TownHome
Men: Go here, tell gift-whisperer/owner Dana Bank what you did, and she'll find you the perfect thing to make it all better. Women: Go here, tell Dana all about your fabulous girlfriend, and she'll find you the perfect thing your fabulous girlfriend didn't even know she wanted. 1616 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, townhomeonline.com.
Usona
For modern design the way God intended it (i.e., not space-agey, sterile or silly), head to Usona. 113 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, usonahome.com.
The Farm and Fisherman
Okay, we know the phrase farm-to-table has been boring you to death for five years now. But check out F&F, one of the restaurants that defined the style in Philly, and see how exciting Josh Lawlers tiny temple of head-to-tail, hedgerow-to-hedgerow, you-know-its-fresh-because-the-place-barely-has-a-refrigerator cuisine can be. Start with the bloody beet steak, but dont use that as an excuse to skip a grass-fed real one because when they have it, its the best in town. 1120 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thefarmandfisherman.com.
Warby Parker at Art In the Age
Just when you think youve exhausted the dozens of frames in the sizeable Warby Parker display at this Old City boutique, the salesperson will open drawers that house dozens more options, including presc-ription-ready sunglasses and the premium Titanium Collection. Best part: You circumvent Warbys Netflix-like mail service and score $5 off, to boot. 116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, warbyparker.com.
Ani White at Deme
Fifteen minutes in White's chair, and you'll never let anyone else near your brows again including yourself. Her trained eye sees every little hair that needs plucking (no waxing, ever). Too sparse? She'll coach you through the grow-in stage and teach you how to fake it in the meantime. 2200 Arch Street, #102, Philadelphia, PA 19103, demeonline.com.
Down 2 Earth Kids
Peplums! Sparkles! Tulle! And... Belieber tees? For the trendsetting third-grader with a love of fashion and a pop-star crush. 418 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, shopdowntoearthkids.com.
Generation 3 Electric
Clients gush: The price is right, the guys are courteous, the work is thorough, and the peace of mind is invaluable. 1257 South 26th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, generation3electric.com.
Master Tailor and Cleaners
They'll shake their heads disapprovingly. They'll hem and haw and make no guarantees. And then you'll come back one week later and pick up your totally red wine/oil/makeup-free silk blouse or cashmere cardigan or white linen pants. 1620 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, facebook.com/pages/Master-Tailor-Cleaners/191404560944818.
Bob and Barbara's
Whether it's Friday night's DJ'd happy hour, Thursday's long-standing drag show, Sunday karaoke with Sara or the foot-stomping jazz on the weekends, this quintessential dive is always a party, fueled by the all-important Pabst-and-Jim Beam special, still only $3 ($3.50 after 9 p.m.) after all these years. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Kirna Zabête
This Main Line mecca of capital-F Fashion is to accessories what the Louvre is to art: a collection of spectacular pieces like Loewe bags, Saint Laurent ostrich-feather boots, and sculptural Lizzie Fortunato earrings in an equally spectacular setting: a thoroughly tricked-out, neon-and-chandelier-bedecked former SEPTA garage. 915 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, kirnazabete.com.
Momo’s Tree House
This beloved toy boutique continues to swap out battery-operated playthings for more thoughtful, brainy fun: a grow-your-own-crystal set, a dino-eggscavation game, an outdoor-survival research kit, and tons of girl-power merch. Bonus: They now offer $10 same-day delivery within Center City (and free delivery to CHOP!). 205 Arch Street, Philadephia , PA 19106, momostreehouse.com.
WatchBox by Govberg Jewelers
Anyone who knows anything about watches already has this on his home screen: Govberg’s year-old app, a global trading platform for pre-owned luxury timepieces and a virtual database for your personal collection. It’s centered in the company’s 20,000-square-foot Bala Cynwyd location, which recently got an $8.5 million reno and now functions as an appointment-only hub for buying and selling pre-owned pieces (like a $595,000 Patek Philippe or a Greubel Forsey for $695,000), complete with a Wall Street-esque trading floor. govbergwatches.com/watchbox/watchbox-by-govberg.
Men’s Style Pro x ModaMatters
Made-to-measure suiting start-up Moda-Matters joined forces with local fashion blogger Sabir Peele to produce two capsule collections. The result: lightweight suiting, Euro-cool cotton blazers and tailored cargo pants perfect for wearing to your Spanish villa – or your Avalon Shore house. 1900 Market Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, modamatters.com/mens-style-pro-ss18.
LaBelle Nail Bar
Sometimes you need pampering, and the luxe mani at Ardmore’s new LaBelle Nail Bar marries the looks-fancy – a wall of Zoya polish – with the feels-fancy – gloves filled with heated lotion to soften cuticles. 52 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003, labellenailbar.com.
Marks Jewelers
There’s a custom jewelry lab inside this two-year-old shop, so you can work alongside a designer/gemologist to create your dream ring or repurpose a family heirloom. You’ll get to slip on a 3-D preview of your new creation, too. 975 Bethlehem Pike, Montgomeryville, PA 18936, marks-jewelers.com.