We’ve never found babysitting to be much of a good time, but somehow Charlotte Brontë’s famous novel, Jane Eyre, made the life of a governess sound awfully romantic.

In the latest film version of the quintessential childhood reading-list tome, Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska plays the famously plain Jane while Michael Fassbender offers a crush-worthy performance as the damaged Mr. Rochester (Dylan McKay’s got nothing on him).

However, the real star of the film may be the breathtaking cinematography directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, whose vision of the stunningly somber British moors is as haunting as Rochester’s first bride.

Reader, imagine how messed up we were after watching The Sound of Music.

In theatres March 25, http://focusfeatures.com/jane_eyre

Socialites, love triangles and ghosts? No, this isn’t a cross between The Simple Life and Paranormal State (although, we like that idea).

Noel Coward’s play, Blithe Spirit, debuted in London’s West End in 1941 and was revived on Broadway just last year. The quintessentially English comedy has finally found its way to Montreal, playing at the Segal Theatre until December 2.

You’ll die laughing.

Tickets $34 Segal Centre, 5170 Cote Sainte Catherine St., Montréal, 514-739-2301.

Your youngster caught you watching a KISS documentary and now all he wants to do is wear black and white makeup and bang on a drum all day. To keep the peace, trade rock for blocks.

With ShapeMaker blocks and a little imagination, he can still build a replica of Gene Simmons’ painted face (or another wild thing from the animal kingdom). Designed by award-winning Miller Goodman, a UK twosome who creates kids products for the Tate, the 25 block set is made of environmentally friendly rubberwood and hand-printed with non-toxic paint.

Block on!

$112 at Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com and £29.95 at www.shhhop.com

We’ve never been keen on matchy matchy, but it’s hard to be down when the match is this divine.

British perfumer Jo Malone has teamed with luxury wallpaper brand Farrow & Ball to create a line of limited edition candles ($75). Each of the five scents pairs with a pretty paint colour to create visual and aromatic moods: Lime Basil Mandarin with Breakfast Room Green stirs up cool Caribbean breezes, while Pomegranate Noir and Eating Room Red evokes intrigue and mystery.

It might just be the greatest pairing of Britons since William and Kate.

At Celadon, 186 Peel St., Montreal, 514-789-1542, www.celadoncollection.com

Sure your baby daddy has traded in his vinyl collection for Raffi CDs and his skateboard for a diaper bag, but you can help him recapture a teensy bit of his twisted youth.

UK-based Twisted Twee has Father's Day presents sure to pass the test of cool dads everywhere. There's the dad and mini twin set made from 100 per cent organic cotton and shipped in a reusable  canvas bag ($60) and a Dad pillow case perfect for an afternoon snooze (because his sleeping in days are done!).

But if you ever catch him complaining about the good old days, show him your stretch marks.

www.twistedtwee.co.uk

When we heard that whimsical London socialite Fifi Lapin had a blog, we hopped right to it.

After all, Lapin is a uniquely stylish bunny and her list of runway must-haves and enviable wardrobe is a dangling closet carrot we love to chase. Plus, we just can’t resist the way she signs off all her posts with “bunny kisses.”

Most recently, Lapin teamed up with LeSportsac as its artist in residence to create a curious and playful collection, like this stylish compulsive shopper bag ($138, pictured).

She may be a silly little rabbit, but her shoe collection is to-die-for.

See more of Fifi at www.fifi-lapin.blogspot.com
Order LeSportsac online at www.lesportsac.com

‘Stylishness is elusive, yet everyone is innately stylish.’
—The Cheap Date Guide to Style

Nowhere is this truer than in Montreal, where following the latest trends note-for-note is definitely a fashion don’t.

We’re rediscovering our mojo with some help from the editors of England’s anti-fashion rag, Cheap Date. Filled with advice from off-beat beauties like Tracey Emin and Isabella Blow, we’re reminded that a thrift store jacket can be just as chic as Prada, mistakes are a must and one can never go wrong with a pair of jet-black tights, ballet flats, and a winning smile. 

Frigid January is a good time to remember that last point.

$18.87 at Amazon.ca.

Enough with the guide de voyages, who wants to follow the masses?  Instead, set off with a bespoke travel itinerary from Tonic Travel. They created this one just for us:

Escape the throngs and discover the quiet enclave of Marylebone Village tucked away off bustling Oxford Street.

sleep
Just minutes from the High Street, The Montagu Place Hotel is a charming 16-room townhouse whose rooms are classified as Casual, Fancy and Swanky. Opt for Swanky and pretend this is your London pied-a-terre. 2 Montagu Place, London, +44 207 467 2777, rooms from $350. www.montagu-place.co.uk

eat
The Providores is a long-standing local favourite. For casual tapas grab a seat on the lively main floor, but for a quieter meal of imaginative fusion head upstairs for their New Zealand Wagyu beef— and we can’t resist the toasted coconut panna cotta! 109 Marylebone High St., London, +44 207 935 617, www.theprovidores.co.uk

shop
We often find treasures at the Saturday Cabbages & Frocks market in the St. Marylebone. Don’t miss Daunt Books, the most inspiring bookstore in town—stop in to pick up a great travel tome for your next adventure.

see
The Wallace Collection is a gallery of 18th Century French art with famous works by Rembrandt and Delacroix. This personal collection is housed in the stunning townhouse used by Sir Wallace in the late 1800s. Admission is free so head upstairs to the Oval Drawing Room to see Fragonard’s “The Swing.” Manchester Square, London, +44 207 563 9500, www.wallacecollection.org

drink
Pop into the Golden Eagle for a pint and a Cornish pastie where the regulars will likely be singing old wartime tunes by the piano. 59 Marylebone Ln, London, +44 207 935 3228.

Tailored itineraries from $50 (half day), 3-day/from $255.
Tonic Travel, 1-877-879-0032, www.tonictravel.com

Trips to visit family across the pond have typically ended with a five-pound weight gain and a suitcase full of treats.

Since discovering that Mrs. Bridge’s British Bakery imports traditional English foods, our favorite treats are a mere mouse click away. We’re stocking up on scrummy nosh like chocolate Flakes ($1.59), McVities’s digestive cookies (from $3.55) and Rowntree fruit pastilles ($4.99). 

We admit this discovery hasn’t done much for our figure, but Sunday mornings of Eastenders and Hob Nobs and it’s just like being in Bucks County. 

Mrs. Bridge’s British Bakery, 416-661-8663, www.bestbritishfoods.com

November’s grey, rainy weather is no excuse to be a downer.

Take a cue from the English and brighten your spirits with a serving of bona fide pub grub at the Burgundy Lion. While we were tempted by old-school favourites like the Sunday Roast dinner ($20) and Bangers & Mash ($13), we ordered the Little Burgundy Fish & Chips ($16). We swooned over the crispy batter, the generous portions and the side order of mushy peas. It’s definitely worthy of a newspaper wrap.

Cheerio!

Burgundy Lion Pub, 2496 Notre Dame W., 514-934-0888, www.burgundylion.com