Emily Burtner Clocks
Artist Emily Burtner is a jack of all trades — a musician, a designer, an artist, a creator — so a visit to Thousand Island, her online shop, will provide you with enough inspiration to adorn every part of your home and body. Her multicolor clocks make any time of day exciting — even the morning. thousandisland.shop.
UBIQ
A sneakerhead's heaven looks a whole lot like this modern, industrial shop, where kicks are mounted in gold-and-glass cases like works of art, elevated street wear hangs at the ready, and cult-followed sneaker launches see crowds lining up around the block. 1509 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, ubiqlife.com.
Theatre Exile
For those weary of their Walnut Street Theatre subscriptions, there's this boundary-pushing South Philly company. From stunningly good season- opener Rizzo to brilliant closer The Invisible Hand, Exile broke more ground than any other company last season and left us wanting more. 1340 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, theatreexile.org.
Roots Athletics
This mixed-martial-arts gym has a serious following, and we know why: It’s so pretty—imagine impossibly white floor mats paired with camel-hued leather punching bags placed just so, with green plants peppered throughout—you almost forget you’re working out. 2101 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, rootsphilly.com.
Pumpkin
For more than a decade -- long before it occurred to everyone else -- this small BYO on South Street has been perfecting the art of calibrating an ever-changing menu not just to the season, but to the microseason ... down to even, say, the third week in October. 1713 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, pumpkinphilly.com.
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.
Concrete Polish
Metalsmith Angela Monaco's jewelry line features otherworldly geodes and gemstones, and her custom work includes glitzy diamonds, but it's her knack for turning the precious-metal-settings into organic, sculptural works of art that earns her a perch above the rest. Find her stuff at a handful of area boutiques and online. concretepolishjewels.com.
Jonathan Adler
Sprinkle your pad with a few of Adler's deliciously over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek goods Something gold! Something with colors! Something patterned! Something shiny! and the place will instantly radiate a certain Liz Taylor glamour-puss fabulousness. Even if you live in a studio with olive-green laminate cabinets and no central air 33 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, jonathanadler.com.
Carlino's
We would pretty much shop anywhere that houses something called a "brie bar." But add the ocean of olive oils (not to mention the mountains of olives), the deli, the handmade pastas and ricotta cheesecakes and sausages and a lasagna menu as long as your arm, and Carlino's is a lock. 128 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382, carlinosmarket.com.
Locust Rendezvous
Does any neighborhood bar have more flat-screens per square inch than 22-year-old 'Vous? Plus, drinks are cheap, the crowd is fiercely phanatic, and you're mere feet from Broad, for easy access to the celebratory car-flipping. (Oh yeah: Park a few blocks away.) 1415 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, locustrendezvous.com.
County Theater
A consistently top-drawer slate of current art-house films, a charming concession stand, friendly ushers, and an intermittent "classic film series" that offers the opportunity to see the old movies your grandparents loved. Breakfast at Tiffany's is playing August 7th. 20 East State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, countytheater.org.
Vestige
When the novelty of wearing sweats 24/7 wears off, head to this shop, where casual-comfy-chic dressing was being elevated to an art form well before the pandemic. Everything here — from the cream-colored elastic-waist pants to the gauzy maxi dresses to the dusty blue foam-soled leather slides — is breezy, loose, and insanely wearable. 2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, shop-vestige.com.
Settlement Music School
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. settlementmusic.org/music/settlement-digital.
Danny Childs
The cocktails at the Farm & Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill are better than they have any right to be — and it’s all because of Danny Childs. Over the past year, his Instagram account (@slowdrinks) became a wealth of cocktail expertise where you could ask him drink-related questions. Now he’s back behind the bar just off Route 70, slinging in-season strawberry Sazeracs and fig-leaf-infused daiquiris. instagram.com/slowdrinks.
Tracey L. Rogers
In astrology, who you are as a person is deeply influenced by the position of planets and stars at the time of your birth. Interested in learning more? Mount Airy-based astrologer and life coach Tracey L. Rogers is a zodiac guru who designs astrological birth charts and offers personal readings to help you make sense of your astral destiny. traceylrogers.com.