holiday looks

Look #1: Shirt - T.Babaton; Skirt - Wilfred; Clutch - House of Harlow 1960; Booties - KORS Michael Kors

Look #2: Blazer - Wilfred; Dress - T.Babaton; Clutch - Monserat De Lucca; Heels - Sam Edelman

With the holidays around the corner, it's time to think about outfits. What to wear for a dinner out with friends or an office party? Well, I've rounded up some festive pieces from Aritzia (using one base colour) which can easily be worn with other items from your closet for a whole new look (and party outfit).

it's cold outside...

Although I love my coffee (hello, Starbucks!), I do enjoy a nice cup of tea, especially when the temperature drops. Nothing seems more appealing to me then curling up on the couch with a good book while sipping delicious sweet tea as the snow falls outside... David's Tea, in my opinion, is the best place to find your perfect tea because they carry a wide variety of flavors, from black tea to mate, which can satisfy any taste buds. Here are some of my favorite teas from David's and be sure to check out their website!

{image via: millajasmin}

holiday gifts < $100 - designer

1. Kate Spade New York - Sprinkles Mini Nail Polish Set, $28.

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs - Take Me Embo Lizzie Dots Key Pouch, $68.

3. Coach - Legacy Ocelot Print Large Wrislet, $98.

4. Tory Burch - Garnet Soft iPhone 4 Case, $48.

5. Tom Ford - Nail Lacquer in Bordeaux Lust, $30.

6. See by Chloe - Snake Keychain, $80.

7. Michael Kors - Large Slice Ring in Tortoise, $85.

bright fall ahead

1. Cashmere sweater - Dear Cashmere; 2. Jeggings - MICHAEL Michael Kors;  3. Skull print scarf - Topshop; 4. Watch - Michael Kors; 5. Loafers - Gap 

Even with summer still in full swing, I can't help but feel as if it is coming to an end (what with school starting in a week).  And so, with the ending of summer means the beginning of fall, my second favorite season.  I simply love wearing sweaters and scarves without the need of a coat.  This outfit is perfect for running errands or shopping during slightly chilly days and can easily be switched with a different coloured sweater for a new look.  Here are a few other colours that I am dying to try:    

1. Celtic Green sweater - Lord & Taylor; 2. Royal Blue sweater - J.Crew; 3. Purple sweater - Acne

music muse - fall for you

Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade

sparkles, neon and dots

1. Silk shirt - Club Monaco; 2. Dotted Skinny Jeans - Current/Elliott; 3. Sparkled booties - Aldo; 4. Stone neon necklace - Zara; 5. Folded clutch - Vince Camuto

Small details, such as the subtle print on the jeans, the neon necklace and the glittered boots, make this otherwise ordinary combo of shirt, jeans and booties so much more glamorous.  This combo is definetly something to experiment with during the fall (especially the colored denim... swoon).  Who says you can<t wear light colours during fall?

want or get - neon bag

Want - Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Chain Wallet Leather
Get - Miss Shop Tab Front Cross Body Bag

When shopping, there's nothing better than scoring an amazing designer bag for a fraction of it's original price.  Especially if it's a classic (Marc Jacobs' Classic Q Hillier Hobo bag, anyone?).  But when it comes to trendy pieces, like neon bags, why go for the designer when you can get a similar one for much cheaper (unless the designer bag is on sale and you can figure out a way to make it work with your outfits for the rest of your life).  Personally, I prefer saving money when purchasing items that are "in" and then splurging on those that will last me a lifetime (although, I do love this Proenza bag...).

bedroom inspiration

When it comes to decorating a bedroom, I believe light and open is the best way to go.  Not only does it give endless decor possibilities but it gives the room an inviting feel to it (and let's not forget comforting).  Very beachy.  Well, maybe it's the girl-who-wishes-to-live-by-the-sea speaking for me...

{images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

seeing spots

J.Crew Cashmere Polka-Dot Sweater + Paul & Joe Sister Short Sleeve Sweater

Even with summer still in full swing, I couldn't help but admire the lovely sweaters by some of my favorite brands.  What really caught my eye were the ones with polka-dots.  I love how they are playful and fun but are not childish due to the muted colors.  I cannot wait to get my hands on one of these, especially the J.Crew Tippi Sweater...

Free People Dot Keyhole Sweater + J.Crew Tippi Sweater in Polka-Dot

dark chocolate blueberry muffins

Muffins are my life.  Okay, maybe not, but they are pretty delicious.  Especially when made properly.  And these from How Sweet It Is are simply amazing.  Dark chocolate and blueberries?  Together?  Genius.  The combined taste of the sweet fruit and the bitter dark chocolate is irrisistable.  With the added health benefits, such as whole-wheat pastry flour, dark chocolate and barely any butter, who could ask for more?  Follow this recipe in order to make these and be eternaly happy.

{image via: How Sweet It Is}

white watercolours

1. Watercolour Camisole - Topshop; Denim cut-offs - Citizens of Humanity; 3. Bracelet - Forever21; 4. Quilted Purse - Kate Spade; 5. Strappy Sandals - Ancient Greek; 6. Sunnies - Oliver Peoples 

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I love cut-off shorts.  I love them even more when paired with a delicate camisole and a classic purse.  These two items (along with the oversized sunnies) make the look seem more polished while the strappy sandals keep things from being "over the top".  Basically, this is my go-to summer outfit.

discovered - ciaté caviar manicure

Rainbow: Nail polish - Starwberry Milkshake; Caviar Pearls - Rainbow

While browsing my local Sephora, I came across Ciaté's Caviar Manicure sets.  These luxurious combos are sold in three different shades and come with two polishes, one being the base coat and the other being the small pearls (also known as the "caviar"). I absolutely love the idea of putting small pearls on your nails (so haute couture, non?) and can't wait to get my own.  At 28 dollars a pop, you can't go wrong.

