Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Spend one evening lounging around a fire pit on the water-view terrace with your family, and you just might decide to make a stay at this Brewster retreat, centered around a Victorian-style mansion, an annual tradition. And why wouldn’t you, when there are enough amenities here—a Nicklaus-designed golf course, bar-adjacent private beach, luxe day spa, and full-service tennis courts—to make it so you never have to leave? oceanedge.com.
Mandarin Oriental
Looking to rub elbows with your favorite A-listers? Chances are if they’re in town, they’ve snagged a room at the Mandarin Oriental. It’s no surprise when you consider the hotel’s dedication to discreet yet over-the-top service, helmed by charismatic GM Philip Knuepfer: Whether you’re dropping by the sprawling spa, the on-site restaurant, Bar Boulud, or the check-in counter, you’re bound to get the star treatment. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA mandarinoriental.com.
LexRX
If you’re curious about next-level skin care but aren’t quite ready to make the leap to injectables, this new line of products has you covered. Created by the nurse practitioners who founded LexRX, a local cosmetic dermatology practice, the cleansers, serums, moisturizing creams, and detox masks are all packed with a proprietary combination of skin-boosting natural ingredients (activated charcoal, chamomile extract, lavender essential oil) and exfoliating acids to bring out your natural glow—no needles required. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA lexrx.co.
Lekker Home
You already know this South End boutique for its modern furnishings and home accessories. Now discover Lekker Home’s softer side, courtesy of a luxe linen collection with everything you need for a lifetime of pampering: Sasawashi scrub towels to keep your skin looking fresh, a super-soft Blacksaw throw for movie nights, and a crisp set of Area bed sheets to sink into later. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA lekkerhome.com.
Faherty
Recycling has never looked better. Founded by twin brothers and self-professed beach bums Mike and Alex Faherty, this company is making waves by blending salvaged plastic into fabric to create quick-dry bikinis, reversible one-pieces, and custom-printed swim trunks. And unlike your post-vacation glow, these suits won’t fade, thanks to natural indigo dyes and a special finishing technique that protects against chlorine and saltwater. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA fahertybrand.com.
European Watch Company
Serious collectors know watches aren’t jewelry; they’re investments. Which is why those building their ticker portfolio head to European Watch Company, which stocks some of the best new, preowned, and vintage timepieces ever made, including intricate numbers by Panerai, Patek Philippe, and Rolex. Waiting for a specific addition to complete your collection? The multigenerational owners recently created an app, updated numerous times a day, that alerts customers when a precious stash of merchandise comes in, all of which can be purchased immediately and overnighted. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA europeanwatch.com.
Boston Park Plaza
A wedding’s not a wedding without a little opulence, and celebrations at the Boston Park Plaza—which wrapped a renovation in 2016—have it in spades. Already a prime destination for guests with its onsite restaurant, top-notch suites, and posh fitness club, the hotel woos couples with its Grand Ballroom—complete with gilded balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and breathtaking Baccarat crystal chandeliers. In addition to its undeniably elegant look, the show-stopping 780-person event space has hosted theater productions, so you can expect top-notch acoustics for your swanky soiree, too. 50 Park Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, bostonparkplaza.com.
Kacie Corbelle, KC Bridal Beauty
Styling upward of 40 brides per season, Kacie Corbelle is one of the most sought-after makeup artists around—and it’s easy to see why. Her bronzer and highlighter make a bride glow, while neutral-colored eye shadow adds a subtly seductive touch. And whether she’s working with Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, Bernie Sanders, or you, she comes prepared: Equipped with foundation for all skin tones, long-lasting lipstick, and false eyelashes, the only thing she’ll ever wing is your eyeliner. 450 Harrison Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, kcbridalbeauty.com.
Jarvis Appliance
If options are what you’re after, you’ll certainly find them at Jarvis. Family-owned since its founding in 1957, the Wellesley superstore teems with inventory from big-name brands: sleek gas ranges by Miele and Bosch; heat-sensing wall hoods from Thermador and Viking; and WiFi-connected refrigerators by LG and Monogram. And with a dedicated service team waiting in the wings, you’ll feel good knowing that your new appliances will stay in top form long after you take them home. 958 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA jarvisapplianceinc.com.
Misselwood
Imagine, if you will, an emerald-green lawn overlooking the ocean. Rows of white chairs face the water, flanking an aisle dusted with flower petals. It’s here that you’ll say, “I do,” reciting the vows you worked so hard on while waves ripple gently behind you. Afterward, you’ll reunite with loved ones in a soaring white tent, pitched atop a stone floor studded with sea glass. Can you see it? Now, head to Misselwood—a grand seaside estate in Beverly—to book the real thing. Complete with a French chateaux-style manse for smaller affairs, this formidable venue will far exceed your wildest dreams. 407 Hale St., Beverly, Massachusetts 01951, misselwood.com.
Dragon Pizza
These pies clearly show a passion for the art of pizza-making without being too precious for a Tuesday-night snack. Toppings are top-notch and cover every craving: There’s the ruddy spice of house-made red-wine-and-garlic sausage. The sweet-and-salty dialogue between bacon and drizzles of chili-spiked maple syrup sourced from a sugar shack in the Adirondacks. Even citrus accents to balance the richness in Dragon’s lemon-chicken pizza, a nod to the signature dish at the late, great Hamersley’s Bistro. Read more 233 Elm St., Somerville, MA .
James Perse
One of the best things about a day off is having the ability to choose comfort above all else. At the Boston outpost for this popular designer, sartorial-minded gents can find soft, well-fitting tees and premium cashmere track pants that won’t look embarrassing in the produce section. And if an invite comes your way that involves meeting people you know in public, you won’t have to sacrifice said comfort when you swap the sweats for cotton pants, a linen shirt, and crisp, retro-looking sneakers. 17 Arlington St., Boston, MA jamesperse.com.
George Howell Coffee at the Godfrey Hotel
Before he sold it to Starbucks in the 1990s, George Howell’s local-born Coffee Connection chain helped pioneer the gourmet-coffee movement. Two decades later, the java guru’s eponymous flagship in Boston remains a bar-setter for its robust selection of espressos and pour-overs using full-flavored, single-origin brews—from chocolatey Costa Rican beans to jammy-tasting Yemen selections—that Howell now roasts in Acton. Oh, and Frappuccino fans? Allow us to direct you to a seasonally available creamy, sweet frozen drink–aptly named the Original. 505 Washington St., Boston, MA georgehowellcoffee.com/the-godfrey-hotel.
Ethiopian Café
Don’t blink—this tiny, unassuming eatery is easily missed among the crowded storefronts of Jamaica Plain’s Centre Street. But what a shame it would be to overlook the vibrant bebere-threaded misir wot (lentil stew), sunshine-hued yekik alicha (turmeric-spiced split yellow peas), and silky-tender yebeg tibs (sautéed lamb), all scooped up by springy injera bread. The restaurant is BYOB, so swing by a local wine shop (like nearby Streetcar), or simply pair your meal with a refreshing glass of mango juice. 377 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA ethiopiancafe.business.site.
Vivant Vintage
Stroll into Vivant Vintage, and you’ll immediately understand why this Allston shop gets its name from the French word for living: Each and every one of the old-school-cool finds here has a story just waiting to be told. Slip into psychedelic platform sandals and a tie-dyed Grateful Dead tee, and you can almost hear the music playing at Woodstock. Try on a pair of perfectly broken-in Levi’s and a hand-dyed flannel, and be transported to the Friends set with Rachel and the gang. Then step out of the store and make these vintage treasures your very own. 318 Lincoln St., Allston, MA vivantvintage.com.