Personally, I am tired of January. I am tired of snow. Of cold. Of having to figure out how to pair dress pants with boots. Of opening my closet and feeling like I have nothing to wear because only so many things go with my ankle booties, are long-sleeved, or will keep me warm enough on my walk to work.
I miss the days where dressing took minutes instead of multiple layers and looking stylish was as simple as a dress and a basic pair of pumps.
I think it’s time for a look ahead, don’t you?
Luckily, in just over a week – Sunday, Jan. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m., fashion maven and stylist, Erica Wark, will be hosting the fifth annual Revive Your Style at Sala San Marco in Little Italy.
Wark has been at the helm of this fashion saavy Sunday event for the last four years, and 2016, being her last year, will be the best yet.
“I’ve seen daughters bring their mothers, their grandmothers. It’s a great excuse to get together with your girlfriends, get out of the house, and have some fun.”
She’s expecting over 200 women to attend Revive your Style, which is a charity event for Bust a Move for Breast Health, a community fundraiser celebrating positive advancements for breast health, which will be held March 5, 2016.
In fact, philanthropy is how this came to be. “I was trying to think of a unique way to raise money for Bust a Move. January is really tough for everyone, holidays are over, it’s uninspiring. I wanted to create an event to rejuvenate – hence the name.”
Wark will be presenting spring trends not yet seen for 2016, “The fashion presentation will include a bunch of brands from Banana Republic to Judith & Charles, Nordstrom to Winners, Joe Fresh, Stuart Weitzman, Aritzia, Browns – the list goes on and on!”
Wark will also be assisted with her hosting duties by Melissa Grelo, co-host of CTV’s The Social.
Well known Ottawa hair and makeup duo, Firorella Dinardo from Rinaldos and Melody Iafelice, will also be on hand doing hair, beauty, and makeup presentations. Rinaldos will also be setting up a blo out bar and Minerva Spa will have a pop-up spa with aromatherapy and hand massages.
The girls’ goals are to help you take what you see on the runway and incorporate those trends into real life. “Runway the real way,” Wark added.
And what about food and drink, you ask? Barefoot Bubbly (yes, the very same you often grab at your local LCBO on the way to a friend’s for girls’ night) has donated their sparkling wine, Sala San Marco will, of course, have hors d’oeuvres and apps, and Nordstrom has partnered with Thyme & Again to create custom cookies – Revive Your Style inspired.
The relaxing and inspiring afternoon calls for look that is “pretty casual. People like to dress up for this event because it is a fashion type event,” said Wark. “The environment is “come how you are” – be authentic. It’s also fun excuse to get dressed up. A really great necklace, turtle neck, high heels – it’s only three hours so wear the heels!”
There will also be a DJ and pink carpet where guests can get their pictures taken, all photos will be on Erica’s Facebook page afterwards, and some amazing prizes:
– A private experience at Minerva Spa Evolution for you and three friends valued at $1,700.00
– A round trip for you and three friends first class with VIA Rail to Toronto, lunch at Holt’s Café, $350 to Holt Renfrew, four tickets to go to the Social, a mug like the girls use on The Social, and a one night stay at the Intercontinental hotel, valued at $2,500.00
– A first class round trip to Toronto with VIA Rail, $1,000.00 to Yorkdale, Erica Wark as your personal stylist, valet parking, lunch, and a one night stay at the Intercontinental hotel, valued at $2,000.00
– A trip for two to Breathless Cabo San Lucas 5-Star Resort, “an unlimited luxury experience,” flying out of Toronto with WestJet, valued at $7,500.00
– Beautiful accessories such as a Club Monaco scarf, Mackage bag, BCBG Max Azria hand bag, Michael Kors bags, and more.
Last year the event raised $22,000.00 and Wark is hoping to surpass that this year. Get your tickets, only $40, here (and don’t delay, the VIP tickets, which included Starbucks gift cards and coffee, St Laurent Centre gift cards, H&M accessories, Essie nail polish, Maybelline beauty products, Rinaldos hair products, Browns umbrellas, Eat Nakd bars and more, are already sold out) and follow the Facebook event here for updates, including new prizes that are rolling in almost daily. See you then!
