Chris Donovan
Who knew that Boston’s newest fashion superstar would be a retired telephone repairman? After years of dreaming about designing shoes, last year Chris Donovan officially took the plunge and launched his eponymous brand of footwear—and we’re so glad he did. Made in one of Italy’s most famous luxury shoe factories, Donovan’s bold, sculptural boots (pictured) and chic heels are investment-quality pieces that stand the test of time. chrisdonovanfootwear.com.
LuxCouture
We’ve long lusted after owner Sari Brown’s hard-to-find European handbags from brands such as Létrange. But these days, it’s the chic but easy-to-wear clothing and shoe selection that’s inspiring us to indulge in some retail therapy: featherlight MJ Watson cashmere cardigans, Christian Wijnants midi dresses, Bougeotte slip-on loafers. It’s all presented with plenty of personal attention—including curbside pickup if you’re not quite ready for in-store perusing. 9 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 02461, luxcouture.com.
Circle Furniture
We know that kitchen chair you’ve been working from since March hasn’t exactly been kind to your back, hips, or knees. Family-owned Circle Furniture offers the seating you desperately need right now, from high-back Stressless models that conform to your body’s movements to sleeker mesh numbers boasting adjustable headrests. Good luck choosing just one. 31 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116, circlefurniture.com.
Yale Appliance
Kitchen appliances have a habit of taking their last breath just when we need them most. Thankfully, this family-owned Dorchester institution always comes to the rescue with the most comprehensive selection of replacements around (think: Wolf ranges, Thermador ovens, and LG refrigerators). And from sanitizing products to providing contact-free delivery, installation, and repairs, its ability to address changing customer needs impresses just as much as the stellar inventory. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA 02122, yaleappliance.com.
Lekker Home
Whether you’re a Marie Kondo purist or a Diane von Furstenberg maximalist, the one thing we can all agree on is that for everything to be in its place, it has to have a place. Luckily, this South End standout has plenty of creative solutions for stashing your stuff. Start small with Thayer Design baskets and Muuto coat hooks, or get ambitious with a new Blu Dot bookshelf or roomy credenza—then watch as your ambitious to-do list shrinks a little bit every day. 38 Wareham St., Boston, MA 02118, lekkerhome.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
With travel outside the state still a gamble, we’re lucky to have this riverfront resort casino right in our backyard, providing top-notch dining options; gorgeous rooms with marble-tiled bathrooms; and, of course, a Vegas-worthy gaming floor to those in need of a break—preferably a lucky one. The one thing this place doesn’t roll the dice on? Guests’ well-being, with reopening plans developed in conjunction with public health experts. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
Lisa Jean-Francois, @lisaalamode
Few lifestyle influencers approach their craft with the same joie de vivre as Lisa Jean-Francois, whose posts strike the perfect balance between aspirational and relatable. This mother of two’s feed is packed with shots of her adorable family, envy-inducing outfits, creative beauty tutorials, and—as she puts it on her blog—“a sprinkle of petty every now and again.” Now that’s a lifestyle we can get behind. lisaalamode.com.
Safe Supply at Bow Market
Smart, streamlined, safe food shopping? We’re sold! This ongoing series of open-air markets allows you to reserve a socially distanced place in line ahead of time, then proceed to tables of mask- and glove-wearing vendors who handle and bag your selections, from Picnic & Pantry’s kitchen staples and specialty groceries to prepared spinach-and-cheese layered phyllo from Koshari Mama, a mother-daughter maker of Egyptian cuisine. One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, bowmarketsomerville.com.
Woods Hill Pier 4
Years after the Seaport building boom started, we finally have a restaurant patio worthy of the water’s-edge views: Restaurateur Kristin Canty’s splashy, sprawling, 92-seat terrace, where Miami swing meets New England ka-ching! There, the indoor/outdoor bar slings thirst-quenching cocktails infused with local ingredients—think foraged lavender or honey from Canty’s own beehives—that perfectly complement chef Charlie Foster’s day-to-night patio menu of farm-to-fork fare: say, lobster popovers or a Cubano sandwich made with ham from Woods Hill Farm in New Hampshire. 300 Pier Four Blvd., Boston, MA 02210, woodshillpier4.com.
Marshfield Drive-in
While we wait for the world to return to 21st-century speed, a throwback trend perfect for the social-distancing era has roared back to life: the 1950s-style drive-in movie theater. And what better place than the wide-open grounds of the now-canceled Marshfield Fair—reimagined this summer as an al fresco theater (pictured above) complete with a big screen and concessions—to sprawl out on a lawn chair with a bag of popcorn? Past showings have ranged from the current (Trolls World Tour) to the old-school, including the aptly chosen Back to the Future. 140 Main St., Marshfield, MA 02050, marshfielddrivein.com.
