This past weekend was an extra long weekend for me; I took Friday off for our second-annual girls' pool party, but unfortunately it got rained out. Monday was Canada Day, making it a four-day weekend and a lot of fun was had...
So instead of a pool party, I went for a manicure with my girl friend in the afternoon...
I'm not sure what colour this is, but it's by Colour Club and so bright and awesome.
...but not before we met up with some of the other girl's for brunch. We went to Eggstyle which was slightly pricier but quite good. I went for something healthier than I normally do for breakfast out to try and kick off the weekend right. I've been extra diligent over the past two weeks with my diet (save the weekends, unfortunately) and have incorporated a lot of protein. Should I do a post on that? (Might be a little too soon).
After manicures, shopping ensued and I picked up these two damask-style baskets from Winners ($13 each) to hold my pashminas.
I showed you how I changed up my storage for those back in February but alas it was taking up too much space. I need all the storage solutions I can get for my small apartment and this is perfect because it's easily accessible--at the front door--but also hidden underneath my make-shift bench (two dining room chairs with a faux fur throw on them) and still fits in with the decor.
Friday night I had two glasses of wine and that was it. I haven't had red wine in a while and this hit me hard. All in good fun though.
Burgers are one of my favourite meals and my bf made us a great dinner on Friday night (to go along with that wine, ha!).
Afterwards, I spent some time getting acquainted with my new toy: my MacBook Pro! There is a definite learning curve going from a PC to a Mac, but I'm getting there. Thanks for all your tips and tricks you offered on my post a couple weeks back, it's been helpful!
Saturday.
Outfit deets: Dynamite jacket, Smart Set top, DIY cut-off denim (the old ones), Ardene cap-toe leopard flats & Urban Expressions Bag.
I hit the mall to finish my shopping for my upcoming Place d'Orleans vlog. The theme revolves around certain summer events and it was tricky because everything is on sale! Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I want to ensure I am buying things that you can go to the mall and purchase (for all you girls in town, that is). If I'm buying the last of the item and it's on sale, how will anyone else be able to get it too? Exactly.
Anyways, I spent several hours shopping and am very proud of the success I had. I got so many great items from a huge variety of stores and can't wait to share. Look for that video mid-month (I'm currently in the process of editing it; oh the labour of love!).
Saturday night Sarah and I went out dancing, which was a blast. I wore my new kicks since it was a hip-hop club we were going to and since I'd been before, comfort was key in order to cut a rug.
Outfit deets: Seduction top (old), Almost Famous cut-offs (new!) & Material Girl hi-tops.
Sunday morning date: breakfast out with my boo.
I opted for another healthier breakfast (no bacon!) and ate only half my toast.
Sunday.
Outfit deets: Giant Tiger skirt worn as a top (so old, like 15 years old, you guys #nojoke), Sirens maxi skirt with slit & Spring gladiators (old).
Afterwards, I spent the entire afternoon filming all those purchases up there. It took me about four hours to film and it was tiring, but I'm really please with the footage I got. Filming on your own is really tough and would have taken me half the time if I had someone helping, but, it's just me and my trusty tripod. Regardless, I'm really excited to share this one with you because I've put so much work into it already (and it's not even edited yet!).
Outfit deets: Reitman's top, Almost Famous cut-offs, (customized; stay tuned for the video to see this part) Payless/American Eagle sandals & Ardene clutch/cross-body (seen HERE at Rib Fest last weekend).
Adorable new heart sunnies from Claire's.
After filming, I ran out to the grocery store to stock up for dinner and the coming days since everything is closed on Canada Day. I couldn't pass up this neon jewelled necklace from Joe Fresh, at 50% off it was only $7 and I'm big into statement necklaces right now.
Home-made burgers (gluten free) with non-home-made caesar salad (and lots of mustard!).
On Monday morning I made gluten-free protein crepes with blueberries and they turned out pretty good. I'd definitely make them again. I'll share the recipe later this week.
Canada Day was spent poolside at my bff's place with our friends. Unfortunately I didn't get to take that dress off and expose the swimsuit underneath because it was a little chilly, but a fun day nonetheless.
