Contests

5 Spring Wardrobe Essentials on a Budget + $100 Cadillac Fairview Gift Card Giveaway!

by The Backseat Stylers | May 17th, 2012

Spring has finally sprung! But is your closet ready? I’ve finally packed all my winter gear away (yes!!) and have been evaluating my warm weather wardrobe from last year. Some pieces are looking rather haggard and beyond saving, while others now seem like, well, questionable purchases in hindsight. The conclusion? I don’t need a whole new spring wardrobe (nor can I afford it!), but a few essential updates are in order, stat.

A seasonal closet refresh that won’t break the bank means only one thing: a trip to Sherway Gardens! The upscale fashion and lifestyle centre is one of the best shopping destinations in Toronto’s west end, thanks to its over 200 stores, including many of my favourite retailers. My spring wish list isn’t long, and I know exactly which budget-friendly boutiques at Sherway Gardens will have what I want need:

1. Sweet Skirts - M for Mendocino

I’m ready to shed my black tights and show some leg – under some darling little skirts, that is, like the ones I’ve spotted at M for Mendocino at Sherway Gardens. Ever since I was introduced to Mendocino‘s trendy, more affordable sister, it’s been on my list of stores to visit for my fast fashion needs. My spring wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without the ladylike, blush-coloured skirt ($49) and whimsical turquoise polka dot skirt ($62).

2. Lightweight Knits – The Bay

With my thick winter knitwear packed away for the season, my sweater drawer is looking rather sad and empty. What it’s sorely lacking is a few lightweight knits like RACHEL Rachel Roy‘s Country Lace Pullover ($109) and Open Tie Back Pullover ($89), which have been on my wish list ever since I spotted them at the brand’s spring preview. Both styles are available at The Bay at Sherway Gardens, where generous sales may mean snagging these sweaters for up to 40% off.

3. Spring Jacket – Club Monaco

The arrival of spring calls for a new spring jacket! From light parkas to jean jackets, the possibilities are endless. The price tags on my two picks from Club Monaco, the Christy motorcycle jacket ($239) and Emma short trench ($279) aren’t cheap, but they are classic, investment pieces that can be worn for many seasons to come. Club Monaco’s Sherway Gardens location has many more styles where those came from, too.

4. Coloured Denim – Gap

Resistance is futile: coloured denim is where it’s at, so it’s time for me – and you! – to get on that bandwagon. Gap at Sherway Gardens offers jeans in different cuts and all the hues of the rainbow, starting at $69.95. I plan on taking the coloured denim leap in a pair of emerald green jeans this spring. I might even get my courage up for a pair of bright yellow skinnies by the time summer rolls around. What colour will you be rocking?

5. Wedge Sandals – ALDO

Surely there’s no better excuse for new shoes than a new season! This spring, I’m on the hunt for a new pair of wedges. ALDO Shoes at Sherway Gardens has plenty of open and closed toe styles to choose from and in a range of colours. A neutral-toned pair to wear with my new coloured jeans, like the Kanosh ($120) or Botwin ($90), is definitely a must. But which pair to choose? Perhaps there’s room in the budget for both after all.

So there’s my five-stop trip to Sherway Gardens all planned out, though I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be making unscheduled visits to many of my other favourite retailers along the way. Holt Renfrew, Stuart Weitzman, Sephora…here I come!

Inspired to plan a shopping excursion too? Tell us what’s on your wish list for a chance to win a $100 Cadillac Fairview shop! card®  gift card that will kick-start your very own spring shopping spree at Sherway Gardens! Contest rules are below – good luck! And be sure to check out Sherway Gardens’ brand new blog The Endless Closet and online store directory and follow the centre on Facebook and Twitter to help you plan your upcoming trip.

xx, S

Contest Rules [CLOSED]:

1. To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post telling us what’s on your spring wish list and ‘like’ Sherway Gardens’ and The Backseat Stylers’ Facebook pages here and here.

