East Falls Plumbing and Heating
In Philly, if you live in anything other than a new-construction home, you've probably got old pipes -- and that means you should know about Bill Bierman, owner of East Falls Plumbing and Heating. He's a master plumber who specializes in systems that have been on this earth longer than you, possibly even longer than your parents or their parents or ... well, you get the idea. 3431 West Commissioner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132, .
Baked Sunless Tanning
They confirm your appointments by email, mix your perfect (read: non-orange and organic) shade, and give detailed maintenance instructions. Prefer to get naked at home? Their mobile service comes to you. In-store spray tans start at $35; at-home treatments start at $55. 815 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bakedtanning.com.
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.
Fast Local Locksmith
There are home services where response times don’t especially matter, like furniture assembly or hanging pictures. (Come on, they’ve been leaning against the wall since the day you moved in.) And then there are times when you’re locked out of your home with three whining kids. And it’s snowing. Fast Local is professional, clear at communicating, and, most importantly, super-speedy. 1526 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, fast-locallocksmith.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.
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.
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.
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.