September 2014 – PPMeow!

Birthday Blues in Newsprint Navy

I picked up this navy Jax Leatherette newsprint dress from SexyPlus Clothing last month at the Fall Preview Blogger Exclusive.

As you saw last week during my Fall Double Feature collaboration series, both Leather and Blue Hues are trending this season. This dress combines them both perfectly.

I’m loving the leather details on the shoulders and above the hems of both sides of this dress.

This Zebra clutch is my new favourite piece right now, I try to bring it along with me whenever I can 🙂It was my birthday last week and I got to unveil this dress over that weekend.

Another year older – uggh – and not at all wiser. Or maybe not as wise as I hoped to be at this point. But in these pics I don’t look a day over 28 😉

Must be magical camera tricks of LawrenceKerrPhotography – I’m loving the images from this shoot!

I’ve been having mixed emotions about turning older this year.

Not really being up to organizing & celebrating a non-milestone born-day, I took the day off instead and spent some quality time with me, myself and Irene 😉

The lovely Elmwood Spa – a true urban oasis – treated me for a birthday lunch, which I ate in my plush robe & slippers. After that I was rubbed down by a giant man, whom I’ve decided to remember as spectacularly handsome ;), for an 80-min Hot Stone Massage followed by Water Therapies which included pool, steam room and the hot tub. I was determine not to leave until I looked like a raisin!!

PPMeow at Elmwood Spa — Lunching in fluffy robes and drinking in the afternoon ….Happy Birthday indeed!

In the evening a gf and I met up for dinner (tap pas and sangrias at Carmen – delicious!), followed by tickets to see HEDWIG and the Angry Inch at the Lower Ossington Theatre where we were entertained by talented rock bands, drinking and great singing by an interesting transsexual with lots of stories and rock songs. The performance was fantastic! Buuuuut the story, which I found sad, went over my head. I had to come home and google exactly what I just spend the last 90-mins sitting through.

I got a lovely birthday card that read:

In this world where things move so fast and change before our eyes, I take comfort in the precious and few things that are constant and true…your friendship is one thing I can count on; one thing I keep safe inside my heart. I celebrate you on your birthday and I honour the friendship we share day after day, year after year.

Between this card, invitations to dinners, brunches and drinks, and the numerous phone calls, voicemails, texts and the 101+ Facebook messages of Birthday Wishes – I felt pretty damn’d loved all day. I’m a very blessed and lucky girl! 🙂

Overall, a pretty freakin’ fantastic birthday weekend!!!

And now, let the next 365 days of this new year in the life & times of Irene be awesome! Cheers!

How I Got The Look:

Blue suede platform shoes from Payless; Zebra clutch from AlterEgo Clothing; Newsprint Jax Dress from SexyPlus Clothing; Leaf earrings from …yikes, I don’t remember friends, they are super old.

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Swarovski PAW & My Beaded Designs

This table is covered in lovely jewellery by My Beaded Designs. These unique and custom handmade creations are the brainchild of Maryanne Walczak, a Toronto-based artist.I had the pleasure of meeting this crafty gal last month at SexyPlus Clothing’s exclusive blogger soiree.

PPMeow & MyBeadedDesigns — Me with Maryanne, Owner/Designer of My Beaded Designs

Turns out she’s been a long time follower of PPMeow! She was touched by the blogpost I did as a Tribute to the passing of my pup, The Berto a few months ago, and wanted to gift me a set of memorial Swarovski PAW jewellery to help lift my spirits and keep his memory with me always, by way of these symbolic pieces 🙂 (Isn’t she the sweetest?)

The special collection gifted to me in the picture below included:

small Swarovski PAW Print necklace (Black Clay, Clear Swarovski Chatons – hung on a 24 inch silver plated ball chain with an 8mm Swarovski Jet Black Crystal)
Swarovski Dog PAW Print keychain (White Clay, Hematite Swarovski Chatons, Cute Charms and Chinese Crystals
Swarovski PAW Print Earrings (Black Clay, Clear Swarovski Chatons on silver plated lever back earrings – 12mm)

Your Collection 2 — The beautiful gift set of Swarovski PAW jewellery

Each piece is made with love by Maryanne, using an Apoxie Clay and then she hand sets each of the Swarovski Chatons (ie. the crystals).

