N E U T R A L S & T E X T U R E /// Summertime dressing

While some people take to summer like a fish to water, I sometimes find it hard to do a wardrobe 180 when I've been swimming in layers of black and greys for the last 6 months. I also find it especially hard to let go of my 'third piece'. A third piece is that extra garment or accessory that is not entirely needed, but adds to the look. It can be a staple sweater or scarf, or another shirt that you wear open or tied around your waist. I am obsessed with third pieces!

I've noticed some well dressed ladies wearing open knit sweaters lately, and while these are not new, it got me thinking that maybe they were on to something. I always thought they were silly ("What's the point of having a sweater with holes?"). But at a recent sample sale, I was specifically looking for these kinds of pieces out of curiosity and lucked out. I picked one up in a neutral color and it really delivers: it adds that touch of coverage without adding excess color or heavy volume. The texture and silhouette it adds to any look is perfect

Canadian summers are temperamental at best. Humid temperatures fought off with damp a/c has never been my thing. These open knit sweaters are best for this! They actually DO keep you warm, and they are easy to throw in a bag when you don't want to wear it anymore. They are light enough that you don't sweat (the holes probably help with this) but warm enough to fight the dampness in an air conditioned building (Im really calling to all my office workers here).

This is the first piece that I picked up at a sample sale (no idea who makes it, sorry!) and it is great for many scenarios. It is light enough to wear as a cover up to the beach, or to throw on any simple look to add the extra texture that I so love. It covers your bum and has a drop shoulder with sleeves you can roll to 3/4 length, or leave long for a touch of coverage from the sun

 I picked this piece recently at H&M and it may be my favorite. I love this color in anything and there is so much texture in it that you can pair it with the most basic outfit and it will give it an extra 10 points.

Garage

This is the newest, and probably last (3 is enough right? Maybe not..) addition to my new 'Third Piece Summer Cardigan Collection'. It is the most casual of the three styles and comes in a nice chunky knit. Pair this with a nice hat and casual shorts for a trip to the market or running errands.

I'll try to take some pictures of these pieces in action so you can see how great they are in action. Check out my instagram account for more frequent posts!

Ciao,
-A

T E R R A R I U M /// Sunday afternoon

Hi everyone,
It has been a while since the last post and it has been pretty busy! My boyfriend and I went to the Ritz Carlton in Montreal for one night for our anniversary, I have discovered Idolem Yoga Studio (Love it! Recommend it!), and went to Ottawa for a girls' weekend where I discovered Chez Lucien.

This afternoon I went to a birthday party for a friend who was holding a terrarium-making party. This was such a great way to bring people together and have a good time! She provided soil, succulents and a couple extra bowls, and everyone contributed moss, or little toy figures, or cookies/candy/anything sweet and full of sugar.

Terrariums are easy and really fun. You have to start with adding rocks in the bottom, followed by soil, and from there you add whatever your little heart desires.

Birds' eye view of a part of the work space

It's a little blurry, but someone brought a beautiful terrarium and gold -painted rocks from West Elm

My terrarium!

Last, but certainly not least, the birthday girl's terrarium from V de V on St Laurent. I want one!

That's it for now. It's winter so Im trying to be consistent but it's not the easiest when you are in hibernation mode. Thanks for reading!

Ciao,

-A

S M I L E /// Weekend links

Hi everyone,
This weekend, my boyfriend has planned a getaway for our anniversary to a surprise location (!!!), so before we head out, I just want to share a few things with you.

It is now the end of January, and I know it's been a tough month for a lot of people. Winter is never easy. So, here are some ways that I will help you smile (hopefully! maybe!). Here we go:

1. The happiest animals in the world!
2. Glam & Gore's sloth makeup tutorial! Because sloths are adorable
3. This ab workout. Some yoga enthusiasts say that a strong core helps maintain your immune system. Healthy you = Happy you
4. Ashley M Freeman's instagram account. She is a personal trainer - in Australia. Those are two key ingredients for beautiful and inspiring images. Not to mention her body is amazing. That helps too
5. This amazing sun-dried tomate and artichoke pasta recipe! I don't like to cook, but there is nothing more satisfying than making a meal that tastes amazing and wasn't too hard. Add chicken too if you like ;)

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Ciao,
-A

R E - W O R K /// Re-merching my glass door cabinet

Hi everyone,
First of all, I hope you're all managing to stay warm and content. We're in the dead of winter now and it's a full-time job staying motivated and happy. With that said, I have been working hard at keeping busy myself. Today I wanted to stay in, but couldn't find it in me to spend the afternoon on the couch watching re-runs of Suits (tempting, though), so I decided to re-merchandise my cabinet. I live in a war-era triplex in Montreal, and one of its charms is the glass door cabinet in the living room.

