Ricki's jacket (last seen here), Alfred Sung top, Seduction skirt, Aldo shoes (last seen here), 

Winter is officially here... well, for us it is.  I know many of you have had piles of snow for a while now (or, if you're lucky, in my books, don't get snow) but we have not.  Now this not to be confused with thinking this is normal for us, it's not.  Normally we have piles of snow by now, we just got 'lucky' this year (seriously, I've been in the best moods seeing green grass into December, which is just unheard of).  If you don't believe me, let me remind you with this post.  I'm talking several feet of snow, and by several, I mean like eight feet of snow last year... or maybe that was the year before, I think last year wasn't as bad... oh who can remember?!  The point is, we get a ton of snow every year and for those of you who don't, count your lucky stars because after Christmas, it's not as merry as you'd think!  Ha!

In other news, I wore this to my Grammy's senior residence's Christmas party yesterday (and can I just add that I have no Christmas parties to go to this year?  Sad, I know, so I really took this opportunity to rise to the occasion and dress up).  When I left the house, it was cloudy, cold, but dry - there was not a flake of snow.  I thought I was fortunate when I found flats in the backseat of my car as I had to park, and walk, four blocks to the party (the parking lot was full, and so was the party, I discovered when I finally got there).  However, I was much more thankful for those flats when we left the party and it was a snowstorm!  Can you imagine teetering four blocks in the snow in these heels to get to my car?  Me neither, and I wouldn't have had to anyways because my parents parked close and they drove me.  Regardless, I had errands to run after the fact and that would not have happened without those flats (go me for being messy and leaving shoes in my car).  Rest assure though, I slipped these heels back on my feet just for you guys and this little photo shoot with hubs (and almost wiped out, again).

A fave blog friend of mine (Elisharon) teamed up with Alainn Bella and had a fantastic give-away about a month ago.  I was uber shocked when I won, and so excited!  Up for grabs, a sweet white and black striped mini.  When I spoke with Alainn Bella owner, Megan, about the sizing of the skirt, she said it may be a tad short for me, since I'm so tall (5'11).  She generously offered me the opportunity to put the value of the skirt against any other item in her store.  I was so excited because I had my eye on this sweater before the give-away but was trying to 'be good' (aka minimal shopping).  Megan was super sweet and very helpful.  She mailed the sweater out to me within days, despite getting her wisdom teeth out (talk about a trooper!).  I was so excited when the package arrived, I had to wear it immediately.  I know this is something that is going to be getting tons of play this year.  Thank you so much Megan & Sharon.

 

 { the neckline is wide so it can be worn off the shoulder, as well }

Lastly, this top is another one of my creations, made without a pattern and I have to say, it's probably my most favourite article of clothing I've ever made (not that there are tons, but a few which you can see here, here, here, here, here & here).  I've worn it twice within two weeks (which is kind of a record for me - I really try to spread things out), like this, and once to the office tucked into a pencil skirt.  The cut is perfect for me (boatneck, cap-sleeve, long in the body, slightly a-line & low back), in my opinion, and it's comfortable.  When I saw the fabric, I had to have it.  I initially planned to make more of a tank style, but then grew ambitious and this end result was more than I hoped for.