Bundle of Hope
Clothing, accessories, furniture, and more: Bundle of Hope offers it all, with a delightful variety and a warm personal touch. Leave your kids in the play area while you peruse the high-quality offerings for infants and toddlers; have them try on clothes in the charmingly handpainted dressing room; even let them bring friends along for a tea party. The staff here is more than accommodating, wrapping gifts, making shipments, and setting up baby registries. 146 Front St., Scituate, MA bundleofhope.net.
Baran Home
Re-create the looks from interior designer Gina Baran’s most coveted projects with curated items from her Newbury boutique, Baran Home. The brand’s recent refresh is all about delivering the firm’s aesthetic without having to pay the design fee that comes with it, the pro says. Shopping Baran’s offerings, such as organic cotton blankets from Turkey and handmade terra cotta bowls, just might be the easiest way to decorate. 49 Pleasant St., Newburyport, MA 1950, shopbaranhome.com.
Lekker Home
You already know this South End boutique for its modern furnishings and home accessories. Now discover Lekker Home’s softer side, courtesy of a luxe linen collection with everything you need for a lifetime of pampering: Sasawashi scrub towels to keep your skin looking fresh, a super-soft Blacksaw throw for movie nights, and a crisp set of Area bed sheets to sink into later. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA lekkerhome.com.
Bundle of Hope
Be prepared to drop a bundle here: As soon as you spy the Zutano casualwear and fancy attire from European lines Petit Bateau and Deux Par Deux, you won't be able to resist stocking your kids' closets. 146 Front St., Scituate, MA 2066, bundleofhope.net.
Lekker Home
Continuing their quest for the latest in clean, contemporary design, Lekker owners Natalie and Curt Carpenter have introduced several new lines to their store's stunning portfolio. John Derian's decoupage serving ware is a must-have, while the just-launched eco-friendly Central Station line is destined to become a classic. Lekker's selection of chic outdoor accessories (lanterns, bird feeders) and elegant tabletop essentials (coasters, serving trays), meanwhile, remains exceptional. 1317 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, lekkerhome.com.
Leroux at Home
At this colorful Vineyard Haven spot, bright ceramic bowls, fine linens, and silverware are stacked high alongside quaint tabletop accessories. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through neat piles of gadgets and goods that make Leroux the best home (store) away from home. 62 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA lerouxkitchen.com.
Nicole Rueda-Watts, NYX Studio
There’s nothing wrong with a chunky necklace from J.Crew, of course, but if you truly want to stand out from the flock, snag a handmade feather collar—with elegant plumage that wows—from Nicole Rueda-Watts. The designer, who honed her metalworking skills in a Mexican artist community, fashions her eye-catching wares with semiprecious stones, leather, and beads. Catch the collection at her West Cambridge boutique Observatory, which also stocks arrangements from Laura Jean Floral & Design, as well as vintage furniture and home accessories. nyxstudio.com.
Bliss Home
If happiness is platinum-rimmed white porcelain from northern Italy, then joy is a set of four ultrasuede coasters in seven different color combinations. Together, they represent the half-modern, half-classic nature of Bliss, a home-goods emporium that incorporates everything from chaise longues (made in Milan) to stainless steel—lined doggy bowls. Bliss earns the nod for best bridal registry not only because of the unusual and international flavor of its stock, but also for its accommodating employees, who are more than happy to educate the bride (and clueless grooms) about the difference between Waterford and Wedgwood. 121 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Bliss Home
New digs in the Back Bay have given this business a little room to spread out its wares. In addition to the tabletop necessities—magisterial Couzon flatware, Bernardaud china, classic modernist Scandinavian glass (both Kosta Boda and Iittala)—Bliss now has space for ultrachic Paola Lenti furniture. The bridal registry in the back leads couples through the selection thicket, and the Web site is cross-indexed every which way to help wedding guests who are shopping from afar. After the honeymoon, newlyweds can pick up their remaining needs at a 10 percent discount. 121 Newbury St., Boston, MA blisshome.bridgecatalog.com.
Whole Foods
The Hill shouted, 'Thank God!' when the area's Whole Foods opened this year. 181 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 2114, wholefoods.com.
Hale & Dorr's
At the behest of U. S. senator John F. Kerry, the prestigious Boston law firm agreed to provide free legal counsel to Quincy shipyard workers who opted for early retirement. Unfortunately, the pro bono offer was not extended to laid-off workers, who could really have used the help.
Bundle of Hope
With charming clothing and accessories from lines like Zutano, Aden + Anais, and Petit Bateau; a dressing room with a handpainted toile motif; and a French armoire that doubles as a display area, this place is way more sophisticated than the big-box stores—which makes it perfect for your precious darlings. Once Drive, Scituate, MA 2066, bundleofhope.net.
Bliss Home
Hand-selected by proprietor Panamai Manadee, the au courant dinnerware patterns at this Back Bay boutique can convince browsers to send their own plates packing. Great news for those of us who, during our engagement, went blithely over to Ye Olde China Shoppe and, after scanning the matronly selection, grabbed the least offensive style. At Bliss Home, pick from brands that your mother never heard of, decked out in colors invented only last week. Then relax—because with table settings this eye-catching, your dinner guests won't even notice that you overcooked the poor asparagus. 225 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .