Nick's Moving Company
In a town where moving is a way of life (and everyone moves at precisely the same moment), finding a mover to do the job quickly and affordably can be a challenge. When we needed to move on a Sunday and at the last minute, though, the friendly people at Nick's said it wouldn't be a problem. And it wasn't. The courteous, energetic moving team got the job done quickly, safely, and efficiently, with no complaints about fourth-floor walkups. What's more, this moving service is comparatively inexpensive, with hourly rates of $115 for a three-man team or $90 for a two-man team—all of which makes the yearly relocating habit in this town affordable vice. 495 Columbia St., Somerville, MA bostonmamovers.net.
Paul McWhirk and Tony Antoniou
McWhirk and partner Antoniou work out of A&M Motors, 47 Webster Ave., Somerville. A&M won't do body work, and 90 percent of their effort is put into foreign cars, but they're reliable and will work on American models if asked (reasonable, too; sixteen dollars an hour for labor). "We do repairs, and we stand behind them," McWhirk says. "We're pretty open. We figure out what has to be fixed, what should be done first. I treat each job like my own car." A & M Motos, 47 Webster Ave., Somerville, MA .
The Beacon Room
Vacationers can play it two ways as they settle into this welcoming, wood-filled space for a midday meal: fuel up for an afternoon of high-impact romping in the sand, or just plain fill up for several hours of indolence under the sun. For the former, there's leaner fare such as grilled chicken on Portuguese muffins and a salad with gorgonzola, walnut, and sun-dried cranberries. For the latter, choose from plus-size portions of clam chowder, crab cakes, fish and chips, and other Cape Cod classics—and enjoy the wistful glances from those sticking to moderation (poor things). 23 West Road, Orleans, MA 2653, beaconroom.com.
Doremi
The chance to sing for hours in a disco-ball-outfitted private den with loud, sweaty friends armed with tambourines is reason alone to love DoReMi, but did you know this bastion of Asian-style karaoke offers off-key nightlife in 13 languages? In the rec-plush lobby—inexplicably furnished with an exercise bike—you’ll inevitably bump into the purest international cross-section of Allston. Way preferable to battling a bachelorette party, dumped out of an SUV limo, at one of those downtown singalong joints. Note to budding Demi Lovatos: Croon here soon before the space gets razed by redevelopers, who have been sniffing around. 442 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 2134, doremikaraoke.net.
Mr. Sid
It must be that a parallel universe exists in Newton Centre, where for 40 years Mr. Sid has managed to make men's shopping a social activity. Could it have something to do with the daily 5 p.m. cocktail hour, when the main sweater display transforms into a pool table, a plasma TV emerges, and the sales guys start shaking up martinis? Or could it simply be that for years men have wandered into Mr. Sid and, thanks to its expansive selection of upscale business and casual clothing, emerged better dressed and standing taller (if not slightly buzzed as well)? 1211 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, mrsid.com.
Topper's Restaurant at the Wauwinet
A quick ferry ride from Straight Wharf drops Sunday gourmands at the Wauwinet, where the garden at the inn's restaurant, Topper's, isn't just for show. In the hours before the brunch rush, chef David Daniels (formerly of XV Beacon's Federalist) can be seen plucking herbs for his refined recipes, which include Wauwinet turkey hash, cinnamon-sugar beignets, and a Kobe beef-and-short rib burger. Elegant yet comfortable banquettes and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound have encouraged many a brunch-goer to linger; sometimes all the way till dinner. 120 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Twentieth Century Limited
What becomes immediately clear upon entering the small shop are the hours needed to fully appreciate it. Cases chock-full of vintage jewelry line the perimeter of the room and reach almost to the ceiling. And there's even more than meets the eye; ask to see cuff links, for example, and numerous trays appear from the bottoms of cases that weren't initially visible. Ask to see more (if you dare) and bags and bags, filled to the brim, materialize. It's as if all of Beacon Hill's grand dames came here to empty their jewelry boxes. 73 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, boston-vintagejewelry.com.
