Outfit deets:
* Forever 21 faux leather jacket which you've seen with coloured pants in the summer time (and some seriously unflattering photos, ha).
* Winners trapeze tank that I've worn so much it's getting worn out--as in, there might be a small hole somewhere.
* Urban Behaviour Brazil pants--I own three pairs of these because they fit like a glove, I wear black skinnies often, and they were $20.
* Aldo wedge boots which you've seen back in the Fall when I had the wedge shortened.
* Accessories: F21 cross-body clutch, MK watch, gift leather bracelet, Gorjana-Griffin bangle & Call it Spring ring.
So, if you haven't noticed, I have had a few exciting changes happening on my blog in the past couple weeks. One, of course, was the re-design which I'm really pleased with and plan to keep it this way for a bit, and secondly I've brought on a photographer for my outfit posts, which I'm really excited about.
When I started A.Co est. 1984 four years ago, it was a style blog and over the years has evolved into more of a lifestyle blog. I love sharing bits and pieces of my life with you, and don't plan to change that, but have been wanting to incorporate more style back into it. As that's truly where my passion lies, and some of my work as a Style Consultant, I really want to bring that element back to this space.
I have been loving using a cross-body clutch for several months now and have been alternating between this rose-gold coloured one I picked up from Forever 21 over a year ago, and my olive coloured Aldo one. I've been using them both so much they have started to tear a bit where the strap meets the bag.
I find that I'm using my Phillip Lim 3.0 for Target bag everyday which holds my heels, lunch, cosmetics bag, and my clutch, which is perfect. I need a big carry-all to tote everything back and forth, but when it comes to running errands or going out shopping, I simply can't be bothered with a big purse right now--I love having my hands free! I can see myself continuing this into the warmer months as it makes it so much easier for everyday life.
I have a few more changes up my sleeve and in preparation for that, I'm cleaning out my closet. I mentioned it on Facebook and Twitter that I'd share some clothes for sale, if anyone is interested and have started with some dresses I'm selling. Come on over, if you'd like to take a look. More to come!
Photos by Serena Rivard.
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Friday night laundry night with my hand-me-down cart. #lifesaver
Once I finished hanging all my laundry, I started to clean my room and ambitiously decided to start a pile of clothes I'm ready to part with… and the pile and closet haven't been touched since then…
(more details coming soon).
Sidenote: I haven't seen this much space on the bar in my closet since before I moved in over two years ago.
Tacos with friends at 10pm.
Saturday morning Marco forced my butt out of bed at 9am--too early--to hit the gym. That said, a slight motivation was knowing I had some new workout clothes to wear--I said slight.
Photoshoot sesh on Saturday during the day--looks coming this week.
On Saturday night we had a horrible snowstorm and I had dinner plans for Melissa's birthday outside of town. I left early and took my time and was only a few minutes late.
We ate at Babbo's and I had a gnocchi, which was pretty good--I have this dish maybe once a year and always feel weird not having veggies or meat in my pasta, but always really enjoy the splurge.
…no, I literally woke up, brushed my teeth, threw on a beanie and went home.
Sunday was my best friend's family baby shower and I played photographer.
See the shower I threw for her HERE.
Outfit deets: Fun & Flirt top, Sirens pants (they are maroon), Liliana wedges (new!), The Bay necklace & Joe Fresh bangle.
On Sunday evening I went to a Superbowl party where the food and drinks were a plenty and everyone was cheering for the Seahawks and in turn, a very happy party.
January has come and gone and I'm so pleased because it's the longest, coldest and most depressing month of the year! We've had no exception here in Ottawa either, we've been averaging temps of -30C (sometimes worse) on the daily and it's awful. One month closer to summer? I'm in.
In January I rang in the new year with Marco and friends with some sparkly photo props. I worked out every weekend, set some resolutions, got a pedicure with Sarah and bought some new shoes.
I had an impromptu date night--and had two margaritas--with my boo, wore non-snow boots for once since it was damn cold but at least it was dry, and threw a baby shower for my best friend.
