August 2014 – Petite Plus, Meow!

Tiki Lani Lanai with TVS and Ginger

Bands. Vinal. Videos. Burlesque. Hula Dancers. Signature Cocktails. Door Prizes. The Limbo. Swimsuit Contest. What more could you ask for at Toronto Vintage Society‘s 2nd annual sensational-end-of-summer tiki party.

I got there early to help my TVS Sistas set up the Cadillac Lounge into a Heavenly Tiki Patio…then I ran home to change before the could fun begin…

Me along side a few of the lovelies of the TVS Events Team

Me in my tiki-taskti dress, my wicker aqua clutch (Aldo), simple brown ankle-strap sandals (Payless), aqua drop earrings (Reitmans) and my too-tiny-to-notice hair flower (Forever21)…..

Y’all know I’m not a big make-up wearer …. but I tried my hand at bright eyes and loud lips with Almay’s intense-i-colour trio for greens and Rimmel’s In Vouge lipstick

Clearly a dress like this needed a much more substantial hair flower! Lucky for me the lovely and talented Shermy of Shermette was on hand selling her Fruits of Bali.

14958_10154459929635184_8451421278491510801_n — You can follow Shermy and her lovely hair flowers on Instagram: @miss_shermette

She’s got an etsy shop: Frutis of Bali by Shermette … just sayin’ 😉

Want more pictures of the TVS Tiki Party … click here

Now….let’s talk about MY DRESS!!!! 🙂

I was introduced to world of Cherry Velvet last year via Damzels store on Roncy in Toronto…and since have picked up two lovely dresses that fit my measurements (size 0X) like a glove flattering my curves with different, unique necklines. And best of all: your bra straps will always be covered and your hands, phone and lipgloss will always have a home in the convenient pockets in ALL of their dresses!

Click here and here for details on the above Cherry Velvet Dresses.

I’ve been coveting this tropical number for months….drooling over their Instagram post this amazing Tropical Taupe number that would be PERFECT Tiki Party attire for Toronto Vintage Society’s TIKI LANI LANANI.

Sadly I never found this in store…so it seemed this frock was only going to become a apart of my life and wardrobe if I bought it online. Now, I’m not 100% comfortable buying something I’ve not tried on before, especially when it comes to spending at these particular price points ($100+ per dress). Sigh…

But, since I own two already I felt fairly confident that my measurements and their sizing chart would make any online purchases a ‘success story’ 🙂

Truth be told that, outside of a German Beer Girl halloween costume (stay tuned for a reappearance of this getup as I just bought tickets to Toronto’s Oktoberfest – woot! woot!) I have never purchased clothing online before. My biggest concern or deterrent from online shopping: Returns and Exchanges if something doesn’t fit right —- aka “The Shipping-Back Hassle”.

I tried to push Ginger (the name of the dress) outta my mind and continue living my life…to find an alternative Tiki outfit for this event. But I just couldn’t. I was in love! Upon revisiting their site last week, turns out Ginger was on sale, a clear signs from the shopping-gods…and the ADD TO CART button was clicked and she was on her way to me 🙂

I ordered via http://www.cherryvelvet.com on August 1st and by August 8th a Canada Post deliver arrived with my name on it!!!!! Clearly I was excited as you can see from my Facebook post below…

Seemingly in my zeal to bring Ginger home to me, I ordered a size 1X, instead of the needed 0X…and instantly my “Shipping-Back-Hassle” fears were realized. Lesson Learned folks: double check, and triple check sizes you selcted and return/exchange policies before clicking ‘checkout’ … le sigh.

Lucky for me, minor alterations were needed to make this dress wearable for the big event were made, without having to send this beauty back to Vancouver (that’s where Cherry Velvet is based), allowing Ginger & I to have a fabulous time at TVS’s TIKI LANI LANANI Party!

Are you thinking to yourself…. “But Irene, there are TWO lovely new dresses that hang in your closet… tell me more about the other cutie-pie frock?”

