Somerville Car Wash and Detail Center
You care about your car. Somerville Car Wash and Detail Center does, too. With tons of affordable options, from hand wheel-polishing to an odor-control treatment (we’re looking at you, pet owners), this is the perfect place to get your ride looking like new. Bonus: The guys here are so well trained in the art of customer service that you’ll never feel judged, no matter how dirty your car was when you pulled up. 680 Somerville Ave., Somerville, MA 2143, seeyoushine.com.
Alton Place Shoe Repair
An Armenian religious icon watches over Valeriy Gazaryan and his customers at Alton Place Shoe Repair, in Brookline, and indeed, his work seems to border on the miraculous. Gazaryan is a man of few words. He silently examined our tired boots—scuffed leather, busted zippers, worn-out heel—and agreed to see what he could do. Four days later, our boots came back shined, rezippered, and reheeled, all for about $25. 3 Alton Place, Brookline, MA 2446, .
Thom Solo
Once upon a time, you could only snag Thom Solo’s cutting-edge heels and boots by placing a custom order. Recently, though, the designer has found a way to scale production of his coveted footwear, making it more accessible to all. But that doesn’t mean he’s compromised on style or quality: Solo continues to revolutionize shoe design with innovative pairs like his iconic ruffle pumps and sexy croc long boots. thomsolo.com.
Leonard Miller, Boston Center for Plastic Surgery
A licensed plastic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, Leonard Miller is the perfect battle buddy in the war against gravity. And we’re not talking radical changes; he firmly believes that less is more. Miller specializes in subtle, natural-looking facial Botox that will have you looking healthy and well rested in just 10 minutes. 69 Newbury St., Boston; One Brookline Place, Brookline. 69 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostoncenterforplasticsurgery.com.
Koreana
We scoured the city in search of a worthy contender, but for the second year running, Koreana is the undisputed champion for dishes like kalbi (barbecued short ribs), dolsot bibimibap (stone-pot-cooked-beef and vegetable rice dish), and chigae (an open-flame-cooked stew). No wonder we see so many homesick Korean-Americans when we visit. 154-158 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA .
Wild Child
Tons of children's boutiques overflow with precious, sit-and-look-pretty outfits, missing the salient fact that sitting still (let alone pretty) is not in the average tyke's skill set. For clothes that can crawl, wriggle, roll, and cartwheel—and look good at the same time—count on Wild Child's broad selection of basics, led by Petit Bateau and Me Too, plus cool lines like Small Paul and Tea and hard-to-find boys' wear. Grass stains not included. 397 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2474, .
Artifaktori
The success of a vintage look is generally determined by whether or not it screams "time machine." That's why we love Artifaktori, in Beacon Hill. Its iconic accessories immediately make an ensemble pop, without looking like pop-culture throwbacks: a bright '70s handbag here, a pair of Aurora Borealis clip-ons there. And on those rare days when we do feel the urge to turn back the clock head to toe, the clothing selection is so refined it's hard to go wrong. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA artifaktori.com.
Lucia Lighting & Design, Inc.
Photograph by Michael Piazza A gorgeous chandelier in a lighting emporium is one thing; that same chandelier in your home can be quite another. Which is why Lucia's showroom is a superlative place to peruse your options: Task lighting is displayed in kitchen-inspired settings; vintage-looking brass fixtures are shown off in what look like real dens. Suddenly you're seeing things in a whole new light. 311 Western Ave., Lynn, MA 1904, lucialighting.com.
Kitchenwares by Blackstones
Photograph by Christopher Garcia When Kitchen Arts closed last year, homechefs lost a good friend—a hardware-store-like shop stocked with culinary tools. Thankfully, Jennifer Hill (co-owner of Blackstone's of Beacon Hill) revived the place, enhancing it with great gift ideas for hosts and hostesses of all stripes. With a focus on locally sourced wares, she offers handmade knives by LamsonSharp and cheerful aprons by Lynne's Whim, as well as any cook's gadget you can think of. 215 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, kitchenwaresboston.com.
Kochman Reidt & Haigh Cabinetmakers
Great kitchen cabinets need to accomplish a few things. They need to provide ample storage — that’s a given. They need to be convenient to use. They need to stand the test of time, deftly surviving the wear and tear of daily use. And, of course, they need to look good. Kochman Reidt + Haigh has this formula down to a science, offering custom cabinet design that checks all of those boxes and more, whether you’re looking for a rustic farmhouse kitchen or something sleek and ultra-modern. 471 Page St., Stoughton, MA 02072, cabinetmakers.com.
Maricruz Hairstyles
Maricruz Polito believes brides look their most beautiful when they feel comfortable — and as a result, she’s a pro at just about any style under the sun, from updos and twists to loose waves, braids, and buns. The former Newbury Street stylist has a Waltham studio where she conducts hair trial runs during the week — along with classes for professionals — but come Thursday to Sunday, the mane master is on-site with her brides, creating fresh and elegant looks for their big reveal. maricruzhairstyles.com.
Willowbee & Kent
Looking for luggage that looks good in the baggage trolley and is built to last a lifetime? This temple of travel-related goods has an extensive selection of luggage—not only brands in the upper strata such as Ghurka and TUMI, but solid, midrange lines and backpacks for those trekking the world on a tighter budget. 519 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Fox & the Knife
Our nonnas could argue for hours about what defines the perfect pasta. One thing they would all agree on, though, is the distinctive precision and vision at work in Karen Akunowicz’s kitchen, from the just-so suppleness of her raviolo carbonara to the tortelli, cooked a tiny bit al dente in a buttery green bath of wild nettles, English peas, and garlic. On your way out, scoop up fresh-made styles sold by the bagged pound for your own cooking adventures — and get excited for the in-house pasta shop planned for Bar Volpe, Akunowicz’s upcoming second Southie restaurant. 28 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, foxandtheknife.com.
Lingerie Studio
When it comes to lingerie, there's a fine line between terrific and trashy, seamless and tasteless. And while sequins and intricate decoration may look great on window models, they often leave something to be desired after a day of wear. Lingerie Studio's stock melds practical comfort with feminine design. With lines including Cosabella, Lou, Aubade, and Hanro, the nicely edited inventory at this quaint row-house store features pieces that look as good as they feel. Don't miss the wedding lingerie or the large selection of terry, waffle-weave, and silk robes. 264 Newbury St., Boston, MA lingeriestudio.com.
Austen's
Most of us look forward to a bikini wax about as much as we look forward to a root canal. Like a good dentist, a first-rate aesthetician is meticulous and professional—and makes the experience as painless as possible. Enter Austen (who, like Madonna and Sting, does not have or need a last name). His deft touch and finely honed technique make him as nimble with brows as with Brazilian bikini lines. And that's what brings men and women alike flocking to Austen's second-floor boutique, with its plush carpets, homey accents, and attentive but discreet service. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA .