Artists For Humanity EpiCenter
A garage-style door opens to a courtyard at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter. / Courtesy photo For those who prefer to color outside the lines, this vast venue provides the ultimate blank canvas. And the EpiCenter is about to get even more epic—this fall, the AFH unveils a revamped 5,000-square-foot event space. Walls are no obstacle here: Just raise the floor-to-ceiling garage-style door to let your soiree flow seamlessly into the landscaped courtyard. 100 W. Second St., Boston, MA 02127, afhboston.org.
Maryelle Makeup & Hair Artistry
Maryelle O’Rourke and her team of artists are pros at making brides "I woke up like this" beautiful, traveling to venues in Boston and beyond to give you and yours perfectly dewy skin and fluttery lashes. For proof, take a look at the company’s roster of celebrity clients, which includes Her Royal Highness Meghan Markle and Westworld’s Shannon Woodward. MA maryelleartistry.com.
Sidney Thomas
A single Akoya pearl bordered by diamonds. A vintage solitaire set gracefully on a band of 14-karat white gold. A trio of emerald-cut sapphires, azure as the ocean blue. Whatever your style, you’ll find the selection at this Prudential Center jeweler sparkles. Choose from modern and traditional pieces by Mikimoto, Henri Daussi, and Simon G. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, sidneythomas.com.
Parlr
Shutterbug and makeup artist extraordinaire Rachael Rubin has relocated her industrial-chic salon/photo studio concept to an 11,000-square-foot location in the same loft building, adding a full roster of spa treatments to her menu of services (think: microblading, reiki, lash extensions, and the very best blowout around). Bonus points for the chance to strike your best model pose after a day of pampering. One Watson Place, Framingham, MA 01701, theparlr.com.
Beauport Hotel
The North Shore isn’t exactly tourist-averse, but upscale hotels are still surprisingly hard to come by—which made the Beauport a particularly welcome addition when it debuted in 2016, rendering the site of a Birds Eye frozen-foods plant unrecognizable. Boasting beachfront access and a roof deck with a pool and fire pit, the hotel is a short walk from Gloucester’s downtown. But why would you want to leave when Wellfleet oysters and local craft beer are moments away at the in-house restaurant? 55 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA 01930, beauporthotel.com.
Life Time Fitness
Is it a gym or a wellness oasis? Actually, it’s both. In addition to offering the essential yoga and indoor cycling classes, Life Time Fitness lays on the extras: nutrition counseling, weight-loss support, even chiropractic care. Feeling guilty about leaving the tots while taking time for yourself? There are kids’ classes, too, even for infants. Why not send your little one to preschool yoga while you visit the spa? 300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02459, lifetime.life.
Plimoth Plantation
There’s nothing more kid-friendly than a slice of history that can answer you right back. Experience life as it was for Massachusetts’ first European settlers—and their hosts, the Wampanoag—at Plimoth Plantation. Walk among the tiny timber-framed houses of a 17th-century English village, learn how to play the ancient tribal game of hubbub at the Wampanoag Homesite along the Eel River, and encourage the brood to ask plenty of questions: They’ll learn more than they ever could in history class. 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth, MA 02360, plimoth.org.
Follain
Tara Foley wants you to stop cleaning your face with dirty products. That’s the mission, at least, behind her one-stop skin-care shop, Follain, which bars parabens, formaldehyde, coal tar, and other potentially dangerous chemicals from its expertly selected lineup of beauty items. In fact, the company rigorously researches and tests every deodorant and soap it carries independently before releasing it onto shelves. Now that’s what we call beautiful. Multiple locations. 65 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, shopfollain.com.
Peter Sacco, Adelante Shoe Co.
Ever stopped to wonder where your shoes come from? Peter Sacco did. Deeply troubled by the economic inequality he saw while on vacation in Central America, he dedicated his life—and his business—to finding a way to help. The designer’s high-quality, made-to-order leather boots and loafers are created by craftspeople in Guatemala who are paid 75 percent above the market rate, providing them with a livable wage. In other words, there’s plenty of soul in these classic soles. Bow Market, One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, adelanteshoes.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Nothing kills a night faster than wearing the same outfit as another guest. The vast selection of eveningwear at Saks, however, makes it easy to avoid that social snafu. If your invite dictates cocktail attire, peruse the flirty styles from Delfi Collective and classic silhouettes from Diane von Furstenberg on the first floor. Dressing for a black-tie gala? Head to the designer boutiques upstairs and choose among Fendi, Valentino, and Prada. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Hilton’s Tent City
After seven decades in Boston, this iconic outdoor outfitter packed its bags last summer and made the epic voyage across the Charles River, where it set up camp in a huge storefront in the heart of Central Square. Other than the location, not much has changed: The store is still stuffed with a gazillion backpacks, boots, headlamps, and everything else you’ll need for your next outdoor adventure. Go ahead, climb every mountain. 565 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, hiltonstentcity.com.
Sault New England
Owner Philip Saul knows that casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy. To wit: Where else can you try on Japanese selvedge denim in two contemporary, tailored fits? Whether you’re shopping for cheerful printed tees and canvas shorts for your next Cape vacation or fitted button-downs and slim-fit pants for breezy weekends in the city, playing it cool never looked this sharp. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Trunk Club
One visit to Trunk Club’s recently opened Boston clubhouse and you’ll be inventing occasions to have a suit made. The swanky digs are just one perk of this personal-styling service’s merger with Nordstrom; another is the access clients have to designer accessories in the department store’s catalog. Sip a cocktail while your stylist takes 26 precise body measurements and then helps you choose everything from the buttons and fabric lining right down to the Gucci loafers. 501 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, trunkclub.com.
Precision Running Lab
Runners train to the beat at Precision Running Lab. / Photo by Christopher Churchill In a city with a short autumn and an even shorter spring, dedicated treadmill studios, where runners pound pavement in a climate-controlled environment, are becoming increasingly popular. And this new spot inside Equinox’s Chestnut Hill outpost runs laps around the competition with its dance-club ambiance (classes sync lights and music to your speed), oxygen-enriched air, and custom Woodway treadmills. Wave goodbye to monotonous training sessions—Precision will have you marathon-ready in no time. 200 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, equinox.com.