Inside the Brand New Saks OFF FIFTH

via the Vaughan Mills blog

It isn't every day that a care package from Saks OFF 5TH lands in your mailbox. Bills? All the time? Designer shades, a gorgeous scarf and a VIP invite to the grand opening party? Never. Which brings us to tonight. I'm at Vaughan Mills, dressed in my all-black too-cool-for-school swag, to fête Saks OFF 5TH's arrival in Canada. Those of us who've flocked to the States over the years for our annual fix are already addicted. And if the looks of longing by my fellow shoppers are any indication, I'm in for some stiff competition tonight...

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Buy Now: Jack Purcell Converse x Hudson's Bay

Whether you're an undergrad, have little ones of your own, or haven't set foot near a school in years, every girl deserves a little back-to-school shopping. Number one on my list this fall? The just-released Converse Hudson's Bay Company Jack Purcell Sneaker Collection. Each of the 3 styles (a unisex Jack Purcell, hi-top Duck Boot and women’s Helen silhouette) embodies the iconic HBC wool point blanket stripes, complete with threaded stitching, antique brass eyelets and the Jack Purcell and Hudson's Bay logos. I saw these at the holiday preview in Toronto last month and all the editors were freaking over them. One foolish intern literally drooled right into the hi-top and was promptly hauled off by the HBC police. She hasn't been heard from since.

The Converse Hudson’s Bay Company Jack Purcell sneaker collection is now available exclusively at Hudson’s Bay Stores and online at thebay.com for $120-140. Must. Buy. That is all.

London Calling

The Canadian Olympic Team's Official podium look by the Hudson's Bay Company

Sir Lance A Lot (aka Canadian Olympic fencer & total hottie) Philippe Beaudry 

The Hudson's Bay Company Opening Ceremonies Uniform

Originally posted in The CLOSET. All photos courtesy The Bay

I'm not super skilled when it comes to team sports. Growing up, my dad (a former football coach), did his best to teach us how to throw the perfect spiral and skilfully employ a baseball glove but somehow, my sister and I would always end up doing cartwheels in the field or distractedly picking flowers.  Ooh, pretty!  Maybe it was the costumes (okay, definitely it was the costumes) but I passed over sticks, pucks and balls in favour of tutus and pointe shoes.  Though dance is incredibly physical and it gave (past tense) me some rocking calf muscles, it was the theatricality of it all, the feeling of performing in front of a crowd that really drew me in.  At University, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in the dance world so I even got my degree in Kinesiology at Western. Waste. Of. Money. Ahemm..did I just say that out loud? But then in 3rd year, I went on exchange to France and at that point, I knew I wanted to pursue fashion as a career so I could avoid all the physical stuff altogether and skip right to dressing up.  Brilliant!  Now I get my kicks from workout videos (Tracy Anderson because she trains Gwyneth Paltrow), swimming (cute bikinis), shopping (seriously...have you ever had to carry 11 bags all over the city to style a TV shoot? I'm telling you, it's like the Iron Man...only in heels), and playing with my kids (because it's fun).

Despite my athletic shortcomings, I get giddy as a girl in a sample sale when the Olympics are on.  The athletes' personal stories are better than any reality show, the mad, mad skills of the athletes are jaw-droppingly unbelievable, and that feeling of pride I feel every time I see a Canadian on the podium? Unbeatable.  The London 2012 Olympics are in full swing and I can't wait to get into it all, from the comfort of my couch of course ;)

If you haven't indulged in a little Olympic Canadiana yet, head on over to the Bay to get suited up.  As the Official Canadian Olympic Team Outfitter, HBC has stylish Olympic finds for the whole family (and a lot of it is currently on sale, btw).  Goooo Canada!  x

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