Dessert Works
Kristen Repa has seen (and made) a lot of wedding cakes: Before launching her own bakery more than a decade ago, she honed her sweet skills at local institutions like Konditor Meister and the Catered Affair, and even trained at the renowned Konditorei Gerstner, in Austria. Whether you want your cake to match your theme, your personality, or your gorgeous gown, Repa and her team of pastry chefs will turn out an exquisite confection that tastes as good as it looks (dulce de leche or lemon—summer berry, anyone?). 302 Providence Hwy., Westwood, MA 2090, dessertworks.net.
Cakes to Remember
By the time you've bought the dress, picked a reception site, and sent the invitations, your wedding cake is practically an afterthought. And it often tastes like one—destined to be left on the table, uneaten. Ellen Bartlett of Cakes to Remember in Brookline makes wedding cakes your guests will actually eat. Working with each couple individually, she helps them pick out the perfect flavor and design to match the dress, flowers, or location. Using the best ingredients, Bartlett custom-builds exquisite cakes so good your wedding guests may skip right to dessert. 248 Cypress St., Brookline, MA cakestoremember.biz.
Landry and Arcari
The qualities you seek in a fine rug, it could be argued, are not unlike those you might seek in a mate: Rich. Good-looking. Well traveled. If that's the case, your heart's desire awaits at Landry and Arcari. How about an antique wool rug handwoven in China? Or a sprawling geometric eye-catcher in bright silk? Perhaps a custom carpet inspired by a favorite artist's work or your child's drawing? (They can make even doodles look elegant.) The showroom has the finest broadlooms for those in search of something more expansive, while its repair service can help you patch things up with your current love. 333 Stuart St., Boston, MA landryandarcari.com.
Eastern Standard
Step one (sufficiently difficult): Coordinate 15 schedules to pick a date for your birthday/ anniversary/coming-out party. Step two (near impossible): Find a place that will seat everyone. The private dining room at Eastern Standard—a plush, chandeliered alcove off the main dining area—will accommodate parties of up to 18 with ease. The waiter assigned solely to your group means you won't ever feel neglected; the fully enclosed space means you won't have to struggle to hear what your pals are discussing at the other end of the table. Hotel Commonwealth, 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA easternstandardboston.com.
Bouclé
Unlike that other island, the Vineyard isn't all about donning your D&G. Still, after a hard day at the beach, even the most casual among us may crave a little luxury. And that's certainly what you'll find at Bouclé, a tidy two-story spa in the heart of Edgartown. Its spa manicure is a professional buff and polish (you can let your nails dry in the blooming patio garden); its lymphatic massage, a detoxifying dream. The cedar-shingle retreat has a full-service hair salon, too, just in case an unpretentious party invite arrives in your mailbox. 12 N. Water St., Edgartown, MA 2539, .
Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers
Your rich aunt left her classic dining room set to your bratty sister? Who cares?! You can build your own inheritance-worthy collection at Thos. Moser, the Maine-based furnituremaker where all the pieces are handcrafted from solid hardwood, the way they have been since before you were born. Choose from iconic Yankee silhouettes or spare, contemporary classics-in-the-making that combine Japanese, German Bauhaus, and American Shaker influences. Whatever you pick, everyone will know that at least you were bequeathed good taste. 19 Arlington St., Boston, MA 2116, thomasmoser.com.
The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor
If you think Encore is all bright lights and spinning reels, you’d be right … unless, that is, you’ve taken the elevator up to its state-of-the-art spa, a 19,000-square-foot oasis that feels both ultra-extravagant and profoundly Zen. Before your treatment, unwind in the sauna, relax in the eucalyptus-infused steam room, or take a soak in the hot tub. For the full experience — and a welcome shot of endorphins — alternate between any of these hot options and the cold plunge pool. Your body, and your soul, will thank you. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
BHLDN
Rallying the troops for a shopping sesh isn’t so easy when your ’maids live in different places. Thankfully, BHLDN’s virtual styling appointments make cross-country celebrating a breeze, ensuring each gal can successfully browse and shop online. As for the dresses? Catering to a range of sizes, styles, and budgets, BHLDN’s selection of gowns in a rainbow of easy-to-match hues — accessible via the shop’s new swatch program — all but ensures your girls will be wearing their picks long after your special day. 220 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, bhldn.com.