Outfit deets: Seduction dress (old) & Claire's sunnies.
Hope you had a great weekend & Canada Day too, if you're Canadian!
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Happy Canada Day! Today I'm off work for our national holiday and spending the day with friends pool-side. I wanted to share my June recap and tomorrow I'll share my weekend recap. Hope you have a wonderful day off (if you're Canadian!).
In June I attended the Governor General's Gala, tried a new restaurant in town and my boyfriend surprised me by sending me for a mani/pedi one evening after work. I went to Rib Fest, got some new kicks and spent a few afternoons and evenings on patios enjoying a cold one.
I took in a beautiful sunset from my apartment (which passed within 10 minutes), taught myself how to do the Crow and went out with my boo. I picked up some heart-shaped sunglasses for my upcoming PDO vlog (see all my videos for that HERE), celebrated my sister's bump and rocked a pretty floral dress to a house party.
I got my dance on (deja vu, remember this from last summer?), made some new cut-offs out of a thrifted pair of men's denim (see me wearing them HERE | old DIY HERE), wore my side-slit maxi for the first time and the most exciting news of the month, purchased a MacBook Pro!
Ever have a bad day? Ever think your favourite YouTubers and Bloggers don't? Life seems so perfect on the Internet, but it's not, and I'm here to share my bad day with you. This is real life. Thanks for watching xo
Have you guys ever done the Crow? It's an advanced yoga move that I learned by watching a video on YouTube. I taught my workout partner and bestie Sarah and she nailed it on the first try! I, on the other hand, couldn't get it until I tried it on day two, as pictured above.
It's quite difficult and requires some mad balance, and I can't stay up long. Try it yourself, see if you can master it. In the video I linked above, she teaches you how to do a baby crow first before the actual one I'm doing which is a great transitioning pose.
I have never been on a blind date, but I have done online dating before. Meeting the person for real is kind of like a blind date; you've seen a picture, but never met in real life. You've chatted, likely just online or through text, but maybe never heard their voice before. I remember feeling very nervous and trying on a bazillion outfits.
Also, how do you greet the person? A handshake seems so formal, but a hug is so personal for a 'stranger'.
Would you ever go on a blind date?
FUN FACT: My parents met on a blind date.
Friday night I went to Rib Fest for the first time ever which was fun, but crowed and over-priced. I'm not sure if I'd go again, but the social aspect of it was fun.
Outfit deets: H&M dress (worn as a top), Walmart skinnies, Bamboo gladiator sandals & Ardène cross-body/clutch (new!). See a front shot of the outfit HERE.
On of the rib trucks--the line ups were outrageous!
Some of the trucks had over 100 people waiting. Nutso.
Later on, we hit up a patio for drinks and snacks. Then ventured through downtown, caught a busker circus act on the side-walk and indulged in some BeaverTails (a Canadian must-have). Afterwards, we went to the casino and put it all on black--okay, not true but a bet was made on black and won.
Saturday morning breakfast at The Arrow & Loon.
Afterwards my bestie and her husband raced against each other in what we've dubbed 'The 100m Finals'. They had an ongoing debate of who would win, head to head, in a 100m dash. My money was on Sarah, but her husband ended up winning. It was hilarious. See the video proof HERE.
Saturday casual outfit for breakfast and some shopping after (I didn't buy anything exciting; hairspray + eye liner).
I finally DIY'ed a pair of jeans I bought a couple months back from the thrift store. Will show before & after photos this week. If you want to know how to do this, check out my old DIY Distressed Denim Cut-Offs post.
Can't get enough of my new kicks.
Saturday night party outfit (+ hair).
Sunday morning running errands.
Outfit deets: Dynamite lace top & tube top (old) underneath, DIY'ed shorts from above, Sam Edelman 'Sophie Low' wedges, Gucci shades & Cleo belt.
Celebrating my sister's impending bundle of joy (a boy!) at her first baby shower. She's due in a month.
Sunday night dinner--coconut chicken strips.
