Vitamin Daily

Hunter wellies are a springtime essential – that goes without saying.

But now, there’s a new item from the beloved brand on our new season wish list: This too-cute umbrella ($48 at Little Burgundy).

We adore its see-through design, retro curved shape and the fact that it matches our boots. After all, a rainy day is no excuse for sloppy style.

Bonus: Now we have an excuse to check out the newest Little Burgundy store in the heart of the Plateau.

Let it rain! —Christine Laroche

55 Mont-Royal Av. E., Montreal, www.littleburgundyshoes.com

While on the lookout for ethical and sustainable jewelry, we discovered Mala Collective.

Based in Vancouver but handmade in Bali, its jewelry is ethically sourced, sustainably harvested, and combines form and function. Made from rudraksha seeds (known to embody peace and love) and gemstones, the pieces not only look good but will also relieve anxiety, improve circulation, or provide protection, depending on the stone.

We like the Surfer Mala necklace ($138) a combination of lava, obsidian, and turquoise, which will deflect negative energy and protect the wearer on a journey. Let’s test it out on a surfing trip to Bali, shall we? —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Bracelets start at $20, necklaces at $55 in Vancouver at Nicole Bridger, 2151 W. Fourth Ave.,  and online at www.malacollective.com

With Earth Day just a week away, we've got our eye on all things eco-friendly, starting with our medicine cabinet. Herewith, the beauty-full green picks we love.

We fell in love with Whistler Naturals' Naked Apricot Lily Body Butter, which is inspired by the great outdoors and is as free of all the bad stuff. Read the full dose here.

How could we resist the brilliantly-named Vitamine & Sea? The Montreal brand opened its first shop-in-shop and stocked it with all things natural and organic for skin and hair. Read the full dose here.

We'll make our peepers pop with natural mascara from much-adored line, Ilia. Read the full dose here.

The hunt for our favourite eco-friendly brands got a lot easier with Fresh Faced, which brings hard-to-find products right to our doorstep. Read the full dose here.

Growing out of your winter maternity duds? Here are a few pieces that will keep you and your bump stylish and cool as the hot weather approaches.

The dress: If your biggest maternity investment is going to be a formal dresss, then we suggest this silk number from Seraphine. Available in a maxi ($359) or mini ($299) version, the kimono sleeves and jewel tone blues are perfect for summer parties or weddings. At Seraphine, www.seraphinematernity.com

The jeans: Go white this summer, since it will mostly likely be the last time you’ll be able to don white pants without having them covered in spit up, food, and crayons marks. These ones are from Loved by Heidi Klum. $59.98 from Motherhood Maternity, www.motherhoodcanada.ca

The tank: Be practical and buy this plain white tank from Au Fait Mama. The comfy bamboo fabric works perfectly underneath blouses (to keep the belly oils from staining your good clothes) or on its own when it’s broiling. Best part? This is actually a nursing tank, so you’ll be able to use it when baby is born, too. $68 from Au Fait Mama. www.aufaitmama.myshopify.com

The tee: This grey tee from H&M features a pretty floral print, and at $14.95, we won’t feel bad wearing for a few months and then passing it on to our next expecting friend. Mama Top, at H&M. Maternity collection available in 30 stores across Canada. www.hm.com

The cardigan: The Ruth Cardigan from Isabella Oliver comes in ochre (shown) or turquoise and cool enough to wear when we are done making babies. Just don’t tell anyone it is maternity clothes. Ruth Crop Maternity Cardigan, $145 at Isabella Oliver, www.isabellaoliver.com

—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

We’re on a mission to find the best cup of coffee in the city. (And one that doesn’t rhyme with “aw shucks.”)

And we’ll go on this delicious quest without breaking the bank, thanks to the Indie Coffee Passport. For $22, we’ll score one drink at each of the 18 participating coffee shops, including best bets like Le Couteau, Café Vito and Café Différance.  

Warning: Side effects include coffee snobbism and an indescribable urge to ride a fixie. —Christine Laroche

www.indiecoffeepassport.com

Photo via: @differancemtl

With restrictive hours, interminable lineups and aggressive crowds, sample sales can be, to put it mildly, intense.

Now we can reap the rewards of sample sale shopping (read: score a designer wardrobe on the cheap), minus the hassle.

On the second floor of Abe & Mary’s is L’Atelier 1958, a lovely airy space permanently stocked with sample pieces from brands like Parker, Splendid, Eileen Fisher, Belle Noel and more.

Nothing is over $85, a portion of the goes to Alzheimer’s research and, thankfully, no shoving required. —Christine Laroche

4175 Jean-Talon W., Montreal, 514-448-6223, https://www.facebook.com/abeandmarys

It’s going to take a little bit more than that fact that it’s spring cleaning season to motivate us to start scrubbing.

Enter the latest edition of Method + Orla Kiely ($3.99 each). Much like a new Lululemon look gets us to downward dog more often, these gorgeous products, with labels by Irish designer Orla Kiely and lovely new scents like white nectarine, honeysuckle and tomato fine, help keep chores from being a total bore.  

Here’s to cleaning pretty! —Christine Laroche

www.methodhome.com

Because bargain is never a dirty word – especially when it comes to these fabulous drugstore products!

Butters can be too heavy, lotions too light, but Garnier’s Hydrating Gel-Cream ($7.99) is just right. Lightweight, non-sticky and perfect for parched skin.  

Full disclosure: We’re suckers for a beauty product dispensed with a pump. Besides love-at-first-packaging-sight, we love Neutrogena's Naturals Cleanser ($8.99) for its gentle, refreshing and paraben-free formula.

The latest installment of the CoverGirl LashBlast series, Clump Crusher ($9.99), is just as great as those that came before. For ultra-long, defined lashes, this tube is tops.

Fancy-pants brands have nothing on Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish ($7.99). Fabulous colours, a shiny, long-wearing formula and the secret weapon to a pro DIY mani: A wide brush that makes application a cinch.

Vidal Sassoon, the iconic line born during the sixties in London, is back, and there’s no better way to get the retro style (that, incidentally, was all over SS13 runways) than with the brand’s all-new Pro Series Foaming Air Mousse ($7).

—Christine Laroche

This weekend, the Space for Life complex (which already includes the Botanical Garden, Biôdome and Insectarium) welcomes its newest attraction: The Rio Tinto Planetarium.

And although its futuristic architecture is stunning (and eco-friendly, with LEED certification), visitors are sure to find the interior, with its cutting-edge equipment, exhibits and immersive theatres, even more riveting.

For the grand opening, don’t miss Continum, an exclusive show designed by Montreal duo Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon with a Philip Glass soundtrack, as well as the permanent exhibition titled EXO: Our Search for Life in the Universe.

To infinity… and beyond! —Christine Laroche

4801 Pierre-De-Coubertin Ave., Montreal, 514-872-4530, http://espacepourlavie.ca/en

How many of us have vowed not to fill our houses with plastic baby junk?

The Bobbin Triple Play Centre should make sticking to that a bit easier. The wood activity centre is made in Canada for busy babies and their design-loving parents. Rather than coming stocked with obnoxious noise-making whirligigs, it lets you add your own cute (read: quiet) developmental toys. Then, when your tot outgrows it, it converts into tables of two different sizes – one of which even has a chalkboard top.

That's the kind of multitasking we love. —Kelsey Dundon

$549 at www.ellaandelliot.com