Winter Coat Brands to Watch + WIN 2 Tickets to Heart of Fashion at the Shops at Don Mills

Camel Car Coat, $268, Oak + Fort

While the ubiquitous Canada Goose Parka is a fail-proof bet against the impending 'T-Rex of Winters', it's always nice to be reminded of some of the lesser-known coat brands out there. The Shops at Don Mills got in touch to share some of the amazing coats they carry so I thought I'd share them with you. One of my new favs? Oak + Fort. Have you seen? Have you been? Watch for more from Oak + Fort on Real Life Runway from now on.

Speaking of the Shops at Don Mills, the legendary Heart of Fashion event is coming up this Saturday Oct 25^th and aims to raise $680K. Crazy, right? Funds will go to support the acquisition of radioactive seed localization, which offers a non-invasive and extremely precise way of pinpointing and removing small tumours in the breast. North York General Hospital will be the only hospital in the GTA to have this technology. 

Over 500 stylish guests (including me!) will gather this Saturday to experience the fusion of food and fashion in support of North York General Hospital’s BMO Financial Group Breast Diagnostic Centre(BDC). Guests will be treated to a night full of amazing food, cocktails, entertainment, a live auction (including coveted tix to this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in London) and a fashion show featuring exclusive retailers from the Shops at Don Mills and prestigious Canadian designers Christopher Bates, Fotini Copeland and David Dixon. 

Now for the best part: the Shops at Don Mills have given me 2 tickets to give away to you! The prize pack is valued at $500 and includes 2 tickets to the Heart of Fashion event, including the fashion show, cocktail party and fabulous food stations. It's going to be an amazing night out and I can't wait to see you there.

HERE'S HOW TO WIN THE COVETED TICKETS:

1. Leave a comment below telling me your fav winter coat brand.

OR

2. RT the following: '@realliferunway is giving away 2 tickets to the Heart of Fashion and I want to go! RT to win. #HeartofFashionNYGH http://bit.ly/1zhYhtS' 

3. Contest closes 5 pm this Thursday. I'll announce the winner Friday morning!

4. Contest open to residents of Ontario only.

5. Good luck! xx

Oh, and if you're currently on the hunt for a cozy new winter coat, check out some the outerwear brands I'm loving right now:

 

Oversized Single-Breasted Coat, $218, Oak + Fort 

Nobis Meredith Coat, $845, Mendocino

Pajar Puffer Coats in Olive & Blue, $675, Leigh & Harlow

Akiva Coat, $850, and Kay Fur-Trimmed Puffer Coats, $750, both Mackage

Moscow Coat, $720, Madame Moje

A Peek Inside Toronto's Kleinfeld Bridal

A $32,000 (and 35 lb.) dress by designer, Pinina Tornai at the new Kleinfeld Bridal in Toronto.

When I received an invitation to Canada's first Kleinfeld Bridal opening bash, on gorgeous wedding-worthy stationery no less, I immediately said 'I willl!'. The highly-anticipated arrival of the store, thanks in large part to TLC's 'Say Yes to the Dress', made this a highly coveted invite - plus, I always love a good wedding. As for the happy couple? Hudson's Bay and Kleinfeld, of course - a match made in heaven for the department store who's been looking for creative ways to keep the store relevant as American chains invade our space.

I arrived at Hudson's Bay on Queen Street and was directed to the 7th floor which now houses the renovated gift registry and housewares departments and the new 20,000 sq. ft. Kleinfeld. I was met by a model in a slim-fitting black tux and ushered towards a champagne bar. Bubbles in one hand, a bulging bicep in the other, we headed into the buzz of the party, already well underway. The pale wood floor and white walls provided a pristine backdrop for blossoming pink branches, elegantly-attired party-goers and, of course, scores upon scores of the dreamiest dresses you've ever seen.

From simply beautiful gowns that run around $1500 by Maggie Sotero and Paloma Blanco, to a 35 lb, $32,000 stunner by designer Pinina Tornai, there are frocks for every type of bride at Kleinfeld. Plus, Canadian designers like David Dixon, Erin Fitzpatrick, Christopher Paunil and Greta Constantine give brides the chance to wear Canadian designs on their wedding day. Once you've sorted your way to your dream dress, impressive bedroom-sized fitting rooms await - such a far cry from the cramped closets I visited when picking out my own wedding dress. And for the detail-oriented, accessories, from veils and headpieces to sparkling jewellery, give brides-to-be the chance to see exactly how they'll look on their big day. 

