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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Holt Renfrew Yorkdale Unveils New Beauty Hall

The new and beautifully improved Beauty Hall at Yorkdale's Holt Renfrew. Pics by Johanna Simmonds

With Nordstrom and the new Premium Outlets set to open shortly, Canadian retailers are stepping up their game to stay relevant. Holt Renfrew, never one to rest on her lofty laurels, unveiled its brand new beauty hall at Yorkdale Mall on Thursday and we were among the first to check it out.

The massive 10,000 square foot space includes 4 new treatment rooms where you can be spoiled by La Mer, Sisley, La Prairie and the Skin Lab, featuring Darphin, AmorePacific, Erno Laszlo and ReVive. Meanwhile, the hall features boutique-like shops for Chanel, Aesop, La Mer, La Prairie, Sisley, Jo Malone, Bobbi Brown, Kiehl's and Hermès. Customers can head to the Beauty Bar for skin-care consultations and makeovers, plus complimentary makeup brush cleaning and makeup bag overhauls, which will hopefully make the Holts beauty experience a little less intimidating.  

As a girl who just loves primping, I'm especially smitten with the new Primp and Polish Bar, a must-visit for blowouts, manicures, lash extensions and brow shaping. Not sure how you like that new red lipstick? Be sure to check out the clever camera wall where you can snap an 'after' photo and instantly share your look with friends on FB, Twitter etc. How fun is that?!

According to WWD, Holts plans to roll out the concept to other stores, too. “Yorkdale is the prototype for how all our stores will be made over,” said Wayne Peterson, divisional vice-president of cosmetics at Holt Renfrew. “We see all of our beauty halls converting. We will expand in the next two years.”

But the makeovers don't stop at beauty. Word is, Holts is completely renovating its Yorkdale store, with the beauty hall the first in a series of major changes for the store.  Expect the big reveal this Fall. Can't wait! x 

Summer's Must-Have Shoe

American Girl in Italy 1951 by Ruth Orkin poster, $18.70, amazon.ca

When Meredith Melling-Burke calls something a must-have, we listen. In this morning's edition of Vogue's Most Wanted, the mag's Senior Market Editor declared that the Jolie Laide flat is where it's at. I'm with you MMB - ever since I first saw that iconic American Girl in Italy poster by Ruth Orkin, I've loved the low-key sexiness of a good black flat, perfect for a passeggiata down a cobblestone street (or a quick getaway from leering Italian boys). Vogue featured the Franco Sarto Georgie Flat from Macy's which I promptly put in my shopping cart but $69 US quickly turned to $82 CDN, plus taxes, plus shipping, plus duties. A grand total of $134 later and I just knew that I could do better.

Luckily I just found the Franco Sarto Gia (a super similar version of the sandal) on sale at Sears.ca for a lovely $77.90 all in, and my order is being processed as we speak.  Hooray! Do act quickly though, the sale ends at midnight tonight.

xx

Franco Sarto Gia Sandal, $59.99, Sears

Photo via vogue.com

A Tote-ally Cute Laptop Bag

Saffiano Leather Carry-All, $129, Danier

You're super confident in your smarts, your powers of persuasion, your ability to outwit any bully in a boardroom. But honestly, pantsuits and pantyhose all week long? Where's the fun in that? I'm loving this Elle Woods-esque structured bag with plenty of space for your laptop, meeting notes and phone, and enough bubblegum pink (and then some) to sufficiently girl up your 9 to 5, especially if you work in one of those offices. Life's too short to be so serious, especially in the summer...

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: Pics from the Greta Constantine Fall '13 Show

My favourite look from the collection - super fun way to edge up a formal dress...

A model gets primped and polished backstage by the M·A·C Cosmetics beauty team

The crowd gets a little judgy (it's their job) as a model struts it in lime green at Toronto's Parts & Labour

The Beckerman sisters (aka, the life of every fashion party)

The gorgeous host of Top Chef Canada, Lisa Ray

As one of Canada's leading design duos, Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill are renowned not only for their figure-hugging frocks but for their over-the-top runway shows. In seasons past, I've been on the Greta Constantine guestlist because the guestlist has numbered in the 100s, not 10s, with impressive shows held in places like Toronto's Distillery District or The Century Room. For their Fall '13 presentation held last week in Toronto, Stephen and Kirk kept it decidedly more exclusive. And so, while a handful of Toronto's top editors and socialites headed to Parkdale's Parts & Labour for the formal runway show, the rest of us flocked to The Hoxton for the Stoli-fueled after-party. Whether A-list or B, I must admit that I feel pretty lucky to be on GC's list at all - dudes know how to throw a party. Click on the thumbnails below to see which well-heeled VIPs made the cut to the main event and, of course, get ready to lust after the lovely Greta Constantine Fall '13 collection. I am loving that maxi dress with the belted fur stole and the hide and chic origami-like vest with the wide-leg white trousers. Oh, and dying over the fierce jewel art by Dandi Maestre. Et tu? Any faves? Be sure to also check out the video below - a super interesting glimpse at the triumphs and challenges of building the Greta Constantine brand. Enjoy!

All photos by George Pimentel

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