Lauren Leavell
Mount Airy-based trainer Lauren Leavell rose to internet fame via her upbeat fitness classes, strong anti-diet-culture stance, and commitments to making fitness inclusive and striving for racial equality. During Black History Month, she launched Black Womxn Wellness events with other prominent Philly wellness pros, and her Insta story updates range from funny and charming to reflective and inspiring. laurenleavellfitness.com.
South Street Philly Bagel
You'll justify waiting in the steamy, cramped, un-air-conditioned quarters for these just-baked, crunchy-crusted, doughy rounds, which put other area bagel makers to shame. Health nuts can go oat or whole wheat, and there are powder-sugar-dusted French toast and chocolate chip varieties. But true bagelphiles simply order an everything smeared with the superb whipped cream cheese and then a plain to eat on the walk home. 613 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southstphillybagel.com.
Le Virtù
It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Valor Men's Grooming
Valor falls right in the sweet spot between impersonal chain and old-timey barbershop, without any tired man-cave shtick. Tack on the $25 shave, and don't stress about making small talk: TVs at each station let you zone out, so you never have to deal with those awkward "So now what do we talk about?" moments. 27 South Main Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, valormensgrooming.com.
Flywheel Sports
No, there's not something in the water. Your friends are all addicted to Flywheel's indoor cycling classes because they feel more like a party than a sweat session, with amped-up playlists and endlessly energetic instructors who'll have you dancing in the saddle. But it's also a serious workout: The studio's TorqBoard lets you race your classmates, and weighted bars next to each bike allow for arm workouts while you peddle. 1521 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, flywheelsports.com/philadelphia.
The Dandelion
We're not sure if it's the relative bargain of the $56 beef roast for two, the succulent meat and accompanying Yorkshire pudding, or the homeyness of Stephen Starr's ode to British pubbery that makes this the ideal way to wrap up a weekend. But we can tell you that any more than three of the English cask ales might make that Monday-morning schlep a bit schleppier. 124 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thedandelionpub.com.
Oyster House
Honest to Jesus, we just don't comprehend how anyone can get any work done or deals made over the massive plates of red meat offered up at so many of this town's supposed power-lunch spots. Chasing a lobster roll with a couple of cold beers at Oyster House, on the other hand, leaves us with the energy and inspiration to do something other than sleep off a beef coma beneath our desks. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, oysterhousephilly.com.
Occasionette
Sara Selepouchins brand-new shop has all those handcrafted party goods (charming banners, stripy paper straws) that make any party look pulled-together. Her great gift-y items like pretty greeting cards and housewares (napkins, dishtowels, totes, etc.), which feature her own darling illustrations, are only a bonus. 1825 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, occasionette.com.
UpHome
This breezy store feels like it could be in Provence: Pillows printed with the names of Shore towns are piled on weathered chairs the owner brings back from France; china plates are painted with watercolor crustaceans. It's a happy mash-up, filled with enough reclaimed furniture, quirky wall hangings and cool accessories to make any home feel like a vacation retreat. 233 East King Street, Suite 105, Malvern, PA 19355, uphomeltd.com.
Fireside Camp Supply
No room in your closet for camping gear? No worries. Small but mighty Fireside rents out everything you need for a weekend in the Great Outdoors, from tents to stoves to sleeping pads. No plans to leave city limits? They have the coolest wool backpacks, plaid blankets and beanies to complete any urban-camper look. (Scope them out at one of the store's monthly BYOB s'mores nights.) 2207 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, firesidecampsupply.com.
Body Restoration
Really, you could go for the pregnancy pillow alone -- a mattress-like cushion with scoop-outs for your newly ample parts that allow you to safely lie facedown. (Remember what that feels like?) Sandwiched between the cushion and the masseuse's kneading fingers (she'll spend extra time on the extra-stressed areas like hips), and you might, just for a few minutes, feel light as air. 1611 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, bodyrest.com.
Friday Nights at Donna's Bar
The old-world clientele, well lubricated by Zywiec beer and vodka, knows how to bring it better than any tarty 20-something. The song list is varied -- John Lennon, Miranda Lambert, Kings of Leon -- and the regulars are welcoming, but be forewarned: Owner Sophie Zalewski loves to run the recorder and put the "best" performances up on YouTube. 2732 East Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134, .
Yowie
Picture an of-the-moment art gallery: minimalist white walls, colorful sculptures, a painfully cool curator. Now, imagine everything is for sale. That’s Yowie—except the sculptures are eclectic homewares (Felt + Fat ceramics, Dusen Dusen throw pillows) and the curator is owner Shannon Maldonado, who opened the tiny home and lifestyle boutique after a year of buzzy pop-ups all over the city. 716 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, shopyowie.com.
Enliven Planters
If your neighbors' verdant window boxes make you and your scattering of marigolds feel inadequate, consider a subscription from Bucks County-based Enliven Planters. Their garden designers — the same brains behind the beautiful boxes at Vedge and Russet — will come at the start of every season to create a customized box or planter that can hold its own against any of the other stunners in your neighborhood. enlivenplanters.com.
Rikumo
Champagne? Pfft. A glass of bubbly on arrival seems downright pedestrian stacked against the complimentary tea bar, aromatherapy, spa-like pond and library filled with art books housed inside this Über-Zen Japanese import shop. Plan ahead to hit monthly events; a recent bash offered charcoal-based beauty treatments on the cheap. 1216 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, rikumo.com.