I'll admit that I didn't work as hard as I could have that night. I took a few pics here and there but between the champagne, the canapés and the conversation, I was swept off my feet by the Kleinfeld experience. Kind of wish I could get married again - same guy, different dress, I mean. 

To any lucky brides-to-be out there, you really must go. Can't wait to hear what you think of Kleinfeld. Overwhelming? Overrated? Or just over-the-top amazing? 

 

A view of the space (and a front view of the $32K dress) before opening. Photo via Hudson's Bay.

Kleinfeld and Hudson's Bay sitting in a tree...

A pretty-in-pink bouquet next to a beautifully detailed frock.

Yes to all of these dresses...

The outdoor space, perfect for catching a view of the Toronto skyline.

Loved this chic, simple dress.

Whitney: 'I totally saw the dress first!' Arabella: 'It's mine, bitch. You'd betta step off or I'm gonna pull a Solange on your bridezilla ass.'

Pretty pearls and intricate lace.

One of 14 150 sq. ft. changerooms. It's like you're my mirror, only bigger. P.S. - I'm in Pink Tartan.

Kate Moss x Topshop is Finally Here

Photos courtesy Topshop

The long-awaited Kate Moss x Topshop collection has finally arrived and I want everything. Like the supermodel herself, the collection is edgy, eclectic and incomparably cool. From the rocker (see the floral metallic blouse, star camis and a fringed black dress), to the boho babe (embroidered smock dresses and pyjama trousers) to the innocent ingénue, (bright chiffon dresses), the line covers Moss's many sides. And for someone like me who dresses to suit my daily mood, the collection feels deeply (albeit most superficially) satisfying. Pick up the collection now online and at select Hudson's Bay stores across Canada.

Kate made an appearance at Topshop’s Oxford Circus store this week before hosting a star-studded dinner to celebrate the launch, attended by Cara Delevigne, Sienna Miller, Suki Waterhouse and Naomi Campbell.  See the photos – and what everyone wore – below:

On How to Survive a Cold Snap

It's cold. (HOW COLD IS IT??) Glad you asked - it's so cold that Anna Wintour looks warm. So cold that Miley Cyrus is wearing clothes. So cold that all the members of One Direction are pointing south. For the record, I made those up. Really, there's nothing else to do - it's SO cold.

If you're one of those people who've neglected to buy true winter wear for the past few years, you might be wishing you'd bought that on-sale parka when you had the chance. Luckily it's not too late to pick up these super cozy finds to help you brave this bitter cold snap. 

Think warm thoughts, beauties. 

xx

Waffle Knit Toque, $10, Joe Fresh

TNA Courchevel Parka, $250, Aritzia

V-Neck Chunky Knit Sweater, $39, Joe Fresh

Kenneth Cole Down Jacket, $158, Hudson's Bay

Waffle Knit Scarf, $16, Joe Fresh

TNA Ralston Pant, $40, Aritzia 

Conquest Carly Short Boot, $220, Sorel 

Song of Style & eLUXE Do Epic Chic

Aimee Song, the over-achieving bloggess behind popular style blog, Song of Style.

Looking at blogger Aimee Song's social media stats is enough to make anyone feel like an underachiever. At only 25, the interior designer and style influencer has amassed over a million Instagram followers and gets 3.7 million monthly page views. I won't even tell you how many I get but it's only, like, half of that. I was never very good at math.

Canadian etailer, eLUXE, just announced an exciting collab with Aimee and her blog, SongofStyle.com. The collection merges Aimee's unique style with the season's hottest sweatshirt trend resulting in a limited run, six piece capsule collection of luxury tees and sweatshirts.

Aimee worked with the eLUXE team to create a collection that is wearable, sophisticated and on trend. A perfect cut tee and a sweatshirt in a classic crew or raw neck are available in chic dark storm and white, white and black or grey and black combinations, priced from $40 to $90. Mark your calendars - the collection will be available on eLUXE.ca starting Dec 4th.  

xo