Amanda Oakleaf Cakes
Photo by Jesse Burke Oakleaf and her team turn out traditional tiered wedding cakes with aplomb, but it's her whimsical sculptural confections—featured on TLC's Fabulous Cakes and Food Network's Cake Challenge—that make her the pick for couples who want something outside the (cake) box. A recent example? A three-tier topsy-turvy cake airbrushed to look like the night sky and flanked by a happy astronomy-loving bride and groom and a telescope made from gum paste and edible marshmallow fondant. One Pauline St., Winthrop, MA oakleafcakes.com.
Musette Bridal
Want to look runway-ready for your fete? Musette's airy Newbury Street showroom offers a tightly curated selection of gowns from Jenny Packham, Peter Langner, Yolan Cris, and other high-fashion designers. And for the bride who wants something truly unique, the on-site atelier can craft a custom gown to your specifications. 123 Newbury St., Boston, MA musettebridal.com.
Vows
Photograph by Scott M. Lacey We can't think of a bigger nightmare than lining up with thousands of grabby, frantic bargain dress hunters à la Filene's Running of the Brides. Fortunately, Vows is packed with designer gowns from the likes of Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, and Pronovias at steep discounts. And with a recently added accessories selection that includes bags, jewelry, and shoes, getting the head-to-toe look for less is a thoroughly civilized endeavor. 130 Galen St., Watertown, MA 2472, bridepower.com.
Mr. Sid
Gents who prize efficiency won't find a better place to shop than Mr. Sid, which stocks an impressive selection of high-end brands, employs a fleet of tailors and barbers, and offers personalized shopping help. Thanks to this all-hands-on-deck approach, even the schlubbiest guy can emerge looking impeccably dressed and groomed. 1211 Central St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, mrsid.com.
Canto 6
In Dante's Inferno, Canto 6 describes the circle of hell reserved for the gluttonous. In J.P., it's a cheery bakery that lures patrons with dark chocolate cookies studded with tart dried cherries and buttery almond croissants dusted with powdered sugar. Nothing's too sweet or too rich, even the French canelles—champagne cork-size treats made with caramelized vanilla and rum. If you're looking to give into temptation, this is the place. 3346 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA canto6bakery.com.
Jackson Cannon
Settle into Eastern Standard's plush, cozy bar and let Cannon welcome you with an easy grin and quick, imaginative recommendations: an old-school cocktail he's revived (such as his signature Jack Rose), or maybe a little-known bottling. His obsession with fresh ingredients makes Cannon a true bar artist, though one mercifully free of snobbery—which means if you're looking to throw back something a touch more pedestrian, he'll pour that light beer and serve it with a smile. Eastern Standard, Hotel Commonwealth, 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA easternstandardboston.com.
Lunette Optic
A good pair of sunglasses possesses a strange power to make you look and feel glamorous, even when you're slumming it in sweats. Lunette Optic has long been our trusted guide to finding such shades. Pros whisk you from case to case, pointing out the right style for your face and the level of protection and price you're seeking. Ready to splurge? Check out the specs from Tom Ford and Barton Perreira. 121 High St., Boston, MA lunetteoptic.com.
East Coast Alpine
East Coast Alpine boasts the broadest inventory of winter toys in the area, encompassing top brands (Völkl, Atomic, Ride, Mountain Hardware) and the latest technology. Rent skis and snowboards for your kids; snag new boots, poles, and helmets; or bring older equipment in for an evaluation and tune-up. You'll leave fully prepped, be it for black diamonds or bunny slopes. 860 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA eastcoastalpine.com.
City Sports
Finding enough time to work out can be hard enough, never mind locating the right clothing to do it in. City Sports is a one-stop shop offering every major athletic apparel brand—from Nike to Under Armour, Brooks, and Mizuno. Employees, meanwhile, will get you geared up quickly, so you can get back to the gym, track, or pool. 480 Boylston St., Boston, MA citysports.com.
Eye Q Optical
Unless you're the superhip type who owns a pair of glasses for every occasion, you probably only go shopping for specs every few years. So, given the speed of the fashion industry, you're due for an update. While Eye Q offers perfunctory Ray-Bans and Bevel frames, they also design styles of their own, incorporating both current trends and suggestions from their employees and customers. That means you'll have the hottest looks well before the big brands catch on. 615 Centre St., Boston, MA 2116, eye-q-optical.com.
Filthy Rich of Boston
This North End gem promises replicas of "world-famous celebrity jewelry," and it delivers better than a stunt double. Filthy Rich of Boston has more than 100 authorized exact copies of classic pieces owned and worn by legends like Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy, as well as look-alikes from current stars such as Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman. You may not be an Oscar winner, but you can accessorize like one. Boston, MA 2113,
Hudson
Jill Goldberg's four-year-old shop perfectly captures the new Boston aesthetic: a charming balance of country chic (whitewashed woods, salvaged signs), old-money signifiers (vintage French settees), and a touch of modern chrome. Few homeowners can nail the upscale-casual look without a pro's help—Goldberg offers styling services, too—but a couple of well-placed items from Hudson are an excellent start. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.com.
London Harness Company
Unless 'fashion victim' is the desired look, carting a mountain of logo-stamped luggage through Logan is simply gauche. Then again, so is cramming the overhead bin with junky duffels. For travel gear that's both upscale and functional, London Harness is the ticket. This place rocks enough quality baggage to cover a Brangelina family vacation, including sleek Bric's rollers and handsome Ghurka twill-and-leather weekenders. And at the Wellesley flagship's in-store Tumi boutique, the selection of classic nylon suitcases and garment bags is unbeatable. 45 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 2482, .
Cohasset Jewelers
No two diamonds are alike—and yet so much jewelry looks exactly like what she's wearing, dammit! Uncover flashes of originality at Cohasset Jewelers, a family business well into its third decade. Bench jeweler Don Cirone (who co-owns the store with brother Mark) crafts most of the highly covetable wares on-site, as well as made-to-order custom pieces. For guaranteed one-off wonders, plunder the strong estate section or hit its annual blowout sale in August. 790 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy, Cohasset, MA 2025, cohassetjewelers.com.
Natale's
Your ill-fitting warehouse suits and casual-Friday carpenter jeans are getting you nowhere fast, mister. Time to pay a visit to Italian-born custom tailor Natale Agostino, who's schooled in the ways of the well-crafted suit. Whether it's a piece in Armani or Brioni fabrics tailored to Agostino's specifications or a full-out bespoke creation, he'll make sure you leave his store looking nicely proportioned. Today, a flattering suit; tomorrow, the world! 2001 Washington St., Hanover, MA 2339, natalesofhanover.com.