Train & Nourish
Personal trainer Jenna Fisher’s bright, clean studio is designed to make her all-female private and small-group clients feel right at home. (The entryway literally looks like somebody’s living room.) And then of course there’s Fisher herself — the chill cheerleader every strong woman needs in her life. 1621 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, trainandnourish.com.
Millay
One part ladylike sophistication (tailored silk jackets), two parts dreamy romanticism (ruffled frocks galore) and a dash of boho-cool (fringed shawls from the ’30s) make up this tidy vintage boutique on Manayunk’s main drag. Don’t miss the home selection, either; it’s brimming with Persian rugs, paper goods and darling jar candles. 4390 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127, millayshop.com.
Scout Clothing & Decor
This isn't your typical Shore shop, heaped with flashy tanks, ankle bracelets and beach-themed trinkets. Here you'll find vintage treasures (embellished clutches, sparkly jewelry, retro glassware) tucked among relaxed denim, soft tees, and light, airy dresses you need for summer. Leave room in your weekender for the covetable gifts and home goods, too, because there's no way you're walking away without a rosemary sea salt candle or Jonathan Adler decorative dish. 7817 Ventnor Avenue, Margate City, NJ 08402, scoutclothinganddecor.com.
Millésimé
How to turn your home into a place that looks as if it's been plucked from the pages of a modern-design magazine: Let owner Jinous Kazemi walk you through her collection of Ligne Roset couches; customizable wall hutches by USM Modular Furniture; and decadent leather armchairs, side tables and headboards by Poltrona Frau — and then buy it all. 33 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, millesime.us.
Studio 882
Bigger doesn't always mean better, but in the case of this Delco design store — which in June upgraded from a 3,000-square-foot showroom to a cavernous, gallery-like 12,600-square-foot space — bigger actually means best, if only because there's extra room for more than 75 lines of high-end furniture and home decor, artfully arranged in vignettes so lovely, you'll want to move right in. 101 Applied Bank Boulevard, Glen Mills, PA 19342, studio-882.com.
Cella Luxuria
As furniture shopping becomes increasingly big-box and catalog-focused, this growing local shop delivers exactly what we want: options. The Chestnut Street flagship has soft leather sofas and industrial-cool accent pieces; the next-door sister store is dedicated to mid-century modern, and the newest Queen Village annex has all the same great brands, plus more of those home-making accessories. 1214-1216 Chestnut Street and 331 South Street, 19107, cellaluxuria.com.
Paint Nite
You wouldn't think a couple of hours with a drink and a paintbrush would be such a hilarious experiment in bonding, or such an oddly satisfying creative release, but there you have it. The increasingly popular Paint Nite franchise, which sends local artists and teachers to bars all over the city every single night, is a happy respite from the ubiquitous sauv-blanc-and-pommes-frites routine. You might even go home with a painting you're proud of. (Okay, probably not. But still.) paintnite.com/pages/home/index.
Per Lei Boutique
The haute women's clothing boutique has initiated a Buy Now, Wear Now, Pay Later program: Spend $1,000, pay half, bring it all home, and pay your balance within 30 days. When your significant other asks how you scored so much for so little, just shrug and tell him you're a savvy shopper. 2 East State Street, Media, PA 19063, perleiboutique.com.
Family Food
One of Philadelphia registered dietician Krista Yoder-Latortues staff of 25 registered dieticians will meet with you (or the whole fam) at your home to tackle your health objectives, whether they include weight loss, sustaining energy, blood-pressure regulation or cancer prevention. From the foods you need to eat to a customized phone app to help you track your goals, they'll have you thinking about food in a whole new way. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, familyfoodllc.com.
Cajun Kate's
Philadelphia natives Don and Kate Applebaum spent seven years in Louisiana before bringing their N'Awlins specialties back home. We're sure happy they did. Fridays and Saturdays, the longest lines at the Booth's Corner Farmer's Market are at Cajun Kate's, where Don's in charge of the gumbo (shrimp and sausage, duck, or slow-roasted pork, depending on the day) and Kate provides the sweets (fresh-from-the-fryer, dredged-in-powdered-sugar beignets). 1362 Naman's Creek Road, Boothwyn, PA 19061, cajunkates.com.
Harvest Local Foods
The only thing that beats a farmers market is having one delivered to your door. Owners Pam Nelson and Mary Ann Ford work with 60-plus local farmers and food artisans to bring weekly deliveries of fruit, veggies, meat, dairy and pantry items to homes throughout the Philadelphia area. Order through the website, pay a delivery fee (up to $10), and get homegrown goodness on demand. 305 Windermere Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050, harvestlocalfoods.com.
Pacaso
Unless you’re really going to make use of that palace in Avalon all summer, buying a slice of one using Pacaso will save you a bundle. A one-eighth ownership stake in an Avalon vacation home will likely run you less than a million bucks, and you get to use it for up to 44 days a year. Want more time? Buy more shares. And Pacaso handles scheduling and maintenance for you and your fellow owners. pacaso.com.
Noel Davis
After a car crash left her with chronic back and leg pain, Noel Davis rehabilitated herself with resistance training. Now she’s helping others get stronger thanks to her Old City gym, Paris Fit; pop-up workouts throughout the city (including an annual National Fitness Day event); an app for personalized training plans; and at-home gear like bands and sliders. 221 Vine Street, suite B, Philadelphia, PA 19106, getparisfit.com.
WellFed
Sisters Adrianna Hecht and Laurenza Giosa saw a problem with most ready-made meal companies: They were too niche. “It was more performance-based — food for gym-goers or people working toward a certain weight goal,” Hecht says. So they called upon their culinary and hospitality backgrounds to launch this weekly meal-prep service, which offers locally produced, gluten- and dairy-free meals and desserts. Order online for home delivery. bewellfed.net.
Yards Brewing Company
When Yards moved its flagship from Delaware Avenue to Spring Garden, we were all a little shook. We just didn’t know what to expect, and change is scary. But the new Yards feels like it always has – a beer-nerd paradise where friends and family flock to throw down on crispy pale ales, Love stouts, and wings tossed in long hot pepper sauce. You know, home. 500 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, yardsbrewing.com.