Get a First Look at the New Banana Republic and Issa London Collection

Atteeeention! All photos courtesy Banana Republic 

As one of my top ladylike style icons, Kate Middleton (aka the Duchess of Cambridge) consistently pulls off polished, pulled-together looks fit for a modern royal. Kate relies on a rotation of Issa London dresses (the brand designed that iconic blue engagement photo dress from 2010 - see below for the replica), from post-baby-friendly wraps to ladylike A-lines fit for afternoon tea with the Queen. Well, ladies in waiting, I'm happy to announce that pond hops are no longer required to add a little Issa to your wardrobe!

Banana Republic and Issa London just announced details about the new limited-edition Banana Republic Issa London Collection, with pieces meant to transition from day to night and summer to fall.  The nearly 40-piece collection includes apparel and accessories in Issa London’s signature figure flattering silhouettes, with hits of exotic zebra and leopard prints and flattering jewel toned hues, perfect for dialing up a stagnant work wardrobe. Jewelry includes statement gold chain necklaces and bracelets as well as leather wrapped bangles and gorgeous leather envelope clutches that I can't wait to get my hands on. The collection includes petites and will range in price from $50 - $185.  

The capsule collection launches exclusively at select Banana Republic retail locations worldwide and online August 8, 2013. Royal parade waves and delicate hand claps all around!

P.S - Speaking of Kate, would she please have that baby already?! xx

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Toronto Premium Outlets: The Grand Opening Weekend Lowdown

It felt like it would never happen, right? But with only two weeks to go until Toronto Premium Outlets™ opens its doors for the very first time (eek!), construction crews are now putting the finishing touches on the mega outlet mall and opening weekend planning is well underway. 

For the August 1-4 Grand Opening, it's gonna be a serious shopping party y'all:  expect live entertainment, including a 'classic rock band' (please let it be the Paul McCartney)  in-store promos and the chance to enter to win more than 125 prizes worth over $25,000. Prizes announced so far include an Ultimate Getaway Weekend at Trump Hotel and Tower Toronto, a Spa Getaway from Rosewater Spa of Oakville or Burlington and a Toronto Blue Jays autographed baseball (aka. a consolation prize for any benchwarming husbands who've been coerced into a 'quick' trip to just 'check out' the mall).

Individual outlet stores are also getting in on the action to celebrate the opening. Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store will give away a $1,500 shopping spree, Mountain Warehouse will offer free gifts to the first 200 customers and best of all (IMO) Hudson’s Bay Outlet will offer 25% off your entire purchase. Expect loads more opening weekend deals with many stores offering deep discounts beyond the regular savings of 25%-65%.

As I reported earlier, Toronto Premium Outlets™ will feature 85 outlet stores including many top Canadian, American and British brands, many of which have never offered outlet shopping in Canada before. The store list will be a who’s who of top designer labels and leading brands including: Hudson’s Bay Outlet, Banana Republic, Bench, Bose, Brooks Brothers, Burberry (opening Fall 2013), Coach, ColeHaan, Columbia Sportswear, DKNY, Dynamite, Eddie Bauer, Gap Outlet, Garage, Guess, Icebreaker, J.Crew, Kate Spade New York, Lucky Brand Jeans, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Ted Baker London, True Religion and Zumiez. 

Just FYI, Toronto Premium Outlets™ is located at Hwy 401 at the Trafalgar Road interchange in Halton Hills. Oh, and be sure to sign up for the VIP Club and get the whole grand-opening low-down at www.torontopremiumoutlets.ca.  See you there August 1st! xx

Walk the Line: How to Pull off Stripes

A model on the runway at the Michael Kors Spring '13 Show. Photo via Fairchild Photo.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I have a glaring blind spot when it comes to stripes. I see them, I want them, I buy them, and now, after years of hard work, I've managed to amass dozens of striped tops. When I see a perfect stripe, it's like my brain momentarily lapses, ignoring the impressive collection I already own, forgetting that the last thing I need is another striped shirt.  I add it to my closet and wonder how I ever ended up with so many. It's a problem.

And so, I was thrilled that summer's biggest print trend is black & white stripes. After all, I own lots of navy with white and white with navy breton striped shirts (there's a difference, I swear) plus a few sporty red & white bateau necks thrown in for good measure. But mod black & white? I definitely (maybe?) don't own any of those. I'm sensing that this is one of those blind spot moments. Ignore.

If you worry about the whole 'horizontal stripes make you look fat' thing, fret not. Read on for some style tips on how to pull off stripes. I think they meant to say 'fab' instead of 'fat' anyway. Let's just chalk that up to a typo, shall we? General rule of thumb: Wide stripes add curves and narrow stripes make you look slimmer. See? Easy.

Read the full article

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

What to Wear in a Heatwave - photo courtesy J.Crew

Can't breathe. Can't move. Gasp. Wattteeerrr. I want it. In a glass would be great, but preferably in a 12' x 24' basin set to ohhh, I don't know, about 83 degrees. Now that would be perfect. Forget called-off soccer games. Shouldn't everything be ceremoniously cancelled in this heatwave? If I were mayor, I'd do it - I'd interrupt every channel for an emergency announcement and declare that it's officially far too hot to do anything at all. I'd command every man, woman and child to proceed immediately to the nearest pool deck.  Shut down the markets, call in the ice cream trucks and send in frosty beer glass reinforcements. This is a state of emergency, y'all! Throw on your cute bikinis, grab a cocktail and save yourselves!

Hee. Happy heatwave, homies. 

xx

P.S. Your Personal Flotation Device May Also Look Like This:

VPL Swim Top & Bottom, VPL

Under $100 Summer Dresses

The lazy days of summer are officially upon us, calling for a new, prettier kind of uniform: the throw-on-and-go dress. Whether maxi, mini or anywhere in between, a good dress will be your go-to all steamy season long.

Check out all of my pretty under-$100 picks here.

Hope your week's off to a great start!

xx