Holiday Gift Ideas + Daniel Wellington Discount Code

Happy Saturday Noobs!  I'm lazily enjoying the morning, browsing the remnants of Black Friday sales and starting to draft my Christmas shopping list.  I don't know about you, but I always get a bit stressed out around this time trying to think of the perfect gift for my loved ones.  That feeling of seeing someone you care abouts face light up when they open your gift is intoxicating, and I try to tailor my shopping list so I get that reaction every time.

This year because I've enjoyed my Daniel Wellington watch so much, and because I keep on getting compliments whenever I wear it, my Christmas shopping is easy because it's watches for everyone!  In all honestly, I've been really impressed with the quality of these watches, as well as the comfort - I can wear my watch all day at work without it becoming irritating, and it fits my petite wrist perfectly!

Daniel Wellington has been super generous and has offered a special Holiday discount code for all of you - just put in Holiday_lapetitenoob to receive 15% off your entire purchase!  They also offer free worldwide shipping, so as a Canadian gal I particularly appreciate that.

What's on your Christmas to-do list?

Have a great weekend!

xo Joëlle

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OOTD - Topshop Grey Tunic

Okay, I give up - just when I think I have this crazy Canadian weather figured out, Mother Nature throws me a curve ball.  We had a chilly few days in Toronto, coupled with some pretty serious snow, so I figured that Winter had made an early appearance.  The last few days have been on the milder side and, not that I'm complaining, it has left me scratching my head.  I took this opportunity to wear one of my favourite textured grey tunics worn as a dress - one of the benefits of being 5 foot nothing!  Add some polka dot tights and I'm good to go, treating lightly and ready for whatever else Mother Nature has in store for us.

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30 Before 30 Update - Dinner Party a Success!

Happy Tuesday, Noobs!  I'm happy to report that I have checked another task off of my 30 before 30 list; this past weekend I hosted my very first dinner party! The guest list was a little ambitious for my first time - 9 people including myself.  I'm going to be honest, I was kicking myself as I was trying desperately to get the food, drink and apartment ready for all of my friends the morning of - 'why did I invite so many people', I kept on thinking.  In the end though, I had so much fun that I wish I could have included more friends!

The biggest lesson that I learned through this whole experience is the power of planning.  I'm definitely not a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants type of gal, but planning enough food and drink for a crowd took some serious organization.  The best thing that I did was to take an hour to analyze all of my recipes, write out a menu, draft a complete grocery list and do just one full grocery shop the day before the dinner party.  By planning and executing things early, I had enough time to run out and get any items that I may had forgotten.  Another organizational trick I found helpful when planning a dinner party was to prepare as many dishes in advance as I could.  I made one of the two mains, plus the dessert the Friday evening before the dinner party and was so glad that I did.

Were there things that I would have done differently?  Definitely.  I learned that preparing a dish while the party is going on is not the best way to go about things. I thought I was making things easier by pre-chopping all ingredients for the dish, but the fact that I had to leave the party to prepare food was a huge bummer - plus I felt like I was invading the guests who were hanging out in the kitchen (because let's face it, everyone always seems to congregate around the kitchen at parties.) I was also having so much fun that I forgot to take any photos - such a Noob!  Other than those small things, I wouldn't have changed a thing and can't wait until I can host another dinner party!

I wanted to give a quick shout out to fellow bloggers Kristiana from Love Loft Life and Cassandra from the Cassandra Monroe Lifestyle Blog for giving me some pretty incredible tips and tricks.  These ladies are some of my favourites for recipes, D.I.Y and just general awesomeness so I encourage you to check them out.

Another task off of the 30 before 30 list - phew, because I have some serious catching up to do!  Which task do you think I should tackle next?

xo Joëlle

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OOTD - Mustard Beanie + Hunter Boots

Well, I hate to be the one to break the bad news but it looks as though Winter has arrived - and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.  I've made my peace with the early arrival of snow and below-frezing temperatures in Toronto and am now trying to strategize on how to make it through another Winter - without living in a parka 24/7.  I've found that heavy knits are my friend; for example, this heavy knitted sweater holds up incredibly well in the frigid temperatures - so much so that it actually becomes too warm to wear indoors for an extended period of time!  Add a thick black tight, a pair of black Hunter Wellingtons and a mustard toque (that's Canadian for beanie) and I'm ready for the early onset of Winter.  Read on for additional photos and outfit details.

