Blue Octagon
Step inside this tiny shop and be immersed in a whirl of color and shine, with heaps of Jonathan Adler whimsy, shiny gilt and lacquer, Deco lines and Palm Beach glamour. (Pucci caftan and martini not included.) 335 East King Street, Malvern, PA 19355, theblueoctagon.com.
Three Potato Four
Husband-and-wife team Stu Eli and Janet Morales go out into the world and gather really awesome, unique retro, reclaimed and vintage stuff furniture, accessories, signs, knickknacks and the like and put it all under one roof, so we can lazily go and pick out what we like. Which is how we like it. 376 Shurs Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128, threepotatofour.com/.
Café Estelle
There's something oddly familiar about brunches at Caf Estelle. Maybe it's that the waitresses flutter about in darling little ruffled aprons, or that the mix-and-match mugs are meant for use at the serve-yourself coffee-and-tea station, or that the pitchers of Bloody Mary mix (you're responsible for the vodka) come with a DIY arrangement of cornichons, olives and celery, or that the brioche French toast is served with vanilla ice cream in place of butter. Somehow, it feels like we never left home. Oh, who are we kidding? We never eat this well at home. 444 North 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, cafeestelle.com/.
Kool Klips Grooming
Certified master groomer Jennifer Lavelle makes it easy: She'll come to your home, get Snickers gorgeous, and teach you techniques to prolong the time between visits 1327 Elson Road, Broomall, PA 19008, facebook.com/pages/Kool-Dogs-Kool-Klips/112629118773703.
All Phase Electric
Techs arrive on time and skip the "Main Line upcharge" some companies tack on. They'll handle emergencies, rewire your 1930s home, or just install a new chandelier. And their receptionist is so sweet. 9015 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, allphaseelectricco.com/.
Southwark
Go to Southwark and order a Manhattan or a Sazerac. Then go anywhere else in the country and order the same cocktail. Then come home to Southwark, because the quaint Queen Village bar and restaurant does classic better than anyone. 701 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southwarkrestaurant.com/.
Hush Salon Philadelphia
Chances are you've passed this year-old salon nestled upstairs inside Old City's Sweat gym without even knowing it. No more. The former Bang is now home to Adrienne Rogers, longtime color instructor for Product Club, and her husband Carlos. The duo, recent migrs from NYC who have celeb heads like Rachael Ray on their joint rsum, are turning out some of the best, most natural-looking color jobs in the city with sleek cuts to match. And they're doing it in a bright space worth finding, without the pomp or painful prices of some higher-profile spots. 45 North 3rd Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, hushsalon.com/.
BarkPark!
With locations in West and South Philly, BarkPark is the top spot for your pooch to spend the day. Furry friends are invited for longer stays as well, and each visit is crate-free unless the owner requests otherwise. Visitors to the Point Breeze location can also get a quick groom and come home spick-and-span. 1715 McKean Street, Philadelphia , PA 19145, barkparkphilly.com/.
Cotoletta
Cotoletta offers classic pastas, solid seafood, and a starter of provolone-and-sausage-stuffed hot peppers (the last a must-get), but really, you come here for the namesake cutlets – five varieties, made with chicken, veal or eggplant, each pounded thin and fried to perfection, all slices of pure home-style comfort. 201 Jefferson Street, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, cotoletta.net/.
MBR Nanny Network
Finding someone to come into your home and take care of your kid is as personal as it gets, which is exactly why Marissa Rosen's nanny biz has taken off: She meets with each family in person, vets each nanny and sitter herself, and is always available by email, text or phone. mbrnannynetwork.com.
Baked Sunless Tanning
Consider a perfectly bronze, all-natural spray tan your reward for all those sunny days down the Shore spent slathering on SPF 100. Feeling lazy? They'll come to you. In-store spray tans start at $35, at-home treatments at $55. 815 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bakedtanning.com/.
Humpty's Dumplings
Get the Buffalo chicken, cheesesteak and roast pork, and some apple pie dumplings for dessert. You can order and eat your dumplings right there, sure, but the smart move is buying them frozen and taking them home. They cook up so well, no one will ever know they came out of your freezer. 277 North Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038, humptysdumplings.com.
Philadelphia Pet Hotel and Villas
You can rest easy leaving your precious Precious at this kennel/spa/playhouse when you're off to the Shore, but here's fair warning: She may never want to come back home. Do you throw her birthday parties? 7401 Holstein Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153, phillypethotel.com/.
Linvilla Orchards
You get pizza, lemonade or cider, cake, coloring books, a hayride, animal feeding, and an entrance to Linvilla's all-wooden playground. Season allowing, ask for a pick-you-own add-on, so each kid gets to go home with some handpicked fruits and veggies. 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063, linvilla.com/.
The Velvet Lily
If Condom Kingdom is Walmart, The Velvet Lily is Bergdorf's. (Note: All purchases come packaged in discreet black bags, so you can buy-for, you know, your "friend"-without letting your freak flag fly on the way home.) 1040 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thevelvetlily.com/.