HIT REFRESH | My Shopbop Early Spring Picks

via Shopbop

It's around this time of year that I always get the powerful urge to purge. I want to give away all of my faded pants, play hide-and-seek with my winter coats (oops, guess they're lost for another season), and basically just hit refresh on my entire wardrobe. Anyone else feel the same way right now? As a Shopbop blogger ambassador, I'm constantly creeping the site to see what's new, so I've picked a handful of faves - some relatively guilt-free, one particular Tibi trench purely aspirational at this point. Though, I would be quite tempted to curb my impulsive shopping habits for a few months to own that beauty. If only I hadn't already bought those killer Schutz lace-ups...Um, yup. #budgetssuck

Commando Rash Guard, $88

Frends Layla Headphones, $150

Rebecca Minkoff Taylor Crossbody Bag, $195

Schutz Dubianna Lace-Up Sandals, $220

J Brand Mid-Rise Ankle Skinny Jeans, $218

Karen Walker Deep Freeze Sunglasses, $250

Jennifer Meyer Mini Wishbone Ring, $250

Loeffler Randall Haircalf Industry Bucket Bag, $325

Tibi Trench, $675

JET SET | How to Pack Like a Pro

via Victoria's Secret

Originally posted in The CLOSET

February always brings about a collective desire to escape the Canadian cold. Months of snow, sleet and frozen feet - been there, done with all that, right? Whether you're just talking about a last-minute trip or have already booked your dream beach vacay, a perfectly packed suitcase makes any getaway that much more dreamy. I've pulled together 20 perfect packables to help you make your great escape in style. Bon voyage, indeed.

READ MORE...

READ MY LIPS | They Will LOVE These Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts

Photo by Patrick Demarchelier | via Vogue Russia

Originally posted in The LOOK

Like birthdays, Christmas and Mother's Day there's always a guy just wandering the mall around Valentine's. You can spot him instantly, holding a pink scarf up in the air, all 'what is this thing?' here, inching his way, head down, sunglasses on, into La Senza there. Books of poetry are perused, card aisles are scoured. And then an hour later, an 11th hour trip to Laura Secord inevitably ensues, followed by a desperate pitstop at the florist on the way home where he'll pick up the first red thing he sees. Cue the violins. 

Some women mistake flowers and chocolates for not caring but it's the whole painful preamble we often miss out on. The part you see in the movies that makes your heart swell, and makes you wish you had a guy just like that. And quite often, he's standing right there in front of you, box of chocolates and wilted carnation in hand, ready for a nap because it has been a really LONG day at the mall. Okay, make that a really long hour, but shopping time is like dog years for most guys. 

Well, lost souls, this gift guide should help. I've got the most lovable Valentine's gifts picked out for you, whether you're crushing, dating or already fully hitched. Plus, I've got some super sweet ideas for men and the wee ones, too because we get it - we're all busy, too. 

Happy Valentine's Day my loves. Hope your day's full of love, lust and low-to-no stress.

SEE THE GIFT GUIDE HERE...

#SpreadLeLove with Le Château

Alex and I ham it up for the camera. #nopresh

When Le Château asked me to be a part of their #SpreadLeLove Campaign along with some of Toronto's top fashion influencers, I jumped at the chance. I mean, me and my little blog? I didn't know I was on the radar, so YAY! 

The shoot was designed to celebrate the many different types of love, all while wearing looks from Le Château, of course. So, I headed to Le Château at Toronto Eaton Centre and found a gorgeous Made in Canada red coat, & classic white shirt, a perfect pair of black pants, plus a pair of Spiderman-esque webbed booties that I knew my superhero-obsessed boy would appreciate. As for Alex? Well, he didn't have a choice, either in taking part or in what he was going to wear, because I didn't really tell him. There were no pep-talks, no fussing, generally no lead-up at all to the photoshoot except, 'Wanna wear your favourite fox shirt? They're going to take our picture for Valentine's Day.' Fingers crossed.

Luckily, our boy handled it all beautifully. I picked him up early from school, we drove to Toronto, then had a blast hamming it up for the camera. The adorable lookbook just arrived in my inbox and I had to share it with you first. Scroll through the slides below to see all the pics including: 

• Afiya Francisco and her adorable boys
• Power fashion couple Alexander Liang & Justine Iaboni
• Maple Media crew Chris Turner, Sarah Kooner and Marianne Litman
• Daniel Desforges and Julio Reyes
• Ryan Emberley and Sabrina Maddeaux
• Casie Stewart and Lauren O'Neil
• Erica Grenci
• Le Château's Lucy Song and Tu Tieu 

Thank you so much for including us in the fun Le Château! Okay, back to my blogging now. Sigh...I miss my modelling days. I mean modelling day...whatever...

xx

#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