424 FIFTH NOW AT THE BAY!

Posted by kait / April 17, 2014

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the 424 Fifth’s Chief Creative Officer and Senior VP of Design Marie Holman-Rao one afternoon at Hotel Le Germain. It was absolutely wonderful to chat with her and hear all about how the collection came together, her inspiration behind the pieces and her must-have wardrobe pieces.

KK: I am so excited to have this new brand here in Canada. Can you tell me a bit about how the line came to be?

Marie Holman-Rao (MHR): It has been so exciting! The whole idea behind 424 Fifth was to create a exclusive private label brand that was more aspirational than just a commodity product. Bonnie and Richard Baker had wanted to elevate the idea of a private label and since it was Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay together, it had to be something that appealed a lot of different people and different areas. The style really changes across the landscape of Canada but the line is very international. It is also coming from an age-less point of view – we don’t want to just appeal to a demographic but we want to appeal to a certain sociographic. This woman loves fashion and she knows quality value but doesn’t want to spend a fortune.

KK: What will we see at 424 Fifth for each season?

MHR: We wanted classics in the collection as well as pieces that are of-the-moment as well as have a distinct sense of humour. Those are the things you are usually attracted to.

KK: What kind of pieces will be in every collection?

MHR: We will always have a great fitting black pant. We will always have a luxury leather item – like a pant. We will always have the skirt silhouette of the moment. We were really lucky for Spring 2014 that skirts were back in fashion – especially the mid-length skirt which is so elegant!

KK: What are your top five staples for every woman’s wardrobe?

MHR: Definitely a long skirt, for this season. We have it in so many gorgeous colours. A great little cropped jacket, like our striped one is perfect with the long skirts. Coats are a must-have. Our long jacket toppers are fantastic. A classic white boyfriend shirt is key. I like the coming-and-going sweaters as well – a great detail.

The 424 Fifth line is available at all Hudson’s Bay locations in Canada as well as Lord & Taylor in the USA! The collection is absolutely stunning – you can check out the Spring lookbook here! Shop the looks below from Hudson’s Bay – this line is super affordable already but a lot of the items have recently been reduced! What an amazing deal for such gorgeous pieces for the spring.

I HEART PROJECTEO + GIVEAWAY

Posted by kait / April 17, 2014

I love miniatures. I’ve always been fascinated by tiny things and imagining tiny worlds. In another life I think I would have been one of those people with the elaborate train sets, building amazing to-scale landscapes and getting lost in it all. So, of course, when I discovered Projecteo last year, I instantly fell in love.

Projecteo is a tiny analog projector that displays your Instagram photos in a whole new way. It is so much fun to go through old travel photos this way. I love choosing my favourite nine images to add to a reel. Below I chose photos from my trips last year to Austin, Texas; Okanagan, BC; and Palm Springs, California. It is pretty magical when you turn on your Projecteo for the first time. This is also a super fun gift idea for kids – it is actually perfect size for the IKEA furniture set or for playing with Barbies!

Enter to win your own by visiting Projecteo and commenting on this post! I would love to hear about what photos you would put on your reel! Giveaway ends on Wednesday April 23rd at 12MST. This giveaway is open for residents world-wide!

If you can’t wait to win, use my friends code to order your own: FRIEND07L3. Oh, and they have free shipping worldwide. A win-win, no?

GET 10 CENT TO SHOOT YOUR PHOTO!

Posted by kait / April 16, 2014

My good friend Lori Andrews aka The 10 Cent Designer is offering up a sweet iPhonography session right now. Yes, that means she does a professional shoot with you – using her iPhone! The deal is pretty sweet – $125.00! You get a full hour of her time (including in-phone editing) at her home studio. The photos are emailed or texted the same day. These are great photos perfect for personal use or for your professional work like a LinkedIn profile pic. Makeup artist is available for an extra free with notice. And Lori will give you wardrobe, set design and props advice in advance of the session at no charge. She can also upgrade you to professionally photoshopped images for a small fee (i.e. pimple be gone!).

She is starting to book up but still has room for more shoots. At only $125.00, you’ll get amazing photos – check out mine above! Send her a note and get shot by the 10 Cent too!

SPRING DREAMS

Posted by kait / April 16, 2014

I am currently looking out the window at April flurries and I am not impressed. I am so ready for warm springy weather and I wish it was here by now – we could all use some green grass and a day spent on a patio. I know it is just around the corner so I’m looking for pretty things to get me more excited for this upcoming season. I am really looking forward to the long Easter weekend and can’t wait to spend it with my family indulging in eggs benny and hopefully some delicious chocolate treats!

I found so many beautiful things on --> today that just SCREAM spring! That soft pink rucksack is my dream bag for spring and summer adventures – I think it needs to be mine, no? And that little linen bunny definitely has a fun personality to it – a friend for my collection of sock monkeys perhaps. Those custom patterned bras are just stunning. Talk about spring dream lingerie. I’d love to lounge around in those on a warm day, curled up with a good book. And anything green is very good in my books, that is for certain. I am trying to stock up our home with as many succulent plants as possible and picking up fresh flowers whenever I remember. What is getting you inspired for spring? Are you planning something big for Easter weekend?

shop these spring finds:

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CELEBRATE SPRING WITH MINTED + GIVEAWAY

Posted by kait / April 14, 2014

I have a feeling spring is finally here. I’ve had the windows open since Saturday and I’ve stopped wear socks. It feels so good to have the sunshine on my face and the soft wind blowing through my hair. To celebrate spring and also because everyone gets so many cards at Christmas, I decided to spread some cheer to friends and clients with some fresh and springy cards from Minted. Who wouldn’t want to get some sweet snail mail to brighten your day as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer? At least, I hope everyone who receives one feels that way!

Minted has all sorts of beautiful spring and Easter themed cards that will bring special cheer to your mailing lists of friends and family! I am so excited to gift $100 to spend at Minted to one lucky reader! Simply head over here and you can enter the giveaway here! Giveaway ends on April 20st! Best of luck to all of you and Happy Spring! xx

#RMROADTRIP: REBECCA MINKOFF IN CALGARY

Posted by kait / April 2, 2014

Everyone hurry down to Holt Renfrew tomorrow afternoon! Darling designer from NYC, Rebecca Minkoff will be doing a meet + greet and signing your precious handbags! There will also be complimentary monogramming so get your initials tacked onto your handbag as well – it is gonna be a good day!

All of the details below – see you there! xx

THE PINK TARTAN WHITE SHIRT

Posted by kait / April 2, 2014

I cannot get enough crisp white shirts. They are a classic staple every boy and girl should have in their wardrobe – it is a fact! Whether you are prepping for a job interview or just off to grab a coffee, when you slip one on in the morning, you instantly feel put together. The white shirt is amazing.

One of my favourite Canadian brands Pink Tartan also knows the value of the white shirt and every season comes out with a stunning addition to help keep your daily uniform easy to pull together. This season is seeing pops of colour with neon grosgrain trim on the classic blouses, while shirt dresses are being transformed into a trompe l’oeil experience with bold black trims and high/low skirts. I spotted one of the shirt dresses in action just outside of Holt Renfrew the other week before it started snowing. Bright and fresh, this dress is stunning and I am kinda obsessed. Spring seems to finally be showing up here so it is time to pull on some dark denim skinnies and pick up one of these gorgeous shirts. Or paired with an a-line midi skirt and heels for a night out.

It is going to be a great spring – can’t you feel it?!

Add the classic Pink Tartan shirt to your wardrobe! Pick it up at Holt Renfrew or online here: