Vitamin Daily

Opened by former Le Pistou staffers, Lustucru bistro is the latest foodie stop on the Parc Avenue strip.

We love the open kitchen where you can watch chef Iannick Lessard prepares plates of tartar and charcuterie using ingredients from local agro producers. Choose a few appies (from $4) like beef tartar with lemon confit or horsemeat tataki with peach salsa before moving into delectable deli spreads (from $5) of black pudding with rhubarb chutney and rabbit rillettes with pistachio. 

Throw in '70s-style leather banquettes and a bottle of French Syrah and even the staunchest of vegetarians might start rethinking things.

5159 Parc Ave., Montreal, 514-439-6701, www.bistrolustucru.com

You don't wear "mom jeans," so why should your brood?

The new kids and babies version of Gap's 1969 Premium Denim jeans are just like yours with dark washes, distressed grey denim, skinny styles and zipper ankles, all with adjustable waistbands so you don't have to worry about them flashing too much bum.

Good jeans run in the family, obviously.

From $29.50 at GapKids and BabyGap across Canada, www.gapcanada.ca

Not many Niagara vintages make it to Quebec, so we head west to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This twee town on the banks of Lake Ontario is steeped in history and swimming in wine.

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Set in a former cannery the cozy Pillar and Post is the perfect wine-country hideaway with exposed brick walls, giant skylights and terracotta floors. The summer Duos Package includes overnight stay, bottle of local wine, chocolate-dipped strawberries, vineyard tasting, tours and breakfast (from $120/pp until August 31). Pillar and Post, 48 John St. W., 905-468-2123, www.vintage-hotels.com/pillarandpost

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Try a flight of wines at herbicide-free Lailey Vineyard. We loved the citrusy 2008 Riesling, while the Queen herself sipped glasses of 2007 Canadian Oak Pinot Noir ($35/bottle). If it’s good enough for Her Majesty, it’s good enough for us. Lailey Vineyard, 15940 Niagara Parkway, 905-468-0503, www.laileyvineyard.com

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Too many sips of Cab Franc? Book in for a refreshing Bamboo and Wine Scrub ($85) at the Pillar and Post’s 13,000 square foot 100 Fountain Spa. After your skin has been soothed and smoothed with locally harvested grape seeds, take a dip in the outdoor hot springs and dream of wineries yet to be conquered. 100 Fountain Spa, Pillar and Post, 48 John St. W., 1-888-669-5566, www.vintage-hotels.com/pillarandpost/spa.htm

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Stop and smell the flowers at a Neob Lavender Boutique. Take a tour of the fields and see how they distill Rose Geranium, Lemongrass, French and English Lavenders into sweet smelling essential oils ($5.50), pillow sprays and shampoo ($15). 758 Niagara Stone Rd., 905-682-0171, www.neobboutique.com

Maybe it’s the heat but we’ve missed those MTV misfits.

While waiting for Jersey Shore to hit Miami revisit favorite moments from Season One ($13.99 on iTunes). Get fashion tips from J-Woww, see Snooki’s self-defense moves, and learn the fine art of creeping from The Situation. And if that isn’t enough to feed your fix, the Jersey Shore Soundtrack ($9.99 on iTunes) features singles by Enrique Iglesias, Ludacris and Pauly D himself.

Just don’t forget to switch over to Mad Men when your pals come calling or you’ll become a social grenade.

Jersey Shore Season 2 premieres July 29 (7 p.m. PDT/10 p.m. EDT) on MTV Canada, www.mtv.ca

We love French cookware company Le Creuset because its cast iron wares are indestructible and oh-so-pretty.

It boasts over 70 cool colours like Elysee yellow, Cherry red and its just-launched Cassis, a regal shade of purple that’s right on point with fall fashion. Collect the entire enameled set including the Round French Oven (from $255) and Iron Handle Skillet ($175), or mix and match with classic hues like Kiwi or Dijon.

Now our kitchen will be aflame with colour (as opposed to actual flames, we hope).

At Arthur Quentin, 3960 St-Denis St., Montreal, 514-843-7513, www.arthurquentin.com

Aveda’s new series of foot treatments have made us hot to trot.

During our 90-minute Signature Pedicure ($85) our toes were slathered in gel then wrapped in hot towels to soften calluses. After being washed with Rosemary Mint cleanser, legs and feet were exfoliated with cooling salts (to boost circulation), slathered in a warm mask (to banish odor), massaged with hot stones and finished with Jojoba cream. After a lovely coat of Essie's Palmetto polish, we were sent off with a prescription for home care and spring in our step.

Our hands are green with envy.

At Aveda Montreal, 3613 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, 514-499-9494, www.avedamontreal-lifestyle.com; Spa Crystal, 293 Blvd. Labelle, Rosemere, 450-419-4841; and Calme Spa, 79 Ste-Anne St., Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, 514-674-1384, www.calme.ca

Frisbee, swimming or volleyball? None of the above, thanks. Our summer pastime du choix is people watching.

Westmount’s Wellhouse bistro is our new playing field for pretty people and good grub. Throw on some lip gloss, plant yourself under a patio umbrella and order spicy breaded calamari ($8) or hearty wild mushroom fettuccine ($16). Wash it down with a pint of locally brewed Bierbrier ($7) or a glass of St-Emilion Grand Cru from the restaurant’s Enomatic wine dispenser and that cutie on the corner will go from Z. Galifianakis to Z. Efron in the bat of an eyelash.

Score.

Wellhouse, 4858 Sherbrooke Street W., Westmount, 514-482-2167, www.wellhouse.ca

Sliced bread, sugar free gum, nannies-on-call: all great ideas for moms.

Add to the list these brightly coloured silicone baking cups that can be used over and over, and washed in the dishwasher.

And best of all, no eating paper.

$3.47/6 at Nood in B.C. and Alberta or online at www.nooddesign.ca

Le Maître Chocolatier’s Nada Fares compares her creations to a “little black Chanel dress.”

So luxe are her dark chocolates that Bombardier stocks them on its private jets. Handmade from premier cru cacao they come in scrumptious flavors ($2.25 each) like white chocolate with real organic lemon, caramel with fleur de sel (based on a recipe from grandmama) and ‘Mon Petit Quebecoise,' a blend of peanuts, praline and Maldon Sea Salt. Upstairs you’ll find a cozy salon where Hotel St-James sends guests for high tea served in bone china with freshly baked scones and mini-macarons ($32 per person). 

Classy and classic, just like la robe.

Le Maître Chocolatier, 1612 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-544-9475, www.lemaitrechocolatier.ca

Fashion in the food court? Yes indeed.

Gearing up for its 50th anniversary, Place Ville Marie has launched a retrospective celebrating our city’s schmata past. Grouped by decade from 1850 to today, Montréal and Fashion: So Many Years, So Much to Show features massive images of stylish Expo 67 hostesses, iconic Gazette fashion editor Iona Monahan, a display of vintage bras (including the first push-up!) and a stunning fur-trimmed aubergine robe by designer Michel Desjardins.

Pad Thai on a tray has never tasted so chic.

Until October 29, Place Ville Marie, McGill College and Mansfield St., Montreal, 514-861-9393, www.placevillemarie.com