In a land far far away...

There is one thing I will never doubt: my favorite Vancouver house. I've named the peculiar cottage "Witch House". Every time I'm near and about to drive in front, I'm overexcited and will hold a conversation about the "Witch House" for possibly the next 45 minutes. This summer I have made a incredible discovery. Someone somewhere must have shared the same love for this mysterious house, as they decided to transformed/restaure a plain 1940s bungalow into "Witch House#2". We learned that the roof transformation alone cost over 200k$. Can you imagine? At the moment the house is uninhabited, so it gave me the chance to snap a couple close up photos before a multimillionaire Snow White moves in. What a future lucky lady...

Dress; Ann Young
Faux Fur Collar; Purchased long long time ago...
Flower Rhinestone Brooch; Purchased with the Faux Fur Collar
Fishnet Gloves; Dresso
Flower Hair Accessory; H&M
Blue Tight; La Maison Simons
Heels; Deena&Ozzy

Christmas Tag GiveAway Winner

Its Saturday! Very early Saturday morning! I couldn't wait to do my Giveaway Draw, so I compiled everyone's entries and printed out the names on little papers. I proceeded to pick a name out of the straw hat! Presto! The winner for my first Giveaway is Abigail from Ample Goodies! Congratulations!

We want to give an enormous Thank You to everyone who participated!

By The Sea

Don't Forget my  Christmas Giveaway Ending this Friday night (27th November) at midnight PST.

It didn't take me long for wanting to incorporate my new Ophelia Hats to my outfit. I'm getting more and more enthusiastic of becoming an amateur photographer, so I went by the Sea! It was a little windy and a little chilly!, but all in all, I enjoyed being around the beautiful scenery!

Red Hat/Hair Accessory; Ophelia Hats
Draped Shirt; Zara
Dress; Hawks
Tight; Urban Outfitter
Shoe: Deena & Ozzy

Hats and Hats

This week I had bookmarked many Vintage Hats on Etsy. I was still uncertain which one to add to my collection. After a review of this weeks favorites, I noticed a strong influence: definitely Woody Allen, New York! New York! A little Annie Hall, a little Alice perhaps!... but it was a stop to my favorite jewelry store that changed everything; once again in Loulou luv I fell in love! Created by one of my favorite chapeau and hair accessory makers, Ophelie Hats from Montreal, I have purchased a piece that will never age! A true classic with a twist of incredible originality! It will soon be part of a future outfit post! And for my bookmarks? Here I have decided to share them with you! Enjoy!

Cassis

I'm taking a tiny miniature break from the Outfit/Fashion post for 1 or 2 posts. Don't get me wrong, I think I enjoys them the most but I likes the blog variation and I'm trying to make sure that I do not derogate!

This morning inspiration came from a long time favorite. The blackcurrant is called in french "Cassis". I always have been sort of in love with this mini berry and at this time of the year, it seems that my interest for this flavor is suddenly growing. Maybe it is because the holiday spirit is finally showing itself: it brings back memories of being served a tiny portion of "Creme de Cassis" in a glass of 7up.

When I first introduced Blackcurrant to a friend they seemed to be resistant and their first impulse is to say "no, thanks". Of course, they always succumbs and once they do I know that the famous blackcurrant is deemed to disappear fast, very fast. They transforms everyone into a little ogre!

Under what form do I prefer my blackcurrant? Nothing extravagant, I love it under a simple form.

This month, I have daily enjoyed Blackcurrant Jam/Jelly. It seemed like a funny mix but the famous natural Peanut Butter + Jelly combination is "oh so" improved with Blackcurrant: it turns this snack into a delicious gourmandise. I also often choose the Ribena option. A little splash into Perrier, Pellegrino or Club Soda and here created is a perfect Italian Soda. Another wonderful product is the Blackcurrant Bracer tea by London Fruit&Herb Company. The sublime aroma of this tea will fill the room and force you to want to remake it over and over and over just so you can enjoy the smell! Bon Appétit!

Fringe and PomPom

Dont forget to enter my Holiday GiveAway!

Lovely Chloe From Butterfly Cupcake and Daffodils had tag me last week with One Lovely Blog Award and this week the Jolie Acullen from Chictopia, offered me a Chictopian Beautiful Blogger Award! One of my task was to shared some interests of mine / facts about me. So here is a compilation of random fact which also translate into my interests:

1. I am French, but I have never been to France. French Canadian it is: I only been speaking fluently English for 7 years.

2. I have wanted a little dog or cat for the longest time! I am only awaiting to find the perfect home for me and the little cutie!
3. I have worked in High End Salon for 9 years has receptionist then apprentice then hairdresser. I am now retired from this career path!
4. I have never been overseas! yet! only on the sea ;)
5. My favorite way to travel is by boat, Cruise. Even thought I love many many Cruise boat, my ultimate favorite is the Queen Mary 2. If I ever won the lottery you know where to find me.
6. As bad as it is, I'm addicted to TV reality.
7. I love dessert and baking, almost any kind, but that no secret!

I always love to see a little touch of bright color on a neutral outfit! Today I decided it was my turn. Then I added black suede fringe to my dress and a little wool pompom to my hair!