So easy: butterfly chicken breasts, pound out to flatten, dunk in whisked eggs and coat in unsweetened coconut. Bake in the oven at 350C for about 20 minutes. Devour.
And lastly, my new sandals from Ardène. I felt there were too many straps across the toes so I simply cut a few off and voila! Much more flattering.
When I saw these brand new kick-ass hi-tops at The Bay on Sunday I picked them up, looked them over and thought to myself about how much I liked them. I turned them over, saw the price, and walked away.
Oddly enough, Tuesday night I was still thinking about them, which surprised me; I really wanted these shoes. I had a gift card for The Bay, so I called, put my size on hold and made them mine.
Note: these shoes run super big. I'm always a size 10--and somtimes an 11 at places like Aldo--but I actually sized down to an eight. What!
Q: Do you have any tips on how to style a maxi skirt for someone size 12-14? I have a bit of a tummy and am too self-concious wearing a tight top, but don't want to look like a "sister wife" in a baggier top. Any tips?
Since I'm sure this could help out many people, I have put together a few variations of looks that I think would be great for curvier women.
I personally find styling maxi skirts takes a bit more thought but I found some great options that make dressing yours a cinch.
While shopping around, I found some great
sites for curvier women:
* Macy's
* Torrid
If you have a fashion or styling question, I'd love to hear from you. acoest1984@gmail.com
I know many of you are married, but many of you aren't, so I'm asking this question today.
It seems, as the years pass, more and more people are living together, having babies together, buying homes together, all without getting married. I know several people who will opt to have children before getting married and not because it was unplanned.
As most of you know, I was married (and now divorced) and it has changed my views a bit. I love the idea of marriage, and am a bit of a hopeless romantic, but the thought of making a committment like that again is honestly a little scary. Marriage is a beautiful thing, but knowing what I know now, I'm not so sure if I would go through with it again (watch me bite my tongue down the road!).
What about you, would you get married? If you are married, would you do it again? Feel free to comment anonymously.
Outfit deets:
* Forever 21 jacket which you've seen when I posted the #PDOpinupgirls contest photoshoot results (really love this outfit).
* Dynamite lace top which you've seen with olive pants, on the weekend for a date (love this look), and in my Fall Fashion vlog (fun fact: I picked up this top during the shop-off on the day I won the Place d'Orleans vlogger contest!).
* Zara heels which I'm still loving so much and wear every three days or so; I'd wear them more but try to give my other shoes a chance. Have I mentioned how ridiculously comfortable they are?
As I ran out the door on this day I went to grab a jacket and would normally reach for something neutral, my grey or cognac coloured jackets but I decided to try this one and ended up loving the two purple-ish tones together. Would you wear two colours from the same family?
For this video as the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, I'm sharing some great finds to take you from work to patio in a snap.
We all have those days where something cool and fun is happening after work, but uh oh! You're unprepared and wish you had a way to turn your look into something more social-ready. I have several great finds and a few tips and tricks on how to accomplish this so you're from desk to drinks with minimal effort.
Stay tuned for more videos (specifically on the Place d'Orleans Facebook page).
Other videos:
* Fall Fashion (video #1)
* Wardrobe Classics (video #2)
* Bundling Up for Winter (video #3)
* How-to Style a Sequin Skirt (video #4)
* What to Wear for New Years Eve (video #5)
* New Year, New You! (video #6)
* Accessories & a Hair Tutorial (video #7)
* What to Wear on a Date (video #8)
* Dreaming of Summer (video #9)
* How-To Turn Your Maxi Dress into a Maxi Skirt (video #10)
* DIY Kiss Printed Jacket (video #11)
* Spring Trends (video #12)
* Biggest Spring Trends (video #13)
* Summer Event Wear (video #14)
Other videos:
* Fall Fashion (video #1)
* Wardrobe Classics (video #2)
* Bundling Up for Winter (video #3)
* How-to Style a Sequin Skirt (video #4)
* What to Wear for New Years Eve (video #5)
* New Year, New You! (video #6)
* Accessories & a Hair Tutorial (video #7)
* What to Wear on a Date (video #8)
* Dreaming of Summer (video #9)
* How-To Turn Your Maxi Dress into a Maxi Skirt (video #10)
* DIY Kiss Printed Jacket (video #11)
* Spring Trends (video #12)
* Biggest Spring Trends (video #13)
* Summer Event Wear (video #14)
What a weekend! It ended up being quite packed and I did a whole bunch of random and social stuff. It was so nice to be out with friends for various outings and finally be enjoying some beautiful weather. I'd love to share some--er, many--photos with you:
On Friday I finally took my floral denim out for a spin (aka to work) and was really feeling this look. I took these shots in the fitting room at Joe Fresh on my lunch hour (Sarah and I decided to skip our workout on Friday). I picked up a bra-top/sports bra that was on sale for $7 and that was it.
