Our favourite undiscovered spots (till now!)

Luna Blue
Have shoes will travel to this 14th Street Southwest shoe store. The tiny boutique is halfway between trendy shopping districts Marda Loop and Uptown 17, but set outside of the main retail action. Luna Blue counts autobody shops and pizza delivery businesses as its neightbours. Look for its bold blue façade to find footwear and handbags including Lola Ramona boots and TSUBO pumps. Luna Blue, 2611 14 St. S.W., Calgary, 403-244-1644, www.lunablueshoes.com

Valta Bison Farms
Tucked into a 100-year old building in Ramsay, this shop is a throwback to the old farm stores with fresh deli sandwiches, sauces, dairy products and, of course, bison including steaks, roasts and sausages. Valta Bison Farms, 703 23 Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-237-9667, www.valtabison.com

Frosst Books
The building used to be a bottle depot before the interior was renovated into artists’ studios and gallery space as well as a bookstore that carries art, architecture and design books and zines as well as artists’ prints. The exterior is almost entirely unchanged so if you are looking for the bookstore watch for the bottle depot sign. Frosst Books, 1018 Ninth Ave. S.E., Calgary, 403-265-2664, www.frosstbooks.com

Villa Firenze
Sitting comfortably under the radar but close to downtown, this Italian restaurant has been serving homemade pasta, sauces, pestos, sausages and foccacia for decades. It’s the kind of low light, long wine list restaurant where you want to settle in and stay awhile. Villa Firenze, 610 First Ave. N.E., Calgary, 403-264-4297.

Flora
Dutch-trained florist, Sarah Mayerson’s flower shop on Edmonton Trail is a chic backdrop for her custom arrangements and if you aren’t the market for centerpieces, bouquets or succulent plants, there is also jewelry and art by local artists for sale. Flora, 902 Edmonton Tr. N.E., Calgary, 403-457-1175, www.floracalgary.com —Jaelyn Molyneux

It is way too easy to spend money on your kids clothing, everything looks so much more funwhen it's small. Here are our favourite pieces from the fall/winter collections.

We love this Crewcuts doggie tee because it reminds us of Givenchy’s pitbull collection. But, of course, in this tiny size it's far cuter. Crewcuts Girls' long-sleeve 3-D doggie tee, $44. At J.Crew, www.jcrew.com 

H&M has just launched a collection with All for Children with 25 per cent of all sales going to UNICEF’s work for children in Bangladesh. We love the floral prints in the girls collection, and this little boys cardigan with elbow patches is perfect for the back to school “professor” look. Cardigan ($29.95) at H&M, Toronto Eaton Centre and Pacific Centre in Vancouver from September 22nd.

We know that Burberry is a little bit expensive, but who can resist this adorable quilted coat? Justify its purchase by promising you’ll hand it down, plus it works for a boy or a girl. Ocean Quilted Coat with check lining $335, from Lola Home & Apparel, 510 Beatty St., 604-633-5017, Vancouver, www.lolahomeandapparel.com

The only problem with Vancouver-based Red Fish’s party dresses is that they don’t make them in adult sizes. Let’s hope our girls get invited to a lot of parties so they have an excuse to wear this! Party dress, $75 at Wear Else, www.wearelse.com or Red Fish Kids Clothing, www.redfishkidsclothing.com

Checks were a runway trend, and since our little boys are too cool for school, we are going to put them in little check shirts with matching shoes. Running shoes ($19) and shirt ($12) at Joe Fresh, www.joefresh.com  —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Our editors had the extremely hard job (someone's got to do it!) of sampling some of the summer's best wines. Kick back, raise a glass and discover which vinos made this year's list.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
Township 7 Un-Oaked Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the LL Cool J of wines: "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years."  But these days, chard has shed its buttery, oaky rep for cleaner crisper granny smith apple and melon, characteristic of Oliver's vineyards. Mama said knock you out. $22.44 at Inglewood Wine Market, 1139 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-262-4663, www.inglewoodwine.com

Kelsey Dundon, Lifestyle editor
Montecillo Rioja Reserva
A red in summer? Why not! Hot August days remind us of the warm Spanish sun, which is exactly what these grapes were grown under. $19.99 at Willowpark Wines, 4012 Worcester Dr. SW, Calgary, 403-777-123, www.willowpark.net

Dirty Laundry Gewurztraminer
Sweet but not too sweet, this BC wine is as light and fresh as our favourite summer days.  $29 at Inglewood Wine Market, 1139 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-262-4663, www.inglewoodwine.com

Anya Georgijevic, Beauty editor
Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon
This spicy Cabernet Sauvignon is just as free-spirited as its adorable label. It’s always a palette pleaser, especially when served with salami and cheese. $25.99 at Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Joie Farm Noble Blend
Although I try many whites, I always go back to this delightful blend. It was served at my wedding reception last year so it holds a special place in my heart. $33.49 at Kensington Wine Market, 1257 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary, www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

Lights, camera, couch! Herewith, four DVD picks for a night of home entertainment.

