T.G.I.F.

A selfie I took today on Instagram

It's Friday and it finally feels like summer! Don't you just love weekends? Speaking of, why am I working at 5:30 on a Friday? Nope, can't think of a very good reason either. Oh, except I did want to share my latest scores: mirrored aviators from the men's section at Joe Fresh, a cool red necklace from H&M and a pretty navy dress from Smart Set. Love! You can't see the shoes but I'll leave those until next week. I could go on and on...

Hope you have the best weekend!

xx

Never Say Never

Chambray Blazer, H&M; White Shirt, Banana Republic; Scarf, Club Monaco; Belt, Banana Republic; Pants, Zara; Polka-Dot Socks, Winners; Shoes, Johnston & Murphy

When I first met my husband way back in 2000, I had a serious style challenge on my hands. He was like a badly-kept, beautiful old home, except instead of shag-covered hardwood and dropped ceilings, his gorgeousness was hidden away by a bowl cut and tragic Eddie Bauer pleated khakis. 

I loved him right away, penny loafers and bad 'do notwithstanding, and could definitely see loads of potential in his tall/dark/handsome looks, but wondered if he'd ever actually let me make him over. Here's the thing with guys - they don't like to ask for directions, they prefer to find their own path, get lost along the way, and take a really, really, long time to do it, and then eventually, 10 - 12 years later will finally come to you. And when they do, you will be there, armed with a pair of slim-fit trousers and a chambray blazer. 

This outfit is what I consider James' graduation day. I have taught him what I know over the past few years, and this morning, this is what he came up with ALL BY HIMSELF. #proud #sniff

I'd give him a cap & gown but I'd hate to cover up all of this hotness.

Happy Friday, y'all! Any fun plans for the weekend?

Feeling Blue

Photo courtesy H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

What is it they say, 'If you think it, it will come,' or something like that...

Well, I don't know about you but I'm thinking about summer and I subscribe to the philosophy of dressing for the season, even if The Weather Network disagrees. Once I've put away my winter coats, they're away for the next 5 months. Once I've stopped wearing socks, it's pedicure time from here on out. People might stare at my bare legs and sandals in the middle of a mid-May hailstorm but you know what I say to them? Stare all you want, I am not, repeat NOT, going back to tights and winter boots. Fuhgeddaboudit, donezo, screw you winter, we've had our fun, but I am more than ready for patios, sunhats, heatwaves and blasting A/C. Though Mother Nature might be waffling, I, for one, am fully committed to the hotness ahead and when the pavement sizzles, nothing cools me down quite like blue. I've always loved the serene colour in all of its many hues, reminiscent of crystal clear lakes, cloudless skies and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (well, maybe not the whole bottle...)

Are you feeling blue like I am? Read the full article here for my favourite blue finds, from breezy cobalt dresses to easy striped espadrilles, perfect for shuffling to the pool and back again. Sigh...doesn't it just make you want to dive right in? 

The Modern Way to Wear Florals

A cool floral shot from Blame S/S '13 Campaign - photo courtesy Blame

Originally posted in The CLOSET

The April showers came - oh did they ever - and with them, naturally, the flowers. Hooray! And while those darling buds of May are a joy to behold in our gardens, wearing them can be a little tricky.  I mean, you don't want to look like a teenager (unless you are a teenager, in which case, go on with your bad self), and you definitely don't want to look like a grandma, even if you are one.  The florals of Spring '13 are, as always, bright, cheery and fun but to make the most out of the season's best buds, it's all about how you wear 'em.  

I've put together 3 looks to show you how easy it is to pull off florals in a super modern way.  Whether you go for the bold with a bright mirror print frock or keep it subtle with a blue & white boyfriend shirt poking out under a lightweight sweater, you'll look positively Spring-y with the right floral print.

Happy May 1st to you! xx

P.S - For the first outfit, change up the handbag for grass green, bright yellow or even pink to reinvent the look over and over again. Oh, and that amazing Cleo dress? How Mary Katrantzou is that??

  

 

THE FLORAL SHIRT: Crossbody Bag, $59, Danier; Navy Trousers, $34.95, H&M; Preen x ALDO RISE Pump, $155, ALDO; Jocelyn Sweater, $119.50, Club Monaco; Floral Blouse, $39, Smart Set; Silver Necklace, $14.98, ALDO

THE FLORAL PANT: NYC Tee, $24.95, American Eagle Outfitters; Ray-Ban Shades, $189.95, Sunglass Hut; Botanical Skinny, $149.50, Club Monaco; Python Clutch, $45, RW&CO.; Ankle Strap Sandals, $89, Guess; Cropped French Terry Moto, $53.70, Aeropostale

THE FLORAL DRESS: Floral Dress, $60.20, Cleo; Silver Pumps, $34.98, Spring; Erickson Beamon Earrings, $139.50, Club Monaco; Denim Jacket, $34.95, H&M; Studded Foldover Clutch, $45, Le Château

H&M's New Model-Off-Duty Collection (and a $200 Spring Shopping Spree)

Top models Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen pose for the H&M New Icons pre-summer campaign - photos courtesy H&M

With street style shooters lurking around every corner, today's top models need to look killer both on the runway and off.  For its latest collection, H&M has partnered up with the world's top supermodels to create a range of eclectic, rocker-chic pieces inspired by the models' own off-duty style.  Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen front the gorgeous campaign which recalls another famous supermodel shoot from the '90s. Love!

The collection features a mix of tough-luxe leather, boho dresses and statement tees plus everyday (Supermodels: They're Just Like Us!) cotton vests and tees.  Since no top model would leave her apartment wihout the perfect extras, the range includes tasseled bags, cool fringed leather necklaces, suede knee-high boots and a wide-brimmed hat. I have to say that this is my favourite H&M collection yet - I'm dying for the leather jacket, that festival-ready frilly lace mini and that insanely cool black embellished vest. Want everything! The New Icons collection will be available in all H&M stores carrying the Everyday concept starting April 11th.

To help you shop, H&M is offering an exclusive contest to RLR readers (that's you!) with a chance to win a $200 SHOPPING SPREE at H&M! Here's how to win it:

1) Leave a comment below telling me your must-have piece from the collection.

2) For a bonus entry, tweet the following, "I want to #win a $200 Shopping Spree w @realliferunway & @hmcanada to shop the New Icons Collection! Check it out http://bit.ly/15zSsEc'

3) Contest closes next Thursday, March 28th at 5 p.m. 

GOOD LUCK! XX

Check out the full collection by clicking through the slideshow below:

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