Stay tuned for that friends, in an upcoming blogpost 😉 xoxo

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Corsets: Let’s Get The Skinny

Ok friends… I’ve been working on this post for a little while. I was worried about what the backlash would be from readers. So I feel I must write this preamble first:

I believe there is not ‘right way’ to have a body. You can be the healthiest version of yourself and never come close to being model-skinny. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. THIS is the body I was supposed to have, and I’m determined to actively celebrate it …. now …. and as I see fit!!! It’s taken me a long time to get to this level of self-acceptance, it’s a work in progress, but I’m thrilled to finally be here. After all, isn’t owning your body the healthiest thing of all?

Having said all this, I am a huge fan of foundational undergarments that help smooth bulges and hides the lumps & bumps under clothes so that they lay more smoothly against the body. Corsets have been around for over 100 years and many have rediscovered the corset’s versatility to not only accentuate a woman’s curves, but to provide relief and support for the back, in fashion, in costumes worn either under or over clothing, and in waist training to help achieve a different waist shape over time.

Recently I joined the #measuremebeautiful campaign and measured myself: 48 – 40 – 48. My Bust. My Waist. My Hips. Turns out I’m a natural “hourglass” shape. But regardless of what your natural shape is, if an hourglass shape is what you want, you can have it … by getting yourself into a corset.

CheChe of AlterEgo Clothing reached out to PPMeow! to help a newbie – ME – with all the ‘need-to-knows” before buying a corset.

Types of Corset – which is best for You?

There are two main styles of corsets: Over-the-Bust and Under-the-Bust. Under-the-bust is probably the most wearable as it can be worn like a laced belt to tighten and tame the waist. It’s basically a large belt. The two most popular styles at AlterEgo are the “Waist Cincher” (i.e. without hip flare recommended for those who have a more straight physique) and the “Waist Trainer” (i.e. with a hip flare recommended for those who are hippy-er….like moi).

corset1 — The Waist Cincher (left) vs. The Waist Trainer (right)

What Makes a Quality Corset?

A Real Corset will have steel-boning. The boning in corsets is necessary to keep that taut design that stops the corset from folding with your body. Bodices, which look somewhat like corsets, will be much cheaper in both price and quality, and they will not have any boning of any kind in them. True corsets need to have strong fabric, such as heavyweight canvas or cotton, which supports the structure. You should be able to yank on a corset’s fabric without anyone worrying that you’re going to rip it apart. This is not necessarily the outer layer that people see, there is usually a fashion layer that has “prettier” fabric. 🙂

The inside of this corset: Notice the double steel boning and modesty panel (this is the extra flap of fabric to hide the strings once tied up)

How Much Do They Cost?

Corsets are investment pieces. Translation: a good quality corset is expensive (upwards of $100). When buying a corset you have to think about how often you want to wear it. Everyday? Once in a while? Very occasionally? Go for an affordable make with steel bones to keep you rigid. Remember: you get what you pay for, so be prepared to get the type of corset you are willing to buy. A high-quality corset will last for years. If you are not willing to spend, chances are you are not going to get anything of a decent quality. AlterEgo’s corsets begin at the $130 price point.

What Size Should You Buy?

You should buy a corset which will reduce your natural waist by 4-6 inches. So if your natural waist line is, say, 40 inches, you should buy one that is 34-36″. Incredible, but true!! Now, the length of your torso is of great importance, so be sure to check all measurement charts and carefully compare them with your measurements when selecting. Plus, so much can depend on personal tolerances for compression, your goals for your corset, what you wear under your corset, the “squish vs firm” factor. AlterEgo will help you with the math and measurement – there is a bit of science to it. 😉

petite plus meow corsets — Same corset just with modest panel flipped to reveal lace-up. This one measures 32 inches.

How to Wear a Corset?

Traditional corsets have a busk front (a stiffened section with fastenings like hooks and eyes) and a lace-up back. The strings draw together in a bow at the centre of the garment (not the top or the bottom as I assumed). The idea is that you hook the front first then tighten the back (with help, if necessary) to your fit. Don’t worry if the edges of the garment don’t meet at first. Eventually they will, I’m told. 🙂 There’s a ‘modesty panel’, which is an extra flap of fabric that can be folded in (like I’ve done in the photos below) so that you’re able to see the lace-up back more clearly.

How to Care For & Clean a Corset?