My Beaded Designs original Swarovski PAW Print Necklace was designed and created almost 3 years ago. The very first PAW Print necklace was donated to Urban Cat Relief (UCR) in memory of a kitten that volunteers tried to save, but couldn’t. Maryanne spent quite some time trying to figure out how to create something beautiful as a memory of such a sad event. Many tears were shed while Maryanne was making this first piece. And ever since that dreadful day when that kitten passed, she was determined to help UCR raise money so that they can do what they do best. Since that time she’s been able to create and donate to Cuddly Cats Rescue and Sanctuary and several other animal rescues and causes – donating $5 from the sale of every Swarovski PAW Print Necklace. And she is now proudly known among these communities as “The PAW lady” :).

In 2014, Maryanne got involved in Toronto’s WorldPride event and introduced a few new pieces into the PAW collection:
– Rainbow PAW Print Necklaces/Keychains
– Love PAW Print Necklace/Keychains

Rainbow PAW Prints — Rainbow PAW Print Necklaces/Keychains

Love PAWs Necklace — Love PAW Print Necklaces/Keychains

From now until the end of the year, Maryanne and 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!! 🙂

Most of these Swarovski PAW Print Necklaces are priced at $15 (+shipping).

Orders can be made via the My Beaded Designs Facebook Page or via the Artfire Store (however, please note the store is not up-to-date).

Please use the code “PPMeow” when requesting your orders friends, so that the donations for PSBR can be tracked and collected easily from now until December 31, 2014.

For a Album of PAW Necklaces and options, click here.

I am personally very pleased and proud to be wearing such a lovely, stylish symbol of puppy love in memory of The Berto. AND am trilled to be able to help support Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue in his memory at the same time — Thanks so much Maryanne & My Beaded Designs. xo\

So, which ones are your favourites? And which ones are you gonna order? Tell me – take pictures and post them to the FB page. I wanna see you in your PAWs!

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Electro Swing Toronto’s Vintage Hollywood

We were at it again folks!

Electro Swing Toronto’s event this month was attended by moi and several TVSers (Toronto Vintage Society) to work the door and help judge the best dressed competition that is held each time an Electro Swing event happens. Tonight’s theme: VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD!

DJ Medicineman (founder of Electro Swing in Toronto) often recruits TVS to help him with vintage related things – and so far these collaborations have been fantastic!!! To see the other ones I’ve attended, click here , here and here.

Me wearing what I was told is a “80s does 20s classic black Hollywood peplum dress (BlackMarket Vintage on WQW for $10). And Joy!!! Photo Credit: Shermette

And Joy in an amazing Audrey Hepburn inspired look with jewels, gloves, cig holder and everything! **swoon**

Joy and Shermy … in their amazing vintage dresses giving their best vintage-non-smiling-bored faces.

Here we are on stage…trying to gauge audience applause for winners of Best Dressed: Dapper Dude and Dashing Dame:

Tah-Dah ….TVS with the winners of the Best Dressed Competition:

Check out my magical hair transformation courtesy of Jacquie – done in two mins flat in the green room at Revival!!! Thanks Miss Jacquie 🙂

My dress was a simple black – a classic hollywood look – with gold Lemay. I was told is a “80s does 20s classic black Hollywood peplum dress (BlackMarket Vintage on WQW for $10).

I threw on a black feather boa (Dollarama) and excessive blingy jewellery (most of which i got as wedding presents – Indian people love giving jewellery to brides)…and off I went.

Collage -O-Fun had at Electro Swing Toronto’s Vintage Hollywood night!

Electro Swing with Toronto Vintage Society — TVSers: Jacquie (Founder of TVS), moi, Shermy and Joy

For complete photo album of the event, taken by David Tom Photography, click here. AND to read about the event from Shermy’s perspective visit her blog Shermette. 🙂

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Fall Double Feature: Sporty Chic

Here it is folks ….. the LAST outfit post from our week long Fall Double Feature special. Hazza!!!

