A Look Back at January

January was a great month (despite the frigid temps) and I thought since it's a new year, I would start a new monthly recap at the end of each month; a look back of sorts.

This month I blogged about the year 2012, got my first gel manicure and hung some art in my apartment (finally, and with the help of someone special). 

I DIY'ed a cute sweatshirt, bought some leopard-print ankle booties and got more comfortable with my 'nerd' glasses.  I replaced the second-hand black curtains (that were on lend from my bestie) in my room to metallic silver and frolicked in the snow (correction: stood in the snow and had my picture taken). 

I attended an amazing surf 'n turf dinner (we made a video HERE), ate breakfast at Broadways every weekend and painted my nails a pretty pink.  I wore polka dot pants, re-pierced my third hole, wore a sparkly skirt and shopped the Zara semi-annual sale.  I also picked up a sweet pair of red kicks to take me into Spring.

Do you kiss on the first date?

After such positive and great feedback on last week's discussion (thank you!), I've decided to post these on Wednesday's and call them our, Let's Chat posts.  Please chime in within the comments below, I love hearing from you all, and it's fun to interact.

When I was single, I went on several dates and remember one date asking me if I ever kissed on the first date.  What a surprising question and one I had to think about it.  The answer was no, since being re-single, but not because I think it's bad.  In fact, I don't think there is anything wrong with a kiss on the first date, but for me, up until that point, I guess I never felt comfortable with most dates or ready for that step.

Kissing can be so intimate, or it can be so impersonal.  I remember not having any reservations about it when I was younger, but as I've gotten older, I totally shy away from the idea, as if it's something I reserve for a few dates in.

What about you, do you kiss on the first date?  Or did you?

Other Let's Chat posts you may have missed:
* Do you wash your clothes before you wear them?

Covet

Nixon, The Time Teller  $175

I've been semi-on the hunt for a black watch (I have a cheapie one, but never wear it because I don't love it and haven't gotten the band sized) and this one has been swooning.  There are a few different styles of The Time Teller, but this one with the gold clasp and features steals my heart.  So.  Nice.

Peplum + Such + a Car Update

Outfit deets:

* American Eagle cardigan which you've seen with white pants in the summer and with a khaki skirt and my neon Louboutins.

* Urban Planet peplum top that I scored during the shop-off that won me the title of PDO Fashion Vlogger (you can also see it in my Fall Fashion vlog).

* H&M pants (old).

* Ardene cap-toe flats (I'm clearly having a cap-toe-moment).  See cap-toe my DIY HERE.

* Accessories:  Suzy necklace, Dollarama ring & Auslini bangle.

How is everyone's week shaping up?  We got dumped with a ton of snow yesterday (which was really pretty, but terrible for driving) and I spent the evening indoors just having a me night.

I know I've been keeping you semi-updated on the car sitch, so here's where I'm at: I've found a car that I like and am going through all the hoops to figure out if it's 'the one'.  My car is for sale and I've shown it a few times, I've even gotten an offer but decided I wanted to get a little more than they were offering.  

Buying and selling a car is time consuming and stressing me out (ha), but, that's probably why it's taken me so long to get even this far.  That said, I won't say much more as I don't want to jinx anything or get all excited for nothing.  There is much more to do before anything is (if and when) finalized, so yes.  That is that thus far.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the second discussion day in our little series (btw, what should I name this series?).  Read last week's topic HERE.

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

On Friday night there was a rib feast at a friend's house, which was awesome.  

I brought cornbread from Montana's.

I know I tweeted that I might make a video like last time, but it was much lower key and while I started filming,I didn't end up finishing it, so, no video this time.

 On Saturday morning I showed my car (which is for sale) and then did some shopping.  That evening we celebrated my Grammy's 85th birthday (which I have no photos to show for).

Outfit deets:  Smart Set cardigan, Stitches lace tank, Zara pants (new!), Spring hidden wedge boots & vintage necklace.

 Playing with this cutie (she's not mine).

Sunday morning (habitual) breakfast.  

"New" shades.

 On Sunday afternoon, I went to look at a car I'm considering buying and the BFF always sends me the sweetest texts I had to take a screen shot (really hoping operation-buy-a-car works out this time!).

Afterwards, I did a little shopping for my next PDO vlog.

Outfit deets:  Dynamite sweater, Pepe jeans & Spring boots (I practically live in these on weekends). 

 Purchases!

An amazing Sunday dinner: pulled pork sandwiches with home-made beans (which were soaked, slow cooked and more, plus there's real bacon in them).

A sneak peak at my new shoes.

And in case you missed it, my most recent haul video.

Quick Zellers Haul

Happy weekend!

An Organized Linen/Make-Up/Accessories Closet

I will often let messes get messier.  It's a terrible habit, but I do it and then it stresses me beyond belief until I attack the mess and get it under control. 

My make-up/accessories/linen closet has been one of these things; haunting me every weekend while I'm trying to do fun things (the nerve!) and every time I open it up to grab something (or throw my laundry in the basket below), I wanted to shudder.  Then, instead of tackling it, I would quickly close the door and, well, run off and do something fun instead.