If you’re going to be wearing your corset underneath clothing, you might want to consider wearing a thin tank top, rather than have the corset against your body, to maintain the life and freshness of your piece. This will help prevent having to clean your corset often. For spot-cleaning you can use a mild detergent and/or use a fabric freshener like Febreze. NEVER use the washing machine. From time to time you might want to have your corset professionally dry-cleaned if you wear it often.

corset before after — I’m wearing a 32″ cotton *Waist Trainer* style above… Tummy be gone! 🙂

Being top-heavy/busty/a member of the-big-titty-committee, I constantly deal with lower back pain. I was pleasantly surprised at how much pressure it relieved off my back instantly, while improved my posture and making me look taller! I have to admit, I was and still am a little overwhelmed at the amount of boob that seemed to be at dangerously suffocating levels whenever I sat down..LOL (sorry for the blurry pics below). BUT overall, wearing a corset made me feel like a sexy, brown Jessica Rabbit …. MEOW indeed!!! 🙂

corset sitting — Sitting in a corset isn’t the easiest thing to do….lifting the boobs to suffocatingly dangerous heights!

Personally, wearing one of these on a regular basis isn’t for me. I have no interest in wasit-training. Nor do I have an extra hand in-house to help with the lace-up back … and I’m wayyyy too impatient to learn to do it myself. But, I could totally see myself changing the look of an OOTD by wearing a corset overtop of it. And for those sung-fitting outfits I’ve been avoiding, wearing a corset underneath would put them back into my closet rotation. PLUS, with all the fun-filled events with the Toronto Vintage Society, I can totally see myself wearing a corset for an event or two!

With Cheche’s help, we spent a fun afternoon playing dress-up and finding a perfectly fitting corset, just for me.

The photos above were of a simple cotton “Waist Trainer” style corset. But there are a ton of customizable options for you too!!! AlterEgo‘s corsets are made in Canada and custom orders takes approximately 2-4weeks to arrive. AND they can be shipped directly to your home! I can’t wait for mine!

corset variety — There are tons of customizations available too (L to R): Gold satin, Black lace, Black Leather halter and Black PVC with laced up hip flare. There are also Bridal options too – just ask!

long corset — Talk about WOW – this custom black lace floor-length tail corset is amazing!

Stayed tuned to PPMeow! for an upcoming post showcasing previous OOTDs Before vs. After THE Corset – where I’ll recreate some of my previous Outfits of the Day pictures, only this time WEARING my new AlterEgo Corset to showcase the transformational differences. Weeeeeee!!!

Thinking of getting a corset of your own? Mention that Irene from Petite Plus, Meow! sent you — Cheche at AlterEgoClothing will take extra special care of you 😉

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Zebras & Birds

As summer winds down, retailers have enticing sale signs in their windows….and for an addict like me, it is VERY difficult to walk by without shopping. But I’m doing my best to create my outfits of the day from the items that hang proudly in my closet that deserve my love and attention 🙂

I threw this look together today – keeping things simple for lunching with a gf + her baby, followed by lindy hop lessons in the evening (minus the sandals for that).

I picked up this sheer bird top during the Spring from Reitmans, from their regular section (it’s an XXL). The berry bandage skirt is from Forever21+ and was cheap-cheap-cheap ($6). The blue sandals were picked up earlier this year on a cross boarder shopping extravaganza.

The only ‘newness’ is the Zebra clutch – what I love about it: large enough to hold my laptop, while still looking oh-so chic!How I Got The Look:

Sheer bird top and black tank from Reitmans; Berry skirt from Forever21+; Blue sandals from Payless; Zebra clutch from AlterEgo Clothing; Drop earrings, handmade and gifted.

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9-to-5 & 5-to-9

I wrote this a while a go — and seeing the remaining ‘summer day’ left in Toronto are ones that require sweaters and closed-toed shoes, this post needed to be shared sooner than later.

Enjoy. xo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The trickiest part to summer (I think) is figuring out what to wear to the office that’s professional, while keeping you cool and comfortable in the heat of summer days. Here’s a quick outfit of the day that got lost on my iPhone – pardon the sleepy expression – early morning sun and posing on my balcony clearly don’t mix:

9a-5p

I’ve owned these pieces for many moons…but have never paired them together, nor have I ever thought of creating an ‘office outfit’ with them.

