Lunette Optic
If your eyewear shopping experience involves multiple rounds of “What do you think about these?” pay a visit to Lunette Optic’s glossy Financial District showroom, where skilled opticians blessed with saint-like patience make suggestions about the shapes, styles, and colors best suited for your face shape and personality. They’ll help you navigate options curated from the world’s finest eyewear designers, from prismatic Face à Face specs to posh Prada and Chanel frames. 121 High St., Boston, MA 02110, lunetteoptic.com.
Sault New England
Owner Philip Saul (pictured) will bring sartorially salty New England cred to your closet. Pick up a button-down, available in a variety of fabrics, from the store's eponymous label, made in Fall River. Or go for a trusty selection of familiar brands like Jack Purcell, Penfield, and Jack Spade—with surprising twists, like vintage leather brogues to pair with Unbranded Japanese selvage tapered denim jeans. Naturally, you'll want to grab some beer soap or beard oil on your way out. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Kara Hurston, Shag
Some cuts are simply about lopping off split ends, and some happen because you spotted a stranger with such incredible hair, you just had to track down her stylist. It's the latter that led us to Shag's Kara Hurston for a tousled, shoulder-length bob—dubbed "Lobs" and dutifully chronicled on Hurston's Instagram. Lest you worry about following the crowd by taming your tresses here, fret not: Though trendy, Hurston's cuts are tailored to your face shape and hair type. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA 02127, shagboston.com.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Meet your sweetheart under the enormous American flag swaying in the breeze, then stroll hand in hand into this waterfront hotel, which has been setting the standard for luxury in Boston since 1987. Romance packages include sweet touches such as champagne, chocolates, and breakfast beneath the silky Frette sheets, but if you really want to wow your SO, book one of the stunning suites with a terrace overlooking the harbor. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, bostonharborhotel.com.
Tile Showcase
The tile in your home is as much of an artistic expression as any painting you hang on your wall — an opportunity to bring in colors, textures, and patterns. Tile Showcase has long been known as a mecca for all of the above, from stunning New Ravenna sea-glass mosaics to retro penny rounds and classic subway tile. Bonus: The showroom, located at the Boston Design Center, always has an extensive inventory of in-stock tile, so you may not have to play the home-renovation waiting game. Boston Design Center, Ste. 204, Boston, MA 02210, tileshowcase.com.
Spin Boston
Tired of looking at your coworkers’ mugs on Zoom? Maybe some friendly competition — and a cocktail or two — is in order. At Spin, Fort Point’s hip new Ping-Pong nightclub (er, venue), staffers deal with the unhappy task of hunting down stray balls, so you can focus on showing your boss who’s boss — when it comes to spin serves, that is. 30 Melcher St., Boston, MA 02210, wearespin.com.
Heartbreak Hill Running Company
On the Esplanade sporting this shop’s iconic logo? You can bet you’ll get a few high-fives along the way. That’s because Heartbreak Hill is a bona fide pavement pounders’ haven, stocked with top-rated sneakers, breathable T-shirts, ergonomic water bottles, and anti-chafe balm (because…sweat). As avid runners themselves, staffers intuitively know what you need along your journey—most important, free running clubs to help you find your tribe. 294 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA heartbreakhillrunningcompany.com.
Jeremy Ogusky
You get a CSA box from your local farm and you’re on a first-name basis with your butcher, but what about the plates and bowls you set the table with every day? A worthy addition to any Boston cabinet, potter Jeremy Ogusky’s durable, unpretentious pieces can be purchased on Etsy; biannual open-studio days at his J.P. workspace, meanwhile, welcome all to come learn the art of pottery. claycrocks.com.
Eye and Eye Optics
It’s not easy finding a pair of frames that harmonize with your face just so. But if anyone can do it, it’s father-and-son opticians Bobin and Tariq Nicholson, both of whom studied music in college and now bring their artistic vision to this one-stop shop for glasses, contacts, and eye exams. Whether you prefer your specs colorful and funky or sleek and understated, you’ll find them in the cases here—along with warm, personable service that turns a chore into an outing to look forward to. 2271 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, eyeandeyeoptics.com.
Elizabeth LaDuca
Photographer Elizabeth LaDuca has a knack for making even a dreary day seem ethereal and dreamlike. Each of her shots—from the smallest details to the widest landscapes—seems to glow with a delightful halo of love and light. LaDuca’s organizational skills and experience will keep your event on schedule, but it’s the visual legacy of your special day that will benefit most from her keen eye. MA elizabethladuca.com.
Jimmy’s Shoe Repair
Unlike the stereotypical cranky cobbler who tsks-tsks your shoe care, the guys here don’t judge. They’ll happily fix even the most whittled-down high-heel stub or scuffed-up toe and send it back looking like new. And if you’re in the market for a quirky addition to your collection, be sure to check out the selection of vintage kicks. 42 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA 02139, .
Fête Collection
Receiving a wedding invitation in the mail is always exciting. But when your guests open the envelope and discover, say, a custom illustration of your venue or a folding card with the weekend’s agenda, it’ll be even more so. Along with personalized invitation suites, these Southie-based stationery savants can dream up vellum menus, playful cocktail cards, and foilstamped napkins. And if you don’t have the time (or the calligraphy skills) to address the envelopes yourself, they’ll make sure each one is signed, sealed, and delivered. shopfete.com.
Assembly Showroom
Los Angeles native Matt Gallagher brings the West Coast to the South Shore with Assembly Showroom, a boutique offering casual-cool styles for men and women. With a wide selection of clothing from brands such as Marine Layer, Faherty, and LNA — not to mention ultra-helpful, knowledgeable staffers that make upgrading your wardrobe a breeze — you’re guaranteed to drop in more than once. And your options for visiting are plentiful: Within three years of opening, Assembly already has three locations on the South Shore. Hingham and other locations 24 North St., Hingham, MA 02043, assemblyshowroom.com.
Sweat Fixx
What should you do if you miss pumping iron with your crew, but you’re still not ready to step foot inside a gym? Grab your yoga mat and some optional weights and head to Sweat Fixx for an outdoor fitness class, pronto. Offering al fresco strengthening sessions at its Southie location seven days per week, this woman-owned studio makes it (mostly) painless to squeeze in a low-impact workout filled with squats, biceps curls, planks, and more planks whenever the mood strikes. 323 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA 02127, sweatfixx.com.
Fasika Café
From the springy tear of tangy injera cr&_ecirc;pes to the supple pillowiness of raw chopped beef leavened with gobs of fiery-orange spiced butter (kitfo), the tactile pleasures of Befekadu Defar’s traditional (read: silverware-free) Ethiopian fare are just what the doctor ordered to reward your Purell-chafed hands for 16 months of ablutionary abuse. Your gustatory receptors will thank you, too. 51 Roxbury St., Roxbury, MA 02119, fasikarestaurants.com.