The Bay Bringing Topshop to Canada (aka. I heart Bonnie Brooks )

Topshop opening NYC - photo courtesy www.hypebeast.com

Is it just me or is Bonnie Brooks the bomb?!  Ever since the style-savvy superwoman took the reins at the Bay, Canada's oldest department store suddenly became a lot more relevant.  In only a few years, Brooks has managed to woo brands like Halston, Coach and Rachel Roy to her stores, and has given Holts a serious run for its money with The Room, the re-imagined luxury designer boutique at the Bay's Queen St. location.  Just yesterday, the Bay confirmed that it's bringing British fashion retailer Topshop and Topman to Canada.  The Bay has managed to secure franchise rights for Canada, allowing it to not only open shops within its own stores, but stand-alone stores as well, which is very good news for babes on a budget like me.

“We couldn’t be more excited about adding Topshop and Topman to the Bay’s growing roster of fashion-forward finds,” said Brooks. “It’s a material step toward cementing the Bay as a world-class department store that delivers the ultimate fashion experience for our savvy clientele.”  The average price point for clothes will likely be under $100, Ms. Brooks said.  “I think Topman is going to surprise Canadians and it is going to be a real win because it is a niche that is not in Canada — cool guys’ clothes. And we know there is a market for that,” she said.

The first Bay Topshop will open this fall in Toronto, and there are plans to open up to 50 locations across Canada.

Is anyone else feeling especially excited to be a Canadian right about now?

Max Factor

Derek Lam Spring 2011 (style.com) and H&M Maxi Dress

I'm usually a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal and never like to plan anything too far in advance.  I thrive on spontaneity, revel in the thrill of the unknown and live for impromptu adventures.  BUT (you know I like big buts and I cannot lie), I've already marked March 31st on my calendar 'cause I have a date at H&M to pick up this killer maxi dress.  It's insanely pretty and could not be more of-the-moment.  I will live in this dress from spring to fall and can't wait to pair it with this season's modern metallic gladiator flats or wooden-soled wedges and bold turquoise or bright yellow costume jewellery.  The dress will be available at select H&M stores (Yorkdale, Eaton Centre, Bloor St., Peel/St.Catherine St. in Montreal, West Edmonton Mall, and Vancouver's Pacific Centre) for only $99.  Swoon!

Found: The Perfect Weekend Topper

I'm always on the lookout for clothes that are classic, chic and just a little bit unique.  If I can roll all three qualities into one perfect piece, I'm a very happy girl.  This utility jacket from Reitmans (really!) is going to be my go-to jacket this spring.  The drawstring allows you to cinch the waist and stops a boyish style from being too boxy, the collar is gloriously over-sized which makes it far from average and the colour is the perfect new neutral for right now.  Plus, it's infinitely wearable:  imagine wearing it over head-to-toe white, or skinny white jeans with a bright honeysuckle pink sweater or even with a little summer dress and peep-toe booties.  Whatever you do, dial up the girliness underneath for the perfect boy-meets-girl mix.

The long spring jacket ($60) is available now at Reitmans stores across Canada or online here. 

I Was Born This Way

 

Hotel Isle de France in St. Barts - photos courtesy www.isle-de-france.com

If a mysterious black car pulled into my driveway today, I would get right in.  I would step into the backseat and the driver would give me a knowing little wink and then hand me an envelope with the initials 'SBH'.  We would drive a little further and pick up my husband and he would inform me that the kids, dog and cat were being looked after this week and that my list of to-do's had become a list of 'dones'.  After getting a whole lotta tipsy on a few glasses of really good champagne, we would arrive at the airport, say a quick 'a bientot' to the snow, open the envelope to find two plane tickets and be escorted right into the first-class section of a plane headed for St. Barts (SBH).  We would arrive at a private villa at the Eden Rock, fall into bed and sleep for 3 days straight.  

After we finally wake up, this is what I would find in my perfectly-packed suitcase: 

   

(oh, and did I mention I would have Gisele Bundchen's Eden Rock-hard body?  Come on, it's my fantasy!) 

Uncanny

Louis Chair vs. Cate Blanchett

Do you think anyone accidentally sat on her at the post-Oscars dinner?