Look More Stylish This Summer + Win Our $100 Smart Set Giveaway

All photos courtesy Smart Set. Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

We all have secrets in our closets we'd rather keep - you know, like that ratty old t-shirt you can't bear to give away, those shorts that you secretly hope you'll fit back into someday. But let's face it - summer is way more fun when you're properly dressed for it. Breezy summer dresses, chic little sandals, pretty prints and the perfect summery accessories to go with all add up to making an already stellar season even more sweet. 

I regularly rely on Smart Set to keep my wardrobe up-to-date without destroying my clothing budget and luckily, the brand keeps getting better (and more on-trend) season after season. I've handpicked my fav summer pieces from Smart Set to help you look instantly more stylish this summer. And the best part? We;re giving away a $100 Gift Card to shop Smart Set's summer collection. Read on my for summer style essentials and then be sure to enter to win the giveaway below. Happy Summer!

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True Patriot Love

Stripe Fringe Short, $49, Joe Fresh

Who says you have to wear red, white and maple leaf to show your Canadian pride? In my article for iVillage.ca this week, I've rounded up my fav homegrown pieces to help you look chic, and feel extra-Canadian, this summer. Happy Canada Day! 

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SUMMER STYLE: The Working Girl Edit

 A perfect office look from the H&M Summer '14 Campaign. Photo courtesy H&M.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Staying motivated for work can be hard work in and of itself. But in the summer? Fuhgeddaboudit.  I mean, seriously, with the sun shining and docks, beaches and patios constantly calling your name, is it any wonder that we want hit the snooze button a few more times than normal?

While we can't promise that a good work wardrobe will make that epic team meeting any shorter, we can promise that you'll be the best-dressed beauty in that boardroom. Simply check out our working girl edit below to look like a boss all summer long. See? Your work here is done. You can go home now (just tell them Sarah said you were needed elsewhere...)

READ THE FULL STORY HERE...

Happy long weekend!

WIN IT: The New Boutiques on eBay.ca

Currently renting a cottage and cute husband was gone so I had to be resourceful with this one...

As eBay Canada's Fashion Expert, I can always count on the site to keep my wardrobe up-to-date without breaking the bank. And while I've scored some amazing designer finds on eBay.ca, it's the Canadian pieces that mean the most to me.  In an effort to help support local boutiques and independent designers, eBay Canada has launched its brand new Boutiques on eBay, featuring uniquely gorgeous pieces from homegrown designers. This month, eBay has teamed up with Toronto fashion boutique, Coal Miner's Daughter to feature handmade designs from Jool Clothing, Jordan de Ruiter, Haller, Sara Duke, 3rd Floor Studio and Norwegian Wood.

The line is available exclusively at ebay.ca/boutiqueSS14 until June 30th with all pieces priced under $90 plus free shipping all across Canada. Amazing, right?

My personal fav is the Haller Isabelle Dress (pictured above), with its super sexy lace back and drapey yet lightweight fabric. I actually need to wear a bra (don't most of us?) so wasn't sure if I could pull off the style but I simply wear a black bra, undo the clasp and tuck in the sides of the bra. It's stretchy and tight enough to keep everything in place, even without your bra done up, though of course you could head to a lingerie shop for a bra designed for backless dresses, too. I'm just frugal and time-strapped (read: cheap and lazy) at the moment. Plus, I love that you can wear it dressed way up or down, depending on the occasion of the day - see below for a few cute ways to wear it, though you could also wear it as a maxi skirt (with a sweater layered over top and an arm party full of metallic bracelets), with a blazer for work, or even with a neon bandeau underneath for festival season. 

Okay, now for the cool part: to celebrate the line (and to share this stunner of a dress), eBay is offering RLR readers the chance to win a $75 gift card to Boutiques on eBay so you can score a special piece of your own.

Here's how to win it:

1. Leave a comment below telling me your best ever score on eBay.ca (or if you haven't shopped the site, tell me which piece you'd love to own from the new Boutiques on eBay.)

2. For a bonus entry, tweet the following '@realliferunway & @eBayCanada are giving away a GC to shop the new Boutiques on eBay and I want to #win! http://bit.ly/1miXO2w'

3. Contest closes this Thursday, June 26th at 5 pm. 

4. Contest open to residents of Canada only. 

5. Good luck, y'all! 

  

HEAT WAVE: 15 Summer Pieces You'll Want to Pick Up Now

Karmen Pedaru looking lovely in the Michael Kors Summer '14 Campaign. Photo: Michael Kors.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Summer is finally, officially, here and while it might seem hard to believe, I'm totally on board with the idea. I mean, longer days, fewer deadlines, a more relaxed schedule, vacations on the horizon...ahhh, yes, I could totally get used to this.

If one look at your wardrobe has you less-than-stoked for summer, I've got you covered. From flowy shorts to breezy summer dresses to sweet sandals, I've handpicked the 15 prettiest summer pieces you'll want to pick up now. And with most items checking out at under-$100, you can rest easy that your summer budget won't suffer the consequences.

Happy summer to you! Hope this one's full of long, lazy days, super fun nights, and a wardrobe that will make them all grass green with envy...

SEE MY 15 SUMMER STYLE ESSENTIALS HERE...