Friday was great, I went for a pedicure, did some shopping after work and then met up with Marco at the gym.

Afterwards we...

More photos after the jump...

Hello!  Sorry for the radio silence the past couple days, I've been adjusting to the time change (which is hardly anything, at three hours, but still), getting back into the swing of work and trying to just get organized since returning from Vegas. 

I know some of you follow me on Instagram (thanks!) but not everyone has it and I like when others do Instagram recaps on their blogs, and since I did it for Punta Cana, thought I would share my Instagram snaps from my trip to Las Vegas last week.

Warning, this post is super photo heavy, hence why I'm putting it all after the jump.  If you'd like to see a condense version of this, they are in the hashtag album #acoinvegas on Instagram.

So here we go!

Upon arrival, despite it only being 11am, I was able to check in right away.  I stayed at the Aria Hotel which is across the strip from Planet Hollywood and really quite fantastic. 

I was given a tip by a friend to ask if they would offer a complimentary upgrade to a higher floor level / better view of the strip and it worked!  They initially were going to give me the 7th floor (of 54) and bumped me up to the 52nd (hello amazing!) free of charge.

I grabbed some food after dropping my bags, explored the hotel a bit then crashed for a solid six hours (not going to the bed the night before due to a 6am flight will do that to you).  When I got up, just after the dinner hour, I went downstairs and hit the buffet for an amazing dinner.  Then back to bed to sleep off the remainder of the jet lag.

I ended up getting up bright and early on Monday morning and hit the gym at the hotel.  It was surprisingly busy but quite nice.  There was an abundance of cardio machines--which I never touched--and a sizeable weight area. 

 A lot of people ask me why I work out on vacation but I kind of enjoy it.  My rationale is this: on vacation you technically have all day every day to do whatever you want.  I like to start my day with a workout because I find it sets a great tone for the day; you feel better as you get dressed, there is no rush to be anywhere and I feel a little less guilty about all the indulgence that come with holidays (margaritas & buffets anyone?). 

I could never be the person who gets up during the week and works out before work.  It's either after work or bust, but on vacation, time is infinite (sort of) and especially if you're sitting around in a bikini all day, that helps keep myself in check.

  

Outfit deets:  Urban Planet romper (new!) tucked into Bench shorts, Diba sandals & Target lace bralette.

After my workout and breakfast, I showered and got dressed.  I headed out to explore the strip, but mainly to shop.  I hit up Ross & Marshalls and scored huge at latter.

Outfit deets:

* Chaps dress which you saw in my Summer Event Wear video last year.

* Joe Fresh cardigan which you've seen with a similarly printed dress (which I no longer own) a few years ago.

* Liliana wedges (a personal fave) which you saw in my Punta Cana vacation outfit post, and when I first purchased them.

* Accessories: Limite necklace, MK watch & Gucci shades.

Today is my last day in Vegas; I'm taking the red-eye home tonight.  It's been a really fun week with far too much walking!  I'm ready to put heels on, driving and eating a little healthier.  That said, I will definitely miss the great view, not making the bed (haha) and having no set routine each day.

Hope you have all had a great week--who's happy the weekend is here?!  My plans don't include much since I will be home around noon on Saturday and since I've never flown a red-eye before, I can imagine I will need to sleep the majority of the day away.  Sunday will include the norm after any trip: unpacking, laundry & of course giving Eve some loving.  Have a great weekend!

Photos by Serena Rivard.

Friday night I hit the gym after work and then decided to take a little trip out to Orleans to start my shopping for my next video.  I found a few things, but this jumper was not one of them.  Being tall has plenty of downfalls, one of them being it almost impossible to find rompers that are long enough in the body!

Jumpsuit:  Dynamite

Saturday morning.

May has come and gone and it was the first month we finally felt settled in our new place.  After two months of living in boxes and trying to figure out how to amalgamate two places into one, it's finally feeling organized.

Marco's parent's came down at the beginning of the month and we spent the day in Chinatown.  I filmed a video for Clearly Contacts about why I became a #StyleAmbassador and how to pick the perfect frames.  We finished my closet - office room (I'm sharing photos this week of how it looks now!) and I grew my  nails out again (which have since all been bitten off--wah wah).  

I shared a sneak peek of our bedroom (which has a ways to go before it's done) but we did get some new pillows that fit the new bed, so that's pretty nice.  I wore a new palm printed coat, got flowers from a friend and created a new way to store and display my shoes.  

