Monday, August 31, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps


On Friday evening, I headed to the gym and rounded out the week of going every. single. night.  This doesn't happen every week, by any means, but I had a goal to get there and did it... and then took the weekend off!



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Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Finds


Hi ladies!  I know I've been extremely M.I.A. this week, and to be honest, I've been experiencing a ton of--what I like to call--bloggers block.  Really wasn't sure what to post, I didn't have any outfits lined up since I was away last weekend and ultimately, just felt blah.  I hate leaving this space blank, but we should be back up and running normally next week.  Thanks for sticking by me.

Can you believe it's the last Friday of August?  I keep saying that today--it feels unreal.  I know we all say this but, 'Where did the Summer go?'.  What are your plans for the last weekend in August?  We have literally nothing planned, and since being away last weekend, the weekend before and going away next weekend, it's good to have some down time.  Something always comes up, is what I say, so I'm happy to lay low or spontaneously do something. 

Hope you have a great weekend!


My August playlist.

Thinking about ordering these boots for Fall.

The coolest way to increase road safety.

Feeling this track.  #sorrynotsorry

The other day when I was paying at Winners, the guy cashier folded my t-shirt like this.  Impressive!

Love everything about this look.

Just scooped up these flared jeans.  I love the button fly & x-long length!


Posts you may have missed:
* VIDEO:  Shoes & Bag Haul
* What I was doing this weekend, last year.
* The best DIY household cleaner I've ever tried (two easy ingredients--you'll never go back to store bough stuff again!)


(Photo of this bag; jeans are by Silver & slides are Zara from Italy)
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Monday, August 24, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps | Bachelorette Party in Montreal

Hi ladies!  I spent last weekend in Montreal celebrating my girl friend's bachelorette party.  It was a wicked, overnight to-do and I'd love to share a ton of photos with you...
 
 
DYNAMITE TANK (SIMILAR)  |  SHORTS  |  ZARA SLIDES (SIMILAR)  | H&M BAG (SIMILAR, BLACK)
 
I left my place just after 9am, grabbed coffee and picked up two of my girls and we drove out to Montreal (about a two hour drive).  We stopped about halfway at a service station and that's where this pic was snapped.
 
 
 
 
Upon arrival, we met up with four other friends, including the bride, who had arrived the night before.  We spent the entire day at the pool lounging around sipping drinks and enjoying the sunshine.

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Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Finds


Friday, Friday, it's finally here!  How's your week been?

Mine has kind of flown by and I'm so excited for the weekend because tomorrow I'm heading to Montreal with a 11 ladies for a bachelorette party--remember the shower I threw?  We are going to lay pool side, sip fun drinks, have an awesome dinner and dance the night away.

You can follow along on Instagram if you'd like--I'm @acoest1984. Hope you have a great weekend!


Made me laugh.

What a great & telling quote.
I'm looking for an oversized weekender bag.  I purchased this one for Marco last year for his birthday and love it, but can't bring myself to buy the same one.  Suggestions?

An awesome dupe for the Stuart Weitzman OTK flat boots.

Décor-wise, I love everything about this.

Thinking I need this book.


Posts you may have missed:
* VIDEO: Cottage Weekend with 18 Friends
* What do you wear to bed?
* How to add length to your dresses


(Photo from an evening this week after having to re-film an entire video that was out of focus.  Smiles because it's complete now--ha!)
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

A DIY Kimono & Instagram Outfits


F21 DRESS (SIMILARSIMILAR SLEEVELESS)  |  SKIRT  |  NECKLACE  |  HEELS  | BAG

I picked up this dress from Forever 21 a few weeks ago and absolutely love it.  It was a really inexpensive item that makes a major impact--and one that looks expensive when it really isn't.  I wore this to work and then to a business meeting and out for drinks.  It pulled triple duty easily so I'd highly suggest snagging something like this if you're into the billowy look.



DIY KIMONO (SIMILAR)  |  CAMI  |  PARASUCO DENIM - OLD  |  ALDO WEDGES - OLD (SIMILAR)  |  BAG (ON SALE!) |  SUNGLASSES
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Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Fiddler Lake Cottage Weekend Video



Last month, if you remember from the Weekend Recap, 18 of us rented a cottage in Fiddler Lake through Platinum Club for a weekend.  We had a small, private pool, hot tub, sauna and tons of bedrooms for everyone to sleep. 
 
It was definitely a great, mini, Summer vacation that I think everyone was looking forward to.  Of course I took footage while we were there so I could create a little recap video to remember it by.
 
Thanks for watching! xo
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Monday, August 17, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps



On Friday afternoon we headed out of town to our friend's cottage to spend a long weekend.



Tons more photos after the jump...

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Friday, August 14, 2015

Friday Finds


Hello ladies, what are you up to this weekend?  We took today off and are headed up to a cottage for the weekend with a bunch of friends.  Can't wait to sleep in, eat BBQ, enjoy the water and just hang out.  Hope you have a great weekend!

This spot in Ottawa for lunch during the week (how beautiful is their new website?!).



Want these so bad (clearly this is an addiction).

Made me laugh.

...and on the flip side, my friend talking about social media addiction on tv (and sharing some cool apps to track yourself).

Love everything about this look.




Posts you may have missed:
* What I was doing on this weekend last year


(Aldo sunglasses, similar ones here)
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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Media Preview of Simons in Gatineau



Last night, I was invited to attend the media preview of the new Simons that is opening in Gatineau.  I have always loved Simons when in Montreal, so was excited they asked me to come out and have a sneak peek.

I'd love to share more photos if you'd like to see..
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Make-Up Strobing Tutorial


Today's post is all about a super hot make-up technique right now: strobing.

