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

MILCK It

ela MILCK Lipstick Stud Clutch, $300, the code

Gwyneth Paltrow with Tom Ford (and her ela MILCK). Photo via ela's WORLD

With all of the saving we do on the daily here at RLR, the occasional splurge can always be justified. I know I've mentioned ela handbags before but a brand this good (and Canadian to boot) bears repeating. ela has garnered a devoted following over the past few years, thanks to the brand's luxe materials and sophisticated designs; her bags are classic, cool and always seem to elicit compliments anytime I tote mine around. Since Gwyneth was recently spotted carrying the ela MILCK (money/ID/lipstick/cell/keys), looks like the bag's It status has officially been cemented. 

We love the metallic and classic black version but this perfect red is particularly ready to go for the Canada Day weekend. If you don't already own one (or even if you do) get your ela MILCK now at Holt Renfrew, elahandbags.com or thecode.ca.

Happy loooong weekend!

With Glowing Hearts

Does it get more Canadian than Degrassi? Sarah Fisher of Degrassi gets her pom pom on for the Roots Summer '13 Lookbook. Photo courtesy Roots.

Sometimes, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. I've travelled quite a bit, even lived in Europe for a year, but as much as I love to explore other countries, I always really miss Canada when I'm not here. I'm not sure if it's the super friendly people or the beautiful change of seasons or the Timbits (probably the Timbits), but you must admit, being a Canadian rocks. We are gloriously free to think, to do, to be whatever we want. And since this is a fashion blog, let's not forget how lucky we are to be able to dress however we want, too. 

This July 1st, why not show Canada some sartorial love? If you're a loud and proud patriot, wear your flag emblazoned boldly on your sleeve with the chic Canadiana at Roots or hop on over to Hudson's Bay for the country's oldest, most iconic print - the HBC stripe. You'll break out these pieces year after year so you can totally justify. Consider yourself a more low-key Canadienne? Get in the spirit by wearing Canada's colours, of course...

Read the full story and get your free Canada Day-ready iTunes compilation from Roots here 

Hudson's Bay Sets Sights on Saks

There's never a dull moment in the fashion world and today is no exception with the rumour of a Hudson's Bay buyout of US retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue. According to WWD, Richard Baker, Chairman and CEO of Hudson's Bay Co., is the major contender to purchase Saks Inc.

Hudson’s Bay’s potential acquisition of Saks department store and its outlet, Saks OFF 5TH, could see both stores opening up in Canada in the not-too-distant future. HBC currently owns 48 Lord & Taylor department stores and 3 Lord & Taylor outlets in the eastern United States as well as 90 Hudson’s Bay department stores and 69 Home Outfitters housewares stores across Canada. 

All rumours, all speculation at this point but can you imagine? Target, Nordstrom and Saks all without having to border-hop? Think this is the reason for Bonnie Brooks' recent promotion to Vice-Chairman? 

RLR & JACOB Present CYBER SPRING

I'm currently in the midst of a full-fledged wardrobe overhaul - hell-bent on purging anything and everything that I don't love and slowly adding in some new recruits. As I whittle down the pack of needs vs. wants, JACOB asked me to check out their new Summer Collection and I have to say, I'm super tempted by what I see. 

The refreshing hues and all the lovely prints and textures are like a little trip to Morocco, minus the plane ride. I'm already a huge fan of JACOB's JERSEY line (have you tried?) but it's gotten even better this year, with loads of casual-chic pieces that I plan on living in all summer long.  But most of all, I'm really feeling all the gorgeous dresses - from casual maxis to wedding-ready frocks - and am really impressed with the attention to detail this season. I spy a half dozen dresses that I'd love to add to my wardrobe right now.

Now for the best part: JACOB wants you to get a jump on spring with their huge Cyber Spring Sale! The sale officially starts tomorrow but as an RLR reader, you can pre-shop the sale right now at jacob.ca. Yay!

VOILÀ LES DEETS:

• Score 40% off your $150 purchase (regular price) of JACOB's Summer Collections with your exclusive RLR Coupon Code: CYBERJACOBSARAH
• Free delivery on orders of $100 or more (before tax)
• Delivery in 1-7 business days
• Sale ends Monday, June 10th at 11:59 PM, Eastern Time 

Scroll down to see more lookbook pics and the 35 JACOB pieces I'd buy in a heartbeat. Happy shopping! x

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