Inspired by British explorers who set out to climb Mount Everest in the 1920s, the fall collection is a mix of their trademark military with plenty of tweed, plaid and knits. The leather-trimmed grey and plaid poncho was one of my favourite pieces of the night. 

    

                           

 

Guests included designer Paul Hardy and fashion writer Rita Sirignano, who looked fabulous in her Rag & Bone shirtdress posing here with Wainwright.

I on the other hand felt a bit like Olivia Palermo in an episode of The City where she’s reprimanded for not wearing Guess to a Guess by Marciano party after Neville asked me where my Rag & Bone was. All was forgiven I think, after I gushed about how much I love his wife, makeup artist Gucci Westman.

 

 

After talking cameras with Wainwright (I have the Canon G9, he has the G10; I want the G11, he doesn’t because it doesn’t feel like a real camera should; I often use the flash, he prefers not to) we finally snapped a photo.

 

In case you haven't heard, you're now allowed to be even lazier, because Gap Inc. has just made a large percentage of their goods available online! That includes Banana Republic, GAP, and Old Navy. As in, delivered to your home. As in, trouble.

To celebrate the occasion a select few were invited to try out the system, which resulted in many people ignoring eachother in public. But, in the best way possible...

MacBooks were set up to faciliate the experience:

 While there I ordered the BP non-iron fitted sateen shirt, and Old Navy tights! 

 

The thing that separated this online shop from many others, is that you can actually jump from store to store while on any of the 3 websites. One shopping cart, 3 stores. Good idea...

 

xo Holland

Ever wanted to know waaaay too much about your girlfriends (or complete strangers)? Go to the early shopping event for Canada's first Victoria Secret store!

I laughed to myself while watching some of Toronto top fashion and media peeps pick up frilly under thangs. 

As one of the only outlets allowed a camera inside, I tried to capture the sheer SIZE of the store for you. It's outrageous! Separated into five different bras sections, ranging from Provocative to Sporty, they really have just about everything. Free on-site bra sizing specialists get you the most accurate size, while you admire collossal fitting rooms with names like: 'Toronto, Milano, and Paris".

Also, there's a lot of pink.

Although it reflects my very lame and practical side, I'm regretting not picking up some of the basic cotton racerback bras which looked really comfy, and would have made a fabulous choice under the racer-backed dresses that live lonely in my closet.  The prices are very reasonable, and once properly fitted, the bras seem pretty true to size, with only a few exceptions. The new 'Incredible' bra, that's only just out, is the softest thing I've ever put on my boobs, so I'm sure they'll do very well with it.

Instead of getting either of those, I, like everyone else, went for frilly and ridiculous. I don't think I could even name the amount of occasions when, as a new new mum, I could wear an entirely sheer white and black babydoll! 

But, when in Rome...!

xo Holland

Although a new hot-spot is always an amazing find, there's nothing quite like getting reacquainted with some of Toronto's institutions. I don't know if I could find a better example in the retail world than Joel Carman's baby, Over the Rainbow.

Joel has evolved from a cabbie to a veritable jeans entrepreneur, and is a bloody sweetheart to boot. He wears his Canadian tuxedo with pride, and after 30 years, still sweats denim.

In the midst of Holiday Preview madness, Joel invited a small selection of the media to enjoy an all access privilege in his store. From alteration headquarters upstairs, to one of the most meticulous inventory systems in existence, somehow I still had time to get fitted for my new favourite pair of jeans.

Unlike the majority of long-term shop owners, Joel is a fixture in the store, always taking the time to welcome his (now third generation) regulars, and see what he can do about making their butts look as fantastic as possible. He also might have the best mustache in the universe. His philosophy on denim is akin to Bono's assessment of Dylan: they'll take you from the cradle to the grave. And if that's true, then if you're going to spend your money on anything, if should rightfully be your jeans.

