The best advice sometimes really does come from around the water cooler.

When a co-worker opened a packet of purple powder and slipped it into her water glass at 3 p.m. on a sluggish workday, I took note and went out to track down my own extra energy supply. My Vitality is a vitamin rich pick-me-up that helps to re-energize while reducing stress levels.  Caffeine-free (it relies on natural ingredients) and flavoured with juice concentrates, this mid-afternoon routine is worth scheduing in, especially if it steers us away from an afternoon snack served from a vending machine.

Drink in the energy boost. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$5.99 per three pack at www.drinkintuition.com

With major fashion houses dabbling in make-up, sampling spring trends is as simple as buying a bottle (or two) of nail polish.

Dior’s Garden Party collection includes fresh minty Waterlily as well as a vibrant lilac named Forget-Me-Not. Both the purple and green lacquers mask the usual chemical scent with a flowery rose aroma. $24 at The Bay, www.thebay.com

Chanel’s appropriately named April, May and June nail colours are the epitome of the upcoming seasons biggest trend that will have us all wearing vibrant pinks and tangerines. Start with the darkest shade in April and work your way to pretty peach for June. $27 at Holt Renfew, www.holtrenfrew.com

Yves Saint Laurent is sticking with colour blocking with its duo manicure set. Choose a colour pair — brown and mint or pink and orange — use one as the base coat and one for your tips. $32 for each pair at Holt Renfrew, www.holtrenfrew.com

We’re pointing our fingers toward spring trends. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Finding the perfect gloss is a quest that requires dedicated product testing.

A few years ago I worked my way through dozens of lip gloss options looking for one with just the right amount of shine and staying power. Bobbi Brown came out on top and her lip gloss in petal got a prime spot in my purse. Petal is a pretty neutral that plays it safe, but gloss is an easy way to go a little wild.

Bobbi Brown just released a trio of bold shades that add a sheer shock of colour sure to knock our lips out of the winter doldrums.

Citrus, cosmic pink and ultra violet are part of the Neons and Nudes collection meant to pump up lips while downplaying eye makeup or vice versa.

Choosing one feature to be bold is always beautiful. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$27 at Murale, 205 8 Ave. S.W., Calgary, 403-261-3703, www.murale.ca

We have jumped the hurdle of the shortest day of the year, but sunlight will still be scarce for a few months. Sigh. Luckily we can beat the blues with technology and the Litebook Elite.

The bulbs in the little box replicate the wavelengths from the sun that help boost mood and energy. The light therapy gadget is small enough to slip in your purse, but I prop it up on the arm of my chair and let the light hit the corner of my eye while I eat breakfast in the morning. As little as 15 minutes a day is all you need to feel uplifted.

The season is looking brighter. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$199 at London Drugs, www.londondrugs.com

We have the five-minute make-up routine down. Now it is time to move onto the quickie skin peel.

Philosophy’s microdelivery exfoliating wash has an intense name that belies its simplicity. The cleanser is a mini-peel that is gentle enough to use daily on sensitive skin and effective enough to slough dead skin cells in 30 seconds. Use your fingers to rub the wash on your face during your cleansing routine or keep it in your shower for a quick facial between lathering, rinsing and repeating.

It’s 30 seconds to smooth skin. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$25 for 8 oz. at Sephora, www.sephora.com

Lesley Stowe’s Raincoast crisps are already a pantry staple and now the West coast gal is tempting us with her Raincoast cookies.

The chewy treats are packed with energy-boosting ingredients including flax, chia and chicory root. They’re more like a soft granola bar shaped into a round disc, but labelling them a cookie sounds so much better.

The oversized cookies come individually wrapped in three flavours including dark chocolate, tart cherry and pecan, apricot, ginger and slivered almond and dried cranberry and toasted hazelnut.

Slip one in your desk drawer for a guilt-free afternoon nibble. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$2.59 each at Sunterra Market, www.sunterramarket.com

Last year, with Magic Bullet in hand and a resolution to increase my energy I stumbled upon Angela Liddon’s Oh She Glows blog and her Green Monster recipes. The smoothies combine kale or spinach with other ingredients to make energy-boosting vitamins taste like a sweet treat.

One year later, my favourite is still the blueberry-banana.

What you’ll need:

2 cups organic spinach
1 cup of almond milk
1 tablespoon of flax (optional)
1 banana
½ cup blueberries
Ice

The method:

Place all of the ingredients except the ice in the blender and hit start. Once everything is blended add the ice and blend some more. Or, use frozen blueberries and bananas to skip the ice.

—Jaelyn Molyneux

For more recipes or to submit your own, visit www.greenmonstermovement.com

The best workout is the kind that leaves you glowing without a drip of sweat.

Think toning, exfoliating and hydrating in the spa-like setting of Skoah. The facial boutique has skin gym memberships that get you 12 fitskin or 8 facialiscious facials for an annual fee of $500, which can be paid in monthly installments. A skin trainer will personalize a program that keeps your face in peak condition through dry winters and sunny summers.

Skipping the gym will never cross your mind. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Skoah, Chinook Centre, 159, 6455 MacLeod Tr. S.W., Calgary, 403-203-0200 and 116 10 St. N.W., Calgary, 403-264-0203, www.skoah.com

That we are stronger together than apart might be most true at group fitness classes where camaraderie pushes us to work just a little harder. These ten drop-in classes that will get you and your friends back in the groove or let you try something new.

Line Dance at Westside Recreation Centre
Combine cardio and coordination to build on your grapevine moves.

Y-Bo at the YMCA
Kick and punch without worrying about keeping in time to complicated choreography.

TRX at Trico Centre
Tone using suspension bands, gravity and your own body weight.

Gear Up ’n Gear Down at Mount Royal University
Follow hardcore cycling with deep stretching.

Shallow Water Fitness at Cardel Place
Sometimes to get a bathing suit ready body one must first wear a bathing suit.

Pilates at The Pilates Studio
Drop-in to mat or reformer classes of the old favourite core workout.

Yin Yang Yoga at Breathe Hot Yoga
For those unsure of which type of yoga they like, this class is half active postures and half deep meditative postures.

Get on the Ball at Killarney Aquatic & Rec Centre
Struggle and laugh with a room full of other people all trying to balance on the exercise ball.

Get Ripped at Talisman Centre
There are seven versions of this workout with exercises that tone using light weights and lots of reps.

Zumba with Hillside Health and Fitness
Instructors come to you hosting the Latin dance workout classes at community centres around the city.

—Jaelyn Molyneux

Lay back relax and get lashed.

Noir Lash Lounge opens its first location in Calgary and it is all dark charcoal and flirty fuschia with lounge chairs spread out in the open space. Noir has more than 100 lash-styles at its disposal and can make your fringe over-the-top dramatic for the holidays or just a little better than your natural self for everyday. Extensions, mascara and lash curlers are a thing of the past.

I spy an extra few minutes of sleep in the morning. —Jaelyn Molyneux

$75 per set and $35 for fills. Noir Lash Lounge, 100A 2303 Fourth Ave. S.W., Calgary, 403-228-1164, www.noirlashlounge.com