I played a tennis a bunch of times--and have improved a little but might need actual lessons--was sent some really nice flowers and shared my Spring Trends video.  We went to Taco Fest in Ottawa, I shared my new favourite jeans, I purchased some really cool new wedges & kicked my workouts into high gear by going almost daily for the last two weeks of the month.

As always, thanks for being here and reading along.  I love connecting with you, so with that, tell me your favourite May memory in the comments below.

I finally pulled together all the footage from my trip to Punta Cana last month off both our phones, my iPad and the GoPro and there is a lot of footage.  I started sorting through it all, but put together a 15 second trailer for the interim.

I hope to get the full video up by next week, which is always posted on my YouTube channel first, so subscribe there if you'd like, and see you tomorrow!

Outfit deets:

* Forever 21 tank.

* Almost Famous denim shorts.

* Call It Spring sandals (super old, my total favourites & worn to death).

* Ardene fedora & heart-shaped sunnies.

One last outfit from our vacation to Punta Cana last month--I almost forgot I had these photos.  I would have shared more however my bathing suit made an awkward wet mark mid-chest and kind of ruined the photoshoot #vacationproblems.

What are your plans for the weekend?  I have a busy one lined up: tonight I'm hitting the gym with a friend, then some shopping.  Saturday will be spent likely practicing some tennis--I managed to get a 3-hit rally going last night for the first time ever!--and then celebrating my Mom's birthday.  On Sunday I will be spending the day celebrating my good friend's upcoming nuptials at her bridal shower.  Hope you have a great one and happy Memorial Day long weekend to my US readers and friends.

I have a confession:  I have been feeling mighty discouraged lately while shopping.  I'm hoping a few of you are with me on this one, hence why I'm sharing.

While I love the crop top trend, it is simply not for me.  My mid section is not something I'm going to be baring, although I wish I could.  Additionally, the trends for this Spring are very body-concious, with lots of skin showing.  Crop tops, maxis with cut-outs and oblique-baring muscle tees.  It's frustrating when you want to be on trend and participate in the trends and your body doesn't quite match up.  However, I'm a firm believer in dressing to flatter your body type and these aren't my most flattering items.

The crop top I'm wearing above is something I really do love, and paired with a high-waist skirt, you're still getting the full effect of the trend.  That said, the skirt is body-concious so definitely not the most comfortable (ie. suck it in!).

Are there any trends you're wishing would work on you but just don't?  Sound off in the comments below, I'd love to hear!

Outfit deets:

* H&M low-back tank.

* Zara denim.

* Iro wedges.

* Accessories: Le Chateau cuff & Aldo clutch / cross-body.

We went to Taco Fest in Ottawa on Saturday night which was a great time.  It was held at the huge--newly reno'ed--convention centre downtown.  We arrived shortly after 6:30pm, grabbed some Coronas and headed into the ballroom where the vendors were set up.  There was a live DJ and tons of booths, all serving up various forms of tacos, sliders, and amazing tilt-your-head-and-bite kind of food.  

Since I wanted to be comfortable, but take advantage of being out on the weekend, I wore something that felt very me.  The ripped jeans are new from Zara and although you can't see the low-back detail on this tank, it's kind of a reverse sexy top, exposing whatever pretty thing you choose to wear underneath (and sometimes I wear this to the gym to show off the back of my sports bra).  We snapped these photos as we were leaving--sorry for the lack of detail shots but we were running late.

Since today is a holiday in Canada, I'll be back tomorrow with a full weekend recap.  Hope you had a great weekend!

Outfit deets:

* H&M top (old).

* Sirens pants which you've seen in my profile photo and the outfit post it came from and in the winter with a beanie.

* Zara sandal / basic heel which you've seen with a Palm Tree printed coat and dark denim skinnies and with a long cardi and raw hem denim.

* Accessories: Aldo necklace & Michael Kors watch.

Sometimes, despite being someone who lives fashion, I can have mornings where everything ends up on the floor and nothing fits right.  I'd like to say I have a plethora of back-up outfits on hand, ready for when a fashion-block moment strikes, but I don't.  I usually resort to all black, with various textures, but it feels a little weird doing that in the Spring time.  

That said, I like to keep a 'Fashion Inspiration' folder on Pinterest for when I need a quick direction, although I usually just end up scrolling on and on and on, gazing at the beautiful photos instead of actually getting dressed.

This was definitely one of those mornings, and while I felt slightly defeated leaving the house in this outfit, I ended up getting several compliments and feeling pretty good all day long.

Any strategies you ladies use when having a case of I-have-nothing-to-wear!?

Photo by Serena Rivard (via my iPhone).