My good friend's new baby boy (he is a mini version of his Dad; what a cutie).


 Frost on the windshield (so pretty; I'm actually quite surprised I was able to capture such a great pic).


Chai tea latté.


Hello!


My fanciest watch and most inexpensive bracelet.


Happy Wednesday everyone!

I'm playing catch up and thought I would share some photos I posted to Instagram recently as I figured not everyone who follows me here, follows me there (or even have the 'gram for that matter).

Life if finally settling back down to a somewhat normal pace after the holidays, which is kind of good.  I have yet to take down my decorations (which I never even shared with you all, grrr, sorry) but that's the plan for this weekend.

I am now intensively car shopping, thought I found 'the one' and then there was a minor hiccup... and so my car hunt has potentially restarted again.  I feel like I've been talking about buying a new car forever, and I just need to pull the trigger.  To be honest, it's a scary purchase for me and so that doesn't help the dragging-the-heels bit.  I want a new car, it is just so much work to get there (it seems) and I want to be really happy and excited about my decision.  Anyways, that's all on that front for now.

In other news, it's 2013!  I haven't come up with many new years resolutions other than do my hair more often (ha) and blog often.  I don't like setting massive resolutions; (did you know) only 10% of people actually accomplish or stick to their resolutions?  Apparently it's true, and I believe it. 

First off, I don't like setting myself up to fail, as in, setting a resolution that is so absolutely crazy, I will not obtain it even if I try my hardest.  Secondly, resolutions, to me, seem so daunting (if you make them that way).  So why not make resolutions more enjoyable and about enjoy the little things, the mini moments, the down times in between the fun times, etc.  (example, see my resolutions from 2011).

A couple of years ago I started doing resolutions by the month, which worked out well, for about six months and then I fell off the band wagon.  Still, it was a great way to focus on accomplishing a few small feats per month, and neat to look back on what I had and hadn't gotten done.  I may start this up for this year, it's not too late (it's never too late!).


Connect with me:
* Instagram (acoest1984)
* Facebook (acoest1984)

For my sixth vlog as the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, I'm talking about getting back into a healthy routine for the new year (c'mon, who doesn't make that a resolution?!) but also cutting yourself some slack after the busy holidays and relaxing (and what to wear while doing all of the above, of course!).

Stay tuned for more videos (specifically on the Place d'Orleans FB page).  Later on this month I'll be sharing some sweet accessories and doing a hair tutorial!

Other videos:
* Fall Fashion (video #1)
* Wardrobe Classics (video #2)
* Bundling Up for Winter (video #3)


More videos on my YouTube Channel.





Friday night late night snack/dinner: pizza with gravy (again) and pulled-pork poutine (oh my).


My new (cheapie) Alfred Sung cat-eye sunglasses (covetting these ones).


Amazing, amazing, amazing (home-made) stuffed lobster & filet dinner with friends on Saturday night.



Semi-formal for our evening on Saturday.
Outfit deets:  Dynamite top, Vero Moda skirt (new!), unknown tights, F21 square bangle, Joe Fresh bangle & necklace.


 Gourmet cupcakes on Saturday night.


Sunday morning breakfast out.


Sunday's outfit.


And while out shopping I came across these babies (at Marshalls) and had to resist a very strong urge not to purchase them (so badass!)... I mean, how many black hi-top sneaks does one girl need?


Sunday night dinner at home.





My heart goes pitter-patter, and then I wipe the drool off my chin. 
You're welcome.

The night before, the tree at my parent's house all lit up and ready.


My sister always insists we get up uber early on Christmas morning 
(confession: I snoozed two more times after this initial alarm).


 Our Christmas breakfast tradition: Mimosas & cinnamon buns (and croissants!).


Stocking time.

 
 New perfume I wanted.


 With my sister's dog, Piper 
(a little blurry, but she was excited about her new ball, and too cute not to include).


Earrings I have been coveting for over a year.


The family Gingerbread House (I didn't help, but took photographs, ha).


My favourite little girl, Peanut.

  After dinner treats (mostly home-made by my mom).

 Opening presents with someone special later on that evening (outfit deets HERE).

 

You may also like...


I recently teamed up with Firmoo, an online glasses company where you can find hundreds of different types of glasses and your perfect pair (including sunglasses).   

I got to pick out a new pair and the specs I chose are different from any that I own, and that was the point; I wanted to push myself to try something different.  They are a bit  large, dark chocolate plastic frames, and kind of nerdy (which I secretly kind of love). 

They got my prescription right and something I love about these (in comparison to other glasses I have) is that since the lenses are larger, it makes watching movies easier without having to move my head around to ensure I'm seeing through the lenses or nudge them down on my nose (near-sighted peeps will know what I'm talking about it).

 __________________________________________________________________

What's in it for you?

Firmoo is offering you guys A FREE PAIR OF GLASSES (what!).  The catch?  You pay the shipping (pffft, easy peasy).

Don't need glasses to see?  Why not rock a pair of non-prescription specs (who will know!?) to up your edge-factor/hipster-ness/inner-sex-kitten?

