Emma Fogt
Living in this land of omnipresent cheesesteaks can be tough on the waistline, but Fogt makes nutrition counseling not-so-scary by kindly helping you and your entire family set goals for a balanced life, rather than a deprived one. You say your kids won't eat anything but chicken nuggets? Fogt's hilarious nutrition-inspired puppet shows will entertain them into trying leafy greens. You'll think she swapped your children out for new models. 16 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, emmafogt.com.
Wharton Esherick Museum
Sculptor Esherick's former home is now a please-do-touch-the-art, worth-the-advanced--reservation gem (without the bitter Barnes neighbors), and it displays more than 200 of his works mostly wood furnishings that haven't been moved since the artist's death in 1970. $12 for adults; $6 for children. 1520 Horseshoe Trail, Malvern, PA 19355, whartonesherickmuseum.org.
2 B Groomed
The tight cuts, hot lathers and close (and co-mfortable!) shaves at this classic 10-year-old barbershop will have you looking and feeling like a man of means. If you go for a shave, insist on the mud mask. Its well worth the additional fee. 270 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 2bgroomedsudios.com.
La Chele Medical Aesthetics
Still freaked out by the idea of a med spa, but also jealous of your friends results? Lisa Espinoza, the medical doctor whos always in-office, will put you instantly at ease. Shes a walking advertisement you wont believe it when she tells you her age, or that her natural-looking, wrinkle-free visage once had horrible acne. Lasers and liquid face-lifts suddenly dont look so scary. 430 Union Square Drive, New Hope, PA 18938, lachelemedspa.com.
Jeff Kirby at Tires Etc.
With more than 18 years of experience, Jeff Kirby has seen (and can explain) it all. And if his waiting area's 42-inch flat-screen TV, cushy leather chairs, grime-free bathroom, wi-fi and icy sodas aren't enough to make you feel welcome in the strange and gritty land of auto repair, his joking banter, crush-worthy dimples and no-B.S. advice definitely will. 515 West Baltimore Pike, Clifton Heights, PA 19018, tiresetc.com.
Doylestown's State Street
Eclectic boutiques, brand-name shops, and tucked-away lunch spots make downtown D-town both quaintand cool. 00000, doylestownborough.net/visitors/shopping.
Haddonfield
It's just so freakin'cute. Seriously like,How could I swing moving here? cute. But besides the ridiculously charming, friendly, bucolic atmosphere along Kings Highway East, the shopping is simply divine. There's everything from kid stuff (Pipsqueak) to women's wear (Maxwell James) to sporting equipment (Haddonfield Running Company) to jewelry (McNelis and Sherry) to art galleries (Accent Studio) to gifts (Serendipity) to home furnishings (The Upholstery Shop) to lingerie (Georgie Girl Boutique) to music (Siren's Song) to spas and salons (Salon M Design) to ... Oh, we're tired. Just go, already. 00000, shophaddonfieldnj.com.
Kwi Restaurant and Noodle Bar at Caesars
After a long night of drinking, gambling and partying in our own Sin City, it's good to put good food in your belly. Lucky for you, Caesars' Asian noodle bar-which makes some of the best and most consistent Chinese food in the entire region, let alone Atlantic City-is open until 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 a.m. Fridays, and 6 a.m.(!) Saturdays. 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, caesarsac.com/restaurants/kwi-restaurant-and-noodle-bar.html.
Everything but the Kitchen Sink
You might think a store that houses Herms china and OXO can openers under the same roof might be overwhelming. You'd be wrong. Whether you're Ina or Martha, Paula or Nigella or just Gladys down the street, it's bliss. 425 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin, DE 19707, thekitchensink.com.
Stars on the Move
Clowns, magicians and Chuck E. Cheese's are so 20th-century. For your little birthday honoree, go with this portable, inflatable planetarium service, which can be set up in your house. It holds up to 35 people, costs less than $200 to rent, and is presided over by Denise Vacca, a friendly former producer from the Franklin Institute's Fels Planetarium. 00000, starsonthemove.com.
Deletemytrash.com
When it's time to give up your packrat ways, they'll be happy to clean you out. You can pick full-service removal, or load your own junk into one of their "trash pods," which they'll come and pick up three days later. And in the spirit of going green, they'll recycle or donate up to 75 percent of your items to a nonprofit organization. So you'll feel even better about parting with all that stuff you should have tossed years ago. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, deletemytrash.com.
La Michoacana Ice Cream
Good, traditional homemade ice cream abounds in these parts. But what about earthy mushroom ice cream? Green and creamy avocado? Rice pudding? And, best of all, how about a sunny sweet-corn ice cream, sprinkled with hot chili powder? Yes, there are excellent versions of all the standard flavors, too. But trust us on this sweet-corn-plus-chili thing; it's addictive. 231 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19384, .
Maple Acres Farm
The first Saturday of each month during the spring, summer and early fall (and every weekend starting in late September and into November), this lovely farm in Plymouth Meeting offers a $2 hayride that doubles as a guided behind-the-scenes tour of a m-odern-day farm. After the 40-minute ride, be sure to buy some fresh produce, now that youve seen where it comes from. The pick-your-own flower fields are also a big hit. 2656 Narcissa Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, mapleacresfarmmarket.com.
Stella Blu
Maybe it's the plummy wood interior. Maybe it's the friendly service. But frankly, dear Stella, you had us going Stanley Kowalski in your honor at "$6 St. Germaine cocktails." 101 Ford Street, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, stellablurestaurant.com.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Surrounded by vintage Philly memorabilia (the old Wanamaker sign, for instance), you'll order cheap beers ($1 mugs on Tuesdays!) from friendly bartenders while being able to sit and actually have a conversation. 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, mcgillins.com.