Vitamin Daily

Mummy might think fancy frocks and cashmere booties are a waste, but what are aunties and godmothers good for, if not to spoil the little one rotten?

At Advice from a Caterpillar, you’ll find the most irresistible gifts, from delicate antique christening gowns ($90-$250) to the Baby Barolo organic cotton and down duvet papoose (pictured right, $320).


Owner Emily Dyer suggests the pleated coat from Le Vestiaire de Jeanne ($390) or the lovely wool joggers from L'Esprit de Luna ($75). Her favourite godchild gift is the illuminating animal globe ($135) or the ride on leather hippo ($220).

Now, if only our fairy godmother were as generous.

Advice from a Caterpillar, 8 Price St., Toronto, 416-960-2223, www.advicefromacaterpillar.ca

If the gamine Carey Mulligan, in town for TIFF, should want to add to her quirky wardrobe, we suggest a visit to new fashion boutique, Rac.

The brainchild of Glenna Weddle and Faith Orfus, Rac boasts an interesting roster of indie brands from United Bamboo to Ravishing Mad.

If we were shopping with Ms. Mulligan, we’d nudge her towards a playful Peter Jensen top ($180), a fringed dove grey YMC sweater ($210) or one of Vivienne Westwood’s tartan taffeta dresses ($750).

And us, we’ll take one of Lindsey Thornburg’s fabulous cloaks ($1,200) any day.

Rac, 124 Cumberland St., Toronto, 647-352-4433, http://racboutique.com

Just in time for back-to-school, we've compiled a list of our favourite words and catchphrases—this round is sure to make Oxford's next edition.

Eat Pray Loved (v.): The act of leaving one's spouse to embark on an Oprah-approved journey of self-enlightment (may include an independence party, book club and ashram)
Usage: Did you hear about Sally and Paul? She eat, pray, loved him!

Tweethearts (n.): Couples who are infatuated with each other over Twitter but whose relationship would never exist in real life.
Usage: I hope my boyfriend doesn’t mind that I’m spending all weekend flirting with my tweetheart.

The jardigan (n.): When a jacket and cardigan meet—surely more staying power than jeggings?
Usage: If his jardigan weren’t cashmere I wouldn’t have taken it. But I just can’t resist good Scottish cashmere.

Bagacitis (n.): A reoccurring inflammation of the shoulder and upper arm area as a result of carrying a heavy handbag.
Usage: Just the thought of the It Bag being back in style has made my bagacitis flare up.

For more Vitamin Daily coinage, click here.

Sure she’s daddy’s little girl, but it’s your closet that Little Miss Dress Up raids come playtime.

Spare the Loeffler Randall sandals, but spoil her inner Rachel Zoe, with Dace Paper Dolls. A collaboration with Philadelphia fashion illustrator Dallas Shaw, the doll and the fall 2010 Dace fashions to dress it with are a free download. The first look featuring a knit dress, ankle booties and a billowy jacket is now online, and more will follow in the next couple of months.

Suddenly saying “cut that out” sounds so obliging.

www.dace.ca

If spag bog is a weekly staple in your kitchen, it’s time to let loose and get saucy.

After all, Italy’s staple food deserves more than a basic ragu.

At Scorcia, in the York Mills area, you’ll find a selection of pasta sauces (from $8) that would impress even the pickiest of nonnas. And for an Italian dinner that’ll knock your Tod’s off, don’t miss out on the antipasti, flavoured oils and aged balsamic vinegars.

One bite, and you’ll feel like you died and went to Rome.

Scorcia, 3421 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-787-8426, www.scorcia.ca

A new consignment store in the heart of Rosedale is like shopping in your wealthy girlfriend’s closet.

Haute Classics touts designer frocks, shoes, bags and baubles handpicked by fashion-savvy friends, Stella Kim and Jina Han.

Our last visit left us lusting after a pair of pink suede diamante studded Diors ($550), an adorable black leather Betsey Johnson bag with bow buckle ($75) and an embroidered vintage Valentino skirt ($120).

Now, how do we go about making Kim and Han our BFFs?

Haute Classics, 946 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-922-7900, http://hauteclassics.com/

You know that friend who always has the perfect twist to her scarf, the to-die-for bag and the most recherchez thrift store finds? She just set up shop in Toronto.

In 2009 Breanna Musgrove left her post as an Aritzia Creative Director, packed her things and moved to Puerto Vallarta with her BF.  Between Spanish lessons and trips to Sayulita, she launched Scout & Catalogue, a gorgeous collection of handmade bags, scarves and accessories, inspired by Mexico’s boho vibe. 

Now settled in Toronto, she has added new lines to the mix. We love the super-soft leather Market Day Bucket Bag (US$134) for fall.

And for covetable vintage finds, peruse the Scout & Catalogue Yard Sale, which is packed with secondhand gems that Musgrove has lovingly restored.

Scout & Catalogue: www.etsy.com/shop/scoutandcatalogue

Yard Sale: www.etsy.com/shop/scoutandcatalogueys

The late, great cosmetics queen Anita Roddick once said that "there is nothing on God's planet, not one thing, that will take away 30 years of arguing with your husband and 40 years of environmental abuse. Anything that says it can magically take away your wrinkles is a scandalous lie."

Indeed, we’re all skeptical about little tubes of cream with big claims, especially one that promises younger looking skin in just 40 seconds. Scoff if you will (we did), but Nanoblur (US$19) lives up to its claim.

Wear this advanced optical cream under your usual makeup and see how a smooth, matte finish takes hold of your face. Pores, pimples and fine lines soften and your skin becomes instantly luminous.

The effect won’t last forever, just long enough for you to sparkle through a day.

And sometimes, that’s all a girl really needs.

www.indeedlabs.com

If your bloke’s got swagger, there may be a few bow ties hanging in his closet already.

Up the ante on his collection with a stunning York Wu bow tie handmade with couture grade leather, silk or chiffon.

York, an interdisciplinary designer who spends his time between New York and Toronto, told the New York Times style magazine recently that he wants his Noeud Papillon ties to be the equivalent of a Lanvin dress,  “structured and strong on the inside, elegant and effortless on the outside.”

This is one gift you’ll want to steal.

Price upon request: www.wuyork.com

The "put your shoes on" tango just got a whole lot easier.

Modeled after its hip adult line, the kids Fall 2010 line of Native Shoes are super comfortable, casual and colourful (Hollywood Pink, Pencil Orange, and Gossip Purple are just a few of the punchy hues). Laceless and ultra light, we love that these too-cute sneakers are easy to slip on and off.

Well, as easy as it can be to get a 4-year-old to put his shoes on.

Kids shoes $35, Junior shoes $39; available at Young and Fabulous, 200-1700 Sprucewood Ave., Lasalle, Ontario, 519-962-8530, www.youngfabulous.com and Antisocial, 2337 Main St., Vancouver, 604-708-5678, www.antisocialshop.com