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.

EIGHTY-FOUR/ autumn '14 lust list

I can't believe it has been over a month since I've blogged. A lot is going on in my life right now so I haven't had the chance to actually document my outfits of the day and I haven't had a second to sit down and write a post. Truth be told, this summer is flying by right before my eyes. It seems as though I always have an excuse up my sleeve as to why I haven't updated, but believe me when I say that this summer has been hectic for me. Even my Instagram has been lacking in content. My life should be back on track by the end of August or for the arrival of autumn; I always look at a new season as a new start. Like always, I apologize for my absence and I will make an effort to keep updating this blog. I haven't given up yet, and I refuse to in the future.

As for right now - I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of autumn. It is by far my favourite season (for fashion and otherwise) and pictured below are items I'm currently lusting over for when the leaves change colour and start to fall. There's just something about leather goods and perfumes/colognes that seem to mesh so well with the colder months and shorter days, don't you think?

RED Valentino / Jeffrey Campbell 'Oriley' Booties / Balenciaga Paris / Chanel Chance / YSL L'Homme

* I understand that L'Homme by YSL's target audience is men (its called L'Homme for godsake), but that doesn't really mean anything - it smells intoxicating on all genders. I highly suggest you go and smell it if you haven't already, I'm positive you'll fall in love.

SEVENTY-FOUR/ spring '14 designer lust list

Although winter doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon - spring will be on its way before we know it. Here's a of a list of items that I'm totally lusting over for the upcoming season. I can't afford a single one of these items pictured, except maybe the beauty products, but it doesn't hurt to dream right? If I've said it once I've said it a million times - I have a fascination with designer items and it really doesn't look like that will be going away any time soon. So excuse me while I cry over the beauty in this post... I sincerely hope it inspires you as much as it did me.

I will be doing a clothing lust list soon. As you can probably tell every single one of the items on this post is an accessory. High end designers that make clothing for plus size women are few and far between (unless you have the money to dish out for custom pieces) but luckily a lot of plus size brands realize that we want quality on trend pieces as well. Lookout for that post sometime in the near future.

VERSACE white medusa duffle bag | BALENCIAGA buckle strap ankle boot | ANNA SUI lipstick in 'plum purple' | BALENCIAGA 'paris' perfume | MARC BY MARC JACOBS henry dinky 21mm watch | KATE SPADE large gold bracelet gramercy watch | MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN safety-pin key fob | ALEXANDER WANG black 'dumbo rocco' bag w matte black hardware | LAVIN 'love' two finger ring | SAINT LAURENT small tassel crossbody bag in gold | VERSACE gold and orange pendant necklace | CHANEL illusion d'ombre long wear luminous eye shadow in 'fantasme'

* This is in no way a sponsored post. All thoughts are my own / click through to be linked to the product information. (flower image)

SIXTY-SIX/ birthday and christmas lust list

This is a bit of a lust list for my birthday (December 16th - mark your calenders!) and Christmas. I just want to make it clear to all my close family and friends - I'm not begging for you to get me these items. All I want from you guys is to see you on or around my birthday and to maybe split a bottle of wine and a wheel of brie around Christmas time - okay? I'm just nosy and I LOVE seeing other blogger's wishlists, so I thought I should join in on the fun and make one of my own. I added the links to buy the items if you're interested in buying them for yourself or gifting them to a loved one.

1. Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM in Monogram Canvas 2. Kate Spade black cat silicone iPhone 5 case 3. H&M leopard print lint roller 4. Joe Fresh Matte Lipstick (any colour) 5. 'AM' by Arctic Monkeys (CD) 6. TOMS black canvas shoes 7. Kate Spade 2014 17-month agenda 8. 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' by Ned Vizzini 9. 'Reflektor' by Arcade Fire (CD) 10. Marc Jacobs 'Honey' perfume set
11.  KIPPAN Loveseat from Ikea