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...

WORK IT 101: The New 9-to-5

A dress from the upcoming movie, 'After the Ball' designed by Le Château.

Originally posted in The LOOK

Getting dressed for work every morning can be a real bore. If your old dress pants, suits and skirts just make you want to hit the snooze button, we've got a serious sartorial wake-up for you: dressing for 9-to-5 doesn't have to suck. We've rounded up the prettiest promotion-worthy pieces in stores for fall, chic enough to work outside of work, but profesh enough to seriously impress your boss. Boardroom babedom, here we come... 

READ MORE... 

Destination Fabulous: Chico's Canada Is Here

All photos by Real Life Runway.

When Chico’s asked me to be a part of their Canadian launch, I’ll admit I had my reservations. I mean, Chico’s is something my mom and her friends wear. And while my mom and her friends are admittedly super stylish, and I’m a mom of 2 myself, there’s that part of me that still loves to get carded at the LCBO, that gets annoyed when people call me ‘lady’ or ‘ma’am’, and that makes a point to know everything about Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran so that I can stay 24 in my head forever. As for the brand, I knew the quality was there, their reputation stellar, but cool? Yup, Chico’s had some convincing to do.

I showed up at Square One in Mississauga on Thursday night to celebrate the exclusive VIP fête for Chico’s first-ever Canadian store. Rabid Chico’s fans craned their necks to catch a glimpse inside as my security detail (ok, fine, a pretty PR girl named Noelle), ushered me up the red carpet and right into the store. The Chico’s store itself is a stunner - massive windows flank an impressive lattice work doorway as you walk into the beautifully lit space. The other Canadian blogger invitees sashayed in shortly after - Iva Grbesic of Falling in Style, Afiya Francisco of The Style House, Lena Almeida of Listen to Lena, and Susan Liberatore of Ava Grace’s Closet - great crew of stylish somethings for this big deal Canadian launch. Servers plied us with wine and beef wellington bites as we chatted with Chico’s head honchos including the fabulous (there is no other word for her) Brand President, Cinny Murray, a glamazonian blonde decked out in head to toe black and gold, and Chico’s powerhouse FAS CEO, Dave Dyer.

We posed at the Chico’s Selfie Station, mingled with the other party-goers, and obviously, shopped. As I browsed the racks, there were some clothes that my (ahem) 24 year-old self isn’t quite ready to wear. But here’s the thing - I’m at the point where if I’m going to buy a white shirt, I want to buy a really good white shirt. If I’m going to get a sweater, I have no patience for one that's going to pill and stretch out. So I immediately honed in on some of the elevated basics that my closet is currently lacking - a leopard crewneck sweater (yes, this is a basic), a really good white no-iron shirt, a pair of beyond basic black pants, a beautiful striped long-sleeved tee and a great grey oversized cardigan. Chico’s, in case you aren’t familiar, is far from cheap. Prices are in line with Club Monaco/J.Crew, but the quality warrants the price tag. Sweaters are silky, shirts beautifully constructed and the pants fit like a dream. Beyond the basics, there were a few standout pieces I’d love to add to my closet: the Faux Leather Fringe Artisan Duster (Afiya and one of the Chico’s models were loving this one and it’s gorge in real life), the Logan Stretch Bracelet (gold. hammered. metal. love.), and the Faux-Suede Drape Vest and Cutwork Jacket (totally Can’t Buy Me Love). One other pleasant surprise to me was the stores line-up of amazing jewelry/accessories, which we blogettes spent loads of time swooning over.

I'll admit that certain pieces on the site/in the lookbook are styled in a way that I wouldn’t wear them myself, so it does take some imagination. But taken out of context, I am totally loving everything I’ve brought home.

Here are just a few ways I’ll style my easy-to-reinvent picks this fall and next, and the one after that. I’ll only be 26 by then...

Softest cardi ever. Love the knit detail on the back. Chico's Grey Knit Back Cardigan, $119

A little leopard goes a long way. Chico's Animal Print Neveah Top, $69

Drapey, silky pants, perfect for playing dress-up. Chico's Knit Kit Black Pants, $89

Chico’s will be opening another store on 8/29 at the Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington. So, have you been? Will you go? Can’t wait to hear what you think, and of course, what you buy!

My 6 year-old took this shot. Not bad, huh?

SPONSORED BY CHICO’S

FALL FASHION: Let's Hear It for the Boy

A classic white shirt gets a vampy revamp. Photo via H&M.

Originally posted in The CLOSET

He might not have the best style. He might not even have style. But you know you've raided his closet, anyway - his big comfy sweatshirt when it's freezing out or his button-down shirt when you have nothing else to wear to bed. There's something about a girl in guy's clothes that just feels so right and while it might not be overtly sexy, it's the oversized, rumpled, undoneness of menswear that we can't help but love.

From cute grandpa cardis to ultra-sexy boyfriend jeans, here's how to add some boyish charm to your fall wardrobe now, no closet thievery required...

READ MORE...

FALL '14 DENIM: 3 Easy Looks

A perfect double denim look from Paris Fashion Week. via collagevintage.com

Originally posted in The CLOSET

THAT time of year has come and while we've tried desperately to stave it off, it's time for a reality check: Back-to-School season is officially upon us. I'm in full kid shopping mode at the moment, picking up printed skinnies and slip-on sneakers for my daughter one day and little graphic tees and hi-tops for my son the next. Much as I love to give them the best BTS outfits ever (for their sake and that of my Instagram feed, obvs), and as much as I understand that I'm not actually going back to school, I feel it's always crucial to refresh our wardrobes, too, this time of year.

My fail-proof fall wardrobe updater? Denim, of course. Jeans in all shapes, sizes, prints and washes are currently flooding the stores and I've seen dozens of pairs I'd love to pick up. But how to wear them right now? I've narrowed down some of my fav street style looks from the ever-stylish peeps at Paris Fashion Week. See the looks below to get inspired as you get ready for a return to early mornings, cooler temps and jam-packed schedules. Blech. Luckily, you can look forward to wearing these super cute fall outfits. See? Fashion always gives us a silver lining...

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...