WELCOME TO NEW YORK: My Pics from the WHBM Spring '15 Press Preview

My ready-for-takeoff #OOTD, incl. NY-ready choc. brown nails and leather joggers.

When White House Black Market, the kind-of-a-big-deal American retailer, offers to fly you to NYC for their Spring '15 preview, the answer is obvious. And so I told them 'no'. I mean, I had already promised my daughter that I'd go along on her field trip to the symphony that day and had committed to a few events in Toronto that night, and I always keep my promises. I told my husband, expecting him to give me a big super-parent high five, but all he gave me was an 'Are you Craaazy??' face and shook his head. My daughter was equally perplexed, 'You get to fly to New York City?? That's so cool! Can you just bring me back something from American Girl?' So, I backpedalled and said yes, only to find out that not only was WHBM going to fly me to NY, but they'd also arranged car service and a hotel room in the Fashion District. Um, sweet?

Our small but lucky group of Canadian bloggesses met at YYZ, airport style at the ready and coffees in hand. WHBM knows how to pick 'em: Gracie Carroll, Robin Edwards, Susan Liberatore, Iva Grbesic and (thank goodness I said yes) me. Doug Ford was directly in front of us at customs. Ominous. But nothing could rattle us now. We were en route to New York. This was a good day. We sat down at our gate and, perhaps to shift the balance of our Ford Nation run-in, in walks Robert Pattinson! He was underworldly pale, had a toothpick stuck between his teeth, and looked like he hadn't showered in a month. Swoon... We had maybe 25 people on our little plane and 1 of them was R-Patz. These were good odds. Our jazz hands, loud mentions of our blogs and even Susan's attempts at a pic for her teenage daughter were met with, well, nothing. Over it.

We landed at La Guardia and drove into the heart of NY to stroll and shop. We made our way to the much-buzzed-about Café Cluny, a gem of a place in the West Village where the city's most fashionable flock and where the wait staff all wear Saint James. Waris Ahluwalia sat beside us and Derek Jeter sat behind. You have to go.

At night, we headed to the main event: the White House Black Market Spring '15 Preview at the so-hip-it-hurts Jack Studios. Picture pink, black and white-clad mannequins and massive green topiaries spelling out WHBM, set against the backdrop of an all-white space inside and the NYC skyline beyond. Breathtaking. We met the entire WHBM crew, mingled with other US editors and caught up with a few other Canadians including Afiya Francisco, Carolyne Brown of Loulou Magazine and Flare's Tyler Franch. My picks? The athletic separates which I'll sport both in and out of the gym, the ultra-feminine spring frocks in florals and pastel solids, and the flattering oversized sunglasses which I will definitely be picking up when they hit stores. Count me a super fan, as biased as I might currently be.

The next day was spent shopping (and shopping, and more shopping) but given our crazy celeb karma on this trip, I wasn't totally surprised when Iva whispered, 'Isn't that Olivia Palermo??' And there she was most unmistakably, my fav street style fashion icon, walking directly ahead of us on 5th Ave. I sidled up beside her and in my most humble voice said, 'Olivia, we're fashion bloggers from Canada. Would it be possible for us to take our pic with you?' OP looked genuinely flattered (not a hint of Robert Pattinson's 'tude at all). Her sweet mom grabbed my phone, snapped a few pics and we headed back to La Guardia, exhausted, overwhelmed and completely happy.

See what can happen when you say 'yes'? Thanks so much White House Black Market for an incredible time. Can't wait to shop your collection when our Canadian snow thaws.

Scroll down for my trip pics...

Robert Pattinson's rear view. Would I joke about something like this?!

Big yellow taxis: the 2014 version.

Good company: Iva Grbesic, Robin Edwards and Susan Liberatore on our NYC stroll.

When in the West Village...

This not-so-subtle selfie of us with Derek Jeter that almost got us kicked out.

Chunks of decadent dark chocolate for dessert. Loved this idea...

One can only stand in killer heels for so long.

The stunning display at the WHBM Spring '15 preview.

Athletic wear done right.

A walk in the park.

WHBM never looked so good.

A room with a view.

Note to self: WHBM makes the BEST oversized sunnies.

Our Canadian Crew including (left to right): Shop with Robin, Crazy Style Love, Ava Grace's Closet, Me, The Style House and Falling in Style.

The new super pretty party dress collection coming to stores next spring.

Jenny snaps a pic of the Empire State Building.

New York's finest.

Nobody does store windows at Christmas like New York.

Requisite shopping selfie.

Our fortuitous run-in with our fav fashion icon, Olivia Palermo (!!!)