Forage
Why schlep out to pick up locally grown produce when Forage can do the work for you? The farm-to-table restaurant is now partnering with small area growers and producers to offer several options for upgrading your pantry and fridge: multiweek subscription boxes of fresh veggies like local mushrooms and fiddleheads; separate “Goodie Bags,” available à la carte, featuring house-made herb oils, cocktail mixers, and other delights; and weekly orders of unique natural wines. With even delivery available, we wonder: Why wait in supermarket lines ever again? 5 Craigie Cir., Cambridge, MA 02138, foragecambridge.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra Studios
There are plenty of ’90s trends we’re glad to welcome back into our repertoires—chunky sandals, slip dresses, high-waisted everything—but one thing that can stay in the last century? Pencil-thin eyebrows. Thankfully, Lauren Genatossio is firmly on the same page, creating nothing but lush, full looks from her South Boston and Hingham studios. Bring your out-of-control brows to Genatossio and watch as she plucks and trims them into goddess-like arches, creating the exact shape needed to make your eyes and cheekbones pop. 840 Summer St. , Boston, MA 02127, sarraboston.com.
Claudiane Philippe, @nailthecocktail
In the beforetimes, Philippe used her Instagram blog to hype Boston bars and booze brands—and show off her always-on-point manicures. Since the city’s first Black Lives Matter protest of 2020, though, her platform has also reminded us to #SayTheirNames with a compelling photo series of original drink recipes dedicated to Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, and others lost. The poignant project importantly helps Philippe’s 35,000-plus followers get educated about systemic racism, even as she continues sharing top-shelf cocktails we can actually handle making at home. instagram.com/nailthecocktail.
If we could dream up a 2020 all-star squad of heroes, champions, and advocates, it would look a lot like this: Community organizer Gladys Vega (1) of the Chelsea Collaborative, who has spent the past two decades fighting for social justice but swiveled her focus to feeding 11,000 residents each week as the coronavirus ravaged her city. Public health advocate and Harvard professor of epidemiology Marc Lipsitch (2) would also make the team, in no small part due to his consistent and clear message, whether speaking to us in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or the Boston Globe: Never underestimate COVID-19. Our best city politician is Julia Mejia (3), the first immigrant and Latina on the Boston City Council, who fought back against racist harassment after taking office in early 2020. She has also worked to improve bilingual communications in Boston and even made a series of TikTok videos with her daughter to liven up the mood at City Hall during the early days of the pandemic. Ibram X. Kendi (4), meanwhile, is the man of the hour and our hope for humanity. A bestselling author, the 2019 Guggenheim Fellow recently became a history professor and the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, where he’ll lead many of the country’s brightest minds to solve problems of racial inequity. His books, including How to Be an Antiracist, are already required reading among those in the know around town. As for the best social justice advocate in Boston? That’s Monica Cannon-Grant (5), a Roxbury mother of six adopted children who rallied tens of thousands of residents to Franklin Park to peacefully protest police brutality. She also runs a victim-assistance program and free-meal delivery service through her organizations Violence in Boston and Food for the Soul. And though he’s best known for his moves on the court, Celtics star Jaylen Brown (6) is our clear choice for celebrity ambassador—he’s peacefully protested, regularly speaks about race in America, and was honored at the State House this year for his charity work with children. We’re proud to have him on our home team.
The People Who Gave Us Hope
If we could dream up a 2020 all-star squad of heroes, champions, and advocates, it would look a lot like this: Community organizer Gladys Vega (1) of the Chelsea Collaborative, who has spent the past two decades fighting for social justice but swiveled her focus to feeding 11,000 residents each week as the coronavirus ravaged her city. Public health advocate and Harvard professor of epidemiology Marc Lipsitch (2) would also make the team, in no small part due to his consistent and clear message, whether speaking to us in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or the Boston Globe: Never underestimate COVID-19. Our best city politician is Julia Mejia (3), the first immigrant and Latina on the Boston City Council, who fought back against racist harassment after taking office in early 2020. She has also worked to improve bilingual communications in Boston and even made a series of TikTok videos with her daughter to liven up the mood at City Hall during the early days of the pandemic. Ibram X. Kendi (4), meanwhile, is the man of the hour and our hope for humanity. A bestselling author, the 2019 Guggenheim Fellow recently became a history professor and the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, where he’ll lead many of the country’s brightest minds to solve problems of racial inequity. His books, including How to Be an Antiracist, are already required reading among those in the know around town. As for the best social justice advocate in Boston? That’s Monica Cannon-Grant (5), a Roxbury mother of six children who rallied tens of thousands of residents to Franklin Park to peacefully protest police brutality. She also runs a victim-assistance program that supports men, women, and children of color through her organization Violence in Boston. And though he’s best known for his moves on the court, Celtics star Jaylen Brown (6) is our clear choice for celebrity ambassador—he’s peacefully protested, regularly speaks about race in America, and was honored at the State House this year for his charity work with children. We’re proud to have him on our home team.