I went to Izakaya, which wasn't so great, enjoyed the view from my apartment and shared my everyday make up. I was chosen to be a Style Ambassador for Clearly Contacts (I promise, more is coming on this), did some damage at Marshalls scoring several new workout clothes, tried out matte nail polish and celebrated my Grammy's birthday.
Outfit deets:
* Vero Moda top which you've seen with sequin shorts.
* H&M pants (old) which you've seen with wedges in an older but favourite post and slightly more recently in a good ol' selfie post.
* LA Shoe Republic heels which you've seen with a floral dress + blazer combo and you can find the link details to purchase HERE.
* Accessories: H&M necklace & midi rings & various bangles
Happy Thursday! Oh happy day! Some exciting things are in the works, and I'm totally going to be all secretive about it, but it's happy personal life changes that I will share soon, so stay tuned.
In other realms, I've had a really nice week, productive and busy. I had several errands to run on Monday evening and then put myself in bed, asleep by 11pm--which is so rare (I love staying up late, which is horrible because I have to get up early; anyone else with me?). Tuesday I had a styling client where we worked in her closet and styled over 20 outfits, which was a great success. Finally, last night, a few more errands, a business dinner meeting and then got my hands on some quality time with my man.
This weekend doesn't look like it will be slowing down either with a birthday dinner, a baby shower and video editing in between.
Hope you are having a super week and jeans-day tomorrow! C'mon weekend!
Photos by Serena Rivard.
Do you guys remember those banana-coconut snakaroos I picked up at Marshalls a few weekends ago? Well, they were amazing, but that small bag was seriously $9, which was a lot crazy, but I was feeling frivolous.
Fast forward two more trips to Marshalls and my mouth was watering for them again but I wouldn't let myself splurge. Instead, I picked up a few missing ingredients and attempted to make them the other night. And guess what: amazeballs. Yep. A-maze. Balls. Or, bites. Either way, here's how I did it:
Ingredients:
* 1 banana preferably super ripe, but mine wasn't
* 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
* 1/3 cup rolled oats
* 4 tbsp coconut oil
* 2 tbsp chia seeds optional
* 3/4 scoop chocolate protein powder optional
Make it:
Mash it all together with a fork. If it's too dry, add some coconut oil. If it's too wet, add some coconut and/or oats.
Once you get a sticky, yet thick consistency--I seriously eye balled all the ingredients so my measurements are estimates--use your hands and make bite size balls.
More like two-bite, sized balls.
Eat immediately or refrigerate and share with friends who appreciate healthy snacks that don't taste healthy.
Friday night dinner out with my boo. We grabbed some Vietnamese an impromptu Vietnamese dinner at Ox Head.
I picked up one of these wallflowers plugs from Bath & Body Works after work on Friday because while I love lighting candles almost nightly when I'm at home, I want the place to smell great to come home to. I picked up two bulbs in a spiced pumpkin scent (can't remember the actual name) that were on sale for $3 each, and allhough this plug is chic enough to be out on display, where my plug is, it's hidden.
Goofing around at the gym on Saturday.
I hit up Marshalls and ended up walking away with a ton of new workout gear--one item being this sports bra. I filmed a haul video on Sunday afternoon so that will be up soon. Are photos of interest to see the items too?
Saturday evening snowstorm.
We had a birthday dinner on Saturday night for my Grammy at their residence, which was amazing--the food is always top notch there. She looked amazing in her new top and jewelery. My Grammy is such an inspiration as she's always so positive, her life motto is to 'live each and every day to the fullest'.
I picked up this New York tee from Walmart, in the men's section for $7, and cut out the neckline and took off the sleeves. I will probably cut the hem aysemmetrically and wear this to the gym--I made it scoop low in the back--or under a blazer as a cool graphic tee.
Post gym #acolookdowns. It's been so. freakin'. cold. lately, I have been living in my Uggs to keep my feet warm and dry.
Sunday brunch--it's been a while.
I spent Sunday late afternoon and evening filming two videos: a make-up tutorial with the Naked 2 palette and the workout clothing haul. I'm trying something new with my set up since a friend has let me borrow a backdrop.
The final look after I finished filming the make-up tutorial.
Sunday night dinner with my chef boyfriend.
