addition the club specializes in birthday parties. Your kids might decide to join without you. 203 Oak St., Natick, MA .
Baker's Best
Fabulous chicken (the piccata is especially wonderful), great veggie pizzas and calzones, and some of the best Caesar salad we've ever had. They'll even cater your weekend party, or—chicken soup to shank bone—your Passover Seder. 27 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA .
Constitution Marina
Dock your boat, park your dinghy at no extra charge, fish for striped bass around the corner, and best of all, swim in Constitution Marina's new outdoor pool. One added perk that makes this the best deal in town—free parking for boat-owners. 28 Constitution Road, Charlestown, MA .
MetroServ Computer Company
After you go to the huge warehouses and get a price on your dream machine, come here and talk. They try their damndest to meet or beat your price. 80 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA .
Ten Tables
The 10 menu items at this petite boite, including meats and homemade pastas, list for $21 or less, and the vibe is as sweet as it gets. Your date—and your accountant—will be impressed. 597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA tentables.net.
Wish
Anyone who's spent hours frantically searching for the perfect outfit for a class reunion knows how hard it can be to strike the balance between trendy and sophisticated. This precious Charles Street boutique does so with style, stocking a mix of cutting-edge clothing, from tailored work separates by Theory and Chaiken to casual twinsets and capri pants by Trina Turk and whimsical skirts by Rebecca Taylor. Of special note is the impressive selection of party dresses, all hand-selected from collections by the likes of Nanette Lapore and Shoshanna. Timid shoppers take note: Though the store is a treasure trove of garments you won't find elsewhere, the price tags and sometimes aloof sales staff can add up to an experience as intimidating as rush night in college. 49 Charles St., Boston, MA wishboston.wordpress.com.
Leon & Co.
Remember when you used to sneer at bottle blondes? Stylist Leon deMagistris and his staff of colorists have changed all that with bold, rich hair colors that look better than the real thing. (His latest venture, known as California highlighting, mimics the look of sun-kissed hair without foil strips or hours of harmful sun exposure.) Moreover, deMagistris's talent and sway go far beyond the Boston-area beauty scene. He's the former U.S. creative director for the venerable Italian product line Tocco Magico and regularly grabs international attention with runway coiffures in Europe. None of which stops him from running his 33-year-old Belmont salon like a finely tuned machine. 84 Leonard St., Belmont, MA leonandco.com.
The Wauwinet
If we asked you to close your eyes and imagine your ideal island hideaway, odds are you’d come up with a place a lot like the Wauwinet, where private beaches and sunny guest rooms boasting views of the ocean blue beckon. Grab a lounge chair on the waterfront lawn and soak up panoramas of passing sailboats, knowing that fresh hamachi crudo and cornmeal-crusted soft-shell crab—not to mention your choice of more than 1,450 wines—await inside Topper’s, the resort’s foodie-friendly dining room. 120 Wauwinet Rd., Nantucket, MA 02585, wauwinet.com.
Yolanda's Bridal Salon
Yolanda's showroom is a mecca for brides-to-be, who make pilgrimages from across New England to worship at the shrine of Vera Wang and Richard Tyler. The front parlor is adorned with your typical frilly affairs, but the enterprising customer has only to utter a single, magic phrase ("I'm looking for something simpler") to find herself in one of the cool, spalike dressing rooms, immersed in a pile of tasteful, elegant, and streamlined creations. Yolanda's staff is happy to tell you when your 5-foot-2 frame just won't accommodate your dream gown—but with such grace and goodwill that you'll gladly accept the advice and thank them for it later. 355 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA .
Back Bay Framery
It's not essential that the people at a frame shop remember your name and your artwork on only your second visit. Or that the shop's employees occasionally volunteer cheaper, do-it-yourself alternatives. But it's precisely that kind of attention that bodes well when you're talking about a service in which a sixteenth of an inch can make all the difference. Rest assured, too, that Back Bay Framery doesn't cut corners when cutting the corners. Its cheery and attentive staff takes on the most demanding custom jobs, with a selection of tabletop and custom frames that looks like it could put the Louvre to shame. 303 Newbury St., Boston, MA backbayframery.com.
Black Cow Tap & Grill, Hamilton Location
Order a burger at the Black Cow, and you may never fire up your Weber again. These handpacked 10-ounce patties are so juicy and flavorful, any attempt to imitate them on your own home grill is sure to come up short. It's hard to believe such flame-broiled babies are only 7 bucks ($8 with cheese), accompanied as they are by mountains of crisp, golden, diet-busting French fries. For maximum enjoyment, pair one with a cold Black Cow Blond Ale, then sit back to feel your iron count rise. 16 Bay Rd., South Hamilton, MA blackcowrestaurants.com.
Circa Lighting
It’s hard to resist the soft glow emanating from this Design Center standout, where you’ll find light fixtures in just about every shape, style, and size your home could possibly need. Foyer-ready chandeliers by Chapman & Myers give way to mod Kelly Wearstler table lamps, gleaming with brass-finished shades. Should your space call for wall-mounted beauties instead, don’t miss new candelabra-like sconces from Aerin, fit for the grandest of living spaces, or floral-themed vanity lights from Kate Spade — as good a reason to redo your bathroom as any. Boston Design Center., Ste. 120W, Boston, MA 02210, circalighting.com.
Extology
Ever wondered how your favorite movie stars go from pixie cuts to billowy, hip-grazing styles in the blink of an eye? It’s all thanks to the magic of wigs and hair extensions, a nifty trick we can all employ thanks to Allana Fabrikant Kanevsky. This extension expert’s full-service North End salon offers a variety of hair brands and methods to best suit your color, natural texture, and longevity needs. Options include strand-by-strand application and clip-ins to take your limp locks to new lengths. 338A Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109, extology.com.