With Christmas quickly approaching, I've got several things on my radar at Place d'Orleans I'm hoping I will find under the tree.  

Here's a quick look at what I'm wishing for:

Clockwise from top left
1. Aldo, Herveline over-the-knee boots  |  Confession: I already bought these as an early Christmas gift to myself.  I know they will take me from holiday parties with friends to out shopping for gifts and well into the new year.  Bonus, they have a chunkier heel making them easy to walk in during winter and totally on trend.

2. Jean Machine, Vegan leather & ponte jacket  |  Love this waterfall-front blazer, I'd pair it with leggings on the weekend and ankle boots.

3. Maurices, Bow earrings  |  These remind me of bow earrings my mom wore in the 80's but with a modern twist that make them chic for now.  I love studs and like to mismatch my earrings for added interest so I'd likely only wear one at a time.

4.  Roots, Mabel tee  |  I love slouchy tees and I always tend towards grey.  This would be perfect with denim for an effortless look.  Add a statement necklace and wedge boots to dress it up or a beanie and some hi-top kicks to dress it down.

5. Bluenotes, Ombre gloves  |  Who doesn't need an extra pair of gloves?  If not for yourself, these make a great gift or add on for someone else.  Love the subtle ombre which is a trend that is still going strong.

6. Eclipse, Tattoo French terry zip-up hoodie  |  I have to admit the colour and leather pulls on this hoodie sold me.  I love hoodies and wear them on weekends and to-and-from the gym.  This one looks so cozy and comfy.

7.  Limite, Delaney faux sherpa jacket  |  This is nothing like anything I own and I think it would be a really cute with some leggings or over a plain dress.  Since it's not too heavy, it would be more of an indoor layering piece now, and a coat for next Fall.

8. Softmoc, Converse Chuck Taylors  |  I have been eyeing a pair of Chucks for months now and have decided they are a necessity for my wardrobe.  Bonus, they are on sale at PDO right now!

9. Jean Machine, Blank NYC vegan leather denim  |  I can never get enough black pants and waxed or faux leather are a personal fave because they add interest even if you pair it with something plain and black.

10. Aeropostale, Bayla perfume  |  I found this in the summertime and haven't stopped thinking about it.  It's a light, citrus-y scent that would be perfect for daytime or a holiday down south.  The price can't be beat either.

11. Dynamite, Soft faux leather shorts  |  Love these jogger-esque shorts.  I have a pair of faux leather shorts and wear them all the time; in the summer with sandals & in the winter with tights.  So versatile and I like how these are an unexpected take on the trend.

12.  Boathouse, Nixon Monarch watch  |  I like how this is different that a regular gold watch with the tortoise/gold strap.  I love thick, metal watches and this would be a great one to add to my slowly growing collection.


Layer your dresses:
For look #1, I grabbed two dresses from my closet, this recently purchased colour-blocked navy/cobalt dress from Smart Set & a charcoal turtleneck sweater dress.  I layered the warm knit under the boxy shift for interest and warmth.  I threw on a faux leather blazer and my trusty Aldo wedge boots to finish off the look.
If you want to take your layering one step further, try a pair of patterned tights over your opaque ones.  Both my pairs are black but you could get creative with different shades if you wanted a less subtle effect.


Pair something casual with something dressy:
For look #2 I grabbed this Le Chateau silk blouse and paired it with a chunky, short-sleeved cardigan I've had for a while in my closet.  I always felt this sweater could only be worn casually but I've taken this look to office appropriate with the heels and jewelery.


Layer your accessories:
Stay warm and look chic in look #3 where I'm pairing my new fingerless gloves from Garage, layered over a pair of regular gloves.  This would work with mitts as well; feel free to mix in some colour to offer dimension & interest.  Not only does this look cool, it adds extra warmth in the winter.




* This post is sponsored by Place d'Orleans, the mall I vlog for.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!  Be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.



For my second of three DIY Halloween costumes, this edgier 'Combat Girl, was pulled together with some things that are super on trend right now, making it very easy to come up with a costume.  Camo is everywhere you look and easy to find, as are tough looking, moto-style boots--comfort & on trend.  I added a faux leather cuff to toughen up the look and mirrored aviators.

See my Minnie Mouse costume HERE.


