Style Camp
This beloved boutique known for its effortless-chic aesthetic is doubling down on the effortless bit: Now you can book a personal shopping session to revamp your look, have customized boxes of clothes delivered to your house, or go all-in on an in-home whole-closet consult with stylish owners Bitsy and Natalie Rhoda. 9 West Highland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, style-camp.com.
Century 21
There are plenty of things that aren't worth a second look (e.g., the lackluster shoe section), but do some digging and you'll find coveted brands (from the likes of Missoni and Armani to Vince, Theory and DVF) at prices worth the hunt. Bonus points for the luxury vintage shop-in-shop and the stellar athletic-wear department. 821 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, c21stores.com/Philly_.
The People's Store Antiques Center
Take 50 of the best area antique dealers, spread them out over four floors, and sprinkle in some quirky curiosities (a giant plastic dolphin from a 1950s carnival ride, for example), and you've got this sprawling Jersey stalwart. 28 North Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530, peoplesstore.net.
Scout & Annie + Details
This two-in-one shop has original mid-century-modern home accessories placed like found works of art on shelves, as well as throws, funky pillows and colorful serving trays. In short: Everything here is worthy of your wrapping paper. 125 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, scoutandannie.com.
P90X Remix at Gravity Center
It's everything you love about the DVDs—core-crushing ab work, killer cardio, mobility-focused conditioning—in a motivating (read: competitive) group setting at this personal training studio inside the Horsham Athletic Club. Bring your game face, guys. 400 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044, thegravitycenter.com/fitness/p90x-workouts.
Premier Baby Concierge
Whether you want to whip up homemade baby food or find the perfect nanny, child-proof your home or idiot-proof your, uh, self, Shannon Choe at Premier Baby Concierge is your girl for no-judgment, comprehensive pre- and post-birth panic-proofing. 00000, premierbabyconcierge.com.
The Piazza at Schmidts
Grab some Stupid Hot wings from Homeslice and a couple of Fleur de Lehigh ales from Gunners Run, and find yourself a seat among the outdoor tables. The same weather and camaraderie as the throngs enjoy at sold-out Citizens Bank, but you don't pay a penny for admission. North 2nd Street at Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, atthepiazza.com.
Desert Rose
Sometimes you turn up at a restaurant and immediately wish you had brought some friends so you could try more food. Such is the case with this cute husband-and-wife-run BYO, where the chicken shwarma, eggplant sandwich and hummus with poached egg platter will have you planning another Delco run ASAP. 305 West State Street, Media, PA 19063, desertrosemediapa.com.
We Love Junk
During a home reno, this junk removal company will take everything you want gone — from drywall and unusable bricks to leftover concrete and shingles — and then recycle and donate anything salvageable. It’s all stuff the regular city dump won’t touch, and these guys whisk it away quickly and cleanly for a very reasonable fee. welovejunkphilly.com.
Callowhill Archery
Make like Cupid and take aim with Callowhill Archery’s “Love and War” date-night package. This 90-minute tryst includes intro-to-archery lessons and some games to inspire a little friendly competition. Bull’s-eye! 446 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, phillyarchery.com.
Rittenhouse Sports Specialties
The running world is rife with high-tech gear, logos and marketing flash, but sometimes, don't you just want to focus on the basics of your feet hitting the pavement? That's why buying shoes (and browsing through a manageable selection of accessories like water bottles, and some shorts and tees) is so refreshing at this low-key shop, where the owner is a runner herself and totally gets it. 1729 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rittenhousesports.com.
Nordstrom
Guys can get fitted actually fitted, like man-on-the-stool-with-a-shoehorn for new pairs of Nikes, Toms and Cole Haans. We didnt get the hard (read: annoying) sell after browsing, either. Our salesman encouraged us to weigh our options and order later online, where free shipping and returns are standard. King of Prussia and Cherry Hill malls, 00000, shop.nordstrom.com.
Black Landlord
Funk meets hip-hop meets punk in this Philly octet composed of time-tested veterans of the local music scene, most prominently pimped-out-large-and-in-charge front man Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams, who leads his tight entourage through edgy, fierce horn stacks and beat breakdowns like James Brown on steroids. Buy the band's first full-length album, Addicted to Distraction, which came out earlier this year, or better yet, check out one of its energetic live performances. 00000, blacklandlord.com.
Phileo
For years, New York and L.A. had Pinkberry and Red Mango and Yolato, while we had, well, Rita's custard. Then last summer came Phileo, the shiny green-and-pink fro-yo mecca on South Street, with 16 creamy and often tangy pay-by-the-ounce flavors, and a do-it-yourself toppings bar that houses everything from Cap'n Crunch and Oreo pieces to fresh-cut kiwi and mango. Take that, L.A. 416 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
Fishtown Shadfest
It turns out that shad used to be hugely important to the Delaware River economy, a fact our quirky friends in Fishtown (where else?) exploit with their annual Alosa sapidissima-feteing festival at Penn Treaty Park. It's true that Lambertville has been doing a shad festival for decades, but the city's is cooler: We've got shad la Johnny Brenda's and some of the best bands around, lots of local crafts (love the bottle-cap cuff links!) and craft beers, and perhaps our favorite part valet bike parking. Penn Treaty Park, Delaware Avenue and Columbia Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, fishtownshadfest.net.