Zara.com's Canadian launch sure had the bloggers buzzing, but what got us chirping was the cool kids selection.

With spring just around the corner (and last year's tops showing a bit too much belly), we're determined to ease the morning tutu struggle with pieces that look look as good on a 3-year-old as they would on her mother.

Stocked with a wearable selection of on-trend but not-too-precious clothes, this Vertical Stripe Dress ($45.90) and the navy Bermuda shorts ($35.90) are the perfect touch of Gallic for our 7-year-old, while the 3-year-old will be splish-splashing around in this striped suit ($17.90) that just screams "French Riviera!"  

Ordering was easy, delivery was fast and free - now if only registering for pre-school were so easy….

www.zara.com

While we didn't spend winter on Bondi Beach, we've found some Aussie sunshine.

We're loving loving the vibe happening over at the Australian-based Gorman Shop. Stocked with stripes, patterns and organic fabrics that dreams are made of, we settled on the chunky Carmen Heel ($260) that will look great paired with everything as we transition into spring.

Fashion forward all the way. —Kait Kucy

www.gormanshop.com.au

If there is one thing our editors know, it's online shopping. Herewith, our favourite places to browse on the world wide web.

Whenever I'm in New York (which is sadly not that often), my first shopping stop is Maryam Nassir Zadeh, the cool girl's Lower East Side secret. Thankfully, they keep their online store fully stocked with  hard-to-find pieces. I'm currently coveting Carven's sweet little Foal Bag ($660). www.mnzstore.com —Anya Georgijevic, Beauty Editor

"Earthquake kit” has been on my to-do list forever, but recent natural disasters were all the motivation I needed. Instead of trawling hardware stores for supplies, I bought my car and home 72-hour emergency kits off Beesafe.ca. Expect a four week wait for orders: New York, New Jersey, and Guatemala are getting first dibs.(Editor’s Tip: Add a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturizer, toilet paper, diapers, bleach (for disinfecting water), money, and vodka to personalize your kit.) www.beesafe.ca —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg, Fashion Editor

When I need a bit of inspiration and my credit card is burning a hole in my purse, my one-stop online shop destination is Leif Shop. Overflowing with an abundance of beautifully designed accessories for the home and you, Leif is known for their stunning curation of colourful and on-trend items. I am obsessing over Striped Taper Candles ($24, pictured) for my New Years Eve party. http://www.leifshop.com —Kait Kucy, Calgary Editor

The drawers on my Fifties writing desk are stuffed full of beautiful papers, cards, ribbons and tapes. I’m a paper geek. Just look at the wrapping paper, notes and gift tags over at Happy Home – it’s pure whimsy. http://happyhome.bigcartel.com —Athena Tsavliris, Toronto Editor

My latest purchases all come from Toronto’s eLuxe.ca. Free shipping on orders over $25, free returns (!), labels ranging from Splendid to Smythe, stylists on hand for live chat styling sessions… its URL might as well be heaven.ca. www.eLuxe.ca —Christine Laroche, Montreal, Editor

South Godfrey, the designer behind the now-Toronto based Lilly Lab Sportswear (previously stationed on a mountain in Banff) is all about creating functional activewear with a feminine, fashion-forward spin.

This skateboarder gal’s entire collection is handmade, hand-dyed or painted making each piece truly one-of-a-kind and wearable. While the wildly painted splatter tees would be great with a pair of skinny jeans, we couldn’t resist the Pink Heart Cardi ($199) that would double as a lighter coat for mild days.  And made with 100 per cent pure Canadian wool, we know we’ll be looking good and cozy. —Kait Kucy

Lilly Lab Sportswear, http://lillylab.com

Our favourite kid's craft workshop, Vancouver's Collage Collage, has just opened an online store filled with books, art supplies, craft kits, and toys.

So when you aren't feeling creative about ways to entertain the kids, search the site and leave the creativity to them.

