Vitamin Daily

Cheap chocolate is one thing, but what if the Easter Bunny left something lighter for your little egg-hunter?

Like, say, a White Rabbit of England lamp. Made in Britain of bone china, this little creature’s friendly shape would make for a very hoppy Easter. And the glow it casts would make for very peaceful nights.

It’s perfect for somebunny special. —Kelsey Dundon

$120 at Leuie.com

While the “world’s greatest freakshow” still entices tourists to Venice Beach, we prefer to explore the the spots where laid back cool belies some serious sophistication.  What’s the heart of Venice Beach these days?  The action has shifted to Rose Avenue, a few blocks over, where rents are cheaper, the stores more eclectic and you can breathe in the potential of a neighbourhood that is about to become the new “it.”  Get there before the others do.

stay

333 ½ Rose Avenue, an eco-luxe vacation rental remodelled by a local architect, is spacious and private, and close enough to the beach, restaurants and shops.  Park the car, rent a cruiser bike, a.k.a. Venice’s de-facto wheels and you will slip into local mode instantly. www.vacationrentals.com

eat

Oscar’s Cerveteca (pictured) is the neighbourhood joint for all occasions, but brunch is a standout with wild salmon tacos that arrive in steaming tortillas; beer battered waffles with caramelized peaches and applewood bacon; and (for those with lighter tastes,) a tasty breakfast salad with greens, avocado and grapefruit. 523 Rose Ave. Venice, CA,  www.cervetecala.com

Located in the Archstone, a new Platinum Leed Certified building that cemented Rose Avenue’s gentrification, Café Gratitude’s Venice outpost features the San Francisco-based organic, vegan chain’s signature juices, elixirs, smoothies and delicious southwest inspired vegan cuisine that will entice you no matter what your eating preferences may be.  The raw desserts are exceptional. 512 Rose Ave., Venice, CA, www.cafegratitudevenice.com

sip
Over at Moon Juice (pictured), try the Goodness Greens for a morning boost and a pure ginger shot with raw honey if you need some more immune boosting zing for your California Glow at this cold-pressed organic juice bar flocked by cleansing devotees. 507 Rose Ave., Venice, CA, www.moonjuiceshop.com

Venice Beach Wines is where you go for your post sunset glass of prosecco, or perhaps a crisp Belgian ale.  The tiny patio is also perfect for a post dinner conversation over a bottle of that hard to find zinfandel from Mendocino.  Venice Beach Wines, 529 Rose Ave. www.venicebeachwines.com

Yes, Rose Avenue also has the requisite artsy coffee/ breakfast hangout.  That would be Flake.  Come for the coffee, stay for the decadent Acai bowls with heapings of fresh fruit and granola.   513 Rose Ave., Venice, CA,  www.veniceflake.com

shop

Eclectic lifestyle store The Golden State pays a nostalgia-meets-today homage to Southern California culture.  Browse one of a kind art prints by local artists, find a vintage inspired one-piece by cult swimwear lines Salt or Cali Dreaming, and pick up a hand thrown platter by Venice’s own potters Luna Garcia. 564 Rose Ave., Venice, CA, www.thegoldenstatestore.com

Founded by a botanist who views plants as the ultimate art, the Big Red Sun is a dreamy emporium filled with things you will want both inside and outside your “perfect” home.  It also moonlights as a setting for invite-only pop up dinners.  Leaf through a coffee table book on design diva Vera; covet a vintage French linen upholstered armchair; or lose yourself in the inviting garden out back. If you stay long enough, you may snag an invite to dinner. 560 Rose Ave. Venice, CA, www.bigredsun.com

—Insiya Rasiwala-Finn

For the travel set, there is nothing more exciting than planning your next adventure.

A perpetual explorer, Calgary photographer Lori Andrews inspires you to go forth and wander in her newly published photo book, I'll Wait Here. Andrews takes both self-portraiture and nature photography to the next level due to the lengths she will go for the perfect snapshot. Climbing mountains, traipsing through fields and camping in tipis - she goes the distance to evoke that special feeling of wanderlust.

A girl and her camera…and the world. —Kait Kucy

www.blurb.ca

In celebration of the first day of spring, we’re leaving the doldrums of winter black for a world of colour, colour, colour. Only this year we’re bypassing wishy-washy pastels in favour of shades that really pop. Care to join us?

