Columbo Invisible Reweaving & Reknitting
It won't be cheap, but when your favorite sweater has been visited by moths or some other holey disaster, Toni Columbo's magical reweaving process will render the damage virtually invisible. 72 Broad St., Boston, MA invisiblereweaving.com.
Pepper's
We love the way they use herbs and plants (cucumber in a cleanser and aloe in some lipsticks), the recycling program, the championing of socially correct causes, and the whole PC atmosphere. And we love the obliging return policy. 745 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Stan Frankenthaler, Choice Catering
We'll let Jasper White's former assistant chef make and deliver dinner to our house anytime. Can dining at home get any better than this? 256 Marginal St., East Boston, MA .
Jim Simpletary and Bo Smith of the MFA's film program
Why do these two hosts of the MFA film series hold forth on thematic interpretation of every film in plodding, painstaking detail...before it starts? We'd like to give them some advice: Shhh, no talking at the movies.
Lower Mills Tavern
This cozy joint checks all the right boxes—the cocktails are potent, the beer list long, the vibe distinctly homey. And the team seems genuinely happy to host you: With friendly servers and bartenders quick to dole out thoughtful recommendations, it’s clear that all are welcome here. 2269 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester , MA 02124, lowermillstavern.com.
Natick Mall
Designer boutiques such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry. A recently opened Wegmans grocery store right inside the mall. Even an upcoming brick-and-mortar outpost of the locally grown home-goods website Wayfair: This mall takes the traditional suburban shopping experience and kicks it up a few notches. natickmall.com.
Solera
Who says the best things in life aren’t free? Situated on a charming brick patio, Solera offers complimentary wine tastings every Saturday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Discerning drinkers can even solicit Solera’s vino experts to host a tasting at home. 16 Birch St., Boston, MA 02131, solerashrinetowine.com.
Local Root
Aspiring home chefs should forgo the big-box stores and their cheap gadgetry for Local Root, where owner Jonathan Henke, of Didriks fame, brings his sophisticated eye to everything cookware, proffering serious tools from the world’s best brands (Berti knives, Le Creuset sauciers). 221 Concord Ave., Cambridge; and 2284 Washington St., Newton, localroot.com.
Hudson
This charming Wellesley home store is dedicated to casual-elegant living. Vintage handpainted signs seamlessly mix with mirrored cabinets; brindle cowhides share space with woven ticking-stripe rugs. All of the goods are hand-selected by owner Jill Goldberg, who also offers interior design services. 61 Central St., Wellesley, MA 2482, .
Luxlash
This tiny beauty oasis focuses solely on the eyes—reassuring when it comes to the fastidious work of lash extensions. Combining patience and precision, the LuxLash pros will fill out your fringe with semipermanent synthetic lashes or your choice of colored and exotic styles. The result? A come-hither look that'll have everyone aflutter. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, luxlash.com.
Jaipur Cafe
It's worth the trek to the 'burbs to try this Indian food influenced by various regions of India. The Cafe's tandoor specials include marinated whole fish and chicken burra kabab (marinated in a ginger, yogurt, and saffron sauce), and are consistently as good as their more traditional fare like the chicken tikka masala and vegetarian dishes. Galleria by the Green, 500 Providence Highway, Route 1, Norwood, MA .
The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn
Photo by Jesse Burke The massages here will put you into the I've-just-been-kneaded-to-the-point-of-blissed-out-distraction state that you were hoping for. But that's just the beginning. Take a dip in the hot tub, and dawdle in the sauna and the steam showers après rubdown. You'll return to the real world radiating calm. 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA chathambarsinn.com.
Urban Elements
Decor-savvy denizens of the North Shore come to this eco-minded boutique for home furnishings and accessories. Larger stores generally sell pieces made abroad, but much of what you'll find here is American-made, well built, and reasonably priced. 20 Pleasant St., Newburyport, MA urbanelementshome.com.
Community Servings
This charity gives non-cooks and harried cooks—the only two kinds during the holidays—perfect endings to Thanksgiving dinner: pumpkin, apple, or sweet potato-pie, from the kitchens of Julia Child, Jody Adams, Tony Ambrose, and dozens more. Proceeds benefit home-bound AIDS patients. 125 Magazine St., Roxbury, MA .
Sargent Summer
A citywide celebration of the art of John Singer Sargent—at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fogg Art Museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Boston Public Library—provides a rare chance to see the complete picture of this fascinating fin-de-siècle expatriate artists who considered Boston his American home.