Fried Egg Chilaquiles at El Rey
Step aside, nachos. There's a new hot mess in town: tortilla chips topped with salsa verde and a fried egg, liberally sprinkled with cotija cheese. It'll cure what ails you, especially if what ails you is the margaritas from the night before. 2013 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, elreyrestaurant.com.
The Parlour
When your stylist exclaims, You look just like Heidi Klum! and you can't stop yourself from bellowing, I know, right?!, you just got a good haircut. Top: Sign up to be a hair model on Tuesday or Wednesday evening and get a free cut by a salon apprentice, under the very watchful eye of owner Jessica Jane. 1339 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, facebook.com/ParlourHairandSkin.
Artur Kirsch at the Studio CL
Don't be confused when the blowout comes before Artur has so much as touched his (electronic, hair-end-sealing) scissors: You wear your hair dry, and so he shall cut your hair dry. And when you exit and instinctively strut down 19th like Beyonc's wind machine is blowing on you, you'll find it's a very hard technique to argue with. 128 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thestudiocl.com.
Kheli French at Le Pink Champu
When a Vera Wang model needs an updo, a Victoria's Secret catwalker requires blowing-out, or Lil' Kim, Anita Baker, Selita Ebanks or Lauryn Hill needs natural-looking extensions, a splash of color or an amazing cut, they come to Kheli (or Kheli comes to them). No wonder: From her salon's two-year-old Manayunk location, she modestly works magic on any kind of hair that walks through the door. That is, when she's back from Fashion Week. 4205 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, styleseat.com/lepinkchampusalon.
Janelle Ring at AMS Salon
The last time we got our hair blown out by Janelle, a friend said, "I wish you knew how to do that to your own hair." Sigh. Us too. 262 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, amssalon.com.
Avery's Pet Styling Salon and Boutique
Until we find someone who'll make house calls to coif our 'dos and pamper us with facials and soothe us with aromatherapy massages, we'll just have to live vicariously through our pets. See website for service area, 00000, averyspetstyle.com.
Hana and Posy
This teensy Old City shop has everything you'd want for a shower, birthday, holiday or thank-you, from organic onesies to locally farmed bouquets to all-natural candles to recycled notebooks (below). 35 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hanaposy.com.
Alla Spina
Beef-fat french fries, fried pig's tails, Italian poutine with leg of Guinea hen bolognese and fresh mozzarella curds, marrow bones, mortadella hot dogs, a veal breast hoagie with bacon mayo, and 20 taps spouting rare Italian beers and well-chosen local favorites? Yeah, we'll see you at the bar. 1410 Mount Vernon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, allaspinaphilly.com.
Cowtown Rodeo
For 83 years, cowboys and cowgirls have been having a yee-hawing good time at this real live rodeo in Salem County, New Jersey (about an hour from Center City), making it the longest-running weekly rodeo in the nation. It'll set you back only slightly more than the cost of the latest movie, but it's a whole lot more memorable. Runs Saturdays, May through September. 780 Harding Highway (Route 40), Pilesgrove, NJ 08098, cowtownrodeo.com.
The Missing Peace
If you dare silence the computers, TVs and PDAs, do so with board games, science kits, electronic gizmos or jigsaw puzzles from this fabulous emporium of entertainment. Here, you'll find everything you need to give your clan a brain--busting challenge ... or just a good old-fashioned giggle fit. 15 Klines Court, Lambertville, NJ 08530, tmppuzzles.com.
Greendesign
Even if youre the type to turn up your nose at hippie-dippie eco-stores, this year-old shop might have you on Al Gores side. The sister store to a Princeton flagship eschews bad design (who needs a shirt made from a recycled burlap sack?) in favor of minimalist bamboo serving wares, reclaimed wood furniture, ridiculously cozy organic-latex pillows, and adorable stationery (printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, of course). 8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, greendesigncorp.com.
Tammy Arbeter
This certified birth doula coaches expectant moms and dads on birthing options and what to expect in the delivery room, and sticks around come D-day to make sure all goes smoothly. (Well, as smoothly as these things go.) Her clients say they wouldn't deliver without her. 00000,
Wagsworth Manor
Day camp at this six-acre, $6 million Chester County pooch paradise includes four to six hours of play, a two-hour nap, and lots of optional extras pool time, spa visits, training. For sleepovers, the Suites -complete with beds and TVs (tuned to Animal Planet, natch) give Fifi quite the vacation. 27 Spring Mill Drive, Malvern, PA 19355, wagsworthmanor.com.
Yoshi
Because ice cream won't help you a bit in the bikini department, the Good Lord invented fro-yo. We love the stuff at this Suburban Station cafe for two reasons: 1) There are several flavors to choose from, all with calories posted; and 2) The buffet line of toppings includes fresh fruit, if you're feeling angelic, plus cookies, candy and Froot Loops, if you're feeling a tad sinful. (We won't tell.) 1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, yogurtsushi.com.
Barneys CO-OP
The fact that we finally have a Barneys (well, a Co-Op) makes us so happy. And the floor-to-ceiling shelves in the back of the Rittenhouse store, filled with jeans by Earnest Sewn, Current/Elliott, Citizens, J Brand, Acne and the chirpy, friendly girls who will tell you if your ass looks big they make us happy, too. (Psst: Go upstairs! The guys selection is just as good.) 1811 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Stores-Details?StoreID=335.