Vitamin Daily

You can trust the bags from a company that’s been making them for over 100 years, but risk a certain stuffiness.

Not so for Brooks England — they make beautiful leather goods that work with our lives, right now.

And since right now is Bike to Work Week, we thought we’d tell you about the Eton bike bag ($530). Made from saddle leather, the design is a century old, but its shape looks quite modern. Featuring backpack straps and a handle to carry like a briefcase, you can stuff this bag with your laptop and change of clothes, and still cycle to the office in style.

We're hardly too posh to pedal. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Find a range of Brooks England bike bags at Walrus 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, walrushome.com  or Rowan Sky, 334 W. Cordova St  Vancouver, 604-568-2075, rowansky.com

As we breeze into summer temps, it's time to trade in cold weather creams and salves for a beauty regime that reflects the season.

Argan oil is fabulous at bringing back luster to winter-damaged skin and hair. Buy it pure, and lather it on from top to tail. From $17.89 at www.noahsnaturalfoods.ca

Trust Bumble and bumble's surf foam wash shampoo and rinse for beachy hair all the time. From $24 each at www.bumbleandbumble.com

Obsessive Compulsive's lip tars have super staying power and will stick to your lips all day long, even in a heat wave. From $18 at Sephora.ca

Give your talons a break from dark lacquers and intricate nail art, and try a nude with attitude. Deborah Lippmann Careless Whisper is our pick. From $15 at select retailers.

When booking an appointment with our esthetician is tougher than securing a spot with our doctor, we know that summer is here.

Another surefire sign that bikini season has begun is when one itty-bitty Brazilian leaves our skin red and irritated (the exact opposite of the smooth skin we were hoping for).

Thankfully, there’s a quick fix: A generous layer of Bubs & Bits ($29.95) by Aussie brand Dr Roebuck’s. The soothing cream creates a protective barrier that soothes, hydrates and helps prevent ingrowns.

Skimpy bottoms, here we come. —Christine Laroche

$29.95 at Murale, www.murale.com

Planning a family holiday with lots of day trips? Here are three packable items that allow you to be prepared, without the bulk.

Hershel’s new Packables range allows you to travel with a variety of bag options. Featuring a duffle, daypack, or tote that all fit into a small pouch, you can whip them out before a day of sightseeing, or at the airport when you’ve stocked up on wine from the duty free. From $9.99 at Herschel.

If you prefer packing your own meals on holiday, Lunchskins are the perfect companion. The reusable snack bags mean you can travel light, but with the equivalent of 20 tupperwares. They can hold fruit, sandwiches, or treats, and are easy to rinse out in a hotel room. From $8.49 at Rasberry Kids.

The nostalgic Claude Klassic K-Way is a reminder of when we were kids and proudly wore our parka tucked into a little bag around our waist. Featuring a variety of prints and a size range from 12 months to teens, this is an absolute must-have when you are out and about anywhere that might greet you with a downpour (Vancouver, ahem!) $54 at K-Way. http://k-way.ca

—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

The spectacle of summer, (with a killer Jay-Z produced soundtrack to match), The Great Gatsby is Baz Luhrman’s technicolor take on the classic American novel. Herewith, our favourite Roaring Twenties-inspired pieces.

Summer weddings will be awash in head pieces, we predict. Make sure to pair with loose pin curled hair and a convertible roadster. $281 on Etsy.

The Twenties also marked the rise of the painted face: smokey eyes, rosy cheeks and bold brows and upper lips were all the rage. MAC's Veluxe Brow Liner ($23), the sophisticated Dame blush ($25) and palette of bright shadows like Contrast (purplish blue) and Humid (dark green with shimmer) will have you looking very Daisy Buchanan.

For a touch of jazz, the sparkly Ireland clutch ($35) and T-strap Elva heels ($90) from Aldo fit for a night out on the town.

Drop waists aren't for everyone and tassels don’t work at the office, but these 18K rose gold, diamond and white agate earrings feel classic, but never go out of style. $2,250 at Birks.

He may not have Leo’s matinee idol face, but even the dude-iest of boys would look dapper in this Pink Strip Linen Jacket ($698) from Brooks Brothers’ The Great Gatsby Collection.

For brooding by a big picture window overlooking your estate, slip into this silk, bias-cut gown Long Luxe Gown ($310) from Vancouver's own Christine Lingerie. At Holt Renfrew in the fall.

Prohibition is history, but long live forbidden cocktails! We’ll be serving up Southsides (gin, lime, mint and simple syrup) in this sophisticated Lady Diamond Pitcher ($49). For total authenticity, consult this Vintage Cocktails book ($50). Both at The Cross Décor and Design.

Room service, fresh sheets and a lobby bar - what's not to love about hotels?

And while we use them for travel and the occasional watering hole, hotels are about much more than thread count. Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life, the expansive new exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery, explores the value and impact of hotels in culture, tourism, architecture and art.