I hope you’ve been enjoying and following this FIRST SERIES on PPMeow! Cassie from Style Cassentials and I had so much fun putting together this collaboration. And we’d love to know what you thought too (use the comments section below to do just that, friends).

We’ve been discussing and putting our own unique twists to Fall trends ALL week. If you missed any of my previous posts I’ll list them at the end of this one…so you can get yourself caught up and Fall ready! 🙂

Let us end this series by being Sporty Chic!

Waddya think of this triple-split shot taken by *LawreneceKerrPhotography* …whist I was ‘getting camera ready’ in the mirror? Kinda clever huh…

This was the hardest of all the Fall looks for me to put together this week, from my existing wardrobe.

Truth be told, dressing down or sporty isn’t something I do regularly. Seeing as I work from home, I revel in the opportunities to leave the house — and when I do I always wanna dress up, rather than dress down 🙂

So this was a good challenge for me.

My entire mauve-toned outfit is from Reitmans. I’ve totally become a skirt-and-dresses-type-of-chick days, so I paired this simple pencil skirt with a tri-coloured striped button down v-neck cardi. For some reason anything in a stripe seems ‘sporty’ to me …

Of course, these high-top platform sneaks help give the whole look a more casual-sporty-vibe. I try to avoid wearing sweaters with jackets in the Fall – so in an effort to keep warm for Fall temperatures, a simple black n’ white patterned pashmina scarf worked out perfectly. And then for a third pattern, my zebra clutch.

How I Got The Look:

Tri-colour stripped cardi & mauve skirt from Reitmans; High-top kicks from Torrid; Zebra clutch from AlterEgo Clothing and the black n’ white pashmina scarf and hoop earrings were gifted

How much do you love this diagonal zip jacket Miss Cassie is wearing? And that fabulous cuff – LOVE IT! Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trends. Or visit her Facebook page here.

And just in case….if you’ve missed a few from the special Fall Double Feature? Not to fear…

Loving Leather click here; Sweater Glamour click here; Modern Monochrome click here;

Blooms on Black click here; Blue Hues click here; Mad for Plaid click here

Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

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Fall Double Feature: Mad for Plaid

Friday! FriDAY! FRIDAY!

We’ve made it through yet another workweek friends…and have gotten to nearly a week’s worth of Fall Fashion trends in my special Double Feature collaboration series with Cassie from Style Cassentials.

We’re discussing fall trends this week – if you missed any of my previous posts I’ve list them at the end of this one…so you can get yourself caught up 🙂

Today we are Mad for Plaid!

I just love the extra large collar of this black sweater. The details like the single collar button and the cable knitting down the front of the sweater, being different than the arms and back of this piece, add a bit more flare to this office-all-business look.

If you’ve been following this Fall Double Feature series….you’ll notice how many of these trends are overlapping. Like this one..combining Sweater Glamour and with Plaid.

This sangria deep red colour is popping up all over in Fall trends this season. Which is lucky for me…as these adorable red booties have not gotten enough showtime in my office, nor has this glossy alligator purse. 🙂

How I Got The Look:

Long pencil skirt from LauraPetite; Black waffled collared sweater from Sears; Sangria red booties from NineWest; Sangria red alligator purse from Elmwood Spa (yes…they occasionally have purses, accessories and footwear for sale near the exit)

Cassie chose to showcase a black and white thin glen plaid pattern in both a blazer option and sheer shirt. See how many of these Fall trends we’ve been talking about all week can easily overlap each other and totally work!!! Love how she’s incorporating Blooms on Black with the Mad for Plaid trend in her blazer look. Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trends. Or visit her Facebook page here.

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Have you missed a few from the special Fall Double Feature? Not to fear…

Loving Leather click here

Sweater Glamour click here

Modern Monochrome click here

Blooms on Black click here

Blue Hues click here

Fall Double Feature: Blue Hues

Hi Friends!! Today is actually MY BIRTHDAY!!!

🙂

Yep, I’m a September baby – woot! woot!

I’ve gotta admit …. this year I’m feeling a bit of the birthday blues … and NOT in a sad, depressing kinda way 😉

Have you noticed many shades of blue have been incorporated into Fall Runway Shows and magazines lately? Blues are often a very flattering colour on every skin tone and silhouette. With almost every shade of blue out there this season …Today we are talking about: Blue Hues!