Get the look at Place d'Orleans:
Camo pants | find similar at Detox, The Bay & Boathouse
Combat boots | Aldo
* Top | find similar at Urban Planet
* Aviators | find similar at Sunglass Hut
* Accessories | find similar bracelet & earrings at Aldo & bracelet at Aeropostale


Stay tuned for the final--and my favourite--DIY Halloween costume this Friday!


* This post is sponsored by Place d'Orleans, the mall I vlog for.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!  Be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.



With Halloween approaching, I wanted to share some cool DIY costumes I've come up with.  I will be featuring three different costumes this week and Minnie Mouse is the first!

I have wanted to be Minnie Mouse for a couple of years but never made it happen...until now  This was the perfect opportunity to experiment with making my own costume.  While I actually do own Minnie ears--a treat I convinced my Mom I needed when I was 5 years old visiting Disney World--I've come up with a super simple way to make your own (and are much more comfortable, to be honest).

Additionally, since I didn't have a red-and-white polka dot top, I made one by cutting out white circles of paper and taping them to my top!

You will need:
* Construction paper (black only, as it turns out)
* A headband
* 3 Red pipe-cleaners
* Glue gun
1.  Trace out two large 'ears' from black construction paper.  I used a soup bowl.

2.  Leave a fold-able section at the bottom when you cut your circles; this will be to fold under your headband.

3.  I cut an extra rectangular piece out and taped it to the top of the exposed headband for a cleaner look.

4.  Using three pipe-cleaners, make two triangles and attach them by wrapping the third one around to create a centre piece to your bow.
Get the look at Place d'Orleans:
Faux leather skirt | Ardene
* Supplies | Dollarama
* Top | find simlar at Jacob
* Opaque tights | The Bay


Stay tuned for two more very different DIY Halloween costumes coming this Wednesday and Friday!

* This post is sponsored by Place d'Orleans, the mall I vlog for.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!  Be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.


Exciting news, you guys!  I've teamed up with Place d'Orleans (PDO) again to share with you a wicked contest.   All you have to do is create a Pinterest board with all your favourite Fall fashion trends (see mine HERE, and I even created a mini one for the boys HERE).

Up for grabs?  One of 10 pairs of tickets to the PDO VIP Night on Saturday, October 5th and a $100 gift card for the mall!

The VIP Night will include a cool fashion show, swag bags, food, drinks, demos and discounts.  There is a huge grand-prize valued at $10k up for grabs too!  Tickets are also being sold at guest services, and all proceeds go towards Dress for Success.  Additionally, I will be hosting the event!  So come out if you're in Ottawa as I would love to meet you!

How to enter:

Simply fill out the form online and get pinning.  It's that easy!  Good luck!



I'd love to see your boards, so tweet or instagram me (@acoest1984) & Place d'Orleans (@placedorleans) with the hashtag #MYVIPNIGHT and your pinterest link.




Today I'm showing you a super simple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project with my new Northern Reflections sweater.

Yes, I just said Northern Reflections.  To be honest, I haven't gone in that store in ages, since I was a kid and my mom dragged me out shopping for herself.  Northern Reflections always made me think of Grandma-like clothing with trees painted on the walls and wolves printed on the fronts of sweaters.  Boy have things changed.

While Northern Reflections is still geared towards a slightly more mature crowd, they are definitely re-branding themselves to appeal to a younger market.  That said, I was stoked when I circled around the store and found this perfectly faded pink sweatshirt (which also comes in white, blue and grey).  After trying it on, I concluded an x-small would be a good place to start but the snug, restrictive neckline had to go.

Since crew neck and boatneck sweatshirts--plain and logo'ed--are an up-and-coming trend (especially for Fall), I thought this would be the perfect occasion to share this.

Keep reading to see how I changed up this sweatshirt and how I styled it two different ways; for day and for night.

Easy as pie.  From there, pull on the neckline to stretch it out and you're all set.


Pull the neckline off your shoulder and pair it with some hi-top sneaks and an edgy cross-body bag for day...


...or, throw on some booties and a statement necklace and you're ready for a night on the town:


Tell me, which way would you wear it!?

HAVE FUN!


* This post is sponsored by Place d'Orleans, the mall I vlog for.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!  Be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.


Mesh is an up and coming trend so when I spied this super on-sale Vero Moda top I scooped it up from The Bay with this DIY in mind.  Speaking of sales, Place d'Orleans is having a huge side-walk sale next week, July 11 - 14 and I can guarantee I'll be hitting that up to score some great deals (you should to!).

