Work it Out

I hate to say it but when it comes to health & wellness, I'm sadly superficial.  I know that I should like working out for the way it makes me feel, for the internal benefits that it brings to my mind, body and spirit, but if I'm honest, I really just like working out because a) running makes my bum look better and b) it allows me to eat more chocolate bars.  

Instead of a personal trainer, I rely on cute workout wear to get me to the gym.  If I can find something pretty to get me through the sweat and tears, I'm all in.  I love this new TNA bag from Aritzia because it's loaded with smart features: it has a built-in drawstring bag for things you want to stash separately, an interior elasticized water-bottle pocket, practical handles and straps, and is made of easy-to-clean water-resistant cotton canvas.  But really, I love it mostly because of those pink neon accents. Cute!   I feel like I should go read a book so I can feel smart again after this post.

The TNA Cotton Canvas Gym Bag ($85) is available for you at Aritzia this month. 

PS - I've been a bad, bag blogger this week.  Was filming a DVF for Gap segment for CityLine with my daughter which airs next Wed, March 14th.  Set your PVR's to get a sneak peek at the adorable collection!  Back to regular posting today - sorry! Mwah, mwah xoxo

Tommy Ton x Club Monaco

Hanneli Mustaparta carries the Tommy Ton x Club Monaco Messenger Bag at New York Fashion Week (photo courtesy cultureclub.clubmonaco.com); The Tommy Ton x Club Monaco Backpack

A good bag, like a good man, is always so hard to find;  It has to be pretty but it also has to be practical, and unless you're rolling in it, a great bag also has to be classic enough to weather the trends.  Tommy Ton, the in-demand man behind street-style site Jak & Jil Blog, is about to unveil his new collection with Club Monaco.  The 'collection' in fact only consists of two understated bags - a navy rucksack and a messenger bag - built by the British Millerain Co. Ltd. and designed with the help of Ton himself, so they're guaranteed to be incredibly durable to handle whatever the streets might throw at you on your daily commute. 

Ton sent the bags to a select stylish few at last month's NYFW but we can all get our hands on the bags on March 20th when the line hits select stores in Canada.  Bloor St. is the only Toronto location getting the collection and according to a salesperson there, a small wait list has already formed.  My advice?  Call Club Monaco Bloor St. today if you stand any chance of scoring one of these super-exclusive bags.   

PS - The bags will range somewhere between $190 - $210.  Way less than a Coach and so much cooler. 

Wet-A-Porter

Hunter Grillette Wellies, $225, LOCALE

Favoured by royalty and Rachel Bilson alike, owning a pair of Hunters will make you say, “Rain, rain, bring it on!” Although they're an investment, I love these pretty patent versions because they look just like a classic riding boot.  For more chic spring puddle-jumpers to satisfy every budget, check out my top 10 list at iVillage.ca.  Happy March 1st to you!

Ashley in Plaid

Ashley waiting for the snow to melt - (Coat, Black Jeans and tee: H&M; Sweater Vest: Jacob; Burberry inspired scarf: Target; Clutch: Coach; Elie Tahari Black Suede Booties: Winners) 

Sometimes all you need is a great scarf to make a basic outfit anything but.  In case you missed Ashley's first post, click here!

Singin' in the Rain

Originally posted in The CLOSET 

Audrey Hepburn shares a stormy kiss w George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany's

The Burberry Fall 2012 RTW finale in London, photo courtesy vogue.tumblr.com

We're approaching that season where the white stuff turns to wet stuff; where we slowly but surely trade our winter boots for rain boots, and find ourselves navigating puddles instead of snowbanks.  And though we didn't really get much of a winter this year, March is still a welcome treat.  I've always loved the rain;  it reminds me of cozy days holed up inside watching the drops bounce off my back deck for hours at a time, of the fort we built one spring out of an old fridge box that we would play in for hours, safe and dry, even when it was teeming outside.  And then of course, there's all those movie scenes where every emotion is heightened by a rainstorm - the passionate embrace between Rachel and Ryan in The Notebook (sigh...), the sweet kiss in the last scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Tim Robbins' first few rainy moments of freedom in The Shawshank Redemption.  And who can forget my dad's favourite...the inimitable Gene Kelly in the classic scene from Singin' in the Rain, reminding us all how wonderful it was to be a kid - to see the adventure in a rainy day, the promise inherent in every puddle.

Rainy days are here again.   These stylish finds will help you make the absolute most of every drop:

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