A springtime pilgrimage is in order…

Eat
With no reservations and great prices, you may wait for two hours for a seat at the new-ish SPQR, but sidle up to the bar for house-made pastas with deceivingly simple sauces. 1911 Fillmore St., San Francisco, 415-771-7779, www.spqrsf.com

Shop
The Blues Jean Bar can set you up with some skinnies or, our new fave, the bleached-out slouchy boyfriend cut for summer. 1827 Union St., San Francisco, 415-346-4280 www.thebluesjeanbar.com

Drink
The Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building is the ultimate perch to sip afternoon bubbles over a plate of fresh California Kumamotos ($30 a dozen) and red romaine salad garnished with white anchiovies from Spain. 1 Ferry Building 11A, San Francisco, www.hogislandoysters.com

Stay
Hotel Vitale could not be better situated with harbour views and the amazing Ferry Building (and its Saturday/Tuesday Farmers Market) across the street. The open-air restaurant patio can get scene-y, but sometimes a scene is fun. www.hotelvitale.com

To see more San Fran tips, visit our editors' diary. 

In honour of Earth Day we’ve air-dried our hair, hand washed our silks, plucked pink tulips from our pesticide-free cutting garden and made a French press of Ethical Bean coffee.

We’re feeling so virtuous, we figured we’d reward ourselves with a little something else that’s green.

In a manner of speaking, of course.

When I’m looking for some of the hottest local designers and artisans, Shop Cocoon is where I head.

I can’t live without my Dru’s Design jackets—I just couldn’t get one, I had to get two! The cropped houndstooth and plaid jacket with a neck that cowls beautifully with one button works perfectly with spring’s favourite flats.

And to complement any outfit, jewellery from Janae Chiu’s spring line is a must…I’d wear the Veronica necklace with everything….even if she wasn’t my sister!

Shop Cocoon, 3345 Cambie St., 778-232-8532, www.shopcocoon.com

If you’re looking for a glamorous shirt for a night out with the girls or a pair of jeans to lounge in, my favourite one-stop shop in the city is Plenty.

In-house brands Propaganda and Thirty3 are staples I can’t live without, but it’s the new house line Monk and Lou that I’ve fallen in love with.

A higher end line, it’s got quality fabrics and cuts but price tags that won’t break the bank. And as with every new love, you can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Plenty, 4 locations, for maps and more visit www.getplenty.com

Who doesn’t love the supple leather goods of Montreal’s M0851 (formerly known as Rugby)?

And now it has opened a Vancouver store where West Coast girls can get in on the action.

The slouchy-chic bags from its Knot Collection (from $365) are perfect to sling over a shift dress this spring and the handles can be tied at the length you choose.
Men’s parka-style olive rain jackets ($350) roll up for travel and are nice enough to wear with a suit, and the lime green leather passport holders ($75) have room to stash cash and boarding passes.

Sounds like a weekend jaunt to San Fran is in order….

1035 Alberni St., Vancouver, 604-688-9575 and 3526 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal, 514-849-9759, www.m0851.com

Now that the US dollar is at par, Seattle is looking closer and closer. 

Shop

Cost Plus World Market has the best deals on wine especially Bonnie Doon’s Big House Red ($8.99), Liberty School Cabernet ($10.99 versus $22.99) and the delicious Smoking Loon Pinot Noir is a steal at  $6.99 ($16.99 here). 2103 Western Ave., 206-443-1055, www.worldmarket.com

Gawk

The new Ornamo design store off Pioneer Square stocks modern clocks and bookcases from England’s Established & Sons and massive cable knit rugs worth thousands.  301 Occidental Ave., Seattle, 206-859-6492, www.ornamo.com

Sleep

Hotel 1000, the city’s first condo-hotel hybrid, is a high-tech boutique property where the cars are parked by elevator, the chamber maids do not disturb (rooms are equipped with body heat sensors), and your temperature preferences are recorded for your next stay. Plus there’s a spa, a lounge and happening restaurant to ensure your trip is less business and more pleasure.  1000 W. First Ave., Seattle, www.hotel1000.com

For more Seattle pics and picks, see our new Editors' Diary.

