Casa Papel
On a side street in the Marais, you might expect a shop like this one, so petite and pretty, with papers and envelopes in exotic colors and embossed designs that you'd like to wear, if one wore paper. But here, on a busy Northern Liberties thoroughfare, this small spot where the invitations are to die for, and yes, they can make your baby book out of that amazing Chiyogami feels entirely unexpected, like a best-possible surprise. 804 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, casapapel.com.
Talula's Garden
Successful first dates are all about the balancing act. You don't want too fancy, but you don't want Applebee's. You don't want food that's too challenging or weird, but neither do you want to be eating chicken fingers. Talula's Garden is perfect because it's both gracious and casual, with a menu that's luxurious without being ridiculous, and a setting so lovely that it already feels like you're in a movie, acting out the first-date scene. 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, talulasgarden.com.
Latchkey
This quirky shop owned by a former DJ is all that and a bag of chips — the best place to relive your misspent youth or buy some gifts for the millennial in your life. Browse a curated selection of vinyl records (from Britney Spears to Das EFX) as well as items like custom bath bombs and turntables. In true ’90s fashion, there’s a listening station at the front, so you can try before you buy. 1502 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, Shoplatchkey.com.
Nakashima Woodworkers
George Nakashima was one of the best woodworkers and furniture designers of the 20th century. He was born in 1905 in Spokane, where he began his career, and in the ’40s relocated to New Hope, where he set up shop and produced some of his finest creations. Nakashima died in 1990, but his daughter keeps his legacy alive at his workshop, where the craft continues to this day. Tours of it and the grounds are available by appointment only. 1847 Aquetong Road, New Hope, PA 18938, nakashimawoodworkers.com.
The RoboLancers
That would be Central High’s robotics club, which returned from the FIRST robotics world championship in Houston in April as, ahem, world champions. Tens of thousands of cheering observers packed the arena to see the RoboLancers, decked out in lobster hats, demonstrate their crustacean-themed entry, Leonardo da Pinchy, and wow the judges. “It was through our strategy and brains that we were able to beat them,” club president Lily Sands said of the 600-strong competition field. Way to claw your way to the top! robolancers.com.
Vestige
When the novelty of wearing sweats 24/7 wears off, head to this shop, where casual-comfy-chic dressing was being elevated to an art form well before the pandemic. Everything here — from the cream-colored elastic-waist pants to the gauzy maxi dresses to the dusty blue foam-soled leather slides — is breezy, loose, and insanely wearable. 2041 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, shop-vestige.com.
Settlement Music School
If being at home with your kids 24/7 has changed your attitude toward screen time, it’s okay. Allay your guilt (if you still have any) by registering for one of the many local kids’ classes that have popped up on YouTube and across social media. See the full write up at Virtual Classes. settlementmusic.org/music/settlement-digital.
Keystone Sign & Company
Keystone Sign & Company at work. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Even if you don’t know the name, you know the work. DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market. Love City Brewing. Garage in Fishtown, Primal Supply Meats in Brewerytown, K’Far, and scores of other signs, all hand-painted by Christian Cantiello and his crew. The next time you walk into a restaurant, bar or shop, look a little more closely at the logo out front — there’s a good chance it’s Cantiello’s work. keystonesignco.com.
Lacquer Lounge
We’ve loved their nail services since they opened, we appreciated being able to add on a spray tan when they introduced those a few years after, but now—now that we can do nails, tanning, eyebrows, eyelashes, waxing, makeup and even microblading all under their chic roof? We’ll never stray. Multiple locations, lacquerlounge.com.
cBOP
Nope, those aren’t pint-size Comme des Garçons tees – they’re by luxe kiddie loungewear brand Noggi. And those mini Gucci-looking slides? They’re actually Hoo shoes. (The Chloé label, however, is the real deal.) cBOP is stocked with clothes so stylish that you’d covet them for your own closet if the sizes didn’t range from newborn to a children’s 6. 393 West Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041, shopcbop.com.
Hoagie Dip from Collegeville Italian Deli
Imagine all the innards of a great hoagie the meat, the cheese, the vegetables chopped into minuscule bits, mixed with oil and mayo, and served in a bowl with hunks of bread to dip in it. It's the second-best thing to bring to a friend's house to eat while watching the game (the first, of course, always being beer). And no one does it better than the Collegeville Italian Deli. 3855 West Ridge Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426, collegevilledeli.com.
Ting Wong
This is the restaurant that refuses to die. After closures, re-openings, remodels, and rumors that it would turn into a high-end, white-tablecloth Chinese restaurant, Ting Wong has emerged as essentially the same place it always was — a simple, unfussy spot offering ridiculously good (and cheap) roast duck, congee and Hong Kong-style noodles. It's bright, busy, sometimes sticky and always intimidating to newcomers, but it remains the single coolest restaurant in Chinatown. 138 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, .
Organic Brown Sugar Scrub at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon
Oooh, it smellssooo good. And leaves us sooo smooth. We don't know if it's the heated Hamam bed where we get to zone out while we're rubbed down with delicious-smelling sandy stuff, or the gentle touch of the therapist, who does a truly impressive job with the delicate task of rinsing off (barely a splash!). Or maybe it's just being at Joseph Anthony which always makes us feel all is right with the world. 243 West Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342, josephanthony.com.
Bennett Compost
Okay, so not the sexiest category. But we all talk about being eco-friendly, and these folks are actually making it easy. For $15 a month, they provide you with a special receptacle, pick up all of your compostables weekly, and help make the world a better place. In the spring, theyll even return some mulch to you for your efforts. 1511 Latona Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bennettcompost.com.