It happens each and every time before a big event. I wait until about a week before I depart, and then frantically tear apart my closet.

I have nothing to wear.

“This won’t do! Ugh – why do I own that? This will work if I can lose 10 pounds in 4 days… That looked good in 2006. OMG I SUCK!”

*Technically* I have a few clothes to wear. Okay, more than a few. But come on, how can I go to an event as special as the Disney Social Media Moms Conference next week – without at least a few brand spanking new threads to show off?

(I know y’all are all wondering about this #DisneySMMoms hashtag I keep tweeting. Simply put – “The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was created as one of the first family-friendly conferences where social media savvy moms and dads can network, learn, and share knowledge of social media while experiencing the magic of Disney with their families. The goal is to provide an intimate experience packed with access to industry leaders and opportunities to network with peers.” Translation: being the BEST social bee I can be… at the happiest place on earth. PINCH ME!)

To tell the truth, I know I’m not alone. Much discussion has flown back and forth between fellow attendees about what to wear, who’s going shopping – where, when, and what did she buy. (This gets a little complicated when you have friends with similar tastes and styles – yes, there will be an influx of long, flowing maxi dresses at the event.) We all seem to have one thing in common: a closet completely devoid of anything we want to take along with us. Buy. Buy. Buy. Spend. Spend. Spend.

So why do most women have the uncontrollable desire to pack a suitcase filled with brand new clothing? Certainly 99.9% of the attendees would have no clue if we are wearing a new top or one that is 5 years old. And 100% of the attendees wouldn’t care either way.

In fact, I’m willing to bet that some women will spend over 10 hours doing a combination of online research, in-person shopping, closet raiding, Spanx fitting, closet raiding part II, and finally, a Hail Mary trip to Insert-Your-Favourite-Store-Here a mere 12 hours before they jet off to Orlando. Not that I’m speaking from previous experience.

So why is there pressure to walk off the airport runway like we’re walking on a fashion runway? 

I suppose when it comes down to it, it’s because most women feel their best when they look their best. And it’s hard to feel your best in a shirt that you know has been crumpled at the bottom of your closet for months; a pair of pants that you swear your baby once peed on; or a dress that has been worn so many times, it has stretched and faded to accommodate your more voluptuous areas. A new outfit means a new me; a “me” that has taken much care and attention to present the best Lena possible.

(“Don’t be fooled by the dress that I bought; I’m still, I’m still Lena from the block…” – Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

The last conference I attended was BlogHer ’12 in New York City – you’ll recall that I wrote up a “Frugal Fashion Recap” that included the following looks:

Since purchasing the dresses for BlogHer, I’m happy to report that I’ve worn the first two outfits once more, and I’ll be bringing the last one to Disney SM Moms to wear again at the opening family dinner. See? My entire wardrobe does not have to be new – I am capable of recycling outfits!

However, I am currently in fashion panic mode and will be undertaking a shopping mission of epic proportions this weekend, as I only have five (5) shopping days left before we leave. This time, I’m trying to plan for an outfit that can withstand 40-degree weather, but also be fashionable enough to identify myself as someone who is attending a professional conference. I’m thinking tank dress? Perhaps an airy cotton wrap dress? Fashion gods, have mercy.

Do you rush out to buy new clothes before a special event? Or do you work with what you’ve got?

“Have you ever heard of imprinting?”

“Imprinting?” I repeated the unfamiliar word. “No. What’s that mean?”

“It’s one of those bizarre things we have to deal with. It doesn’t happen to everyone. In fact, it’s the rare exception, not the rule. Sam had heard all the stories by then, the stories we all used to think were legends…

… it’s not like love at first sight, really. It’s more like… gravity moves…. suddenly. It’s not the earth holding you here anymore, she does…. You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that’s a protector, or a lover, or a friend.”

―Jacob Black explaining the concept of imprinting to Bella Swan

If you’re a Twihard, or even if you’ve read The Twilight Saga just once, you’ll know about imprinting. It’s one of those supernatural things that is easily explained within the series; however, is completely fictional and could pretty much never happen in real life. Or so I thought.

Yes, I’m a happily married woman. But when I saw Devon yesterday, I swear I felt the earth move.

At first I tried to deny the attraction, walking briskly in the other direction. I fiddled with my hair; attempted small talk with my husband – anything to overthrow the connection I felt. The yearning. The burning. The desire.

