FALL / WINTER 2016 PLUS SIZE OUTERWEAR WISH LIST

One of the most interesting things about living in Canada is that we really get to experience every season. It's a bittersweet thing, really. It means that you always have to be prepared. It means that having key seasonal pieces (like a winter coat) is essential for combating the elements and trust me when I say that it can extremely hard to find nice plus size outerwear options. When I was younger all that I had available to me were hideous ski coats that really didn't fit my personality or showoff my personal style. There are definitely more options to chose from now and I'm thrilled about that. My plus size outerwear picks for this season range from lightweight to heavy parka and I think there's something in this list for everyone.

137/ GREY DAYS

Grey skies are going to clear up, put on a happy face.

My life lately has been a series of grey days, with some sunshine thrown into the mix. I mean that both literally and figuratively. I won't go too much into detail so you're more than welcome to take that statement however you'd like.

This will come as no surprise but the one thing that I can always go back to make me happy is fashion. Shopping in particular has the ability to bring about a sort of euphoric feeling in me. I always feel ridiculous and superficial when I say that, but everyone has their vices. Sales in particular are my guilty pleasure; if I've said it once, I've said it a million times - there's nothing I love more than finding a great deal.

Patience is a virtue, though. I've been eyeing this coat for what seems like centuries now and I've checked up on it in store more than I'd care to admit. The original price tag was a hefty $120 and although I have a great love for this piece, I wasn't about to drop that kind of money at a store like H&M. #sorrynotsorry

So I waited it out. For months. You know what they say, the first markdown is the hardest. I almost pounced on it at that moment but I'm glad I held out. It ended up coming home with me after a grueling couple of months but I only paid $35 for it. It was well worth the wait.

This grey coat is definitely my favourite piece in my closet right now. I love the way it fits and I adore the way it makes me feel when I wear it. I feel as though I can take over the world as long as its on my back. Kind of like a Superman cape of sorts.

COAT/ H&M+ SCARF/ Forever 21 JEANS/ Forever 21+ 

BOOTIES/ Ann Marino BAG/ Madewell et Sezane (via consignment)
WATCH/ Seiko

Photos by Laura Kidd

ONE HUNDRED & EIGHT/ crossing over to coach

I never, in a million years, thought that I would have to sit down and write this post. Coach is a fairly controversial brand in many fashion circles and everybody that I meet seems to have a strong opinion on it in one way or another. I will admit to being one of those people who used to detest it. The streets of my hometown, Ottawa, is littered with their monogram bags; it is simply impossible to escape them.

The amount of hatred that I once harbored toward Coach was wee bit obnoxious and I now see the error in my ways. When the brand first started out in the 1940's they made the most beautiful leather pieces and I still long for a great beaten in leather vintage piece from the handbag giant. My admiration for the brand started to drop off when their monogram bags started to become their main attraction. Their monogram pieces attract a lot of people but they are definitely not my desired taste.

Coach has been SHOCKING me recently. I've discussed this with a handful of people and no one really knows what to say about this topic. What we used to view as a relatively boring and lifeless brand has done a complete 180 and I believe that can all be attributed to their new(ish) creative director, Stuart Vevers. He really took a struggling fashion house and rebranded it to something great. I admit that it is a bit edgier and younger than their previous lookbooks, so it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I. am. smitten.

Am I a hypocrite for falling for a brand that I once hated? Probably, but I like to think that it means that I just have an open mind. Was I way out of line for not giving them a chance for so many years? Maybe, but I'm really super excited with what they're doing lately. I can't wait to see their upcoming seasons and I'm eager to see how the brand is going to progress from here. Are there any brands that you can't seem to connect with in any way? I'd love to know what you all think.

Here are some pieces from their Spring 2015 collection that I could totally see myself wearing and that are currently on my lust list:

BASEMAN X COACH 'wild beast short peacoat' and 'buster le fauve reversible leather jacket'

'fluff jacket', 'fluff coversize coat', 'swagger carryall', 'PRARIE zip wristlet in ocelot print'

All thoughts are 100% my own. This post is not sponsored in any way, shape or form.

ONE HUNRED & SIX/ faux

When this coat first came into my possession I vowed never to take it off. I wore it day after day, and then the seasons changed. The temperatures plummeted and it became too cold to wear my favourite coat. It was eventually tossed into the back of a closet and pushed to the back of my mind. I would have forgot that I owned it completely if I hadn't stumbled across an old picture of me wearing it.

It is still a bit too cold for me to justify bringing this coat back into heavy rotation but it was pretty nice out today so I thought "the hell with it!" and I just went for it. Yes, I was shivering but I looked fabulous while doing so.

I paired the faux fur trim jacket with all black everything else and my Balenciaga Part-Time handbag for a preppy, timeless, Blair Waldorf-esque vibe.

COAT/ Jones New York LEGGINGS/ American Apparel

SHOES/ Dr. Martens HANDBAG/ Balenciaga

Photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi

Older post ft this coat

ONE HUNDRED & ONE/ dear winter, i'm over you

Is anyone else sick of winter? Living in Ottawa has been absolute torture this past month. Our weather has reached constant lows of -20 to -30°C (-4 to -22°F) with the windchill and I don't know how much more I can take of it. I'm sick of wearing the same coat every day, I'm hate seeing my winter boots and even thinking about my daily frantic search for my toque and gloves makes me sick. Winter used to be my favourite season but I find myself hating it more and more each day. The clothes that you'll find me wearing lately aren't the most stylish but as someone who lives in this climate and takes public transit - they're necessary.

I find myself adding different patterned or textured scarves to this basic ensemble to breathe some more life and interest into it. So far it's working but I would give almost anything for a (relatively) warm and sunny day. I'm not asking for a miracle, but anything above a -15°C would put a smile back on my face.

COAT/ Love & Legend (Addition Elle) JEANS/ Forever 21+ SCARF/ via consignment
BOOTS/ Blundstones HANDBAG/ Longchamp (via consignment)

Photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi

NINETY-SIX/ winter wear

The temperature in Ottawa is finally dipping below zero and I'm one of the weird ones who actually enjoys it. I'll probably regret saying that when January/February rolls around but for now I'm loving the cold. 

This coat is virtually ancient and I've actually replaced it with a newer model *wipes away tear*. We've had some good times together and it's help me battle through the coldest of winter days but it has rips in the lining and I'm not sure if it will last the entire season. The new coat I bought is virtually the same, just with minor differences. I'm sure I'll introduce it on the blog sooner or later. For now this jacket is reserved for warmer winter days and whenever I feel like taking a trip down memory lane.

I can't get enough of my Nike Roshe Runs. I know I'm going to have to trade these in for a pair of winter boots once the snow comes but I'll wear them every second I can until then.

SUNGLASSES/ Aldo SCARF/ Burberry COAT/ Addition Elle

JEANS/ Forever 21+ BAG/ Zara SHOES/ Nike 

Bag and scarf were purchased via consignment
Photos by Suzanne Waugh