Pini Swissa, Pini Swissa Salon
In a sun-drenched studio high above Newbury Street's more fashionable end, Pini Swissa studies your head from every angle, scrupulously analyzing your hair before he makes his first snip. It's that attention to detail that makes Swissa, born and raised in a small Israeli village where he got his start trimming shrubbery, the preferred hairstylist of Boston's first family: Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen. As you sip a cappuccino from a silver plate while Swissa crafts a dapper coiffure straight out of GQ, you, too, will feel like a five-time Super Bowl champion. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Cakes to Remember
It’s what’s on the inside and the outside that counts—if not in life, then at least when it comes to wedding cakes. Ellen Bartlett’s confections get high marks in both design and taste: Dainty sugar flowers, metallic ombré fondant, and intricate lace and damask details give way to moist, fluffy layers in flavors such as strawberry–orange blossom and caramel tiramisu. Want to have your cake and make sure all of your guests can eat it, too? The bakery also prepares gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan recipes. 248 Cypress St., Brookline, MA cakestoremember.biz.
Stellabella Toys
You've got years to share the benefit of your lessons learned with the next generation (video-game mastery is not a marketable skill; Elvis Costello is always better with the Attractions). For now, let your kids figure things out by doing what they do best: namely, play. Stellabella is stacked to the rafters with toys to nurture any emerging interest, e.g., Rokenbok construction sets for wannabe hardhats, Alex collage kits and sparkly PlayFoam for crafts lovers, Andean flutes for folk musicians in the making. The Inman Square flagship also offers play groups, so tots can connect not just with their interests, but with each other, too. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, stellabellatoys.com.
Blades Board and Skate, Cambridge location
Snooping for a new snowboard? Keep your wallet holstered until you hit the Blades Cambridge location and find out which stick is right for you. Not only does this Blades have one of the biggest selections in town, but its staff also boasts encyclopedic knowledge of nearly every shape, size, and model, and can order virtually any kind of board regardless of whether it's regularly stocked. After assessing your weight, ability, and style, they'll save you from riding the freshies on, say, a K2 Luna when you should really be shredding with a Burton Feelgood. 38 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .
ATA Cycle
Value, value, value. These are the watchwords of ATA owner Husam Sahin, who picks his bikes based not on brand name, but on the bang for your buck. As a result, you'll find row upon row of Raleigh, Kona, and Giant mountain bikes, and fancy Italian racing bikes at surprisingly low prices. Sahin and his staff will talk you through the arcana of V-brakes, suspension, and frame strength, and take the crucial extra time to adjust your new bike to fit you perfectly. Throw in six months of free repair and service, and you'll be pedaling to a photo finish in no time. 1773 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA atabike.com.
Julie Michaud, Michaud Cosmetics
A good eyebrow artist can change your face, but a great one can change your world. Part therapist, part girlfriend, and all parts godsend, Julie Michaud is Boston's arch angel. Her minimum-pain tweezing sessions—peppered with good gossip, health factoids, and beauty tips—result in perfect but natural brows fit to flatter every face. And while Michaud's talent has turned her scheduling book into a fortress (be smart and book months in advance), it's also turned the business into a dynasty; if Julie's booked, don't hesitate to make a reservation with any of her equally adept colleagues. 297 Newbury St., Suite 21, Boston, MA .
Schumacher Landscaping
Schumacher has been the grad Poo-Bah of flora for the past 31 years, and is largely responsible for bringing a healthy dose of green to Boston's asphalt avenues. Its creative ingenuity can be appreciated throughout the city at the Fraser Courtyard in the Museum of Fine Arts, the Snell Library Plaza at Northeastern University, and Post Office Square Par. But don't be intimidated if your yard is more like a foot. These doctors of the green thumb are equally adept at smaller residential projects— say, planting pansies around the porch, installing sod over that crabgrass, or mowing your lawn when you just don't feel like it. 17 Electric Ave., Brighton, MA .