When my boyfriend and I were apartment-hunting, we knew this was the right apartment for so many reasons, and this was one of them. I knew it would be practical as a storage space, but I was really excited to make it look beautiful too. Over time it has been accumulating junk, so I took today's cold weather as an excuse to stay in and re-merch it.

The first item to go in the cabinet was our collection of wine glasses. I love using glass to decorate with because it adds layers and texture without adding color. With this space, I really pick and choose how and where I add colors.

On the bottom of the cabinet, I made a curtain out of the left over white material from the bedroom curtains I made to hide books and junk that we don't use, but don't need often, and definitely don't need to see. It added an extra function to the cabinet that I was very glad to think of since we are short on storage as it is.

I finally have a place to store my grandmother's tea set without it getting in my way, and I added some little toys I used to collect but don't want to get rid of. With the bourbon bottle and Chanel bag in the background, it's one of my favorite areas of the cabinet. A little kitsch never hurt anyone!

At the highest shelf, I store seasonal and tall pieces. And again, you would never know that behind the white pillow and picture frame we have an unsightly collection of DVDs, CDs and nick-nacks that again, I just cant bring myself to part with, but dont want to see.

That's it for today! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It really makes me happy every time I look at this space. More projects to come this year ;)

Ciao and have a good week,
-A

A U D R E Y /// Last night's outfit

This is just a quick post to share what I wore last night with some girlfriends to Mechant Boeuf in Old Port. I didn't take a picture of the outfit together, but the pieces look better in this morning's soft light anyways.

I picked up this purse in Kingston, Ontario around 8 years ago in a boutique. Because she was a little quirky, but undoubtedly beautiful, I named her Audrey.
I was looking for a lipstick, which I still cant find, and found her in my closet. I decided it was a perfect addition to my outfit since I was wearing black on black on black, and this would add a soft punch of color, and a nice texture.

Faux leather pants from H&M, sweater from Joe Fresh, leather boots from Aldo

By the way, Mechant Boeuf has a $25 table d'hote during Igloofest, and it was very good ;)

That's all! Happy Sunday!

 Ciao,

-A

W I S H L I S T /// Wardrobe Ideas for a New Year

Happy Humpday!

I am not one for new year's resolutions, but I always make a couple mental check lists for things I would like to focus on or improve over the next year. I guess that sounds exactly what a resolution is, but I don't share it with anyone and quietly tick things off over the year. Well, this year, and in this post, I am going to share a few things I would like to add to my wardrobe over the next year. These are almost
all inspired by other women, and I will share the photos that made me decidedly add them to my list.

This year, I want to buy less, but buy better quality. Let's see how this goes :P 

1. White Converse shoes

Who'da thunk? I just like how they can ground an outfit and keep it casual.

Via chique_le_frique on Instagram

2. Casual nude pumps

These are worn by none other than Arielle of Something Navy. She is the shoe-and-outfit-blogger queen, and she makes a convincing argument that you can't go wrong with classic, nude, patent pumps. So chic and effortless, non? Her color story in the photo also helps.

Via somethingnavy.com /// somethingnavy on Instagram

3. Good quality, ankle length jeans

I am 5'4 and frugal (kind of cheap). I hate having to spend more than $30 on jeans, so I dont. That doesn't mean I can't tell that I would be more confortable in a better grade of denim. And infact, it is not so much the denim itself that I want: it is the cut and the construction. Waistbands that fold and don't have strength drive me nuts!

Via chique_le_frique on Instagram

4. A leather bag

Truthfully, I already have one. But it is more on the utilitarian side. I want something chic that will be a statement in itself. This is easier said than done, because I have been looking for about a year now. And I don't want a Michael Kors. Call me crazy

Via oraclefox.com /// oraclefoxblog on Instagram

5. Leather trouser, or good quality PU trousers

Pants like this can just tie any look together and will never go out of style. See what I am going for here? 

and..

6. Comfortable, cross front blouses .... to go with said leather pants

I think the below image sums up these two desires perfectly. The blouse makes any outfit more feminine and put together. 

Via ejstyle.com /// EMMAHILL on Instagram

Thanks for reading! And if you have anything you are on the hunt for this year, let me know.

Ciao,

-A

T H E M G L O B E S /// My Best and Worst Dressed of the 2015 Golden Globes

As everyone and their grandmother knows, last night was the 2015 Golden Globes. Overall, I was pretty impressed this year! There were some real "UGHH??" moments in there, but overall, the ladies and gentlemen looked lovely.

To cut to the chase, here are my top 3 picks from this year's Globes

For me, Amy won. The dress fit her immaculately, and the COLOR?! It takes confidence to put such a striking color on red hair, and the result was breathtaking. I would have never expected her to pull something like that off, and I really admire her for it! Best actress and best dressed. Congrats, Amy.

Kate and Julianne were the runners up for having beautiful dresses and great looks from head-to-toe.


