MOM LOVE | Our Mother's Day Gift Guide + #Win a Gorgeous Pandora Pendant

Miranda Kerr and her adorable son - via Vogue UK

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I've always adored my mom. She was as loving, warm and supportive a mom as any daughter could ever hope to have. But I never really appreciated her until I became a mom myself. I just didn't get the sacrifice. I didn't understand all the times she made me clean my room. I didn't get why she wouldn't pack things like Twinkies and fruit roll-ups in my lunch like most of the other moms. Apples and carrots? A-GAIN?! And all of those piano lessons and pleases and thank-you's. Blech. 

Now I have two kids of my own. In fact, I just sent them off to school with sandwiches, carrots and quinoa raisin bars in their backpacks. They like them, I swear. And now, I totally get it. I get almost every little thing my mom did for us growing up, and how she felt when we didn't act the way she'd taught us to act. As a formerly laid-back person, I now take what my kids do to heart, but it's only because they take up so much of it. I might work in fashion but by far, my most important job in life is to do what I can to help my kids grow into happy, thoughtful, responsible people. And I consider myself a happy, thoughtful, (mostly) responsible adult now in large part because of my parents and all that they did for me. 

I've rounded up some lovely Mother's Day gifts - from pretty little tokens to sentimental sparklers, we've got loads of great ideas for you below. 

Now for the exciting part...

#CONTEST ALERT!

We're giving away this gorgeous Rose Silver Pendant with a Sterling Silver Chain from PANDORA (valued at $110) just in time for Mother's Day! 

SEE OUR GIFT GUIDE AND ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY HERE...

happy fri :) xx

COACHELLA COOL | The 15 Festival Finds You Need + #WIN with American Eagle

via American Eagle on Instagram

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Festival fashion is like the hipster of the fashion world - so predictable, so ironic and yet, so undeniably sweet that I can't help but love it anyway. Blame it on the feathers, fringe or fedoras (or all of the above), but I look at pics of girls heading to Coachella this weekend and can't help but be jealous. I mean, if I were young(er) and single(r) (I love you if you're reading this, cute husband), unencumbered by the daily grind of jobs and kids (love them, too) and responsibilities, I'd sobe heading to Coachella this weekend. In fact, I'd be going to all of the music festivals this summer, not so much for the music (though I'd pretend that was my reason), but to look as cute as the American Eagle girls. Seriously, look at the picture above. Think they have anywhere to be? Any deadlines? No. Their only goals that day are to spin circles in the dirt, let their floral kimonos catch the sunlight and show off their perfect accessories on Instagram. Vain? Totally. Fun? So fun. 

I've handpicked the 15 festival finds you need right now to score some of that Coachella coolness, whether you've already planned your spring/summer concert season or not. Read on for my top picks from American Eagle and don't miss our giveaway at the bottom of the post. I don't have any concert tix to give away but I can certainly help get you dressed for whatever fun concerts come your way.

Happy FriYAY!

SEE MY FESTIVAL PICKS + ENTER THE CONTEST HERE...

#WIN IT | A Soft Moc Giveaway

 

WASHMOC Blue Suede Washable Moccasin

Maple Moose Fringe Bootie Moccasins

Whether they've been 'in' or not, moccasins have always been a mainstay in my house. Instead of shuffling around in wholly unsexy slippers, we like to spend our downtime in cute mocs. Furry mocs keep our toes toasty in the winter, while fringed leather mocs keep us covered in the summer. And I have to say, I'm always relieved to have them on foot whenever unexpected guests drop by. 

Spring '15 is all about the seventies so this year is sure to see a resurgence of the classic moc. Soft Moc sent me a few new pairs of mocs (available exclusively at Soft Moc) to test drive and I just had to share. First up, the new Washmoc suede moccasins - that's right, a washable suede moc, lined with a memory foam insole for extra comfort. They're cute, super cozy and come in both neutrals and brights to add a pop of colour to your downtime. Instead of a bottle of wine, these would make the perfect weekend hostess gift too, don't you think?

The Maple Moose Fringe Bootie Moccasins are simply beautiful. While they're lightweight, the cushioned footbed makes them endlessly wearable, unlike some other mocs I've tried in the past. But my favourite part? These beauties are made in Canada - always a big bonus in my books.

If you haven't checked out Soft Moc lately, you really must. The site is loaded with mocs and mukluks in every imaginable style, colour and pricepoint (more on that later). And btw, Soft Moc is my go-to for any otherwise sold-out style. White Converse? Sorels? Hunters? You can pretty much always count on the store and site to have them in stock. There are currently 108 SoftMoc locations in Canada, or you can of course visit them online at  www.softmoc.com 

Okay, now for the best part: My friends at Soft Moc are giving away these gorgeous mocs to 2 lucky RLR Readers! Here's how you can win your own pair:

1) Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a new pair of mocs. 

OR

2) Follow @SoftMocShoes and @realliferunway and tweet the following '@realliferunway is giving away 2 pairs of @SoftMocShoes moccasins. Follow & RT to #win! http://bit.ly/1DjhED7 '

3)  Contest ends next Thurs, Feb 12th at 5 pm. I'll announce the winner on Friday. 

4) Open to residents of Canada only (excluding Quebec - désolée!) 

GOOD LUCK! XX

#WIN IT | The Girl on the Train Giveaway

I've resolved to get back to reading for pleasure this year and so far, I've stuck with my commitment. Not only have I joined a book club with friends who prefer pinot over pressure, but I've taken the pressure off myself, too. I used to feel like I had to read the 'right' books - the heavy ones, the classics, the award-winners. But when life gets hectic and a vacay feels like ages away, a page-turning beach read always makes for a great escape.

Indigo sent me a copy of the most talked-about book of the year The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and I just finished reading it. Have you had the chance to pick it up yet? Everyone (like everyone) is buzzing about this book right now and it's already being touted as the Gone Girl of 2015. It's a thriller full of messed up, complicated characters, neighbours whose lives you think you know but really don't, and a page-turning plot that keeps you guessing right until the end. I won't review the book because I don't want to give anything away (and because it's Friday so I don't feel like writing a book review) but I can tell you this book is totally worth picking up, book club or not.  

Now here's the best part -  my friends at Indigo are giving away 3 COPIES of The Girl on the Train to 3 lucky RLR readers! Here's how you can win your own copy:

1) Leave a comment below telling me your top book recommendation right now (your fav book, book you just read and loved etc. )

OR

2) Follow @chaptersindigo and @realliferunway and tweet the following '@chaptersindigo & @realliferunway are giving away 3 copies of The Girl on the Train. Follow & RT to #win! http://bit.ly/1yStb9f'

3)  Contest ends next Mon, Jan 26th at 5 pm.

4) Open to residents of Canada only.

GOOD LUCK! XX

#WIN IT | A Smart Set Holiday Giveaway

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

The holidays are only a month away (insert panic button here) and while this festive season calls for loads of comfy gear (think PJ's, parkas and plaid scarves), it also requires putting on your party best. From family meet-ups to festive fêtes, it's always a challenge to look unique. Luckily, you don't have to spend a fortune to outshine those twinkly lights. My go-to spot for cheerfully cheap party pieces? Smart Set, of course. This store's always got the season covered with embellished sweaters, sexy dresses and just-edgy-enough accessories to help you shine throughout the holidays.

To inspire you away from your LBD, I've put together 3 pretty party looks that keep style and comfort top of mind, from a bomber worn over a wind-chill-friendly maxi, to a cozy tulle skirt/sweater combo you'll want to wear everywhere.  And to help you shop your fav Smart Set look, we're giving away a $100 Smart Set Gift Card! 

READ MORE...