Credo
If you wear makeup, there will come a time when you raise the goopy mascara wand to your eyes and think, What the heck is in this stuff? Shop at Credo, and you’ll have the answer. The San Francisco–based store, which landed on our shores last year, carries only cosmetics made with clean ingredients. From Kjaer Weis’s certified-organic cream foundation to Ilia’s avocado-oil-enriched mascara, you can feel good about the products that make you look good. 177 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, credobeauty.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
We approached the crew at Newbury Tailoring Company with a horizontal-striped dress and an innocent question: "Will hemming it mess up the pattern?" Turns out, we had no need to worry. Flavio Rivas and his team have tackled far greater challenges, inspiring customers to follow first as they moved down Newbury Street in 2009, then over to Boylston four years ago. We can see why: Exactly a week after dropping it off, we were reunited with our beloved frock—every last stripe intact. 376 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Long's Jewelers
A visit to any of our local high-end jewelers will render you an expert on the four Cs in no time. But on selection and service, Long's takes top honors, offering more than 500 styles in-store (from vintage-inspired numbers by Ritani to modern beauties by Furrer-Jacot) and guaranteeing that if a stone shakes loose long after you walk out the door, they'll fix it, gratis. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.
Ventuno
Because we eat with our eyes first, the food at this charming, Italian-inspired spot is as visually arresting as it is delicious: house-made ricotta tortelloni di maggio accented by fava beans, green garlic, asparagus, wild chanterelles, and a kiss of purple chive flowers; pillowy honey mousse with walnut dacquoise crumble and roasted-blood-orange granita. Complementing all that artistry are congenial, knowledgeable servers and an intriguing, mostly Italian wine list. 21 Federal St., Nantucket, MA 2554, ventunorestaurant.com.
Lower Depths Tap Room
This Kenmore Square taproom raises the, ahem, bar on pub food. Try the build-your-own Fenway Franks, one of the crispy tater tot varieties (like 'poutine tots' or 'tots mexicana'), or the tasty nachos. The 7-ounce burger, meanwhile, comes piled high with whatever unconventional toppings we crave, from chili to chipotle aioli. Apologies to Burger King, but when we want it our way, we come here. 476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, thelowerdepths.com.
Cooperative Dog
After suffering through trainers who merely barked advice (our ears are still ringing), we were overjoyed to discover owner Vera Wilkinson's quiet expertise. Certified both as a dog-behavior consultant and professional dog trainer—and armed with more than a decade of experienc—Wilkinson begins by watching you interact with Fido at home. Only then does she offer suggestions. She takes her time, and you and your dog will end up the better for it. 1786 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2445, cooperativedog.com.
Bella Santé
Pouring hot wax onto skin sounds strange at best. Ripping it off seems worse. Yet women everywhere repeatedly submit themselves to this hair-removal process. Our hirsute pursuit takes us to Bella Santé, where we have actually dozed off during a thorough thigh-to-toe wax. That's how gentle was the aesthetician, whose careful attention to detail left us beach ready and bruise free. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
M. Flynn
Time and time again, we reach for the pieces in our jewelry box linked to this darling South End boutique. The sisters Flynn—Moria and Megan—have impeccable taste, amassing chunky woven bracelets from Maine's the Ropes; delicate handpainted enamel necklaces from Les Nereides; and knockout earrings from Erickson Beamon and Alexis Bittar. The pair also stocks their own in-house label, and if you have a piece of heirloom jewelry you'd like to recast, they'll help you design a custom keeper. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA mflynnjewelry.com.
Bob Crane
And we don't mean the star of "Hogan's Heroes." The local Crane show is just as long-running but our Bobby has had better luck getting out of tight spots. As state treasurer, Crane has survived thirteen years under four governors, emerged unscathed from a lengthy Justice Department probe of his financial affairs, and now, with re-election time at hand, he has managed to make his opponent's magical name—Kennedy—a political liability. Now that's wizardry.
Museum of Fine Arts
All of our local museums have responded to 2020’s challenges with aplomb, working hard to launch online programs that keep the public connected. But the MFA has gone above and beyond with offerings as labyrinthine as its physical complex on Huntington Ave. In addition to a deep dive into the landmark Basquiat exhibit, the museum also uploaded artist interviews and art classes for kids on its website and YouTube channel—to say nothing of its immaculately produced collection tours on Google Arts & Culture. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, mfa.org.
Jill Rosenwald, Jill Rosenwald Studio
Jill Rosenwald's groovy patterned pottery and accessories are pure bold technicolor, and so is her personality: Chatty and effusive, Rosenwald considers her clients and colleagues old friends. When you call her studio, it's actually her on the other end, always game to kibitz about your latest design needs. She's a big supporter of our arts scene, too, as a cofounder of the Design Salon, a networking organization for creative women to swap ideas and advice. 369 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, jillrosenwald.com.
USTrust Bank
Let the big boys fight it out among themselves. For our money, the best deal in town in USTrust. Free checking with no minimum balance. Free checks, even, with some accounts. Decent rates for consumer loans. Best of all, no charge for using your ATM card, even at most other banks. If that's not enough, there are still real tellers who are genuinely friendly and always free, unlike Fleet's. 65 branches, .
Cigar Masters
You don't go to Cigar Masters to smoke. You go to savor. Settle into a soft, cigar-brown (of course) leather couch and choose from roughly 200 cigars—from $3 to $30—kept in an oversized humidor. Along with complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Formaggio Kitchen (during special tastings), the smoke shop serves beer, wine, champagne, and port. So pair your stogy with some bubbly and puff away. 745 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, cigarmasters.com.
Polka Dog Bakery
We'll cop to ordering kibble in bulk and rolls of doggy bags online, but when we want to reward our most loyal friends, we load up on the chicken littles, cod skins, and duck jerky dehydrated in Polka Dog's South Boston kitchen. Beyond the treat jars, the retail shops deal in Big Shrimpy dog beds, Bella Bean collars, and sturdy Tuffy chew toys—certain to command semper fi from your pup—plus a range of purr-inducing cat provisions. 356 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
Emerge Spa and Salon
For those who go regularly to get buffed, the occasional cheap pedicure will do. For the rest of us, with our callused heels, blistered toes, and chipped polish, the Emerge deluxe pedicure functions like a foot intervention. First, anything unsightly gets whisked away by a chamomile scrub. Feet are then dunked in a paraffin treatment that softens even the toughest soles. Technicians are meticulous when grooming cuticles and perfecting polish application, leaving ample time for you to relax and marvel at the transformation of your digits. 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, emergespasalon.com.