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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Style the Season: A Makeover Story

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A few weeks ago, I shared a very special contest: Promenade’s Style the Season. Entrants from across the GTA were vying for a chance to win a $500.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card; a one-on-one shopping session with me; a complimentary hair cut, style and makeup application at a participating salon; and dinner at Pickle Barrel with a guest on Sunday, October 27th, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In other words, a pretty fabulous way to spend Sunday afternoon – wouldn’t you agree?

Now if you didn’t win the contest, you also had a chance to attend the “Style the Season” event in their Centre Court. In addition to sitting in on a free style session by yours truly, attendees had a chance to enjoy food samples (including delicious creations from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory), fashion and beauty demos, and the chance to win a $100.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card.

Oh, and did I mention the Vaughan Fire Fighters were signing their 2014 calendar? Yes, there was that.

For all those who weren’t able to join us, I’m so pleased to share some of my very favourite moments from the day. But first, have you ever visited Promenade Shopping Centre? It just happens to be one of the most fashion-forward malls in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to having premier retailers such as Coach, BCBG Max Azria, M for Mendocino and more, it is also one of the most architecturally-stunning and intricately designed shopping centres I’ve been to.

Truly, the mall is gorgeous to behold.

The Style the Season event kicked off with my Holiday Style Session. Working together with fashion retailers such as Bench, Femme de Carriere, Garage Clothing, Jack & Jones, M for Mendocino, Olsen Europe, Soft Moc and H&M, I showcased some of the hottest trends for the holiday season.

The most notable must-haves are a) a day-to-night outfit, b) scarves in every colour, and c) a little black dress, of course. For accessories, chunky gold necklaces and bracelets are all the rage, while chandelier earrings will keep you on-trend and festively fashionable.

After sharing my style tips with a great audience, the real fun began: a one-on-one personal shopping session with our Style the Season winner, Melodie MacInnis! Now if you had any doubt, yes, we blew through the $500 shop! gift card in just under 2 hours. With stops at Old Navy, RW & CO, ALDO Accessories and Soft Moc, Melodie was a gracious and willing winner, who happily took my suggestions in mind and played model in a variety of outfits and accessories.

Melodie described her style as casual – and I quote, “I never go out. Never.” She is mom to three young children, so I can certainly appreciate her quiet social calendar, especially now that the cold weather has settled in. Hence, I wanted to respect her lifestyle and not force her into a wardrobe that she wouldn’t use. However, being a homemaker does not give anyone a pass to live in sweats and oversized tees – especially not someone like Melodie, who had a great eye for style and was familiar with my friends Michael, Marc and Kate (Kors, Jacobs and Spade).

So, I concentrated on finding pieces that would amp up her current wardrobe. Skinny, stretchy jeans from Old Navy (check out that fab reptile print above!), a soft, cozy sweater from RW & CO, and a romantic, tea rose scarf from ALDO Accessories. And the pièce de résistance? These trendy, warm Mukluks from Soft Moc.

We completed the style session with a very special makeover at Tonyc Salon. Melodie received a new colour, a new hairstyle, and even a makeup application, courtesy of Rexall. All in all, it was a fabulous afternoon! Melodie was a pleasure to style, and she even decked out in her new fashions – selected by moi – for a before/after photo.

Et voila! Melodie has been styled for the season! Looking good, girl!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest and/or attended the in-person session. And, special thanks to Promenade, for putting together this amazing event and collaborating with me once again! It’s always good time.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Anne Taylor

    She was beautiful before and even more beautiful in the after shot! What a teat it must have been to win this!

  9. nicolthepickle

    What a fun day! I really like the before and after pictures, and those pants are great. Were they from Old Navy?

      • nicolthepickle

        Nice! They look darker on her than in the other picture.
        I’m going Old Navy shopping sometime in December I’ll look for them.

  10. Ella Pretty Blog

    Seems like such a fun experience – lucky winner! Love the boots and skinnies you both picked out – and her hair looked gorgeous!

    Also – am majorly crushing on your over-the-knee boots!

  13. Darlene Schuller

    What a fun time!! She looks absolutely amazaing & I am sure that she will never forget the incredible time she had! I absolutely adore her new outfit!!

  14. Flora M

    Melodie looks fabulous ! Congrats to her ! I love her outfit. I am also guilty of the “baggy” look (I don’t work and seldom go out), but I am trying to get out of that rut and slowly update my wardrobe with clothes that fit me better. I will definitely be looking at Old Navy for those jeans !

    • Lena

      Please do, Flora! They’re so comfy. I don’t know if you can see it from the first twitter photo, but she bought a few different pairs!