Click on over to Firmoo to claim yours now.

My style (which is no longer available) but this one is similar.
As with the past two years, I've done outfit recaps of the previous year.  The first half of 2012 was not ideal, to say the least, but the second half of this year has been pretty freaking wonderful!  A lot of great things have happened to me (filming a tv show for Xtreme Waterparks, winning the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger gig, traveling to Vegas with my bff, getting asked to be the face of the 2012 Holiday Campaign for Place d'Orleans, traveling to Dominican Republic with great friends, watched my sister get marriednumerous summer nights out with my girls, meeting some new and great people, creating a YouTube channel, and lots of great weekends, to name a few) and I couldn't be more grateful.

Additionally, I'm so grateful for all of you who read, the comments you leave and just the fact that you come here to see what I'm up to and are interested.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  You make blogging more fun, more worthwhile and more enjoyable.

I see 2013 as an even bigger opportunity to grow and be a better person and accomplish mini goals I have in my head and just enjoy life.  I hope you can and do too.

Happy New Year!  To 2013!



Years past:


Outfit deets:
* Dynamite faux leather blazer which you have seen many times, like with this black and white striped dress and of course was a gift from my parents last Christmas.
* Ardene dress (new!); I picked this dress up for $15 (!) the week before Christmas and they also had it in gunmetal sequins with a black chiffon bottom.  Run to your closest Ardene (if you're in Canada) to scoop this baby up as they are 50% off.
* Accessories:  Ardene (rose gold) belt, unknown tights & Aldo bangle (and again, not wearing shoes this year because I was at my parent's house and we stayed in for dinner).


Merry (belated) Christmas!

As I sit here and type this, I'm recovering from one of the nastiest bouts of flu I've ever had.  Sadly, I have been bed-ridden for the past two days, barely able to keep anything down or even climb out of bed (so fun!).  I'm finally starting to feel on the mend, but still stuck in bed and that's where I will be ringing in the new year.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and/or holiday, I absolutely did, and will share more with you 'next year' (hehe).  If you are planning a night out tonight, please be safe and have a ton of fun.

...Annnnnd, if you still don't know what to wear tonight, here is some inspiration!
 

Upcoming posts:
* Christmas Gifts.
* Christmas Recap.
* 2012 Recap.
* Cirque du Soleil Recap in Montreal (we made it there and back in a horrible snowstorm!).
* Annual Girls' Christmas Exchange Gifts.
* My new glasses (sneak peak!).


What to wear for New Years Eve?

I personally love sparkle & sequins and say this is the perfect opportunity to rock 'em.  If that's not you, I've included some options without all the glitz that are just as festive.

Be sure to check out my NYE outfit video as I didn't include two of the looks here, so watch the video to see those (both dress options, including what I will be wearing!).

Outfit deets:
1.  F21 sequined top (old), Urban Planet shorts & Llliana heels.
2.  Stitches top (old), Dynamite pants & heels from Ross.
3.  Dynamite peplum top, H&M pants, Lilliana heels & Joe Fresh jewelery.
4.  Jacob blazer, Urban Behaviour top, Dynamite sequined shorts (new!) & Aldo heels.
5.  Dynamite top, Jacob jeans, Report Signature heels, Suzy belt (worn as a necklace) & H&M bangle.


Related:

I am currently en route to Montreal to see Cirque du Soleil, a gift I received for Christmas! So exciting.

Unfortunately, we awoke to a may-jah snowstorm this morning and the roads are less than desirable to be traveling on. However, we are still going.

Here are some snowstorm snaps. I'll check back in tomorrow but until then, travel along with me on Instagram.

 

Just a fun little video I shot on December 19, 2012.  Follow me around as I travel to work, do some shopping and whatnot.  

More videos on my YouTube channel.

On Thursday night, Sarah and I got together at her place for dinner and an early Christmas gift exchange.  She made pasta, I brought poorly wrapped gifts, and we had a merry time.

Sarah had (ahem) bragged that she got me 'the perfect gift', which stressed me out to the max trying to return the favour, so to speak.  She ended up getting me a beautiful (over-six-feet-tall) wooden and metallic giraffe (to replace this guy) and it really was the perfect gift.  I got her a couple pairs of shoes (Guess & Dolce Vita), a few pieces of costume jewelery, long gloves and a nutcracker she was coveting (which turned my gift, as well, into 'the perfect gift'; or so she said).

I'd love to share some photos with you...




For my fifth vlog as the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, I've gone with a New Years Eve theme.  What to wear for NYE?  I'm showing you seven (seven!) different looks you can rock till long after the clock strikes 2013.

Stay tuned for more videos (specifically on the Place d'Orleans FB page).  Next year (in January) I will be talking getting comfy and cozy after the holidays are over and keeping our resolutions!

Other videos:
* Fall Fashion (video #1)
* Wardrobe Classics (video #2)
* Bundling Up for Winter (video #3)


More videos on my YouTube Channel.

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