TRUE LOVE: Amal's Wedding Dress

Amal & George cover People Magazine. Photo: People.com

I don't know if George and Amal's love is real or just a pre-fab Hollywood closet block. And I still don't know whether or not George Clooney is gay. But I do know, since everyone is debating this right now, that Amal Alamuddin is officially > Kate Middleton when it comes to style. Amal has been nothing short of spectacular all week, from her hi-low fiery red McQueen micro-mini on her hen night, to her chic Bianca Jagger-inspired white pantsuit at her civil ceremony. Like Kate, Amal rarely has a fashion miss but here's the difference: Amal pushes it every single time. Kate? It's safe, pleasant, ironed. Excuse me while I take a Royal nap. Um Kate, the Queen called, she wants her nude hose back.  

Though Amal went leggy and edgy leading up to the big day, she opted for classic and timeless for her wedding day. People just released the first pics of her custom Oscar de la Renta French lace wedding gown, complete with hand-embroidered pearls and diamanté accents, plus an off-the-shoulder neckline and full circular train. Pretty, right? Here's the thing - Kate knows classic. Kate was perfect on her wedding day and so on that day she wins. I will give Kate her wedding day. But for everyday fashion choices, it's Amal. I love her brains, her hair and her style, and I wish her a long, happy life with George's credit card. Not that she needs it. 

Did you love Amal's Venetian Fashion Week? What did you think of her dress? And do you think that, wedding day aside, Amal beats Kate when it comes to style?

Le Château Hits the Big Screen

Photos by Le Château

Originally posted in The CLOSET

It's not often that one can shop a film wardrobe without serious consequences to one's budget. I've tried - would not recommend it. But there's something about the magic of a movie that makes us want to get right into character, particularly when princesses, party dresses and killer heels are involved. 

When I heard that Canada's own Le Château had created the exclusive wardrobe collection for After the Ball, the upcoming fashion fairytale flick starring Chris Noth, Lauren Holly and Portia Doubleday, I was stoked. And once the gorgeous lookbook pics were finally released, it was proof that when you give your designers some creative license, magic happens. 

From cool cobalt blue, reminiscent of evil stepmoms and scheming stepsisters, to soft berries, pretty pinks and boy-meets-girl pieces perfect for any modern Cinderella, the entire collection is full of refreshingly affordable lust-haves that will undoubtedly impress any Le Château skeptic. A pink coat with gold buttons, a work-perfect windowpane check dress and a houndstooth bow-tie blouse layered up with a plaid mini and edgy blue chain-strap booties are at the top of my list, while any future royal ball invites will beg for some of the dreamy dresses in this collection. 

Let's face it: After the Ball might totally suck (see the synopsis here), but if only for the flick's stellar wardrobe, I'm already head-over-glass-heels in love.

The After the Ball collection has already started to arrive in stores, with the bulk of the pieces hitting early October. Sigh...our fashion dreams have finally come true...

SEE THE FULL COLLECTION HERE...

TIFF '14: How To Do A Stylish Screening

TIFF is always fun with a fellow celeb-obsesser. Turns out you don't have to be blonde, you just have to be WITH a blonde friend, to have more fun. Love this girl!

Our coveted premiere tix to This Is Where I Leave You starring Tina Fey and Jason Bateman, sent to me by the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls. UM, love them!

Denzel, can you hear me?

My outfit of the night, featuring my Nine West x InStyle paparazzi-kicking pumps.

No, you're welcome.

Celeb hotspot, the Nikki Beach Toronto pop-up. Um, think she works out?

The split-second where we saw Denzel wave. My iPhone just missed the moment but luckily, we did not.

Chasing Bill Murray. Seriously.

I'm a deal hunter. I'm also a die-hard (not to be confused w Die Hard, please) film buff. So when Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls got in touch last week to ask if I wanted to attend a big TIFF premiere, it was kind of like the greatest love story of all time. I mean, they pursued me, told me they loved me (well, my blog), then penned me an epic love letter (in the form of 2 TIFF tix to This Is Where I Leave You), and it was just so, sniff, just so romantic.

I know Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls rather intimately - I mean, this is where my parents took us back-to-school shopping every single year and where my friends and I now go every November to do our Christmas shopping - so we have a history. I scored my first designer handbag there as a teen, and where I fell in love with J.Crew before J. Crew ever came to Canada. Their new massive expansion set to open this fall will bring 50 new stores and 175,000 square feet, making it one of the largest outlet malls in the States. Once the reno is complete, Fashion Oulets of Niagara Falls will boast over 200 top retailers including Saks Off 5th, J.Crew, Burberry, Kate Spade and Michael Kors. So, yup, I'm smitten.