Kick-Ass
If you’re feeling frumpy after too many holiday treats, pick up Kick-Ass to get yourself feeling more like a superhero. Aaron Johnson and Nicolas Cage do a pretty good job of defending the world from villains, but it’s Chloë Moretz’s portrayal of Hit Girl that will get you practicing your knife skills and high kicks.
Jennifer Nachshen, Montreal editor (English edition)

Heartbreaker
What’s better than a rom-com? A French rom-com complete with a tribute to Dirty Dancings and some Wham thrown into the mix. Starring the ultra cool Vanessa Paradis and handsome Parisian Romain Duris, Heartbreaker is the story of Alex, a professional Lothario who loses his cool when his latest assignment gets a tad too personal.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

Winter’s Bone
Justin Bieber isn’t the only teen phenom headlining a film these days. Actress Jennifer Lawrence was 18 when she starred in this book adaptation about twisted family ties in the Ozarks. Her performance already has a Golden Globe nom and the same is sure to come from Oscar.
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Smash His Camera
Artist, stalker, scumbag—photographer Ron Gallela has been called all of the above, and more. The documentary, spanning decades in the career of the man who was sued by Jackie Kennedy, socked in the jaw by Marlon Brando and adored by Andy Warhol, is a nostalgic and insightful look into the life of a celebrity paparazzo.
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Just in time for back-to-school, we've compiled a list of our favourite words and catchphrases—this round is sure to make Oxford's next edition.

Eat Pray Loved (v.): The act of leaving one's spouse to embark on an Oprah-approved journey of self-enlightment (may include an independence party, book club and ashram)
Usage: Did you hear about Sally and Paul? She eat, pray, loved him!

Tweethearts (n.): Couples who are infatuated with each other over Twitter but whose relationship would never exist in real life.
Usage: I hope my boyfriend doesn’t mind that I’m spending all weekend flirting with my tweetheart.

The jardigan (n.): When a jacket and cardigan meet—surely more staying power than jeggings?
Usage: If his jardigan weren’t cashmere I wouldn’t have taken it. But I just can’t resist good Scottish cashmere.

Bagacitis (n.): A reoccurring inflammation of the shoulder and upper arm area as a result of carrying a heavy handbag.
Usage: Just the thought of the It Bag being back in style has made my bagacitis flare up.

For more Vitamin Daily coinage, click here.

Need a long weekend beach read? Herewith, our editors' favourite summer page turners.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
If Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was your pre-teen bible, pick up Blume's more mature novel, Summer Sisters. It follows two best friends from grade school to their 30s and blends adolescent whimsy and angst with some very grown up topics. (PS: Check out Judy Blume on Twitter). $10 at Amazon.ca
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Angelina: An Unauthorized Biography by Andrew Morton
Members of Team Jennifer will enjoy sinking their teeth into. But we’d never diss Angie—why mess with a gal with a knife collection? $16 at Amazon.ca
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

The Recessionista by Alexandra Lebenthal
"Too Big to Fail Goes to the Beach," is how New York Magazine's Jessica Pressler described Alexandra Lebenthal's hot summer debut novel, The Recessionistas. A fabulously juicy read. $19 at Amazon.ca
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
From the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked is the author’s latest look at what happens when love, parenting and relationships get in the way of life. The story of a washed-up musician also deals with one of Hornby’s favourite subjects: music. $21 at Amazon.ca
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

One Day by David Nicholls
Expressed in snapshots of the same day spanning twenty years, this tale of two opposites, Dex and Em, who connect just before graduation, go their separate ways, yet stay in touch, sucked us in right from the start (perhaps because it begins with the pair bantering and snogging). $13 at Amazon.ca
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Papa might preach, but he usually knows best. Herewith, Vitamin Daily Calgary’s Top 5 treats (from $20 to splurge).

