Your typical upper-middle class department store, featuring a broad selection of clothing, perfume, cosmetics, electronics, and home supplies. Macy's warrants a visit during the holiday season when they deck their walls and create their classic Enchanted Village on the top floor. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Public restroom: Each floor has at least one bathroom; ask any clerk. Halloween fun: Oct. 25th at 2pm is the 2nd annual Halloween Pet Costume Contest at Macy's sponsored by Kiss 108fm.

Consistently rated Boston's best for finding the must have video of the night, Non- Netflixer's can find just about anything at this boutique and independently run film store with a brother location in the South End. Make sure to check out the great specials and deals they offer throughout the week as well. Interesting and creative categories of films are rampant throughout the store.

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Lots of chic and unique glasses are efficiently packed into this limited space that has been bringing light to Harvard eyes for over 30 years. Raybans and Cartiers lounge by exotic Italian and Japanese imports, and prices range from $100-300+. The second-floor technicians and third-floor eye doctors process most orders within 1hr. Eye exams average $69; package: eye exams and contact fittings, and a year's supply of contacts $249. Full selection of contact lenses $100+. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Bohemian-cool meets French countryside chic in the girlie-girl paradise of Anthropologie. From floral dresses and exquisite jewelry to cheery housewares and vintage-style furniture, every item here is timeless and unique—a perfect place for gift-hunting. Intricate embroidery and bold prints add to the appeal. But quality comes at an (often steep) price (t-shirts $40+, toiletries $10-20, skirts $70-180, jewelry $38-180). Sales racks on the third floor offer more affordable items without sacrificing the Amelie-esque cuteness. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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Black Ink - the home of "unexpected necessities" which also has a Harvard Square location - is a bright, meticulously organized wonderland in Beacon Hill. The store convinces you random goods like a Learn to Knit Puppet Kit, fake sushi sets, a Big Boy piggy bank, or iron-on camp merit badges ($8.50 for 6) are essential additions to your life. Stop in if you need a quirky gift for a friend (like a Magic 8-Ball or a baby Buddha statue), unique greeting cards ($2.25-3.50), or just feel like treating yourself. Merchandise changes frequently.

Expertise without attitude? Yep, it's possible. Brookline Liquor Mart, a wine and spirits staple located at 1354 Commonwealth Ave. in Allston, is one of the larger stores of its kind. But, die-hard patrons have come to expect more than just an extraordinary range of products and services at BLM. For this emporium serving up stellar potent potables since 1934, it's all about service minus the snobbery. “I tend to look for the good things in any bottle of wine I try—the grape flavor, the color, the (real) value of the bottle," says Roger Ormon, BLM's wine manager. "I'm not just interested in fancy or expensive wines. I can get just as excited about a fantastic $15 bottle of wine as I can about the finest vintage from Bordeaux.” BLM is lauded for its convival Saturday wine tastings and expanded calendar of wine-related events, such as their upcoming "Celluloid and Wine" film series perfect for oenophiles. Also, BLM Wine + Spirits specializes in crafting wine cellars as well as offering appraisals on existing cellars. And, extending their "expertise without attitude" approach online, they've launched a new internet sales department perfect for that last-minute gift for a colleague or friend ... or even yourself. For store president Lisa Miller Ryan, it's been a life-long passion to maintain the family tradition of selling the best product and educating wine drinkers for more than half a century. In fact, her father Burton J. Miller is CEO and chairman. "I cut my teeth in the wine business," Ryan says. "I probably took my first steps down the aisle of the store.” Still not sure? Don't pop a cork. Let the knowledgeable team at BLM guide you with their "Vineyard Picks" e-newsletter here.

Burke's Seafood is a family owned and operated Mom & Pop Seafood shop patronized by numerous North Quincy locals that has been open in the neighborhood for 30 years without changing hands. Owners Dick & Margaret Burke run the operation and greet their customers by name. Dick buys whole, fresh fish daily and fillets the catch by hand for retail sale in their fishmonger capacity. They have salmon, tuna, haddock, scallops, and loads of fresh, live lobsters. Margaret oversees the kitchen, where they serve cooked seafood dishes, including New England favorites like steamed lobster and their hand made stuffed quahogs. They also make their own delicious clam chowder, and serve a host of fried seafood offerings, from clams to scallops to fish & chips. Family combo platters combining their various offerings are also available, as is their Lobster Boil in a Can. As of spring 2009, Burke's is set to increase its seating capacity substantially as it takes over a vacant space next door. This will allow for up to 19 diners to eat inside the establishment. During seasonable weather, they also offer some outdoor seating. Forthcoming promotions for this expansion and their 30th anniversary in business will be announced soon.

Welcome to Fishing FINatics where they turn beginners into experts! Pete Santini is the owner/operator of the BUSIEST BAIT SHOP in Boston. Let him help you become a better fisherman or fisherwoman. That's what he's been doing for the last 35 years. Now is great time to enjoy America's favorite sport. Fishing is really a bargain when you think of what other activities cost and the benefits are fresh air, sunshine, peace and quiet. You can also put a little dinner on the table. He carries everything you need to catch fresh and saltwater fish. Let his years of experience help you, your kids, anyone become a better fisherman. They also manufacture the patented "Deadly" Santini Tube Lure, the #1 Striped Bass lure in the world. The Santini Tube Lure's unique patented design is attractive to all gamefish including: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Bonito, King Mackeral, Wahoo, Baracuda, Snook, Grouper, King Salmon, and Sailfish. Baits (Carnada para Pescar, Engodo) for sale include: Freshwater night crawlers, Saltwater seaworm (reg. & select), Dillies, Sea clams (pint & gallon), Troutworms, Fresh Atlantic herring, Mealworms, Frozen vacuum pack herring, Shiners, Pogies (fresh & frozen), Crayfish, Frozen mackerel (sometimes fresh), Grass shrimp (during smelt season), and Eels (live and frozen). If you're interesting in charter fishing, come talk to Pete as he can guide you to the best captains in the area. In addition, he leads charters to the Galapagos Islands where you can expect to land striped, blue, and black marlin!

French Dressing was a much needed and welcome addition to Beacon Hill. Stumbling across this tiny gem of a lingerie store on River Street (just off the beaten path of Charles and Chestnut) one will be delighted to discover this store offering the widest assortment of hanky pankies to beautiful chemises. A must visit for that special someone. Do not forget to check out their thong of the month club!