Since I'm still down and out with Laryngitis that has been joined by cold symptoms, I thought I would share a few Christmas snaps from around my tiny apartment.  

I wasn't going to put up my tree--gasp!--since we are so close to the day and I will not be here, but eventually gave myself a good shake, took 10 minutes and got my baby tree up.  Remember when I got this little tree?

To be honest, I've hardly decorated aside from the tree and throwing a sequin top on my mannequin.  I haven't had the time to grab all my decor from my parent's basement, bring it back here and decorate.  I was going to go into details about my apartment and recent thought, but I'll save that for another day.  Cheers!





Outfit deets:
* Urban Planet sweater which I have in baby pink & maroon (and you saw all of them in my Colour Pairings video), and you've seen outdoors with denim and boots.
* Urban Planet pants--my go-to black skinnies, they are the Brazil fit, $20 and perfect.  I own three pairs (hello that price!).
* H by Halston cap-toe heels that I picked up in Vegas which I wore during Toronto Fashion Week this year, also with my favourite maroon waxed pants & in my How To Wear a Sequin Skirt post last year around this time.
* Accessories: Sirens necklace, F21 wrap bracelet & MK watch.

So the good thing about blogging is you don't need a voice.  The bad news?  When you're sick you don't feel like taking pictures of yourself.  Fortunately I had this one that was taken earlier this week with this beautiful tree.

So I have Laryngitis; I've been fighting something all week and woke up on Wednesday with no voice.  I didn't realize this until I got to work and someone came to discuss something with me…Oh my! Where is my voice?  

It progressed and got worse through the day, until I was whispering only when necessary and my vocal chords felt very strained.  I went to the clinic and she confirmed, viral Laryngitis which means the only cure is rest--ie. no talking--and that I'm contagious.  That said, I'm home today, resting and missing my Christmas party lunch with colleagues #wahwah.  

How's everyone's Christmas shopping going?  Mine is not even half complete so I'm hoping to finish up this weekend and meet my goal of wrapping everything by Sunday night.  I always tend to shop right up until the last minute anyways, so, this is pretty normal.  Any last minute shoppers out there like me?


Follow me on Twitter & Instagram (I'm @acoest1984) for more frequent updates!  

As always, thank you so much for reading and coming to my little corner of the Internet.



The holiday season is upon us and I asked you all on Facebook if you had any topics to suggest for the next LCW (Let's Chat Wednesday--thanks Kate) and someone suggested holidays traditions and re-gifting.  So without further adieu…

I think I might have re-gifted something once or twice, but I don't tend to make it a habit.  Additionally, if I'm going to re-gift something, I'm going to add another item to beef up my gift, so to speak.

One thing I love re-gifting for though is a hostess gift.  If someone gave you something like a spa kit, a bottle of wine, or something for the home that isn't necessarily your taste, I would see nothing wrong with passing that brand new item onto someone who will truly love it.  Additionally, a hostess gift is not a gift you had to give, but a nice gesture.

Thoughts on re-gifting?  Would you?



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.


Welcome to your new home!  These Aldo, Herveline over-the-knee boots are finally mine.  

I had initially purchased a pair of black OTK boots with a pointed toe--similar to these--but when they came in, the leg portion was huge on me and they looked cheap and plastic (but cost $140, so they shouldn't--they are no longer available).  I immediately found these instead but couldn't pull the trigger right away as they were $250 and didn't come in a size 10.  

I waited and checked the website every day, and happened upon them at the mall.  The display was a size 9 and it turned out to be a perfect fit, which is odd as I'm always a 10.  I went back the next day, returned the other ones and as luck would have it, they were marked down as part of a three-day sale for $160!  I made the exchange and went on my merry way.


My weekend began Thursday night--as I took Friday off--with a Secret Santa party among friends.  This was a stellar gift table and you already saw my charcuterie plate I brought.

I scored a beautiful, custom necklace which I tweeted about.


Friday was spent running errands and prepping for the surprise 60th birthday party my mom, sister and I were throwing for my dad that night.  We spent all day at my sister's chopping, cooking, preparing the food, holding my nephew--naturally--and be very sneaky about it.


Later on that evening, waiting for my parent's to come home to a house full of people, tons of food and a great celebration.


My Dad and I at the end of the night.  He was so surprised!  I made a little video about the party if you care to watch.


Saturday morning gym sesh; my best attempt at a pull up.  Seriously.


Lunch at Chuck's.


After lunch we poked around Marshalls.  I spotted these Puma x Alexander McQueen hi-top kicks.  I thought they were cool looking but I didn't get them; I'm on the fence about whether I'll still be loving wedge sneakers come Spring--it's been two years since first coveting, they might be getting played out.


This weekend was freakin' freezing (-30 degrees Celcius) so I was bundled up everywhere I went.
Outfit deets:  Winners beanie, Bench jacket, Club Monaco scarf & Ardene mitts.


Saturday night: Chinese food & Home Alone movies with my man.  Perfect night to stay indoors during a snowstorm.


Cuddling with #eveyabish


Sunday morning--er, afternoon--brunch post gym.  We sped through the meal to get errands run and a football game watched.


I'm trying so hard to grow out my nails for Christmas--that was my goal when I started about three weeks ago.  See that gash on my ring finger?  It's from my nail!  That's progress.  I have a terrible nail biting habit so I'm so proud to get them to this length.

Sidenote: I lost that midi-ring at my Dad's surprise party.  Wah.


Sunday evening chilli & work (blog, YouTube, etc.)


Happy last full week before Christmas!


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