Happy October! 🍁I’m excited to let you know that my newest book, “A Year of Beautiful Words: 52 Weeks of Intentional Living” is now available in eBook version on Amazon. You can find it by following the link in my bio. (The paperback version will follow shortly.) I was initially going to wait until January 1, but realized it’s the type of book you can pick up at any point during the year. Why not kick off this new month with a beautiful, seasonally inspired word? Here’s what’s in store:

“A Year of Beautiful Words is a thoughtful and inspiring guide that invites you to embrace each season with purpose, peace, and joy. Inside, you’ll find fifty-two uplifting words—one for every week of the year—designed to inspire and encourage you to live more mindfully over the course of twelve months. These words will guide you to reflect, grow, and thrive in harmony with the natural rhythms of the seasons. As you journey through the year, you’ll learn to savor the magic of the present moment and strengthen your connection to the world around you.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, motivation, or a deeper bond with the changing seasons, A Year of Beautiful Words will be your companion on the path to a more intentional, joyful, and fulfilling life.” 📕 

I’m so excited to announce that my new book, “Glow Up!- Sparkle at Any Age Inside and Out” is now available on Amazon in Kindle  and paperback format. It’s here just in time for some fabulous weekend reading!

Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store…

Are you in a bit of a slump? Are you feeling flat, stale, and exhausted from the inside out? Do you look in the mirror and struggle to see that vibrant, confident, self-assured woman you know lives inside you? Whether you are looking to make sweeping changes, or just want to tweak a few key areas of your life, Glow Up! is here to help.

Learn how to spark excitement in your life and ignite your inner and outer glow! This book is a light, fun, and energizing source of inspiration to guide you on your journey of personal transformation. It covers a wide range of topics including style, beauty, skincare, exercise, diet, confidence, motivation and more.

Your time to shine is now! ⭐️🤩 

I’m continuing along my sneak peek into the pages of my newest book, “Paris in my Panties: Live Your Best (French Inspired) Life”.

Chapter 23: Wear Cut-Offs à la Française

Since I live a rural lifestyle, denim represents the backbone of my wardrobe. As a result, I spent a lot of time analyzing the denim choices of Parisians during my latest trip. Jeans are really popular in Paris, which suited me perfectly! For the most part, I spotted wider-leg and straight-cut varieties (not many skinny jeans in sight). Although I noticed washes from dark to light, I didn’t see a lot of heavy distressing. I did, however, notice many women sporting rough-cut hems. I think it’s a great way to add an edge to your jeans without going over the top. 👖

If you swipe over to the next photo, you’ll see a snapshot I took of a Parisian woman wearing “cut-offs” that really caught my attention. I love the classic combination of black jeans and a white shirt. Doesn’t she look casual chic? The rough-cut hems add that bit of edge (as did her cigarette that isn’t shown in the photo!)😂

I had this pair of jeans set aside for tailoring (at 5”3” most of my bottoms need to be shortened). I decided to take a DIY approach and chop the hems off myself. I ran them through the wash a couple of times and they frayed perfectly. I didn’t stress about cutting them because I had purchased them second-hand on @poshmarkcanada for a fraction of the retail price. These are the Riley high-rise straight crop by Agolde. Of course, you can also buy jeans that come with frayed hems.👖❤️

Are you a fan of this look?

 

Fécilitations! Congratulations to my giveaway winner @carolineescuti. Please send me a DM with your address and I will pop your book and journal in the mail ASAP.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I’ll be sending out a newsletter very shortly, so please look out for it in your inbox. I’ve been toying with the idea of using my newsletter more often as a means of communication, as opposed to relying solely on social media. My loose plan is to send them out once a month. (If you are like me, you too might crave a break from social media now and then!)

Happy Thursday!

If you read my book “Preloved Chic”, you might remember that I’ve had a navy blue Equipment cashmere turtleneck on my wish list for over a year. Well, the stars finally aligned and I found my coveted piece on eBay recently. It’s in pristine used condition and I picked it up for about 20% of the retail price. When it comes to shopping secondhand, patience is key! That special item on your list will eventually turn up ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is the perfect addition to my fall wardrobe and I’m looking forward to wearing it if I can get Junior to give it back. (It makes a snuggly blanky as well). What are you treasure hunting for these days? If I spot the item on your list I’ll be sure to let you know!

⭐️⭐️ GIVEAWAY ⭐️⭐️ It’s time for another little giveaway!

Today I’m giving away a copy of my new book “Paris in my Panties”, along with a pretty, matching journal. (As a side note, I sell matching journals to all my books on Redbubble. There is a link in my profile that will direct you to my Redbubble shop.)

In order to enter please:

1) Leave a comment on this post just to say "hi!"

