Finnish Line: Banana Republic Announces Marimekko Collab for Summer '14

A peek at the new Banana Republic x Marimekko Collection. Photo: Banana Republic.

As I've said before on this blog, I've been a fan of Marimekko for as long as I can remember. The brand made famous by Jackie Kennedy (she wore 8 different dresses from the Finnish brand during JFK's Presidential bid in the '60s), was always a staple in our house, from my mom's pretty printed umbrellas to the cheery tablecloths that would brighten up our table every summer.  

I missed out on the Converse x Marimekko collection a few years back so today's fashion news is especially exciting to me. Banana Republic and Marimekko have joined forces to design a limited-edition capsule for summer. Yay!

The apparel and accessories collection features Marimekko's distinctly bold patterns; from landscapes and folk-inspired art to graphic circular dots, combining bright hues with classic black and white. I'm especially stoked to see their plunge neckline tunics, printed pants, and billowing maxi dresses to add some Finnish flair to my summer wardrobe.

The apparel collection for women (including petites) will range from $50 - $175, and accessories will check out at under $100. 

I'll post more pics from the collection as soon as I can get my paws on them. In the meantime, make a mental note to look out for the Marimekko collection at select Banana Republic locations and online starting in late May 2014.

LO-O-OVE Marimekko! 

PITTER, PATTER: 50 Valentine's Gifts They'll Love

Pucker up, buttercups. Photo courtesy H&M. 

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Valentine's Day can bring out the best and worst in us all. The idea of someone standing outside your window John Cusack-style might make your knees buckle. For me, I'd be like, 'Dude, it's -30 out there. And seriously, it's 2014 - where did you find a boombox?' Same goes for rose petals (cheesy), chocolate-covered strawberries (kind of overrated - chocolate covered bananas are so much better), and anyone who plays the saxophone. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just..again, it's 2014 - where did you find a saxophone?

Yet sometimes, I am a surprising sucker for romance. Impromptu slow dances by the fire, Nicholas Sparks movies (I KNOW! I Can't. Help. It.), little love notes, pink peonies, or a bottle of champagne? I become so predictably starry-eyed that you might as well stick a long-stemmed rose between my teeth, sit me under a chocolate fountain, and put The Bachelor on repeat and I probably wouldn't even notice.

There's a very fine line between heart flutters and eye rolls but when it comes to romance, effort is everything. Whether you're the trunkloads of flowers type, or prefer to keep your gestures subtle and sweet, I've rounded up 50 pretty gifts to help make her (or his) heart go pitter patter this Valentine's Day. Don't even try to figure it out - love makes zero sense. Sigh...isn't it just the best?

SEE THE FULL GUIDE HERE...

ALDO Launches #FriendsFight Campaign

 

Photos courtesy ALDO

Though it might surprise many, ALDO is about more than just pretty shoes, and has raised an impressive $10 million (!) towards international AIDS efforts over the past 30 years. Now, ALDO is urging everyone to join its continued fight against AIDS with the launch of its new #FriendsFight Campaign. 

“We have been committed to the fight against AIDS as far back as 1985, when few were willing to take a stand. It’s a cause very close to our heart and today, more than ever, we continue our commitment to raising awareness and funds to help protect and educate people around the world. We’ve come a long way but the fight is not over yet,” said Aldo Bensadoun, Founder and Executive Chairman of the ALDO Group. “This bracelet is an important symbol. It represents friendship and solidarity. It’s an invitation to join together in the fight against AIDS.”

The unisex bracelets, available in red, black, navy and mint and designed in collaboration with Waris Loves You, will retail for $5 with 100% of net proceeds donated to Partners in Health, a non-profit whose groundbreaking HIV Equity Initiative in rural Haiti revolutionized the way the world approaches and funds diseases of the poor. The #FriendsFight friendship bracelets will be sold in select ALDO stores worldwide and online at www.aldoshoes.com starting Feb 1st, 2014. Buy one, or stack 'em up. Either way, you'll be helping an amazing cause. 

So, wanna fight?

xx

Work It. Own It.

Reflective Bright Bomber Jacket, $228, Lululemon

With New Year’s Resolutions top of mind (or somewhere near the top anyway), there’s no better time to get your workout wardrobe up-to-speed. Whether you run, walk or downward dog, I've tracked down the coolest new fitness gear of 2014 in my article for iVillage.ca this week, to help you hit your goals and look totes amaze while you’re at it...

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A Sneak Peek at Target's Spring 2014 Collection

Models show off some lovely finds from the Target Spring '14 Collection.

Anytime I feel blah, I can count on Target to brighten things up. And so, I headed to the Target Spring Preview in a Toronto snowstorm last week, hoping for some warmth on a very frigid day. The minute I walked into The Spoke Club, I could feel the spring thaw. Pretty models showed off colourful minis, shorts and dresses, the racks were loaded up with bright spring beauties for the whole fam, and buckets upon buckets of fresh cut flowers made the whole showroom smell like a garden in bloom. 

From beautiful beauty picks to Kelly Wearstler-esque home decor lust-haves, there's plenty to covet at Target for Spring '14...

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