Salvage Angel
In the market for a vintage Patriots sweatshirt? A “mystery” bag of crystals? A side table painted to look like a Mondrian? You’ll find all of this and more things you never knew you needed at Salvage Angel, an artisan market with more than 70 vendors offering a mix of handmade and vintage goods. The market’s location in an old mill brick building in Norwood only adds to the charm. 83 Morse St. Building 12, Norwood, MA 02062, .
Discovery Museum
Taking the little ones to a kids’ museum is typically a rainy-day activity. This fun spot, however, is the perfect destination for families when the sun is shining, too, thanks to an awesome outdoor play area with a treehouse, wiggly bridge, nest swing, and nature trails. Inside, there’s just as much to explore — kids can learn about air, water, light, and sound in a variety of science-themed exhibits, play conductor on a train replica, and cook up some delicious pretend meals in the diner-style “restaurant.” Expect a good nap on the way home. 177 Main St., Acton, MA 01720, discoveryacton.org.
Covet
If you’re looking for a classic Chanel shoulder bag, a David Yurman star burstring, or a Burberry pea coat for a fraction of the list price all under one roof, Covet is the place to go. And if you’d rather browse from the comfort of your couch, the store also posts more than a hundred items to its Instagram Stories every day. Just make sure you’re the first one to hit reply in Covet’s DMs, because that bubble gum-pink Gucci bag you’re eyeing will go quickly. Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South Boston, Boston , MA covetboston.com.
The Oak Bluffs Inn
Nestled in the heart of Oak Bluffs, this nine-room inn housed in a meticu- lously updated 1870s Victorian—walk- ing distance from both the ferry and the beach—has won legions of devotees over more than two decades. (Guests have included the likes of Spike Lee; Wynton Marsalis, who gave a concert in the living room; Woody Harrelson; and bell hooks.) It’s a stone’s throw to restaurants, galler- ies, and sightseeing, but with the grand front porch and plenty of upscale beachy comforts, you may not bother to leave at the inn at all. 64 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, oakbluffsinn.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra Studios
Jenna Skutnik There are plenty of ’90s trends we’re glad to welcome back into our repertoires—chunky sandals, slip dresses, high-waisted everything—but one thing that can stay in the last century? Pencil-thin eyebrows. Thankfully, Lauren Genatossio is firmly on the same page, creating nothing but lush, full looks from her South Boston and Hingham studios. Bring your out-of-control brows to Genatossio and watch as she plucks and trims them into goddess-like arches, creating the exact shape needed to make your eyes and cheekbones pop. 840 Summer St. , Boston, MA 02127, sarraboston.com.
Off Their Plate
Frontline healthcare workers are overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic—that’s why Harvard Medical student Natalie Guo came up with the idea for Off Their Plate, a program that cooks meals for hospital staffers and gets laid-off restaurant employees back on the job. Since launching locally with partners Tracy Chang (chef-owner of Pagu) and star restaurateur Ken Oringer, the initiative has raised $6 million, fed thousands across nine cities, and partnered with World Central Kitchen, celebrity chef-philanthropist José Andrés’s global nonprofit. Sounds like a pretty full plate, actually. offtheirplate.org.
Claudiane Philippe, @nailthecocktail
In the beforetimes, Philippe used her Instagram blog to hype Boston bars and booze brands—and show off her always-on-point manicures. Since the city’s first Black Lives Matter protest of 2020, though, her platform has also reminded us to #SayTheirNames with a compelling photo series of original drink recipes dedicated to Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, and others lost. The poignant project importantly helps Philippe’s 35,000-plus followers get educated about systemic racism, even as she continues sharing top-shelf cocktails we can actually handle making at home. instagram.com/nailthecocktail.
Current Vintage
Donning yoga pants on the mainland is one thing, but what you wear on Nantucket is an entirely different ball game. The bolder and more colorful the print, the better — and Current Vintage, a boutique vintage clothing and home-goods store in downtown Nantucket, is here with everything you need to look island-chic. Proprietor Elisabeth English has put together a collection of vibrant, hard-to-find apparel that’s classy, not costume-y (think: Emilio Pucci and vintage Lilly Pulitzer, originally known as the Lilly), along with wine, cheeses, and other goodies you’ll surely want to bring back home. 4 Easy St., Nantucket, MA 02554, currentvintage.com.