Mother of Pearl: Nail polish - Snow Virgin; Caviar Pearls - Mother of Pearl

Black Pearls: Nail polish - Ghetto Fabulous; Caviar Pearls - Black Pearls

what i've been up to

Summer has been very much enjoyable for me so far.  With the constant sunlight and the warmth, I couldn't be any happier.  Here's what I've been up to:

1. Catching up on my reading (I had twenty books that I wanted to read; I'm now down to 10)
2. Lounging by the pool with friends
3. Seeing Simple Plan on Canada Day (and having Chuck blow kisses at me)
4. Watching baseball games (my guilty pleasure)
5. Enjoying the new Starbucks Refreshers
6. Wishing I could be by the sea...
7. And lots more!

What have you been doing this summer?

{image via: rosstralia}

music muse - summer paradise

Summer Paradise - Simple Plan

let's talk about eyes

Eyeshadows (left to right, top to bottom): 1. bareMinerals Eyecolor; 2 & 3. Urban Decay Eyeshadow; 4-9. Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow; 10. Stila Eyeshadow; 11. Laura Mercier Eye Colour; 12-15. Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow; 16. Lorac Eyeshadow; Eyeshadow brush: Chanel Large Eyeshadow Brush #25; Highlighter: Smashbox Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener; Mascara: Diorshow Mascara

Now, to warn you, I do not wear all of these colours at once; that would be horrible (although, they do seem to go together, but still). And I don't have all sixteen shades in my makeup bag because it would simply be too hectic trying to find what I want in the morning (I usually have four to five, sometimes six). So to say, whenever I run out of a shade, I treat myself to another one. Basically, this is my day to day eye makeup and I love every single one of these items, especially the brush - can't forget the brush. Anyways, I mix two shades together and when I feel adventurous, I'll mix three (I know, I'm a dare devil).  Oh, and can't you tell I love neutral/light tones? I think we can safely say that I'm obsessed...

lemon ricotta pancakes

To set the record straight, I am not someone who copies what other people do - or post, in this case - but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. And I wouldn't call it copying, just spreading around the deliciousness that are these Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. The recipe was posted a while back (try 2010) by one of my favorite bloggers, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere. I can't believe I waited this long to blog about them! Okay, okay, to be fair, I didn't have a blog back then... You can whip up these amazing pancakes by following this recipe!

{image via: Cupcakes and Cashmere}

newest addition

GAP 1969 Lightweight Always Skinny Skimmer Jeans

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To be honest, I've never owned a pair of coloured jeans. The closest I've ever had were beige, but that doesn't count... Anyways, I picked these up today at Gap and can't help but admire their perfection; they are the perfect length, colour, style and fit for my first pair of coloured jeans. And might I add that I got them 30% off... I cannot wait to find creative ways to incorporate these lovelies into my daily wardrobe. Maybe a green belt would be nice with them... Who knows?

perfect shades of pale pink

1. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Evasion; 2. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Nylon Nude; 3. Dior Addict Lipstick in Miss Dior; 4. Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color in Beige Gold; 5. Nars Lipstick in Mayflower; 6. Lancôme L'Absolu Nu Replenishing and Enhancing Lip Color in Pale Petal

music muse - marry me

Marry Me - Train

capes + cut-offs = perfection

1. Cape style hoodie - Wilfred; 2. Striped tee - JCrew; 3. Demin cut-offs - KSUBI; 4. Leather booties - Rag & Bone; 5. Bucket bag - StyleSofia; 6. Necklace - Made; 7. Tights - DKNY

P
P.S.: Don't forget thick knitted socks!

get your heart on!

David, Pierre and Sébastien, during their final song. Not seen in the picture: Chuck and Jeff

W

Wow. I am a terrible blogger. I posted my first post a week or so ago promising that I would update often. And now look, my first post in a week... I really am terrible. Sorry.

On the bright side, last night I attended a concert, but not just any concert. Oh no, I attended a Simple Plan concert from their Get Your Heart On Tour! It was by far their best concert yet (and honestly, the best concert I've ever seen). They played most of their old school SP songs (I'm Just A Kid, anyone?) including their newer songs. All in all, with All Time Low and Mariannas Trench as opening acts (and let's not forget Pierre Bouvier), the show was phenominal. Simple Plan really know how to keep their fans moving and I can't believe I've been following them for 10 years... Time really flies by.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention how Pierre Bouvier's voice was as beautiful as ever... But when he speaks french, it's to die for. I don't think I've screamed so much in my life.

welcome, welcome!

Hello, blogging world!

Welcome to my new blog, la mademoiselle en noir! I am just a girl who loves fashion, food, decorating, travelling (although I've barely left my country) and dreams of living by the sea... I also have a slight (okay, major) obsession with Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Starbucks. And did I mention I love life?

Now that my small "about me" is aside, I am pretty certain you can figure out what my blog is about... If not, you'll find lots of posts about fashion, beauty, food, decorating... and Chanel.

I'll try to update as much as I can!