Duffy Design Group
Celebrity relocates to Boston area. Celebrity purchases multimillion-dollar pad. Celebrity homeowner puts Dennis Duffy on speed dial. You'd be smart to do the same. Duffy's jaw-dropping interiors are marked by flawless furniture, one-of-a-kind home accessories, and seamlessly integrated artwork. And whether he's working on a luxe Back Bay penthouse, an industrial South End studio, or the aforementioned A-list manse, he always delivers original touches. 530 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, duffydesigngroup.com.
Boston Ballet
It’s impossible to make a Zoom gala as exciting as the real deal, but Boston Ballet’s virtual ball, dubbed “The Next Step,” came pretty darn close. The breezy evening’s highlights, as always, were two world premieres: a live performance from Boston Ballet’s South End studio and a recorded performance at the Liberty Hotel. And lest they go hungry (and thirsty) while watching, guests received gift boxes containing splits of champagne, crackers, cheese and charcuterie, and a mezze selection — not to mention auction paddles that helped the organization raise more than $1.5 million that night. 19 Clarendon St., South End, MA 02116, bostonballet.org.
The Big Quiz Thing at Oberon
Picture a funnier Alex Trebek holding court on the dance floor of Studio 54, and you’ll have a close approximation of the shtick at the Big Quiz Thing, a cabaret-style trivia night held monthly among the disco balls at Oberon. Comedian Noah Tarnow provides multimedia clues (film clips! sound effects!) and sports a sparkly jacket, adding flavor to the proceedings. Teams win luxe prizes like gift certificates to spas and restaurants, and tickets to The Donkey Show at the A.R.T. It’s also completely free. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 2138, americanrepertorytheater.org/oberon.
Stellabella Toys
Children grow up way too fast. But at Stellabella Toys, everything slows down—at least long enough to free the inner child—in as many parents as kids. More of a play studio than a toy store, this expansive space in Inman Square is stuffed with educational resources for child-rearing. The colorful dolls, storybooks, science kits, and costumes are displayed in a space that's big enough to also fit a playroom and a toy house kids can climb on. The store hosts playgroups for infants and toddlers, family yoga, new-parent meet-ups, and musical get-togethers. With its strict no-guns-for-sale policy, this is more than just a neighborhood toy store: It's a mini enclave of enlightenment. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA stellabellatoys.com.
Flat Top Johnny's
There are some places where you feel cooler just by walking in. Such is the case with this funky pool hall, which sets the right mood with red-felt tables, an alternative-music soundtrack and Roy Lichtenstein-esque mural on one wall. The crowd seems to consist of Cambridge's hipper denizens who have taken time off from the art studio or recording hall to rack a few. It's a fresh change from the meat-market pool halls downtown. The only downside: Pool tables here are a bit close for comfort—though depending on who's at the next table, that's not necessarily a bad thing. One Kendall Square, Building 200, Cambridge, MA flattopjohnnys.com.
Wellesley
In the past year, Wellesley center has enjoyed a spate of buzzed-about openings, including tapas bar Bocado; eastern Mediterranean spot Juniper (from chef Dave Becker, of Sweet Basil fame); and an outpost of modern barre studio the Bar Method (we have to burn off all those extra calories somewhere). There'll be more to come when the luxury mixed-use condo development the Belclare opens this fall on the former Wellesley Inn lot, bringing even more restaurants and shops, including high-end Nantucket clothier David Chase. MA
Michelle Lee, Salon Eva Michelle
A go-to since she and Eva Mustafai opened their eponymous studio in 2011, Michelle Lee is behind many a Bostonian’s perfectly piecey locks. A proponent of razor-cutting, Lee can craft textured layers like no one else, earning her a regular spot on a slew of “best” lists—including this magazine’s—and a presence at New York Fashion Week. We can’t all be Debbie Harry, but after a sit in Lee’s chair, we can at least have hair that looks like hers. 37 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, salonevamichelle.com.
