What do you know, another greige day. The best way to get some colour into your guy's wardrobe, we've learned, is to start from the bottom up. If he's already ventured into the coloured sock territory (the gateway drug of bright fashion) these Cole Haan kicks we spotted at the Harry Rosen Spring Style Preview are next in line. He may not be able to dance, but at least he'll have sole. www.harryrosen.com

This week, we turn our attention to the most controversial and divisive real housewife... fans seem to either love her (or want to leave her). Today, Jody tackels our Proust Questionnaire.

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
Their trust, love and support
 
Your chief characteristic?
For me, it’s the human connection-my ability to resonate with people!
 
And your chief fault?
Sensitive
 
On what occasion do you lie?
Haven't had the occasion........Never
 
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
That I ate the sperm, that turned into an egg, which blossomed into a soul who grew up to be Jody........staying alive!
 
Your motto:
Confidence is what I'm' wearing!  It’s the best accessory!
Also,  the most courageous act is still to think for yourself... out loud!

Aquarium After Hours: what a novel idea. Adults only, no kids to step on your toes, or savagely knock on the water tanks. Okay, it's not that I don't love the little rascals, but being at the Aquarium without them is an extraordinary experience. Grab some snacks, a nice glass of wine, and engage in the marine life with other adults -- so civilized! 

The always-photogenic jellyfish are obviously a crowd favourite, but the scary creatures from the current exhibit "The Secret World of Sharks and Rays" (on display until April 30) received a lot of attention -- not that I would like to meet any of these beasts without a sheet of glass between us.

The next After Hours event is Thursday, June 6, 2013, so pencil it in -- it's a great date night.

Last night we attended a special dinner at Gastown's HousexGuest (so pardon the late start - did we mention the dishes came with wine pairings?). Everything was delicious, but the Winter Salad had a table of 7 women going absolutely bananas, with more than one declaring it the best salad in the city. What exactly is a winter salad? Only the most delicious, fresh mix of mushrooms, beets, carrots, goat cheese, hazelnuts, lettuce and wild herbs.

The Duck with Foie Gras was indeed delightful, but the vegan at our table was served a cauliflower steak that had many of us considering going herbivore (at least for a night).

Sorry for the lack of photos, but a real meal means dimmed lights and we didn't want to ruin the ambiance with a pesky camera phone flash. A whole dinner with our phone safely tucked away in our purse - turns out we can be a good house guest, too.

HousexGuest, #20-332 Water St., Vancouver, www.housexguest.com

It was a sea of stilettos and sequins this week as Vancouver welcomed Alexis Maybank, co-founder of New York’s online sample sale mothership, Gilt Groupe. Hosted by the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, a packed ballroom (filled to the brim with red roses) at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel heard first-hand the secrets to her billion-dollar success story.

Our Editor-in-chief Sarah Bancroft sat down with Ms. Maybank pre-gala, to talk sample sales, stress-busters, and IPOs.

SB: I’m going to jump right in and talk about your book (By Invitation Only) which I enjoyed immensely. I did notice as a mother that your children are not a large part of the narrative of the book but I’m curious to know how motherhood has affected your career?

AM: I had my daughter in 2010 so that was about three years into the business’ history and we were much more evolved, we were probably 600 employees so a good time for me at least to take time out of the day-to-day. But for me, day in and day out, the concept of balance doesn’t exist. I think it’s a false concept that’s been put out there for women.

SB: I totally agree.

AM: In my case it’s all about compromises. Some days I’m a much better entrepreneur, executive, mother, and sister, whatever it may be. It’s much more a sense of putting priorities on the plate and realizing that you’re probably going to drop the ball in all the other areas. And I do. Each day I drop the ball in at least one of those areas and am realistic about it.

SB: In the book you definitely come across as a bold risk taker both personally and professionally. Is there anything that still scares you?

AM: I’m definitely the personality type who needs stress and pressure to perform well otherwise I’m in this comfortable place and I cant think straight. I think the things that scare me actually have to do more with parenthood and the care and upbringing and nourishment of my children more so than anything else. But that little fear of failure I think is what drives you. And business, if you have your own, you’re always looking over your shoulder and wondering what could crop up that you’re not anticipating. And as a business grows and scales especially at the hypergrowth clip that we’ve had, things are always going wrong and you have to stay nimble and adapt and be down to earth too to know that its never over and you’ve never won and it could all change overnight.

SB: On to lighter matters. Other than shopping, what is your biggest indulgence?

AM: I’m redecorating my home and I feel like that’s the biggest money pit on earth! (laughs) I moved in December so I guess that’s an indulgence but maybe a reluctant indulgence.

SB: Is there any theme to your redecorating style?

A: I love bringing glamour in to the home so any way that I can tie fashion in to the décor. So we have some fun Missoni fabrics we’re bringing in. But in general I like my environments to be very calm and soothing so think cool blues and grays.

