Chic Giveaway: Travel à la TASCHEN

 

 

Style is as much about what you eat, what you listen to and what you read, as what you wear. Every stylista worth her salt should have in her possession a collection of impossible-to-lift-with-one-hand coffee table books about fashion capitals (read: Paris, New York, London). Whether you escape there regularly or are simply an urbanite at heart, TASCHEN books are tops at virtually transporting you straight to the heart of your fave city. Anytime I feel that pang of wanderlust, I open up one of these books and there I am, sitting in the Café Flore, listening to Edith Piaf as I sip my café crème. On my New York kinda days, I'll make a mental map of the cool stores & restaurants I have to hit up next time I'm in town.  Somehow, as horribly homebound as I might be, a great book always makes me feel like I've had a little mini-break.

Coffee table books are one of the best kinds of luxuries but might not be something you often buy yourself.  Luckily, Chapters/Indigo just sent me 4 of my favourite TASCHEN books to give away to you! One winner will receive two of the ultimate city guides, Taschen's New York and Taschen's Paris.  The second winner will receive two super stylish photographic journeys: Paris: Portrait of a City and London: Portrait of a City.  

Huge bisous to Chapters/Indigo for this amazing contest xx

Here's how to win:

1. To enter, leave a comment telling me your favourite stylish read from Chapters

2. For an extra chance at winning, follow @realliferunway and @chaptersindigo on Twitter and tweet the following: “I want to win! @realliferunway and @chaptersindigo are giving away 2 chic sets of TASCHEN travel books http://bit.ly/Zi5uWW OR 'Like' Real Life Runway and Chapters/Indigo on Facebook.

3. The contest closes at midnight on Monday, March 11th, 2013 and we'll announce the winners Tuesday morning (Winners will also be notified by e-mail)

4. Contest open to residents of Canada only. 

5. Bonne chance, babies! xx

A Good Hair Day Giveaway

If you could throw me in a category when it comes to hair, I'd be on the low-low-maintenance end of things.   I wash it every other day before bed and go to sleep with my hair wet.  When I wake up I brush it (sometimes) or throw it into a ponytail.  Done.  The hair dryer comes out about once a month when I have to go to a big fashion event, and when I go on TV, I leave it to the professionals to make it look pretty.  

Which is precisely why I place a lot of importance on the products I use - particularly shampoo and conditioner since I use little else.  When Matrix sent me these 3 new products, I was thrilled.  Oil is the new black, or something like that, and I've heard those with luscious locks swear by the much-buzzed-about Moringa Oil to give their hair unparalleled shine.  I've been using the shampoo and conditioner for a few weeks now and am loving the results.  After washing, I rub some of the Replenishing Treatment into my ends and wake up the next morning frizz-free. And on the odd occasion that I flat-iron or blow dry my hair, I'll use it to protect from the heat.  Genius!

As promised on my facebook page, I'll be doing a few sweet giveaways this week and this is #1! Simply leave a comment below telling me your best tip for a good hair day for your chance to win this 3-pack containing MATRIX Biolage ExquisiteOil Micro-Oil Shampoo ($16.95/500mL), MATRIX Biolage ExquisiteOil Oil Crème Conditioner ($18.50/300mL) and MATRIX Biolage ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment ($21.95/92mL).

(PS - For extra chances to win, 'like' the MATRIX Canada Facebook page and follow @MATRIXCanada on Twitter.)

Good luck, beauties!  Contest closes this Thursday (Dec 20) at midnight.  Will announce the winner Friday am! 

The Body Shop: Beauty with Heart

Model & Activist Lily Cole, The Body Shop's new global brand ambassador - photo: The Body Shop  

Johanna (aka rlr mini) and I, ready to hit the exclusive Pulse Boutique media preview - photo: Strategic Objectives

The Body Shop's 'Top 10' Gift Bag (scroll down for the giveaway) Photos by me

Last Friday, rlr mini and I woke up bright and (somewhat) early to head to the Toronto Eaton Centre.  The motivation?  The unveiling of The Body Shop's brand new (and much-buzzed-about) Pulse Boutique.  We strolled through the newly-renovated store to test out new products (everything from radiant BB Cream to shimmery Beautifying Oil) and reminisce about our old favourites (Johanna was obsessed with White Musk in highschool while I was a strawberry and kiwi lip gloss addict.  Remember those??).  Like us, The Body Shop has grown up, with its sophisticated new space, impressive makeup wall, and luxe-looking packaging. And of course, The Body Shop, as always, is way more than just a pretty face; its Beauty with Heart initiative aims to meld ethical practices (think zero animal testing) and Community Fair Trade ingredients with beautiful products (check out the video below to see the program in action and don't forget to follow The Body Shop on Facebook & Twitter to stay perpetually in-the-know about all of their new products and amazing initiatives)

We walked away with impressive swag bags filled with The Body Shop's 'Top 10' products including my can't-live-without Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover.  The best part?  The Body Shop gave us 2 extra gift bags to give away to you!  Yay!

Simply tell us your absolute fave product (past or present) from The Body Shop to win 1 of 2 'Top 10' Gift Bags (over $150 retail value each).  Contest closes at midnight this Wednesday!  Bonne chance, mes belles!  For all of the event pics, click on the thumbnails below x  

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Glamp

John Vachon (1914–1975), Untitled (Marilyn in Canoe), 1953, photographic reprint, 27.9 x 35.6 cm, Courtesy of the Estate of John Vachon and Dover Publications Inc.

The Hudson's Bay Company Collection Multistripe Bikini, $75, The Bay 

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in B.C - photo courtesy wildretreat.com

Glamping in Africa - source: luxuryvacationsource.com

Majestic Tipi Lodge, Les Moulins, France - photos courtesy Domaine Les Moulins

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Printed Canvas Play Tents, $229, Restoration Hardware Baby & Child 

Dunton Hot Springs Luxury Resort, Colorado - photo courtesy Dunton Hot Springs

Hmmm, maybe I'll reconsider this whole camping thing...

It's Friday!  I probably don't say it nearly enough, but I'm so grateful for your unwavering support of my little fashion blog (and my sister's brand new rlr mini).  To say thanks, we've teamed up with our favourite brands to bring you some very fun treats, exclusive to RLR readers. Hoorah! Check back next week for all the great giveaway deets.  You will so not want to miss this!  Happy long weekend, my loves.  

xoxo