The show is a mix of mediums and full of fascinating pop-culture stories (Katherine Hepburn being tossed out of the Claridge's lobby for wearing pants) and curious historical facts (like Pan-Am Airlines founding InterContinental Hotels to expand influence in South America). The hotel as a creative hub is explored in depth, with photos and works of writers, poets, musicians and filmmakers who've made spots like the Chelsea in New York City and the Chateau Marmont in LA infamous to this day. 

Also inside the exhibit is a stellar Ace Hotel pop-up shop. Part exhibit, part boutique, many of the custom items with Grand Hotel/Ace branding are for sale, including post cards (People Come and Go / Nothing Ever Happens, a line from the exhibit's inspiration, 1932 film Grand Hotel, $1.50), Tees and leather hold-alls.

Time to check in.

Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life on now at the Vancouver Art Gallery, www.vanartgallery.bc.ca

See more photos from the exhibit on our Editors' Diary.

(Photo by Rachel Topham for Vancouver Art Gallery)

Move over BB, we’re into CC now.

We admit that to anyone but beauty enthusiasts, this sentence must sound like gibberish, but long-time readers will know that we love a product that multitasks. Short for ‘Complexion Corrector,’ the Almay CC Cream is packed with complexion improving ingredients, while conveniently providing coverage with one product. Unlike its predecessor BB, CC can be thought of as more of a skincare product, rather than a makeup one. Almay’s brand new Smart Shade CC Cream does the trick without having to spend a fortune on multiple products.

Wear alone for a light summer cover up nad you've got this season's minimal trend covered. —Anya Georgijevic

$16.95 at London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Come summertime, heavy undergarments belong buried deep in our underwear drawers. A breezier alternative hails all the way from Denmark.

BASE (Basic Aesthetic for Sustainable Easywear) Range lingerie is made with lightweight organic bamboo fabric. Basic is the keyword here—no frills, no unnecessary embellishment—just simple silhouettes that fit. We love the highwaisted panty ($28) for its vintage granny-like style, and the triangle bra ($48) is sure to not overwhelm under all those skimpy summer tank tops.

Basic does it. —Anya Georgijevic

Available at One of a Few, 354 Water St., Vancouver, 604-605-0685, www.oneofafew.com

Kate Middleton may have done her own makeup for her big day, but we think some things are better left to the professionals.

The wedding season is about to begin and whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest (hey, you’ll still be photographed), perfect makeup is a must. For my own recent very important event (um, the Prince concert!), I enlisted The Salon Beauty Bar’s Mobile Makeup service to give me a look that would stand out in the crowd. My laziness worked in my favour: Mobile Makeup’s artists beautify you in the comfort of your own home, so no need to run around town with a half-melted summer face. And did Prince notice me? I’m pretty sure I saw him throw a little glance in my direction. —Anya Georgijevic

From $150, The Salon Beauty Bar, 505 Thurlow St., 604-682-4645, www.thesalonbeautybar.com

We secretly think there's only one thing moms want for Mother's Day - more hours in the day. And we would definitely spend part of that time reading these stellar Canadian parenting blogs.

With a tagline like “Not potty trained. Not trying” the Honest Toddler makes our kids look like angels. This Canadian toddler’s reflections on life makes us want to both laugh and cry. “Funny how after 10 p.m. asking for a sip of water is on the same level as attempted murder.” Indeed.

Sweet Potato Chronicles is a blog about family food, created by a pair of ex-FASHION magazine staffers, Ceri Marsh and Laura Keogh. Expect healthy recipes that are designed for modern families (read: quick and uncomplicated), information about food trends, and lots of cookbook giveaways. 

Mama. Papa. Bubba: It’s a love/hate (OK, envy) thing with “Mama” Jen Kossowan because she seems to have a talent for preparing extraordinarily healthy, fun food and activities for her “bubba” Gracen. We still can't figure out how she manages to get that much kale into her daughter, but we're hooked on the great crafts and recipes.

Regressive Parenting describes itself as a blog about “Detachment parenting in an attachment age” and is one of the most honest parenting sites we’ve found to date. Penned by two mothers who share a love of wine, they remind us about the realities of having kids and dole out real advice like “Stay away from the Babycenter.com message boards.”  Sadly, the blog is not updated regularly but you’ll find some gems on Twitter @RegressiveMama: Have you met kids? They are not for everyone.

The Thirties Grind: Melissa Carr is best known for her Absurd Vancouver Properties of the Week, but as a mom, she also covers a lot of parenting issues. Expect some debate in the comments section as she tackles issues like childhood allergies or childcare, and her The REAL Real Housewives of Vancouver profiles local women that bear little resemblance to the ones in the show (and have a lot less plastic surgery).

Reasons Mommy Drinks is recently back from a book writing hiatus (expect a launch this fall.) An exploration of the reasons why parents resort to alcohol, this blog not only provides hilarious articles lamenting things like the thousands of dollars we spend on baby carrying devices (carriers, strollers, and car seats) but also provides recipes for cocktails to get us through each day. And we smile at the reminders that all parents make mistakes: “The Park: she forgot to pack your hat, which according to The Unspoken Rules of Parenting is the equivalent of leaving you outside naked in a snowstorm."

Happy Mother's Day from the VitaminDaily.com team!