Bouclé Salon & Spa
On the second floor of a restored gray-shingled Edgartown Colonial lies an unlikely retreat. Bouclé may not be posh, but it has a gracious staff and ample charm in creaky floorboards, not to mention an extensive list of fairly priced services. Expect relaxing deep facials and cosmopolitan haircuts, as well as long-lasting manicures from the new nail care cottage in the backyard. Bumble and Bumble take-home treatments and flirty silk hair accessories for sale make leaving Bouclé with a shopping bag or two under the arm almost as much fun as walking in. 12 N. Water St., Edgartown, MA 2539, bouclespa.com.
Maria Grace Rodrigues, Salon Mario Russo
Mario Russo has, at last, given Maria Grace Rodrigues a room of her own. The manicurist now sits behind a beaded curtain on the second floor of Russo's redesigned Newbury Street salon, where a simple white workstation provides the appropriate backdrop to her calm demeanor and lighthearted banter. Best yet, her technique has been honed to perfection: Her pretty polishes last well beyond a week. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Allston Car Wash
At $16.95 a pop, and less than 30 minutes from start to finish, vehicular makeovers of this sort could turn into a weekly tradition. The speedy but conscientious staff wipes down and vacuums your car's interior (including under the floor mats), then sends the car through the automatic wash. A meticulous hand-drying leaves your vehicle looking like new. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Regattabar
Jazz in its live form requires a venue that does it justice. With a slew of world-class acts ranging from timbale guru Eguie Castrillo to prog-funk trio Garage à Trois, this 220-seat space packs in the tables but leaves room for dancing out back. Bands play on the floor rather than a stage, making banter with the audience a common occurrence. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, regattabarjazz.com.
The Beachcomber
Cape Cod isn't exactly famous for its surfing, but the Beachcomber on Cahoon Hollow Beach is the quintessential surfers' hangout, with battered boards on the walls, sand on the wood floors, and an annual visit from surf god Dick Dale. Early on, the joint is full of families grabbing dinner, but once the sun goes down, a younger crowd moves in for strong mixed drinks and beer. 1120 Cahoon Hollow Road, Wellfleet, MA 2667, thebeachcomber.com.
Avalon
Big venues usually mean small performers—not in terms of musical stature, but because you're so far away the act looks like a dot with a guitar. So thank God and Pat Lyons for Avalon, where despite its capacity of 1,950, you never feel far from the stage. A spacious main floor, tiered stairs, and a balcony with great stage views make seeing big-time indie performers—Rhett Miller and Doves—seem almost intimate. 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
Vics Boathouse at Victoria Station
Serene by day, sultry by night, and boasting tantalizing harbor views, Vic's hosts an endless cavalcade of events (open-mike nights, karaoke, and dancing), fueled by an expansive beer list—Pretty Things, Alchemist, and Saison Dupont, to name a few—and a creative cocktail menu. To cool down after heating up the dance floor, go for a refreshing Aperol Cucumber Fizz, sipped slowly on the patio or dock. 86 Wharf St., Salem, MA 1970, victoriasstationsalem.com.
Offshore Ale Company
Oak Bluffs is the antithesis of the Jersey Shore, so why do most of its bar options seem so well suited for "gym, tan, laundry"? Escape to the Offshore Ale Company for its rotating selection of unique house-made brews, like the Flying Monkey, a Belgian-style ale aged in chardonnay barrels. The kind of bar that allows—nay, encourages—patrons to toss peanut shells onto the floor, it's sure to become your favorite stomping ground. 30 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, offshoreale.com.
Uptown Espresso
It's not hard to miss Uptown Espresso, tucked into the first floor of a townhouse in the South End—although once you know it's there, it's virtually impossible to walk past. The coffee, a dark roast from upstate New York, is bracing without being overwhelming; tea lovers can choose from more than 20 blends. Order an iced espresso, latte, or steamer to go, or settle in for a quiet moment on the sunny glassed-in porch. 563 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Bloomingdales
The heart of the capacious first floor at the new multimillion-dollar Bloomingdale's in Chestnut Hill is its smartly laid-out, wholly welcoming cosmetics department. Hard-to-find brands include Clé de Peau and Trish McEvoy; personable, informed, and refreshingly nonpushy salespeople make for zero-pressure lingering; and real-world lighting means it's no shock when your $23 cobalt blue Dior mascara turns out to be very blue, indeed. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, bloomingdales.com.
Barneys New York
Just as toppings make the sundae, accessories make the outfit. Barneys boasts a broader inventory than most, with two floors of jewelry, scarves, gloves, glasses, and other add-ons from 200-plus brands. Upstairs, Barneys Co-Op has charms by Bing Bang and funky shades by Dita; downstairs, you'll find haute Goyard totes and Balenciaga wallets. All in all, it makes for a feast for the style-famished. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
C.O. Bigelow
Cracked elbows, oily T-zones, and damaged locks all require different care routines, which is why C.O. Bigelow fills its floor-to-ceiling shelves with enough creams, soaps, balms, masks, and bath salts to satisfy even the biggest product pack rat. Favorites include Kevyn Aucoin makeup, Frederic Fekkai hair care, and exclusive skin-care treatments from Patricia Wexler M.D., as well as the store's eponymous line of quince and grapefruit hand and body lotions. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, bigelowchemists.com.
Bambini Design
If children are the future, surely their rooms shouldn't be stuck in the past. Shop Bambini for color-saturated contemporary furnishings and gadgets such as Kaloo stuffed animals and floor mats, Vibel modular play sets, must-have Bugaboo strollers, and Sozu lighting to illuminate your bright young things. Because it's never too early to learn to appreciate good taste. 82 Boylston St. (Rte. 9), Brookline, MA 2445, bellabambinidesign.com.
Louis Boston
Louis's unparalleled offering of women's designs by fashion darlings including Marni, Tuleh, and Zac Posen—not to mention a formidable men's collection with everything from Brioni to Trovata—makes it a legendary local house of style. The revitalized first floor now includes more bath products, linens, and vintage home goods than ever, and the salespeople remain polite, not pushy. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Italian Design
Outshining the competition is serious business at Italian Design, where high-wattage style emanates from futuristic floor lamps, funky ceiling fixtures, and warm, colorful bedside sconces. Everything on display is a modern work of art. Don't fret if you're unfamiliar with lighting science; the knowledgeable staff can help you with projects of all sizes. 82 Boylston St., Brookline, MA italian-design.net.