Women’s Wellness Spaces
Philly’s female-health-focused wellness spaces are absolutely popping off. In Rittenhouse, VSPOT Medi Spa (vspotmedispa.com) focuses on intimate treatments for women, from a golden vagina facial to orgasm injections — as well as open conversations on issues like incontinence. Contour Body Studio (contourbodystudio.com) in Kensington offers V-steams, body contouring, and simple cosmetic services like teeth whitening. And in King of Prussia, Main Line Health (mainlinehealth.org) opened a $64 million medical center with Axia Women’s Health (axiawh.com) in March with six floors of primary care, ob-gyn services, cardiology, and behavioral health offerings, all focused on women — plus a cafe, an apothecary-style boutique, a space for yoga classes, and an under-construction rooftop farm.
The People Who Looked Out for Our Health
Whether they’re helping patients who are sick or homing in on a vaccine, let’s hear it for the scientists. Read the full write up here. phillymag.com/news/2020/07/16/scientists-frontline-heroes-coronavirus-vaccine.
Sherman Brothers
Brothers have been in the shoe biz since 1953, and it shows: Their solid selection (Red Wing, Cole Haan, Wolverine, Alden), frequent sales and helpful staff turn casual shoppers into regulars. Call or see website for locations, 00000, shermanbrothers.com.
The Little Apple
The Paddywax candles and locally made jewelry here are easy crowd-pleasers, but it's the one-of-a-kind vintage home goods that will score you an invite to the next soiree. The one after that is up to you. 4353 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, thelittleapplestore.com.
Go Fox
The perfect solution for anyone too busy, important, lazy, fancy, rich or cool to wait in line anywhere. And honestly, who doesn't fit into one of those categories at some point? Call or see website for consultation, 00000, gofoxonline.com.
Farley's Bookshop
There's no Starbucks at Farley's, just maze-like aisles, shelves teeming with books, and quiet corners for reading. It'll remind you why you loved books before they came with lattes. 44 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938, farleysbookshop.com.
Body Cycle Studio
There's no boring workout a good soundtrack can't cure. Add in some costumes (theme rides!), awesome instructors and pretty surroundings, and you've got a recipe for a workout you'll actually look forward to doing. 1923 Chestnut Street, second floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, bodycyclestudio.com.
Harvey Oak Mercantile
At this cool-girl boutique, you can pick up birthstone earrings by Cat Horn — who works out of her nearby home — or hand-etched brass zodiac necklaces made by Wallingford’s Stone Harvest Jewelry. 102 Park Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081, harveyoak.com.
Monnalisa
The KOP outpost of this Italian brand offers bright, playful, high fashion for boys and girls as well as some mommy-and-me outfits — if that’s your thing. Beyoncé, Gisele and Madonna are fans. 160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, monnalisa.eu/en/monnalisa-philadelphia.
Mai Tai at the Yachtsman
Because a mai tai, done properly, is always going to be the best cocktail of any summer. And until this one came along, nobody around here was doing mai tais in a way that even approached "properly." 1444 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, .
East Falls Glassworks
Getting creative in the kitchen not cutting it for you? Try a furnace and a blowtorch instead. Book a private lesson at East Falls Glassworks, learn the basics of glassblowing, and take home a self-made souvenir of your red-hot evening. 3510 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, eastfallsglass.com.
Insomnia Cookies
Freezer empty? Order a pint of ice cream (or a quart, no judgment) and some fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from Insomnia, and get your (homemade) Chipwich on. Multiple locations, insomniacookies.com.
Cafe Clover
Cafe Clover’s taiyaki cone. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg This Korean sweets/scoop shop is the only place in the region making taiyaki cones — fish-shaped, waffle-like baked shells that hold scoops of gelato in flavors like Oreo, Thai coconut and green tea. 1333 West Cheltenham Avenue, #103, Elkins Park, PA 19027, .
The Common
The Common’s burger. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg The Common’s double-patty burger has the same spirit as a McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, but it’s made with local beef, Cooper Sharp, and a “spicy fancy sauce” to bring it all home. 3601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, thecommonphl.com.
J & J Motors
It’s not unusual to see a Porsche or Ferrari or Maserati on the lift at this shop, where they specialize in European models—but customers nevertheless rave about the unpretentious down-home service, surprisingly reasonable prices and spot-on estimates. 1111 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, jandjmotors.com.