This year's "UGHH?" moments go to.....

Catherine Heigl and Jlo. Allow me to explain..
Catherine's hair looked like it was done by a girl who just got her first curling iron for her sweet 16th.  When you are wearing a Zac Posen dress as striking as that, you need to do it some justice and let it be the star of the show. Frankly, she looked frumpy, and didn't do the dress a favor.
And  JLo wasn't even nominated, so, I just dont understand why she had to wear a sparkly cape?? With a train??

That's it! Looking forward to the Oscars!

Ciao,
A

S K I N W O R K S /// Winter must haves

Winter has officially descended on every part of the Northern hemisphere. Living in Montreal, and having family strewn across Ontario, I think that it is safe to say: I win. With many parts of Ontario covered in a light dusting of snow, Montreal is currently under a sheet of snow, followed by a thick layer of ice, and topped with more snow. If you don't have a gym membership, just walking for a half hour will definitely do, since it works the calves and the core. In the very least, you will break a small sweat.

Today's post is about my holy grail winter skincare products. But, first I want to say that no amount of money you spend on creams and lotions will do what proper eating and a good intake of water will do for you. This information is every where, but water is more than skin deep, and it should be the starting point for anyone trying to take better care of their skin.

With that said, here are my winter must-haves:

Night-time moisturizer: Lancome Bienfait Multi-vital Night and Josie Maran Argan Oil

I add four drops of argan oil to a finger full of the Lancome moisturizer, and massage it into my face, and down my neck. Obviously it won't leave your face matte, but I always wake up with bright and plump skin in the morning.

Moisturizer for days when Im not wearing make-up: Body Shop Vitamin C Boost Serum

On days when I am just hanging around home, running errands, and always whenever I go to the gym, I use one pump of this. It instantly brightens your skin, feels thick enough without being greasy, has a nice orange scent, and doesn't break me out ever. In fact, I find it calms my skin. 

Tip: Wait for sales. It is regular $28, but when a 3 for $30 sale comes along, I grab a couple at a time ;)

Out of the shower, body moisturizer & hair serum: Clockwise from top left: L'Oreal EverSleek Precious Oil Treatment, Body Shop Shea Body Butter, Bath & Body Works Wild Madagascar Vanilla body lotion, Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Ultra Shea Body Cream, Body Shop Satsuma Body Sorbet 

As soon as I get out of the shower, I moisturize my face, then my hair with the Loreal Oil, followed by moisturizing my body. I always use the body butter for my lower half since it is thicker and gentler in scent. I use one of the bottom three lotions for my upper half depending on my mood! They are all so lovely and different, and none of them irritate my skin. Ive been moisturizing twice a day lately, and they always perk me up. 

Hope this helps if you're looking for moisturizer ideas! It seems like a lot of products, but apart from the Sephora products, I always wait for a really good sale to come along, and stock up for months. At one point, I had 8 Japanese Cherry Blossom lotions in my stock closet. When you find something that works, it's worth it. 

Ciao,

-A

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK.... /// Grateful thoughts for a new year

This Christmas season felt very different. Although very rich in love, season's cheer and all of the calories that comes with it, this Christmas felt more... grown up. This is largely because I realized how special this season is for kids, and how they really make it all worth it. Seeing my cousin's and boyfriend's sister's kids go through all of the emotions that Christmas entails really drove home how much this is a season that is best shared with family, and served with a heaping dose of gratitude, happiness and sharing.

On that note, I just want to share a couple things that I was really grateful for this holiday season, and from the entire year as a whole:

1. My mom
This has been a really tough year for her, and for all of us. In addition to some other hardships, she lost her youngest brother, my uncle Joe, to an aneurysm on Easter Sunday at the age of 50. Despite everything, she held her head high this Christmas, only wanted to find and discuss the positivity in everything, and was the driving force behind making this Christmas one that I would have sooner forgotten.

2. My brothers
They're awesome, and I am so proud of both of them. Thats it

3. My boyfriend's family
This was our third Christmas season together and I always look forward to seeing them. How many people can say that? I couldn't be luckier to have such great in-laws

Last but not least... my boyfriend.
We were apart on Christmas itself, as we always are, but he put the forethought into hiding a little present in my luggage so I had something to open on Christmas day. We have had a rare opportunity this past week to spend a lot of quality time together (he is a chef, so our schedules don't match often), and it just mad me fall in love again.

I don't want to ramble, so I will end it at that. But, I will just re-iterate that I am one, lucky, lucky girl.

Cheers to 2015
-A

The bros

Those amazing summer nights spent on the back balcony with my man, a good bottle of wine, and anything and everything cooked on the BBQ

View from a ridge of the Fairmont hotel, le Manoir Richelieu, in Charlevoix

On a hike in l'Anse de Sable, Charlevoix