2. For a bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), follow both @sherway_gardens and @backseatstylers on Twitter, and tweet the following: “Step into spring with the @sherway_gardens x @backseatstylers $100 Cadillac Fairview gift card #giveaway! http://bit.ly/KbVTqZ #contest”

3. The contest closes at midnight on June 17, 2012. The winner will be selected randomly and announced on June 18, 2012. The winner will be notified by e-mail.

4. This giveaway is open to our readers located in the Greater Toronto Area only.

5. There are no prize substitutions. Prize does not include travel and cannot be redeemed for cash.

UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. Congratulations to Beth on winning a $100 Cadillac Fairview  gift card for Sherway Gardens!

SPONSORED BY SHERWAY GARDENS

Image Credits: Sherway Gardens, M for Mendocino, RACHEL Rachel Roy, Club Monaco, Gap, ALDO Shoes


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Events

LOULOU Magazine’s Shop ‘Til You Drop 2012 at Fairview Mall

by The Backseat Stylers | May 2nd, 2012

We’re big fans of shopping parties (who isn’t?), and when we heard that LOULOU Magazine and Fairview Mall were teaming up to co-host the ultimate shopping event, we knew we had to be there. So last Thursday, April 26, when Canada’s shopping magazine brought its 6th annual Shop ‘Til You Drop tour to one of our favourite retail destinations in north Toronto, not only were we there at Fairview Mall, but we were right in the thick of all the action.

The 4-hour shopping extravaganza was a shopaholic’s delight! There were exclusive discounts at some of our favourite stores, complimentary food and drink, giveaways, makeovers, fashion illustrations, goodie bags…more than we’d bargained for, really. If you weren’t able to join us for the fun, not to worry – there’s always next year. And in the meantime, here’s a minute-by-minute account of the event so you can live vicariously through S’s tweets (and post-event commentary):

5:23pm – Kick-off

“We’ve arrived at @louloumagazine’s #ShopTilYouDrop event! Here’s the scene at @Fairview_Mall’s centre court. pic.twitter.com/QmpJxfm”

With 200 luxe swag bags up for grabs on a first come, first serve basis and the entire shindig about to kick off, the excitement was palpable. This was our very first Shop ‘Til You Drop event and we couldn’t wait to get our shop on.

5:37pm – Trend Presentation by Liv Judd

“Waiting for @louloumagazine’s @LivJudd’s trend presentation @Fairview_Mall. Tell me about these shorts! pic.twitter.com/avXbBM5g #ShopTilYouDrop”

The blue paisley shorts turned out to be from Gap’s latest collection. With the entire store at 30% off during the Shop ‘Til You Drop event, it was a no brainer that those babies were coming home with me. I see myself living in these shorts come summer.

“The lovely @LivJudd giving her trend presentation at @louloumagazine and @Fairview_Mall’s #ShopTilYouDrop event”

LOULOU Magazine’s Shopping Editor Liv Judd took the stage for her spring trend presentation in front of a crowd eager for spring style tips. T and I sat front row, hanging on her every word: mixed prints, white on white, denim jackets…this lady knows what she’s talking about!

“Wise spring style advice from @louloumagazine’s @LivJudd: “Never wear a stiletto with a short.” #ShopTilYouDrop”

Confession time: I’ve done this, maybe twice in life…but I promise never to do it again, Liv!

“‘Colour is something you want in your denim’, says @LivJudd. She’s so right. #ShopTilYouDrop”

I’ve been resisting coloured jeans over the past few months, but I’m just about ready to jump on that trend. Proof: Me at Gap admiring denim in all the colours of the rainbow later in the evening. A baby step in the right direction, nudged forward by T and the green jeans she’s been wearing non-stop and, of course, Liv’s trend talk.