How I Got The Look:

black peep-toed flats (Payless) these have become a fabulous ‘commuter’ shoe to get from home to office via TTC (usually with heels in my purse)
The white jacket (DressBarn) is super light and meant for summer wear, I think it was meant to be 3/4 length-sleeves…buuuut being petite it basically looks full-length on moi
Baby blue blouse (Forever21+) super light and airy fabric … I especially like the single pocket detail of this tank
Tribal drawstring pant (Reitmans) possibly the most comfortable pants I own. For the most part, these days, especially in summer (I’m a dresses & skirts kinda gal), but these pants are so light that I often find myself double-checking to make sure I’m wear bottoms at all when in these pants. 🙂

5p to 9p…..remove jacket head to nearest patio pub with co-workers & friends!

What do you think of this look? How do you keep comfortable and cool in the summer with your office looks? Tell me in the Comments Section

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Do You Know Your Measurements?

I’ve recently been shopping with a couple of slender, vintage loving ladies in my life – both of whom have mad sewing abilities, who come armed with tape measure whenever they are hunting for fabulous vintage finds. Both of these lovelies are avid online clothing shoppers as well. The key thing I noticed with both of them is that they knew exactly what their measurements were. Plus, they had a keen eye for what materials and fabrics … knowing what could be taken in/let out easily for possible adjustments to make these new-to-them-pieces work perfectly for their bods (mad skills I tell you).

So let me ask you……Do you know your measurements?

The majority of women don’t. I certainly didn’t. Perhaps I was too scared to know what they are. Aside from us all getting over the bad habit of comparing ourselves to other women, society has taught us that only thin can be beautiful. With most ads showcasing perfectly airbrushed tall and skinny women to promote impossible standards of beauty, it’s no wonder we struggle with self-acceptance. Sigh… But we – people – come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

You can be the healthiest version of yourself and never come close to a size 4. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The#MeasureMeBeautiful campaign encourages women to know their bodies and their measurements, because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

And your measurements are just that – facts, information. In order to be an informed shopper – you have to know your size. Become educated and empowered. Show the world that your measurements are just that: numbers, facts, statistics. And that they do not measure your worth, greatness, or beauty.

Knowing your measurements will help you look at size charts and know what size you should be trying on in that store, rather than taking what you think is your “usual size” into the dressing room, having it not fit, getting discouraged, depressed and then telling yourself that you must lose weight immediately.

That’s just ridiculous. Fashion should empower women with confidence rather than riddle them with guilt and sadness in retailer’s change rooms. Every woman has the ability to be a fashionista, regardless of their size (or income level, for that matter).

Sizes vary from store to store, and every brand uses a different “fit” model for their line. So let’s throw away sizes all together and simply know yourself! When you know your measurements, you are in control – not the clothing or their designer.

Right? Right!

Here’s mine (and with this knowledge I’ve been in online shopping frenzy mode folks! It’s nuts!!! Stay tuned for blogposts on my haul soon) 😉 ….

The #MeasureMeBeautiful campaign also seeks to reinforce that YOUR SIZE DOES NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE as a person! These measurements, my size, the number on the scale do not determine my worth as a person. And I will not let them determine my happiness.

I am many things besides a Size 14, 16, or 18 (at any given store). I am also striving to be a body positivity activist. I am a writer & blogger. I’m a fashionista. I’m a friend, a sister, a daughter. A Learning Designer. An off-key karaoke singer. A lindy-hopper. A homeowner. A grieving mother to a recently departed fur baby (R.I.P. Berto). Why should we continue letting the fashion industry tell us we all must fit into their ‘sample size’ in order to be beautiful or fashionable?

Mallorie Carrington of SmartGlamour came up with this fantastic campaign. She’s challenged me. Now I’m challenging you PPMeow readers, to get involved!

Measure yourself!

