Adam Berke
Vogue named him one of the "most sought after trainers in America": he has a client list peppered with Boston's beautiful people, and his state-of-the-art gym is more Philippe Starke than YMCA grunge. But don't let appearances deceive you: Berke's a task master who realizes people do not want to be sweating their buns off, doing the same old grunts seven days a week. Gym rats addicted to StairMasters, aerobics, and other such standard pursuits be warned: Berke will have you jumping rope, spinning, and taking part in high-intensity weight training. He will also create an individually tailored diet regime, which can include two glasses of red wine a night. $75/hour. Adam Berke Gym, 1260 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
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.
Grettacole
One of Boston's newest and most talked-about spas, Grettacole boasts a staff that is petite, blonde, and warm—and an impressive services-to-square-foot ratio. Need a pedicure, facial massage, haircut, and makeup application? With such one-stop shopping, you'll be there long enough for the friendly staff to order your lunch from a neighboring cafe. Tired of aestheticians who spend half the session out of the room? While your masque is drying, they'll massage your feet. The product range is impressive, but there's no hard sell. Another big plus: There are no downtown parking travails. 300 Boylston St., Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill, MA .
Framers' Workshop
The friendly folks at Framers' Workshop give you a choice. You can simply drop off your MFA poster/diploma/illuminated manuscript, and pick it up behind glass two weeks later. Or you can master the craft of framing it yourself—an economical, labor-intensive, yet strangely meditative process, on par with making your own bread. Choose the matte and molding of your choice (they cut it for you), then plant yourself at one of 10 workstations in the back, equipped with a vise, nails, glue, and all the other supplies you need. The background music is good, too. 64 Harvard St., Brookline Village, MA .
Crystal Morgan, C.Spa
Even before the very talented Crystal Morgan gets you on the table at her immaculately clean Back Bay studio, she’s already working, sizing up the way you stand to see exactly where your tension lies. Once she begins the massage, her magic hands free up every knot and tension spot. Go ahead and glance in the mirror after your 60- to 90-minute treatment is over: Not only will you feel different, but your posture will actually look visibly different, too. 715 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, cspaboston.com.
Peak Event Services
Ensuring everything in your event space is in sync with your wedding is a top priority — after all, no couple wants their tent coming down or their tabletops folding up at the wrong time. With Peak Event Services at the helm, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is showing up at the altar. The industry pros offer decades of experience, exceptional service, and a vast, varied inventory of everything from sailcloth tents to delicate china to champagne hedge walls (yes, that’s really a thing). And with six showrooms in New England, including one right in Boston, you won’t have to go far to find the party setup of your dreams. Multiple locations, peakeventservices.com.
Orson Welles
Old-fashioned popcorn to go with old-fashioned movies. They pop it right before your eyes, and you salt it to your taste. 1001 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Blue Diner
Go hungry and be prepared to wait, eat at real diner banquettes, and leave with some change in your pocket and a song on your lips. 178 Kneeland St., Boston, MA .
Jim Kendrigan, Supercuts
For $8.95, this exile from Newbury Street will clip your hair, not your wallet. 1083 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton, MA .
Rox Diner
A recent expansion of this gem has shortened wait times, bringing your little ones that much closer to pancakes shaped with Mickey Mouse ears (upon request); your bloody mary and Irish Bennies will be close behind. 1881 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA .
East Coast Grill
Sure, there's the bloody mary bar. But after a big night, the best plan may be to divert the pain from your temples to your tongue with the Hangover Cure from Hell: a plate of spicy sausage and roasted habaneros. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, eastcoastgrill.net.
A Shining Example
There are plenty of good shoeshines around town, but only A Shining Example will come to your office to shine your shoes ($3), repair neckties and shoes, and provide stress-reduction massage. One Beacon St., Boston, MA .
Jonathan Wells, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Thrown into the State House breech created by the defection to the Globe of the semilegendary Frank Phillips last year, Wells regularly whacks the veteran along with the rest of the Gray Lady's somnolent State House bureau.
Niche Urban Garden Supply
Even if your home garden is a window box of salad greens, Niche is your local source for the seeds, planters, and garden tools that you’ll need to keep them thriving. 619 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, nicheboston.com.