“Coral, mint and metallics for spring nails! @LivJudd is featuring some lovely @EssieCanada polishes. #ShopTilYouDrop”

I’m a huge Essie fan, so I was delighted by these fun new colours. Fast forward a few hours and I found myself at Trade Secrets stocking up on my favourite Essie shades. Can’t go wrong with the exclusive buy one, get one 50% off event discount.

“The woman next to me at #ShopTilYouDrop just turned to me and said, “wow!” when @LivJudd’s trend presentation wrapped. What a compliment!”

6:04pm – Exclusive Interview with Liv Judd

“Just wrapped an interview w/ @LivJudd. Now very inspired to get my shop on! Ready for some colour, colour and more colour. #ShopTilYouDrop”


Gap’s Denise Chow and LOULOU’s Liv Judd

We nab Liv right after her presentation to chat more about – what else? – spring trends.

BSS: You introduced quite a few trends for spring in your presentation. Which one are you most excited to get into?

Liv: Colour. Hands down. All of the vivid types of colours, like cobalt blue, fuchsia, green and orange. Colour-blocking is not going away, but now it’s stripes and geometric shapes.

BSS: Is there a trend that you don’t see yourself participating in this spring?

Liv: Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the mullet skirt – short in the front, long in the back. I wouldn’t recommend it.

BSS: On that note, what was your worst fashion faux pas?

Liv: There are so many! I had to wear a bright yellow, acrylic sweater [to a New Kids on the Block concert in grade 7]. I was mortified.

BSS: By the bright yellow or the acrylic?

Liv: By the acrylic! Everybody else was wearing their hip New Kids on the Block t-shirts and I was in bright yellow, acrylic no less.

BSS: What was the last purchase you made for the upcoming season?

Liv: I was at Old Navy, and I bought neon-striped t-shirts and long, colour-block maxi dresses.

BSS: What items are still on your wish list for spring?

Liv: Bright-coloured jeans, more maxi dresses, a new white jean, and pointy-toe flats in a bright colour.

BSS: What’s the most fun part about the Shop ‘Til You Drop tour for you?

Liv: Coming out to meet shoppers. Being in the mall and seeing them come up to you and say, “I listened to what you said and this is what I bought. To get that feedback immediately is a delight.

BSS: What is it about Fairview that makes it such a great place to shop?

Liv: It’s so easy to get to. It’s right just on the subway line. And they were the first mall to get H&M [in 2004], so they have that prestige. That was the very first time I shopped here.

6:16pm – Celebrity Trends with Angie Smith at Gap

“Angie Smith @bumbalina of @ETCanada talking celeb style trends at@GapCA. @RCampanelliETC is here too! #ShopTilYouDrop”

Over at the Gap store, Angie walked us through on-trend outfits by some of our favourite celebrities (including Solange Knowles – love her!) and how to recreate the looks using pieces from Gap’s spring/summer collection. Husband and ET Canada on air personality Rick Campanelli is there too to lend his support.

“Shopping for stripes this spring? The smaller the stripe, the more flattering on the body, says @bumbalina at @GapCA. #ShopTilYouDrop”

“Photo booth at @GapCA! Of course T and I had to get in on that action. #ShopTilYouDrop”

Continue reading →


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Events

YOU’RE INVITED: Shop ‘Til You Drop with LOULOU Magazine, Fairview Mall and The Backseat Stylers!

by The Backseat Stylers | April 23rd, 2012

Once upon a time, as a young, budding shopaholic, S had but one dream: to someday own Fairview Mall, so that, by extension, all of its contents would be hers – the clothes, the bags, the shoes, all of it! It seems that even as a little girl, S already knew then what we both know now: that when it comes to shopping in the city’s north end, Fairview Mall is the place to go.

S is now all grown up and at a ripe age for owning shopping centres. Though her dream has yet to become a reality (we’re still holding out hope!), we’re doing the next best thing – shopping ‘til we drop at one of our favourite fashion retail destinations in Toronto. And guess what? We’d like you to come too!