One of the amazing gems I found while I was in the shop was a plaque on the wall upstairs from Dare Foods Ltd. Dare Foods is the company Joel buys his ever-present Ju Jubes from, and the plaque congratulates Joel on having given away over 554 thousand POUNDS of Ju Jubes to his customers...

That's pretty awesome.

This, of course, was found on a wall of amazing shop memorabilia and reviews...

This lovely creature lives upstairs and gives final approval on your European hems:

And so does this one: 

Then downstairs...

There's the sexy man who mans the inventory: 

All in all, the best part of the day was when I was asked to stand on a block to model a dozen or so pairs of jeans for the honest opinion of all spectators. After sucking my stomach in so hard I almost passed out, my new Rock and Republics reflect the way I feel about the store...tried, tested, and true. 

xo Holland

The 48-hour rule.

Essential in filtering the impulses from the must-haves. After swimming in the delicious Holiday Previews, here is a snippet of what keeps butterfly-stroking my thoughts:

1.) Deborah Lipmann's new Holiday polish, BOOM BOOM POW!

Wow factor: It has 24K gold shavings in it, so it sparkles from across the room. Plus the color goes with uh-everything. 

Wow. So, I tweeted this polish to give my girls the heads up and the response was phen-omenal. Thanks to the sample polish I received from Holt's my house has now become nail-painting central. I literally had to throw a nail-painting party to accomodate. Sorry you weren't there, we were at MAX capacity. Look for the gold goddesses come November...

2.) Furi's Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Wow factor: The return of classic. These pieces are IN-credibly well made, have amazing shape, and the colors are truly perfect. But this cape coat proved unforgettable. Cape coats, huge for 2010, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one better than this. 

3.) KRUPS Dolce Gusto Circolo Machine 

Wow factor: Virtually-instant Cappuccino, Latte, Hot Chocolate, Iced Cap, Americano and Espresso. Small price tag, no mess. 

The market has become saturated with these single-cup coffee makers right now, and I'm no stranger to them. We had the KEURIG Breville, but the new KRUPS machine is way more exciting. First of all, the KRUPS machine is the only single-serving machine that allows you to make premium drinks (not just coffee/tea). It only takes about 30 seconds to heat up and then BAM, insert milk pod, insert espresso pod, instant cappuccino. It has a rad little lever you pull to the side to customize how big/small you want to make your drink, which comes in super-handy for tall americanos, or foam lovers. Soooo perfect for holiday drinks, or gold manicure parties. I have absolutely no idea how it makes the frothy milk so quickly with no frother, but I don't question the good.  Retail $179.00 (!)

4.) Amore Pacific, Future Response Age Defense Cream

 Huminah Huminah. 

Wow Factor: It's one of the first intense moisturizers I'm not allergic to. That's mind-blowing in itself, but it also makes your skin feel like it was rubbed with silk baby bums (in a good way).

I don't even know if I should tell you about this, because the price tag is a bit prohibitive for people like me (200$), but for me the Holidays are about getting a couple luxury items you would never normally buy, which is what makes this particular find so perfect. It's about mid-range when it comes to luxury skin care, but it packs a La Prairie punch. men, if you're reading this, your lady wants this. You may not understand it, but you don't need to. I was fortunate enough to receive one from Holt's, and actually had to mail it to my mum because I loved it TOO much and thought it would become a dangerous habit ;)

I love you Holt's. 

I apologize in advance for the damage I've just done to your credit card...you'll thank me soon enough!

Loves ya, 

xo Holland

Cue brooding models...

Remember how I got a sneak peak of Thomas Sabo's new collection a while back and snuck the results to you? Well, the official media launch finally happened, and it was almost as gorgeous as the jewellery itself. 

Guests were chauffered to the event in branded Audi's...big time, ladies!

Held in the fabulous Furniture/Antique Shop SMASH (good find!), the jewellery was right at home. An endearing contrast of new and shiny against old, dramatic, and well-loved, the pieces really screamed. 

