Monday, September 6, 2010

Dear Holt Renfrew: I Love You

Here I am live and reporting to you from the Prairies in Canada where one minute the sun is shining and the next you're in a full-scale downpour that is quickly followed by more sun and a light breeze.  It's a good thing I packed a wide range of attire including shorts, skirts, denim, leggings, light t-shirts, blouses, jackets and even some tights because, tights aside, I've had a chance to wear a little of everything and it's been great.  One of the things I miss most about living here is the ability to truly indulge in all the wonderful fashion that appears at fall.  In Southern California we really can't get into much of a deep relationship with wool, chunky knit sweaters, or rich tweed so, even though I love where I live, I do find myself a little heartsick at all the possibilities that get passed over due to the high likelihood of a heatwave in the fall.

Seizing the opportunity to get out and take in a glimpse, the Chef and I ventured into downtown Calgary the other day where we inevitably ended up at Holt Renfrew - Canada's Barneys and one of my favorite places to shop when visiting home.  Within moments we I was oohing and aahing over amazing brands that were perfectly merchandised and singing all too many of the sweet songs of fall into my ears.  Even as I type a particular leather vest adorned with leather studded shoulders remains locked in my mind.  I don't think I'll ever be the same.  Wallet fairies?  I still haven't given up on you...

I was so excited to be able to wear velvet, cashmere, 
leather and suede all in one outfit.
It was Tucker for Target on the tank.
And Coco came along on the trip as well.
To visit her cousins and bring greetings from Southern California.
Holt's windows are always impeccable - like a scene out of Mannequin.
And there is something historic about the store that brings
out classy ladies dressed in their finest.  This lady 
who snuck into our photo was a doll!
Without realizing it my outfit coordinated very well 
with the colors in their window.  The slogan really says it all.

I managed to leave with a few treasures that I'm sure will make it into outfit posts over the next week or so.  Until then I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day long weekend!!  I'm looking forward to catching up on your blogs when we return home later this week.  And now I've got a bag of ketchup chips staring me down...yesssss.

Outfit details:  Tom Ford-Sunnies, Martin+Osa (RIP) Cashmere-Sweater, Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target-Tank, Martin+Osa (RIP)-Skinny Denim, Banana Republic-Suede Boots, Alexander Wang-Coco Handbag

64 comments:

Unknown said...

What a great trip - and you look fantastic too!

I need a favour over at my blog, please stop by if you have a minute....thank you :)

Diana Mieczan said...

That sounds like a great trip:)
Those photos are so cool and I am so glad you had a chance to do some shopping. That outfit is very pretty:)
Wish you a wonderful time,sweetie
Kisses

k said...

you look so great! And I used to LOVE the move mannequin...I think I need to find it and watch it now to see what it's like years and years later!!

missND said...

you look amazing. this 'store window' really suits your outfit. =)

laurenne said...

Oh lordy! I did not see the pink sequined maryjane shoe guy, BUT today I saw a man wearing red leggings, a red Christmas sweater, and a pile of shreddings from someone's office shredder on his head!
And he was dancing to only the music in his head.

I love Canadians!
I'm interested to try these Ketchup chips.

Also, I am taking your lead. I looked for Tucker for Target online and found nothing. AND... I searched sweater dresses too. You're getting to me, my friend. Soon, I will be hip because of you. Not soon, but one day.

S said...

In England we have a good relationship with wool too!! Infact the weather's looking quite temperamental out there so I'm taking some tips from you! xx

Anonymous said...

Did I know you had that bag? I have an obsession with it - love it, want it, need it, you know how it goes. Look at you and your fall outfit! It's "fall" here too, which means its been a brisk 85 outside. Mmhmm. Let me go grab a sweater.

Jenny said...

Love a bit of window shopping! Thanks for your comments on my blog today. We are now in Spring and I have a dreadful head cold, can you believe it! ;-)

Lady Grey said...

this is a great post : )
Aw Holts.... if you ever find those wallet fairies, please send them my way afterwards!
oxo

Closet Fashionista said...

Oooh love this!! Thats so funny that the lady crashed your photo :D :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

O.k., Beautiful, what the heck are ketchup chips? I love the shot of you in front to the store window... you put the mannequins to shame. You little friend is cute too... look at her trying to get in on everything! Have a safe trip home. xo

Anonymous said...

Haha I've never tasted ketchup chips! You look great :-)

Leia said...

