As lovers of all things minimalist, we have a thing for Céline. Bad news: it’s not exactly affordable or readily available. Good news: Roots has us seeing double!

Can you guess which is which is the Capri sandal by Roots ($128) and which is the hard-to-find flat thong sandal by Céline (around $500)? Both are premium leather, both are thongs, both have ankle straps and both are summer must-haves. Okay, we’ll tell you: Roots is on the left. The Capri sandal’s contoured sole in molded cork may have won us over, regardless of the price. That, and being patriotic Canadians and all.

I see France, I see Canada. —AG

Online at www.roots.com

Cher couldn’t turn back time, so what makes us think we can?

Dermalogica’s new Age Reversal Eye Complex, that’s what. The cream combats puffiness, dark circles and, with a touch of Retinol, crow’s feet too. Smooth as silk and speedily absorbed, a little dab will do ya.

While we’re going back to the future, we’d like the long, shiny locks we had when we were 10.

$105 (15mL) at Shifeon, 1156 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-688-3291, www.shifeon.com

When you can’t go to the Dead Sea, let the Dead Sea come to you.

Lavan, a new line of bath and body care products made in Israel, has opened its very first outpost in Vancouver. Located near the chaotic corner of Granville and Robson, the storefront is a little oasis of calm (and creams, all hypoallergenic and paraben-free).

Head straight to the fountain at the centre of the shop and sample the Wet Salt Scrub. After a quick rub and wash, your tough, dry winter skin will have never felt softer.

And that’s a promised land of sorts.

Lavan, 840 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-568-8807, www.lavanlavan.ca

The award for most agonizing item to shop for goes to the swimsuit, but in close second comes jeans.

If you identify, you’ll be riveted by Levi’s new Curve ID line. Focused on shape rather than size, the brand studied the bodies of 60,000 women, charting the difference between hip and seat measurements, to create three styles that account for 80 per cent of the female population. There’s Slight Curve for the straight-silhouetted who find waists too tight, Bold Curve for the hourglass girl who suffers from waist gape and Demi Curve for those in between.

Sans tears and gnashing of teeth, we got fitted in-store and found a skinny and straight style (there’s also bootcut) that looked sexy and felt comfy as all get-up.

Bye bye denim-shopping blues.

$79.50-$98 at Levi’s, 1068 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-331-9960, www.levi.ca

Uggs were created for surfers and Crocs for spa goers, but we all know that nothing (not even style) stops a comfortable shoe from breaking out of its mold. Good news is the mold just got a lot cooler.

Vancouver-based Native Shoes are made of lightweight EVA plastic, so they’re perfect for the boat or beach, but resemble some of our favourite street shoes, making them more fashionable than their step-fathers. Similar in silhouette to lace-less Keds, Converse and Wallabees, the three styles have the added bonus of being odour resistant and antimicrobial, which means they won’t stink up your day bag.

They also do kids sizes, so your tyke can follow in your stylish footsteps.

$59.99 At El Kartel, 121-A 1025 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-683-2171, www.elkartel.com

www.nativeshoes.com

We wouldn’t mind walking a mile in Audrey Hepburn’s shoes. The closest we get is slipping our foot into Ferragamo.

For the month of February, the Salvatore Ferragamo shop on Robson Street will feature its limited edition Creations collection of iconic bag and shoe designs from the archives. Only available in a handful of cities around the world, the handmade collection features footwear originally made for more famous feet, like Judy Garland’s platform sandal circa 1938 (pictured) and Marilyn Monroe’s go-to stiletto created in 1959. To boot, the label’s collaboration with Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto also makes its Canadian debut at the store this month.

Yohji brogues and Sophia Loren sling-backs in one stop? Are you ready boots? Start walking.

Salvatore Ferragamo, 918 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-669-4495, www.salvatoreferragamo.it

Now that the Richmond Olympic Oval is closed to public skating, we have to find somewhere else to show-off our triple salchow. Good thing the Robson Square rink has reopened.

After nine years without ice, it’s back in business and better than ever. There’s a third more space to skate and a stage at one end for live performances leading up to the games. It’s free for those who bring their own blades, or borrow a pair at the rental shop for $3. For your next date, we’d suggest an hour and a half of ice-time followed by a hot toddy to warm your body.

Robson Square rink (at Howe St.) open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Check out our spins, spills and toe pics on the Editors’ Diary.

Khakis only call to mind bad business casual? You haven’t seen what design darlings Alexander Wang and Vena Cava can do with a cut of chino.

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners have taken the iconic Gap pant and repurposed it into au courant jackets, jodhpurs and jumpers. From the urban-tribal pattern on Vena Cava’s sleeveless zip dress ($94, pictured) to the motorcycle detailing on Wang’s moto trench ($94), the collection is high style at a steal.

Available starting today at Gap, 1121 Robson St., Vancouver, 604-683-0906, www.gap.com

When trail walking on weekends or bombing around Rome on a rented moped it helps to be hands free. But who wants to be bogged down by a backpack?

The Roots Village Pack is the perfect take-along for day tripping. A streamlined shape fashioned in buttery soft Italian leather makes this waist bag a far cry from the heinous nylon fanny packs of yesteryear. The key to keeping it hip is exactly that—wear it slung low and off to one side.

In both bold brights ($118) and tried-and-true earth tones ($88), it fits the necessities: lip balm, keys, passport, travel map, maybe even a flask. Full of water, natch.

www.canada.roots.com

There was a big girl named Goldilocks.

She went for a walk on Robson Street.
Pretty soon, she came upon a store.
She went inside, and there on the table were three bars of Porridge soap.
This soap is too big, she said and went to the next one.
This soap is too little, she said and went to the next one.
Aaaah, she said, this soap is just right.
And she lived happily ever after.

Cut-to-order Porridge soap with oatmeal ($5.95 per 100 grams) is perfect for dry, sensitive summer skin. New today at Lush. For locations visit www.lush.com