The All New Jean Machine

I love the idea of jean shopping but in practice? Let's just say it can be overwhelming. A few weeks ago, Jean Machine asked me to be one of the first to come in and shop their newly remerchandised store at Toronto Eaton Centre and since I hadn't set foot in the store in a few years, could not wait to check it out. After all, I bought my first pair of Silvers at Jean Machine with my first real paycheque and picked up many more pairs throughout the years, so we have a long history of hits and misses. Oh, if those changerooms could talk...

The invite to check out the new Jean Machine store came with a few exciting promises: a new and improved product mix (curated with the help of famed fashion/creative director, Susie Sheffman), a little personal shopping help from Jean Machine's expert in-store stylists, plus a $200 credit to pick out a full look. Um, yay?!

I showed up at Toronto Eaton Centre and right away, noticed the super cute campaign styling and a slightly more airy feel to the space than before. I was greeted by the team of Jean Machine beauties, eager to help me find my perfect pair. I let them have their way with me. 'Size me up, show me what's new. Only one thing: no blue. I want black.'

I passed loads of jeans, all beautifully organized by fit to make the jean-shopping process more manageable and was thrilled to see some of my favourite denim brands in stock throughout the store plus other labels I love like Soia & Kyo, ONLY, and Vero Moda. Beyond jeans, I saw loads of gorgeous coats, some super pretty dresses and fashion-girl musts like felt fedoras and oversized plaid scarves.

The girls picked out a dozen super pretty pieces (mostly black) and I had a super fun try-on sesh. While one Jean Machiner was rooting for an emerald blouse and body-hugging leggings, it just wasn't me. So we agreed that I should go for all black with loads of texture to keep it interesting. Being a mom can make you feel too good, if that makes sense. I needed some pieces with edge.

I ended up with a Guess faux-fur vest which I LOVE, a pair of perfect faux leather joggers from YDE Studio and a fun textured black tee. They look great together but I especially love that I'll be able to easily mix each piece into my wardrobe this winter.

If you haven't had the chance, be sure to check out the new Jean Machine. You'll love what they've done with the place.

LOVE Your Pants with LOFT

Women might wear the pants in most relationships (I may or may not be speaking from personal experience), but how many of us find it tough to find pants that fit? It's nearly impossible to find pants that don't gape at the back, don't give us thunder thighs, and don't give us muffin tops and let us eat them, too. Pant shopping, it turns out, can be a harrowing experience for even the most zen-like among us. 

Luckily LOFT has got it all figured out; They teamed up with Fortini-Campbell, a leading research agency, to get to the bottom (literally) of what women really want when it comes to pants. I'm talking 10,000 women, 4 hour sessions and 400 pairs of pants by LOFT and its competitors. The upshot? The LOFT team measured, re-measured, ripped, and lengthened, leaving no stitch unturned to create the perfect pant. Here's how they did it:

• First they focused on the rear (don't we all?), shortening the pant rise just a little to prevent sagginess and adjusting the rear pocket for ultimate perk appeal.
• Second, they slimmed out the thigh area by using less fabric, thus erasing excess bulk.
• Next, they lowered the knee break slightly to create the illusion of a long, lean leg (LOFT claims that this makes legs look up to 2 inches longer).
• And finally, waistbands were made wider and given an interior lining to smooth and flatten the tummy. 

The best part? This isn't just one pair of pants we're talking about. They have 45 different pairs, in loads of fits, lengths, fabrics, styles, colours and prints to suit every woman. In fact, LOFT guarantees that their pants will fit 9 out of 10 women. I have yet to put these LOFT-y claims to the test but promise to report back the minute I do. SOOO worth a try for the possibility of finding the perfect pant, non? Can't wait to hear what you think. 

P.S - If you're heading to Toronto Eaton Centre next Thursday - Saturday from 3-7 pm, don't miss the LOFT Pant Clinic (see above for details) with shopping expert Theresa Quick. 

RLR at MomThrive 2013

The 1st Annual MomThrive Conference is less than a month away and I wanted to share all the details with y'all.  I'll be honest - when they asked me to speak, I kind of said yes without thinking.  I've always heard that whole 'do what scares you' mantra and since I felt a little nervous about the prospect, thought it would be a smart confronting-my-fears exercise.  You see, I can talk on the radio or on TV and don't really get super nervous. But alone, on a stage, with a mic, in front of hundreds of people, for AN HOUR? Now that's what nightmares are made of. Yup. 