2) Sign up for my newsletter by clicking here and following the menu

If you are already a member of my newsletter list, then all you need to do is leave a comment and let me know you are previously signed up.

I will draw the winner on Thursday, July 28th at 8am ADT. One entry per person and open to all countries. Good luck! 🇫🇷❤️

Bonjour mes amies!⁣
⁣
I'm so excited to announce the release of my new book, 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨. (Yes, you heard that right...my panties! ) If you are a lover of all things French as I am, then this is the book for you. It's currently available in Kindle format on Amazon, and the paperback will be out shortly.⁣
⁣
Although this book was inspired by my recent trip to Paris, it draws on my experiences travelling in France over the last couple of decades. It represents a compilation of my musings on how to live your best life, with a French twist (bien sûr). Writing it was my attempt to capture the essence of Paris and bring it home in my suitcase. I wanted to find a way to live a French inspired life, even though my roots are firmly planted in Canadian soil!⁣
⁣
Do you share in my desire to Frenchify all aspects of your life? If so, jet off to Paris with me! Learn how to invite a sense of joie de vivre into your everyday by embracing beauty, wonder, mystique, lightheartedness, style, simplicity, romance, history, culture, art, connection, fabulous food, and a joyful attitude.⁣
⁣
𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 will spark a sense of enthusiasm in you and inspire you to carry a piece of Paris in your heart (and panties!) wherever you go!⁣
⁣
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Today I’m sharing one of my summer wardrobe additions. I picked up these fun little sandals on @poshmarkcanada back in the spring. I used one of my favorite second-hand shopping techniques from my book, “Preloved Chic”. I purchased a duplicate! I already own these sandals in tan, (they are the Sol Sana Teresa slide) so I knew with certainty the style and size would fit my foot. Many preloved shopping sites don’t allow returns, so you really do have to be careful when making purchase decisions.

Have you made any preloved additions to your wardrobe lately? 

Another sneak peek into my book, “Seashells in my Pocket”.

CHAPTER 6: EMBRACE BEACH CHIC STYLE

When I think of beach style, I think easy and natural. That’s why I’m such a fan of linen. I wore this the other day when the weather was less than beachy (i.e. cold and foggy). I felt summer casual, even though the weather wasn’t cooperating.

What is the focus of your summer wardrobe?

Are you looking for a light, easy and uplifting read this summer? My books make the perfect addition to your summer reading list! ☀️📚. They are all available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions 🌸

 

 

I have a new book coming out in a couple of weeks! It might just be my favorite one so far. I’m super excited to get it wrapped up and ready to go. I’m just going through the final edit right now.

Here is a sneak peek of some of the artwork by my talented friend @flourishellis . She’s always there to bring my ideas to life. Thank you/Merci Elli! 🎨👩‍🎨

Another sneak peek into my book, “Seashells in my Pocket”.

CHAPTER 20: BUY SOME BEACH IN A BOTTLE

Do you switch your perfume with the seasons? I do! My everyday summer perfume is “Vahina” by @sylvainedelacourte. They describe it as “a nectar of fruity vanilla flowers lit by the radiance of mandarin.” It smells even more delicious than it sounds!

I also wear “Prodigieux” now and then by Nuxe. If you are a fan of their iconic “huile prodigeuse”, this is basically that scent in an eau de parfum form. I was surprised to see this on sale at my local pharmacy in Canada, so I could not resist picking it up.

What’s your favorite summer fragrance?

 

Today I’m continuing along with a sneak peek into my book, “Seashells in my Pocket”.

CHAPTER 28: WELCOME MORE WHITE

I believe that scientifically speaking, white represents a combination of all colors of the spectrum. Regardless of what the physicists say, I view it as a color all its own. White gives off a clean, easy vibe that is reminiscent of a cool sea breeze.

I just dug this shirt dress out of storage, washed it and hung it on the line. I’m excited to wear it again, now that the warmer temperatures have finally arrived. My son (the one who always hands out unsolicited fashion advice) hates it. He thinks I’m walking around with half my outfit missing—just a shirt with no pants. Regardless, I love it and it definitely helps me live the beach inspired life of my dreams.

Do you wear a lot of white clothes? I know they are hard to keep clean, but the crisp cool look is worth the effort.

I was chatting with one of my friends the other day about my new book, “Seashells in my Pocket” and she said, “I can’t wait to read it. I can’t imagine what you put in there!”

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to provide a sneak peak of a few of the ideas I’ve sprinkled throughout the book. None of these are “ground breaking” in nature. Often we already have these ideas in the back of our minds, and we just need a gentle reminder, or a small dose of inspiration to put them into action.

