Saks Fifth Avenue
Whether required for stalking an ex, masking last night's excesses, or just plain blocking the sun, sunglasses are a very personal accessory—they're the shades on the windows to one's soul, after all. Eyewear emporium Robert Marc gets top marks for its sleek styles, but the one-brand situation leaves something to be desired. And while the high-to-low price spectrum at Solstice is laudable, it can't compare to Saks, where choices abound for men and women of seemingly all tastes and budgets: Museum-rare Chloé, Valentinos, and Cavallis reign among hundreds of frames from Prada, Dior, and Oliver Peoples, and even Marc by Marc Jacobs pairs that can be had for less than $100. 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2118, saksfifthavenue.com.
Laura Preshong
Looking through this South End designer’s compendium of engagement rings and wedding bands, two words spring to mind: heirloom quality. Gleaming and guiltless thanks to the brand’s exclusive use of conflict-free and lab-grown diamonds, the wide array of locally made bling runs the gamut from art deco-inspired sparklers boasting emerald-cut center stones to simple solitaires paired with knife-edge bands in rose gold. Opt for a “prix-fixe” style, choose your setting and stones separately via the à la carte service, or custom-design something entirely new. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, laurapreshong.com.
Lizard Lounge
It is with good reason that the Lizard Lounge consistently tops our live-venue list: It's still the favorite choice for established rock acts, and, for all its renown, is still every bit as intimate as a suburban rec room. Crowded cocktail tables stand inches away from the Oriental rug-lined stage, where, on any given night, a classic jazz trio, alt-rockers, or spoken-word poets perform to no more than 105 fans. Adding to the club's character are the laid-back punks behind the bar who dole out boutique draft beers such as Mojo IPA and Victory Golden Monkey. 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, lizardloungeclub.com.
Synergistics Personal Training Studio
Just when you thought fitness fads had reached their zenith, Helena and Brian Collins turned the notion of working out on its head. Forget long lines for treadmills, aerobic Amazons, and nightclub noise: Synergistics is a calm haven where trainers work one-on-one with clients. The Collins' approach to fitness uses sculpting, balancing, and strengthening programs in addition to Pilates, target eight training, and martial arts techniques. Brian is trained in the art of Huo Tuo Tui-Na, a massage therapy thought to alleviate migraines, lower back pain, and stress-related health problems. 9 Newbury Street, Boston, MA lifeinsynergy.com.
Belly Wine Bar’s " Arm + A Leg" Dinner
The large-format meaty feasts here are an excursion unto themselves. One Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, MA 2139, bellywinebar.com.
Lynda Hartigan, Peabody Essex Museum
What was once a stuffy North Shore institution has become a must-visit attraction. From a comprehensive look at Joseph Cornell to the unveiling of one of the greatest private collections of 17th-century Dutch art, the shows under chief curator Lynda Hartigan's direction have solidly positioned the PEM on the world stage. East India Square, Salem, MA pem.org.
Paradise Rock Club
This legendary live-music venue might be a quarter-century old, but its state-of-the-art sound system delivers crystal-clear beats and fuzz-free acoustic sets. Fans love being within mere feet of their favorite rock stars, and even though national acts such as the Flaming Lips and Jack Johnson sometimes swing through, the Paradise still promotes smalltime local bands looking for their big break. 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club.
The move of MIT's highly regarded Hayden Gallery into its exquisitely expanded quarters in the new I. M. Pei—designed Albert and Vera List Visual Arts Center, in Cambridge.
<em>Art New England</em>
The only local publication devoted entirely to the arts.
Punch Bar
Points off for being a dark cavern in the corner of one of the city's ugliest hotels (the Back Bay Sheraton). But the cushy chairs and cozy nooks lend a decadent air to the art of cigaring. The selection is immense— 100 by our last count— and the bar staff is adept at guiding even novices to a satisfying stogie. Sheraton Boston Hotel & Towers, 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
The Artists Foundation
Director Dan Corrigan does a great job. 110 Broad St., Boston, MA .
The two statues of former mayor James Michael Curley in Dock Square, near Quincy Market. Brilliant touch.
Anything by Blue Potato Installations, a window-display company owned and operated by Kristin Lauer
Lauer picks through junkyards to create the thought-provoking , often humorous window displays at Jasmine and Sola, in Harvard Square, and at North Beach Leather in Copley Place (among other stores). She gets an E for effort and an A for adventurousness.