When Sunday night arrives, I bring my gorgeous friend, Sara, along for the ride and the night, well, it turns out to be epic.  We nosh on burrito bowls while engaging in some serious people-watching (TIFF always brings out the best) to get properly fueled up for the night ahead. We realize that we're running dangerously late so sprint in our killer heels to arrive fashionably just-on-time to the premiere at Roy Thomson Hall. We're immediately ushered into a balcony to watch This Is Where I Leave You (we laugh, we cry, we selfie ourselves laughing and crying - I highly recommend), then realize that the balcony beside us contains Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, and Jane Fonda. Crush. Crush. Crush. Afterwards, there are whispers that Denzel is just around the corner, so we take off and ensconce ourselves right in the middle of a rabid throng of fellow celeb-obsessors. We wait. And wait. Then, there he is - most magnificent, distractingly gorgeous, Denzel. At least, I'm pretty sure it's him. I think I see his left ear. It's amazing.

But then the best part: we get back to my car and pull around the corner to head home. Caught at a traffic light, we look over to see an unmistakable shock of white hair. 'It's FREAKING BILL MURRAY', Sara screams. And there he is, in all his disheveled glory, standing in a back alley beside his black chauffered Yukon. I pull ahead to parallel park like I have never parallel parked before. Sara's already in her flats now, ready to take Bill Murray down. She rolls out of the car like a freaking ninja and is gone, only to return a few minutes later looking supremely dejected. 'He's gone.' But then, we see his Yukon pull ahead and we're off, racing through back alleys, weaving in and out of traffic to chase him down. Dangerous? Maybe a little. But this is the movie version of our life tonight. And it's FREAKING BILL MURRAY. Long story short, we lose him. But we will always have that chase scene.

If you've been invited to a TIFF party, or are debating going to a screening, but are at a total loss as to what to wear, I can help. You might think TIFF is all fake boobs and ballgowns, and you'd be partially right. But, the magic of TIFF is that literally anything goes. Here are just a few key fashion tips to keep in mind during the Festival:

• For a regular screening, err on the well-thought-out casual side. You don't want to be only one in a ballgown at noon on a Tuesday. 
• Take your style cues from the film you're attending. Jennifer Aniston's Cake calls for some wardrobe gravitas and low-key makeup whereas Channing Tatum's Foxcatcher begs for something super sexy, just in case you happen to run into him. Sara and I went edgy, young, and fun because we were going to a Tina Fey comedy - I wore a buffalo plaid tee, a textured black mini and killer black lace-ups, while Sara went for leopard print, slouchy black pants and black and gold-zipped pumps. Basically, get in character.
• For a TIFF party or big premiere, break out your fancy best, but remember to keep it interesting and edgy. Printed clutches, leather accents, statement jewels and heels will help you look like you've done this TIFF thing more than once.
• Not outfit related, but if you're in a big group of fans waiting near a red carpet, just shout out the words 'Channing Tatum' because people completely freak out, which is always funny.
• As my friend Sara so smartly did, carry a pair of sprinting flats in your clutch. You just never know when you'll run into Bill Murray in a dark Toronto alley. 

Here are two beautiful budget-friendly TIFF outfits you can pick up now at Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls. Happy TIFF! 

1. Stone Cuff Bracelet, $16.50, J.Crew Factory; 2. Keating Boy Blazer, $136, J.Crew Factory; 3. Boy Jean, $59.50, J.Crew Factory; 4. Non-Iron Fitted French Cuff Dress Shirt, Brooks Brothers Outlet; 5. Addie Calf Hair Loafers, $114, J.Crew Factory; 6. Pink Stripe Scarf, $45.50, J.Crew Factory.

1. Vegan Leather Ponte Dress, $126, J.Crew Factory; 2. Browline Sunglasses, $12, ALDO; 3. Neon Pendant Necklace, $45.50, J.Crew; 4. Python Crossbody, $31.99, Nine West Outlet; 5. Pink Leather Ankle-Strap Pumps, $71.99, Nine West Outlet. 

Canadian Brand We Love: Manitobah Mukluks

via INSTAGRAM/ @MANITOBAH

Aboriginal-owned Manitobah Mukluks has officially set the pace for Canadian fashion. As Canada's number one footwear brand, boasting an impressive 290 per cent growth over the past five years, the company keeps its people's rich history intact while training its eyes on the future. From street stylers and editors to celebs like Kate Moss and Beyonce, we just can't get enough of Manitobah's stylish mocs. I sat down for a chat with Sean McCormick, Manitobah Mukluks founder and CEO, to see what makes his company tick, which mukluks he can't live without and the Instagrammers he loves to follow right now ...

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