North Cambridge Laundromat & Dry Cleaning
Here the owners dispense restaurant recommendations and gossip tidbits along with perfectly pressed suits and blouses at the cheapest prices we've seen. They restored not only a merlot-stained silk top for a mere $3.95, but also our faith in humanity. (Seriously. They're that friendly.) 2410 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2140, .
Henry Bear's Park
This locally grown stalwart earns our salute by appealing to kids and parents alike. Stocking time-honored brands like Alex, Gund, and Manhattan Toy at a variety of price points, Henry Bear's makes it that much easier to say yes to the child who just won't leave without a present. 25 White St., Boston, MA 2128, henrybear.com.
Lester Harry's
Instead of being bigger versions of Cabbage Patch dolls, kids here are littler versions of our best-dressed selves. That means ruffled frocks by Splendid and Twelfth Street, snappy orange cargos from Jean Bourget, and Eberjey Indian-motif swimwear. (Excuse us, but does this come in a size 32T?) 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 1945, .
Holly Cleaners
A white wool suit covered in tomato sauce didn't faze the wizards at Holly. Our regular Back Bay cleaner looked at the mess and said he was likely to discolor the fabric. Holly humbly offered no guarantees, but returned the suit exactly as it was, pre-lasagna. 1314 Centre St., Newton, MA .
Pamela Santorelli
A store with avant-garde clothing needs a sales assistant who can steer a client through it. Pamela Santorelli of Louis Boston does just that. She's relaxed and refreshing, patient and pressure-free. And she tells us when something looks terrible without hurting our feelings. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Didriks
The Accessories at Didriks This Cambridge shop has area exclusives on some of the finest dinnerware, flatware, and accessories available. We covet the minimalist stoneware from Heath Ceramics, as well as Match's pewter and porcelain collections. And then there's our most recent discovery: the rich jewel tones of Jars Tourron artisanal pottery, made by hand in southern France. 190 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA didriks.com.
Fresh
At Fresh—where shelves are sparse but gracefully arranged, and all the products are silky smooth and lusciously scented—quality reigns over quantity. Our favorite indulgence? The Brown Sugar Body Polish, a decadent exfoliant that leaves skin feeling smoother than a fine fondant. 121 Newbury St., Boston, MA fresh.com.
Sephora
We have only one rule when shopping at this cavernous cosmetics shop: Bring cash. How else to limit ourselves while stuffing our basket with lotions, powders, polishes, and liners? Oh, and there are the goodies tempting us from the bins near the checkout line... sephora.com.
Barneys New York
It's said that what separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. If you're looking for pashminas, the flash of a Fendi croissant bag, beaded scarves, shoes, or jewelry, Barneys has it. And it can make or break even the most stylish fashionista's outfit. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA .
Thom Brown
They definitely got the funk. Thom Brown boasts the biggest selection in town from the hipper side of Kenneth Cole to platforms in all shapes and sizes. Here's where our boys find shoes that express their personality without getting too ridiculous. 331 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Coach
Coach is back on our radar with a new young designer turning out leather goods in shapes and colors never before associated with the conservative store. Look for its ergonomically shaped purses, wallets in lime green, and golf gloves in baby blue. Copley Place, Boston, MA .
Kitchen Arts
This family-owned store gets our raves for the chef (or wannabe) looking for the best items to outfit the serious kitchen. Competitive prices on brands such as Calphalon and All-Clad, but beats everyone on price for top-of-the-line cutlery. Nice selection of hard-to-find gadgets as well. 161 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Dutch Flower Garden
Not only did the Dutch Flower Garden have the speediest delivery, but they also used the most varied flowers of all the contenders. Our expert horticultural judges were impressed by the range of flowers, noting that many were common in gardens but rare to see in a florist's arrangement. 164 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Jeffrey Lyle Salon
Photograph by Keller + Keller After one too many blowouts left us looking like a Dallas cast member, we were ready to throw in the (salon) towel. Then came Tim Robishaw at Jeffrey Lyle, who transformed our limp strands into "look at me" locks that lasted the entire weekend. 135 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Roslindale Farmers’ Market
The market boasts a full bar, live music, and an army of booths that showcase locally made goodies including cheese, coffee, honey, and pasta—plus every vegetable under the sun. Our only complaint: It’s not open year round. Adams Park, Boston, MA 02131, roslindale.net/farmersmarket.