Jenny Luu Hair + Makeup
Trust Jenny Luu with your bridal makeup, and she’ll do so much more than expertly blend your foundation and apply false lashes. Weeks before you walk down the aisle, Luu (a self-proclaimed “skinthusiast”) will equip you with a personalized skin-care routine to ensure that your face remains blemish-free. Then, on the big day, the Boston-based artist will use products from Charlotte Tilbury and Dior, among others, to create a look that not only highlights your natural beauty, but also outlasts the after-party (seriously). 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, jcluu.com.
Ledger
Courtesy photo Whether you’re looking to soak up your hangover with pork belly and grits, satisfy your sweet tooth with French toast pancakes, or stay on your health kick with salmon and avocado toast, there’s something on Ledger’s Sunday-brunch menu worth getting out of bed for. And you won’t want to sleep on the cocktails, either, including the “Electric Relaxation,” featuring cognac, cr&_egrave;me de cacao, RumChata, and chocolate, as well as a 22-ounce bloody mary made with organic Prairie vodka and “secrets.” 125 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970, ledgersalem.com.
French + Italian
“Look on the bright side” is owner Aimee Lombardi’s motto — something she made very clear over the past year with her selection of cheerful cobalt-blue cashmere crews, citron flats, and yellow track pants. Rolling with the times, the stylish shopkeeper focused on keeping shelves filled with WFH threads that could be Zoom-ready on top, and completely comfy on the bottom — think cardigans and flowy skirts from superstar European lines like Molli, Acne Studios, Ganni, and Sofie D’Hoore. The best part? Every last piece transitions seamlessly to any post-vaccine brunch and vacation plans. 119 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, frenchitalian.com.
Nightshade
We’d schlep to the moon for Rachel Miller’s Viet-American cooking—luckily, we only have to make it to Somerville’s vendor-stuffed Bow Market, where her long-running pop-up now appears at the Buenas storefront every Monday. The former Clio chef de cuisine brings a mélange of aromatics and textures to each and every bowl of her signature “Hot Noods”: steaming noodle bowls such as bánh canh with confit quail, and vermicelli with curried beef and tamarind-pebre raisins. They’re an early taste of Miller’s fixed noodle bar, opening in Lynn later this year. nightshadens.com.
the Rail Trail Flatbread Co.
Opened by three young entrepreneurs in 2012, this area hot spot almost single-handedly revitalized Hudson's now-booming Main Street, and the fire is still burning bright in the pizza oven today. Neighborhood types gather at the string-lit bar for pints of Notch black lager and Wormtown IPA, while families pack the dining room for creative, pillowy flatbreads you won't find anywhere else (don't miss the lamb confit layered with caramelized onions, artichokes, feta, and beet-pomegranate pur̩e) and fun, eclectic apps (Thai tempura Brussels sprouts, red-eye poutine). 33 Main St., Hudson, MA 1749, railtrailflatbread.com.
See
You own more than one shirt, right? And probably a couple of pairs of shoes? Well, See is committed to making sure you have glasses to match every outfit, too, working with designers from all over Europe and the United States to create on-trend specs that look more like fashion accessories than vision enhancers. The bright boutique displays all of its eyewear on open shelves, never in locked cases, so you can try on pair after pair until you find the perfect fit. 115 Newbury St., Boston, 617-236-0105; 1276 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-868-1500; seeeyewear.com. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, seeeyewear.com.
Bodega
It never gets old: walking up to what looks like a convenience store and entering through a door disguised as a soda machine, only to discover a boutique that by virtue of visiting makes you instantly cooler. All of the heavy hitters in streetwear are here, from Midnight Studios to Stone Island, plus some store originals: Don't miss the vintage sweatshirts with embroidery resembling paint splatters from local artist and employee Pat Peltier. Plans are in the works to open another outpost in L.A., though the jury's still out on whether it, too, will have a trick door. 6 Clearway St., Boston, MA 02115, bdgastore.com.