The Whittemore Wood Floor Company
Your apartment may not be a palace, but at least it has gorgeous wood floors—or did, in 1920. Now it squeaks with every step and looks all too natural, with splinters lying in wait as your bare feet shuffle to the coffee pot at dawn. Wood floors are a luxury, but they are worth the expense of refinishing, especially if you get Whittemore to patch, sand, stain, and finish those tired planks back to their former glory. 122 Jason St., Arlington, MA .
Zimman's
The selection of fabrics is so enticing it makes you think about taking that adult ed upholstery course. Whether you're looking for a snippet for the perfect set of throw pillows or vast yardage for lush drapes to pool along your hardwood floor, this is the place. You'll get decorator-quality fabrics at an honest price. Your only problem will be finding someone who can sew. 80 Market St., Lynn, MA .
Canyon Beachwear
There's something disconcerting about trying on swimsuits in badly lighted dressing rooms that seem to highlight every wrinkled lump on your legs. Canyon Beachwear feels your pain: It offers mix-and-match tops and bottoms for whose who fit into a 12 on the bottom but a 6 on the top. The store carries one-piece suits, bikinis, tankinis, and wraps from Domani, Calvin Klein, Anne Cole, Manuel Conovas, Jag, Esprit, and Mossimo, among others. 229 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Mr. Sid
Even though the name might sound a bit outdated, the clothes are right on the mark. This tastefully outfitted men's store was the first vendor in the United States to carry Ermenegildo Zegna, while continuing to provide for the less adventurous dresser with designers like Hickey-Freeman. For a shop that can fulfill your practical as well as your extraordinary needs, Mr. Sid fits. 1211 Centre St., Newton, MA .
City Express
City Express has the craftiest couriers in town: some are lip-pierced and dreadlocked, some are AARP candidates, some are chain-smoking Ukrainians, all take good care of your packages and treat you with friendly care. The phone staff is expeditious and charming, and will always tell you when the traffic is bad enough to cause a delay. No matter what the assignment, they'll get your package there with uncommon style.
Bellezza Day Spa
Chances are you'll enjoy your every minute at the newly relocated and expanded Falmouth Bellezza spa. A complimentary cup of tea or relaxing glass of wine precedes a supersoothing head massage and chic, contemporary cut. Whether you're looking for a simple style or a totally new color, these hair designers pay close attention to your desires before making them a reality. 221 Main St., Falmouth, MA spabellezza.com.
TD Garden
It's a vaunted sports temple, of course, but the Garden had a banner year for music, with appearances by everybody from the current stars Museto the stalwart Rolling Stones, on their 50th-anniversary tour—plus Justin Bieber, Mumford & Sons, and Coldplay. Lady Gaga had to cancel her show to undergo hip surgery, but the fact that she planned to perform here, for the second tour in a row, is a testament to the arena's go-to status. 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA tdgarden.com.
Singing Beach
This half-mile stretch cuts a sandy swath into the rocky terrain of Cape Ann's coastline, giving picnickers plenty of sheltered space to spread out and dig in. Nearby, the Kitchen Witch makes packing the basket effortless with gourmet sandwiches, pints of pasta salad, and homemade cookies. Work off your lunch with a romp in the invigorating tide pools, or let your repast settle as you lie back and wallow in the view. Beach Street; the Kitchen Witch, 4C Summer St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 1944, .
Herb Richman's
When the Data General vice president and cofounder dissolved his merger with his third wife, Nanette, he bailed out with the couple's $4-million Dover farm, their Boston townhouse, his Waterville Valley real estate, his millions in DG stock and assorted assets. All Nanette got was a flat $1 million, two mink coats, and numerous four-legged creatures and four-wheeled vehicles.
The Hingham Greenery
The ability to arrange—to conjure and orchestrate—is what makes a flawless florist. That's who you'll find hard at work at the Hingham Greenery. They'll form your bouquet from the shop's pristine white roses, yellow forsythia, or giant lilies. The colossal collection of vases, from hand-painted Asian jugs to crackle-glazed pots and toile planters, is sure to contain a perfect container for your beautiful buds. 39 South St., Hingham, MA hinghamgreenery.com.
Sun Sun Company
Stop at Sun Sun to pick up all those items on your grocery list you just can't seem to find at Super Stop 'n Shop: dried oysters, fish heads (some of which seem to be moving), and live crabs, as well as a great selection of produce, meats, and fish. Worth a trip simply to stock your spice cabinet with authentic Oriental sauces and seasonings. Plus, rice in bulk and many herbal and green teas. 18 Oxford Street, Boston, MA .
Wolfers Lighting
For urban dwellings that feel stuck in the dark ages, this standby has scores of ways to usher in enlightenment, from boudoir-ready chandeliers to energy-efficient outdoor sconces, and all the (lamp)shades in between. And here's the best part: You can take prospective purchases for a test run in Wolfers's real life-simulating light labs, guaranteeing the final pick is truly the most flattering for your home—not to mention that beautiful mug of yours. 1339 Main St., Waltham, MA 2451, wolfers.com.
Yale Appliance & Lighting
The kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home, which may explain why an outdated one can be such a source of agitation for image-conscious homeowners. Yale Appliance + Lighting can ease the pain. Its Dorchester headquarters packs in Thermador refrigerators, Viking stovetops, Sub-Zero wine coolers, and Bosch dishwashers. The store will deliver your purchase and remove your old gear for free, and also offers cooking and appliance seminars run by its resident chef, Kurt von Kahle. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA 2122, yaleappliance.com.
Laura Preshong
Goldsmith/jewelry designer Laura Preshong and her team use eco-friendly, recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds from Botswana and Canada to handcraft every ring—which translates to less impact on the environment and mining industry, and an even greater impact on your sweetheart. Choose from the store’s existing collection of sparklers, bring in your own sketch, or let the skilled jewelers transform Grandma’s gems into a new heirloom. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA laurapreshong.com.
Blue Moon Smoke Shop
The meteoric rise of vaporizers has changed what we smoke and how we smoke it. Nowadays, the marketplace is flooded with newfangled devices; choosing the proper vessel can feel like shopping for a laptop. Don’t let your mellow be harshed, man. The friendly fellas at Kenmore Square’s Blue Moon will help you find whatever type of delivery device your lungs desire, be it a simple e-cig or a high-tech Grenco Science G-Pen (Snoop Dogg’s vape of choice). 470 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, smokeshopboston.com.