Back to the skirt, I love the idea of pairing this mesh overlay on top of a black skirt to add some interest to an outfit.  You might remember this peplum top from my Fall Fashion vlog--peplum is still going strong so if you haven't jumped on the band wagon yet, the time is now--and these wedges from my Spring Trends vlog.  I've also thrown in a few newbies that are currently in store like this Limité pink statment necklace & the white studded Ardène cross-body clutch down below.  

Scroll down to check out this easy, no-sew DIY.

Try it with neon... or other fun items found at Place d'Orleans:


Heels  |  Earrings  |  Top  |  Bracelet  |  Bag


If you try this, be sure to tweet me with the hashtag #PDOmeshoverlayskirt

HAVE FUN!



* This post is sponsored by Place d'Orleans, the mall I vlog for.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!  Be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.



I've been doing some perusing around Place d'Orleans and come across several great items I'd love to add to my closet.  See below for where you can find them within the mall:

1.  Tommy Hilfiger 'Rope Ankle Sandle', $79
2.  Dynamite 'Perfecto' Coloured Denim Jacket, $54.90  sale $30.00
3.  Sam Edelman @ The Bay 'Oriana Cross Body Bag', $228  sale $171
4.  Ricki's Crochet Lace Pencil Skirt, $59.50
5.  Laura Printed Waist Dress, $135
6.  Jean Machine, 'Sweet Claire' Union Jack Burnout Tank, $24.99
7.  Tommy Hilfiger, 'Ponte Shift Dress', $78
8.  Smart Setm 'Delicate Letter Charm' Necklace, $10
9.  Aldo, 'Soshanna', $120


Share a Place d'Orleans item on your radar and use the hashtag #PDOonmyradar! I'd love to see what you're shopping for.  And be sure to check out the Place d'Orleans Facebook page for more information & promotions happening within the mall.




When Def Shop contacted me about doing some shopping with them, it only took a few minutes of browsing their site before saying yes (yes, yes, yes!).  Their style and asthetic totally fit mine and I love the variety of brands they carry.

Not only do they offer many familiar & stylish brands for girls and guys (Maison Scotch, Supra, Killah, Lacoste, Miss Sixty, Wesc, Jack Jones, etc.), the site is easily navigateable and well laid out.

Of my favourites, they carry Vero Moda, a brand I'm already familiar with and love, hence why I jumped at the chance to get my hands on these very tops I'm rockin'.  I almost went with these pink Supra hi-tops (remember when I was covetting them?) but ultimately decided I'd get more use out of the tops--that said, I am still covetting the shoes, ha!


Here are a few favourites I'd love to get next:
* A bright pink trench coat for Spring.
* Dark distressed denim, perfect for date night.
* I like this Pharrell hoodie --even if it's for the boys.
* An amazing (faux) leather jacket (I wish I saw this one before, I so would have picked it!).

For the boys:
* A twisted hoodie for movie nights or casual drinks.
* The perfect belt.
* These hi-tops are so cool, imagine undone with some jeans tucked loosly into 'em.
* A cute old-school pull-over jacket that's been modernized.


* This post is sponsored by DefShop.  I was given the opportunity to shop with them but all items were chosen by me.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!



Have you guys heard of FIG Clothing?  I hadn't either until a coworker friend told me about the Canadian company based out of Montreal.  Fast forward a few emails later and we were exploring the possibility of working together.

FIG Clothing is a line of clothes for women on the go.  Their pieces are meant to take you from airplane to  business meeting and everything in between--I wore mine out to dinner in Mexico, but could totally see myself wearing my Nev dress with a denim jacket and sandals for brunch or even over a bikini as it's a quick drying fabric. 

Their clothes are meant to flatter and celebrate the feminine body and believe me when I say I felt feminine and confident in this dress (that added ruching in the tummy area is so flattering and forgiving; trust me, I ate a ton that night and while on vacation in general).

Everything is made in Canada and (best part!) they offer free shipping or you can check out the various stores they sell at in Canada and the USA.





* This post is sponsored by FIG Clothing. I was given the opportunity to shop with them but the dress was chosen by me. All opinions are my own and know that I truly love this line and would not share with you otherwise.  As always, thanks for reading & for supporting my sponsors!




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