Bianca De Pietro
It took this formally trained designer six years — and yards of tulle — to hand-make her first bridal line, but it was worth every stitch. The 13-piece Euro-inspired collection offers gowns of silk duchesse satin, organza, chiffon and tulle. Every look is customizable: Removable skirts snap on and off, and there are detachable sleeves and trains and various colors. Beaded lace florets add a romantic air to skirts, and sweetheart backs bring an exquisite touch to your last look. 234 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, atelier-bianca.com.
Kampar
When Ange Branca’s Saté Kampar shut down in May 2020, it was only partly due to the pandemic. (Despite, you know, everything, Branca’s landlord refused to budge on a 15 percent rent hike.) So we all kinda knew that she’d be back. And after a few years of pop-ups, Branca returned bigger than ever, taking over the two-story Nomad Pizza location in Bella Vista. The building is perfect for our Best Second Act winner: Pair an achat martini with the beef rendang and nasi lemak upstairs, or try dishes from two rising resident chefs downstairs. 611 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, kamparphilly.com.
Philly Girls Who Walk
When Fairmount resident Bianca Solari founded Philly Girls Who Walk last May, she was looking for a way to get outside and socialize without alcohol. (She wasn’t alone — more than 100 women showed up for the first outing.) The low-key weekly walks, which cover about three miles near locations like the Art Museum, the Ben Franklin Bridge and Schuylkill River Park, are perfect for making new friends and exploring the city, one step at a time. instagram.com/phillygirlswhowalk.
ToBox
Boyds expat Tung To only stocks options with quality and style (handmade-in-Paris loafers by La Cordonnerie Anglaise, Scarpe di Bianco monk straps, John Lobb oxfords) and offers $6 on-site shoe shines. 25 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, toboxshoes.com.
Jimmy DeLaurentis
Prospect of unearthing an outfit from your stuffed-to-capacity closet make you collapse upon the duvet in a fit of fashion anguish? Enter DeLaurentis. The former Ralph Lauren-ite will help sort through the mess those 1980s palazzo pants havegot to go without making you feel bad, and leave you with numerous "new" outfits plucked from the very racks of clothes you stood before only hours earlier, wailing, "I have nothing to wear!" 00000, jimmydelaurentis.com.
Pastéis de Nata at Gilda
It’s not your imagination; a quarter of the people on your timeline are traipsing around Lisbon right now. Whether you can join them doesn’t matter — get a taste of Portugal’s de facto national sweet right here in Fishtown. Gilda’s pastéis de nata are platonically perfect, with lush, cinnamon-infused egg custard brimming from a crust so crisp and delicate, it’ll shatter at first bite. And you know what you (probably) can’t get in Lisbon? Specials from owners Brian Oliveira and Brian Mattera in flavors like coconut almond and lemon raspberry. 300 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, gildaphilly.com.
De La Terre BYOB
Downingtown may seem like a long way to go for dinner, but chef Andrew Hufnagel (ex of Zola, Dandelion and Jean-Georges) makes the trip worth it with this French BYOB that can do hyper-classic onion soup spiked with sherry, a charcoal-roasted squab with strawberry rhubarb and spring onion soubise, or kombu-poached shrimp with yuzu mayonnaise, all without breaking a sweat. The kitchen trades classical stuffiness for a bright, restrained experimentalism (and occasionally serves a really good cheeseburger, too), making De La Terre the best restaurant you’re going to find in the last place you’d ever look. 47 West Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335, delaterrebyob.com.
Cure de Repos
What this two-room spa lacks in size, it makes up for with hyper-individualized attention from Rescue Spa alum Chrissy Dress and a slew of cutting-edge treatments, like all-the-rage micro-needling and dermaplaning. 8133 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, curederepos.com.
Los Taquitos de Puebla
The al pastor darling of the Headhouse Farmers Market has more to offer-from beef cheeks to birria-in its Italian Market nook. 1149 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lostaquitosdepuebla.com.
Alma de Cuba
Coordinating your gal pals for mani/pedis would be a logistical nightmare if not for group-welcoming Nail Bar, where the mimosas are complimentary and the polish job is exceptional. For dinner, Alma de Cuba is fun and flirty, but not a meat market, so you won't have to spend your time fending off creeps. Bring the evening to a giddy end at Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, where tipsy girls singing loudly are perfectly acceptable. 1623 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, almadecubarestaurant.com.
El Sabor De Mi Tierra
Tacos in pizza form, served with lime wedges and salsa: The Mexican pies at this no-frills South Philly restaurant are everything you want to eat when it’s 1 a.m. and you have all sorts of liquor in you. 2413 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, ordertortasandpizzaelsabordemitierra.com.
Dana DeMarco at LashBee
From your perch in what’s essentially the plushest director’s chair ever, DeMarco will wax, tint and fill your brows to perfection. Afterward, you’ll realize it’s actually your peepers that have never looked better. 1126 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lashbee.com.
Taqueria Los Taquitos de Puebla
Local gringos know Los Taquitos de Puebla from its farmers' market stands. But for the real thing, go to the 9th Street storefront any day of the week, show some guts, and try the tongue or beef-eye tacos. Yeah, we said beef-eye tacos. 1149 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, lostaquitosdepuebla.com.
Darla DeMorrow at HeartWork Organizing
Rather than focusing solely on eliminating clutter (though she does that, with zeal), DeMorrow sees the photo-gleaning process as an opportunity to help people tell their stories. After listening to yours, she'll create digital and physical albums that capture the important stuff -- and help you set up a thrice-backed-up, bulletproof digital archive you can manage on your own. heartworkorg.com.