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OOTD - She Wore a Raspberry Beret

Yes - I'm wearing a beret and despite being a raspberry colour I did not get it at a second hand store.   Prince lyrics aside, I've been very into headwear lately - hats, beanies, headbands, you name it and I'll wear it.  It seemed like I had exhausted my collection of chapeaus until I came across this adorable deep berry beret and just like that it had to be mine.  There's something about wearing a beret that makes me feel like I've been transported to a more quaint and charming world and I've definitely been enjoying incorporating it into my everyday hat rotation.  Read on to see additional photos and for all outfit details.

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DIY Beaded Holiday Headband - Guest Post for Wonder Forest

Happy Monday Noobs!  I'm excited to let you know that  I've done another guest post for Dana over at Wonder Forest, showing you how to make your own DIY beaded headband out of old costume jewelry in your collection - a wardrobe remix!  Head over, check out the tutorial, and let me know what you think!

xo Joelle

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OOTD - Fall Floral Skirt Plus Exciting News!

Happy weekend Noobs!  This post is little out of the ordinary for me, schedule-wise, but I'm just so excited and couldn't wait to share the news: I've been featured on The Blog Issue!  This new online magazine is completely devoted to bloggers and I'm not only super excited to be a part of it, I'm also really looking forward to following along.  The Blog Issue Instagram has provided me with daily inspiration for some time now, and I'm so glad that their website has gone live.  Check out my write up here, and be sure to give them a follow - as a fellow blogger, you won't regret it! Read on for additional photos of this Fall fashion shoot, and all outfit details.

Floral Skirt - Asos (super similar), Sweater - Club Monaco,
Leopard Clutch - Clare Vivier (sold out - similar), Boots - Aldo Josseline

If you've been following me for some time, you know that I'm becoming partial to patterns - particularly anything and everything floral.  This floral skirt from Asos has carried me through the Autumn season, and will be perfect once Spring rolls around the corner (sooner rather than later, hopefully.)  I've loved mixing patterns, and the floral with a touch of leopard is right up my ally.  Throw on my favourite floppy wool hat, and I am one happy little Noob.

What do you think about Floral in Fall?  Check out the article, and let me know what you think  - you guys are so important to me, and I value your opinion!

Happy weekend,

xoxo Joëlle

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30 Before 30 Update - I'm Having a Dinner Party

Happy Monday, Noobs!  I'm writing a very quick update post to let you know that I am in the midst of preparing to check off another item from my 30 things to do before 30 list - I'm throwing a dinner party!

My experience with throwing dinner parties is limited.  The closest thing that I have done to hosting a  classy soirée has been regularly offering up my apartment in my early twenties as a pre-drinking destination to a bunch of ladies before hitting up a bar.  Drinks were BYOB, and the only food served would be stale pizza crust the morning after for those who had crashed the night.  Needless to say, as a woman approaching 30, I need to have at least one proper dinner party under my belt.

The hardest part of the planning process so far has been whittling down a guest list.  It's difficult when you want to include everyone, but realize that that space and budget constraints are a real issue.    The second hurdle has definitely got to be a menu - thank the good Lord for Pinterest!  I've been spending my evenings scouring Pinterest to craft the perfect menu to not only feed a crowd, but can served in a more casual setting (we live in an apartment, so a seated and plated meal will have to be replaced by a more casual buffet option.)

I'm definitely excited, but am getting nervous.  I have just under 2 weeks to draft a menu, test out all recipes, stock the bar, and get our home in tip-top shape!  I would appreciate any advice, tips, anecdotes - let me know!

Here's to slowly chipping away at the remaining tasks on my 30 before 30 list - cheers.

xo Joëlle

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OOTD - Zara Plaid Blanket Scarf Pattern Mixing

Happy Friday, Noobs!  Keeping in theme with my last post, I've been borderline obsessing over pattern mixing lately; stripes, florals, plaid, polkadots.. I love them all, and lately I've been loving them all together.  Today's outfit mixes a brown patterned dress with one of my beloved Zara blanket scarves.  I added some brown-toned accessories to keep everything cohesive and in-line with a Fall colour palette.  Read on to see the complete outfit, and for all details.

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OOTD - Floral Blazer and Stripes

Does it ever happen to you, when you get something in your head that you would like to have and then proceed to search madly for it?  For me, I feel as though I'm always involved in some sort of clothing scavenger hunt and lately my object of choice has been a floral blazer.  I've had a strong craving to add florals to my wardrobe and after deciding that a floral blazer was an absolute must have - and scouring every mall or online shop that I could think of - I finally found the perfect one.  This Rihan floral blazer from Anthropologie is so beautiful and boasts such rich colours,perfect for Fall - and it's on sale!  Read on to see how I styled this floral blazer with stripes for some serious pattern mixing

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