I hope you’ve been following my series in collaboration with Cassie from Style Cassentials. We’re discussing fall trends this week – if you missed any of my previous posts I’ll list them at the end of this one…so you can get yourself caught up 🙂

This gorgeous royal blue & white Nouveau bodycon dress was sent to me by a delightful online boutique called VoluptousGirlz … and as you can see, it fit me like a golve!

The length of this dress is perfect …giving me a professional look from the front, with the helpful pattern distracting from my tummy. And then when I turn around – BAM!

….Super sexy deep-v in the back!

I have to admit …when I received this dress I was a bit nervous of how low the deep-v really was. There was no way I was going braless!

I found by wearing a thin white cami underneath not only did it solve the hide-the-bra issue, but also created more smoothness for the rest of the dress to lay flater against my body overall.

How I Got The Look:

The Nouveau dress from VoluptuousGirlz Boutique; white & gold bib + gold drop earrings from Aldo Accessories; glossy grey pumps from Hudson Bay Co.; vintage bracelets from spring’s Toronto Vintage Clothing Show; and finally the purse – I cannot remember friends, sorry.

From all of the birthday promotions from my favourite stores filling up my inbox all month long, it is clear that blues are a definite haute colour this Fall. How are you going to rock the blue hues from your closets this Fall? Tell me all about your plans in the comment section below…

While my look is a bit more Va-va-va-voom, Cassie combines fall neutrals like ivory and caramel with a long flowy navy maxi skirt for a laid-back look. Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trends. Or visit her on Facebook here. Me likee!

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Outfit sponsored by Voluptuous Girlz

Voluptuous Girlz is an online boutique that appeals to the Diva whose assets are voluptuous, and she will wear her piece with such style and grace. Each piece is selected by a voluptuous Diva who knows what is takes to appeal to a girl who exemplifies that person.

Have you missed a few from the special Fall Double Feature? Not to fear…

Loving Leather click here

Sweater Glamour click here

Modern Monochrome click here

Blooms on Black click here

Fall Double Feature: Blooms on Black

Happy Hump Day!!! I hope you’ve been enjoying and following my Fall Fashion series in collaboration with Cassie from Style Cassentials.

We’re discussing fall trends this week – if you missed any of my previous posts, you can check them out here, here and here.

Today we are talking about Blooms on Black!

I haven’t always been a big fan of florals, but this Fall, I’m starting to re-think this….considering we’re only at Hump Day Wednesday with this special blog series, and I’ve already worn blooms-on-black twice! (Click here to see how I incorporated florals with leather earlier this week.)

This Dorothy Perkins metallic floral top is adorable and feminine…perfect for evening or date night.

I’m really feeling gold this Fall … in accessories like watches, bangles, necklaces, earrings. Get yourself some GOLD friends!

In an effort to really play up the gold elements of this top, I paired it with a simple black pencil skirt and my giant pearl necklace…

…keeping my purse and shoes simple matte black.

The back of this top is really the showstopper – don’t you think? 🙂 Dorothy Perkins – A UK company that sells some really beautiful, classic plus size pieces that are high quality and that you are sure to have in your wardrobe for years to come. Many of the items are wardrobe staples. Excellent quality and they sell Canadian sizes 14-18, as well as straight sizes. Lucky for me The Hudson Bay Co. carry her line and I got to scoop up this fab top without online hassles!

How I Got The Look:

Floral ivory & metallic toned top from Dorothy Perkins; black pencil skirt from Old Navy; open toed pumps from Diesel; Giant pearls from Your Big Sister’s Closet; vintage bracelets from Toronto Vintage Clothing Show; black purse gifted

How cute is Cassie in this terrific felt hat!? The blue hues with yellow blooms on black in this dress is just lovely. Plus those amazing gold earrings….Love. It!

Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trends.