If he knows every line to Anchorman, The Big Lebowski and all three of The Godfather films, let him sport it proudly with a classic movie T-shirt, $19.50. Beware: upon receiving the gift, he’ll probably start reciting all of Don Vito Corleone’s lines. At Old Navy, www.oldnavy.ca

Boys will be boys, even when they become dads. Let him get in on the FIFA World Cup action with a Fair Trade Sports soccer ball, $30. If he’s more Kobe than Cristiano, there are also basketballs and volleyballs.
 At Ten Thousand Villages, 220 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, 403-270-0631, www.tenthousandvillages.ca

It’s still the Year of the Tiger but when it comes to golf, it’s all about Phil. Get Dad on the Mickelson wagon with the Odyssey White Ice #9 putter (the same one the 2010 Masters champ uses). $150 at Golftown, www.golftown.com

He’ll be the coolest dad on the lake this summer in a pair of Ransom by Adidas Originals boat shoes. The refined classic summer shoe comes in black or brown, $140. At Henry, 2115 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-209-5030, www.thinkhenry.com

For the master of the grill, the Broil King’s Porta-Chef S ($159) gives Dad the freedom to grill on the go. The legs snap up for compact storage and easy transportation. At Barbecues Galore, 3505 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, 403-250-1558 and 5875 Ninth St. SE, Calgary, 403-258-4440, www.barbecuesgalore.ca

We’ve all made sacrifices for the environment (like chipping our nails bringing out the recycling). Have a laid-back Earth Day with our editors' tips.  

Simple Shoes (you probably wore a pair in the early ’90s) are still kicking, but now the brand makes footwear that’s eco-friendly to the nth degree. This season they introduced their BIO-D collection, which will actually biodegrade after they hit the landfill. www.simpleshoes.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Make your own dryer sheets by adding a few drops of essential oil to a damp cloth. Toss in the dryer, and voila! You’ve beaten global warming and static cling in one fell swoop.
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

Now that carrying a plastic bag is an even bigger faux pas than toting a fake Louis, notable totables are a must. Pack your veggies in this set of three organic cotton drawstring produce bags ($23). www.lavishandlime.com
Maria Tallarico, Managing editor

Kim Mitchell’s “Patio Lanterns” may be a radio station deal breaker for some, but Ikea’s new outdoor Solig solar-powered lighting collection (from $9.99) has us wanting to spruce up the garden, make lemonade, and cue the 1986 hit.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor

Why not opt for natural cleaning products straight from the pantry? Lemon juice makes a great copper polish and a decent bleach alternative, too. Vinegar removes mildew, cuts grease and removes coffee stains and wax build-up. Cornstarch is super on windows, carpets and rugs. A shot of vodka cures all ills, and it even cleans chrome and porcelain.
Athena Tsavliris, Toronto editor
 

Grab a glass of wine and a spot by the fireplace—these are winter reads worth staying in for.

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelseaby Chelsea Handler
Comedian Chelsea Handler’s star has risen this year, and her hilarious and outrageous collection of personal essays has her deadpan delivery of intelligence, wit and bawdiness—it’s a perfect dose of Chelsea for those who can’t stay up late enough to watch her talk show. At Amazon.ca.
Maria Tallarico, managing editor

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
It sounds like the ultimate Slacker’s Handbook, but it’s a great, practical guide for the self-employed (or would-be self-employed) on how to run a more efficient and profitable business while you work hard-on your tan! At Chapters.ca
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

Foam on the Daze by Boris Vian
A moving tale of unrequited love—simply sublime! Published in 1947, one of the Parisian author's only translated books. At Amazon.ca. Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Set aside a weekend for this book. From celebrated Swedish crime writer Stieg Larsson, it is so gripping you won’t be able to put it down. At Chapters.ca
Athena Tsaviliris, Toronto editor

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Niffenegger’s spooky sophomore novel is a meaty ghost story about sisters, twinship, love and loss. Perfect for tucking up under the duvet on a cold winter’s night. At Amazon.ca.
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
In this literary mash-up, Austen’s beloved cast of characters is faced with an outbreak of undead (politely referred to as “unmentionables”) in addition to the usual courtship and classism. Natalie Portman just signed on to produce and star in the film adaption. At Chapters.ca.
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
by Rebecca Miller
Stuck between her former self and the woman she created, the protagonist is forced to examine her life and decide how to move forward. Miller, the daughter of the famed playwright and wife of our favourite butcher (Daniel Day-Lewis) adapted the novel into a star-studded movie this year but it’s a case of read-the-book-before-you-see-the-movie. At Amazon.ca.
Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor