Christina Wikman Interiors
Pandemic or not, virtual design is having a moment — and no one does it quite like Christina Wikman. Dreaming up fresh and colorful looks from her Woburn studio, the interiors whiz can reimagine your lackluster bedroom or dated kitchen without ever walking through your front door. Just tell Wikman what you’re looking for via a thorough design questionnaire, and you’ll get a revamped floorplan, a mockup featuring the pro’s furniture and finish recommendations, and a detailed shopping list to make ordering your new showpieces a breeze. christinawikmaninteriors.com.
Redd's in Rozzie
We're tempted to call what Redd's does "home cooking," but given that this version of comfort food would require an apprenticeship at a southern barbecue joint, the ability to break down an entire pig, and a smoker in the backyard, we're not exactly talking about our home. Redd's nails everything, from the house-made pickle plate (try the pickled cabernet grapes) and apple mignonette-topped raw oysters to the just-about melt-in-your-mouth pulled-pork sandwich. If this is how you cook at home, we're coming over for dinner. 4257 Washington St., Roslindale, MA 2131, reddsinrozzie.com.
Dean Boudreau, Beaucage Salon
Balancing flattery with innovation isn't easy in the hair world: Too many stylists lean toward either ho-hum cuts that bring out a client's best features or edgy numbers that make their customers look like punks—or hedges. Which is what makes Dean Boudreau and his Newbury Street salon a blessing. Boudreau's understanding of hair, cutting techniques, and all-around good taste keep his patrons looking up to date, but pretty. He's full of tips for getting the most from hair products, and his laid-back conversation takes the anxiety out of getting even the most daring 'do. 71 Newbury St., Boston, MA beaucage.com.
Mike's Gym II
There are gyms, and then there are sports clubs. Mike's Gym II is unmistakably in the former club. And it's for neither the soft-hearted nor the soft-bodied; with seven rooms of equipment, no flab escapes this place alive. Weights and equipment are situated according to muscle group, so you don't have to hike to complete your workout, and there are plenty of aerobics classes and cardiovascular equipment to get your heart pumping. And if yours happens to be a softer heart, well, take note: Clients come to this South End spot to lift, and they look like it—shiny with sweat and muscled to the max. If you're easily intimidated, don't come looking for a boost to your self-esteem. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Michael Schlow
Being a great chef isn't just about respecting good ingredients or cooking with passion. It's also about being a good manager and building relationships with the guests you serve. Michael Schlow is all of the above, and more. With three restaurants in his expanding stable (Radius, Via Matta, and Great Bay), Schlow may not be the man who personally prepares you dinner, but he juggles each of his top-notch kitchens with aplomb. Schlow understands the culinary parameters of his ventures better than anyone—he knows, for example, that at Radius, less is more; that at Via Matta, cooking pasta is an art; and that at Great Bay, it's all about the bounty of our local waters. Radius, 8 High St.; Great Bay, 500 Commonwealth Ave.; Via Matta, 79 Park Plaza, Boston, MA michaelschlow.com.
Matsu
What's the use of having disposable income if you go and blow it on disposable style? For accoutrements with staying power—and that won't show up on Bluefly three weeks later—look to Matsu, where owner Dava Muramatsu has been growing and refining her accessories collection for years. In a season of understated dressing, her look-at-me handbags, jewelry, and hats make everything around them pop. Leather and embellished totes by Jamin Puech and M0851 are works of art, while mixed-metal jewelry by Heather Moore, Chan Luu, and Ten Thousand Things are far sounder investments than a statement necklace with an expiration date. 264 Newbury St, Boston, MA 2116, matsuboston.com.
Parlor
Yes, we know: We look cute today. We looked cute yesterday, too. But really, we can't take all the credit. We had help from best-friend team Kelly DiNisco and Nilda Martin, who stock pleasingly anti-prep clothes and accessories out of New York and L.A.: Porridge wrap dresses, Nicholas K. trenches, and in-demand Tag Jeans among them. Prettying your pals? Why, that's what friends are for. 1248 Washington St., Boston, MA 2134, .
Stephen Smith
He can find that extra inch in the Prada pants on sale that you can barely squeeze into, transform a jacket so it looks custom-made, and miraculously mend that favorite outfit, which is beginning to look a little on the shabby side. Check with Stephen before you break down in despair over the dress you coveted all season—now that it's available...two sizes too big or one size too small. Barney's New York at the Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA .
Boston Instant Shoe Repair
After clomping around the city for a few years, our Italian-leather boots were in dire need of a makeover. "Oy. You must really love these,' said this shop's proprietor as he noticed the wood and nails poking through the heels. He tenderly brought them back to life in just three days, and our boots were again ready to strut their stuff. Boston, MA
Patrice Vinci Salon
Donna Hamilton and Patrice Vinci work with different products and go for different looks, but both are so skilled with the magic wand of blond, each deserves this title. Vinci, a favorite of Hollywood types passing through town, paints brown bases with the kind of all-over glamour-glow that surfers get while catching waves the whole summer. Hamilton, meanwhile, favors sophisticated honeyed tones that look gorgeous even as the roots grow back. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, patricevinci.com.
Olivia Rose Children's Boutique
There are kids so adorable they make clothes look cute, and then there are clothes so cute they make kids look adorable. This shop has plenty of the latter, with Baby Lulu tangerine plaid capris, New Potatoes red wagon—covered jumpers, and Mulberribush polos. These clothes will withstand any childhood adventure until your little one outgrows them. 1945 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA oliviarosechildrensboutique.com.
Koo de Kir
It doesn't take a very discerning eye to look at Sarah Cihat's reglazed vintage plates and know that they are cool. Knowing whether they'll look good on your dining room table paired with a particular Michael Aram eucalyptus-branch candlestick—now, that requires talent. Koo de Kir's straight-out-of-a-Dwell-spread salesclerks take the intimidation out of mod design with their friendly, helpful hints and advice, letting shoppers spice up their abodes with confidence. 65 Chestnut St., Boston, MA koodekir.com.
Koo de Kir
It doesn't take a very discerning eye to look at Sarah Cihat's reglazed vintage plates and know that they are cool. Knowing whether they'll look good on your dining room table paired with a particular Michael Aram eucalyptus-branch candlestick—now, that requires talent. Koo de Kir's straight-out-of-a-Dwell-spread salesclerks take the intimidation out of mod design with their friendly, helpful hints and advice, letting shoppers spice up their abodes with confidence. 65 Chestnut St., Boston, MA 2108, koodekir.com.
Mimosa
After years spent creating the tight, modern arrangements favored by couples of the early aughts, Teresa Fung’s style pendulum recently swung back to the “wild, organic, tangled” look she’d been spotting at West Coast weddings. Embracing this more-relaxed philosophy, Fung now creates ambrosial, textural bouquets and centerpieces that look like they were plucked straight out of the garden. 64 Plympton St., Boston, MA mimosastyle.com.
Rare Lounge
Looking to celebrate your newfound winnings but not quite in the mood for the full-on steakhouse experience at Encore’s Rare? Then the similarly named lounge right next door is a sure-fire bet. After all, the onion dip is topped with caviar, the asparagus is “jumbo,” and the cocktails have names like Lucky Streak and You Only Live Twice. Oh, and if you’re looking for a $225 bourbon (23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle) or a $800 dram of rye (WhistlePig Boss Hog II), consider this your new home away from home. 1 Broadway, First Floor, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.