Outfit deets: Garage denim jacket, Dynamit top, Aeropostale denim, Aldo wedges & thrifted necklace.
Friday night, five of us hit up a new spot in town called, El Camino. It's a taco restaurant that is totally hipster. We sat at the funky bar but at a jut-out so as if we were at a hi-top table all facing one-another. I had three tacos: fish x2 and pork and both were really good. The cracked pepper calamari was awesome and their salsa is killing it too. Afterwards, we all walked a few blocks to a pool hall and played long into the night.
Outfit deets: Garage denim jacket (same as above), Joe Fresh top, Bench denim shorts & Sam Edelman wedges (still available HERE).
Saturday morning breakfast out at a different spot where I used to frequent with a girl friend a while back. Unfortunately this trip was less than great with terrible service and cold food.
Saturday afternoon.
Outfit deets: Maison Scotch tee (new!), Sirens shorts, Bamboo sandals (old, but also seen during my trip to Punta Cana) & Urban Expressions bag.
More after the jump...
I have had my ears pierced since I was a baby, mainly because I came out looking like a boy and despite my mother dressing me in all pink, people would still comment what a 'cute little boy' I was. Yeah. That happened.
When I was 12, my childhood best friend and I went to a drugstore nearby and split a pack of earrings to each pierce a second hole in one ear (mine left, hers right). It was like a friendship piercing. Totally.
After that, my parents were very strict and would not let me get anymore. However, I think around 16 I convinced my Dad I needed a third and second hole and he finally gave in (he was more strict than my Mom on that front, which was shocking).
Over the years though, those last piercings would get infected over and over again, especially the third hole and eventually I grew out of wearing so much jewellery in my ears I went down to the original first holes only. However, back at the beginning of this year, I wanted to see if I could shove some earrings through the holes again. I basically had to re-pierce that third hole (with an earring), and after a lot of wincing and watery eyes, I poked through. My ear was super red and unhappy, but I took good care of it over the course of the next two months and kept the earring in to sleep despite it being so sore (so bad that I couldn't sleep on my left side for weeks; but I was determined).
Now, many months later, all holes are perfectly normal for the first time in my life and I can change up the jewellery as I please on the daily. Since then, I've acquired a ton of different stud-like earrings to switch things up--normally I'd just rock two large faux diamonds in the first hole. I love mismatching my earrings and since they are small, it's not too in-your-face but a subtle, easy touch that adds some interest to my look.
Earrings (left to right):
Top row: Sawrovski & Joe Fresh x2 | Urban Planet & Dollarama | Smart Set, Joe Fresh & Smart Set
Middle row: Smart Set x2 | Spring & F21 | Joe Fresh x2 & F21
Bottom row: Dollarama & Joe Fresh x2 | Spring & Dollarama | F21 & Spring x2
Oh if I had no budget. While I won't be pulling the trigger on any of these items any time soon, it's fun to drool. Loving all these pieces and almost everything BCBG puts out.
To purchase:
* Estie High-Heel Sandal, $250
* Abree Relaxed Jacket, $268
* Renee Striped Casual Short, $138
* Filigree Plate Bracelet, $48
* Gamma Open-Toe Mesh Bootie, $275
Outfit deets:
* Zara top (new!).
