Just Add Cooking
There are an endless number of meal kits on the market, but only one that taps into New England’s creative culinary minds. From bangers and mash from New England Charcuterie’s Joshua Smith to black-bean burgers from Grafton Group culinary director Mark Goldberg, Just Add Cooking’s recipes (made with locally produced veggies and proteins) are so simple that even the most frazzled home chef won’t mess them up. MA justaddcooking.com.
Tiffany Von
No one encapsulates the “fine art” photography style of atmospheric, painterly perfection better than Tiffany Von Noronha. Although she’s been cultivating national clientele with weddings in far-off destinations and appearances in Martha Stewart Weddings, the Boston-based virtuoso is still right at home in the Hub’s finest indoor and outdoor venues — effortlessly capturing moments and details in romantic, unposed shots you’ll want to hang on your wall forever. tiffanyvon.com.
Canyon Beachwear
There's something disconcerting about trying on swimsuits in badly lighted dressing rooms that seem to highlight every wrinkled lump on your legs. Canyon Beachwear feels your pain: It offers mix-and-match tops and bottoms for whose who fit into a 12 on the bottom but a 6 on the top. The store carries one-piece suits, bikinis, tankinis, and wraps from Domani, Calvin Klein, Anne Cole, Manuel Conovas, Jag, Esprit, and Mossimo, among others. 229 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
JJ Gonson, Cuisine en Locale
So you're a little lazy. Or overworked. Or simply a really, really bad cook. No one has to know—not with Gonson around cover your tracks. Armed with fresh ingredients culled from local growers and farmers' markets, the Cambridge-based chef swoops into homes throughout the Hub, leaving a week's worth of healthy meals in her wake. And she's not afraid to share her tricks, offering kitchen and pantry organization and private gourmet-grocery shopping, too.
The Boston Shaker
KARIN DAILEY. STYLING BY MONA MIRI This Davis Square establishment holds all the accoutrements you need to make one killer cocktail (or six). Swizzle sticks? More than you could swizzle in a lifetime. Recipe books? Your options rival Barnes & Noble. Shark-shaped tiki mugs? Also available in whale variety. And don’t forget about the lauded bitters tasting bar, from which staffers are more than happy to provide samples. Happy drinking, indeed. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA thebostonshaker.com.
Boston Ballet Ball
MICHAEL BLANCHARD If you’re on the gala circuit, you know that the similar guest lists can make it feel like one big night on repeat. But this year, with a vivacious crowd (perhaps thanks to first-time co-chairs Charles Carignan and Michael Cerruti), the Boston Ballet Ball stood out—particularly for its stunning preview of Full on Forsythe, by legendary choreographer William Forsythe, a whole month ahead of its opening at the Opera House. How’s that for a night to remember? bostonballet.org.
Franklin Park Zoo
Photo by John Werner/Zoo New England It doesn’t matter where in the zoo you are — when the big cats make a sound, you’ll hear it. Of course, the facility’s two majestic lions are just one of the 100-plus amazing animal species your kiddos can check out here. Watch the gorillas scramble around their outdoor grove, see the giraffes and zebras grazing on the zoo’s savannah, or catch the kangaroos bounding along the Outback Trail. Then talk about it on repeat all the way home. One Franklin Park Rd., Boston, MA 02121, zoonewengland.org.
Bespoke of Winchester
Photo by Jessica Delaney Bespoke of Winchester’s custom kitchens look kind of like the ones you see on celebrity cooking shows (who hasn’t lusted after Ina Garten’s sophisticated backdrop?). Perhaps most important for the heart of the home, though, they also feel welcoming. That’s thanks to the team’s expertise in architecture and interior design, which allows them to offer clients a full-service experience, from space planning and custom built-ins to countertops, lighting, and hardware. 25 Thompson St., Winchester, MA 01890, bespokeofwinchester.com.
Inn at Hastings Park
Photo by Taylor VanDyke/Wave Collective Here’s a victory for Lexington: a Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel complete with luxurious Frette linens and fireplaces in the guest rooms, a special-occasion-worthy restaurant downstairs, and history all around. Looking for an excuse to get away without going too far from home? Book one of the 1800s-built inn’s immersive culinary weekends, which include cooking classes with owner Trisha Pérez Kennealy, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London. 2027 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02421, innathastingspark.com.
Geoffrey Harvey
Harvey is the head teaching professional at one of the city's most exclusive clubs, the Badminton and Tennis Club, in the Fenway. A native Aussie, he's the man racquet aficionados like the Globe's Bud Collins and PBS's Kim Prince turn to for friendly advice when their backhands get rusty. "Tennis is a good form of stress management," offers Harvey. "I look at the individual and bring him into the learning problem. It involves his whole being. The actual physical movements are the simplest part." Boston, MA
South End Formaggio
We have a tendency to think of South End Formaggio as a great spot for fancy cheeses, unctuous olive oils, and other hard to find treasures. And it is. But there's plenty more here. The chewy, sesame seed-coated mini ficelle loaves lined with thinly sliced salami and slivers of sharp cheese are a treat you can eat with one hand while you drive home. That'll stop you from snacking on these fancy cheeses you're saving for your dinner guests. 268 Shawmt Ave., Boston, MA southendformaggio.com.
Anna's Taqueria
The true test of a good burrito is: Will you travel for it? In Boston, burrito lovers have little choice. This is, after all, a city with a whole lot of average Mexican food. To find an affordable burrito worth eating, we recommend taking any and all forms of transportation to one of Anna's Taqueria's three area locations. The restaurants are clean, the service is speedy, and the food is fresh. And the burritos? Well, they're so big and tasty, you might just forget you're in Boston. 1412 Beacon St., Brookline, MA annastaqueria.com.
Alpha Omega
Getting married in today's world just isn't what it used to be—it's much better. Thank the gay community if you want, but we're also grateful for the designer bands that line the cases at Alpha Omega's flagship store. From Carelle and Art-carved to Tycoon and Simon G., the world-class selection is as epic as it is beautiful. Leave it to a jewel of a store to throw down one of the most compelling reasons to get married—right behind that whole love thing, of course. 1380 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Wellesley Center
With the exception of a few tolerable chains like LF and the Rugged Bear, this tony town remains largely true to the efforts of owners with local ties: Jill Goldberg's home shop Hudson, Gretchen Monahan's temple-to-chic Gretta Luxe, Georgie Hotchkiss's crafts showcase the Gifted Hand. Everything from books to $2,000 Italian handbags can be bought from a familiar face (and when dining apré-spree, we especially like the one in the kitchen at nearby Blue Ginger). MA
Coach
Ever wish for an elegant overnight bag, one that can hold all your clothes and accessories but doesn't resemble something from a military maneuver? Coach has the answer. With its new store open at Copley Place, the luxe leather manufacturer continues to expand and redefine its products, recently adding luggage to the line-up. From men's dop kits to large duffles, Coach's Hamptons Travel Collection is perfect for quick overnight trips, and also includes pieces for the long haul. Copley Place, Boston, MA coach.com.