A lot of us use emoticons in our communications these days, a crown, bishop, or skull is way more fun than a ☺. That’s why fashion editor Alexandra Suhner Isenberg is obsessed with CopyPasteCharacter.com: they’ve got all sorts of fun ic❄ns you can stick into your emails, although I don’t suggest sending them to your boss. Unless you are ♘☠✏☂ off!
www.copypastecharacter.com

Calgary editor Jaelyn Molyneux likes to peep into the closets of the rich and stylish and read the stories behind how they came to own such covetable items.
www.thecoveteur.com

I don’t know if people were actually cooler back in the day or if black-and-white photos just make them look that way, but I can’t get enough of the attitude on The Impossible Cool. theimpossiblecool.
tumblr.com says lifestyle editor Kelsey Dundon. While beauty editor Anya Georgijevic chimes in agreement, "this Tumblr has Françoise Hardy rubbing elbows with Mark Twain. I could scroll for hours."
www.theimpossiblecool.tumblr.com

Naomi has her $10,000, and Montreal Editor Christine won't get out of bed until she's had her smoothie, iced latte and WhoWhatWear newsletter.
www.whowhatwear.com

Toronto editor, Athena Tsavliris, can't resist the siren call of 1stdibs.com. From Galanos gowns to Bertoia bronzes, this is fervent fantasy shopping ground.
www.1stdibs.com

The warm weather is fading fast, so we’re getting our summer fun in while we can. Here are our top ten to-dos before the deep freeze hits.

1. Have a gelato-off pitting le glacier Bilboquet against Havre au Glace and newcomer Kem Coba.

2. Learn to surf or stand-up paddleboard on the lake with KSF.

3. Head down to the Old Port to find the Monsiour Felix and Mr. Norton mobile bakery and stuff yourself with cookies.

4. Take a day trip to Balnea, just to jump in the lake.

5. Book a wine route road trip with Kava Tours, get sauced, and get a lift home.

6. Drive just across the border to Ontario and book a VIP cabana at Calypso Water Park.

7. Ride The Cobra at La Ronde.

8. Host a local-ingredients-only potluck and hit one of Montreal’s markets for fresh fruits and veggies.

9. Hit the end of season sales and pick up items you know will still be in next summer.

10. Run through a sprinkler (on a stranger’s lawn).

—Jennifer Nachshen

Not everyone is a fan of games at a baby shower, but we need to keep the mom-to-be entertained while we drink all her champagne.

1. Match the celebrity and their baby. Print out lists of celebrities and their baby’s (ridiculous) names, ask the players to match each child with their parent. The one with the most correct matches wins. Do you know who Bear Blu, Moon Unit, and Princess Tiaamii’s parents are? The fun begins….

2. Decorate onesies while mom-to-be opens gifts. Unwrapping presents can take a long time, so provide a few sets of plain onesies and let the guests personalize an outfit for the baby. Non-toxic fabric paints and printed fabrics (for appliqués) make for some very memorable onesies.

3. Baby bingo. A great opportunity to hand out some fun little prizes, you could make your own bingo cards, or go the easy route and order these cute ones from Etsy. We love nail polishes or antique tea cups and saucers as prizes, and if many of the guests aren’t parents yet, baby making kits (sexy panties) are fun too.

—ASI

Inside time means quality time with your child and your iPad. Herewith, Canada’s media moms share their favourite kids’ apps.

Baby GO! (toddler) Free
Fabulous because it reinforces the letters along with the child’s keystrokes, and the girl's voice is adorable to boot.
Katherine Holland, VitaminDaily.com contributor and blogger at www.katherineholland.ca

Talking Carl (pre-schooler) $0.99
Fun little monster that repeats everything you say in a silly voice. Sort of like a real child!
Erika Pantages, VitaminDaily.com guest editor and blogger at www.thisishowistroll.blogspot.com

Pocket Pond and Cake Doodle (baby to adult/kindergarten) Free/$0.99
This realistic, serene koi pond lets you swish the water and make the fish change direction with a satisfying sound. Hours of zen. Got a little Cake Boss on your hands? With Cake Doodle, they can tip and shake the iPad to add ingredients, then mix, bake, ice, decorate and “eat” their cake creations.
Sarah Bancroft, VitaminDaily.com Editor-in-chief