Yet, I turned around. Truth be told, it was fruitless to resist – I knew in my heart that I had found him, as he had found me. The pull was just too strong to deny any longer… and within seconds, I was running away from my husband, my outstretched arms open with expectation until we were face to face. He was mine. He was coming home with me.

So, I gave in to the feeling completely, and bought him. Meet my new true love.

Have you ever imprinted on an object? That moment when you just had to buy something? Do tell!

Okay, I *may* have indulged in a Lord of the Rings marathon yesterday, and that *may* be in the inspiration for my post title. However, when thinking about Nella Bella’s “The London”, the post title is actually quite fitting.

Now raise your hands if a) you’re a handbag junkie, b) love wearing Canadian designers and c) are looking for one bag for every occasion. Maybe a) and b) are easily checked off, but finding ONE bag for every occasion? You may as well be looking for the ring of power.

(Er – before it was destroyed. Okay, I’ll stop with the LOTR references, I swear.)

I was turned onto Nella Bella by way of Twitter; that is, I saw a fellow tweep chatting about how much she adored the London handbag and was inspired to check it out. Then, I was even happier to discover that Nella Bella is a Canadian brand (Tarek Al-Azbat is the Creative Director and Head Designer) that utilizes state of the art vegan fabrics to create their collections. (But really, I just wanted to know all about The London.) Take a look:

From clutch to full-size messenger, it’s pretty clear why the London is the best-selling bag in Nella Bella’s line. In fact, most of the styles are currently sold out; however, there are a few styles still available, including basic nylon and eccentric snake canvas. The handbag has been prominently featured on The Marilyn Denis Show, Flare Magazine and LouLou, among others.

I must admit that the reasonable, money-conscious and fashion-forward part of me wants this handbag on my shoulder now, as it would take a lot of the guesswork out of which bag to use for different tasks and occasions. However, a small part of me still craves variety, and I’m uncertain if I’d be able to commit to one look throughout. Thankfully the handbag is perfectly priced at just $125.00… I can grab two or three!

Click here to visit Nella Bella.

Several days ago, I conducted an informal poll among my mommy friends related to their sleeping habits. That is, not how much sleep they get… but rather what they sleep in.

Think us mommies dress in French teddies and silk pjs? (Hahaha! That’s a good one!)

The most popular response was a tie between… wait for it… an old t-shirt or husband’s old t-shirt.

And now, as I type out this post wearing cotton pants and my husband’s old t-shirt, I feel quite the camaraderie amongst you all. We are total bums in the sack and we just don’t care.

But what do we care about? We care about our kids. And for the most part, they sleep in style.

Would you ever put your darling daughter to bed wearing a grotty old t-shirt? Probably not. In fact, I’m willing to bet that your little angel is dressed in a fabulous matching set like the one pictured to the right (available at The Children’s Place).

And while both my boys are hardly fashion forward, they do enjoy a rotating array of super-cute sleepwear thanks to their doting mommy – who will gladly sacrifice her own sleep attire in favour of toddler pjs adorned with rocket ships, aliens, construction vehicles and the like. And why do I do this??? For the distinct pleasure of hearing Ryder say:

“Oh! My truck pjs tonight? I love my truck pjs!”

Totally worth it.

So the question is, do your children sleep in style? The Children’s Place makes it easy with so many adorable sleep sets – especially for young ones aged 0 months – 4T. Both my dudes love a nice, bright set of pjs, so it’s no wonder they’re all smiles before bed -

Of course, actually getting them to GO to bed is another post altogether. They’re just the type of kids who like to squeeze every ounce of energy from the day (and mommy and daddy’s life). So, when bath time is over and the pjs are on, chances are you’ll find them sneaking back down to the family room for a little horseplay, or like last night, a 3D movie (gee, husband, thanks for giving them the green light. I was thrilled to put in Finding Nemo 3D at 8:30pm).

The above pj sets, courtesy of The Children’s Place, are currently on sale for $16.99 PLUS an additional 30% off. You can check out all of their sweet and sassy sleepwear here. Because it’s fun to sleep in style!

So tell me… are you more likely to deck out your children for bedtime than yourself? 

They really didn’t have stuff this cool when I was a kid.

Just around the corner, it’s the TIFF Kids International Film Festival! Engaging, educational and entertaining, TIFF Kids offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about cultural perspectives from around the world through the power of the moving image.

Returning to Toronto for its 16th year (April 9th – 21st), the festival celebrates the best in child and youth cinema with special programming and activities for children aged 3 to 13. In addition to a compelling selection of features and shorts showcasing the best of Canadian and international cinema, the Festival includes an exciting slate of special guests, hands-on family activities and showcases for young filmmakers.

GapKids is a proud sponsor of TIFF Kids this year, and if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, this one’s for you:

Enter the GapKids Red Carpet Contest, where you’ll have the chance to win 1 of 3 Grand Prizes: 4 tickets to the exclusive opening night of TIFF Kids, and – to get your young ones ready for the red carpet – super cool and cute clothing from GapKids, valued at up to $100 per child!

The contest closes on April 2nd, so there’s lots of time to enter and share the promotion with your friends and family. And if you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to tweet @GapCA with the #GapKidsTIFFKids hashtag to let them know that you’ve entered. Good luck everybody!

In the spirit of this promotion, I put together my own Red Carpet looks for kiddos ages 3-13, using my favourite pieces from GapKids. Love what you see? Click here to shop at GapKids.

Toddler Boy Shopping List:

Cable-knit Shawl Cardigan, Atlantic Blue, $44.95; Embroidered Knit Vest, $34.95; Plaid Western Shirt, $26.95; Skinny Fit Colored Jeans, Amber Glow, $34.95; Sunwashed Slip-on Sneakers, $24.95; Skinny Fit Jeans, $34.95; Yellow Sunglasses, $10.95

Toddler Girl Shopping List:

Embroidered Floral Denim Jacket, $44.95; Pocket Cardigan, Milk, $34.95; Contrast Eyelet Dress, Sassy Pink, $54.95; Striped Ponte Dress, $29.95; Slingback Bow Ballet Flats, $29.95; Round Bamboo Sunglasses, $10.95; Tulle Headband, $12.95; Knit Bird Tote, $19.95 (more…)

If you missed the Old Navy Family Day Festival in Toronto on February 18th, BOO to you! An amazing time was had by all, and I daresay it was the most fun festival yet!

I was anxiously waiting on pictures from the event to share the experience with y’all, but Bunch Family did one better – they sent this awesome little video. You’ll see that I quickly introduce the event, and then it’s all family fun and games from there on in (and, of course, a little bit of shopping! The deals were crazy that day).

My two little munchkins make an appearance at 0:24 (Ryder) and 1:17 (Reid). And after watching this video, I FULLY expect that my readers in the GTA will put the Old Navy Family Festival in their calendars for 2014! Too much fun!

Loved it in the ’80′s? Missed it in the 90′s? No fear – NEON is back with a vengeance!

This Spring, designers have a little surprise in store for you – a PUNCH! of colour in everything from clothing to shoes to jewelry. I’m particularly loving the plethora of bright handbags: what a way to make an entrance!

1. Charlotte Street Sylvie, $278.00, kate spade
2. Leather Foldover Clutch, GAP. $39.95
3. Co-Lab by Christopher Kon, Town Shoes. $95.00
4. Upwardly Mobile Satchel, Modcloth.com. $185.00
5. Large Perforated-Logo Grab Bag, MICHAEL Michael Kors. $298.00
6. Leni Charm Convertible Leather Crossbody, Juicy Couture. $235.00
7. NORONEN, Aldo. $60.00
8. Medium Russel Bag, Dooney & Bourke. $395.00
9. Giant City Tote, Balenciaga. $1,935.00

Tell me which one is your favourite! Me – I love the Balenciaga (sigh), but my wallet loves the Christopher Kon handbag from Town Shoes. I’ve been looking for the perfect bright orange – I think I’ve found it!

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area and are currently scratching your head over your options for Family Day – boy, do I have a solution for you.

Come join me – I’ll be hosting Old Navy’s Family Day Festival: a FREE wild and crazy party for families to celebrate Family Day from 1-4 pm!

This is the second year for the Family Day event, and if it’s anything like last year’s party, you will not be disappointed. Come on down to the Old Navy Etobicoke location – just minutes from downtown Toronto, the store is across from Sherway Gardens and offers free parking. Once inside the party, the whole family will enjoy:

3 Craft Stations
Cookie and Juice Bar
Twister-style Dance Floor where kids can show off their dance moves!
One-on-one wardrobe consultation with a stylist
A gift with purchase while supplies last

Plus – a coupon for $10 off when you spend $50 or more! So, if you haven’t yet stocked up on some Kidtacular clothes during the Kids & Baby Sale, here’s a perfect time to SAVE EVEN MORE.

Hmm… great shopping for you, tons of activities for the kids, a gift with purchase and further discount… all in a family friendly, incredibly fun environment? Yes please!

If you do join us, be sure to come find me and say hello. I’d love to meet you! I’ll be the gal walking around and chatting with everyone… while putting clothes aside for the boys, and trying on some of Old Navy’s fabulous new lightweight patterned shirts. Hey, it IS a shopping event! (more…)

It’s the Hap-Happiest Time of the Year!

Folks, it’s the much-anticipated Old Navy Kids and Baby Sale. From February 7th-20th, ALL kids and baby merchandise will be 40% off! Without a word of lie, I have a $50 Old Navy gift card that I’ve been holding on to for months in anticipation of this sale. It’s just the perfect time to stock up on summer gear for the boys… for less!

Top 3 Reasons I LOVE the Old Navy Kids and Baby Sale:

1. Old Navy’s already great prices are slashed almost in half. Where else can you grab colourful, trendy clothing that kids love for a few bucks? You’ll remember that I made out like a bandit after last year’s sale, and I’m very much looking forward to adding a pop of colour to the boys’ wardrobe this Spring.

2. Kids will be kids. And they’ll mess up, rip through, Crayola-dye and do Lord-knows-what-else to their clothing. So I simply don’t see the need to pay full price (or designer prices) for items that have such a short life span. I used to think investing in $40 toddler jeans guaranteed a certain level of quality, but I quickly realized that a boisterous, adventure-addicted little boy can fade out even the priciest threads. Now, my kids are decked out in Old Navy from head to toe!

3. That glorious term called upsizing. Since 99.9% of children grow – too fast for our liking, I’m sure! – it’s easy to grab clothing for upcoming seasons in one size up if necessary. After all, why pay regular price for a pair of shorts just before summer, when you can purchase them at 40% off now? Plus, I love that most Old Navy bottoms have an adjustable waistline, allowing both my skinny-minis to wear their pants comfortably on the waist.

I took a quick look-see through the site, and put together a few trends/outfits I adore! I love the Easter-inspired combination of yellow, green and blue. Just looking at the spectacular pop of colours makes me realize that Spring is around the corner – and I can’t wait! Warmer temps on the way!

(more…)

I suppose I could have come up with a catchier title – but, you know how I hate to mince words. So here’s the scoop: it’s no secret that I love MTF Price Matters. However, just in case you need a refresher course, read on:

1. Don’t be scared away by the great prices – all of the merchandise at MTF Price Matters is 100% authentic. They simply do not do knock-offs. So you can take the low prices at face value – they’re awesome deals, plain and simple!

2. Their customer service is ridiculously good. Don’t be afraid to give them a shout with questions, concerns or feedback (EST customers keep in mind they’re located in BC – so mind the time difference).

3. If you happen to live out west, check out their Pay N’ Pick Up service – you can save on shipping by picking up your purchases at any one of their twelve (12) locations. They ship anywhere in North America – US customers, welcome!

4. Inventory is constantly being updated – so check back often.

Here’s the good awesome euphoric part.

They just received a limited shipment of UGG boots. We’re talking Tularosa, Selia, Shanleigh, Classic Short styles and more. And, since they know how much I love a good boot – and how much I love sharing deals with readers – they’ve shared the following discount with me:

Enter code 25OFFUGGS at checkout, and you’ll receive a further 25% off the discounted price plus free shipping! NOBODY knows about this discount except Listen to Lena readers – so run! You’ll be the first grab your UGGs at an insanely awesome price! Here’s just some the savings:

UGG Selia Boots
Retail: $220.00
Price Matters Price: $183.99
After L2L Discount:  $137.99
Total Savings: $82.01

UGG Classic Short
Retail: $225.00
Price Matters Price: $135.99
After L2L Discount:  $101.99
Total Savings: $123.01

UGG Mini Bailey Button
Retail: $225.00
Price Matters Price: $99.99
After L2L Discount:  $74.99
Total Savings: $150.01

Sizes and colours are limited so shop soon! Remember – code 25OFFUGGS takes an additional 25% off the already awesome price and if you live in Canada, you’ll score free shipping too. Now what are you waiting for?

Click here to shop at MTF Price Matters. You’re welcome!

With all the hoopla surrounding Pantone’s Colour of the Year – Emerald Green – I thought it was only right to pay homage to the pieces that inspired the trend… jewels.

Now I’ve already shared my reluctance to incorporate the hue in my wardrobe, opting instead for gorgeous handbags and clutches that show off the vibrant colour in a subtle (yet fashionably chic) way. So, why not continue that technique with – wait for it – Emerald Jewelry!

