Fashion's Night Out

Vogue, the CFDA, the City of New York, and NYC & Company have teamed up again for the world's biggest shopping night, Fashion's Night Out (FNO) on September 6th!  Celebrate the hautest shopping night in style with this just-released FNO Collection at eLUXE, comprised of chic totes and tees. (40% of the proceeds raised from the sale of this collection will benefit the New York City AIDS Fund.) 

This year marks Toronto's very first FNO with retailers across the city hosting special events from 6 - 11pm, complete with style sessions, make-overs, treats and mad discounts.  rlr mini and I will be hitting up the parties at eLUXE, Gap, Holt Renfrew, and Intermix...though I expect we might make a few more stops along the way.  Want to join in the fun?  Check out the FNO Toronto website to plan your shopping route now. Hope to see you there! x  

A Gabrielle Johnson Guest Post!

Style Expert Gabrielle Johnson knows a thing or two about fashion.  The exceptionally stylish Central Saint Martins grad and former Sweetspot editrix has worked with some of the biggest publications in the business and currently spills her fashion and beauty secrets for Toronto Life and Glow Magazine, among others. Gabrielle agreed to write a guest post for RLR to help us harness the power of the peplum for fall.  Lucky us! Check back for more guest posts in the coming months from Ms. Johnson and other members of Canada's fashionable flock...

Forget one-season wonders: Pretty peplums — those ultra-feminine, flattering flared ruffles currently spilling forth from the waists of tops, skirts, dresses and jackets everywhere — dominated designer runways for spring and fall 2012.

This season, we’ll be working the peplum at the office, on weekends and after hours (and showing you how to master the looks, too). We love a fashion trend with staying power.  

OFFICE CHIC
A flouncy peplum top becomes office-appropriate when paired with sleek, simple basics. Team this gorgeous wine-coloured 3.1 Phillip Lim belted satin-twill peplum top (US $550) with a smart black pencil skirt or slim-cut tailored trousers, and keep the accessories minimal. The best part? It’ll take you from endless meetings in the boardroom to after-work cocktails with colleagues, no costume change required.

WEEKEND CASUAL
We’ve grown accustomed to seeing stylish celebs like Emma Stone rocking OTT peplums on the red carpet, but take the ruffles down a notch and suddenly the peplum is perfect for weekend brunch.  This super-soft Autumn Cashmere button-back peplum sweater ($310) is just begging to be paired with skinny jeans, ankle boots and a steaming cup of hot chocolate. We can feel the leaves crunching underfoot already.

EVENING AFFAIR
Did we mention that the peplum is a godsend for women with curves? It creates the ultimate hourglass silhouette, nipping in the waist and sensually grazing the hips.  Show off your best assets in Zara’s embroidered faux-leather peplum top ($69.90); wear it with a flirty skirt or your tightest pants, depending on the level of bad-assedness you’re hoping to project.

To Have and to Hold

Oversized totes are huge (literally) for fall. Photo courtesy Harper's Bazaar

Originally posted in The CLOSET

When the government issued a plastic bag tax last year, I was relieved. I knew that the 5 cent charge was a little step in the right direction for our environment, slowly training us to be eco-aware. And yet, I have to admit, my relief was also aesthetically motivated. I mean, a plastic bag can wreak serious havoc on a great outfit. You could be wearing a Giambattista Valli frock with rockstar Louboutins but carry a plastic bag and you might as well be wearing jogging pants.

A great bag, as it turns out, is as essential as wearing pants. Instead of being an afterthought, a beautiful bag should be at the top of your priority list when getting dressed since great shoes and a good bag can make even jeans and a tee look spectacular. And the great news? The right bag doesn't have to be a Mulberry or Marc Jacobs. And it certainly doesn't have to be splattered with overt logos, be they Gucci G's or Coach C's. Instead, look for a beautiful silhouette, a colour that makes you happy, and a design that makes practical sense for your life. Choose right, and your bag will be something to have (and to hold), from this day forward, forever and ever (or at least for the next 3 years), Amen.

Want to look current for fall? Here are some of the top trends we saw on the runways this season:

1) Black Bags - After so many seasons lying low, black bags are back in a big way. Bonus: they're classic, weighty and go with everything.

2) The Top-Handled Bag - Ladylike and practical, these totes meld form with function. The Doctor's Bag is particularly hot for 2012.

3) Spicy Colours - Look for shades of turmeric yellow, saffron orange, and rich cayenne to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe this fall. Rich shades of bordeaux are also having a major moment this season.

4) Overt Embellishment - Bags loaded with embellishments, from studs, to fringe, to beading, to fur, are unapologetically busy and add dimension to any outfit.

5) Metallics - Shades of metallics, but particularly gold with black clutches or chain-handled bags, are perfect for busting out after dark.

6) Oversized Everything- This fall, the bigger the bag, the better. Look for massive silhouettes, from totes to oversized envelope clutches to hold all your stuff, with room to spare

7) Jewel Tones - Rich purple, emerald green and ruby red will go beautifully with all the jewel-toned separates hanging from the racks this fall.

Ready for a brand new bag? Click on the thumbnails below for 30 chic beauties from White Oaks Mall you might want to carry home this fall (Bags from Town Shoes, ALDO, Le Château, Roots, Danier, Coach, Club Monaco and Smart Set)

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Stud Finder

As promised on my Facebook page last month, I said I'd let you know when these sold-out studded flats were back in stock.  Not only are they back, but now available in loads of pretty fall colours like taupe, red, fuchsia, yellow and black. ADORE!  

The Khabou flat ($80) is now available in ALDO stores nationwide and online at aldoshoes.com

Swoon-Worthy Fall Shoes

 

Source: Pinterest 

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

When I was a little girl, all I wanted to do was grow up.  To help me in my quest for independence my parents, like so many parents, gave me 'responsibilities'.  I had to clean my room, set the table, and feed our cat.  When I finished any of these tasks, I always felt like kind of a big deal.  But nothing compared to cleaning out the front hall closet.  In that little 5 x 3 room, I'd surround myself for what seemed like hours with my mom's shoes.  So many shoes, so shiny, so pretty, and I was responsible for keeping them organized.  I'd carefully line them up, two by two, and occasionally kiss each pair when I was done for good measure.  When my job was complete, I'd step back in the hallway to survey my work and marvel at the beauty of a closetful of heels.  "One day they will be mine," I'd muse, "Oh yes, they will be mine..."

Fast forward to today and I have way too many heels and not nearly enough occasions to wear them.  Is there a greater tragedy?  My goal for this fall?  Accept more invites, host more dinner parties and break out my heels every chance I get.  After all, life's too short to wear less than spectactular shoes.

If you're in need of new kicks for fall, I've rounded up a group of super stellar (and mostly guilt-free) shoes just for you.  Whether you're after pretty loafers, beautiful boots, or killer pumps, we've got you covered.  And who says guys shouldn't have amazing shoes, too?  For men this fall, the stores are filled with super-cool options for you, too.  And I can pretty much guarantee the picks below will get you some positive female attention.  My only advice to you?  Run, don't walk (even if you're wearing heels), before your size runs out...

Click on the shoe slideshow below for my top picks in stores now (Shoes from ALDO, Spring, American Eagle,Boathouse, Champs, Journeys, SportChek, Le Château, and Roots)

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