Dress: Urban Behavior
Boyfriend Blazer: Silence+Noise
Tight: Hue
Boot: Deena & Ozzy
Fringe Belt: Urban Outfitter
PomPom Hair Accessory: Handmade by me

GiveAway! GiveAway! GiveAway!

This Giveaway is now Closed.

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum! I'm so excited to finally present to you my first Giveaway Contest!

I feel truly delighted to receive great blog love from my readers and followers! Every comment and new follower is a little gift wrap with a pretty bow! Here is my way to say "Thank You!"

Up for grabs is an absolutely amazing set of Christmas Gift Tags with the artwork of Betty Anderson by Potter Style.

 

The box set include 50 Gift Tags in 5 different designs (double sided) and ribbon.
This item is brand new, not vintage.

To pique your interest, let me quote you the story printed by Potter Style on the back of the box:

"The designs featured on these gift tags are from a collection of vintage textile paintings that was discovered undated and signed by an unknow "Betty Anderson" in a beat-up box in an antique store. We learned that Betty was born in 1919 and lived in New York City for almost 30 years, where she worked as a commercial artist, textile designer, and children's book illustrator. Her versatility and success afforded her an uncommonly independent lifestyle. She never married, and in 1971 moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, to preserve her family's estate, an eighteenth-century farmhouse know as the Poet's House on the Goodenough Farmstead. When Betty passed away in 2006, some of her designs were inadvertently sold at auction and made their way into an antique shop, where they were rediscovered and brought back to New York City."



Here are the details:

-Your contest entry needs to be received before November 27th Midnight PST
-I will announce the winner of the draw on November 28th
-I accept international entries!

Here is how it work:

-Comment on this post to receive your first entry.
-Following my blog gives you 2 bonus entries.
-Tweet and link my giveaway to receive 1 bonus entry.
-Mention and link my giveaway on one of your blog post before November 25th to receive 2 bonus entries. -Include my "Coco Giveaway Banner" on your post and receive 5 more bonus entries!

To ensure that your additional bonus entries are included in the draw, leave a comment specifying the extra step you took. Also make sure that I have a way to contact you (Blog Address/Email)!

Good Luck!

-Coco

This Giveaway is now Closed.

My DYI Bow Tie

Since early summer I had wanted to buy one of the American Apparel bow tie but at $26CAD I felt the price was outrageous! Last weekend, I finally had enough courage to plug in the sewing machine and "Ta-da!" at $0CAD here is my new and perfect bow tie! It is even more to my taste than the one sold at AA. I just want to sew 1 million of them!

I had a lot of fun doing my hair up. Boyfriends are never the biggest fan of crazy up-do, so I rarely parade them. What can they expect from a ex-hairdresser!?

Blouse; Zara
Boyfriend Blazer; Silence+Noise
Jeans; BDG
Heels; Deena&Ozzy
Bow Tie; Handmade by me!
Bracelet; Precious shiny silver bangles: gift from mom. They are so special, they are all interlace with each other! + 3 mat silver bangles by Gap
Ring; Forget me Knot
NailPolish; OPI (A Grape Fit!)

Favorite Fall Accessory

If you have heard the gossip about my current hometown of Vancouver then I will not break news by saying that Fall/Winter/Spring there is rain, and then some and then more!

I will always remember my second winter in this town. I can recall that for the month of January it was constant rain for over 20 days, non-stop! I had never seen anything quite like it. It left me with no choice but to start shopping umbrellas! From then there were many: unpractical, broken and left behind companion. Until the day I found my Fulton! It might not be the most high fashion, but it fits in the smallest purse, is barely 145grams (including pocket sleeve) and is the strongest umbrella i have ever owned!

Today I stumbled on a collection they have put out by Designer Lulu Guinness (shown above). It came out over a year ago in the UK. I like the extra little froufrou without sacrificing the practicality!

Added feature: Fulton created semi protective pocket sleeve that do not cover up the beautiful frill of certain models. (shown on Fulton regular collection)

Last but not least, floral umbrella by Cath Kidston and Morris&Co

You can find a large selection of Fulton Umbrella in Canada at The Bay.

Riding To Canonbie

In my early 20s, in good collector spirit, I started to gather many treasures! One of the collections I have started building early on is Vintage Children Books! Okay.. maybe some are newer prints, but the fact is that they were illustrated years back! I always shared a passion for illustration and what a better place to find a book filled with them than in a childrens book!

I thought that it would be a great idea to post some of the beautiful inspirational images taken out of the book collection. I hope you will enjoy!

Book; Riding to Canonbie
Author and Illustrator; Cara Lockhart Smith
Year; 1972

Weekend 1°C and Glasses

Oh.. what is up with this frozen Autumn!? I'm surprised how cold it has been in Vancouver. Normally during the winter, the weather never flirt very long near Zero Degrees. It is not even winter yet and Vancouverites have already kissed a 1°C!

In this cold weather I had picked some shorts and tights... but it only took me minutes to switch into pants! I also loved how the pretty cardigan and shirt matched my Victorian inspired frame glasses. I normally never wear them out of the house... but today felt appropriate!

Short Sleeve Cardigan; H&M

Back Button Blouse; Lux UO
Jeans; Buffalo Jeans
Heels; Deena & Ozzy UO