LOULOU Magazine and Fairview Mall are teaming up to bring us the ultimate spring shopping party, the Shop ‘Til You Drop event, on Thursday, April 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. And you’re invited!

Join The Backseat Stylers as we enjoy exclusive retail discounts (up to 40% off!), food and drink, entertainment, makeovers, giveaways, fashion advice, goodie bags, makeup applications, fashion illustrations and more throughout the centre. We’ll also have our camera in hand as we roam the party for street style snaps of all of you!

Here’s a look at what’s in store:

5:00pm
First 200 shoppers to arrive at Centre Court will receive a wristband to pick up their luxe LOULOU swag bags.

5:30pm
Presentation by LOULOU’s Style Expert, Liv Judd, on creating the ultimate wardrobe for spring and tips on how to shop the event.

6:00pm
DeBerardini’s Salon reveals pro tricks for glam up-do’s and complimentary hair consultations. Spa specialists will treat you to complimentary facial skin assessments using a skin scanner and consultation on laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and eyelash extensions.

Bourjois Paris hosts a make-up demonstration station featuring the line’s stunning colours, innovative products and unique joie de vivre, exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart.

9:00pm
Be sure to drop off your completed Shop ‘Til You Drop Passport at GAP, SoftMoc, Trade Secrets or Centre Court for chances to win fabulous prizes!

How the Passport Works - Visit each Passport Sponsor and Centre Court to have your Official LOULOU Passport stamped for a chance to win fabulous prizes, including a $500 Cadillac Fairview shop! card®, $100 gift card from GAP, $100 gift card from SoftMoc, a Trade Secret’s gift basket valued at over $330 and 1 of 3 Universal Music Canada gift packages valued at $50.

Sounds like a blast, right? We knew you’d think so! It’s a date then: Shop ‘Til You Drop event at Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E, Toronto) on Thursday, April 26, 5-9pm. Bring your BFFs with you too for a ladies’ night out. And remember, we’ll be shooting street style snaps, so be sure to come in your shopping party finest. See you there!

xx, T & S

Sponsored by Cadillac Fairview


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Contests

Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th Anniversary: Your Favourite Memories + Giveaway Winners!

by The Backseat Stylers | February 15th, 2012

Over the past week, we’ve been taking a little jaunt down memory lane in honour of Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th anniversary on February 10. As you shared some of your fondest recollections of your visits to this three-floor retail wonderland, we discovered that we’re not the only ones who’ve been shopping at TEC all our lives and enjoying every moment of it.

From your very first steps through TEC’s big glass doors to your annual visits to see the Swarovski Christmas tree, Toronto Eaton Centre has been serving up awe-inspiring moments for 35 unforgettable years. Here are just a few of the stories you shared with us that made us smile:

  • “The best day of my life actually happened at Eaton Centre, it was August 22nd 2010! I entered a contest on twitter to meet and greet my favourite artist Enrique at Sears located at Eatons! Luckily I won, and let me tell you it was the best DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!! I cried, I freaked out.. even almost fainted!!” – Tanja M.
  • “I have too many fond memories of the Eaton Centre but one of my most meaningful memories was spending lengthy hours watching the fountain as a young boy with my great grandma, brings back memories whenever I pass it! A bit of home in a big place.” – Eric B.
  • “When I was around 12 or 13, I made plans with a friend to meet at the Eaton Centre’s glass doors. Clearly, we didn’t realise how many sets of glass doors there were at the Eaton Centre, because we were waiting at completely opposite ends of the mall!” – Sarah
  • “My favourite memory is when my uncle took me to Mr. Green Jeans for the very first time. We ate sooo much food and I was sooo full but my uncle still ordered me one of those amazing gigantic milkshakes (it was pretty big because I was so young) and I finished it! I was so full I actually threw up outside of the Eaton Centre. It has always been a very funny story to tell.” – Simon
  • “I remember in 1996 taking the day off of work to head to the Eaton Centre to see MR. BEAN! Rowan Atkinson was making a personal appearance! The crowd was so big…” – Cheryl M.

