Found: The Perfect Flat

I've always loved ballet flats for their timeless style and easy wearability.  I was having the hardest time finding a decent pair of pretty ballet flats this summer as most of them were either too stiff, too delicate, or far too expensive.  I mean, I love Tod's and Tory Burch as much as the next girl but paying over $250 for a little pair of shoes just doesn't sit well with my husband.  So, I was thrilled beyond belief when I walked into Gap the other day to see a wall full of gorgeous, expensive-looking flats in a wicked array of colours.  I picked up a pair of city flats in shimmery silver and road-tested them for a full day of walking around Toronto.  The verdict?  Super cute, supremely comfortable (no blisters!) and at $39.50, I'm debating getting them in a few more colours to get me through fall.  Check them out at www.gap.com and get ready to retire your flip-flops. 

Easy, Breezy

Remember that scene in Dirty Dancing when all of the Kellerman's staffers have their secret after-hours dance-off and bring the movie from family friendly to PG-13?  There is definitely no A/C in the dance hall and with all of the twirling and grinding, it quickly turns into a sweaty free-for-all that not even the biggest most refreshing watermelon could possibly save.  I remember thinking at the time that I wanted to work at Kellerman's, that my school dances paled pathetically in comparison and that sweating was sexy.  The movie failed to warn us that not only can dirty dancing bring unplanned pregnancies but also the horrors of body odour and frizzy hair.  Yech.  

One hot and bothered RLR reader asked me the other day how she could stay cool and stylish in this sticky, humid summer weather.  My answer for beating the heat is as simple as a dress.  It is hands-down the prettiest and, best of all, easiest way to dress when our extreme Canadian summers send you running indoors for relief from the heat.  And, should you choose to embrace your inner salsa dancer, they translate perfectly to the dance floor.  Real Life Runway Tip:  I always hesitate to buy clothes in July because I know that fall is around the corner.  Here is a convincing argument to help you take advantage of all of the summer sales happening right now:  add a little jacket, some chunkier jewelry and opaque tights, and your summer dresses can take on a new life when the leaves start to turn.  Voila!  Permission to shop granted! 

Click on the slideshow below to check out some of the pretty finds in stores now:

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Coming up for Air

 

  

Gasp.  It's been 5 weeks since baby #2 arrived.  The little bundle has indeed brought a lot of joy but given the noxious fumes emanating from my over-taxed Diaper Genie, the 2 am feeds that show no signs of dissipating or the drone of the breast pump that almost (but not quite) drowns out my newborn's wails and my toddler's tantrums, I'm feeling a little less than glam these days.  You'd think that looking at these gorgeous new shots of Christy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova and Karen Elson for Louis Vuitton would make me feel even worse.  Somehow, though, they bring me hope that one day, I will cast off my pyjamas and slip into something impossibly chic again.  This new campaign for Louis Vuitton shot by the genius Steven Meisel perfectly captures the mood for this coming Fall:  polished, glamorous and absolutely bursting with femininity.  The LV Fall/Winter 2010-2011 ad campaign will hit magazines this August.

I'd love to hear from you so keep sending in your story ideas and style dilemmas.  If I'm resigned to wearing nursing shirts for the next little while, I might as well dress vicariously through you.

Missed you and so happy to be back! 

xoxo

It's a...

Speaking of boys, my husband and I are expecting a little one by this Monday at the latest!  I want to thank all of you for being a part of Real Life Runway so far and for making the past few months so much fun for me.  I'll be posting a little more sporadically over the summer since I'll be knee-deep in diapers, bottles and baby blankets (glamorous, non?), but I, like you, will still be needing my occasional fashion fix so be sure to keep checking back.  In fact, I already have a few more boy looks that I think you'll love.

Off to feather my nest (and burn my maternity clothes),

xoxo

Let's Hear it for the Boys

Banana Republic, Spring/Summer 2010 - photos courtesy Gap Inc.

Do you ever feel just a little bit sorry for guys?  Sure, girls have to deal with hormonal swings, excruciating labour and endless catty grudges, but we also get all of the fun stuff:  sparkly jewels, regular pedis and an insane selection of dresses, skirts, pants, tunics, and seriously, don't even get me started on the shoes!  Guys, on the other hand, get stuck with moody, PMS-y girls, and then, to make it worse, have to wear a shirt and tie to work every single day only to look forward to a t-shirt or golf shirt on weekends.  Dress, undress, repeat.  Ugh.

Unless, that is, you can get your boy to step out of his boring box of style and step into something fabulous.  It takes a little effort and creativity (and a willing participant of course), but it's amazing how very little it takes to transform a ho-hum boy into a smoking-hot style warrior.  Think of your guy as a blank canvas just waiting to be transformed into a masterpiece.  For a species that is so incredibly capable, most men are completely helpless when it comes to style.  That, my friends, is where we come in.

Real Life Runway has unlocked this summer's hottest trends for men and with these few key pieces added to his existing wardrobe, you'll bring your guy from blah to brilliant:

•  Go Boating:  Boat and deck shoes have made a huge comeback this year but instead of opting for predictable brown, look for fun, colourful versions.  Sperry Topsider (remember them?), Steve Madden and Spring have some fantastic versions.
• Room for Desert:  The first time my mom spotted my dad across the staff room at their highschool, he was wearing desert boots.  These classic boots, worn without socks of course, are back in a big way and will take your guy through the summer and fall in style.
• Flying High:  Plastic aviator glasses are cheap, easy and right on trend.  Tom Cruise might be a total freak but you must admit, he looked hot in Top Gun.
• Adore the Fedora?:  Hats are tricky but if you have the confidence to pull it off, this is the hat to wear this summer. 
• Put on a Happy Face:  A guy who knows how to choose a cool watch is automatically more attractive to style-savvy girls.  This summer, go for a bright-faced or athletic-inspired watch.  The ones below are sleek, fun and totally affordable.
• Belt it Out:  Belts don't have to be black or brown.  Switch up your regular belt for a bright or patterned belt to add instant style to an otherwise standard-issue outfit
• It's How We Roll:   I like guys that look just a little dishevelled and rumpled - the less high-maintenance, the better.  Jeans, shorts and chinos look extra cool this summer when cuffs are rolled. 
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