I finally pulled everything out the other night, organized, purged (a ton) and then figured out a way that would work for me to be organized and make getting ready in the morning a little bit easier.  I amalgamated all my accesories onto one shelf (the upper) and kept the beauty/make-up products down below.  I also pulled several things from the kitchen that I keep but barely use to help this effort: the home-made cake stand in the back for bracelets, the large black bowl to hold smaller bangles, a regular wine bottle for hinged bangles, a decorative vase from my room for the leather-wrap bracelets, regular glass ware for an overflow of nail polishes, and a clear glass bowl with a wide mouth with a lid for rings.

I also wanted to show you how I display my necklaces.  Silver on one side and gold on the right, some nails in the wall and voila...

Fashion Vlogger Video #7: Accessories & A Hair Tutorial

For my seventh vlog as the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, I'm talking all about accessories and showing you some cool pieces I picked up from bangle bracelets, to sparkly earrings, to a gold hair cuff and more.  I'm also sharing my very first hair tutorial at the end of the video!

Stay tuned for more videos (specifically on the Place d'Orleans FB 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)

More videos on my YouTube Channel.

Do You Wash Your Clothes Before You Wear Them?

I was thinking of starting up a weekly series here, of thoughtful topics we could discuss, in a safe environment.  We could get a little risqué sometimes, or keep it clean other times.  I love hearing from you in the comments, getting your feedback, opinions and hear about similarities or even differences among us all.  What'd ya think? 

Today I wanted to talk about laundry (keepin' it clean for this first post; clean...get it?). 

When you purchase a new piece of clothing, do you wash it before you wear it?

I never washed my clothes before wearing them (except undies), despite being a bit of a germophobe but I like leaving the tags on until I go to wear it for the first time.  A few years ago though, I started to wash everything before wearing it, but am now back at wearing before washing usually.

The other day however, I got home from shopping and had a ton of laundry to do, so after slight hesitation, I removed all the tags to my new Zara clothes and washed 'em up.  Unfortunately, one of the tops shrunk so bad (it didn't even touch the dryer) it doesn't fit.  I am so disappointed, I didn't even get to wear it once.  And so, the dilemma of washing before wearing.

So, do you wash before wearing?

* The photos are from my Instagram and I often wonder if I should post them here or not because I don't want things to become too repeatitive for you guys... but then I figure not everyone has Instagram so I should share some here too.  Thoughts on that?

Covet

pulp | home, Gold Giraffe Sculpture  $40

Love this little guy and although I tend to decorate with silvery mettalic tones, I could easily find a home for him in my place. 

Psssst, there are also other animals to choose from.  Cute!

Covet

Target, Bangle watch  $19.99

My Apartment: Closet Clean Out

Last night, after a visit with a good friend, I decided to edit a vlog I recently filmed.  Since my laptop takes about six years to boot up, I thought I'd do some 'tidying' of my closet while it was loading.  Well, I didn't end up editing my video, but I sure did edit my closet!

I'm terrible at taking before photos, so you don't ge to see the mess that was that top shelf prior to last night (plus it was embarassing!), but I wanted to share with you how it looks now (and how it looked bare).

If you want, you can see some of the in-progress pictures which include the pile of clothes I'm getting rid of, all of my sweaters and jeans on the floor and the mess that was my bed (which is pretty embarassing but hey, it has to get messy before it can get better, right?  Right).

Additionally, if you're interested in a pair of True Religion 'Sammy's', I'm selling mine (size 29).

Before (ish)

After

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

I have three holes in the left ear (and two in the right) but haven't worn multiples in a while... so long that I had to kind of re-pierce my third hole on Friday night (eep!).

Earrings from my Wardrobe Classics video.

 

 Friday night dinner.

 Saturday lunch date.

Lunch trio: 1/2 turkey club, side caesar & beef soup.

We got a ton of snow this weekend after having dry and milder temps earlier in the week.

Outfit deets:  Club Monaco scarf, TNA jacket, Jacob jeans, Spring boots & Aldo purse.

Basically, I saw a billboard advertisement and had to get one.

 Saturday night take-out:  Greek on Wheels!

Sunday morning:  a crazy snow storm (more snow, ugh!).

Sunday morning breakfast.

 

Did some grocery shopping after breakfast and found the biggest red peppers ever.

 Later on, I hit the mall to make a return at Forever 21.  Found these booties (only one pair left in my size), deeply discounted but decided to pass.

Also passed on these pretty blush-coloured glitter booties (even though they would have been $10).

 Shopping outfit.

Outfit deets:  DIY sweatshirt, Almost Famous jeans & Spring boots (rolled down).

 

 

What I did pick up: new studs for all the holes in my ears.

I almost bought this ombre-chiffon-maxi skirt (in the pink/purple) but decided not to...

 

 ...and it worked out because I decided to pop into Zara and they are having their semi-annual sale (woot!) and I scored a ton of stuff (haul video coming soon).

 Two of my Zara scores: blush pink top & army green utilitarian-style pants.