Could the winged collection be a better fit for the Victoria Secret Show? They may need to know about this...

Corner Gas's Tara Spencer-Nairn and I concurred that if you're the kind of girl who owns three really lovely pieces and needs them to work with any and all outfits, Thomas Sabo is a pretty universal thumbs up. It has just enough rock and roll, and just enough class. 

Everyone was in a fantastic mood, munching a gourmet breakfast, while the DJ played on...

Is there anything Sabo can't do?

xo Holland

Phew! It's Holiday Previews all over Toronto right now (expect more blogs to come), so a chance to avoid the red, fur and wool for the day was well appreciated. It was time to drape my butt in a new pair of trousers.

*see me with them above, looking embarressingly short compared to the on-site models

The GAP definitely rules basics. And I must admit, sometimes I forget that the GAP exists. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in embellishment that you forget the thing that needs to be the core of that git-up is just some straight-up, clean-cut, well-fitting basics. They've got them down pat. 

There are 7 new styles called the Black Magic, Premium Pant Collection that all come in under 70 bucks: Really Skinny, Boyfit, Slim Cropped, Perfect Trouser, Modern Boot, Curvy Fit, and the True Straight. 

Having a series of complimentary trousers all in vastly different fits, all in one stop, really allows you to find the fit that works best for you. I went in thinking I'd be a Perfect Trouser/Really Skinny lover, and instead left with the Modern Boot in grey. It's a fab classic pant that can dressed up or down. But you may find the Perfect Trouser does the same for you...

The media favourite was clear: Slim Cropped, in black. Almost everyone at the preview left with them, but they don't work as well for those under 5'5. It may be just what you need to take you from Summer to Fall...

xo Holland

Helllllo!

Guess what? I'm going to make your weekend by posting some pictures of the t-shirt/purse god, Alexander Wang. 

Holt's catered his premiere Canadian appearance, and if I do say so myself, he's quite charming. 

Jennifer Aniston may be out of a job...

Women were draping his jackets over their shoulders for his approval, while others jumped into photos with the young fashion star. Models stumbled and swished around to give the party some atmosphere.

You can always tell who the most famous person is in the room, because they're usually the most casually dressed. Wang opted for a t-shirt and jeans, with a plaid shirt tied around his waist.

Overheard in the bathroom: "Oh my goood, he's like, so down to earth, and nice. Did you see me talk to him? Oh my God.."

Meanwhile, Marianne, her beau Jodie Davis, and I were shooing away crab cakes and polishing off some white.

(Why do I feel like this comes up in every one of my blogs?)

Oh, because that is what we are ALWAYS doing. 

Friends, fashion, and French wine. Amen.

PS. That shirt is one I scored from Lemor at the Bayview Sale!

The three words that'll make any woman drop the phone.

Normally I don't promote sales, but seriously, Bayview Village is OUT OF CONTROL right now, and time is of the essence. I popped in last night for a taste of their Haute Summer Sale Event, and the sales are bananas! Better than most outlets, and with more selection. I walked into Lemor to hear, "just so you know, everything here is at least 50% off." WHAT!? I love Lemor! So I walked away with two tops and a purse. Oops! 

Other notables included Cupido Jewellery (Scott Kay...yumm..), David's (coursey), Restoration Hardware, and RUDSAK. Me oh my there is a RUDSAK purse that was on sale that I made ah uge mistake by not buying. Do me proud...

A couple of snaps* from my Italian vacay to help bring Puglia to life:

 The villa we called home (just one of the three trulli buildings)... 

View from the central trullo's rooftop (the water was divine).

Pilone Beach, slightly more rough than it looks.

Part of the Masseria Lamiola Piccola, a must for lunch and a wander.

A building in Ostuni's old town.

Another local pasta variety.

Ostuni's Cathedral.

*Most photos were taken under the influence of some very excellent varieties of Prosecco - Salute!