Back Bay Boxing
No hybrid cardio/bags classes or fancy locker rooms here—this small Newbury Street studio is dedicated to the no-frills art of boxing. Former professional Irish boxer John Murray starts by teaching novices proper mitts technique before they move on to heavy bags, all with personal attention from the master himself. Be prepared to keep blocking and throwing punches until the final bell rings. 350 Newbury St., Boston, MA backbayboxing.com.
Shred
Boston's fitness studios offer just about every workout under the sun. But to take SurfSet—a boot-camp-style class held on mock surfboards that simulates the feeling of being on water—you have to visit this three-year-old spot in Quincy. Once you finish blasting your core on the boards, head back to solid land for Shred's Spinning, reformer Pilates, and mat Pilates classes. 453 Washington St., Quincy, MA 2169, shredbody.com.
New England School of Photography
Known for turning out the area's finest photographers, NESOP also offers workshop classes that allow budding shutterbugs to get top training behind the lens. Once students pass the basic digital-camera and darkroom classes, they dig into studio lighting, portraiture, digital imaging, and street-photography courses, or even put together their own documentary project. Best of all: NESOP's classes include access to the school's top facilities, faculty, and exciting community of artists. 537 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, nesop.com.
Guerda Massage & Skin Care
Whether you’re sore from training for a marathon or sitting at your laptop, Guerda Paul’s expert strokes, hot stones, steamy towels, and bonus foot exfoliation will make you feel like you left your old body on the table when you walk out of her studio. The Grettacole and Bella Santé alum has a knack for finding those tight spots in your back while making you feel completely, utterly at ease in the process. 47 River St., Wellesley, MA 02481, guerdamassagetherapy.com.
9Tailors
Founder Samantha Shih is out to prove that custom suits (not to mention shirts and blazers) are an attainable—and necessary!—luxury for men and women of all shapes and sizes. It all starts with a painless one-hour consultation at 9Tailors’ Leather District studio or via video chat, during which time you’ll choose design details and materials ranging from rich velvet to Glen plaid. By the time your made-to-measure masterpiece arrives five to seven weeks later, you’re guaranteed to have come up with more than a few places to wear it. 132 Lincoln St. , Boston, MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Rolf Gates, Baptiste Power Yoga
For yoga fiends, Baptiste's intense, heat-infused Vinyasa style has become a secular church in its own right. So it's only fitting that a descendant of six generations of ministers should be at the helm of his newly opened Boston studio, drawing devotees by the day. Rolf Gates's yogic prowess is accentuated by an eclectic frappe of credentials: U.S. Army Airborne ranger, wrestler, EMT, addictions counselor, and marathon runner. His clientele is as varied as his background—CEOs, pro atheletes, housewives, and fitness enthusiasts come seeking Rolf's instruction and inspiration. Factor in his bulging muscles, melodic voice, and deep dedication, and he's nothing less than inspirational. 139 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
The Dance Complex
From Capoeira to calypso, belly dance to ballet, the Dance Complex's unparalleled diversity of classes is as far-flung in origin as are its 60 instructors. Founded as a nonprofit artist-run organization, its grass-roots approach to dance training attracts the expertise of prima ballerinas and flamenco artists alike. Classes, which operate out of six studios in a historic Central Square building, are sometimes complemented by live music or drums. Traditionalists won't be disappointed, but the inclusive atmosphere and affordable, drop-in classes may just also compel you to find out what the heck Bachata is about. 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA dancecomplex.org.
Stuart Whitehurst
Your great-aunt Mildred has just passed onto that great anti-macassar in the sky, leaving you with a marble-tipped, ormolu-encrusted dresser the size of a Peugot. Your entire studio apartment could fit into the bottom drawer. What to do? Call Stuart Whitehurst. if you want some idea of the quality of Skinner's sales, visit its showroom. But not to worry, even if all that ormolu turns out to be dross, press on. Skinner has a large facility in Bolton, where treasures of less-distinguished pedigree can be found in its monthly "Discovery" sales. Skinner, 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA .