In many hip 'hoods, it's easier to buy a crystal-studded chihuahua collar than a sippy cup.

New boutique Saf & Benjamin, opened by a Vancouver mom frustrated by the lack of baby and kid goods available in her Yaletown neighbourhood, stocks a fantastic—and practical—selection of Tawna Hill natural skin care products and pieces from Canadian lines, like Mini Mioche hoodies, Escargot cowboy shirts and 3 Sprouts storage bins and wall organizers.

See, there's room for the four-legged and two-legged babies... just try not to stare when you spot a poodle in a pram.

Shop the new online boutique or in-store: Saf & Benjamin, 1081 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver, www.safandbenjamin.com

It takes serious effort to achieve the effortless Gwyneth Paltrow-esque style, and mixing high and low pieces requires a sense of balance that we’re sorely lacking.

At newly opened Editorial Boutique, simple chic shines through from the sleek all-white décor to the carefully selected separates, ranging from in-right-now to investment. We found hard-to-find pieces including Levi’s Made & Crafted jeans ($237), a butter-soft Brandy Melville oversized top ($59), a whimsical heart tee by Laugh Cry Repeat ($76) and edgy jewellery from Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow 1960 line.

And with assistance in fashion fusion from the seriously stylish staff, you’ll be out-GOOPing even Gwynnie.

Editorial Boutique, 1455 Stanley St., Montreal, 514-849-3888, www.editorialboutique.com

Before summer slips away, make a picnic in the park and do it en style.

Outremont boutique 1101 Laurier carries a massive selection of chic European brands. We made a rainbow connection with Guzzini’s two-toned '50s style Vintage collection of serving bowls ($29), glasses ($5), pitchers ($27) and ice keepers ($39) in radiant pinks, yellows, blues and oranges.  We also loved the lime green Bodum Fyrkat Picnic Charcoal Grill ($59.95, pictured) and rolls of detachable cotton napkins in purple and lipstick red from My Drap (from $29).

At this rate no one will notice the ants.

1101 Laurier Avenue W., Outremont, 514-276-0473, www.1101laurier.com

The owners of Trusst call their new space “a platform for creative evolution.”

The room itself is a De Stijl-inspired work of art with concrete walls, metal piping and black floating staircase. More fashion gallery than clothing boutique, it showcases emerging talent like recent Central St. Martin’s grad Derek Lawlor, whose cashmere cord dress ($5,000) would look apropos on Lady Gaga, or hanging on a wall. We also loved co-owner Melissa Matos’ gold Powerhaus necklace with magnifying glass and Dane Richard’s outrageous frock fringed with real human hair.

Is that creative?  Trusst us it is.

Trusst, 6341 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-805-0755, www.trusstclub.com

In an era of throwaway fashion it’s good to have something solid to hold on to.

Pearls Before Swine is handcrafted jewellery that creator Himo Martin calls “heirloom pieces.”  For his custom collection of black heart pendants and rings cast from wisdom teeth, Martin buys bricks of gold and silver that he melts down and hand-casts into mini link necklaces ($549), clutching wing pendants ($1399) and cluster chains ($499) that can be manipulated at whim. Add imperfect Akoya pearls and you’ve got soulful pieces you’ll want to pass down to the grandkids.

In the meantime, wear your weight well.

At Reborn, 231 St. Paul Street W., Suite 100, Montreal, 514-499-8549, www.reborn.ws

We do enjoy adorning ourselves in colourful baubles, but heavy statement pieces rather weigh us down.

Instead, we’re lightening our look (and our lobes) with Bijougraphie’s hand-painted wood-based jewellery from Montreal designer Mercedes La Rosa. For a fun, daytime pick-me-up, we love the pink scalloped Dearest Algy earrings ($45) and for soirées, the purple and gold Laureates Only brass chain pendant ($35) is positively perfect.

Now we can strut around light as a feathered peacock.

At Lola and Emily, 3475 St-Laurent, Montreal, 514-288-7598, www.lolaandemily.com

There’s nothing worse than debuting a new outfit, only to discover stray threads and loose buttons.

You’ll suffer no such wardrobe malfunctions in duds from boutique Les Étoffes. Stocked by the fussiest of owners, each piece has been carefully selected to stand the test of time, style, and laundry. Here you’ll find edgy cult lines like L.A.-based Grey Ant and Sweden’s Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair.

For fall we’re going gentleman-chic in classic brown oxfords ($295) and cuffed wool pants ($325) by Rachel Comey paired with a girly black satin ruffled tank ($125) from Rodebjer.

Les Étoffes, 5253 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-544-5500.

Do you believe in love at first sight? We were won over in spades after a visit to JoshuaDAVID.

This coquettish new boutique is owned by two former Holt Renfrew staffers and filled with stylish stock. You’ll find stunning pieces like a pretty high-collared silk blouse from Alix K. ($165), crisp raw denim from Jean Shop ($325) and a few carefully chosen vintage pieces like a navy crepe Chanel bustier with gold buttons ($975) and a 1980s YSL cropped blazer with a white collar and cuffs ($950).

We fell hardest for the store’s signature tailored white shirt with French cuffs ($185) and the boys’ stylish service: free alterations for up to one year after purchase, and if you’re burning the candle at both ends, they’ll open the shop after hours. Now that’s what we call love.

JoshuaDAVID, 4926 Rue Sherbrooke St. W., Westmount, www.joshuadavid.ca

You do your best to eat local, so why not extend this to design, too?

The owners of Jamais Assez celebrate the work of Quebec industrial designers by inviting them to create a small series of products to showcase  in their Mile End boutique.

Striking our fancy is Michel Swift’s yellow-and-grey bookshelf ($1300, pictured) purpose-built for travel trinkets and National Geographic magazines, a darling cardboard cat playhouse ($29.95) from UQAM design grads, and fanciful, hand-painted enamel bicycle bells ($23.95) by Plateau-based dringdring. 

There, you’ve officially embarked on the 100-mile design diet.

Jamais Assez, 5155 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-509-3709, www.jamaisassez.com

With big brand stores lined up in predictable order, the downtown-shopping scene can get rather humdrum.

So we rejoice when a hot new boutique emerges on the retail landscape. Behold, Tiger of Sweden has opened its first North American location en centre-ville. Known for Hugo Boss-style elegance, Tiger is a great spot for classic suit jackets (we recommend the Boyfriend Cut) and fitted white shirts ($159). The famed blue jeans ($225) are soft and flattering, while the strapless sundresses ($299) are a solution for summer sojourns.

We don’t want to lure you away from the mall forever, but we have to say: it’s grrr-eat.

Tiger of Sweden, 1130 de Maisonneuve W., 514-798-8821, www.tigerofsweden.com