For a bit of fall fun, take yourself on a long weekend to Manhattan, the city that never sleeps.

do
Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, launch your big apple adventure with a stop at the sleek NYC Information Centre. Use interactive touch-screen maps to get local celeb recommendations or create itineraries that can be emailed to your phone. 810 Seventh Ave., New York City, www.nycgo.com

shop
We squealed with delight upon discovering vintage-inspired dresses (from $178) at James Coviello. This girlie boutique on the LES carries soft floral numbers that hint at a time when swingy skirts and hourglass figures were the very definition of subtle sex bomb. 70 Orchard St., New York City, 212-695-0842, www.jamescoviello.com

sleep
The four-poster beds are divine but you won’t want to sleep at the new Gansevoort Park Avenue. More midtown chic than its Meatpacking sister, it has six bars, a heated roof top pool and spacious rooms with step-out balconies. Order cocktails and nibbles from your assigned iPod GPS and staff will track you down on any floor. And for trips around town, dial up the hotel’s chauffeur-driven Porsche Panamera. How 21st century. Rooms from $325, 420 Park Avenue S., New York City, 877-830-9889, www.gansevoortpark.com

eat
We love Sachiko’s On Clinton for traditional Kushiage made from crisp, panko-breaded beef, chicken or veggies served on skewers ($24/10). Sit in the back garden or in view of the restaurant’s striking David Hockney collage. If you’re lucky, Sachiko herself might bring out a bottle of sparkling Nama Sake from behind the bar. 25 Clinton St., New York City, 212-253-2900, www.sachikosonclinton.com

Catch one last outdoor concert before summer flies the way of the Canada Goose.

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is launching its 2010-2011 season with a free open-air event featuring music by Strauss, Stravinski and Gershwin. An homage to Haiti, the show takes place in front of the MSO’s future l’Adresse Symphonique home with narration by Quebec writer Dany Laferrière and performances by Luck Mervil and Cirque Eloize. 

That all sounds fab but we’ll be focused on the sexy flip of Kent Nagano’s hair as he waves the baton.

7 p.m. September 2, on the Parterre of the Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, 514-842-9951, www.osm.ca

We love re-stocking our fridge while re-vamping our wardrobe, but sometimes we need some fashion focus.

Joe Fresh's new 14,500 square-foot freestanding Studio is a jewel to behold. Housed in the stately Jean-Talon train station, it carries women’s, men’s and kid’s togs that had us feeling decidedly single-minded. We spotted a grey silk blouse ($39), matching mom-and-daughter motorcycle jackets ($49/$29), black stretch capris ($16), and a delicate pink lace bra ($16).

Put them all together and we’ll be multi-tasking in style.

Joe Fresh Studio, 395 Jean Talon St. W., Montreal, www.joe.ca
See photos from the store opening today on our Editors' Diary.

A new season calls for an adult attitude to lunch.

We’re kicking off the ‘school’ year with a natty lunch kit ($32) from UK designers black+blum. Made from BPA-free plastic, the lime-trimmed bag comes with a watertight container that divides into two bowls (for hot and cold), utensils, a sauce-dipping pot and healthy recipe book. Even better, the waterproof tote opens up to create a placemat or mini blanket that’s perfect for long lunches in the park.

Sure beats the Scooby Doo number we had in grade school.

www.iddko.com

Some people prefer their sushi hand-rolled. We like ours a little bit twisted.

Our heads were spinning after tasting Noa’s unconventional sushi-fusion, including the savoury Big Mak (modeled after its fast food namesake) with beef, mustard, tomatoes and a slice of cheese ($13). We adored the 5 Stars roll, served freshly fried with fish tartare ($12) and sushi pizza on a crispy crust topped with mozzarella ($15). Sipping gingery Saketinis ($12) on the South Beach-style terrace, we concluded we were never that keen on sticking with tradition to begin with.

That’s just how we roll.

Noa Sushi, 3509 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-903-4439, www.noasushi.com