* Zara pants (new!).
* Aldo wedges (old) which you've seen a million times because they used to be my fave and seen with a mini skirt and low-back sweater (love this post) & in a construction zone (love this one too).
* Accessories: Ardene necklace, various bangles & Gucci shades.
I twisted and pulled my hair back on this day to create a faux side-shave to emulate a Cassie or Rihanna-like hairstyle. As I was leaving my building, a neighbour who I'm familiar with asked if I had shaved half my head! Mission accomplished.
On another note, the boyfriend was not a fan of this look and asked me to never wear my hair like this again. Haha, I guess some styles are more for the girls, case in point.
Patricia, the photographer on my Christmas campaign photoshoot (yes I'm heels, but still).
To be honest, I have my days.
If you hadn't noticed, I'm tall, as in 5'11-towering-over-all-my-friends-in-flats-and-everyone-else-when-I-wear-heels. Yeah. Tall.
When I was younger, I had a hard time, but as I've gotten older, I have become much better with it. Some days I love being tall, and then there are days when you have about five people, including strangers, gapping at you like you're some sort of weird creature. If I had a nickle for everytime I heard, 'OMIGOD, you're so tall', I kid you not, I would be able to buy a lot more heels.
Once while shopping, a couple years ago, a girl came over the same rack I was perusing, she looked up at me--all 5'2 of her--and gasped, 'Wow! I was feeling so tall when I was at the front of the store and now beside you I feel tiny!' Thank you. And now I feel like a sasquatch.
I think people think that it is acceptable to point out someone's height when they are tall because, perhaps they view it as a positive and kind of an awe-inducing thing. Whereas pointing out someone who is short would be insulting. It doesn't really make sense, but I try to take it as a compliment.
Since there is nothing I can do about my height, and I come from a tall family who have always told me to be proud of my height, I am and accept it. People frequently ask me why I wear heels when I'm already so tall. I often want to roll my eyes but I will politely smile instead and say something along the lines of, 'Everyone else gets to wear them, so why can't I?' and they nod in understanding, or something, and off I go.
What about you? Are you happy with your height? Wish you were taller or shorter?
My parents: my mom is 5'10 & my dad is 6'3.
My little sister who is 5'7.
Some of my girlfriends during a night out last summer. My lips are at their foreheads.
Outfit deets:
* Alexander Bartlett top (from Winners & old) which you've see with a cognac leather jacket & flared jeans.
* Smart Set chinos (new!) and come in a slew of different colours I might need to snatch up a few more (but be forewarned they do stretch out).
* Christian Louboutin Passmule wedge (old) which I don't wear a ton--they aren't very comfortable, to be honest--but break 'em out every now and again to get my money's worth (haha). Last seen with the same top (wtf?) and a lime yellow-green cardigan (okay, so clearly there is a pattern here).
* Accessories: Cleo pony hair belt, Gucci shades, Claire's necklace, Sirens ring & F21, gifted chain bracelet & my DIY Ropes Maine bracelet (I couldn't afford the real deal, so I made my own).
So good news and bad news.
The bad news is my computer is ladden with viruses, on the verge of completely dying and I could lose everything.
The good news is I'm getting a new one.
Not ideal circumstances, but when it takes you 26 minutes to boot your less-than-two-year-old laptop up, every click takes minutes and you can't edit your videos in under three hours, there's a problem. I've been putting up with the problem for a long time now and it's just getting to the point of anger, frustration and tears sometimes when I use it. So, the time is now.
Even better news? I'm going with a MacBook Pro and am so excited (c'mon you guys, it's a big purchase)! I'm a PC user so the switch to Mac is a little scary and daunting when I think about learning a new system, but everyone who's had one or has one loves it and I've toyed around on one before and got the hang of it in a matter of hours. Additionally, I'm an iPhone junkie so it only makes sense. I have to wait a few weeks for it to arrive, which sucks, but let the countdown begin.
Anyone out there with a Mac book and want to share some quick tips and tricks for a first time user?
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