Now that the session is starting to come together and Old Navy has so graciously offered to supply the clothes, my fear is slowly being replaced with excitement.  I'll be waxing poetic on all things fashion - from Spring/Summer trends to stylist secrets to how to dress for your body - all with a focus on the needs of time-strapped moms.  The conference is full of amazing speakers including Julie Cole, Erica Diamond, Kathy Buckworth and CityLine regular Leigh-Anne Allaire Perrault, plus great food, yoga/meditation/bootcamp classes and prizes galore.  Now here's the super fun part - on the Saturday night, all MomThrive attendees are invited to an exclusive after-party with me at the Toronto Eaton Centre Old Navy, complete with styling sessions, mad DJ beats, treats, gifts and discounts. Fun!

Clean out your closet, grab your best buds and join me in Toronto for the weekend!

Oh, and yes, Real Life Runway readers get a special VIP discount - Sign up for MomThrive here and enter discount code RLR2013 to score $75 off the Early Bird rate. Hope to see you there! xx

An Ann Taylor Toronto Giveaway

Just wrapped up a whirlwind week filled with interviews, previews and parties. Now, I'm rolling home on my early morning VIA train as I consider the day ahead;  deadlines loom, big, fat turkey awaits and I fully expect a domestic explosion (of the housekeeping kind) when I return.  Oh, and the pies.  The fam will freak if I don't make pumpkin pies.  I'm actually thinking pumpkin whoopie pies this year.  Cray-cray?

Please give this blogger a day pass and in place of a proper post, accept this blinged out bangle from last night's Ann Taylor party as my sparkly apology?  Ann Taylor, in case you haven't heard, opens at Toronto Eaton Centre today but I got a sneak peek at last night's media launch. Gorgeous store, so many pretty pieces (and people) and the best part?  They're actually price-matching the US.  Hallelujah! #lessonlearned

Oh and speaking of J.Crew, the amazing new Eaton Centre store opened yesterday as well, with Toronto's first ever men's shop.  Check back soon for all of my party pics from the week and more gift bag giveaways.

To win the Ann Taylor Brooch Cuff (one of Kate Hudson's fall faves), tell me your favourite part of Thanksgiving - be it an experience, a family tradition or a yummy recipe you can't be without (help! need inspiration).  I'll announce the winner at 5 pm today!

Gobble, gobble, happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful weekend to you!

 

The Body Shop: Beauty with Heart

Model & Activist Lily Cole, The Body Shop's new global brand ambassador - photo: The Body Shop  

Johanna (aka rlr mini) and I, ready to hit the exclusive Pulse Boutique media preview - photo: Strategic Objectives

The Body Shop's 'Top 10' Gift Bag (scroll down for the giveaway) Photos by me

Last Friday, rlr mini and I woke up bright and (somewhat) early to head to the Toronto Eaton Centre.  The motivation?  The unveiling of The Body Shop's brand new (and much-buzzed-about) Pulse Boutique.  We strolled through the newly-renovated store to test out new products (everything from radiant BB Cream to shimmery Beautifying Oil) and reminisce about our old favourites (Johanna was obsessed with White Musk in highschool while I was a strawberry and kiwi lip gloss addict.  Remember those??).  Like us, The Body Shop has grown up, with its sophisticated new space, impressive makeup wall, and luxe-looking packaging. And of course, The Body Shop, as always, is way more than just a pretty face; its Beauty with Heart initiative aims to meld ethical practices (think zero animal testing) and Community Fair Trade ingredients with beautiful products (check out the video below to see the program in action and don't forget to follow The Body Shop on Facebook & Twitter to stay perpetually in-the-know about all of their new products and amazing initiatives)

We walked away with impressive swag bags filled with The Body Shop's 'Top 10' products including my can't-live-without Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover.  The best part?  The Body Shop gave us 2 extra gift bags to give away to you!  Yay!

Simply tell us your absolute fave product (past or present) from The Body Shop to win 1 of 2 'Top 10' Gift Bags (over $150 retail value each).  Contest closes at midnight this Wednesday!  Bonne chance, mes belles!  For all of the event pics, click on the thumbnails below x  

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