Beebe Cline

Now that Desperate Housewife Marcia Cross's twins are learning sign language from a Vancouver-made DVD, it's time to get little Piper and Josephine with the program.

Designed for both pre-verbal babies and precocious tots who want a second language, local Mimic Baby has the interactive DVDs ($19.99) to get them talking very quietly.

Just imagine how thrilled you'll be when they look at you and sign "sleep."

Read more and sample the DVD at www.mimicbaby.com

Fancy a candelabra from an ancient Gallic church? Or salt-worn oyster baskets from Brittany? Perhaps your taste runs more to grape baskets from Champagne, a rustic bibliothèque, or a set of massive doors from a European freighter.

Whatever your whimsy, you are likely to find it (or something even better) in the new shipment that has just arrived at French Country Antiques.

This insiders'-spot, in a warehouse off Main Street, will unveil the shipment in a special sale starting Tuesday, April 3 (preview is Saturday March 31).

We have our sights set on a bust from the last Dukedom in France...so

Enjoy your weekly dose of vitamin v steals & deals from our fabulous sponsors. Ready, set, shop!

booty-licious bootcamp

Get Beyonce’s beach bod with the fitness gurus at Survivor Boot Camp. Voted Winner of Best Boot Camp, you’ll love the small classes, one-on-one attention and creative training programs. Think total body conditioning for all levels ($229-$275). Register online before April 2 and mention vitamin v in the comments section and you’ll save $25. See locations and read success stories at survivorbootcamp.com

steal

It's not just the establishment celebs getting facelifts in L.A.

Hollywood Grand Dame, The Sofitel LA is an establishment befitting its multi-million dollar new look.

Rooms boast feather bedding, Rogers & Gallet toiletries and SwitchLite windows that go from clear to opaque should you want to watch the news from the shower.

At in-house restaurant Simon L.A., the kitchen is open, the outdoor patio is lush, the ceiling is sky-high, the fire pit is toasty and the menu is fine dining at its best.

And there's more!

At nightlife impresario – and Cindy Crawford's

We all love a vintage score, but when was the last time you found a 1960s YSL trapeze dress?

Times are about to change.

Try your eagle eye at the famous Ryerson United Spring Thrift Sale, where you'll find amazing vintage jewellery, shoes, crystal and art donated by some of Vancouver's most prominent families.

Get there fast for this year's scores, including a Louis Vuitton handbag and a genuine Belleek vase.

(Yes, we have a spy.)

Sale starts this Thursday at 6 p.m. and runs all weekend. For directions and hours visit www.ryersonunited.ca

When we realized the V had worn off our computer keyboard, we wondered: vitamin v, or www.vanessabruno.com?

Our favourite French designer, known for her floaty tops, sexy backless dresses and scrunchy rolled shorts, has just sent her biggest shipment ever to Vancouver.

Finally, spring has arrived.

Preview the new collection at www.vanessabruno.com

Available at:

Jonathan + Olivia, 2570 Main St., 604-637-6224, www.jonathanandolivia.com

Misch, 2960 Granville St., 604-731-1017, www.misch.ca

You need eight hours of sleep, a healthy bod and a fountain of youth to look your best. If all this sounds as unattainable as George Clooney, fret not: sometimes you can always get what you want.

Our World Network is a local company with three super herbal supplements that will fuel your body in a healthy, natural way.

Stay fresh and young with sips of Youth Juice. Made from seven organic berries from the Okanangan and two marine vegetables from the Pacific Ocean, this anti-aging potion is chock-full of essential vitamins and minerals plus cancer-preventing Ellagic acid.

If you worked hard to burn off

Though you'd love to make your manicure weekly, sometimes it just doesn't make it onto the to-do list in between garbage day and groceries.

But for a quick fix-it, Tweezerman Professional's new arched pusher and cleaner ($40) will get you through the week.

It's weighty, stainless steel design is completely hygienic and it has handy grips that make it easy to use.

But when you break a nail lugging the recycling bin? Yes! An excuse for a real manicure.

At Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs.

For more products visit www.tweezermanprofessional.com

Stood your girlfriends up for the third time in a row?

Make good by sending along a "Humble Pie" from Vancouver's Acme Humble Pie Company that comes in a fancy wooden crate ($60).

The apple and sour cherry treat comes in a stainless steel pie plate packed in customized shredded packing paper ($6.95) with your message on it.

Such as "I swear, I really was at the office and not with my new beau."

They'll surely believe you this time.

Read more at www.acmehumblepie.com

Don't be caught on the bunny hill in last year's stretchies when you could be shifting pow in Prada instead.

With the Four Season's Whistler's Ski Lite program you can rent a sleek black Prada ski jacket and pants ($50) along with your high-performance equipment.

The unique ski concierge has your equipment delivered right to the base of Blackcomb, where you sit on leather banquettes sipping complimentary hot chocolate as the staff puts on your boots and advises on the day's best runs.

Then when you're ready to après, they'll whisk it all away to be dried and waxed for tomorrow.