Hatched
Shopping for an earth-mother-to-be? Consider feel-good products that actually feel good—like the ones at three-year-old Hatched, whose soft cotton diapers, soothing all-natural lotions, and cloudlike merino wool blankets prove "environmentally friendly" needn't equal "rough-hewn." For those with a more playful bent, there are Kinderkram wooden cars and trucks, finished with only natural oils and dyes, and vibrant Kruse baby toys made of organic cotton. 5 Green St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, hatchedboston.com.
Umi
Rarely is a salon so valued its devotees whisper its name like a password. That's the case with Umi, and no wonder. Owner Jeffrey Dauksevich approaches the craft of the coiffure with a time-tested reverence for flawless precision and daring creativity. There's no air-kissing or fluffing up of egos here—just a seriously talented set of stylists who are shear experts at everything from five-point cuts to soothing scalp treatments. Every part of the experience delights, right down to the mini bottles of Italian soda served to thirsty clients. 75 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Sel de la Terre
For moms and dads who simply can't bear Ronald McDonald's plastic leer any longer, this French bistro is a godsend. A menu pour les enfants features beignets de poulet (chicken fingers) and tartine au fromage fondu (grilled cheese) with mounds of pommes frites. At brunch, brioche French toast with berries and baskets of fresh pastries will sate and soothe the hungriest toddler. Plus, the service ranks high with frazzled parents: Be it highchair requests or spill mop-ups, the waiters behave like saints. 255 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.com.
Someday Café
A Somerville fixture from the days when Davis was still square, this terminally bohemian café is beloved by an increasingly yuppified local populace that prefers pastries and strong java served by dreadlocked, patchouli-soaked hippies over caramel macchiatos from that Seattle coffee chain. The cozy shop blares alternative rock, sports a gallery of ratty, mismatched seating—including a schoolroom desk and a red velvet lounge booth—and has become a living room extension for tea and coffee connoisseurs of every stripe. Situated next to the Somerville Theatre. 51 Davis Sq., Somerville, MA somedaycafe.com.
Bradley & Diegel
The meticulous stylists at Bradley & Diegel have a lot to offer—razor-sharp cuts, perfectly placed highlights, soothing shampoos. Unlike at other high-end spots, however, they offer these things sans snobbery, pretension, and sneaky upsells, eliminating the usual hair-raising salon drama. Oh, and did we mention the incredible wash-station massage chairs? 77 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bradleyanddiegel.com.
Andrew Zona Studio and Day Spa
Past the bustling ground-level salon is one of the area's most soothing (and healing) oases. Andrew Zona's second floor is a temple of quiet body treatments, cleansing facials, and massages so relaxing they're practically coma-inducing. And if you just can't stand to bypass the boutique, browse its selection of international products and pick a tube of Kérastase shine serum or Sundãri moisturizer that will keep your skin in shape until the next visit. 65 South St., Hingham, MA .
Tresses & The Day Spa
The very idea of being stressed out on Nantucket may seem absurd. But when it happens, rush to the relaxing world of Tresses, where anxieties evaporate into the salty air. Tresses provides superb treatments for hair, body, skin, and nails in an environment that's fresh, sunny, and—most of all—soothing. From hot stone massages to seaweed wraps, Tresses tames and beautifies even the most frazzled travelers. It's like a vacation from your vacation. 117 Pleasant St., Nantucket, MA nantucketspa.com.
The Four's
The next best thing to box seats is a booth at the Four's. Here, the dining room and bar feature warm woodwork and tasteful displays of sports photography, while the menu has an upscale edge—grilled chicken wraps, mussels fra diavolo. On game days, this Garden-area institution is as dressed up and well mannered as the folks in the good seats. 166 Canal St., Boston, MA 2114, thefours.com.
Pure Glow
One session with owner Lauren Rampello, and you’ll never hop into an automated spray-tan booth again. Her paraben-, formaldehyde-, and retinol-free formula is meticulously applied by hand, leaving no room for streaks or missed spots. Stop into the recently opened studio for a custom color consultation, or let Rampello bring her pop-up tanning station to your home. Either way, 20 minutes is all you’ll need for a subtle glow that lasts for the better part of a week. 176 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, pureglowtanning.com.
Cumar
Dramatic granite fireplaces. Soothing white-quartz vanities. Calacatta marble countertops. Whatever stone statement piece you envision for your home, you can rest assured that this Everett firm — which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year — not only carries the unique slab you need, but staffs the skilled craftspeople crucial to cutting and installing it correctly the first time. 69 Norman St., Everett, MA 02149, cumar.com.
Concepts
Part art gallery, part theater, the new kid on the first block of Newbury Street is the go-to place for some of the world’s best streetwear, not to mention the ultimate in experiential retail (see: the DJ booth and on-site café). Expect an eclectic selection of sneakers, apparel, and accessories for men and women spread across three floors, from edgy Japanese brands such as A Bathing Ape and VisVim to haute labels like Balmain and Alexander McQueen. Just be sure to follow Concepts on Instagram for updates, as lines are often out the door thanks to frequent drops of exclusive merch. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, cncpts.com.
Olympia Moving & Storage
The only thing more stressful than moving? Worrying about your movers. Will they show up on time, protect your china, and ensure the table makes it out of the dining room without hitting the door frame? You can let go of all of those fears when you book Olympia: The Watertown-based crew has been soothing anxious clients with their first-rate customer service (think: a dedicated move coordinator), helpful floor-and-wall protection kits, and superb shrink-wrapping skills for some 28 years. 17 Bridge St., Watertown, MA 02472, olympiamoving.com.
Douglass Williams, Mida
What makes a great chef? Great food, of course, such as Mida’s bowls of lovingly crafted carbonara, soft bricks of super-buttery, garlicky focaccia, and other Italian comforts. More than that, though, Williams has mastered every little detail in the holistic art of hospitality: Setting the scene with soothing (and flattering!) soft lighting, he shares unforced charm with guests at Mida’s original South End enoteca and a new, twice-sized sibling in Newton, which adds New Haven–style pizza — a preview of Williams’s soon-to-launch pie project, Apizza — to this Renaissance man’s repertoire. 782 Tremont St., South End, MA 02118, midarestaurant.com.
Daryl Christopher Salon and Day Spa
Every once in a while, a spa comes along that hits an enviable note combining flawless service, a soothing environment, and extraordinary—and forward-thinking—treatments. That's the zone in which Daryl Christopher finds itself right now, thank to a perfectionist staff whose pedicures are legendary, whose massages are ethereal, and whose body polishes are rejuvenation incarnate. Above the frenzy of the downstairs salon, the peaceful spa feels like it's nowhere in the city. For that matter, with organic treatments like an aromatherapy full-body wrap, it feels like it's nowhere near earth. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA dchristopher.com.
City Salon
Huge second-floor bay windows and sky-blue walls make you feel like you're floating int he clouds as your cranium is massaged with soothing-scented liquids. The walls are lined with works by local artists, and the eight barber chairs are spaced comfortably apart in an airy room. But best of all is the zero-attitude, down-to-earth mentality of the stylists. No hippier-than-thou hair bullies here. The staff is friendly and helpful— co-owner Jeffrey cheerfully washes clients' hair; stylish Tonya volunteers techniques for blow-drying tresses to perfection at home. 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .