Last week, I checked out one of the new Saks Off 5th Canada locations, at Vaughan Mills. I've shopped till I've dropped at Saks Off 5th in Florida... and even scored a Phillip Lim bag for under $250! I was so excited to hear that Off 5th was coming to Vaughan Mills and Tanger Outlets in Ottawa, and last week I finally got to shop the store myself. Saks Off 5th Canada entered the Canadian market to provide customers with a high-end discount store. The focus is on curation, and assuring customers will find something exciting without having to sort through duds on a rack. Because everything is bought specifically for the Saks Off 5th Canada stores, the merchandise is a lot more fresh! There's also one of a kind finds coming in straight from the newly-opened Saks Fifth Avenue stores as well. I also loved to hear that the buyer herself is Canadian, and has been a buyer for Hudson's Bay for decades! She knows what the Canadian customer wants (i.e. lots of layers, coats, practical winter shoes) which sometimes can be a miss when US retailers open in Canada. Another exciting element to this is that there are Canadian brands peppered throughout the store. I spotted Lazypants, Löle, Matt & Nat and a couple jewelry brands from homegrown talent! This helps strengthen the store's Canadian identity, and is also an amazing opportunity for these local brands to grow their customer base.

I can't believe winter is FINALLY OVER! It's been a lot lighter this year, but I'm already excited to ditch sweater tights, snow boots and mittens. Here is my first day of spring outfit to celebrate the new season and new beginnings! I'm wearing a floral peasant blouse from Topshop at Hudson's Bay, distressed girlfriend jeans from H&M, purple mirror aviator sunglasses by Ray-Ban, a beige MAB tote by Rebecca Minkoff, and Minnetonka wedge fringe booties. Shop the post: [show_shopthepost_widget id="1481432"]