Essentially, it's highlighting to the max, and not contouring... but I definitely still go in with the bronzer so I have colour and glow.

The technique is super simple, and I'm showing you how with drugstore products.  Ultimately, you want to highlight any areas of your face that light would reflect from it; the high points of your cheekbones, brown bone, temples, the bridge of your nose, cupid's bow, etc.  

One final tip: strobing is going to make the features you highlight really pop and come forward.  If you want to recede a feature, darken it, to bring it forward, highlight.

Check out the video to see how I achieve the look.





URBAN PLANET SWEATER (SIMILAR)  |  BRANCH NECKLACE


Things I mentioned:


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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Denim Cut Offs & Pointy Toe Lace-Up Flats


O U T F I T  D E E T S :  DYNAMITE LACE TOP (SIMILAR, LOVE THIS)  |  CAMI  |  DIY DENIM SHORTS (SIMILAR)  |  TOPSHOP LACE-UP POINTY TOE FLATS  |  BAG  |  SUNGLASSES

Today's look is all about weekend casual chic.  I'm loving these lace-up flats, and while red isn't normally a colour I go for, I decided to take a chance.  Turns out, a pop of colour is fun and I've already worn these several times, including with denim and a black dress.

I think the best way to dress up a pair of cut offs is to pair it with something fancier on top and keep the shoes chic.  I love showing a lot of leg and covering up more on top--it's a great juxtapose but also keeps it classy.  If you prefer to show off your upper body, pants and an off-the shoulder top looks fantastic.

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Monday, August 10, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

Hi ladies!  A shorter recap than usual after a somewhat low key weekend, so here we go...



Friday night I hosted a bridal shower for a friend with some help of course.  We had 10 ladies, and kept the evening chic and non-traditional with gold decor, no games and lots of sangria and prosecco. 



The bride-to-be wore this amazing cape dress and I'm wearing the daisy romper--now on sale!--you've seen before.  It was truly a great evening with wonderful company (and lingerie!).
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Saturday, August 8, 2015

A Look Back at July


I'm a little bit late on this recap but August has come in with a rumble and I've been on the go!  Regardless, July was awesome and who doesn't love one of the quintessential Summer months?

The beginning of the month came in with a bang with the birth of my second nephew on Canada Day (July 1) -- a week before he was due!  I visited him and my sister in the hospital and held his tiny newness, so amazing.  From there we went to Canada Day festivities at a friend's place despite the pouring rain.

I picked up a couple halter-style bikini tops (loving that trend from this weekend; want this one so bad), shared an all-neutrals--errthang outfit, looked after Peanut for a weekend and detailed my car for Summer.  We went to see Kanye at Bluesfest, I picked up these amazing pointed-toe lace-up flat and started to highlight the crap out of my face #strobingftw


I picked up some new kicks for the gym, swooned over the palm print romper that I didn't buy, and ordered the same lace up shoes in black.  I celebrated a friends birthday and did a bit of shopping at Forever 21, scoring a side slit top (huge trend for Fall!).  Finally, I started a new series on the blog called Friday Finds where I share some cool links from around the web.

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Friday, August 7, 2015

Friday Finds


Hello ladies and happy Friday, we made it!  What are your plans for the weekend?  I'm hosting a bridal shower tonight and visiting Marco's parents in Kingston tomorrow for the day.  We are also planning on checking out Taco Fest in Ottawa, which should be fun like last year.  Have a great weekend!


How beautiful are these moon coasters?

I love this video; the perfect difference between empathy vs. sympathy.

How to write a condolence note.  This moved me to tears.

I love this commercial.

Loving this for Fall to kick your outfit up a notch.

I'm on a new shoe kick.  #seewhatIdidthere

What I wore to Taco Fest last year.

I've been obsessed with this coffee for over six months.

I made a kimono.


A few posts you may have missed:
* A favourite gym outfit.
* Wake-boarding for the first time.
* An amazing cottage weekend with friends.


(Photo of dinner at Ministry of Coffee).

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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Place d'Orleans 2015 Fall, Winter & Holiday Photoshoot | Behind the Scenes


Yesterday was definitely a day for the books:  I was on set all day shooting with my mall, Place d'Orleans, for their 2015 Fall, Winter and Holiday campaigns...as the model!

As most of you know, I'm the Fashion Vlogger for the mall and create monthly videos for their Facebook page and YouTube channel.  I always share my videos here and they are always about current trends, how to style and generally upbeat and easy-going videos.  This year, they asked me if I would be interested in modelling for their major, annual shoot and of course the answer was yes!

I'd love to share more plus a bunch of photos if you'd like to see...

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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

Hi ladies!  I'm so sorry I've been MIA for several days--the weekend got away from me since I was somewhat out of my usual routine as I was staying at my parent's place.  They went away for the weekend so I stayed there to watch our family dog, Peanut.  

Unfortunately, she is getting very old and we don't know how much longer she will be around--her quality of life has really take a turn for the worse over the past year, so it was great to spend some quality time with her over the weekend.

So with that, onto the snaps!



My new shoes came in (you saw the red pair) and I love the black even more.  

These definitely run true to size but are in half sizes.  I'm a size 10 and ordered the 8UK and it's a perfect fit.  The one qualm about these, and experienced with the other pair, is that they rub on the heel of my smaller foot as I walk and create a blister.  That said, sometimes certain shoes just need to be broken in, and I consider these like that.  I'm sure after several wears they will be good to go.  Ultimately, I'm super pleased with my purchased.



I stopped at the condo before heading to my parent's place for the long weekend, to pack and get changed into my gym clothes.

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