SB: You reference in the book a fainting incident, a near choking incident…

AM: Those are all my co-founders!

SB: …and a voice-losing incident in Asia as signs that it was maybe time to step off the roller coaster for a little breather. What do you do now to decompress and relieve stress?

AM: Well every single one of my cofounders, at least four of the five, have hit the wall in a major way, which just comes with the territory when you are sprinting to get a business up and running, wearing five hats, it just happens and you have to remember it’s a sustained marathon and where you can, take times out, out of the office, times unplugged. It has the added benefit of allowing you to take a step back and gain a broader perspective and really know where to focus and where to not spend as much energy. So that’s what I do, I make sure that I take vacation and that I take a day unplugged.

SB: So a day per week unplugged?

AM: No, maybe a day every three or four weeks totally unplugged. I think it’s more important to take a week or two off which for Americans is very hard to do (laughs).

SB: I heard someone speak at a conference for start-ups and he said some days things get so crazy the best thing you could ever do is just organize the supply closet. You know what I mean? (laughs) Sometimes you just need to keep walking around the block.

AM: You need to find your mind-soothing activities.          

SM: Exactly. So whether it’s the New York Times crossword puzzle or organizing the closet, you need to take yourself out of the space.

AM: Or watching Downton Abbey for five hours (laughing) Whatever it might be.

SB: In the book you talk about the Zac Posen sale, and De La Renta sale, as seminal moments. Are there any brands still out there that are the ultimate get for Gilt?

AM: The only two that we will probably, sadly, never be able to feature on the site are Chanel and Dior. They only sell in their storefronts.

SB: Your book ends with you talking about your Facebook store but it feels like there is a chapter missing, like there is some unfinished business there so I’m wondering what that chapter is or will be?

AM: Perhaps some day we file and organize to go public, perhaps something else happens to us in the future. We’re only two years into parenthood. My co-founder Alexandra is having a baby the week after this one so there’s a lot still for us to cover. Most of the book focuses on the period of hyper growth and then there are the  past two years in which we’ve really kind of buckled down and looked at our infrastructure and gotten a better sense of what’s working and not working, I call it our ‘awkward teenage years.’ As you pass from a start-up who’s grown by leaps and bounds you fix up a lot of stuff before you become a mature adult. Those are chapters all still to be written.

Last week we chatted with audience favorite Mary Zilba, and today, it's new cast member Amanda who has agreed to take our Proust Questionnaire. Read it exclusive interview below:

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
Loyalty.
 
Your chief characteristic? Your chief fault?
Chief characteristic: Honesty
Chief fault: Honesty
 
On what occasion do you lie?
I think I lie when I know that telling the truth is not going to make a difference.
 
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children.  The other thing is my Kombucha company, which I’m hoping will soon be another great achievement, Mother Fern Kombucha, which I’ve been developing over the last year.
 
Your motto:
‘I’d rather look back at my life and say “I can’t believe I did that” instead of saying “I wish I did that.”

Break out the pinot, our guilty pleasure is back! The Real Housewives of Vancouver are taking over our Tuesday night - and our office (we took an extra long lunch to enjoy the screener around our boardroom table).

There are many misconceptions about the housewives: that all they do is drink and party and fight and buy expensive things. Did we say misconceptions? (And by misconceptions we mean reasons we are addicted to watching them.)

But we're taking a more cerebral approach, asking the ladies to answer questions from the Proust Questionnaire. Because what goes together better than a Real Housewife and a 19th century French novelist?

Without further ado, Mary Zilba (and check in every Tuesday for a new questionnaire with a new housewife).

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
Loyalty respect and mutual support


Your chief characteristic?
Kindness


Your chief fault?
I have difficulty saying no.


On what occasion do you lie?
I don't endorse lying on any occasion. When in doubt tell the truth. But I don't like to hurt someone.


What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children

Mission: two adults, two kids, two mountains.

A family of four with skill levels from extreme beginner (Charlotte, age 3) to expert (that would be Dad) skis Whistler/Blackcomb together.

Would it be family fun or would all end in tears?

Enrolled in Whistler Kids ski school by 9 am, we wave goodbye to little Charlotte, in skis for the first time ever. Her instructor straps a GPS over her tiny pink ski suit and off she goes up the gondola. It feels like the first day of Kindergarten. Seven-year-old Emmanuelle, who’s skied a handful of times, heads up with the bigger kids.

Dad and I split up mid-mountain, with he heading over to Blackcomb on the Peak to Peak gondola to ski with hotshot friends, and me sticking with my ski instructor, Max, to refresh my rusty turns on Whistler.

On the chairlift, Max and I chat fashion faux pas (one-piece ski outfits, fanny packs) and even spot Olympic ski-cross Gold medallist Ashleigh McIveor whiz by in her (very fashionable) hot pink jacket.