I've always wanted to visit Holt Renfrew! I'm glad you're enjoying the Canadian weather. I would be happy if I never had to look at wool, cashmere, or any cold-weather clothes ever again; I'm fed up of winters (and I've only really experienced 4! But London winters are dire; the cold gets into your bones!)

Leia

Collette Osuna said...

LOVE the bag....your outfit is fabulous btw:)

How cute with the old lady...glad you had a fun trip!!!!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

Coco, Holt, Tucker....all sound like future kiddo names for sure :) Have a chip for me! XO, Kelly

Jessica said...

Looks like you're having a fabulous time! You should have asked if you could take a photo inside of the window display since you match so well! ;-) (Imagine what they'd think of you then ...)

erica said...

You look fabulous, and you really did blend with the window display well. As usually you look absolutely gorgeous, and I love your boots!

xo

Laura said...

Sounds like you are having so much fun :) Love the outfit and looking forward to seeing what you brought :)

L x

Nicole Marie said...

love your shirt!

Anonymous said...

Its funny the HR in Montreal is so nice, but I always find their window designs extremely tacky for such a high end department store. That one looked less offensive.

Kinder said...

You are too fab for Calgary! Hope you are having a great time here with your family - hasn't the weather been an odd mixed bag of treats!? Fall is definitely here in this city!

Josie said...

You look adorable! I'm absolutely in love with your sweater and tank -- you look so colorful and chic. I hope that you're having a fantastic time in Canada, my dear!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Marcie said...

Love the little old lady that snuck in the photo! You look fab, too! Isn't it funny how vastly different weather is, especially when compared to Cali?!

Hope you are having a blast!

xo M

Unknown said...

Wow, have an amazing time in Canada!! You look good - love the top, esp. paired with boots!

LyddieGal said...

Ohh shopping dreams, don't you hate it when something you didn't/couldn't buy continues to haunt you?

I do love your look with your vast mixture of texture and pattern, gals to hear you are having a wonderful trip!

Erica Cook said...

Hey! Great blog. Wonderful to read some canadian appreciation. I too love holt's, and being canadian, feel lucky to have it. You do look like your outfit was styled to coordinate with the windows!
oh, and ketchup chips... the height of trash for the body I'm sure... but delicious none the less... do they not exist in the states??? :) Erica

DolceDreams said...

You are funny! I also am a transplanted canadienne, and ketchup chips say it all...
Hope you had a great trip,
Nathalie

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

As a fellow Canadian I FEEL YOU!

I was just thinking today that all I want for
Christmas/Hannukah- is SOMETHING, ANYTHING from Holts-

That's what I'm asking for.

Vær våken said...

You really do match the window!!:) And ketcup cips sounded delicious, yum!!! Wishing you a great new week!! xo's Kristin

Anonymous said...

Thank you dear for your comments! I couldn't answer you before because I was moving but here I am again! :)

btw, love your boots!

xoxo
mycherrygum.com

Abby said...

Great outfit! And I'd love to try ketchup chips... jealous!

the chirpy bird said...

Oh agreed for the movie mannequin! Loved it! Your outfit is fab and I can't deny that I'm a little jelly that you've already scored some items from tucker for target! You look fabulous my love!
xo tash

Unknown said...

How have I not heard of this store, I thought I had a finger on all the cool shopping around the world! You look gorgeous, so happy you had a wonderful trip! XX!

Tanya Dempsey said...

Recommended to you by Blossoming Visions... adore your blog! Need some Tucker!

xx

http://www.novembergrey.blogspot.com/

Brianna said...

I love the brown boots with the white pants :D

Lila said...

Mannequin- haha such a cheesy movie. I actually saw it recently and it is pretty bad. Again, with your ketchup chips?.....Yikes.

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

I am loving your outfit! The way it blends with the display is awesome. All of the fabric textures that you put together sound SO autumn. You know, Washington is between Canada and California, so maybe on your way back you can stop by and pick out some clothes for me? I'm just sayin' :)

Sonja said...

Thanks so much for your comment!!!
Very good guess! It was a phone photo, but I didn't use hipstamatic (although that reminds me that I reeeally should download that app! hehe)
I love your blog and outfits hehe
Very true I love fall for all the pretty wool things, boots, and coats! Yayyy fall.
But then winter comes, and then I would much much muuuuch rather be in Southern Cali! hehe

ryan said...

Your outfit did match the mannequins in the window, how fun! Have a great trip!

bananas. said...

um hi i just shwinged looking at your outfit and bag.

HOT STUFF.

o said...