Why wait for spring? We like Paris anytime.

stay

For an affordable room steps from the Seine, we suggest Hotel Esmerelda. A listed monument, this 17th-century building is a little lopsided but oozes charm. Unfortunately there is no elevator, but the higher you go the better the views of the Notre Dame. From CDN$140/night, 4 rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, 5th, metro St-Michel +33 1 4354 1920.

shop

Romantic, ethereal and edgy, Moon Younghee is one of our favourite designers working in Paris. She only makes one of each piece and the shop is next to the atelier so you can pop next door to try on your clothes and see the patterns being cut. 62, Rue Charlot, +33 1 48 04 39 78.

eat

For the most decadent patisserie in Paris head to Ladurée. The orange flower macaroons coupled with thé Marie Antoinette (a blend of citrus, rose and jasmine) is hard to resist. www.laduree.fr

do

Rising above the rooflines of the royal palace, Sainte Chapelle is one of the most exquisite churches in the world. On a sunny day, the colours of the floor-to-ceiling stained glass will take your breath away. http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

Head off the tourist track for a day in the waterfront plantation town of Paia, Maui, where we found a laid-back vibe, healthy food and the best shopping on the island.

Shop

Imrie

The Imrie sisters have their other shop in the Hamptons and sell a mix of high-end and cheap-and-cheerful resort wear (like ABS dresses) and great leather bags that will look great back home too. 71 Baldwin Ave., Paia, Maui, 808-579-8303, view photos here.

Tamara Catz

This local designer once sold at major US department stores but now only the select few can access her handmade dresses, bikinis and sandals. Her new wedding collection is perfect for impromptu beach nuptuals! 83 Hana Highway, Paia, Maui, 808-579-9184, www.tamaracatz.com

Nuage Bleu

Bright-coloured dresses, sterling silver shell jewellery, an adorable kids section and hand-made leather clutches had us back twice for more. 76 Hana Highway, Paia, Maui, 808-579-9792, www.nuagebleu.com

Lilikoi

If your regular beauty products aren’t working in the tropics, find gorgeous scents and cosmetics from top cult brands like Nature Girl here. 18 Baldwin Ave., 808-579-6055, www.lilikoibeauty.com

Eat

Café Des Amis

French crêpes with Indian mango lassis are the pre-surf breakfast of choice at this hippie-chic eatery. 21 Lane Pl., Paia Maui, 808-871-7833.

Do

Surf at Paia Bay, or relax on the beach and watch the pros.

Stay

Every condo has an ocean view at this well-priced, centrally located, off-the-radar gem in Kihei filled with folks from San Fran, Calgary and Vancouver. http://www.kiheisurfside.com/

Spend a decadent long-weekend in lower Manhattan without ever venturing northward. Petula Clark was right: things really are better downtown.

sleep

The Meatpacking District’s Hotel Gansevoort is 187-rooms of urban-minimalist chic. We love the custom-designed stainless steel sinks and nine-foot ceilings. Be sure to ask for a river-view corner suite with balcony so you can watch the nightlife unfold below. Rooms from US$395. Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Ave., New York, 212-206-6700, www.hotelgansevoort.com

sip, swim & spa

Swim a lap or two in the Gansevoort’s heated rooftop pool followed by a skyline massage in your own private cabana with a 360-degree view (US$180-$250). Then, head downstairs for a Fiji Water Pedicure (US$65) at the hotel spa-by-day, lounge-bar-by-night.

G Spa & Lounge, 212-660-6733.

eat

Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter’s hotspot The Waverly Inn harks back to the days of speakeasies and secret knocks. Tuck into an organic meal by the fireplace and pretend not to notice Sean Lennon and Uma Thurman sitting at the next table. The Waverly doesn't have a phone so you’ll have to show up in person and hope you pass inspection.

The Waverly Inn & Garden, 16 Bank St., New York

shop

Jeffrey New York is died-and-gone-to-fashionista heaven. This chic mini-department store carries clothes, shoes and accessories from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Prada and Helmut Lang. We spotted Famke Janssen perusing the sale rack.

Jeffrey New York, 449 W. 14th St., New York, 212-206-1272, www.jeffreynewyork.com

do

Find out where Julianne Moore, Jimmy Fallon and Robert De Niro spend their New York minutes. Nycvisit.com offers local dining, walking and shopping tips from your favorite New Yorkers.

If Alexander McQueen is the Enfant Terrible of the fashion world and Quentin Tarantino the Enfant Terrible of film, your tot can be the Enfant Terrible of the playground with super-chic toys and clothes from Canadian website www.enfantterribleshop.com.

From Tokyo trendy to Bolivian boho, here are our top 5 picks:

An super-sleek felted wool baby swing ($196)

Soft knitted alphabet blocks ($158)

Father and Son slippers ($75/$49)

Cashmere cable knit grampa cardigans ($117)

A soft baby globe knitted in Bolivia ($134)

Now that’s one baaaad baby!
www.enfantterribleshop.com