MILCK It

ela MILCK Lipstick Stud Clutch, $300, the code

Gwyneth Paltrow with Tom Ford (and her ela MILCK). Photo via ela's WORLD

With all of the saving we do on the daily here at RLR, the occasional splurge can always be justified. I know I've mentioned ela handbags before but a brand this good (and Canadian to boot) bears repeating. ela has garnered a devoted following over the past few years, thanks to the brand's luxe materials and sophisticated designs; her bags are classic, cool and always seem to elicit compliments anytime I tote mine around. Since Gwyneth was recently spotted carrying the ela MILCK (money/ID/lipstick/cell/keys), looks like the bag's It status has officially been cemented. 

We love the metallic and classic black version but this perfect red is particularly ready to go for the Canada Day weekend. If you don't already own one (or even if you do) get your ela MILCK now at Holt Renfrew, elahandbags.com or thecode.ca.

Happy loooong weekend!

Garden Party

Dress with Ballerina Neckline, $125, TRISTAN

At the Ann Taylor and Forever 21 Fall '13 Preview. Photo by George Pimentel

I'm not one to wear my love of flowers overtly on my sleeve - or my skirts or my pants for that matter. It's not that I don't like florals but let's just say I'm pretty picky when picking my posies, petunias and other floral fabrics. Flowers can easily look super young, super old or just super tack; I generally try to avoid looking like any of the aforementioned. 

When I spied this dress at Tristan the other week, I felt like I'd stepped straight into a Giverny scene. It's bright, cheery and perfectly Impressionistic and made me feel instantly happy on an otherwise blah day. On its own, the dress does look a little too sweet, a little too la dee dah for me, so I threw on a biker bomber to tone it down. On a hot day like today, I'd add a sexy black ankle strap sandal for some grown-up edge.

You like? You love? I hope somebody gets married or has a baby stat so I can rock this frock at the next shower...

Hudson's Bay Sets Sights on Saks

There's never a dull moment in the fashion world and today is no exception with the rumour of a Hudson's Bay buyout of US retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue. According to WWD, Richard Baker, Chairman and CEO of Hudson's Bay Co., is the major contender to purchase Saks Inc.

Hudson’s Bay’s potential acquisition of Saks department store and its outlet, Saks OFF 5TH, could see both stores opening up in Canada in the not-too-distant future. HBC currently owns 48 Lord & Taylor department stores and 3 Lord & Taylor outlets in the eastern United States as well as 90 Hudson’s Bay department stores and 69 Home Outfitters housewares stores across Canada. 

All rumours, all speculation at this point but can you imagine? Target, Nordstrom and Saks all without having to border-hop? Think this is the reason for Bonnie Brooks' recent promotion to Vice-Chairman? 

Shoe Love: Zara's Gold Studded Gladiators

Isabel Marant sends one of her new It shoes down the runway for Spring '13 - photo courtesy Fairchild Photo Services

Not sure how it happened, but my current sandal sitch is totally de-press-ing. Once-cute flip-flops now look all worn out and while I have plenty of high-heeled sandals, they just don't work for my day to day. I've been on the hunt for the perfect gladiator flat since I saw Isabel Marant's Spring '13 show but have yet to find the perfect pair; Enter these studded gladiators from Zara. They're simple and shiny and a little bit edgy and, best of all, under $100. I can't wait to pick up a pair and live in them all summer - who's with me?

Studded Metallic Flat Sandals, $79.90, at Zara stores nationwide or online at Zara.com

35 Pretty Summer Handbags to Pick Up Now

Photo courtesy Coach

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I'm not sure what it is about handbags, exactly, that gets me so giddy. Anyone get that same feeling when you see the perfect 'one'? Is it because a bag always fits? Or is it the fact that you can go wild with print, embellishments and colour without having to commit to a head-to-toe statement? Or is it because a handbag holds all of the important stuff like your wallet, your phone and anything (and everything) else you need to get through your day?

Somehow, guys don't seem to need handbags - the male species somehow gets by on pockets alone. Women on the other hand require them, we must have them (lots of lots of them), and I'm so glad we do, aren't you?

Read more