It’s not spring until you’ve snapped up a flirty silk dress, or two. This one, ($198) covered in vivid blooms, is as pretty as they come. At www.anthropologie.com

 
Nothing beats bare, sun-kissed legs, but for now, stockings ($36) in bright colours and bold prints will more than do. At http://robberstore.wordpress.com

And for even more colour (can you take it?), add a jolt of fiery orange or cobalt blue with digital printed scarf ($300) from Juma. At http://jumastudio.com

In the spirit of Dries van Noten, we’re definitely up for these multi-hued pumps ($79) from high street fave, Zara. At www.zara.com

Send it over the edge, with nails in watermelon pink ($10) and a catflick in Yves Klein blue.

—Athena Tsavliris

The first Babor Beauty Spa is now open in Mission just minutes from the Elbow River.

Bringing European luxury straight to the face, for over 50 years Babor has been known as an innovative and results-achieving skin care line. Treat yourself to a 60 minute High Skin Refiner Lifting Facial to tone and lift; the beautiful and creamy products will leave your skin feeling refreshed and smooth.

And if we dare say so, a decade younger. —Kait Kucy

Babor Beauty Spa, 25, 2500 4 Street SW, Calgary, 403-474-7213, www.baborbeautyspacalgary.com

Weekly pub night is making a comeback thanks to the new Roosevelt Food & Drinks.

Brought to you by the same folks at 80th & Ivy down the street, this updated space brings a bit of sophistication to your night out. Its Spanish Ham pizza topped with arugala and pecorino ($15) is a great dish to split with your date. Pair that with the Pin-up Girl cocktail ($12) or one of their yummy nutella milkshakes ($7).  

Did someone say mini donuts for dessert? Yes, we did! —Kait Kucy

Roosevelt Food & Drinks, 933 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-719-9330, www.rooseveltcalgary.com

Zara.com's Canadian launch sure had the bloggers buzzing, but what got us chirping was the cool kids selection.

With spring just around the corner (and last year's tops showing a bit too much belly), we're determined to ease the morning tutu struggle with pieces that look look as good on a 3-year-old as they would on her mother.

Stocked with a wearable selection of on-trend but not-too-precious clothes, this Vertical Stripe Dress ($45.90) and the navy Bermuda shorts ($35.90) are the perfect touch of Gallic for our 7-year-old, while the 3-year-old will be splish-splashing around in this striped suit ($17.90) that just screams "French Riviera!"  

Ordering was easy, delivery was fast and free - now if only registering for pre-school were so easy….

www.zara.com

What better way to show your Celtic pride than with a bit of green, the official Pantone colour of the year.

We'll be writing down our deep, dark secrets (aka laser hair removal appointments) in this Moleskine notebook: $17 at Chapters.ca

This Newberry Flat from Splendid is technically clover, but with a shoe this pretty, let's not split hues.  $98 at Splendid.com

But we won't mind a few chilly spring days… it will give us an excuse to wear this smart J. Crew wool-blend coat. $325 at Net-a-Porter.com

This Want Less Essentiels De La Vie tote is green in more ways than one - it's made with organic cotton. $175 at Ssense.com

And a set of chic diamond cluster and emerald earrings from Birks will have us doing a happy jig. $8,800 at Birks.ca

That'll make 'em Pantone 17-5641 with envy.

Canadian contemporary art has found a state-of-the-art new home.

Challenging minds and provoking cultural conversation, the Esker Foundation is a non-profit gallery featuring innovative and exciting temporary exhibitions. An ever-changing landscape of mixed media works, workshops and tours, the Esker is an ideal spot to rekindle creativity and inspiration. The key to visiting? Being open to discovering new and often experimental Canadian artists.

We're feeling art smart already. —Kait Kucy

Esker Foundation, 1011 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-930-2490, www.eskerfoundation.com

While our skin has been getting the benefits of rich BB crème, our dry ends have been calling out in jealous envy.

Pantene's newly launched Ultimate 10 BB Crème ($7.99) is a bona fide hair care regimen in a bottle. Designed to be used in either wet or dry locks, this luxe cream smooths and transforms them into shiny, heat protected and frizz-free tresses.

We're officially having a hair affair. —Kait Kucy

$7.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.