Not sure how? SmartGlamour has tutorial videos up here. And for those Petite divas out there who’s not quite sure if they fall under this “Petite” term…here’s a vid just for you:

Visit the #MeasureMeBeautiful website to see what the movement is all about. Take a photo of you measuring yourself and share it along with your measurements on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #MeasureMeBeautiful. Let’s show the world that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Help us spread the word that your size does not define you. Measure yourself beautiful! 🙂

Screen Shot 2014-08-10 at 7.15.04 PM — Curious about my outfit in this pic? Click here for outfit deets 🙂

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As You Like It

Summer in Toronto is not complete without attending at least one Shakespere-in-the-Park ‘pay-what-you-can’ event! Pack a picnic, a blanket and a friend or two and it’s a perfect night of outdoor theatre. This year, CanadianStage is offering both comedy and tragedy in High Park. The shows will be playing on alternate nights through the summer. Last week, a gf via Facebook invite with a whopping 20+ of us who RSVPd a solid “YES, I’M IN”, were due to go. Which only yielded a total of three persons who – actually – physically – showed up to see the light-hearted As You Like It under the stars. (Why do people suck? Let’s leave that difficult to answer question for another day, shall we?) 😉

Witheth me doth be the most loveliest of maidens; healthy and svetly Sara and lusty and strong Natalie and in the bushes did lurk musical talents of a local school of young violinists. We were merry and gay and mosquito burdened. It was a joyous night had by all.

The performance doesn’t begin until about 8pm (dusk-ish). I got there an hour earlier to secure seats whilst the others were en route from their offices. The three of us managed to get fabulous dead-center seats of the graduated earth seating – cleverly lining our sit-on blanket with a $1 shower curtain to keep the damp out.

Dressing for summer evenings in Toronto hasn’t been easy this year with unseasonably cooler nights. Which means one must think about serious versatility when outfit planning to sit on one’s ass for 2+ hours, while the sun disappears and you’re left shivering cuddled under a blanket, while trying to stay cute. Plus, we can’t forget the inevitable use of a portapotty – dun dun dunnnnn.. 🙂

Keeping all of this in mind, here’s what I came up with to help keep me summer cute & comfortable while the sun was in full-force ,while protecting my freshly washed hair from bugs…

How I Got the Look: White patterned crop top and Tribal pants both from Forever21; Pink leather floral sandals (uber old from The Bay); Aviator sunnies from ElleHardware; Headscarf is vintage, picked it up at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show earlier this year.

My headscarf was a last-minute addition to my outfit of the day. Since much of my outfit was a simple black N white colour scheme….I made sure that the scarf had loud vibrant colours in it – a Summery punch, if you will. With light rain threats in the forecast that evening, I simply wanted to protect my hair…but didn’t want to wear a hat and possibly be an irritating obstacle to another play-goer with the unfortunate luck of sitting behind me in the park. So this seemed to be the best solution.

I wanted to do wear a more sophisticated head wrap but alas, none of them looked right on my pea-head. Maybe, with practice, I’ll rock a few more of these techniques in the near future — thoughts? 🙂

Fab video of 12 wraps in under 7-mins …

Shakespeare isn’t everyones cupa tea … I never read/studied this particular play in school before, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it…and I didn’t even need to read the Coles Notes before hand. 🙂

There were some fantastic lines in this one…with some hilarious female characters, one of whom is AUDREY who won me over with the following line:

I am not a slut, though I thank the gods I am foul.

Over the past few years, I’ve been more of a “skirts and dresses kinda gal”….but for sitting outdoors at dusk with bugs and cool temperatures, and the possible use of a portapotty at some point in the evening, made pants the best option! These are lovely and light for summer-daytime, keeps your legs from getting bitten by bugs in the evening and comfortable enough to be sitting crossed legged cuddling on and under a blanket.

Are you a fan of theatre – outdoor theatre?

Which ones have you been to….any recommends for me?

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A Tribute to The Berto

Most days I carry on living my life as normal… I get up and get dressed, go to work, blog, shop, swing dance, meet people, etc. On the outside I look just fine.

But I am not fine. Sigh… I am heartbroken.

It’s been two weeks. Two weeks since the only constant in my life passed away. 😦

Friday morning, July 25, 2014 … I awoke to find my Berto in none of his usual spots. Instead, he was sitting in the dark in my bathroom panting heavily and with a blue tongue. And for the next 5-hours, I sat with him in my arms with 100% oxygen over his little face until the Vet and Heart Specialist talked to me about making that “tough decision” and end his suffering.

He had been diagnosed with a collapsing trachea since his first surgery to remove bladder stones a few years earlier (poor lil’ guy). This is why he’s (mostly) seen wearing a harness in order to take any pressure off the trachea. With the help of medication and modification of lifestyle, the collapsing trachea can be controlled but seldom cured. In severe cases, surgery to help open the airways may be beneficial, but most cases are managed medically not surgically.

