Allie Tuminelli Esthetics & Lash Extensions
Finally, a lash enthusiast who also cares about your eyes. While applying lashes one at a time, Allie Tuminelli insists on taking breaks to let your peepers rest. During the downtime, you’ll examine her work together, letting her add as needed. The result: fuller lashes, with less discomfort. 551 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, vegavitality.com.
Allston Car Wash
Your trusty auto deserves some proper pampering, and the friendly staffers at Allston Car Wash are happy to oblige. Choose from the extensive menu of services, then watch as your vehicle is whisked away for a rigorous vacuum and a thorough scrubbing in the automated washing tunnel before getting dried lovingly by hand. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 2134, allstoncarwash.com.
Dorfman Jewelers
This is your parents' jeweler—in fact, it might even be your grandparents'. Dorfman is still the kind of place where you go for serious baubles with a touch of high drama, plus subtle and sophisticated pieces from Bulgari, Patek Philippe, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Expect service of the old-school variety: classy and courteous. 24 Newbury St., Boston, MA dorfmanjewelers.com.
Claudia Grimaud, Salon Mario Russo
She spends so much time on your nails you'll think you're her only client for the day. Grimaud pampers you with a soothing hand massage and expertly takes the rough edges off your talons. Most important, her multicoated polishing will take you through a week and then some. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Blick
Painting your next masterpiece starts here. Blick has a deep selection of everything you'll need, plus folks behind the counter who are artists themselves—meaning they'll be delighted to expound on the differences between papyrus and parchment, suggest the best brushes for your buck, and point you toward the perfect frame. 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 2215, .
Out of Town News
Where else can you satisfy your craving for the latest magazine about fly fishing, your favorite foreign commentary, or the current issue of Bus World? With more than 4,000 magazines and 500 newspapers, foreign and domestic, this tiny space has been a window on the world since 1955. Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA .
The Garment District
You can find any item of clothing—cheap!—in this warehouse filled with has-been fashions and disquieting decor. Visit the Dollar-A-Pound level on weekends (where the floorboards are literally strewed with clothes) to remind yourself what your room looked like in your teens. Kids' clothes and costumes galore, as well. 200 Broadway, Cambridge, MA .
Serenella
Not since Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker's first date has understated elegance sat so close to attention-grabbing glamour. The frocks at Serenella—meticulously cut, pressed, and hung—are a whirlwind of sophisticated designs. Start with the impressive collection of European imports: whimsical Moschino ensembles, sexy Blumarine pieces by Italian designer Anna Molinari, and a sunny lineup of Roberto Cavalli gowns in saturated colors that will steal your heart (if not your paycheck). Your sensible side will be seduced by Narciso Rodriguez's latest lean looks. The compilation is so artistic, it even pulls in hard-core Pucci collectors, ardently looking for the Next Big Piece. As for the rest of us, we're just happy to wear the stuff, which we do whenever the evening calls for something special. 134 Newbury St., Boston, MA serenella-boston.com.
Crane Beach
The long, winding boardwalks and grassy dunes at Crane Beach can magically readjust the tired mind of even the most citified creature. After sinking your toes into the beach's soft white sand, you may decide to trade in your power suit for a bathing suit—permanently. Bird lovers, bring your binoculars—Crane is home to more than 200 aviary species, including wild turkeys. Getting there a problem? For those without wheels, take the commuter rail to downtown Ipswich, and then bike five miles to the beach. For those who drive: Stop to go antiquing in nearby Essex on the way. For kids of all ages: Don't miss Crane's annual sand-sculpture competition on August 12. Beach amenities: ample parking, refreshments, clean bathhouses, and outside showers. Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA .
Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go
"Own your slurp" is the mantra at Moe Kuroki’s tiny ramen bar: It means belly up to the counter, enjoy your soup, and worry about those stains on your shirt later. But it also applies to Kuroki’s personal journey: The self-taught cook from Fukuoka, Japan, began tinkering with traditional tonkotsu recipes during a particularly strong bout of homesickness. In 2014, she started slinging bowls of tender pork belly and chewy homemade noodles at pop-ups across the city. Now she’s sharing her love for the art of ramen at her new brick-and-mortar, where a layered, rich, fully vegan-style bowl stands out in a sea of fresh noodles on the scene. 1 3/4 Broad St., Boston, MA 02109, oisaramen.com.
Brian Hemming, Regeneration Tattoo
Whether you’re looking for a nonjudgmental consult for your very first tat or finishing off a sleeve with a portrait of a beloved pet, Brian Hemming’s attention to detail and years of experience soothe. He’s justifiably popular, so book early and be prepared to wait for your permanent work of art. 155 Harvard Ave., Allston, 02134, regenerationtattoo.com.
Ardan MedSpa + Salon
Bustling Ardan may not scream "relaxation." But downstairs, as you lie on a heated massage table in a candlelit room, the commotion melts away. Massage therapist/medical aesthetician Sarah Rattet incorporates aromatherapy into even a basic massage, leaving your head clear and your muscles tingling. 72 Central St., Wellesley, MA 2481, ardanspa.com.
Boston Buyers' Club
You want body-building protein supplements, it's got 'em all. Plus, it gives conspicuous consumption a good name: The money you spend on your selfish obsession with your body goes to support people living with HIV. 29 Stanhope St., Boston, MA .
Opticians 3
Whether your look is designer chic, fifties retro, or Elton John outre, this place can meet your specs. It's also one of only a few local sources for the popular Oliver Peoples line of antique-style frames. 755 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, MA .
Teuscher
Ever wonder why the church once outlawed chocolate as too sensual? Airlifted weekly from the little chocolate gnomes in Zurich, delectable with the finest cream, butter, and milk chocolate, these are the kind of chocolates you eat so slowly that they melt in your hand long before they get to your mouth. 230 Newbury St., Boston, MA .