Thank you all for sharing your favourite TEC memories! You can read all of the stories submitted here. With 50 million visitors a year, $120 million of renovations currently underway and many exciting new stores like PINK, Express and Juicy Couture opening in 2012, there’s sure to be many more memorable moments to come.

And on that note, let’s kick start some new Toronto Eaton Centre adventures by giving away those five $35 Cadillac Fairview shop! cards, shall we? We’ve randomly drawn 5 names from the pool of over 125 entries received, and the lucky winners are: Cristina A, Jennifer, Jess C, Anne Cayer and Susan!

Congratulations ladies! While you’re at Toronto Eaton Centre spending your shiny new gift cards, keep an eye out for us, won’t you? You’ll likely find us at Mr. Green Jeans, sipping on chocolate milkshakes and patiently waiting for J.Crew to finally open its doors later this year. See you there!

xx, T & S

Sponsored by Toronto Eaton Centre


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Contests

Toronto Eaton Centre Celebrates 35th Anniversary + $175 Cadillac Fairview Shop! Card Giveaway!

by The Backseat Stylers | February 7th, 2012

As certified shopaholics, we’ve done the deed everywhere. Bricks-and-mortar malls, sample sales, pop-up shops, e-retailers – you name it, we’ve shopped it. And while we love all of our regular shopping haunts equally, there’s one that we love just a little more equally than the others: Toronto Eaton Centre.

For as long as we’ve been shopping, Toronto Eaton Centre has been the heartbeat of the Toronto fashion retail scene and a stylish icon in our city. Growing up, our family often took the subway downtown for Saturday trips to the Eaton’s department store. We now live in 3 different cities, but Boxing Day at TEC – and all the frenzied fun that comes with it – remains an annual family tradition.

In between Boxing Days, TEC and its 3 floors of trendy offerings have always been there for us in our greatest times of sartorial need. From the search for the perfect wedding shoes for S’s big day back in 2007 to the hunt for a chic blazer to complete T’s outfit for our FASHION Magazine feature last year, TEC has come through for us every time, making it one of our top shopping destinations.

Our beloved Toronto Eaton Centre celebrates its 35th anniversary this Friday, February 10, and we at The Backseat Stylers couldn’t be more excited about it! With $120 million of renovations currently underway and new stores like J. Crew (can’t wait!), PINK by Victoria’s Secret and Juicy Couture opening in 2012, TEC is only getting better with age.

In honour of this big 35th birthday, we’re teaming up with Toronto Eaton Centre to give away $35 Cadillac Fairview shop! gift cards to 5 lucky readers of The Backseat Stylers! Want one? All you have to do is tell us your favourite memory of Toronto Eaton Centre for a chance to win. We shared ours in this 35th anniversary video over on TEC’s Facebook page (go watch!). What’s yours?

Good luck everyone! And a very happy birthday to you, Toronto Eaton Centre!

xx, T & S

Contest Rules:

1. To enter, leave us a comment on this blog post telling us your favourite Toronto Eaton Centre memory and ‘like’ Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35th anniversary Facebook page here.

2. For a bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), tweet the following: “@toeatoncentre is turning 35, and @backseatstylers is giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe #giveaway”

3. For another bonus entry (you must complete step #1 first), set your Facebook status to “Toronto Eaton Centre is turning 35, and The Backseat Stylers are giving away five $35 Shop! Cards to celebrate! http://bit.ly/A13ZKe″ Be sure to tag both The Backseat Stylers and Toronto Eaton Centre so we can see it.

4. Maximum 3 entries per person.

5. The contest closes at midnight on February 14, 2012. The five winners will be selected randomly and announced on February 15, 2012. Winners will be notified by e-mail.

6. This giveaway is open to our readers located in Canada only.

7. There are no prize substitutions.

Sponsored by Toronto Eaton Centre

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