The Elephant Short Upshot

So, I went to the Banana Republic Milly Event in Toronto on Tuesday night and as predicted, everyone was smitten with the elephant shorts, including Milly herself, the lovely Michelle Smith, who claimed they were her favourite piece in the collection. I tried them on, fell in love and am now the proud owner of Olivia Palermo's elephant print shorts (see the post below for inspiration). So happy - they are the perfect length (not offensively short and they actually stay put), the perfect weight fabric, and the print is as cute as I'd hoped. Here I am, about to try on the shorts and looking awfully serious. Selfies are tough work. The pics below are post-short purchase. Note the dreamy grin on my face. x

Shop the Banana Republic Milly Collection here. Surprisingly reasonable, yes?

A tableau of terribly patient models greeted us at the front door of the Bloor St. Banana Republic

A pretty gift with purchase. Um, yes please!

I'm with the lovely Iva Grbesic of One Chic Mom. Love her!

Loved this tee but I'm on a budget so it had to remain behind for someone else to adopt.

With Stephanie Fusco, Milly designer Michelle Smith, Deanne Castro, and Nicole Wilson

How Celebs are Wearing the New Banana Republic Milly Collection

Olivia Palermo makes a compelling case for the elephant print Banana Republic Milly Collection shorts. Yes, of course her dog matches...

Maria Menounos wears her striped maxi. LOVE this dress.

Zoe Saldana with sister, Cicely. All Celebrity Photos via: Michael Simon / Startraks 

When faced with a fashion dilemma, I always ask myself the following: 'What would Olivia Palermo do?' As I write this post, I'm hurtling down the train tracks towards Toronto for tonight's Banana Republic Milly Collection launch party, hosted by Banana Republic (naturally) and Milly founder and designer, Michelle Smith. I knew that the opportunity to pre-shop the collection would be tempting when I got a sneak peek at the lookbook pics - Milly's signature vintage-inspired prints, gorgeous pops of colour, to-die-for dresses, etc. etc.- but thought I might be able to keep my Visa on lockdown all the same. I mean, how many dresses does a girl need?

And then my girl at Banana Republic sent me a pic of OP rocking the elephant print shorts. I don't own elephant print shorts. Even Olivia couldn't say no so how could I, a mere mortal, possibly resist all of that cuteness. Not to mention, I also own a white dog named Fonzie who, if given a proper bath, would coordinate so perfectly. Elephant shorts + black blazer + cute white dog = fashion win.

Did I mention the Banana Republic Milly Collection also includes menswear? Oooh, we could both bust out Milly at the dog park. #ahhhh

Will let you know what I end up choosing (elephant shorts, pink shorts w white blazer from the lookbook or the Maria Menounos maxi?) but I can already see that this is gonna be trouble. The collection is available in select Banana Republic stores this Thursday, May 30th and ranges from $24.50 - $175. Wish me luck x

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Toronto Premium Outlets to Open August 1st

A sketch of the Toronto Premium Outlets, set to open August 1st, 2013. 

Fellow savvy shoppers, rejoice! Toronto Premium Outlets™, (yes THOSE Premium Outlets) Canada's first ever upscale outlet center, officially opens its doors on August 1st! The new outlet centre will be like the ones we so love to visit in the States, with the top brands and irresistibly sweet deals that make for a super shopping experience. The center will be anchored by Hudson’s Bay Outlet (fun!) and will include the following stores, many of which are opening their first ever outlet locations in Canada: 

Banana Republic, Bench, Bose, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Cole Haan, Columbia Sportswear, DKNY, Dynamite, Eddie Bauer, Gap Outlet, Garage, Guess, Icebreaker, J. Crew, Kate Spade New York, Lucky Brand Jeans, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Ted Baker London, True Religion and Zumiez. Additional brands will be announced in the coming weeks. UPDATE: Burberry opening Dec 2013. #eeek

General Manager Megan Johnson says Toronto Premium Outlets™ will dramatically change the shopping landscape in Ontario. “It’s exciting because for the first time in Canada, shoppers will have an impressive collection of outlet stores close to home,” she said.

Toronto Premium Outlets™ will make a major impact on Toronto’s business and economic landscape as well, providing more than 800 full and part time jobs. To fill these positions, a Job Fair co-sponsored by Halton Employment, The Region of Peel and The Town of Halton Hills will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Milton Sports Centre located at 605 Santa Maria Blvd., Milton, Ontario. For complete details on the Job Fair and to stay in the loop for the Grand Opening Celebration and more, visit: www.premiumoutlets.com/toronto, or keep checking back on RLR. Will keep you posted the minute I hear more.

Yay. Yay. Yay. That's all I have to say. x

Holt Renfrew Launches New H Project Shops in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver

The new H Project shop at Holt Renfrew Bloor St. launches today. Photos courtesy Holt Renfrew

We can always count on Holt Renfrew to keep things fresh, forward-thinking and fashionable. Case in point: Holts' brand new in-store shop, H Project, featuring a curated assortment of apparel, accessories, home décor items and beauty products with a focus on culture, craft, and global artisans, 

Leading the charge of H Project is the store's always-on-top-of-it Director of Brand Strategy, Alexandra Weston. “We are thrilled to partner with exciting international designers – some well-known and others just making their mark,” noted Weston. “H Project offers a stage to help tell their unique and compelling stories."

The shop will offer exclusive designer collabs, often with an element of sustainability or a charitable component. H Project shops will launch with over 30 covetable brands that have been scouted from around the globe including Acca Kappa, Cornelia Guest, FEED, Jenny Bird, Lemlem, Lizzie Fortunato, Me to We, Proof, Rodin, S’Well, The White Briefs, Virginia Johnson and WeWood. 

As for the shop's design, Holt Renfrew collaborated with Janson Goldstein to design a modern gallery-like space where customers can discover elements of theatre, art and culture. The open flow shops will inspire with artisanal installations, cultural music, and videos on a listening wall where customers can learn about the stories behind the products. So, it's kind of like a mash-up of MoMA and Ten Thousand Villages, then?

H Project pilot shops are open this week at Holt Renfrew Toronto (Bloor), Calgary, and Vancouver, with the first full concept H Project shop set to open at Holt Renfrew’s Yorkdale location in fall 2013. See you there - I'll be the one getting my Lemlem on. x

Summer Crush: Mirrored Sunglasses

Mirrored shades on the Burberry Prorsum Spring '13 runway. Photo via Fairchild Photo Services

I don't know about you but I had the best weekend; It was everything that a long weekend should be - hot & sunny, plenty of G&T's on deck, sparklers after dark, and not a single tent peg in sight. Trouble is, after four glorious days of ushering in summer, I now find it impossible to get back to work. I try to focus but it's like my internal clock has been reset to 'relax' mode and Bob Marley has set up camp in my brain. I wanna chill but I also wanna love you, I wanna love and treat you, love and treat you right.

And so, let me share my favourite sunnies of the moment with you.  I'm loving all of the mirrored shades out there right now, especially the top-of-my-list Ray-Ban 3025's. They're lighthearted and fun, like summer should be, and will help make any summer look just a little more cool, a little more playful. Scroll below to find your perfect pair. 

Is this love, is this love, is this love, is this love that I'm feelin'? x

Ray-Ban 3025 Aviator Sunglasses, $199.95, Sunglass Hut

SUPER Basic Wayfarers, $166, Revolve Clothing

Future Flavor Aviator Sunglasses, $14, Urban Outfitters

ASOS Mirrored Lens Wayfarer, $20.96, ASOS

Proof Ontario Bamboo Sunglasses, $135, Holt Renfrew

Neon Aviators, $6, Aeropostale