Adorn Boutique
If Sarah Lewiss Fishtown shop had existed during your requisite college hippie phase, Birkenstocks and bad tie-dye would have given way to one-of-a-kind handcrafted amethyst rings, exotic embroidered bags from India, and the kind of delicate cotton tunics you still want to wear today. 1314 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, adornbysarahlewis.com.
Reconsidered Home
Natalie Rettinger scours flea markets and estate sales to keep her shop flush with low-slung couches, teak consoles, oversize lamps and anything else Mad Men-worthy. And for a $50 fee, she'll deliver to almost anywhere in the region. 29 West Jasper Street, Media, PA 19063, reconsideredhome.com.
School of Vintage
We are so glad this LBI shop survived Sandy, because losing its cache of impeccably edited vintage (sorbet-hued tulle gowns, full-skirted 50s dresses, many accessories) would be losing a very stylish side of history. 1509 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City, NJ 08008, schoolofvintage.com.
Du Jour
With steakhouses and burger shops crowding the city's noontime dining scene, we appreciate that Du Jour has put heart and flair into this zingy veggie option, a lusty mix of brown rice, chickpeas, lentils, feta and Moroccan harissa sauce. Take note, burger kings. 379 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041, dujourmarket.com.
Morey's Piers, The Wildwood Boardwalk
It doesn't matter if you're looking for shriek-inducing roller coasters, the 140-foot free fall of AtmosFEAR or the absolutely insane SpringShot; no place else has as many extreme thrill rides in one place. Eat the funnel cake after you ride. 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, moreyspiers.com.
Miller's Twist
Miller's Twist has picked up where perennial BOP winner Fisher's has left off at Reading Terminal. The big, buttery, brown, salty soft pretzels fresh dough is made, rolled and baked daily, on-site provide perfect carb-y sustenance for a long day shopping the market's stalls. Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19138, millerstwist.com.
Vintage
We wanted this subterranean shop to stay our own little tucked-away secret. But then it moved its digs aboveground, dashing our hopes that we could keep the huge explosion of vintage clothes (and baubles and bags and housewares) to ourselves. 63 West State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, Vintage-doylestown.com.
Stateside under Elijah Milligan
When lauded chef George Sabatino abruptly left this award-winning restaurant for his tour of duty at Morgans Pier, Phillys food scenesters were worried no one else would be able to fill his shoes behind the line. Now they can stop fretting and just go eat. 1536 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, statesidephilly.com.
Cunningham Piano Company
People and institutions from all over the country ship their priceless Steinways to this 120-year-old shop for resuscitation. So Cunningham can certainly handle Nana's old upright. Don't have a piano? They sell them, too. 5427 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, cunninghampiano.com.
Francis the Duke
There are only a handful of barbers in the entire region we'll trust with a straight razor, and at this trendy Piazza-based shop, the shaves are the smoothest and most comfortable we've had. The $50 one-hour executive shave will leave you feeling like a million bucks. 1001 North 2nd Street, #77, Philadelphia, PA 19123, thedukebarberco.com.
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
You get shoe rentals, one hour of private jump time on the extreme trampolines, pizzas, cake, invitations. Any kids who wants to jump must have a waiver signed by his/her parent or guardian. Print them online. 122 Mill Road, Oaks, PA 19456, skyzone.com/Oaks.
Kids 'N' Kribs
Shopping here is like going into one of the big-box kiddie stories with your been-there-done-that mom friend and having her point out the exact products you'll love, from cribs and monitors to car seats and teddy bears. 112 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, kidsnkribs.com.
Franklin Fountain
A few of the greatest hits: Honeycomb, white as snow, nearly custard-like, lightly kissed with honey and studded with brittle little flecks of golden honeycomb candy; Girl Scout Cookie, with fistfuls of ground-up Thin Mints; the freshest blueberry ever. 116 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, franklinfountain.com.
Verde
Whether you bring her a dainty bouquet, house-made artisanal chocolates or a light-as-air scarf, if you're buying it from Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney's latest 13th Street shop, one thing is for sure: You'll be invited back. 108 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, verdephiladelphia.com/verde.
Art Star Gallery and Boutique
Go because you love the non-brand-name charm, because shopping here gives you instant street-style cred, and because you want your friends to come here when it's time to buy gifts for you. 623 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, artstarphilly.com.