Feeling Blue

Photo courtesy H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

What is it they say, 'If you think it, it will come,' or something like that...

Well, I don't know about you but I'm thinking about summer and I subscribe to the philosophy of dressing for the season, even if The Weather Network disagrees. Once I've put away my winter coats, they're away for the next 5 months. Once I've stopped wearing socks, it's pedicure time from here on out. People might stare at my bare legs and sandals in the middle of a mid-May hailstorm but you know what I say to them? Stare all you want, I am not, repeat NOT, going back to tights and winter boots. Fuhgeddaboudit, donezo, screw you winter, we've had our fun, but I am more than ready for patios, sunhats, heatwaves and blasting A/C. Though Mother Nature might be waffling, I, for one, am fully committed to the hotness ahead and when the pavement sizzles, nothing cools me down quite like blue. I've always loved the serene colour in all of its many hues, reminiscent of crystal clear lakes, cloudless skies and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (well, maybe not the whole bottle...)

Are you feeling blue like I am? Read the full article here for my favourite blue finds, from breezy cobalt dresses to easy striped espadrilles, perfect for shuffling to the pool and back again. Sigh...doesn't it just make you want to dive right in? 

The Modern Way to Wear Florals

A cool floral shot from Blame S/S '13 Campaign - photo courtesy Blame

Originally posted in The CLOSET

The April showers came - oh did they ever - and with them, naturally, the flowers. Hooray! And while those darling buds of May are a joy to behold in our gardens, wearing them can be a little tricky.  I mean, you don't want to look like a teenager (unless you are a teenager, in which case, go on with your bad self), and you definitely don't want to look like a grandma, even if you are one.  The florals of Spring '13 are, as always, bright, cheery and fun but to make the most out of the season's best buds, it's all about how you wear 'em.  

I've put together 3 looks to show you how easy it is to pull off florals in a super modern way.  Whether you go for the bold with a bright mirror print frock or keep it subtle with a blue & white boyfriend shirt poking out under a lightweight sweater, you'll look positively Spring-y with the right floral print.

Happy May 1st to you! xx

P.S - For the first outfit, change up the handbag for grass green, bright yellow or even pink to reinvent the look over and over again. Oh, and that amazing Cleo dress? How Mary Katrantzou is that??

  

 

THE FLORAL SHIRT: Crossbody Bag, $59, Danier; Navy Trousers, $34.95, H&M; Preen x ALDO RISE Pump, $155, ALDO; Jocelyn Sweater, $119.50, Club Monaco; Floral Blouse, $39, Smart Set; Silver Necklace, $14.98, ALDO

THE FLORAL PANT: NYC Tee, $24.95, American Eagle Outfitters; Ray-Ban Shades, $189.95, Sunglass Hut; Botanical Skinny, $149.50, Club Monaco; Python Clutch, $45, RW&CO.; Ankle Strap Sandals, $89, Guess; Cropped French Terry Moto, $53.70, Aeropostale

THE FLORAL DRESS: Floral Dress, $60.20, Cleo; Silver Pumps, $34.98, Spring; Erickson Beamon Earrings, $139.50, Club Monaco; Denim Jacket, $34.95, H&M; Studded Foldover Clutch, $45, Le Château

H&M's New Model-Off-Duty Collection (and a $200 Spring Shopping Spree)

Top models Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen pose for the H&M New Icons pre-summer campaign - photos courtesy H&M

With street style shooters lurking around every corner, today's top models need to look killer both on the runway and off.  For its latest collection, H&M has partnered up with the world's top supermodels to create a range of eclectic, rocker-chic pieces inspired by the models' own off-duty style.  Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen front the gorgeous campaign which recalls another famous supermodel shoot from the '90s. Love!

The collection features a mix of tough-luxe leather, boho dresses and statement tees plus everyday (Supermodels: They're Just Like Us!) cotton vests and tees.  Since no top model would leave her apartment wihout the perfect extras, the range includes tasseled bags, cool fringed leather necklaces, suede knee-high boots and a wide-brimmed hat. I have to say that this is my favourite H&M collection yet - I'm dying for the leather jacket, that festival-ready frilly lace mini and that insanely cool black embellished vest. Want everything! The New Icons collection will be available in all H&M stores carrying the Everyday concept starting April 11th.

To help you shop, H&M is offering an exclusive contest to RLR readers (that's you!) with a chance to win a $200 SHOPPING SPREE at H&M! Here's how to win it:

1) Leave a comment below telling me your must-have piece from the collection.

2) For a bonus entry, tweet the following, "I want to #win a $200 Shopping Spree w @realliferunway & @hmcanada to shop the New Icons Collection! Check it out http://bit.ly/15zSsEc'

3) Contest closes next Thursday, March 28th at 5 p.m. 

GOOD LUCK! XX

Check out the full collection by clicking through the slideshow below:

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H&M Goes Hollywood with Conscious Exclusive Collection

Photos courtesy H&M

Though awards season is behind us, the warm weather ahead gives us plenty of reasons to party, from prom to weddings to chic soirées. Luckily, H&M has us covered with its new Conscious Exclusive Collection full of glam red carpet-ready dresses and suits.  As with previous Conscious efforts by H&M, this collection is made up of clothing and accessories (for both men & women) made from more sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel, so you can do good while looking good. Win. Win.

Loaded with thoughtful details, the collection features dramatic gowns and sharp tailoring for women, and suits with a rock-and-roll edge for men. I'm particularly smitten with the women's off-white 3-piece suit, the black Balmain-esque dress with the white sculptural ruffle (NEED this), the white lace hi-low gown, and that frothy soft green number. Pretty, right? 

The Conscious Exclusive collection ranges between $19.95 and $399 and will be available in around 140 stores worldwide starting April 4th.

 

 

Click on the thumbnails below to check out the whole collection: 

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Snake Charmers

Spring '13 at Proenza Schouler, Gucci & Erdem - photo credit: Fairchild Photo Services

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Snakes suck. I mean, not literally (I don't think?) but let's face it: they're cold, and creepy and can kill you. And so, I've never really been a fan. Now that I think of it, I don't think I know anyone who likes them. The sad part? It's so not their fault. A little baby snake with its cute little baby snake diaper is probably pretty sweet and I'm fairly certain it doesn't actually want to hurt anyone. It's just that, if someone was coming at me with a pitchfork or a shovel, I'd probably lunge, too, wouldn't you?

As it turns out, most people are almost as afraid of snake prints as they are of the slithery beasts themselves. And I'm here to tell you, as a full-blown ophidiophobic (yes, I looked that up), that when it comes to python, it's just not that scary. In case you missed the memo, 2013 is the Year of the Snake - that's right, the year where we celebrate all things serpentine - so I can't think of a better time to face our fears head on. So how do you wear python print? Think of it as the leopard's slightly edgier younger sister, something that's good in small doses, say in a shoe or a bag or a statement blazer, to add an instant dose of cool to any solid ensemble. Want to go all out? Try pairing a neutral python with a summer floral or opt for snake print done up in a pretty pastel or bold bright.

Before you know it, you (and maybe even I) will be sssimply sssmitten for snakes. Well, the print at the very least... 

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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