Rugg Road Paper Company
Some couples just aren't black-type-on-ecru people. Enter Rugg Road, a shop chock-full of carefully chosen papers and paper accessories far more unique than formal. Distinctive options abound, including hand-pressed floral papers, silvery-hued sheets, and gampi paper made from a plant found in the mountains of Japan. The process of custom-designing your own invitation can be daunting, so the staff will assist at every step of the way, from helping to select the perfect font to cutting your paper to just the right size for laser printing. 105 Charles St., Boston, MA ruggroadpaper.com.
Doggieday
Need someone to look after your critters? While you're away, DoggieDay will walk Spot four times a day, clean Fifi's litter box, grab your mail, water your plants, inject your diabetic gerbil with insulin, and taxi Dirk the boa constrictor to the vet—all for a competitive fee. Unlike most services, DoggieDay covers almost all of Greater Boston, and is registered with Pet Sitters International. Future services in the works include dog training at home while you're at work and massage therapy (for your pets, not you). 295 Devonshire St., Boston, MA .
Paws to Consider
Even the bad pun can't keep us away from a pet service this efficient, loving, and dependable. Owner Scot Jones clearly cares for his four-legged commissions with the same passion he does his business, keeping an organized staff of five fully briefed in everything from pet first aid to the fundamentals of TLC. Whether it's cat sitting (litter changes included) or dog walking (rain or shine, 365 days a year), Paws to Consider makes as many visits as you want—and will even care for plants, collect mail, and make veterinarian or grooming runs. 24 Halifax St., Jamaica Plain, MA pawstoconsider.com.
Framers' Workshop
The friendly folks at Framers' Workshop give you a choice. You can simply drop off your MFA poster/diploma/illuminated manuscript, and pick it up behind glass two weeks later. Or you can master the craft of framing it yourself—an economical, labor-intensive, yet strangely meditative process, on par with making your own bread. Choose the matte and molding of your choice (they cut it for you), then plant yourself at one of 10 workstations in the back, equipped with a vise, nails, glue, and all the other supplies you need. The background music is good, too. 64 Harvard St., Brookline Village, MA .
Warren Asnes, Peace of Mind
A couple of years ago, Warren Asnes was a bureaucrat in the state's Office of Human Services. But last year, he decided to become a full-time housewatcher—a move inspired by his musing whether he or the other occupant of a two-family home was responsible for filling the house's boiler. Today he'll tend to the care and feeding of your home while you're away by walking your dog, watering your plants, forwarding your mail, even stocking your refrigerator for your return—all for seven bucks a trip. He comes with references, is fully insured, and is not put off by large numbers of pets: he once baby-sat 34 cats. Newton, MA
Weston Nurseries
This 80-year-old Hopkinton nursery fills the horticultural needs of everyone from weekend enthusiasts to professional landscapers. The garden center stocks a vast selection of healthy, robust annuals and perennials—a scene that would be overwhelming were it not for the fact that plants are grouped according to what looks good together, taking much of the guesswork out of gardening. Shrub seekers can hop into one of the company's Land Rovers to scour the 650 acres of growing fields for the perfect specimen. There's plenty to choose from, since 80 percent of Weston's merchandise is grown on the premises. Don't have a green thumb? Take advantage of the nursery's landscaping services. 93 East Main St. (Route 135), Hopkinton, MA westonnurseries.com.
Shine
Need just the right work-from-home outfit, hostess gift, or last-minute accessory? Glow up with help from Shine, where you’ll find sustainable brands in super-cozy brick surroundings. Browse woven clutches crafted by Balinese artisans from Poppy + Sage and small-batch sundresses from New Hampshire–based Emerson Fry made from low-impact dyes, perfectly paired with sneaks from Cariuma (which plants a tree in the Brazilian rainforest with every sale). Perky owner Erin Postl also stocks candles, perfume oils, and quirky pillows that promise to bring Earth-friendly accents to your home, too. 28 State St., Newburyport, MA 1950, shinenewburyport.com.