Sounds like a fun day! Love your outfit and of course, the A. Wang bag! Glad you're having a blast in Canada!:)

TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

Nikki said...

I've never heard of this store! I've been to Calgary a few times by way of Banff. Perhaps I was drinking too much and not shopping enough.

The poutine in the post below is making my stomach growl. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Marie a la Mode said...

Looks like you're having a good time! Gotta love Holt's, eh? I hope the weather wasn't too bad for you down in Cowtown ; )

Roxy Te said...

a-wang and tom ford...you've got it going on Carrie!

Alicia Lund said...

totally love the outfit carrie!!! ah, i need to make a trip to target asap. all the tucker tops i've seen are so cute! hope you enjoyed your extra long weekend. xx

Unknown said...

have so much fun in canada! sounds amazing!

heather said...

Oh how I've missed you! You're looking fabulous as always! I love that window shot of you, just blending in! I've been away and playing maniac catch up, too. Just never ends. Hope you are having a wonderful time with your fam and autumn clothes!

xoxoxo

Lori said...

Ahh ~ ketchup chips!! I got a girlfriend from NYC hooked on those last year ~ too funny. We do not have Holt here on the East coast ~ I think the furthest east they are is Quebec City. Have a wonderful visit while you are home. xo

Valerie said...

Aww, you look so cute and cozy, Carrie! I agree, we really miss out on all the true Fall/Winter fashions in So cal. I love visiting my family in Fresno during the winter and actually being able to pull out all my scarves/winter coats/hats. Glad you're having a great trip!

xo
Valerie

BusyB said...

ah HOW FUN! ...love that older women who snuck into the photo lol!!! she was dressed to impress as well!

CHEERS!

RedPoppy said...

Love this post! especially the part about bonding with wool :) Totally understand. I've never been to Holt Renfrew, and hoping one day soon!

Unknown said...

Velvet, cashmere, leather, and suede all in one go! Jealousss. And you should be IN that window display!

X Cristina

Lindsay With An "A" said...

Loooove this post! :) Even more I think, I love your bag! I got one on sale (gasp) at Shopbop but returned it because I felt guilty! I cannot believe it, even as a I type. ha Thanks for supporting my blog girl! I appreciate it! xx

http://lindsaylovesitall.blogspot.com

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

That short is lovely, the colors are so good!!

xx
MILK TEETHS

Ashley Ashbee said...

Please forgive me for my Torontonian ignorance, but I thought only Toronto had fancy window set-ups like this. I know. Terrible of me, eh? Anyway, I totally know what you mean about fall fashions. It's exciting! Glad to see you're having fun. It's refreshing after hearing so many whine about summer ending.

Annie said...

love your boots so much!

Poppies and Sunshine said...

Sounds like a great shopping trip! Great outfit! Glad you had a wonderful time on your trip!

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

AHH!!! I used to work there! I was on the visual design team and spent many hours pouring my sweat and tears into those window displays!! Thank you for taking photos, I miss Holts so much (I live so far away now!) Glad you had a blast shopping!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

You look gorgeous! I can't wait for it to get a little cooler so I can break out the boots :)

And I love that Holt too. I always shop there when I'm in Calgary. Speaking of Calgary, I miss it. Haven't been in about 2 years now...

Oh and yes I'm a HUGE hockey fan! SO excited for the season to start. I think I'm going to hit some pre-season games because I'm deprived. LOL

Hope u had a fabulous trip home, sweetie! xoxo

Courtney said...

i LOVE your boots. oh how i love boots. a woman can never have too many (and i'm not even a shoe person!)

Kelly Leigh said...

Thats funny! While you're sad you can't wear fall clothes, I was sad I couldn't wear summer clothes! Good thing we got to go on trips to the mother land to indulge in our seasonal fashion!

For The Love Of Fashion And Other Things said...

The last picture belongs to a magazine. So stylish!
X
http://fortheloveoffashionandotherthings.blogspot.com

Lacey in the City said...

1. You look fab.
2. I've been dying to physically visit a Holt for a few years now, as the lines I've worked for all are sold there.
3. What the heck are ketchup chips, and do I need these? I'm one of those odd birds that just loves ketchup (not on eggs, but more like grilled cheese) and so this piqued my interest for sure.

20 YORK STREET said...

Ahmn. Did I mention that I work right next to a Holt Renfrew? As in I get out of my building and I am facing it right there! I think one of the first shoots we did for the blog was right by HR window displays!

And did I mention you are incredibly stylish? Yes Ma'am you are!

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