FBN Construction
Transparency tops FBN Construction’s list of priorities, and that’s a good thing. The firm’s commitment to communication—to say nothing of its proven planning and building skills—practically guarantees satisfaction, whether you’re overhauling the kitchen in your high-rise condo, creating the ultimate master suite in your suburban Colonial, or simply designing a functional yet elegant home office with loads of built-ins. 17 Wolcott Ct., Boston, MA 02136, fbnconstruction.net.
Fête Collection
Why spend nights clicking through hundreds of Etsy shops when you have Fête? Serving as your local connection to the most talented designers, printers, and calligraphers across the country, the team of paper and etiquette experts here will help you choose everything from custom invitations to menus. You'll get the gold foil, embossing, and hand-lettering of your dreams coordinated through one friendly face, saving you the most precious resource of all during wedding planning: time. 345 D St., South Boston, MA 02127, shopfete.com.
Brilliant Earth
Your relationship is conflict-free—shouldn't your ring be, too? The pros at Brilliant Earth go well beyond the industry standard, tracking diamonds from the time they leave the mine to the time they're cut and polished. A selection of fresh settings made from recycled metals and one-of-a-kind vintage looks, meanwhile, make it even easier to say yes. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, brilliantearth.com.
Follain
Prepare to come in for a cleanser and leave with a changed life. Just one brief consult with a member of the dewy-skinned staff about the benefits of using natural products and you'll make plans to overhaul your bathroom cabinet. Luckily, it will take several visits to the Pinterest-worthy space to fill your shelves with serums, oils, and creams from Tammy Fender, True Botanicals, Osea, and May Lindstrom. 65 Charles St., Boston, 857-233-5211; 53 Dartmouth St., Boston, 857-284-7078; shopfollain.com. 65 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, shopfollain.com.
New Balance Boston Landing
Located next to New Balance's global headquarters in Brighton, this flagship store has all the apparel you need to run, golf, and hit the tennis courts in style. Boasting a huge selection of clothing and accessories—not to mention a station for making your own custom kicks—the store features a mini factory apparatus where you can watch pairs come together right before your eyes. You'll also find pieces from the brand's all-American J.Crew capsule collection. 140 Guest St., Brighton, MA 02135, newbalance.com.
Fini Concierge
Need to grab groceries for your next dinner party? Set up a last-minute car inspection? Don't sweat it—just call Fini Concierge, a small firm that helps busy people all over Massachusetts find the assistance they need. Choose from the _ la carte service list, or opt for a monthly membership—either way, Fini will get it all done, leaving you free to tackle the next 50 things on your mile-long to-do list. 665 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02215, finiconcierge.com.
The Green Room
Photograph by Trevor Reid / Model, Tayla Fernandez/Maggie Inc. From the moment Jessica Thornton asks her first question—"What do you want your hair to say about you?"—it's clear she genuinely wants you to love your locks. The stylist leaves hair so perfectly voluminous that some of her regulars can't resist visiting her one-woman shop for a blowout ($85) multiple times a week. 40 River St., Boston, MA 02114, greenroomboston.com.
Brighter Lights Media
Ready for your silver-screen debut? Brighter Lights Media’s cinematic wedding-day videos document both the monumental moments and the intimate details in both short trailer and feature-film-length cuts. Bonus: Christian Nachtrieb and Chris Scesny’s stunning aerial shots, captured by quadcopter, let you watch your love story unfold from a birds’-eye view. 15 Channel Center St., Boston, MA brighterlightsmedia.com.
Laura Preshong
Photograph by Francine Zaslow, styling by Abby Bielagus/Ennis Goldsmith/jewelry designer Laura Preshong and her team use eco-friendly, recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds from Botswana and Canada to handcraft every ring—which translates to less impact on the environment and mining industry, and an even greater impact on your sweetheart. Choose from the store’s existing collection of sparklers, bring in your own sketch, or let the skilled jewelers transform Grandma’s gems into a new heirloom. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA laurapreshong.com.
Kit and Ace
Find a gentle way to break up with your dry cleaner, because just about everything at Kit and Ace—even the cashmere—is machine- or hand-washable. And if the sleek basics (tissue-soft sleeveless turtlenecks, work-ready pants as comfy as your weekend sweats, ultra-cozy blanket wraps) don’t fit perfectly off the rack, don’t sweat it. The newly opened shop can make in-store alterations while you sip on complimentary sparkling water. Bliss. 208 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, kitandace.com.
Uniform
Photograph by Bob O'Connor Uniform owner Gary Ritacco has a keen understanding of what it means to balance personal style with form and function. His South End shop stocks timeless basics like fitted plaid and polka-dot button-ups and classic Levi’s alongside unexpected accessories that let your individuality shine through. Just imagine what a sleek Swiss messenger bag, a preppy Daniel Wellington watch, and ankle-high Tretorn sneakers could do for your weekend getup. 511 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, uniformboston.com.
Blue Moon Smoke Shop
The meteoric rise of vaporizers has changed what we smoke and how we smoke it. Nowadays, the marketplace is flooded with newfangled devices; choosing the proper vessel can feel like shopping for a laptop. Don’t let your mellow be harshed, man. The friendly fellas at Kenmore Square’s Blue Moon will help you find whatever type of delivery device your lungs desire, be it a simple e-cig or a high-tech Grenco Science G-Pen (Snoop Dogg’s vape of choice). 470 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, smokeshopboston.com.
Living Proof
When MIT scientists are the brains behind your hair care, you know you’re getting the most effective product. The Cambridge-based Living Proof team invented and patented new molecules that protect your tresses and provide next-level volume. We’re obsessed with the Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo, which removes dirt and sweat from hair without an ounce of water. livingproof.com.
Lunette Optic
If your eyewear shopping experience involves multiple rounds of “What do you think about these?” pay a visit to Lunette Optic’s glossy Financial District showroom, where skilled opticians blessed with saint-like patience make suggestions about the shapes, styles, and colors best suited for your face shape and personality. They’ll help you navigate options curated from the world’s finest eyewear designers, from prismatic Face à Face specs to posh Prada and Chanel frames. 121 High St., Boston, MA 02110, lunetteoptic.com.
Exhale Battery Wharf
From the moment you enter Exhale’s dreamy quarters in the Battery Wharf Hotel, you’ll feel the stress melt. The spa’s massage therapists specialize in a variety of techniques (deep tissue, sports, shiatsu, craniosacral), which means you’ll get precisely what your sore muscles are aching for. After your treatment, detox even further in the traditional Turkish hammam. Deadlines? What deadlines? 2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109, exhalespa.com.