Bought: H&M Jacket

What: Royal blue 3/4 sleeve jacket with black trim

Where: H&M

Price: Around $40.00 CAD

H&M done changed, friends. I saw several hundred items I loved, all beautifully arranged, all reasonably priced. It came down to this jacket and the grey version with pewter zippers. The grey jacket was made of a knubbier fabric, and it seemed like there was a fine fuzz around the entire jacket when I had it on.

I'm glad that I was forced to go for the blue, because this shade looks amazing on everyone, even dead people. (kidding. relax.) I can pop it over anything, from a simple sheath dress to a tee, and I looked immediately chic. It also gives me the little push I need to get my gold jewelry into rotation a bit more often.

Love it, wore it twice the first week I bought it. It'll do until I can purchase the Chanel that inspired it.

Bought: The Costa Blanca Accessories Wall

What: Multi-chain necklace, bead necklaces, pearl and ribbon necklace and pearl and bead bracelet

Where: Costa Blanca (Toronto Eaton Centre)

Price: 50% percent off so, they were free (ok, about $20 for the lot)

Costa Blanca having a 50% off sale is a bit surreal. Nothing you pick up - NOTHING - will be more than $25, and most items will be under $10. Now, I'm not big on the clothes at Costa Blanca, because they will disintegrate unless kept in a vaccuum-sealed environment. But the accessories are cute and trendy, so I stocked up.

The pearl and ribbon necklace broke within 5 minutes of tying it on, and there was also some gnarly glue on the ribbon. I managed to fix it up pretty well, and have worn it twice. Be forewarned that whenever you walk, the necklace will bash against your boobs and swing side to side, which must look weird to whoever you're walking towards.

The one on the bottom right had these atrocious dangling heart charms. I took a pair of needle-nosed plier and pulled open the links attaching those charms, so its a bit more tasteful now. Needle-nosed pliers are as much a necessity in your wardrobe as wooden hangers or heel pads. I use my pair all the time to help pull free zippers or make small jewlery adjustments.

I did buy a shirt as well - it came out to $12:

It was sweet and simple, without any of the shoulder-cutouts, sequined trim or bra-appliques that Costa Blanca is prone to. It's completely sheer, but you didn't expect Costa Blanca to totally sell out, did you?

And just in case you were wondering: the store was bloody insane. Merchandise everywhere, sweaty people straining to button on crappy wool coats, girls trying on skirts over their jeans. And into this mosh pit sails a mother with a double stroller/battering ram.

Bought: Red Guess Military Walker

What: Red GUESS Military Walker (a sort of refashioned pea coat)

Where: Winners (Front Street location)

Price: $149.99, pre-tax

This coat is Big. Not the size, but the look. It's a deep poppy red, has oversized buttons, and a big black belt buckle (mine is different than pictured), puff sleeves, and a funnel neck. That's a lot of design on one coat, especially when its on a 5'3" frame.

I love it, though - everything from the flat black buttons to the red leopard-print lining. However, I feel best in it when worn with sheer black stockings and black patent pumps. The minimal volume on the bottom sets off the coat perfectly. But, when I put it on a pair of jeans and flats with the coat, I feel like it's swallowing me up.

I love it but its not an everyday wear coat. It will be the perfect coat to keep me warm to/from some holiday parties. And I bought a simple black wool coat as well, of course.

Bought: BR Wool-blend sheath

What: Wool-blend textured sheath dress

Where: Banana Republic, Toronto Eaton Centre (two minutes before close!)

Price: Regularly $185 CAD before tax - $125 CAD total with 40% off coupon

I usually avoid Banana Republic because it gives me a bad case of sticker shock. Simple gray high-waisted skirt - $95. Black scarf - $45. Gold costume bangle - $50. I end up running out and right over to Forever 21 where I buy something under $10 that's hardly work appropriate.

This was a deal though, thanks to BR's 40% off on Wednesdays coupon. A friend of mine passed one my way and I made sure to use it. I got to the store 15 minutes before close, tried on every dress in the store, and went with this one.

On me, it fits quite a bit tighter. With a bright cardigan on top, opaque patterned tights, and a my sky-high loafers, I love the look. But I still wouldn't have paid full price!

Bought: Ben Sherman Westminster

What: Ben Sherman Westminster

Where: Body Blue Denim Lab (Danforth location)

Price: Originally $108; on sale for $28!

So obviously a deal. It's a great shirt, beautiful fit. Even if the darts do deflate my boobs a little.

I loved it, and fortunately preferred the previous year's style, which was on sale, to the regular priced 2010 style.

I think I'll be able to dress it up and down. And this does stick with my resolution to buy only clothes appropriate for the office. And it was $28. Justified.

Bought: Aldo Guarneri in Blue and Carney Food

What: Aldo Guarneri casual sneakers

Where: Aldo at the Eaton Centre

Price: $19.98 (sale!)

I couldn't find a picture of the blue shade I have so, instead, I used my expertise to "Photoshop" the image. I put that in quotes because I actually used Powerpoint to doctor the photo. That's why it looks so good:

There are some very astute shoe bloggers out there who have a real issue with sneakers (hello!) But as these are definitely not gym shoes, I think they're ok to wear out and about. I paired these with a pair of black sporty tights and a simple green cardigan and I think it went well.

Well enough to go to the Canadian National Exhibition. Sure, it's too expensive now, and the rides are exciting mostly because you could very likely die on them. But it is still worth it because of one place: The Food Building.

In this heaven-on-earth, you can find the following...

Poutine. Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. Curly fries. Wedge fries. Corn dogs. Deep-fried snickers. Waffles. Elephant ears. Funnel cakes. Hot dogs. 99 cent spaghetti. Bacon on a bun. Snow cones. And every food chain you can think of (Subway, Manchu Wok, Thai Express, Pizza Pizza, etc.)

I showed some restraint. First, I got curly fries and scarfed them so quick there was no time for a pic.

Next, a $1.50 hot dog covered in mustard. Ohhh it was good.

Then, a pack of cinnamon sugar Tiny Tom Donuts. Here is the Tiny Tom donut process, a wonder of scientific management:

Can you believe the guy tried to sell us (3 people) on the "Buy 10 dozen, get 2 dozen free." My 100-lb sister was considering it until we pointed out that we would be the proud owners of 144 donuts. I kinda regret talking her out of it.

I also wanted to ride the Polar Express, but it was closed so we tried Alpine Bob instead. As we got off, we saw that the carnie who had "closed" Polar Express decided to open it right after we asked. What a jerk. I can't get too mad, though, because he was missing all four of his front teeth.
I loved it. And I broke in my new shoes (well, they broke me. I got a blister.)

Made: Cinnamon Buns

I like to bake. It appeals to my analytical, assembly-line side: I love having everything lined up in little glass dishes on the counter, precisely measured. And yeah, I do pretend I'm on the Food Network, what's it to you?

I don't have much of a knack for cooking. I'm OK but rarely trust my instincts as to how much paprika is enough, and whether the ribs are done. So I stick to baking.

The recipe is from Smitten Kitchen. This woman is amazing and I am currently trying to get her to adopt me. The recipe can be found here.

These are not yet baked - but they looked so cute, like they were cuddling, I had to share:

Some tips:

• Do let the dough/buns rise as she suggests. They end up bigger, fluffier, and its fun to uncover the dough and be like "HOLY SHIT IT'S HUGE!"
• Do make extra icing and eat it directly out of the mixing bowl.
• Do clean the pans quickly after, or else the sugar fuses to the dish and...you will end up hiding it like I did. Let's hope no one looks in the garage.