Gentle Giant Moving Company
Don't mess around with movers that fail to show up on time or try to hold your belongings hostage until you fork over a wad of cash vastly in excess of the original estimate. Gentle Giant will give you an honest quote, turn up exactly as promised, and call you at work just before coming.Plus, the crew is gentle, like the name says. Another bonus: You can have an intelligent conversation with your movers, who all seem to be hard at work on the Great American Novel. All in all, Gentle Giant belongs in the Haul of Fame. 29 Harding St., Somerville, MA .
Verrill Farm
Open year round, Verrill's is the kind of farm stand where you can find every single ingredient you'd need for a last-minute gourmet party. Which is why visitors often find themselves elbow to elbow with famous Boston chefs choosing the best of the crop from the rows and rows of crisp, fresh-picked local produce. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the stand also stocks gourmet supplies including imported olive oils, fresh breads, seasonings, and pastas, while the on-site deli offers cheeses, soups, sandwiches, prepared dinners, and freshly baked desserts. The wide and stunning selection of flowers means your table will look as fresh as your meal will taste. 11 Wheeler Rd., Concord, MA verrillfarm.com.
Barra
The blue-corn tortillas are things of beauty at this Somerville hideaway, lovingly hand-pressed and shrouding morita mayonnaise-slathered fried fish and pork al pastor with grilled pineapple. But that’s not the only thing we adore: Deep-fried empanadas and enchiladas doused with rich house-made mole sauce join drinks that celebrate less-seen spirits such as sotol and nixta (a silky liqueur made of corn) on a menu quite different from any other Mexican restaurant in town. Whatever you order, do try the house margarita with the rim of chapulines, or ground fried grasshoppers — another tasty way to enjoy the Mexico City vibe. 23a Bow St., Somerville, MA 02143, barraunionsquare.com.
Tiina Smith
Sporting a piece from Tiina Smith’s jaw-dropping collection of vintage sparklers feels like being transported back in time. Art deco rings, dripping with sapphires and diamonds, recall Gatsby-esque cocktail parties, while beaded Marina B cuffs celebrate the boldness of ’80s style. Worried about taking care of your new heirloom? Don’t be: Smith’s lengthy roster of concierge services ensures you’ll know just how to clean and store your precious bling when you’re not showing it off. 33 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, tiinasmithjewelry.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
As part of a dramatic 2017 renovation, the legendary hotelier has elevated its 3,500-square-foot ballroom to even greater heights of opulence. Think: a dazzling backdrop of platinum-leafed wallpaper, antiqued mirrors, a lavish custom-painted mural by Moss & Lam—and, in the center of it all, you and your beloved twirling blissfully during your first dance. 10 Avery St., Boston, MA 02111, ritzcarlton.com.
Demiche Beauté
Want a classic chignon with loose tendrils? Or how about soft waves that’ll hold their shape from ceremony to reception? Demiche’s team of stylists specializes in elegant, swept-back looks that perfectly frame and highlight your features. And with a flair for constructing braided bridesmaid styles, Demiche has your A-team covered, too. 7 Lincoln St., Wakefield, MA 01880, demiche.com.
Adamas Fine Jewelry
The engagement rings on the second floor of his Newton shop are certainly gasp-worthy (you’ll swoon over brilliant-cut sparklers, halo settings, and pavé-diamond-encrusted split bands), but Adamas Fine Jewelry co-owner and master craftsman Anto Aboyan thrives on one-of-a-kind creativity. If your ideas aren’t set in stone, he can help you build a ring from scratch, hand-casting your custom design into an instant heirloom at his on-site workshop. 22 Lincoln St., Newton, MA adamasfinejewelry.com.
Boston General Store
Tired of the shabby tape dispenser and legal pad you swiped from the office? Boston General Store (pictured) hawks supplies you’ll want to keep right on your desktop—not bury in a drawer. Traveler’s notebooks will reinvigorate your daily punch lists, while the sharp Italian-made Ellepi Klizia stapler was practically designed for those video-call close-ups. 305 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, bostongeneralstore.com.