SHOP.CA has amazing prices right now on Ben Moss, Elite and Amour Jewelry, with pieces ranging from 20-50% off. They’re the perfect way to show off the trendiest colour of the year with sophistication and style. You’ll always enjoy FREE shipping and returns, plus earn Reward $$ on every purchase you make. Time to get blinged out? I think so!

(Since both my boys are May babies, and May’s birthstone is Emerald, I think I may have to purchase something for myself in their honour. Also, because I did all the work bringing them into this world. And, they’re boys, so they’ll never appreciate it. Yes, that’s a lovely way to rationalize a purchase.)

Click here to visit SHOP.CA.

When Pantone announced 2013′s Colour of the Year last month – a deep, enigmatic and universally flattering shade of green – I was slightly less than enthused.

Now don’t get me wrong; I adore Emerald! As Pantone so eloquently puts it:

Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty
that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.

I honestly believe that fashion followers everywhere will be pleased with the selection. And designer inspiration is popping up everywhere, as celebrities and trendsetters alike have been photographed in the rich, regal shade. Alas, Pantone, I’ve got my own description of the hue:

Emerald green is just not for me.
Every time I wear it, I look like a tree.

Truly. It’s just much too organic for my liking; I’d prefer a mint, lime or kelly green over emerald any day of the week, especially when it comes to decor and accent pieces. So I began thinking… how can I introduce the on-trend hue into my wardrobe in a non-traditional (but fashionably chic) way?

Then it hit me. Handbags, of course! They’re the perfect way to let the world know you’re en vogue without overwhelming your outfit. Plus, you have the added benefit of incorporating the shade in a small, understated way (think wallets, clutches and crossbody purses) or with a bang! (totes and large carryalls). And so I’ve scoured the fashion world to find my best picks for gorgeous and affordable emerald handbags that will keep you fashion-forward throughout the year.

As you can see, there are slight variations in Pantone’s media – the fabric swatch is slightly more pigmented than the bar logo, and the emerald jewel tone has a little more kelly green to it. Hence, when choosing the right shade just go for a deep, rich green with very subtle blue undertones.

As we start 2013 off with a bang, here’s something you should know about me.

I rarely treat myself.

It’s true. I am quite honestly the most fuss-free, no-frills person I know. I do at-home pedicures. I wear glasses 99% of the time. I often splurge on discounted toilet paper – but rarely discounted Dior. I clip coupons, make sure my boys want for nothing and try to find the best brands at the best price every day. Now I know you may be shaking your head, thinking “So what? Me too…” – you must realize, I am a recovering Shopaholic. As in, I once owned 12 Coach purses and didn’t think twice about dropping $398 for jeans.

(Also in my Shopaholic Hall of Fame? 4 brand new cars in 10 years, hundreds of CDs, a $900 leather coat, two Movado watches… OMG. This really should be a Wall of Shame. How I wish I could have that money back! I’d invest it tidily in a tax-free savings account. Yes, I have turned into my father.)

So this whole turnaround in character – from spender to saver – is relatively new to me, but trust me, I’m not complaining. This past year alone, I paid off all my short term debts and put a healthy amount in savings – while sending my son to private school and taking the boys on 3 epic vacations. So, obviously I’m doing something right. High five to me!

But, for quality products where there is simply no substitution… I crave.

See, I’m not one for knockoffs. I just don’t do designer dupes. So if I see an item that I simply must have, I do the following:

1) Tell all my friends about it. Seriously, I’ll call them, tweet them, e-mail them links… all while trying to justify the retail price and gushing about why I love the item so much. Ask my bestie Victoria how many times I did the math with her… or Tammi, yup, I tweeted her like crazy… and Robin? She probably has tension headaches over the amount of times I talked about my latest crush.

2) Begin stalking the designer’s website for sales, promo codes, anything that can save me a few bucks. I will Google the sh*t out of that item until I know exactly who sells it, and for how much. And, I’ll know how much cross-border shipping is, USD to CAD discrepancies, etc etc. Then, I’ll repeat #1.

3) When all else fails, wait for an epic sale like Black Friday or Boxing Day… and pray that they still have my size in stock. And if they don’t, bow my head for a moment of silence, knowing I missed out because I’m too cheap smart to pay full price.

Such is the case with the Tory Burch Amanda Riding Boot. I can’t tell you how long I’ve coveted them! Slim through the calf and the absolute perfect shaft height, I knew they would complete my entire winter and spring wardrobe.

