Gina Hernandez, G2O Spa + Salon
Skin, meet savior. This industry vet’s rendition of G2O’s “Age Defying Facial” — which includes a double-deep exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, and acupressure, followed by a highly potent biocellulose face mask — is so popular, in-the-know clients often book weeks and weeks in advance. That’s because Hernandez’s gentle hands put pressure in all the right places, reducing puffiness and helping your skin look its glowiest. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA 02116, g2ospasalon.com.
Casa Design Group
Casa Design Group’s pared-down, modernist furnishings make outdoor gatherings tempting even on the cloudiest days. Of note: cozy, cocoon-like high-back lounge chairs from Roda, creamy Tuuci umbrellas fit for Miami Beach, sculptural Extremis picnic tables, and a new collaboration with audio innovators Bang & Olufsen that ensures your patio parties will sound as good as they look. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, casadesigngroup.com.
Nomans
With live music, fire pits, and lawn games like Jenga and cornhole, the restaurant formerly known as Lola’s is the perfect place to whittle away an island Sunday Funday. Oh, and there are plenty of eye-opening eats, too, from light and fresh poke and a&_ccedil;a&_iacute; bowls to burgers and dogs cooked just the way we like ’em. The in-house rums, meanwhile, will have you saying, “Yo-ho-ho” as you swashbuckle out the door. 15 Island Inn Rd., Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, nomansmv.com.
Nouveau Fashion Gallery
Wallflowers need not apply: Made from materials such as Lucite and even recycled paper, the bold, chunky necklaces at this Copley Place boutique owned by the ultra-stylish Ophelia Bakon and her sisters are conversation pieces that can turn even the simplest outfit into a showstopper. Throw one on with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or your favorite LBD, and you’ll be hearing “Where did you get that?” all day long. Copley Place, Boston, MA 02116, stylenu.com.
Schumacher
With past clients including Edith Wharton and collaborators ranging from Saul Steinberg to Frank Lloyd Wright, Schumacher’s reach travels far beyond simple home design. Whether you’re searching for a sleek geometric pattern or classic herringbone to cover your walls, you can shop easy knowing you’re alongside the arbiters of taste. Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place, Ste. 529, Boston, MA 02210, fschumacher.com.
Neena’s Lighting
The illuminated storefront at Neena’s flagship store on Boylston Street beckons patrons with a covetable selection of Tech Lighting chandeliers, Louis Poulsen pendants, and Artemide lamps. The highly trained staff not only will help you choose among contemporary, transitional, and classic styles, they’ll also advise on which fixtures will look the best in your home. 380 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, neenaslighting.com.
Puppet Showplace Theater
This Brookline institution is known for its top-notch puppetry shows in all different traditions, served up with sightlines designed for the little ones. But did you know you can also have the puppets take the stage just for your munchkins? Schedule a private performance or a workshop to give the kiddos an inside look at what happens behind the backdrop, or simply block seats at a regular showing. Then take over the lobby to blow out the candles on the most memorable of celebrations. 32 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445, puppetshowplace.org.
Scullers
It may be housed in the DoubleTree hotel next to a highway overpass, but once you enter this cozy cabaret-style venue of just 200 seats, you might as well have been teleported to a chic lounge in the French Quarter. Get up close and personal with the genre’s leading artists—Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea—or spot the jazz world’s next big thing: Scullers is dedicated to hosting next-gen musicians from local schools. 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston , MA 02134, scullersjazz.com.
Sacco’s Bowl Haven
The pizza may be organic and the beers local at this historical candlepin bowling alley, which was taken over by the Flatbread Company in 2010, but the vibe is old-school Somerville at its finest. In fact, there isn’t another bowling alley around with this much soul, even in a state full of them. Will it take a while to get your turn at a lane? You bet. But noshing on a crispy-chewy flatbread with homemade sausage and caramelized onions while crushing a Jack’s Abby lager hardly feels like waiting at all. 45 Day St., Somerville, MA 02144, flatbreadcompany.com/sacco.
Artists For Humanity EpiCenter
For those who prefer to color outside the lines, this vast venue provides the ultimate blank canvas. And the EpiCenter is about to get even more epic—this fall, the AFH unveils a revamped 5,000-square-foot event space. Walls are no obstacle here: Just raise the floor-to-ceiling garage-style door to let your soiree flow seamlessly into the landscaped courtyard. 100 W. Second St., Boston, MA 02127, afhboston.org.
Sidney Thomas
A single Akoya pearl bordered by diamonds. A vintage solitaire set gracefully on a band of 14-karat white gold. A trio of emerald-cut sapphires, azure as the ocean blue. Whatever your style, you’ll find the selection at this Prudential Center jeweler sparkles. Choose from modern and traditional pieces by Mikimoto, Henri Daussi, and Simon G. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, sidneythomas.com.
Peter Sacco, Adelante Shoe Co.
Ever stopped to wonder where your shoes come from? Peter Sacco did. Deeply troubled by the economic inequality he saw while on vacation in Central America, he dedicated his life—and his business—to finding a way to help. The designer’s high-quality, made-to-order leather boots and loafers are created by craftspeople in Guatemala who are paid 75 percent above the market rate, providing them with a livable wage. In other words, there’s plenty of soul in these classic soles. Bow Market, One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, adelanteshoes.com.
Hilton’s Tent City
After seven decades in Boston, this iconic outdoor outfitter packed its bags last summer and made the epic voyage across the Charles River, where it set up camp in a huge storefront in the heart of Central Square. Other than the location, not much has changed: The store is still stuffed with a gazillion backpacks, boots, headlamps, and everything else you’ll need for your next outdoor adventure. Go ahead, climb every mountain. 565 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, hiltonstentcity.com.
Trunk Club
One visit to Trunk Club’s recently opened Boston clubhouse and you’ll be inventing occasions to have a suit made. The swanky digs are just one perk of this personal-styling service’s merger with Nordstrom; another is the access clients have to designer accessories in the department store’s catalog. Sip a cocktail while your stylist takes 26 precise body measurements and then helps you choose everything from the buttons and fabric lining right down to the Gucci loafers. 501 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, trunkclub.com.
Precision Running Lab
In a city with a short autumn and an even shorter spring, dedicated treadmill studios, where runners pound pavement in a climate-controlled environment, are becoming increasingly popular. And this new spot inside Equinox’s Chestnut Hill outpost runs laps around the competition with its dance-club ambiance (classes sync lights and music to your speed), oxygen-enriched air, and custom Woodway treadmills. Wave goodbye to monotonous training sessions—Precision will have you marathon-ready in no time. 200 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, equinox.com.