Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

The Promenade

Style the Season: A Makeover Story

By

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….

Read More

The Promenade: Go on A Shopping Spree… With Me!

By

For all my readers who’ve ever jokingly (or not-so-jokingly) asked, “Take me shopping with you!” or “Can you be my personal shopper?”… it’s your lucky day!

I’ve teamed up with The Promenade once again, and this time, we’re hosting an ah-maz-ing contest – and if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you simply must enter.

It’s the Style the Season contest! One lucky winner will receive a $500.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card; a one-on-one shopping session with Lena Almeida from Listen to Lena (that’s me!); a complimentary hair cut, style and makeup application at a participating salon; and dinner at Pickle Barrel with one (1) guest on Sunday, October 27th, 2013 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Whew! Sounds like a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon – wouldn’t you agree?

And even if you don’t win, there’s still an awesome reason to visit The Promenade on October 27th: from 1:00pm to 3:00pm you can attend the “Style the Season” event in their Centre Court. In addition to sitting in on a free style session by yours truly, you can also enjoy samples, fashion and beauty demos and enter to win a $100.00 Cadillac Fairview shop! card gift card.

(Plus, a few hot men known as the Vaughan Fire Fighters will be there to sign their 2014 calendar. Just sayin’.)

Fall 2013 Fashion Trends: Promenade Pep Rally

By

Hands up if you’re THRILLED the kiddos are back in school? (*Waves hand furiously*)

Now that a routine has been established, the weather has cooled off and I can happily get rid of one of my offspring for a handful of hours each weekday, I’m in the mood to celebrate! It’s safe to say that Fall really is the hap-happiest time of the year.

Another reason to love the season? Fall fashion, of course! A few weeks ago, I shared with y’all information about the Promenade Pep Rally. Well, I’m happy to declare that the event was a huge success! We had everything from performances from the Argo Cheerleaders and the Choir! Choir! Choir! glee club to fashion tips (courtesy of yours truly) and an anti-bullying workshop to get kids ready for school.

Well, what about those fashion tips, you ask? You know I’d never exclude my readers from the goodness I shared with the audience at the Promenade. However, since my segment was 15 minutes, and that translates into a very long blog post, I thought I’d just present you with the highlights. Introducing…

Lena’s Top 3 Fashion Trends for Fall

1. Cobalt Blue. I simply can’t get enough! There is a vibrancy and starkness that looks completely modern, and, it complements a rainbow of colours so well. Surprisingly, it even looks great with other shades of blue – making it an all-time universal favourite. Design brands such as DKNY, Victoria Beckman, Iceberg, Nautica, Costume National, Moschino, and Lacoste all showed off this electric blue during their Fall/Winter 2013 collections.

Pictured above, women’s fashions from Sandro – a new retailer at the Promenade. Missed Milan Fashion Week? Not to worry – all the latest in ladies fashions and accessories from Italy and France can be found here. This is the perfect boutique to find the hottest in European trends for the office, a night out or a special occasion. Located on the 2nd level adjacent to Club Monaco.

I popped into the store during the Pep Rally and my jaw dropped to the floor. So many covet worthy pieces, including the cobalt blue shift dress pictured above. They have stunningly gorgeous fashions – pop in if you’re in the area….

Read More

Get Pumped for BTS: The Promenade Pep Rally!

By

Read this:

“Back to School is fast approaching!  Visit the Promenade on Saturday, August 24 from 11am-3pm for the Promenade Pep Rally featuring the Argo Cheerleaders, fashion tips from Listen to Lena’s Lena Almeida, an anti-bullying workshop and performances from glee sensation Choir! Choir! Choir!”

Wait – what?? That’s right – if you live in the Greater Toronto Area, come meet me on Saturday at the Promenade! Discover what everyone will be wearing around campus this fall as I share back to school trend tips for the entire family. I’ll even demo the latest fashions from some of my favourite stores in the mall! Expect to see classic prints like houndstooth and leopard, chunky knits, military inspired looks, knee socks, platform shoes, bold blazers and crisp collared shirts in the classroom for girls. V-kneck sweaters, button down shirts, khakis, loose fitting cargo pants, graphic t-shirts, colourful shoes and printed sneakers are must haves for boys.

(Super Cool Moment: We recently had coverage in The Toronto Sun! There I am in all my fashionista glory >>)

The Schedule for the Pep Rally:

11:00am Promenade Welcome and introduction
11:05am Choir! Choir! Choir!
11:40am Back to School Trend Tips with Lena Almeida
12:00pm Toronto Argonauts Cheerleaders
12:10pm Leave Out Violence Anti-Bullying Workshop
1:05pm Toronto Argonauts Cheerleaders
1:15pm Choir! Choir! Choir!
1:50pm Leave Out Violence Anti-Bullying Workshop
2:10pm Toronto Argonauts Cheerleaders
2:20pm Back to School Trend Tips with Lena Almeida

And, if you are looking for back to school bargains, this Wednesday is a great time to shop: the Promenade is hosting an exclusive “We Pay the Tax” Event on Wednesday, August 21 from 5pm-9pm. Nearly 100 retailers will be participating and offering to take care of the taxes for you!

Some of the major retailers participating are: H&M, Old Navy, BCBG, Honey, Sandro, Simon Chang, Rinascimento, Town Shoes, Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Garage, Suzy Shier, Jack & Jones, Tristan, Lucky Brand Jeans, Little Burgundy, HMV, Gymboree Play Centre, Jacob, Davids Tea, M for Mendocino, Femme De Carriere, Bench, Costa Blanca, The Body Shop, Sears, Bath and Body Works, Sunglass Hut and numerous Food Court retailers to name a few. Visit www.promenade.ca for a list of all participating retailers.

I’d love to see y’all! If you are in the mall, be sure to stop by and say hello :)