Unfortunately, Bert’s heart condition wouldn’t be able to handle the meds needed for the trachea, and there was great risk with putting him through any other surgeries. So I’ve been mentally preparing for the day when he’d have to leave me… I just thought I would have more time.

I’ve been feeling a lot of guilt. Thoughts of “woulda, coulda, shoulda” keep running through my mind. If only I didn’t go swing dancing in the Beaches that night, maybe I would have noticed sooner. Had I noticed earlier that night, I could have taken him to the Emergency Pet Hospital at Davenport/Yonge with an ICU and the outcome maybe could have been different. I dunno…sigh…

So, I’ve written this memorial post as a tribute to Bert aka The Berto aka Bertso the Flirtso, to his spirit and to the love, loyalty, laughs and companionship he’s given me through the years.

The Beginning

2001 was a big year: I had just broken up with my first serious boyfriend and was about to live completely solo for the first time in my life.

Growing up, my folks weren’t big on having pets. I’ve always wanted a puppy!!! Buuuut, having never owned any kind of animal before….. I got myself a hamster (named “Puppy”, of course) as training for dog-ownership.

Now this lil’ pup wasn’t without his own style – in fact, there’s a bin devoted to housing all of his many outfits. Yup…I was one of “those” owners 🙂

Here’s a mini-collection of all his diva looks from Summers to Christmas and everything in-between over the years …

Just a sample I said, there are MANY more outfits in his wardrobe I’m afraid 🙂

This year…

Bert became a condo-doggie, creating a perch at the end of the sofa to gaze out at the city…

Pee-pad training on the new balcony was a fail…

Bert cheered on the Canadian Men’s Hockey Team as they won gold at Sochi…

We got to spend the day together lounging in Trinity Bellwoods Park and he’s been featured in a blogpot or two...

And, we got to take a mini-vacay to Sugar Ridge a dog-friendly Yoga Retreat, where Bert got to hangout with the girls (and Turnip) for an extra long weekend. This was the last trip we took together. He lived it up like a king…

942699_10151446671299072_1698765349_n — He’s always been more of a “people” dog, than a “dog’s dog”. Check him out drinking water out of a proper glass. Diva!

10425114_10152227047299072_5076443535583390754_n — He’s always been more of a “people” dog, than a “dog’s dog”. Check him out drinking water out of a proper glass. Diva!

Yes, he’s wearing a sun hat…because it’s AWESOME!

Last trip with the pup….Yoga Retreat with the girls

Bert & Turnip … all tuckered out after a long relaxing few days of beach and yoga.

Writing about him and all the fun memories we’ve had together has really helped. I miss him so much.

Farewell my beloved pooch.

Thank you for reading.

Screen Shot 2015-08-20 at 10.37.38 AM — ~ Bert ~ 2001-2014

Dogs may not be our whole lives. But they make our lives whole. ~ Roger Caras

Have you ever lost a pet? Do you know what it feels like to watch your faithful friend fade away right before your eyes? Are you familiar with the agony involved in deciding to have a beloved pet euthanized?

If you’d like to share your story with me, I’d love to hear it…use the Comment Section below.

From now until the end of the year, My Beaded Designs will be donating $5 to the Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue (PSBR) in honour of Bert’s memory from every Swarovski PAW sold!!

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Onesie for me

You must have notice all the hype around Jumpsuits and Rompers in plus sized fashion these days….especially for summer. Wondering what your thoughts are on them?

A few months ago I did a roundup post on this, trying to figure out if this trend is for me. Click here for my initial reactions to this plus-size fashion trend.

And then while perusing the sale racks of Reitmans this happened..

I wasn’t quite sure this trend was for me …. a onesie in any season seemed to be more trouble than it was worth. Plus, the length and hip-to-shoulder ratios would typically be all off on my petite-plus sized bod. Any any alterations that would be required would only increase the price point I was willing to pay for THIS fashion trend.

But this gem fit! I found it in straight-sizes as an XXL …it wasn’t too long at all, the shoulders were only slightly larger than required AND it was only $19! #winning 🙂

What I really like about this jumpsuit/onesie is the thoughtful details of the flattering v-neck and the added bonus POCKETS for your phone and lip gloss!