With Max’s tips and good humour, I find my legs after a couple of runs and improve both in speed and technique.

The day couldn’t have been more gorgeous (as Dad keeps phoning me to point out!), and by noon we work up enough appetite to head over to the Chick Pea for a family-friendly lunch of Moroccan stew and naan bread.

Next, I join a group to tour the brand new kids terrain on Whistler: The Enchanted Forest is a pretty trail that gives you the feeling of skiing out of bounds without actually crossing the ropes.

The School Yard is a new terrain park for would-be Shaun Whites of the under-10 variety, while the Tree Fort is a fun climbing structure with tube slides. Good luck getting their skis back on, though.

After a full day on the slopes, the four of us reunite at Whistler Kids to hear about Charlotte’s “pizza” skiing and Emmanuelle’s first jump. Then we hightail to Happy Hour at the Pan Pacific Village Centre (hot tub, hot chocolate, cold Viognier) all on the house for guests.

Mission? Accomplished!

—Sarah Bancroft

The other night I had the opportunity to see John Frieda’s Canadian Creative Consultant Alain Larivee at the beautiful Shangri-La Xi Shi Lounge for some tips for fine hair! Lucky me, because my hair is as fine as it gets. One time I actually spent 45 min curling my hair, only to find it straighten out in the first 10 minutes of being out. You can imagine my excitement when someone was telling me they had a solution for this fine hair of mine that I called a disaster.
 

Alain introduced some great luxurious volume products from John Frieda – one of them being a fine to full blow-out spray. You can use it on dry hair, as it is activated by the heat of the blow dryer to create a flexible, lightweight look. It allows you to have the salon look without spending a fortune. Just spray, and blow.

If you’re like me, you don’t like using a lot of product on your hair. The luxurious volume line from John Frieda gives you great hair without having to use a massive amount of hairspray – to the point where your hair is as crispy as your lunch fries.

Check out all their products here.

For years, we've watched  Anna & Kristina shop, cook and experiment on their three popular TV shows (The Shopping Bags, Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bags, Anna & Kristina's Beauty Call).

With their trademark relatability, humour and easy-going nature (no catfights or hair pulling here!), they've earned the love of a lot of women around the globe - us included. We were thrilled to have them share their favourites restaurants in Canada, from Vancouver to St. John's. 

Vancouver:

La Buca - Tucked away in the quiet Vancouver neighbourhood of Arbutus Ridge, this tiny restaurant is always packed and the food always mouth-watering.  Chef Andre Durbak serves up hearty Italian cuisine, full of bold flavours and rich sauces. Try the papardelle with a ragu of sausage, mushrooms and truffles or the roast heritage chicken. This is comfort food meets fine dining. 4025 MacDonald St., Vancouver, 604-730-6988, http://www.labuca.ca

Bacchus Lounge - The perfect place to let a rainy afternoon or evening slip away, this dark panelled and velvet room is like a warm hug.  It also serves up some of the best pizza in the city, with a super thin crust and a few, high quality toppings.  We love the Fungi (mushrooms and goat cheese) and the Rustica (pepperoni).Try to snag a table by the cozy fireplace. Bacchus remains a Vancouver institution and you'll find us here on a regular
basis! 845 Hornby St., Vancouver, 604-689-7777, www.wedgewoodhotel.com

Toronto:

Patria - This Spanish tapas hot spot is probably our favourite restaurant in the country right now. Tucked away on King West it's a fun place to go for a night out with pals. Great decor. The drunken goat cheese and fresh sardines are two to-die-for dishes. We recommend throwing caution to the wind and allowing your server to choose your menu.  You won't be disappointed.  Be sure to pop in to Weslodge next door for drinks afterwards. 478 King St. W., Toronto, 416-367-0505, http://patriatoronto.com

Calgary:

Model Milk - casual, bustling and original, Calgary was dying for an eatery like this one.  Popular with the hipsters the fare is yummy, plentiful and doesn't try too hard.  Perfect if you're in the mood for a burger or fish tacos. 308 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-265-7343, www.modelmilk.ca

St. John's:

Raymond's Restaurant - Chef Jeremy Charles is considered one of Canada's rising culinary stars. His restaurant, located in an old bank building downtown, serves modern Newfoundland cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients like moose and cod. We were fortunate to attend a gala dinner there and both the food and the presentation were outstanding. 95 Water St., St. John's, 709-579-5800, www.raymondsrestaurant.com

Trinity, Newfoundland:

Two Whales Coffee Shop - While we were shooting in the small, picturesque town of Trinity this summer, we found the best coffee and lunch items at this quaint, laid back coffee shop. Try one of their delicious daily soups or sandwiches made with homemade bread. There is also a substantial dessert selection, some of it even gluten free. Main St., Port Rexton, www.facebook.com

See more on all things Anna and Kristina at www.annaandkristina.com