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The Reveal: Newly expanded CF Rideau Centre boasts new shopping for Ottawa

August 15, 2016

Last week, I was invited to have a sneak peak at the new CF Rideau Centre reveal, during the media preview party. The new expansion is amazing and does wonders for Rideau street. It looks clean, modern and rejuvenated. I also find that this expansion is doing wonders for mens fashion, maybe the most menswear available in one section of the mall!

So what new shops opened at Rideau Centre you ask?

Simons
H&M (yes, they have a plus-size section!)
Anthropologie
Disney Store
Zara
Massimo Dutti
Strellson
Rudsak
Sketchers
Roots
Vans
Frank + Oak
Steven Madden
L’intervalle
NYX
Bridgehead
Emilio Guido
Lululemon
Indochino
Adore
Squish
Trade Secrets
lole
Bento Sushi
Alex + Ani

With all these new stores added to CF Rideau Centre, it has once again become THE MALL, that bares it all! Personally, I am excited to add more L’intervalle footwear to my collection, and hope to get reacquainted with Anthropologie and Simons.

Again, I was busy with filming live video on Facebook that night, so I didn’t get many pictures in. Here are some pics that I managed to scrounge up of the evening.

Hope you get a chance to see the new mall soon!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Thanks to Alan Wainwright for this pic of Katie (@YowCityStyle) and I!

Thanks to Alan Wainwright for this pic of Katie (@YowCityStyle) and I!

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. new ottawa shoe store — My new favourite shoe store “L’Intervalle”, a brand designed in Montreal and made in Europe. Amazing designs and affordable price point.

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. L'Intervalle shoe store — I just had to buy these babies!

CF Rideau Centre New expansion Ottawa Shopping Mall. Fashion blog — Thank you to my gal Julie from @TrySmallThings for this lovely photo.

Simons Ottawa now open in newly renovated CF Rideau Centre!

Fashion Ottawa

August 10, 2016

Last year, around the same time, I had the privilege of attending the media preview for the first Simons opening in the area. The Simons Gatineau store opened in Les Promenades Gatineau on August 14, 2015, and I remember being told to stay tuned, because Ottawa was getting a store in August 2016. One full year later, and here we are! I can’t believe how fast time flies. The Simons store in CF Rideau Centre opens this Thursday, August 11, 2016!

The space is gargantuan, about 104,000 square feet! Like, you WILL 100%, most definitely get lost on the 4th and 3rd floor of the Rideau Centre (and you should!). Remember the old theatre?… there! The store is perfectly laid out, and includes the signature Simons price-point “mix & matching” merchandising strategy. There is no discrimination here, this shopper knows what she wants and can confidently style herself in a unique way.

“Oh fun! This $3000 purse will go great with my $40 jacket”

We had a chance to meet Peter Simons again, who does a lovely job of teaching us fashion bloggers the strategy behind maintaining a large private Canadian company, keeping the passion alive after 180 years of business, the thrilling ride of merchandising and buying, how to remain socially responsible and predicting trends coming out of the European fashion scene. He has a wealth of fashion knowledge and I feel like a sponge when he talks. (PS- feminine Parisian style is making a comeback, but this time it’s your own interpretation. No cookie cutter moulds for you to follow… so put some thought into it, would you?).

I did manage to snap a few photos, but focused on live video this time, to give you the full experience. You can check out the videos on facebook and twitter!

LIVE on #Periscope: CF Rideau centre Simons media preview https://t.co/JdDLntm27a

— Chantal Sarkisian (@TheChantsy) August 9, 2016

Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa shopping — A very basic capsule collection of shoes are available in the men’s and women’s section!

Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa shopping mall — View from the 4th floor of the atrium.

Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa fashion bloggers — Classic pose of myself and Chloe Gordon, fellow Ottawa fashion blogger. Turn out last year I wore white and the same shoes/purse combo! How bizarre! Thank you to Julie from www.trysmallthings.com for the pic!

Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa fashion blogger — Unique Canadian art installation, a signature theme of all Simons stores.

Simons Ottawa CF Rideau Centre Byward Market Ottawa fashion blog — The perfect blogger coffee table! Simons Home section is out of this world!

Pink and Pretty among the Cherry Blossom trees

Fashion

May 25, 2016

My Ottawa photographer friend Debra Cowie is working on building stock photography to sell on her website, and was looking for a model.

The current theme she is working on is “PINK” and if you’re in Ottawa in May, there is no shortage of pink in the city! We got together at the Lincoln fields OC Transpo bus terminal on Carling and snapped these whimsical photos! We even managed to squeeze one of Victor and I. It’s so sweet.

The cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, but won’t hold up for long. You may only have a few days left before the petals come down. But, can you image how a bed of petals would photograph? We will have to go back!

Outfit
In these photos, I am wearing a simple white v-neck and my famous pink tutu from Simons.

Makeup
My lipstick is “Talking Points” lip liner from MAC
My eye liner is Stila Stay-All-Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Black 0.5ml

#OttawaStyle Update: New shops and designer stores in Ottawa

Fashion

April 14, 2016

It’s no surprise that the Ottawa Fashion scene is experiencing a renaissance like no other. Almost every mall is under construction with major renovations ahead. There is no need to cross the border; the US or Quebec’s for that matter. Ottawa shopping has changed, and so should your routine!

I pulled together a handful of new shops that have opened up, and some that will soon!

New stores in Ottawa to visit

Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) in Trainyards. The one-destination for all your shoe shopping needs.
Fifth Avenue OFF FIFTH at Tanger Outlets. A mini department store offering a mix of contemporary and high end brands… but at a fraction of the price!
Hudson’s Bay next to the Rideau centre has done a massive overhaul. They have recently opened Ottawa’s first Topshop and Topman. This #LONDSTYLE inspired brand provides a nice variety of trendy pieces at a mid price range.

Coming soon

Simons will be opening their second store in the area, inside Rideau Centre sometime this summer (August 2016)
Ted Baker London in the Rideau Centre

New in Ottawa Plus-size fashion

New Pennington’s outlet is now open at Billings Bridge. Lots of great sales and great finds!
H&M will be launching an online store soon for Canada! This means you Ottawa gals can get your hands on H&M’s plus-size line, and you don’t have to shlep to Place d’Orleans to get it! Also, this means more sizes available at your fingertips! I will keep you gals posted of the progress, as there are no dates confirmed yet!

Tag: Simons