Tselaine
Things we've found this year in this compact Walnut Street boutique: a delicate gold-dipped leaf pin (for Grandma); a knuckle-dusting gemstone ring (for friend); a Big Buddha bag with a sassy leather flower (for sister); dapper watch-movement cuff links (for boyfriend); a wide-brimmed sun hat (for ourselves ... couldn't resist). The place remains a never-ending source of delightful trinkets and accessories many of them under $50 and the free gift-wrapping seals the deal. 1927 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/TselainePhilly.
Curtis Institute of Music
Did you know that Curtis Institute of Music offers gratis student recitals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, October through May? 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, curtis.edu/performances/learn-more/student-recitals.html.
Arrowroot Farmacy & Cafe
Photograph by Jillian Guyette Arrowroot is like a playground for the health-conscious: an apothecary full of natural supplements and homeopathic remedies, shelves stocked with clean beauty products, and a cafe serving vegan, organic and gluten-free smoothies, salads, lattes and cookies. And with a newly opened upstairs space for cooking classes, herbalism workshops, facials, massages, and nutrition counseling, we can’t think of any reason to ever leave. 825 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, arrowrootbrynmawr.com.
Proper Goods
Visiting Proper Goods feels like stepping into a lush jungle — if jungles happened to sprout up in cool boutiques in the middle of Fishtown. The moody outpost is packed with hundreds of houseplants (no flowers here), from philodendron and spider plants to succulents, air plants, and trailing pothos and ivies, along with all the pots, stands, soil and know-how you need to keep ’em alive. 2032 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, areyouproper.com.
Baology
It’s right there in the heart of Center City: a quick-serve Taiwanese dumpling shop that uses time-honored recipes, heritage pork, and responsibly sourced local veggies, and that serves up pot stickers, baos, Taiwanese burrito-things and fried chicken – all at Chinatown prices. 1829 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, baology.com.
Sherman Brothers
Yes, your dad once shopped here. But look past the old-school window display. Second-generation owner Ken Sherman has filled this shop with Alden boots, G. Brown loafers and Cole Haan brogues. (And he still delivers rare old-school service!) 1520 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shermanbrothers.com.
Fabric Row
A candle that smells like Cinema Paradiso (Yowie); a hair treatment made from meadowfoam seed oil (Moon + Arrow); locally designed metallic chunky heels (Bus Stop); rainbow-shaped baby stacking blocks (Little Moon); and bird watercolors (Paradigm Gallery + Studio) — the kinds of treasures you’d never find on Amazon. 4th Street between Bainbridge and Catharine. fabricrow.com.
Queen & Rook Game Cafe
Still playing Monopoly? Lame. The staff at this puzzle and game shop (which also has vegan eats and a full bar) will point you toward something new, whether your crew is competitive, all about quick thinking, into hours-long quests — or consists of many generations. 607 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, queenandrookcafe.com.
Perrystead Dairy
At his new Kensington creamery, cheesemaker Yoav Perry is forgoing wedges of cheddar in favor of young-aged, soft-ripened lactic cheese he calls “Intergalactic,” natural and washed-rind wheels of long-aged cheeses, and innovative monthly specials. There are also drinkable yogurts, flavored kefir and whey tonic — all made with milk from Pennsylvania dairy farms. 1639 North Hancock Street Ste 103, Philadelphia, PA 19122, perrystead.com.
Talula's Table
Anyone who remembers the legendary cheese plate from Django's glory days knows Aimee Olexy is a guru of cheese. Since leaving Django in 2005, she's invested her zeal for dreamy dairy in her collection of more than 100 specimens in Kennett Square. The place is better known for its notoriously difficult-to-book dinner reservations, but its cheese emporium is just as impressive. Seek out Olexy herself (she's often on hand) to get an educational earful on all things cheesy. 102 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, talulastable.com.
Breakaway Bikes
The hipster-from-Fishtown expertise without the hipster-from-Fishtown pretension. 1923 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, breakawaybikes.com.
Keswick Cycle
A knowledgeable staff, a huge stock of bikes and accessories, in-house mechanics, and the opportunity to take your pick around the neighborhood for a test ride mean you'll be ready for the Tour de France-or at least the Tour de Nearest Philly Bike Lane. 4040 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, keswickcycle.com.
Skirt Stone Harbor
The satellite location of this Main Line fashion mainstay brims with coffee-table books on seaside living, beachy Jonathan Adler home accessories, shelf upon shelf of colorful jewelry, and enough Calypso, Pink Pineapple and Alice and Trixie for you to stylishly out-prep anyone at the yacht club. 272 96th Street, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247, shop-skirt.com.
Willie and Sons
Put off the funereal task of tossing your beloved-but-broken-down footwear. This North Philly stalwart will have your co-workers offering the ultimate testimonial to its magic: "Hey, new shoes?"
3831 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140,
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Art in the Age
Come First Friday, the tastefully rugged boutique transforms into a legitimate scene, complete with seasonal cocktails, boozy confections, and an art installation or pop-up shop courtesy of Philly's most creative souls. 116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, artintheage.com.