My ready-for-takeoff #OOTD, incl. NY-ready choc. brown nails and leather joggers.
When White House Black Market, the kind-of-a-big-deal American retailer, offers to fly you to NYC for their Spring '15 preview, the answer is obvious. And so I told them 'no'. I mean, I had already promised my daughter that I'd go along on her field trip to the symphony that day and had committed to a few events in Toronto that night, and I always keep my promises. I told my husband, expecting him to give me a big super-parent high five, but all he gave me was an 'Are you Craaazy??' face and shook his head. My daughter was equally perplexed, 'You get to fly to New York City?? That's so cool! Can you just bring me back something from American Girl?' So, I backpedalled and said yes, only to find out that not only was WHBM going to fly me to NY, but they'd also arranged car service and a hotel room in the Fashion District. Um, sweet?
Our small but lucky group of Canadian bloggesses met at YYZ, airport style at the ready and coffees in hand. WHBM knows how to pick 'em: Gracie Carroll, Robin Edwards, Susan Liberatore, Iva Grbesic and (thank goodness I said yes) me. Doug Ford was directly in front of us at customs. Ominous. But nothing could rattle us now. We were en route to New York. This was a good day. We sat down at our gate and, perhaps to shift the balance of our Ford Nation run-in, in walks Robert Pattinson! He was underworldly pale, had a toothpick stuck between his teeth, and looked like he hadn't showered in a month. Swoon... We had maybe 25 people on our little plane and 1 of them was R-Patz. These were good odds. Our jazz hands, loud mentions of our blogs and even Susan's attempts at a pic for her teenage daughter were met with, well, nothing. Over it.
We landed at La Guardia and drove into the heart of NY to stroll and shop. We made our way to the much-buzzed-about Café Cluny, a gem of a place in the West Village where the city's most fashionable flock and where the wait staff all wear Saint James. Waris Ahluwalia sat beside us and Derek Jeter sat behind. You have to go.
At night, we headed to the main event: the White House Black Market Spring '15 Preview at the so-hip-it-hurts Jack Studios. Picture pink, black and white-clad mannequins and massive green topiaries spelling out WHBM, set against the backdrop of an all-white space inside and the NYC skyline beyond. Breathtaking. We met the entire WHBM crew, mingled with other US editors and caught up with a few other Canadians including Afiya Francisco, Carolyne Brown of Loulou Magazine and Flare's Tyler Franch. My picks? The athletic separates which I'll sport both in and out of the gym, the ultra-feminine spring frocks in florals and pastel solids, and the flattering oversized sunglasses which I will definitely be picking up when they hit stores. Count me a super fan, as biased as I might currently be.
The next day was spent shopping (and shopping, and more shopping) but given our crazy celeb karma on this trip, I wasn't totally surprised when Iva whispered, 'Isn't that Olivia Palermo??' And there she was most unmistakably, my fav street style fashion icon, walking directly ahead of us on 5th Ave. I sidled up beside her and in my most humble voice said, 'Olivia, we're fashion bloggers from Canada. Would it be possible for us to take our pic with you?' OP looked genuinely flattered (not a hint of Robert Pattinson's 'tude at all). Her sweet mom grabbed my phone, snapped a few pics and we headed back to La Guardia, exhausted, overwhelmed and completely happy.
See what can happen when you say 'yes'? Thanks so much White House Black Market for an incredible time. Can't wait to shop your collection when our Canadian snow thaws.
Scroll down for my trip pics...
Robert Pattinson's rear view. Would I joke about something like this?!
Big yellow taxis: the 2014 version.
Good company: Iva Grbesic, Robin Edwards and Susan Liberatore on our NYC stroll.
When in the West Village...
This not-so-subtle selfie of us with Derek Jeter that almost got us kicked out.
Chunks of decadent dark chocolate for dessert. Loved this idea...
One can only stand in killer heels for so long.
The stunning display at the WHBM Spring '15 preview.
Athletic wear done right.
A walk in the park.
WHBM never looked so good.
A room with a view.
Note to self: WHBM makes the BEST oversized sunnies.
Our Canadian Crew including (left to right): Shop with Robin, Crazy Style Love, Ava Grace's Closet, Me, The Style House and Falling in Style.
The new super pretty party dress collection coming to stores next spring.
Jenny snaps a pic of the Empire State Building.
New York's finest.
Nobody does store windows at Christmas like New York.
Requisite shopping selfie.
Our fortuitous run-in with our fav fashion icon, Olivia Palermo (!!!)
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 4:42PM 
