Author: PetitePlusMeow

Social Media Enthusiast. Learning Designer. Curvy Fashionista. I'm a 30-something Canadian born Bengali (parents are from Kolkata, India...for those of you who need to know that type of thing). I've been chubby-curvy-plus-sized my entire life. Standing at a height of 5'2 and with a darker complexion, it has always been a challenge finding outfits or "looks" that really suit me. Living in the fashionable city of Toronto since birth, with a solid career has finally allowed me to embrace my love of pretty fashions in clothing, shoes and everything in between.

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.

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Photo credit: Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography.com

Size Sexy

How many times have you tried on a piece of clothing a size up from your ‘usual’ … and didn’t want to buy it simply because you didn’t like that the tag wasn’t what you wanted it to say?

On the flip side, have you ever cheered for joy in a change room upon finding your body being able to fit into an article of clothing that’s smaller than your ‘usual’ size?

I know I’m personally guilty of both of these reactions.

Society has us so obsessed with our SIZE. Why are we allowing a number on the back of a tag affect us so much? After all, YOU are so much more than just a number.

Sexy is a state of mind. Confidence is sexy. Body confidence does not come from trying to achieve the ‘perfect body, it comes from embracing the one you already got. It has taken me a long time to learn this lesson. I struggle with it from time to time – me and my body confidence are works-in-progress. And I have to say that blogging has been the major contributing factor to lifting my sexy, confident spirit. 🙂

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Two years ago, I got an opportunity to reassess and really focus on me again. I began investing in higher quality fashionable pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories – decorating my outside in an effort to uplift my inside. The more ‘grey’ I felt, the more dressed up I would get, sticking to that old adage of ‘fake it ‘til I make it’ – if I LOOKED happy and put-together then I’d eventually FEEL that way too. And it totally worked!

Over the last few months of blogging, taking photos of myself all dolled up, researching new designers, writing about trends and ‘how-to’s’, reading and sharing body positive messages and surrounding myself with positive people who actively strive to challenge the status quo — to re-imagine diverse bodies challenging dominant beauty and body ideas…..has shifted and lifted my self image. And for the first time in my life I can confidently say: I’m hella sexy! 🙂

I had the delight of meeting the lovely Miss Tierra Sedgemore, creator of Size Sexy earlier this month. And am thrilled to be one of the Bloggers she connected with to help spread this message of self-love, acceptance and body confidence.

Me and the lovely Tierra Sedgemore, creator of Size Sexy

For the leopard pencil skirt in other looks click here. For the open-toed booties in other looks click here.

Show the world that you embrace and love every curve of your body because you are #sizesexy in one of these fabulous cotton/Lycra blend v-neck tees.

These shirts come in several colours: Black, Cobalt Blue, Soft Baby Pink and Red. At the moment they go up to XXL, but Tierra is working on expanding the sizing and colour options in 2015 🙂

Want your own Size Sexy tee? Click here or buy them from SexyPlus Clothing in Mississauga and become part of the movement!

“Don’t be defined by your size. Be size sexy.” – Tierra Sedgemore

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I’m Batman!

How cute is this tee??

For a quick and easy Sunday Brunch outfit of the day, I paired this fantastic baby BATMAN tee (Ardene) with a simple cotton black pencil skirt (Old Navy) and these plaid loafers (Payless). No jewellery, just my white ceramic Michael Kors watch.

I’ll be honest with you… I was uber nervous about buying this shirt from Ardene. The largest they go is XL and often the quality of garments are for one-time wear. But somehow all of me fit into this this one….without streching poor Batman’s face all across my chest – #winning – so naturally this tee had to come home with me.

After all, {insert deep, throaty voice here} ….. I’M BATMAN! 🙂

ps: sorry for the unkept hair and lack of makeup – it was Sunday people. Geez!

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Body Confidence Canada Awards 2014

September 9th is known as the International Day of Beauty — it was created by the International Committee of Aesthetics and Cosmetology (CIDESCO) and was adopted by the World Congress in 1995. What better day to celebrate body confidence, education, health and community empowerment!

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the 2nd annual Body Confidence Canada Awards – A Toast To Curves held at Panorama. The BCCAs created and run by the amazing Aisha Fairclough and Jill Andrew, of Fat In The City, to celebrate “champions of body confidence, positivity and body diversity in Canada”.Body Confidence Canada acknowledges Canadian based recipients who actively fight against stereotypes that attempt to label marginalized bodies (i.e., fat, radicalized, dis/abled, etc.) as unhealthy, uninspired, and underachieving. Looking around the room that night, there was something incredibly refreshing and empowering being among so many beautiful, confident women of all shapes and sizes. 🙂

BCCA 2014 — The Hosts: Aisha Fairclough and Jill Andrew, of Fat In The City

The evening began with cocktails and incredible views of the city …followed by inspiring speeches from guest speakers and the winning nominees.

The 2014 BCCAward winners included: Ophilia Alleyne, Jewel Kats (absent from photo below), Stefanie Augusteijn of SexyPlus Clothing and Cindy Baker. A honourary award was also given to Dr. Carla Rice, one of the esteemed guest speakers . Each recipient shared a touching experience, who’s words were not only uplifting but resonated with nearly every woman in the room.

For a sample of one of the speeches click here by Miss Stefanie Augusteijn …and her message and spirit of collaboration in the plus community 🙂

10606382_10152359099214087_3824836105238679289_n — The Winners of The 2014 BCCAwards

A huge congratulations to all the winners from Petite Plus, Meow!

And now… a few fun snaps of all the fun had by me and the other lovelies in the room…

10658561_730153790373432_805130899124149515_o — Me with THE sensational, inspiring, well-spoken Jill Andrews. If you haven’t seen her in action…click here for her TEDx Talk: **Fat Shaming and the Thin Epidemic**

Me with THE sensational, inspiring, well-spoken Jill Andrews. If you haven’t seen her in action…click here for her TEDx Talk: **Fat Shaming and the Thin Epidemic**

10480109_730153730373438_8689559779164084496_o — What I wore: Captain’s Bodycon dress from SexyPlus Clothing with peep toed platform heels from *Diesel*

Events like this help support the body positive movement. If you want to help build this event, please nominate someone that embodies what the BCCAs are all about by heading to the website and nominating someone for 2015.

“EveryBODY has a story” – let’s celebrate them!

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BIG Tune!

I Absolutely Love Meghan Trainor’s voice! Her 4-track album is terrific. But, my heart belongs to this catching tune “All About That Bass“.

If you’re looking to add this BIG Tune to your karaoke repertoire, like I am 😉 ….here are the lyrics:

Because you know
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass

Yeah, it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I’m supposed to do
‘Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

I see the magazine workin’ that Photoshop
We know that shit ain’t real
C’mon now, make it stop
If you got beauty building, just raise ’em up
‘Cause every inch of you is perfect
From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don’t worry about your size
She says, “Boys like a little more booty to hold tonight.”
You know I won’t be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that’s what you’re into then go ahead and move along

Because you know I’m
All about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass, no treble
I’m all about that bass
‘Bout that bass
Hey!

I’m bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that
No I’m just playing. I know you think you’re fat
But I’m here to tell ya
Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah my mama she told me don’t worry about your size
She says, “Boys like a little more booty to hold tonight.”
You know I won’t be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that’s what you’re into then go ahead and move along