Another day, another cupcake opening. This time, the latest store is in my hometown of Boston. Sweet is the brainchild of Courtney Forrester, and the high-end bakery sells cupcakes as well as treats like organic carrot cake, lemon and dark chocolate. What also caught our eye is the Sweet Cake, made with Madagascar vanilla, and topped with a Dutch cocoa frosting. And just in case you need a reminder that yes, there is life beyond cupcakes, read this great article about the joys of a thick slab of triple layer birthday cake, covered in gloopey frosting. Sweet, 49 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. Phone: (617) 247-2253.

Here’s one store to bookmark for the next time you find yourself in Beantown- Vessel. Located near South Station on the border of Chinatown, Vessel is a design studio as well as a retail space. The store is divided into different areas for the bedroom, bathroom and garden, and the prices are actually pretty reasonable. There’s a Real Good red chair that looks like a piece of origami for $99 by Blu Dot, and we also like the look of the Bendant Lamp, $165, which has a leaf-like shade- and comes in a flat pack. Or for a jolt of colour in your study, try the bright red, lacquered Desk 51, for $699. Vessel, 125 Kingston Street, Boston. Phone: (877) 805-1801. Closed Monday.

I can’t say I’m always a huge fan of shopping malls- but they are a necessary evil, and sometimes hugely convenient. And the best ones- like the Beverly Center in LA, the Shops at Time Warner, Copley Place, Bal Harbour- actually have a selection of shops you want to go to, instead of the usual grim suspects like Claire’s and a Dress Barn. That’s why this article, "Against Mall Odds" in the Boston Globe caught my eye.

No, this isn't a picture of Pastis in New York, but a photo of the very new, very cool Gaslight Brasserie in Boston. The restaurant is the brainchild of the Aquitaine Group, who also run the Armani Café (I used to love their gourmet mac'n cheese when I lived in Boston). Located in the increasingly hip South End (or Southie), Gaslight serves classic brasserie fare in a classic brasserie setting. Tuck into onion soup, steak tartare and platters of shellfish. Going beyond the norm, there is also Cuban sandwiches and Gaslight also serves brunch- with lots of omelettes and a tasty looking vanilla French toast. Gaslight, 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, Phone: (617) 422-0224

Vose Gallery
This extraordinary art gallery specializes in 18th, 19th and 20th century American works. Located in a lovely brownstone home on fashionable Newbury, this 5th generation gallery is the oldest in America. Most often greeted by a member of the Vose family, one instantly feels welcome in the lush and creative décor of the home. Special exhibitions are held throughout the year as well as a continuous collection of pieces to purchase for all art lovers.

It was a hot, bustling Boston day when we arrived for our Saturday night stay at the Taj Boston. But the moment we stepped inside the marble foyer of the 1927 Beaux Arts building, the mood changed to cool and serene. We could have stayed in our suite all day, nibbling on the fresh fruits left for us and looking out onto the lush Public Garden, located across the street from the hotel. But instead, we freshened up and stretched our legs on the retail-rich Newbury Street, also steps outside the hotel's doors.

Boston has plenty of top notch bakeries and sweet shops, such as Finale, but sometimes we all get too tired (or lazy) to actually leave our apartments to go get a bite of something yummy. Enter The Harvard Sweet boutique, and online bakery selling gourmet cookies, toffee and cakes. Started by Sue George, all goodies from Harvard Sweet are homemade from scratch and sure to please. Cookie flavours include oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip, and toffees come in chocolate swirl almond and milk chocolate- or try the chocolate-glazed macadamia caramel shortbread bars (pictured). The packaging is equally tasty- goodies are boxed in apple green, white and black boxes. Best of all, she ships through out the US. For more information, call (978) 808-7012.

We're big fans of Brookline, a leafy suburb of Boston (after all, we used to live there!) Although its lovely and quiet, its not always tops on people's list of places to visit when in the Boston area, unless they are heading over to the always yummy Elephant Walk. But shopaholics have a new reason to visit. Velvet Ribbon, a beautiful little boutique, has recently opened in Washington Square. Owner Nicole Pham aims to help customers build a wardrobe of items they'll love to wear--every time and anywhere. Designers stocked include Trina Turk, Alex Woo, and Shin Choi.Velvet Ribbon, 1620 Beacon Street, Washington Square, Brookline (617) 277-0066. Opening hours: Mon. to Sat. 10-7 and Sundays 11-6.

Are you dreaming of a Vera Wang wedding dress but your wedding budget is more in line with a J.Crew gown? If you're a bride on a budget- and let's face it, most ladies are- and happen to live in the New England area, make a pilgrimage to the VOWS Bridal Outlet in Newton, Massachusetts, just a short drive from Boston. This boutique stocks samples of high-end wedding gowns from Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet and Reem Acra at a fraction of their original price. Most gowns are under $2,000. If you cannot make it to the store, you can buy a dress on line (the online version of the store is called Bridepower). And finally, if you have tried on your dream dress and don't see it available on line, fill out a request form and VOWS will let you know if and when the dress arrives. Check the website often as the stock is constantly changing. VOWS Bridal Outlet, 34 Watertown Street (Rt 16), Newton, Mass, 02458. Phone: (866) THE-GOWN.

It's not the British who are coming to Boston, but the French. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is currently showing pieces from 10 recent Paris collections. "Fashion Show: Paris Collections 2006" highlights designs from some of France's leading designers, including Azzedine Alaia, Hussein Chalayan, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, and John Galliano for Christian Dior. This is the first time in a decade that the MFA has shown a fashion exhibit, and the exhibit blends art and video. The clothes are presented on mannequins but there's also a video projection of life-size models sashaying down a runway. The exhibit runs through March 18, 2007.