"Home Decor with a Message Visiting Beyt Design in Cambridge was inspirational. Their award winning social enterprise uses architectural salvage from conflict zones in the Near East destroyed by violence and up cycles them into one of a kind home decor. Tiles from 18th century mansions, reclaimed wrought iron gates, window frames & antique textiles make their way into tables, lamps and shades in this unique shop. In addition, the labor they employ is from diverse, disadvantaged backgrounds. When I visited, I spoke with a woman working on a lampshade, clearly proud of her project and the opportunity the owners had given her. Their mission to 'Restore the Unseen Beauty of the Broken" resonates in each and every piece."

"Tasting Real Chocolate As soon as you walk in the door at the Taza factory in Somerville, you are hit with a chocolate aroma that will tell you you're in for a treat. Here, they craft stone ground chocolate unlike any you've tasted before. It's rustic, delicious, and so full of flavor, those other bars will be left in the rear view mirror.The owner discovered the chocolate on a trip to Oaxaca , Mexico , learned the technique and today is following the process of using granite millstones to grind the organic beans into flavors that range from coconut to chilpotle chili to their best selling salted almond. It's all dark chocolate-so it's good for you right? The beans are sustainably sourced and after a tour of the process, there will be no doubt that thinking about where your food comes from is definitely a good thing."

"Farm Fresh with a Modern Update I love walking into a restaurant and being able to feel its vibe from the moment you enter. Puritan is sparkling, open and crisp. The menu reflects that spirit with traditional New England fare, prepared in a contemporary way. No gimmicks, just clean tastes with a modern twist. Case in point-the blue fish pate, accompanied with homemade crackers and covered with mustard seeds that pop for a refreshing surprise when you bite eat them, and are followed by the smoky taste of bluefish. Most of the food is sourced from local farms and their brunch menu is varied enough to satisfy those wanting breakfast or lunch."

"Around the World with Cheese For over 30 years, Formaggio Kitchen has been a Boston institution. Here you can shop for artisan products from all corners of the globe. The owners crowded travel schedule has them taste testing in unusual places and bringing their high quality finds back to a captive audience. Prepared foods are made with traditional methods, and whether you're looking for picnic ingredients, a hostess gift or coffee and scones for breakfast, this gourmand's paradise will no doubt take a chunk from your wallet and leave you wanting more. They have tours of their cheese cave in the Cambridge store, and you might just think you've stumbled into an Alpine hillside. Their South End location is a mini version of the mothership."

"Visit Harvard-America's Oldest University While your grades might not get you admitted, anyone can take a walk in Harvard Yard. You can't leave Cambridge without having a look-see at the oldest institution of higher learning in the country. The campus shouts quintessential New England, and when you're not in the classroom, students here look just the same as they do at other colleges. There's lots of green space, impressive architecture, and plenty of places to put your feet up from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding Harvard Square. You can download an audio tour from their web site. Make sure not to miss the Memorial Hall for its beautiful angles and just don't leave saying 'paack ya ca in Havaid yaad'!"

"Time for a Sugar Fix This award winning spot, with several outposts around the city, bakes cupcakes from scratch daily. Using only the finest ingredients, you'll find seasonal specialties and confections of just the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth craving."

"The Beauty of Good Design Black Ink is a shop focused on presenting good design in all of it's many forms. You'll spend time perusing all these items you never knew you needed, and leave with gifts for just about anyone on your list. Their selection of cards is clever and creative, wrapping papers almost too beautiful to use, and be sure not to miss Article 22's peace bomb bracelets made from Vietnam war scrap metal."

"Bold and Colorful Design Marimekko is a Finnish textile company known for the unusual prints and colors featured in its fabrics. The designs have an interesting twist, and the array of fabrics is used to make captivating clothing and home decor pieces. This store, one of only a few in the U.S., is located in Cambridge, where you can browse the surrounding cute boutiques and art galleries afterward."

"Harvard's Glass Flowers I get so excited when I visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History. It has so many diverse displays that there is something of interest for everyone. Drawn from specimens of Harvard's 3 research museums, it covers the categories of animal, vegetable, mineral. My favorite has to be the glass flowers. What appears to be a comprehensive collection of botanical specimens, is actually made entirely out of glass. Their are over 3000 models and the tiny details are accurate and quite amazing. You won't believe your eyes, and in winter, they are always in bloom!"

"A Globetrotting Shopping Experience Long before fair trade was a part of our vocabulary, Nomad was serving up an eclectic mix of folk art, home furnishings and ethnic jewelry from around the world. The boutique's support of Made in America clothing is evident in the well edited collection of small specialty designers that is stylish, fun and distinctive. If your taste could be described as bohemian, globetrotting and artisan made, don't miss this special one of a kind destination."

"Local and Just Cut Goodness Clover's mantra-to make simple food you love that is fresh, local and whenever possible organic has been winning fans since they first opened. 5 locations and growing, with an ever expanding fleet of food trucks serving the Boston area they pride themselves on clean flavors & food that hasn't been overcooked. Giving new meaning to the term 'fast food', everything is made from scratch. Their selections are constantly changing because of input from their customers. I just hope they never take their chickpea fritter sandwich off the menu!!"

"Three in One for Harvard Museums The new Renzo Piano designed Harvard Art Museums is so dynamic and state of the art it will take your breath away. Housing an extensive collection that combines the Fogg, the Bush-Reisinger and Arthur M. Sackler under one roof, it's a comprehensive collection with something for everyone. The pyramid glass roof allows a flood of natural light to stream through in the daytime and leaves a lasting impression. The restoration and conservation areas are glass enclosed as well, leaving the inner workings of the museum exposed for observation in an interesting way. With over 250,000 pieces, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Come with a game plan; stop and enjoy music in the central courtyard and snacks at the cafe and you will surely discover a space as interesting as the art found within."

"Sarma is the third outpost in restaurateur Ana Sortun’s Boston empire after the acclaimed Oleana and Sofra. Meyhanes —literally, “houses of wine”—have been social gathering places in Istanbul since Byzantium, and Sarma channels the communal spirit of these traditional Turkish bar/restaurants while serving up craft cocktails, local beer, and of course wine, not to mention typical meyhane snacks like parsnip fritters and lamb kofte (albeit the latter in slider form). Mezes, the eastern Mediterranean’s version of tapas, are also dished up alongside sarma wraps and shish kebab: Chef/owner Cassie Piuma gets creative with the latter, skewering and grilling scallops, quail, and barbecued duck."