Our must-have riding boot. If you loved the fit of our popular Selma boot last fall, meet Amanda. An exclusive style, the Amanda Riding Boot comes in tumbled leather with strap details and ankle logo hardware. It’s a wardrobe staple that’s in line with the perennially classic equestrian look. Tumbled leather upper. Side zip closure. Metal logo ornament at side. Leather lining. Padded insole. Round toe.

The one thing holding me back? The $525 CAD price tag. I couldn’t – no matter how I tried – justify spending close to $600 after taxes on a pair of boots. Gah! My dream of riding boot perfection was not meant to be.

But then… like magic… the clouds parted and a ray of heaven shined down on them… by way of a Boxing Week promotion.

So after 6 months of waiting, countless page visits and in-store stalking extravaganzas… the boots were marked down to $385. Plus an EXTRA 25% off sale items. And, they had my size.

Just like that, I treated myself in 2012. And in case you’re wondering, they go very well with my other favourite purchase of 2012. I have a feeling that 2013 will be a fashionably fabulous year!

The year is just about over, and most of my friends and peers are busy looking back, reminiscing about the days past. I too enjoy thinking about how awesome 2012 has been, but for the most part, I’m too preoccupied looking forward to 2013. It is going to be epic. I’ve got press trips booked; spokesperson contracts signed, and oh… that’s right… TARGET IS COMING TO CANADA!

Now I know so many people are excited about the giant retailer making its way north of the border, but lately, my jubilation has been reigned in just slightly. You see, I have a fervent wish – a prayer, if you will. And that is: Please Target Canada, Make it Good.

For we know what happens when other US chains make their way into Canada. The prices are higher, the selection is lower, and we often receive a “light” version of what is currently retailing in the States.

Walmart Light. Crate and Barrel Light. And we definitely have Marshall’s Light.  

Trust me, Americans have it GOOD. Way too good – in fact, there’s no reason why every US Citizen shouldn’t be an authentic fashionista. Just look at the brands – and prices – currently available at www.target.com:

Do not adjust your monitor. You are actually seeing Brian Atwood leather gloves for less than $25. And a Tory Burch lunch box? If I actually took a lunch to work this would be a necessity. (There’s a matching insulated water bottle available as well. Sigh.) Most of the Target + Neiman Marcus collection’s goodies have rave reviews on the site – further proof that the collaboration does not sacrifice quality at the lower price point. (more…)

I often call my relationship with Yorkdale Shopping Centre a “Bad Romance”. Everything starts out rosy – the finest retailers, fashion inspiration at every turn and that certain “je ne sais quoi” in the air… but when my credit card statement invariably arrives, sometimes, things turn ugly.

And yet, I keep going back for more. Holt Renfrew. Tory Burch. Pottery Barn. Ron White Shoes.

Yorkdale, I wish I knew how to quit you.

Hence, nothing pleases me more than an expansion. But not just any ol’ expansion - Yorkdale Shopping Centre is bringing shoppers an unprecedented shopping experience with the opening of its 145,000 (!!!) square foot expansion. Yorkdale’s collection of popular and first-to-market retailers delivers the widest range of new and interesting fashion, technology and luxury brands anywhere in Canada.

Think you know Yorkdale? Think again – last Friday, kate spade new york, LOFT, Microsoft, Ted Baker London and Tesla Motors all opened doors to the companies’ first Canadian stores. (Hands up if you felt a little faint at the mention of kate spade new york – I may have lost consciousness for a second or two.)

Other noteworthy retailers within the expansion include Ann Taylor’s second Canadian store, Anthropologie, Best Buy Mobile, David’s Tea, Diesel, JOEY Yorkdale Grill & Lounge, the North Face, L’Occitane, Papyrus, an exclusive Rolex boutique at Raffi Jewellers, Ta-ze and Wilfred Boutique.

(Honourable mentions: Apple, Bell, Bluenotes, Champs, Club Monaco, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Lululemon, Mappins, Starbucks and TELUS now have refurbished and larger locations within the expansion, and Holt Renfrew will be opening a flagship store within the expansion in 2013.)

Last Thursday night, I had the awesome opportunity to gain a sneak peek before retailers opened their doors to the public. Favourite stops include: kate spade new york, Ann Taylor, Diesel and Lacoste.

Above: Yes, I know it’s Club Monaco, so no need to stop the presses. However, I am duly impressed with their new store front; just enough finesse to earn a spot in the new wing.  (more…)