CHAPTER 18: WEAR PEARLS

Pearls have long been considered the Ocean’s gems. They add a beachy vibe to any outfit. You can go with classic styles, or keep it casual. There are so many beautiful options to choose from. Because of my lifestyle, I tend to gravitate to the more casual varieties. Here is a peek at my summer jewelry collection. I’ve been making a point to add one of these pieces to every outfit. I recently admired a very bold necklace over at @hostessofthehumblebungalow. She has a true statement pearl necklace and uses the term “pearls on steroids” to describe it. LOVE!

Summer is here and it’s time to dig out those pearls!

I’m excited to announce the release of my new book, 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵: 50 𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦. It’s currently available on Amazon in Kindle format. The paperback won’t be ready for another couple of weeks.⁣
⁣
This one is a short and petite “pocket book”. It is meant to serve as a quick dose of inspiration whenever you crave a bit of beachy goodness (and who doesn’t!) It's the type of book you can snuggle up with on the couch (or beach blanket) and read in one sitting, or pick just one chapter over a cup of tea.⁣
⁣
Here’s a taste of what it’s all about: ⁣
⁣
The beach is a mysterious, transformative, peaceful and intriguing environment that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Whether you live near the ocean, visit it occasionally, or have never stepped foot on its sandy shores, living a beach inspired life elevates the experience of the everyday. This book will inspire you to slow down and tune in to the wise words of wisdom the beach has to offer. ⁣
⁣
Infusing your life with the essence of the beach is really about seeking more of what we instinctively crave and thrive on—simplicity, peace, tranquility, freedom, connection, self-care, adventure, nature and fresh air. ⁣
⁣
𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 will help you hunt down the hidden seashells life has to offer and sprinkle each day with a dash of beach magic! ⁣
⁣
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! 🐚☀👙🌊🕶⁣
xo 𝒥𝑒𝓃𝓃𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓇⁣

I'm so excited to announce the release of my new book, Preloved Chic: Stylish Secrets to Elevate Your Wardrobe With Second-Hand Fashion. It is currently available in Kindle format on Amazon and the paperback will be out shortly!⁣
⁣
Spring is in the air here in Nova Scotia. (If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and autumn is on your doorstep…enjoy! It’s my favorite time of year!) Many of us get an itch to update and refresh our wardrobes as the seasons transition. Instead of hitting repeat on your regular shopping habits, why not rethink your approach this year? Preloved Chic is here to help you build a wardrobe that is stylish, unique, budget-friendly and sustainable. It almost sounds too good to be true!⁣
⁣
The preloved fashion scene is taking the world by storm, and for good reason. Today’s conscious and savvy consumers are seeking out ways to both stretch their dollars, and consume more sustainably. Second-hand shopping ticks both these boxes.⁣
⁣
Are you curious about getting in on the action, but feel intimidated and overwhelmed? Maybe you’ve dabbled in preloved shopping, but are looking to expand your skills and hone your hunting techniques. Building a fantastic wardrobe with second-hand fashion is accessible to everyone, no matter your level of experience with fashion resale. I wrote this book from the perspective of an everyday woman (me). Although I don’t consider myself a fashionista, over the years I’ve developed a set of tools and strategies that have helped me achieve success on the second-hand market. I’m excited to share my stylish secrets with you

Are you as big a fan of denim as I am? Once the cooler temperatures hit this fall, jeans will form the base of my outfits each day. I live a very casual lifestyle and spend a lot of time outdoors, so jeans suit me perfectly. I like pairing my denim with something a little dressier on top such as a cashmere sweater or silk blouse.

This fall I have five pairs of jeans slotted into my wardrobe. They are all exactly the same style and exactly the same size! I’m a creature of habit. Once I find something I really like, I stick with it. My “inventory” includes: dark indigo wash, two lightly distressed dark blue, washed black and grey.

My jeans are the Citizens of Humanity Rocket Crop. (I refuse to believe or care that skinny jeans are apparently no longer in style. They look good on my frame, and that’s all that matters) I’ve learned that their crop length is actually the perfect full-sized length on my 5’3” frame. This means I don’t have to spend extra on tailoring. If you know this brand, you are probably aware of how pricey they jeans are at full retail. ($250+)

I always buy my jeans on the second-hand market. This allows me to get the quality pieces I want for a fraction of the price. The trick to my success is knowing EXACTLY what I’m looking for. Because I know this style and size fits me perfectly, buying them on Ebay or Poshmark is pretty much risk free. I recently tore a huge hole in the seat of my distressed pair, and in 5 minutes I found myself a replacement for $45 on @poshmark

So, my tip today on buying second hand is knowing your brand, size and style. If you know these specifics, you can usually find what you are looking for. It may take a few months (or years in certain cases), but that special item will eventually turn up on the preloved market. This is such a fun and effective way to elevate your style!