Metropolitan Health Club
Metropolitan's underground decor includes exposed stone walls, purple neon lights, big plants, and great shower curtains in the women's locker rooms. The mainly gay clientele is in better shape than most people ever hope to be. Barney Frank lost his flab and got pumped up at Metropolitan. Are you cool enough to belong? 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Cru
Our favorite time of day to plant ourselves at Cru’s breezy dockside bar is during that sweet spot of around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. After a hot day on the sand, that’s the perfect time to cool off with a Cru-cumber (its famous cucumber martini) and, when hunger strikes — as it always does — the best lobster roll around, served buttery hot or refreshingly cold. One Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554, crunantucket.com.
Oak + Moss
Calling all plant lovers: This sweet Salem boutique has everything you need to transform your home into a garden oasis you’ll (really!) never want to leave. The best part? You can order its birds-of-paradise, philodendrons, and ferns online—as well as gorgeous planters to keep your new additions happy—then safely pick up curbside. And if you’re not sure your thumb is green enough, the shop also stocks home goods such as cheeky throw pillows and hand-poured candles to liven up your space. 143 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970, oakandmoss.com.
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
Think horticulture and high-energy kids don’t mix? You haven’t been to this Boylston sanctuary, which continued its growth this year by unveiling a 1.5-acre children’s garden — dubbed the Ramble designed for the littlest plant lovers. The pre-K set will especially appreciate the space’s new Nature Play Days, offering story time, crafts, dress-up, and more. Parents, meanwhile, will relish the thousands of gorgeous flowers in bloom — not to mention an on-site café overlooking Mount Wachusett (with mac ’n’ cheese for the kiddos, of course). 11 French Dr., Boylston, MA 1505, nebg.org.
Philip Schwartz, Morning Paws
Hands down, Schwartz is the most distinguished walker of dogs in the city. Gray-haired and bespectacled, Philip stalks the streets of the South End, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill with his small leashed brood (including his own gentle doberman, Tara). A former retail executive, Schwartz never had a dog as a child and is making up for lost time, caring for up to 40 a day. He also does some sleepover home-stays—attending to pets, mail, and plants—and gives advice about Parisian travel and cooking. The cost: $10 per walk, $40-$50 per night for home stays.
Wilson's Farms
If it's good enough for Julia Child, it's good enough for us. Sure, it's bigger than your average farmstand, and the weekend traffic on quiet Pleasant Street can be a drag. But the Wilson family has been growing fresh produce since 1884 and selling it to the public for the past 50 years—long before yuppies discovered mesclun, and before the pan-Asian trend gave bok choy its buzz. More than 30 acres in Lexington and 250 in New Hampshire fuel the retail shop, where every conceivable fruit and vegetable is available, not to mention flowers and plants and a full menu of prepared foods, cheeses, condiments and baked goods. 10 Pleasant St., Lexington, MA .
Bos. Shop South End
Since it replaced the beloved Olives & Grace last summer, this sweet boutique, which showcases goods from Black-owned businesses, has taken over the mantle of Boston’s most thoughtful — and beautifully merchandised — gift shop. Drop in for a bag of loose-leaf herbal tea, a box of locally made chocolates, or a cute little “plant baby” for your dinner-party host (even better, spring for the curated gift box). No matter what you choose, you can be confident you’ll always get the same thing from the person receiving it: another invite. 623 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, blackownedbos.com/bos-shop.
The Old Inn on the Green
This renovated B-and-B began as an 18th-century stagecoach stop, and to this day there are no electric lights in the dining rooms—only a sea of candles and an open hearth. The food, however, is indisputably modern. Chef Peter Platt's credentials have nearly surpassed those of his early mentors, Lydia Shire and Jasper White, and his decadent handiwork—foie gras flan, squid-ink risotto, braised short ribs with truffled mashed potatoes—is history-making itself. 134 Hartsville/New Marlborough Rd., New Marlborough, MA oldinn.com.