If you're looking for good prices, you can usually count on Homegoods stores -- they're a great place to pick up kitchen stuff at a great price. (Nice rugs, too, lately.)

I'd also recommend the Restoration Hardware Outlet which is in the Premium Outlets in Wrentham, MA. I found great deals on my island stools ($125 each, normally about $700). Although I find them overpriced on furniture and linens, their prices on lighting are usually really good (I got my optic pendants for $75 each there, but not always easy to find three of anything). They frequently have an extra 20% off coupon that you can use if off if you subscribe to the outlet's shopper's club online (coupons are printed out).

It's fun to walk around the South End. The vibe is pretty modern. I'd go for brunch and then visit Hudson and Garage Sale (high-end consignment) and some of the other stores in the area. They're all little, unique shops. You can probably get a map online.

Marcolo - when you say the South End - are there street names you can help me out with a bit so when I look at a map I have an idea where. Is Hudson and Garage Sale the name of a shop? Sounds like a neat area.

Hudson and Garage Sale are two different shops. You'd want to walk around the South End and SoWa (South of Washington). This area used to be all a dangerous ghetto, then it became largely gay, and now it's the most expensive residential area in the city, I think. All of the previous elements still leave some trace. The best restaurants in Boston are mostly here.

You could check out WikiTravel, or Boston.com or the The South End Business Alliance for more.

Love the South End.

For pretty (and pretty expensive) things, also swing by Boston Design Center (www.bostondesign.com). It's to the trade so you can't buy without a designer connection (or a hefty upfront fee) but it's open to regular folks to browse and drool. Huge number of showrooms and great for inspiration.

Have fun!

I second the South End suggestion.

Also, as long as you're in the Boston Design Center area, you might also visit Machine Age, especially if you like Mid-Century Modern. You can check out examples of what they have on their website (machineage.com). To find them, you have to drive into what looks like an industrial area parking lot. But keep going!

While in the area, you could eat at Yankee Lobster (on Northern). Not at all fancy, but very, very fresh seafood. Their fried clams are tender, sweet and tasty. Of course, so is the lobster. Nearly next door is Harpoon Brewery. Both both places, parking is right there and free - unusual in Boston!

Another lunch option is the Legal Seafood Test Kitchen. There also is a "regular" Legal Seafood restaurant, but we prefer the Test Kitchen.

Finally, a bit further away is a Flour Bakery Cafe. Yum!

Have a good visit.

If you're a fan of Italian food and pastry the North End has many great restaurants and shops. Some have been featured on the Food Network. Mike's Pastry is great, Maria's pastry is just as good, but not as much of a tourist attraction.
The original Pizzeria Regina's is located in the North End.
Most restaurants have home made pasta and breads.
My mouth is watering!

The old North Church is there and a few other historic buildings.

Here is a link that might be useful: The North End

Great ideas! Thank-you. I checked out the Machine Age website- beautiful MCM stuff. I hope to drag my DH in there.

To see Blum Tandembox slides, in real drawers, there are many places.
On Newbury is http://www.boston.poggenpohl.com/seite/home.html
and a couple blocks from there is Newbury Kitchens (custom shop)
http://www.newburykitchensandbaths.com/

At http://www.ikea.com/us/en/store/stoughton you can see the same slides.
A entire kit of Tandembox sides, slides, rods, back in a big deep drawer is here:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80107083/

Here is a link that might be useful: Tandembox sides, slides, rods, back. Big deep drawer

For antiques, walk down Charles Street. I always thought it reminded me of London, a little.

Another vote here for the Boston Design Center - especially
liked the Christopher Peacock showroom.

Victorias Diner on the southern end of Mass Ave has a
really good breakfast.

The fish chowder @ the No Name on the fish pier is great too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Victorias Diner

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