What are your thoughts around wearing florals in Fall? How would you incorporate this trend into your wardrobe this season? Use the comments section and tell me all about it…

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Have you missed a few from the special Fall Double Feature? Not to fear…

Loving Leather click here

Sweater Glamour click here

Modern Monochrome click here

Fall Double Feature: Modern Monochrome

I hope you’ve been enjoying and following my Fall Double Feature series in collaboration with Cassie from Style Cassentials. We’re discussing fall trends all week long. If you missed any of my previous posts, you can check them out here and here.

Today we are talking about Black n’ White aka Modern Monochrome: The Classic Combo!
When you’re done reading my post, head on over to Style Cassentials or catch up with her on Facebook for all the details on how Cassie is styling the trends. 🙂

You really can’t go wrong when you rock a classic like black n’ white together. This is the first crop top I’ve ever been brave enough to wear. Waddya think?

I actually wore this exact look for New Year’s Eve this past year…minus the open-toed booties. Swapped them for black stockings and my rocker boots instead, to better suit winter weather.

How I Got The Look:

Skirt and crop top from Forever21+; open-toed booties and burgundy glossy clutch from Aldo; Odetta Cuff and Medina bib from Stella & Dot

For the monochrome skirt in other looks click here. For the crop top in other looks click here. For the open-toed booties in other looks click here.

What do you think about this look? How are you going to be rocking the classic black n’ white trend this Fall? Tell me in the comments section…

Looks like Cassie and I are pulling a twinsy-tuesday with the open-toed booties in both of our Modern Monochrome outfits 🙂 I adore all of Cassie’s jewellery and accessory choices in her look below, don’t you?

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Fall Double Feature: Sweater Glamour

I hope you’ve been following my series in collaboration with Cassie from Style-Cassentials. We’re discussing fall trends this week – if you missed any of my previous posts from this special Double Feature, you can check them out here.

Today we are talking about cozy, comfy, cuddly Sweater Glamour!

Last year, I ended up buying a few sweater dresses during end-of-season sales, so I never really got a chance to maximize wearing them. They are PERFECT for the Fall …

What I love best about them is the fact that they are warm enough to allow you to leave home without a proper jacket. I picked up this red caplet from Jack Lux vintage and costume pop-up shop on West Queen West. (A few of my Toronto Vintage Society sisters have been styling their window mannequins over the last few months, click here to read all about that). Adding this bright pop of colour really helps break up the taupes and browns of this outfit.

How I Got The Look: Snake print sweater dress from Old Navy; red caplet from Jack Lux vintage; brown leather purse from a vintage pop-up sale in The Juncton (small bowler bag from Guess); brown suède booties and double drop pearl earrings Reitmans and mother of pearl ring from my travels in Jaipur, India.

I’m really digging this oversized poncho-esk sweater Cassie is rocking. And that fringed purse…**swoon**. Head over to Style-Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trend. Or check her out on Facebook here.

Are you a fan of sweater dresses? Think this might be something you’d rock this Fall? Tell me what you think in the comments section…

If you missed my post on wearing leather, you can check it out here.

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Fall Double Feature: Loving Leather

Ok folks ….. This week we say farewell to summer and officially move into FALL!

Today, I’m excited to start a new Fall series. This “double feature” is a collaboration with fellow petite plus blogger, Cassie from Style Cassentials.

Cassie describes her style as modern classics with a little dark or edgy glamour. I prefer classic, feminine, and sophisticated pieces. Together, we will be exploring and putting our own twists on several fall trends…all week long!

Today, we are talking LEATHER!

There is just something so sexy and simple about black leather. For me I like mixing leather on leather it with lighter, sheer fabrics to give the look a more feminine and sophisticated vibe.

Stepping into the blue with my silver toed blue pumps, from Reitmans. I’m really feeling the cobalt cool hues for Fall too. I think incorporating pops of this hit of colour via accessories, purses and shoes are a good move over the next few months 🙂

How I Got The Look:

Sheer floral top from Macey’s; leather calf leggings from Forever21+; Leather & suede jacket from Sears; black studded clutch from Ardene; silver toed blue pumps from Reitmans

What are your thoughts? How would you incorporate leather into your Fall looks? Use the comments section below…

Cassie is rocking a fit-and-flare leather skirt for an evening or date night Fall look. Head over to Style-Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trend. Or check her out on Facebook here.