Date & Time
A visit to this showroom is nothing short of an experience, with swanky lounge areas, a grand piano, and a bar where you can relax with a drink. But let’s get to what you’re really here for — the jewelry and watches. Whether it’s a bold turquoise-and-diamond sparkler from Messika or a Rolex stunner that catches your eye, the store’s museum-like cases make it easy to find your next wearable piece of art. 5 Concord Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776, dateandtimema.com.
Balans Organic Spa
There’s nothing worse than sitting back for a relaxing facial only to have your aesthetician slather on products that smell vaguely like petrochemicals. That’ll never happen at Balans, where facialists use only 100 percent organic products in conjunction with expert analysis of your skin — sans the very annoying upselling attempts common at so many spas — hot steam, thorough extractions, and a lovely, soothing environment. 216 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonbalans.com.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Meet your sweetheart under the enormous American flag swaying in the breeze, then stroll hand in hand into this waterfront hotel, which has been setting the standard for luxury in Boston since 1987. Romance packages include sweet touches such as champagne, chocolates, and breakfast beneath the silky Frette sheets, but if you really want to wow your SO, book one of the stunning suites with a terrace overlooking the harbor. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, bostonharborhotel.com.
Monroe Home & Style
Housed in an old antique shop that’s been stylishly revived on Main Street in Charlestown, this charming boutique stocks glassware, design books, rugs, candles, tabletop items, and so much more. Products are always chic and often artisanal, all carefully curated by owner Donna Garlough, a former style director for Joss & Main who designed the shop to evoke the interior of a house so customers can get a sense of how items will look in their own abodes. 207 Main St., Charlestown, MA 02129, monroeboston.com.
Tile Showcase
The tile in your home is as much of an artistic expression as any painting you hang on your wall — an opportunity to bring in colors, textures, and patterns. Tile Showcase has long been known as a mecca for all of the above, from stunning New Ravenna sea-glass mosaics to retro penny rounds and classic subway tile. Bonus: The showroom, located at the Boston Design Center, always has an extensive inventory of in-stock tile, so you may not have to play the home-renovation waiting game. Boston Design Center, Ste. 204, Boston, MA 02210, tileshowcase.com.
Pasta Beach
Remember when Mom said, “Eat your veggies”? At Pasta Beach, you’ll be shouting, “Yes, please!” That’s because of the recently revamped Italian joint’s twist on asparagus — that’s right, asparagus — which takes the spear-shaped vegetable to new heights thanks in part to a decadent Parmigiano-Reggiano cream. But the real showstopper is a crispy poached egg with a runny yolk that will make you fall in love with that advice of your childhood, possibly for the first time. 30 Rowes Wharf, Downtown, MA 02110, pastabeach.com/boston.
Sauchuk Farm
This pick-your-own operation has implemented some new procedures this year— face masks and social distancing are a must, and don’t forget to reserve your tickets in advance—but a day in the fresh air scoop- ing up blueberries already lends itself to distance (and pie!). Here’s hoping the PYO pumpkins and corn maze return this fall. 53 Palmer Rd., Plympton, MA 02367, sauchukfarm.com.
Circle Furniture
We know that kitchen chair you’ve been working from since March hasn’t exactly been kind to your back, hips, or knees. Family-owned Circle Furniture offers the seating you desperately need right now, from high-back Stressless models that conform to your body’s movements to sleeker mesh numbers boasting adjustable headrests. Good luck choosing just one. 31 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116, circlefurniture.com.
Boston General Store
STAPLER - BOSTON GENERAL STORE SCISSORS AND CLIPS - TOOLS TO LIVEBY WASHI TAPE - MT TAPE Tired of the shabby tape dispenser and legal pad you swiped from the office? Boston General Store (pictured) hawks supplies you’ll want to keep right on your desktop—not bury in a drawer. Traveler’s notebooks will reinvigorate your daily punch lists, while the sharp Italian-made Ellepi Klizia stapler was practically designed for those video-call close-ups. 305 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, bostongeneralstore.com.
Lekker Home
Whether you’re a Marie Kondo purist or a Diane von Furstenberg maximalist, the one thing we can all agree on is that for everything to be in its place, it has to have a place. Luckily, this South End standout has plenty of creative solutions for stashing your stuff. Start small with Thayer Design baskets and Muuto coat hooks, or get ambitious with a new Blu Dot bookshelf or roomy credenza—then watch as your ambitious to-do list shrinks a little bit every day. 38 Wareham St., Boston, MA 02118, lekkerhome.com.
East Meets West
This caterer has been a mainstay at Boston’s classiest affairs since 1989, for good reason: Its food is all over the map, in the best way. Proper salmon with dill? Taco buffet? Pork-belly sliders? There are no fixed menus or cookie-cutter ideas here; the only limit is your imagination. Best of all, the team behind East Meets West doesn’t stop with menu planning: With such deep industry ties, they’ll recommend just the right DJ, florist, and venue to suit your vision. eastmeetswestcatering.com.
Fête Collection
Julie Pike Receiving a wedding invitation in the mail is always exciting. But when your guests open the envelope and discover, say, a custom illustration of your venue or a folding card with the weekend’s agenda, it’ll be even more so. Along with personalized invitation suites, these Southie-based stationery savants can dream up vellum menus, playful cocktail cards, and foilstamped napkins. And if you don’t have the time (or the calligraphy skills) to address the envelopes yourself, they’ll make sure each one is signed, sealed, and delivered. shopfete.com.
LexRx
A professional-grade facial is more accessible and convenient than ever thanks to the pros at Beacon Hill’s LexRx. Its new Lex Refine + Peel treatment, which promises to exfoliate, brighten, and cleanse, starts with a personalized phone or video consultation, during which a nurse practitioner will pinpoint your skin type and coach you through the application process from the comfort of your home. It’s an effortless way to get that post-quarantine glow—and it’ll set you back just $45. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, lexrx.co.
Jessica Thornton, the Green Room
Whether you’re looking for a few face-framing highlights or just need some serious corrective color after a botched lockdown dye job, the single chair inside Jessica Thornton’s cozy salon is waiting for you. The stylist begins with an in-depth consultation—like psychoanalysis for your locks—to learn your goals, then creates a look that’s everything you’ve dreamed of but could never quite put into words. 40 River St., Boston, MA 02114, greenroomboston.com.
Gilda Miranda Andrade, Styled by Gilda
Allie Dowd If this spring’s closet purge is still in progress, it may be time to bring in a professional. With the click of a mouse, this fashion maven (pictured) will help you virtually edit your wardrobe and put outfits together with what you already own—then send you a shoppable list of new pieces you’re sure to love. Need a little extra help? Andrade also offers personal-styling services at a store of your choice. styledbygilda.com.