I could totally see myself taking this from DAY-TO-NIGHT with a chic blazer and pointy-toed pumps, to get this office/boardroom ready. Transition to evening cocktails or weekend fun with layers of gold jewelry and metallic sandals.

This jumpsuit could easily be a great option to keep your packing light on vacation. Pair it with simple flat sandals to stroll by day, and wedges for an evening look.

An additional bonus…is that there’s a slight elastic ankle, which allowed me to wear the pants shorter if I wanted to…like I did above. With the interesting dark navy pattern of the jumpsuit, I chose to keep all the other accessories simple and gold to standout a bit more, along with my white ceramic MK watch. And lastly, I added a skinny gold belt to the waist, as it is the only GOLD belt I own.

Sorry for the headphone cord getting in the way of this belt pic…

Ideally, I would have liked to have worn this onesie with a more substantial gold belt…like the ones I’ve been coveting on my Polyvore collage board:

How I Got the Look:

White cross body w/gold stud purse, gold drop earrings & gold coral necklace, Aldo Accessories; Gold & white sandals, Le Chateau; Navy patterned jumpsuit, Reitmans; Michael Kors watch; Gold skinny belt, Dressbarn (from an old dress)

THIS JUST IN…..Reitmans (one of my favourite retailers) just recently put these pics of me onto their store’s Instagram! Exciting!!!! 🙂

Screen Shot 2014-08-11 at 5.39.41 PM — Can you find me? **Squeal**

Who’s already jumped on this bandwagon? Rompers? Jumpsuits? Where from?

Share friends…use the Comments section … tell me everything! 🙂

Pre-Opening Sneak Peek at Tatyana’s new Boutique in Toronto!!!

As much as I love vintage/retro styles ….. sifting through smelly racks of ‘truly vintage’ clothing in hopes that a gem-of-a-find will fit my petite-plus sized bod in a flattering way is difficult and often an uneventful task. This is why I’m a huge fan of the world of vintage reproduction. 🙂

Toronto has been buzzing for months around rumours of getting the golden-era inspired dress company behind the Bettie Page brand – Tatyana!

Vintage and retro style lovers – from swing dancers to rockabilly fans – have been dying to get their hands on the full range of clothing since they were dreamed up in 2006. With sizes in both circle dresses and wiggle dresses going right up to size 4x! The Tatyana company has chosen Toronto to be it’s 20^th location AND it’s first international store….and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

About the Company – Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tatyana Designs, Inc. is a growing retailer specializing in contemporary designs inspired by the 50’s. The merchandise offered through boutiques and active e-commerce and wholesale divisions is a diverse mix of high-quality and attractively priced apparel, jewelry, accessories and gifts. Tatyana collections target the 18-35 year-old, fashion conscious, female customer, but women of all ages are attracted to the unique retro look.

“Our newest Tatyana boutique is situated in the heart of Toronto,” notes Tatyana Designs co-CEO Jan Glaser. “We continue to be gratified by the enthusiastic acceptance of Tatyana’s designs by women from all walks of life. This is especially true as we have an enormous Canadian following with thousands wearing our dresses representing a disproportionate percentage of our customers. Now we have the opportunity to honor their patronage with our first Canadian outlet in an amazing location.”

The Toronto Vintage Society are huge supporters of any new company that wants to join our ranks in bringing the retro inspired lifestyle to this city…and there is room for everyone!!! To find out more we reached out to the company. The lovely Hayley from the NYC Boutique and new Toronto Store Manager Martha made time to let the Toronto Vintage Society have a sneak peek at what’s in store. Click here for the complete blogpost and interview.

The Tatyana Boutique Soft Opening Event this Saturday (Location: 322 Queen West, near Spadina Ave) with goody bags for the first 10 people through the door; bubbly drinks and tasty treats; PLUS an exclusive discount just for US! Mention “Toronto Vintage Loves Tatyana” and receive 20% off your purchase!!! You’re welcome friends!!! 🙂

Happy Shopping! If you do pick up something fabulous this weekend…be sure to post a picture of yourself on Petite Plus, Meow’s Facebook page so I can oooo-and-ahhhh your purchases with you! xoxo