Vitamin Daily

This week’s C2-MTL isn’t just another (ho hum) business conference.

In fact, with a speaker list that includes the likes of Bobbi Brown, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Branson, Elle MacPherson and Philippe Starck, it’s quite the opposite.

Besides A-list conferences, Sid Lee has concocted a variety of experiences for attendees, ranging from art exhibits and a pop-up shop to workshops and guest appearances by Opéra de Montréal, Cirque du Soleil and more.

The only downside is that day passes start at a whopping $1,650. On the upside? Nothing is quite as priceless as networking opportunities and a full dose of inspiration. —Christine Laroche

May 21-23 at l’Arsenal, 2020 William St., Montreal, www.c2mtl.com

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 Main has a new watering hole, and it’ll quench more than just our thirst.

Open in what was once Cafeteria (corner St-Laurent and Prince Arthur), Suwu caters to our wildest late-night cravings with its comfort food inspired menu. If truffle oil popcorn ($5), grilled cheese mac ‘n cheese ($8) or veal meatball tacos ($14) – whipped up by a team with a Toqué background, no less -- won’t hit the spot at 2 a.m., we don’t know what will.

With its stylish yet laid-back and playful vibe – we’re looking at you, vintage pinball machine! – Suwu has successfully lured us back to lower St-Laurent.

Long live the Main! —Christine Laroche

3571 St-Laurent Boul., Montreal, http://suwumontreal.com

Yes, Zurich's clean, organized and easy to get around – but there's plenty of creativity to go around, too. Try these stops on your next visit to Switzerland's financial capital.

pack

Switzerland ain't cheap, so why pay for bottled water? Make sure to bring a purse-size bottle to refill in one of the city's more than 1,200 stylish fountains featuring the city's very drinkable water. (The exception? Any fountains marked with the sign "kein trinkwasser", which we in fact never spotted.)

eat

To the Swiss, fondue's a winter food, but we say tourists get to break the rules. Head to Le Dézaley to get your fix and sample other local specialities like rösti (potato pancakes), spätli (dumplings) and Vaudois sausage.

shop

Look for souvenirs with class at Schweizer Heimatwerk, which sells its selection of high-quality goods – think jewellery, home decor items and kids' wooden toys – both in the old town and at the airport. Off the beaten path, head to West Zurich's Viadukt shopping centre, a reclaimed area nestled in the arches of a working 19th-century rail viaduct, for more offbeat retailers; around the corner, stop by Frau Gerolds Garten to browse through several cute clothing boutiques.

drink

Thursday evenings, take a 90-minute city tour in a classic tram complete with wine or champagne and snacks on the Apéritif Tram, which makes its way past some of the city's top sights. The rest of the week, head up early to beat the crowds to the Jules Verne bar with its panoramic views of the cityscape.

discover

Pick up a 24- or 72-hour Zürich Card for unlimited access to the city's beyond-amazing transit system – that means trams, trains, buses, boats and even the cable car – plus free access to most museums and discounted city tours. Don't miss a guided walk around the historic and well-preserved Old Town.

—Kat Tancock

There are yoga passports and coffee passports but – ding, ding, ding! – we’ve found a winner: The spa passport.

Passport 3B ($150) offers one admission to each of the area’s top relaxation spots: Soak in the sunshine on the deck of Old Montreal’s Bota Bota; get your zen on with a floating session at the Plateau’s Bathroom and make it a day trip to Bromont’s idyllic Balnéa.

Bonjour, bliss. —Christine Laroche

www.balnea.ca/passeport3b/

Veuve Clicquot has selected Montreal as the home of the first-ever Yelloweek.

Until Sunday, the city will take on the colours of the chic champers brand with a variety of events in the worlds of gastronomy (think champagne pairings at Ryu, L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel and more, from $75), fashion (the show, curated by Lolitta Dandoy, is at Birks tonight) and more.

Here’s to a week of fantastic food, fab fêtes and – best of all! – bubbles for all! —Christine Laroche

http://semaineyelloweek.com

Breaking: A faux glow can be gorgeous and organic.

Before stopping into Éternité Laser et Esthétique for a VitaTanz application (from $69), we thought that self-tanners delivered streaky orange results and were chock full of chemicals, too.

After testing the product on our own gams, we know that nothing can be further from the truth. The organic, sugar-based formula dries quickly, looks natural, leaves skin silky smooth and thanks to the pro application, is completely even and streak free.

We're golden. —Christine Laroche

1220 Bernard Ave., #16, Montreal, 514-271-5524, www.facebook.com/Clinique.eternite

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!

As lovely as flowers and brunch can be, we’re getting a little bit cheeky and giving mom a taste of her own medicine this Mother’s Day – in the best possible way.

She said… "Take a bath"

Get her… Dr. Hauschka’s all-new body washes ($22.95 each at Spa Dr. Hauschka, 1444 Sherbrooke St. W.) are as soothing as they are moisturizing and, well, addictive.

She said… "You have to crawl before you walk"

Get her… An amazing pair of studded loafers ($325) from cult fashion favourite La Canadienne. That's one hot mama! 

She said… "Eat your veggies"

Get her… The Vitamix Professional Series 750 blender (about $800 at Williams Sonoma), a.k.a a cult classic blender which blends up greens like nobody’s business.

—Christine Laroche