Find kits to make dream catchers ($18), sock puppets ($12), or nesting dolls ($35, pictured), this is the perfect site to bookmark for rainy day projects, gifts for friends' kids, and party activities. There's also a great selection of paints, crayons, sticker books, and aprons (a must-have).



Now, if only someone would teach our kids how to use all this stuff. Oh wait, they do. Collage Collage offers a wide selection of children's arts and crafts courses in Vancouver. Soon our budding doctors and lawyers will also be mini Monets and Manets.

 —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Collage Collage online store, www.shop.collagecollage.ca

Secondhand children’s wear is great in theory, but trawling through crowded used clothing stores with poorly labeled goods makes a bargain seem less valuable.

At A Size Too Small, you’ll find the opposite problem. The curated children’s clothing and toys site features a mix of stylish new items and secondhand pieces that are so beautifully presented, it’s tough to believe they are used. Our favourite new pieces include Little Dace dresses ($70) and this unbelievably stylish Nico.Nico blue trench (pictured, $130.) Their “found” garments include a ridiculously cute worn denim shirt ($12), and an amazing pair of red and white retro baby shoes (pictured, $20.)

Of course you had better get in there fast, the found pieces are one of a kind, and in one size only. So prepare to be the one shedding those tears if you miss out on something fantastic. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

www.asize2small.com

The reason why most great childrenswear brands are founded by mothers is because they have the experience of knowing exactly what kids want to wear and how parents want their kids to look.

In the case of Vancouver-made Kiki Kids Wear, it is bright printed dresses, elegant little cardigans, and poofy skirts in colourful patterns, trimmed with flower shaped buttons and bow belts. We like the Sleeveless Tulip Print Dress ($72) for the next birthday party, and the Heather Floral Print Pull-on Skirt ($44) for dinner out.

Next question is of course the sizing, and sadly, it only goes up to a girl’s size 10. But that’s a 24 inch waist, and with an elastic waistband… us Moms can probably squeeze ourselves in. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Kiki Kids Wear online at www.kikikidswear.com

One plastic bib, worn under the cloth bib (which got changed six times a day). A permanent under-the-chin rash. Stains on every parents’ shoulder. That’s the reality of a baby who drools a lot.

And that’s why we think the Wee Drool is brilliant. A bib that looks like a T-shirt and features a waterproof middle layer is one of the best ideas we’ve seen in a while. Moisture can’t get through, the armholes mean it can’t be ripped off and the design ensures it won’t flip up or turn into a cape. It’s made from a soft, eco-friendly fabric that has anti-microbial features. And best of all, it looks like a cool-t-shirt.

You’ll be washing less bibs, and you’ll be changing less outfits. Less laundry and less work. Now we're drooling. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Wee Drool bibs, $28 at www.wee-drool.com

One of the toughest wardrobe conundrums this editor faced when having her first child was the lack of clothing suitable for breastfeeding. Maternity fashions are in abundance, but what about garments that allow you to whip out your breasts, made from fabrics that are resistant to milk stains?

Turn to Au Fait Mama, a Vancouver-made line of breastfeeding clothes, that features pieces like the Nurture t-shirt or Nourish Long Sleeved-top. Elasticized bamboo fabric allows them to be stretched down at the neckline and the elegant cuts accommodate a growing bump during pregnancy and the less attractive post-partum bump.

Next in line? Glasses that hide under-eye bags and a magic scrunchie that give the appearance of washed and styled hair. We wish…. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Breastfeeding tops from $68 at aufaitmama.myshopify.com

For a shoe that dates back to the 13th century, the espadrille has done a remarkable job at staying in vogue summer after summer.

It may have been popularized by Spanish peasants, but this shoe is undeniably the chicest summer flat. The simpler, the better: the espadrille is at its best when it remains true to its classic shape. Enter Soludos, the ultimate classic. Whether exploring the markets of Barcelona, lounging in the French Riviera, or simply strolling about Vancouver, we’ve found our summer essential. —Anya Georgijevic

From US$25.91 at Shopbop.com