Do you buy styles in multiples as well? Have you looked for multiples on the preloved market? If you already have a size/style/brand in your closet that you adore, buying another second hand can be a slam dunk.

PS – Junior peed on my jeans right after this photo was taken. Always the helper…. 

 

Fall is just around the corner, so I figured this month would be the perfect time to offer a giveaway of my book, 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦. I’m offering a whopping 100 free copies of the eBook version on Goodreads!⁣
⁣
I wanted to create some excitement around the topic of personal style, as the change in season offers a great opportunity to shake things up! I’m also a big believer in intentional shopping, so putting some thought into your wardrobe ahead of time allows you to plan and budget any purchases you intend to make. ⁣
⁣
Although I wrote this book just last summer, it was really ten years in the making. Back in my mid-thirties, I hit a style and identity crisis. I was a stay-at-home mom to two busy toddlers, and felt like I was drowning under the weight of motherhood. I was putting almost zero effort into my personal appearance, and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. I knew drastic measures were in order, but I didn’t know where to begin. The idea of being a stylish, poised and pulled-together woman felt out of reach and inaccessible.⁣
⁣
I set off on a journey to elevate my personal style and improve my sense of self-worth. This book details the steps of my journey, and all the things I learned along the way. (It also reveals my many mistakes and embarrassing moments!) I felt that sharing my story was important, because I suspect many women feel, or have felt, the same way. As an “everyday woman”, I thought that others might find my realistic and relatable perspective helpful, comforting and inspiring.⁣
⁣
No matter where you stand on your own personal style journey, I think my book offers motivating and empowering ideas to help you along the way.⁣
⁣
First off, this giveaway is only open to residents of the US. (Sorry, this part was out of my control!!) In order to sign up, you will need to create a Goodreads account if you don’t already have one. From there, you can just click here to enter!
⁣


I hope you will join me on a personal style journey! Good luck!

Junior is my little helper today. (He might be at his absolute peak of cuteness right now at 6 months old). Like any true accountant, I’m taking part in my own little version of an inventory count. I recently started sorting through my fall clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wishing summer away! I just want to have a good handle on what I currently own and what pieces I might be looking to add to my wardrobe when the cold weather hits. I think it’s wise to head into a new season with a solid list of what you own and a plan/budget for items on your wish list. When the new fall styles hit the stores, it will be easier to resist temptation and shop intentionally. ⁣
⁣
What I’ve determined is that I’m in very good shape!! I’m looking for two things in particular. I want to add a navy leather belt to my stash of accessories. I’m also looking to replace my black cashmere turtleneck as it’s looking really tired. I’m a big fan of the Oscar style by Equipment, but sadly they discontinued it!!!! After reading a wonderful blog post by @themomedit titled “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳: 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘳…” I’m convinced I need to source another Oscar style on the second-hand market (at a discounted price). If you are in the market for a black turtleneck yourself, I suggest you find her post dated February 6, 2020. It’s so thorough and helpful and is exactly the kind of analysis the accountant in me LOVES! ⁣
⁣
What’s on your wish list for the upcoming season? Have you started your own inventory count or am I the only one?

It’s pouring rain here today! I cozied myself up this morning and listened to a really great, though-provoking podcast by @consciouschatter that I need to recommend!! It features an interview with @msbeltempo (I’m such a big fan of Alyssa!)⁣
⁣
I loved the discussion around creativity over consumption. It’s a concept I’ve had on my mind lately, as I have been applying it to my writing. Lately I’ve been inspired to create (write) instead of read/scroll (consume). I often flip between create and consume, depending on my mood and mindset.⁣
⁣
Alyssa explains how to apply creativity over consumption to your closet. I just love all her tips! She is the master of shopping your closet. It’s about being creative, looking for new options, changing how you view your closet, and appreciating what you have instead of pining for the next shiny thing on the market. ⁣
⁣
The discussions tie in nicely with a few chapters on my book, 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦. In particular, chapters 7, 8, 9 focus on these concepts. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘷𝘺 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳, 𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵 𝘢 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸-𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴. Alyssa has inspired me a lot over the last couple of years, and has definitely impacted how I view my closet, as well as the shopping experience.⁣
⁣
I think August is a great time to just sit back and ponder these types of thoughts, because before we know it, “fall fashion” will hit the stores. It’s nice to go into a new season with a plan, budget, proper mindset and a sense of gratitude for what you already own.⁣
⁣
Even if it’s not raining where you are, today is a great day to sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy this podcast. The link is in @consciouschatter ‘s bio! Let me know what you think once you check it out.