Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve
We like it rough, but that bruise on our shoulder? Ouch. And do-nothing spa massages? A waste of a good nap. With a just-right blend of relaxation and technical know-how, Natalie Maibenko at Unique Verve can adjust to whatever your need may be—a lulling back rub to relieve stress, serious bodywork for injuries and muscle tightness. No matter the case, she uses her custom-made aromatherapy oils to deliver an intensive massage session that's both effective and blissfully quiet. 530 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2116, uniqueverve.com.
Bradley & Diegel
How would you like your blowout today: sleek and long or Barbarella-style bouncy? Of all the stylists we visited, this was the only one to ask our preference. But that's not all. The B&D staffers really tease out the pampering experience; never do you feel hurried as the friendly folks shepherd you from shampoo station (where they give some of the finest scalp rubs in town) to massage chair. Best of all, each client leaves with a mane that looks as sexy as a supermodel's for three whole days. 77 Newbury St, Boston, MA 2116, bradleyanddiegel.com.
Marina Kan, Bella Sante
We used to prefer our pedicures short and sweet. But after just one Bella Foot Facial with Marina Kan, we've grown more than happy to linger. What's not to love about dozing for 80 minutes in a plush armchair while your tired pups are exfoliated, massaged, masked, and moisturized? Kan's all-business approach spares you the chitchat, and her palette of scrubs and creams looks almost good enough to eat. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Bella Santé
Pouring hot wax onto skin sounds strange at best. Ripping it off seems worse. Yet women everywhere repeatedly submit themselves to this hair-removal process. Our hirsute pursuit takes us to Bella Santé, where we have actually dozed off during a thorough thigh-to-toe wax. That's how gentle was the aesthetician, whose careful attention to detail left us beach ready and bruise free. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
Sandy Poirier, Shag
Some say you should never trust a bald barber, but there's an exception to every rule. Poirier, the tonsured and tattooed owner of this year-old salon in South Boston, is ours. He uses a straight razor and skills acquired during a two-decade tour on Newbury Street to create the kind of just-got-outta-bed looks that hipsters know can only be crafted by expert hands. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA shagboston.com.
Cigar Masters
You don't go to Cigar Masters to smoke. You go to savor. Settle into a soft, cigar-brown (of course) leather couch and choose from roughly 200 cigars—from $3 to $30—kept in an oversized humidor. Along with complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Formaggio Kitchen (during special tastings), the smoke shop serves beer, wine, champagne, and port. So pair your stogy with some bubbly and puff away. 745 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, cigarmasters.com.
Rusty Colston, Salon Mario Russo
After working under the tutelage of makeup-guro-to-the-stars Bobbi Brown, Rusty has come to Boston to transform our faces. He applies makeup with Brown's signature minimalist technique, which strives for natural, subtle strokes for daytime. Colston is also adept at using color to create a little drama for evening. As an added bonus, he'll tweeze unruly brows and even make house calls if necessary. 9 Newbury Street, Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
USTrust Bank
Let the big boys fight it out among themselves. For our money, the best deal in town in USTrust. Free checking with no minimum balance. Free checks, even, with some accounts. Decent rates for consumer loans. Best of all, no charge for using your ATM card, even at most other banks. If that's not enough, there are still real tellers who are genuinely friendly and always free, unlike Fleet's. 65 branches, .
Westport Rivers Vineyard's Sparkling Wines
Vintners Bob and Carol Russell often refer to themselves as farmers rather than winemakers, though they produce a national and international award-winning series of methode Champenoise sparkling wines. These are bottled testimony to their efforts and ethos—the Russells' business is a family one (sons Bill and Bob make the wine and manage the vineyard respectively) devoted to preserving Massachusetts farmland and producing a superior product. If it's good enough for the White House (the sparkling wines were served at the Governor's Dinner 2000), then it is welcome on our table. 417 Hixbridge Road, Westport, MA westportrivers.com.
Lunette Optic
A good pair of sunglasses possesses a strange power to make you look and feel glamorous, even when you're slumming it in sweats. Lunette Optic has long been our trusted guide to finding such shades. Pros whisk you from case to case, pointing out the right style for your face and the level of protection and price you're seeking. Ready to splurge? Check out the specs from Tom Ford and Barton Perreira. 121 High St., Boston, MA lunetteoptic.com.
Polka Dog Bakery
We'll cop to ordering kibble in bulk and rolls of doggy bags online, but when we want to reward our most loyal friends, we load up on the chicken littles, cod skins, and duck jerky dehydrated in Polka Dog's South Boston kitchen. Beyond the treat jars, the retail shops deal in Big Shrimpy dog beds, Bella Bean collars, and sturdy Tuffy chew toys—certain to command semper fi from your pup—plus a range of purr-inducing cat provisions. 356 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
M. Flynn
Time and time again, we reach for the pieces in our jewelry box linked to this darling South End boutique. The sisters Flynn—Moria and Megan—have impeccable taste, amassing chunky woven bracelets from Maine's the Ropes; delicate handpainted enamel necklaces from Les Nereides; and knockout earrings from Erickson Beamon and Alexis Bittar. The pair also stocks their own in-house label, and if you have a piece of heirloom jewelry you'd like to recast, they'll help you design a custom keeper. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA mflynnjewelry.com.
Willowbee & Kent
The travel superstore stocks alarm clocks, passport cases, wrinkles-free clothing with hidden pockets, electronic travel gadgets, guidebooks, maps, journals, and a full-service, in-house travel agency. If you can think of anything else you'd need for a weekend getaway or a trip around the world, we'll eat our lightweight, floats-in-water, sun-protective, ventilated safari hat. 519 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Allston Car Wash
Most car washes charge you $20 to roll your vehicle under a few spritzers and a blow dryer. At Allston, that same amount gets you full doors-to-floors tidying. (Want just the exterior cleaning? Ten bucks.) We were impressed by the attention to detail: When our—admittedly, hanging on by a thread—radio antenna popped off in the tunnel, the attendant gladly replaced it with a new one. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Cooperative Dog
After suffering through trainers who merely barked advice (our ears are still ringing), we were overjoyed to discover owner Vera Wilkinson's quiet expertise. Certified both as a dog-behavior consultant and professional dog trainer—and armed with more than a decade of experienc—Wilkinson begins by watching you interact with Fido at home. Only then does she offer suggestions. She takes her time, and you and your dog will end up the better for it. 1786 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2445, cooperativedog.com.