Pocketphonics (pre-schooler) $1.99
I love this app because it helps children recognize letters and their sounds through repetition. It also tweaks their fine motor skills by having them trace letters. It involves three of their senses and thus reinforces learning. Just keep the volume down low because the mechanical voice makes you crazy.
Laura Keogh, co-founder of www.sweetpotatochronicles.com

Horse's Collection and Audubon Owls (pre-schooler to elementary) $1.99/$0.99
Budding equestrians will love identifying the different breeds of horses in this addictive memory game while little naturalists will be all over Audobon Owls, which is like an interactive field guide with pictures, fun facts and video.
Susie Wall, Vancouver reporter, eTalk.

Total Baby (moms) $4.99
A lot of moms I know rave about Total Baby. It keeps track of everything baby related (feeds, poops, naps, doctor appointments) so you can keep your head above water when you're too exhausted to remember your name.
Athena Tsavliris, VitaminDaily.com Toronto editor

Looking for something to cross off the bucket list?

The skies above Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu are awash in color this week for the 27th International Balloon Festival. The largest in Canada, 115 hot-air balloons from Quebec, the U.S., France and Brazil will fly above the Haut-Richlieu. Catch a one-hour 6 a.m. flight or take an evening ride before catching live shows by Les Cowboys Fringants (9 p.m., August 20) and Akon (9 p.m., August 21).

Are we scared of heights? That’s just a load of hot air.

Now cue Nena.


Until August 22, flights from $160, reserve at 450-347-9555, www.ballooncanada.com

Does the thought of your daughter looking up to socialite panty flashers keep you up at night?

Creating an outlet for bright and funny females is web series Smart Girls at the Party. Hosted by Amy Poehler (of Saturday Night Live fame), the short webisodes are filmed with a wink towards Inside the Actors Studio, but instead of celebrities, you get intelligent females, like 7-year-old skateboarder and feminist Ruby.

This is Girl Power we can get behind.

Watch Smart Girls at the Party here.

What if Goldilocks went to the ball with the big bad wolf and Gretel shacked up with the three little pigs? 

Put a little twist in classic fairy tales with whimsical toys from Toronto design house Fidoodle, makers of original wooden puzzles, blocks, and interactive mobiles.

Our little one loves the quirky Cinderella puzzle whose pieces turn into stick puppets for endless hours of imagination and play.

Plus they’re made in Canada with all-natural materials.

Now that’s what we call happily ever after.

www.fidoodle.com

Not only has the mother of two been traipsing around premiers in ultra minis and sky-high shoes, but Gwyneth Paltrow has also found time to launch her own website, GOOP.

Billed as a “collection of experiences,” Gwyneth spills on her favorite tuna sandwhich recipe, best jeans (Grey Ant), and London hot spots. From philosophy (Deepak Chopra) to Philosophy (beauty products) it's like walking a mile in Gwyneth's lace-up booties as she dishes tips on how to find a little black dress, or whip up a perfect batch of buckwheat pancakes.

But nowhere does it mention how to survive on sashimi or if she really is the one in the house who gets to clean up the goop….

www.goop.com

If the word ‘psychic’ invokes images of JoJo Savard and 1-900 numbers then you haven’t met Julie Cusmariu.

This certified life coach, psychic expert and Six Sensory Practitioner helps people get inspired by getting in touch with their intuitive side. With professional clients all over the world, sessions can take place by phone or in person.

While Cusmariu won’t predict the future, she will “empower people to do what’s in their heart.” Our own 45-minute session started with some deep breathing exercises followed by a soothing discussion about our stuck-in-a-rut conundrums. Did she read our mind? Not exactly, but we emerged mellow, clear-headed and ready to tackle the world.

Sessions range from $75-$200, 514-849-5761,www.juliecusmariu.com

Still don’t know your cha cha from your rumba? Neither do we, so we’re signing up for a few lessons.

Founded by Moris and Sonia and, the city’s King and Queen of dance, the Montreal Salsa Convention is five days of performances and workshops by some of the best dancers from around the world.

Nobody puts this Baby in a corner.

Workshops from $109, Montreal Salsa Convention, April 16-20, 2008, Metropolis & Sheraton Center Hotel, www.montrealsalsaconvention.com