After dinner I edited my video and painted my nails. I used this new NYC Matte Crazy topcoat which was $2 and works well. I ended up later adding a French-tip-like strip of shiny clear at the end of my nails, which looks subtly cool.
Today I'm sharing my kind of go-to look with my Naked 2 palette using three of my favourite shades. It's pretty simple, with a ton of blending to achieve a very neutral, pretty and light everyday look.
Thanks for watching! xo
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THINGS I MENTIONED
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk & Cottage Cheese
Rimmel Scandaleyes Pencil in nude
Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner in black
Elf Liquid Liner in black
Rimmed Scandaleyes Mascara in Extreme Black
Hardcandy Fox in a Box blush/bronzer
____________________________
MUSIC
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I threw my best friend a baby shower last weekend and I wanted to share some of the details with you.
I started planning in November, and began with designing an invite. Since Sarah is having a boy, and loves grey, I chose the colour scheme of grey and turquoise. From there I kept the theme cohesive by using the polka dots and the picture of the stylish, pregnant stick woman--a perfect emulation of Sarah.
I wanted everything to look very Pinterest, as Sarah had pinned and mentioned several things she liked in conversation of the course of several months. As she is very creative--hello weekly chalkboard preggo pics--I wanted to do her proud and really focus on small details that make a big impact.
I'd love to share some photos with you if you'd like to see...
Since Sarah doesn't like cake, I special ordered 24 mini pies from Life of Pie in Ottawa in her favourites: strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry & pecan. I displayed them on a cake stand and stuck in little toothpick decorations I made.
More pictures after the jump…
A make-over for my site has been a long time coming and while I will eventually switch over to another platform and get more customized, I'm really happy to share with you a more streamlined version of my blog.
So what's changed?
| There are navigational pages at the top, so if you're new--or not--you can easily find your way around.
| The search bar has moved up to the top and you can easily access all my social media links below it.
| The formatting is a little different, and I'm really pleased with how my posts align now, with the title front and centre along with the date.
| Another cool option, you can share all posts with one click! Below each post, there is a Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest option for sharing, which will open up a share window for you to easily post to your favourite social media site--that is, if you want to share something.
| I created a new header to be congruous with my business cards, Style Consulting business and other social media platforms.
And finally, the design was done by Mlekoshi Playground & offered by Luvly.co.
As always, thanks so much for coming here and checking out what I'm up to. I hope you like the new layout and find it more pleasing to the eye and easier to read. Feedback is welcome as I want this to be a place you want to come, enjoy and like looking at.
Friday night pedicures with my bestie--so needed.
I threw on my favourite boots since it was dry outside with no sign of snow nor ice to head to my man's place later on.
A mishmash dinner on Friday night of take-out pad thai & Bourbon chicken.
Saturday early morning gym sesh; I ran for the first time in a while. My calves still hurt.
The fresh pedi with an awkward foot shot.
I spent the entire day on Saturday running errands in preparation for Sarah's baby shower that I was throwing on Sunday… except for a two hour break in Winners. I loved the cut and fit of these sweatpants--to wear with heels--but I couldn't get past the colour as I would really like these in a charcoal heather grey instead. I did, however, purchase the top I'm wearing (it's Vero Moda).
My favourite steeped tea getting me through the day.
Much, much later on Saturday night, once all baby shower preparations were finished, I slipped into some OTK boots and had an impromptu date night with Marco.
We went to Lonestar and on a whim, and at his suggestion I got a lime Margarita… and then I got a second one.
Sunday was the baby shower and it went perfectly. I was so please with how the table turned out, I worked so hard on creating and designing all the decorations. More pictures and detailed shots to come.
My outfit for the shower.
Outfit deets: Spense top (new!), Urban Planet leatherette leggings, Liliana wedges (new!) & Auslini bangle.
A sweet treat while watching Breaking Bad on Sunday night; a Wendy's frosty--mmm!
I'm so behind in sharing these on my blog but the truth is, I took far longer than I hoped to edit them and get them up… and Sunday's vlog is still in the editing queue. Trials and tribs, I tell ya; I'll post it here once complete though so check back.
Thanks for watching! xo
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