Saks Fifth Avenue
Good shades can turn an ugly duckling into a red-carpet darling in seconds. But finding the right pair isn't always so simple. At Saks, men and women can choose from among hundreds of designer frames both timeless and trendy. And with many options under $150, these shades come far cheaper than that other way to cover your crow's feet: Botox. 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2118, saksfifthavenue.com.
Leather World
Time was, travelers could blissfully shop for haute totes and Riviera-ready steamer trunks without having to worry about overhead bins and luggage fees. But with airlines now charging for baggage by the pound, it's time to pack smart. Local mini chain Leather World stocks practical roller bags, hardsides, and backpacks by stalwarts like Victorinox, Tumi, and Samsonite, as well as an array of TSA-approved goodies such as "express scan" bags that you can leave your laptop in. Bonus: The store hosts frequent sales. 30 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, shopleatherworld.com.
Stil
If anyone knows fun—having it, looking it—it's Stil owner Betty Riaz. And so it goes at her mini chain, which deals in champagne toast-worthy frocks from Ports 1961, Noir, By Malene Birger, Camilla Staerk, and other designers not seen elsewhere in town. Splashy sequins, patent leathers, dark chiffons, and vampy silhouettes ensure that even if the party is lame, your outfit won't be. 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, stillinc.com.
Rangoli
This dimly lit, family-run eatery is a winning culinary combination for discriminating taste buds. The diverse and imaginative menu goes well beyond your typical curry-and-rice staples. Mouthwatering dishes range from top-notch tandoori specials, such as salmon tikka, to fiery curries like chicken Madras. Delicious dosas, tasty kebabs, and subtle sauces compose a tantalizing formula for success. Reasonable prices, coupled with pleasant service, add up to a winning combination of spice and nice. 129 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA .
Terramia
The flagship of this mini-empire on Salem Street—they also run Antico Forno—Terramia is the single reason to make your way to the North End—and the Big Dig be damned. The street lights and ambient charm of the North End come in through the large windows of this elegant restaurant. Specials change daily, but on a recent visit, chefs Mario Nocera and Joseph Tinnirello prepared spectacular homemade porcini mushroom pappardelle and a beautiful grilled tuna finished with white beans and escarole. 98 Salem St., Boston, MA .
Aujourd'hui
Don't let the name fool you. Aujourd'hui's fare is not so much French as New American, and arguably the New American in town at that. Appetizers include seared foie gras with white-sweet-potato puree, mango and ginger, and house-cured salmon roulade with crab meat, horseradish and cucumber; and entrees include medallions of veal tenderloin and seared ahi tuna. Impeccable service and lovely views overlooking the Public Garden. Pricey, but worth it. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Scandia
This long, narrow restaurant in the heart of Newburyport has a certain bistro appeal, and when lit with candles in the evening, it's, well, not exactly European but charmingly provincial. Caesar Salad and Steak Diane are house specialties— the salad may even be prepared tableside. But as you'd expect in this neighborhood, seafood is the marquee food group, so why stray? 25 State St., Newburyport, MA .
Jeannette Neill
Out with smelly, stuffy, cramped studios; hello, Jeannette Neill! Proper ventilation and soft lighting set the mood in Neill's four exposed-brick studios, where energetic instructors help dancers of all levels limber up on the bar or uncover the secrets of booty quaking. (It's all in the knees.) The children's program here fosters personal growth rather than producing prima ballerinas, and adults can drop in on jazz, tap, theater, or hip-hop classes. 261 Friend St., Boston, MA 2114, jndance.com.
Michaud Cosmedix
No pain, no gain. At Michaud Cosmedix, the latter far outweighs the former as owner Julie Michaud and her aestheticians spend 30 minutes plucking your eyebrows one hair at a time. The result? Enviable arches that stay in shape much longer than they do after a 30-second wax. Here's something actually worth tearing up for. 69 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
The Sports Club/LA
Still the poshest place in town to break a sweat, the Sports Club/LA is much more than a meeting place for the wealthy and healthy. Every gym has rows of equipment and a fitness staff, but only the Sports Club/LA has a view overlooking the Common and more than 50 private trainers ready to whip your body into tip-top shape. Add the full-size indoor basketball and squash courts, Pilates room, pool, and 35 group classes,and you have no excuse for skipping the workouts. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA boston.sportsclubla.com.
Ares Shoe Repair
Ares has been resoling, reheeling, and repolishing Boston's finest leather shoes for more than 70 years and will take extra special care of yours. The expert cobblers in the cozy basement storefront are a serious but likeable bunch who each have years of training behind their knowledge of the craft. That expertise means they can resize, stretch out, clean up, or de-scuff just about anything you bring in—fast, and at a reasonable price. 84 Charles St., Boston, MA .
No. 9 Park
Barbara Lynch's famous prune-stuffed gnocchi with seared foie gras is generally evening fare, but the city's power corps increasingly finds its way to her door for lunch. State House politicians and lobbyists lead the way, and others have followed, tracing the scent of deals in the making—and No. 9's totally irresistible pappardelle pasta in Bolognese sauce. 9 Park St., Boston, MA no9park.com.
Trefler & Sons
The 20-plus artists employed by this low-profile, 83-year-old, family-owned company repair some 20,000 cracked, shattered, faded, worn, or burned objets d'art per year for clients from around the world. The talented group can fix or restore just about anything, from furniture and paintings, frames and glass, to ivory, jade, metals, and marble. No job is too challenging, no repair too trivial. And when your favorite piece is ready, it will shine as brilliantly as when it was created. 29 Tower Rd., Newton, MA .
Bella Santé
The staff at this low-key, blissfully relaxing spa makes having your nails buffed and polished a special occasion. Manicurists delicately file nails and trim cuticles, throwing in a tension-melting hand massage to boot. And if you're unsure about length, shape, or color (the spa stocks an extensive range of Essie and OPI polishes), they'll offer an expert opinion or just get down to the task at hand while you concentrate on the serious business of unwinding. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
Ecoluxe
At long last, a dry cleaner that cares about you and your clothes. Ecoluxe has banished the chemicals commonly found in garden-variety dry cleaning (linked with a handful of harmful effects), as well as a pile of other dirty laundry: nonchalant service, for example, and depressing surroundings. Owner Shelly Mars has instead created attractive, environmentally friendly storefronts with remarkable personal service and excellent cleaning and pressing. For those too harried to make the trek to Brookline, Mars offers delivery to Newton, Wellesley, Milton, Cambridge, and parts of Boston. 1018 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .