Vitamin Daily

Meg and Jack ooze cool, so when they toured our every province and territory, we felt hip by association.

Shot on 16mm in the summer of 2007, White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights follows the non-siblings from coast to coast on a series of planned and impromptu concerts. They jam with elders in Iqaluit, sing with commuters on a Winnipeg city bus and perform at a bowling alley in Saskatoon.

We’re red, white and cool.

Tickets from $8, 9 p.m. on March 11 at Cinéma du Parc, 3575 Parc Avenue, Montreal, 514-281-1900, www.cinemaduparc.com
Limited Edition Box Set ($259.99) available March 16 at www.whitestripes.com

After four days of runway shows, here are our top five picks from Montreal Fashion Week:

Among all the woolens and leathers, Coccolily’s SMM debut was a refreshing romp. Models literally strutted down the walk in sexy stockings and tulle-skirted frocks.

Denis Gagnon’s fantastic fringe and zippered pieces have already sold out at Holt Renfrew so we’ll have to settle for a Bedo T-shirt featuring his bespeckled visage.

Harricana par Mariouche unveiled a peppy skiwear collaboration with Chlorophylle. But our favorite piece of the night was a vintage lace and recycled fur-trimmed frock. Slope-side nuptials? I do.

Can’t decide if you're grunge, glam or rock n roll? The Barilà sisters say a lady can work all three. We adored the duo’s electric-blue sequins on blazers and leggings.

Joseph Helmer has been working the patchwork for years and finally his stunning frocks fit the zeitgeist. The multicolored evening gown will surely earn us a bold-faced name at the upcoming Daffodil Ball.

Mark Darcy held Bridget’s wobbly bits in high regard, but we’re ready to throw ours off the edge of reason.

We got help with our own unsightly inches at the Institut de Beauté Lorraine Termetz. Its VelaShape treatment uses cellulite-busting technology with rolling sensors to break up fat cells, infrared heat to melt away liquid fat, and bipolar radio frequency to filter toxins on your hips, thighs, buttocks or tummy. After eight pain-free sessions ($190 each) we’d lost a mighty three centimeters off our midsection.

V. good! We’re officially tossing the granny pants.

Institut de Beauté Lorraine Termetz, 4489 Fabre Street, Montreal, 514-523-8346, www.institutdebeautelorrainetermetz.com

To get us through the last leg of winter we need food, friends and firewater.

With its giant windows, cozy vibe and sinfully high-carb menu, we’ve found salvation at Le Chien Fumant. Do start with a fabulous French 75 cocktail ($8), made from brandy, sparkling wine, sugar and lemon. We dove into a bowl of spicy-sweet New Dynasty Calamari ($15) before savouring a basket of Southern Fried Rabbit ($31) that put the colonel to shame. 

And with the menu changing every few days, a few regular visits will take us right through to summer sun. 

Le Chien Fumant, 4710 rue de Lanaudière, Montreal, 514-524-2444.

If an apple of day keeps the doctor away, we've got an MD in Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips.

Grown and manufactured in B.C., these tasty apple chips  are completely natural—and addictive. They make a perfect afternoon snack or post-dinner sweet treat.

Apples for dessert? Aren't you clever now.

Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips, $3.99 (or 2 bags/$5 on sale now) at Whole Foods, www.wholefoods.com

The flight’s late, your nerves are rattled and you’re positively parched.

For trying travel and long layovers we’re turning to the Canadian Beer Lover’s Airport Guide. Compiled by Cheapflights.ca, it lists locally produced brews at terminals from coast to coast. Sip a crisp Okanagan Spring 1516 at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel, savour Blanche de Chambly pale ale at YUL’s Marriott Bijou Bar, Bellegeule at Quebec City’s Aéroport Jean-Lesage or Alpine Lager at Moncton International.

At this rate, we might switch to a later flight.  Bottoms up!

www.cheapflights.ca

It’s no quilted chain bag, but we’ll take it.

Just in time to flash some spring skin, the house of Chanel has launched a line of temporary tattoos ($75/55 tattoos) designed by Creative Director Peter Philips.  The Trompe l’Oeil skin art includes classic Chanel symbols like chains, pearls, wheat, tiny swallows and interlocking c’s that can be applied around the neck, wrist, ankle or leg.

Now that’s making a fashion statement.

Available March 15 at Chanel, Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, 514-842-7318, www.holtrenfrew.com

When it comes to fashion, we’re merry minimalists. 

But after seeing Charlotte Hosten’s exquisite line of neckpieces, we’re rethinking our mandate. Sculpted from silk remnants, vintage jewellery and semi-precious stones, each handmade piece is like a fine work of art.The Deauville collar ($240) made with glass beads, Swarovski crystal and a man’s cotton shirt looks splendid paired with jeans and a basic tee. 

For something special, bring her your grandmother’s costume brooch and she’ll customize a creation (from $300) like this one using family tartan and a gold antique pocket watch.

Our neck will never look naked again.

At Nee.Nah, 1228 Greene Ave., Westmount, 514-931-6358, www.neenah.ca and JoshuaDAVID, 4926 Sherbooke Street W., Westmount, 514-788-4436, www.joshuadavid.ca

Want glowing skin to match your glowing heart?

You'll scrub up well with Maple Sugar Body Scrub from Bella Pella ($19.95). Montreal-made and chemical-free, each batch is made from pure syrup blended with brown sugar, coconut oil and shea butter. It sloughed our winter-worn skin, leaving it silky soft and smelling like a sugar shack.

Now we're true north strong and sweet.

Bella Pella, 1201-A Mont-Royal St. E., Montreal, 514-904-1074, Montreal, www.bellapella.com

Now that Taverne Square Dominion has introduced lunch service, we’re enjoying something other than day-old sushi on a plastic tray.

With its sweeping bar, provincial crests and original terrazzo floor, this former men’s-only tavern has been restored to its 1920s glory. After perusing the gastro-pub menu (French Canadian meets traditional British), we dove into the Ploughman’s lunch of duck, ham, pig’s head terrine, crusty bread and cheese. 

Before sweetening your afternoon with a pint of beer and Sticky Toffee Pudding, do call the office from the bar top rotary phone and let them know you’ll need another hour.

Taverne Square Dominion, 1243 Metcalfe St., Montreal, 514 564-5056, www.tavernedominion.com