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.
Summer weather is here, which means I’m looking for easy, comfortable, yet fashionable outfits to take me out-and-about to enjoy all the summer fun this city has to offer!
Being petite – short – wearing maxi dresses isn’t an easy task. This is the main reason I don’t own too many of them. When I *do* find one that I like, there’s usually an additional cost to whatever the tags …hello: shortening alterations. 😦 ANOTHER factor to me NOT wanting to buy them.
Lucky for me Forever21+ had this one is a gorgeous summer orange that really looked amazing against my skin tone.
And the price was right at $22! BIG WIN!
This maxi dress is made from a stretch knit, light fabric. With adjustable cami straps making it perfect for ladies who are short-waisted like me.
There’s an elasticized waist, which I covered up with an old belt to add some more interest to this simple frock.
And a ruffled flounce bodice adds to the neckline showcasing the girls nicely, without being too titty-citty-in-your-face about it 🙂
Now, it’s still hella long for me… but I managed to make it work for my petite height by simply knotting the frock off to the side.
Which gave the entire outfit a summer-goddess-drappy look. Making this maxi work for minis … like me!!! 🙂
Do you like it? Tell me what you think of the way I styled and made this maxi work in the comment section below.
Since shopping in Boston was a total bust (click here Boston trip summary) … I was dying for some much-needed retail therapy!
Lucky for me that I happened to stumble upon some crazy sales over the last few weeks here in The6ix.
Here’s my recap from those Shopping Hauls:
TATYANA BOUTIQUE
Just look at my receipt below from an unexpected shopping trip I made last week – when I got an email from Tatyana Boutique saying that it was THE LAST day to get 50% off everything in store INCLUDING already reduced items!!
What did I buy you’re wondering…?
Here’s a quick snapshot of the frocks that followed me home ….
A total of 3 Tatyana Dresses came home with me: Floral & Lace (left) $60 and the Golden Tassel (right) $17!!!!!
That gold dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger. But it’s vintage reproduction at its very best – hugging curves just right and landing at the perfect height without any alterations.
I’ve already worn it to work!
It’s not every day you find a dress with office-appropriate tassels 😉
And the 3rd dress I got was THIS one!!!! I have no idea when or where I’m gonna wear this …. but it was just magical…followed by ooo’s & ahh’s upon stepping out of the change room.
Perhaps its time I started my jazz singing career just to wear this dress nightly!!! 😉
This gown was over $200. But with this amazing sale, it came home with me for $60!!!!!
This dress has an intricate spider webbed, sexy sweetheart neckline and with a cascading waist with a bow detail in this form fitted silhouette.
A sexy v-shaped back leads to a zip closuer and ends with a striking slit up the back. And even at my petite height (when worn with heels) it’ll be floor-length fantastic!!! ❤
FOREVER21+
I try to avoid doing too much shopping at Forever21+ … for fear of looking like every other plus sized babe in the city.
But just look at these sweet colours and patterns!!! YUP! They needed to be mine!
Foxes on a simple sleeved, belted swing dress! $33
A semi-sheer maxi dress featuring an all over floral print, a buttoned front, a V-neckline, an elasticized waist, and 3/4 sleeves with buttoned cuffs. $33
Stay tuned to the blog for specific outfit posts styling each of these ones soon! 😉
PENNINGTON’S
OH MAN!!! I’ve been ranting about bra’s and bra-blems for a few posts on the blog. With the CAD$ being in the can…it has been preventing me from cross-boarder shopping for over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.
Being a busty gal…finding my cup size here in Toronto just isn’t affordable.
But then … Penningtons had a crazy, stupid sale…making ALL THAT YOU SEE HERE $22 each!!! Unheard of price for ladies of the big titty committee..right?
Now, although this retail claims to have G & H cup sizes, they rarely seem to have them when I’m shopping. Seems they are super popular and sell out immediately. Sigh..
I managed to find sister sizes (i.e. 44DDDDDD … LOL! you get what I mean) to help compensate for band:cup difference. At this price point…I was determine to make them work!!! 🙂
Oh, I picked up 2 sweet nightys too…for $15 each!
STREET VENDORS & OUTDOOR MARKETS
Summer brings with it the many outdoor festivals, markets and other fun where vendors are selling their wears street-side. And fantastic deals and finds can be found!!!
I’m all about the hats in the summer… sun protection is very important … especially for keeping the once face sun-spot free 😉
Hats! Hats! Hats! Sold at Kensington Market.
Of all the many hats I own, I didn’t have a simple black and white one. So when I found this adorable side-bow-button detail on this one….it had to be mine.
$10 – and basically goes with everything! Whoop! Whoop!
There you have it friends! You’ve gotten the inside scoop on all the newest pieces in my closet.
Were you able to take advantage of any of these deals yourselves?
Got any favourites from what I’ve showcased in this haul? Tell me about it in the comment section below.
This was an intensive week of non-stop dance with workshops all day, everyday to improve your dancing skills. Taught by amazing dance instructors from all over. Followed by nightly live bands to dance to until the wee hours of the morning!
Here’s a quick run down of those live musical acts:
Truth: When I signed up for this trip, I figured I’d have a ton of other Toronto dancers going with me. But with the CAD$ being so low…that wasn’t the case. And then I had a lower back injury that led to me doing very little dancing all winter. I started to chicken-out and was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone else at this camp.
What if they were all amazing dancers and they discover that I’m a dancing fraud!?
What if they’re all super young and I’ll be the oldest granny of the group?!
What if I sit all alone for every meal with no friends all week!? The Fear Was Real!
As the travel date got closer and closer… turns out that there were only two other Toronto dancers heading to Beantown …and we were all arriving at different times.
So I forced myself to be brave, packed my electric heating pad, a sh!t-ton of Ibuprofen and muscle pain ointment and off I went to spend over a week at a dance camp, in a city where I know nobody… dun dun dunnnn!
I had to audition to get into an appropriate “track level” for all your classes that week. Terrifying? Yes!
Result: Turns out I’m an intermediate dancer!
This was the first time I participated in a group routine and performed in public!!!
I’m happy to report – we didn’t mess up once on stage!!! Woot! Woot! 😀
Me and my routine dance partner, Eddie
Here’s the routine. We were nervous that we’d screw it up…so we claimed a spot in the back row…far right, if you’re looking for me.
Look for my especially twirly skirt. 😉 Click here to read about my outfit if you’re curious.
I was way too busy having the time of my life … that I didn’t take too many pictures during my stay at camp.
Luckily I’ve managed to find a few of me taken at the fun photobooth the last night of camp – celebrating its 20th anniversary!
Visit my Instagram channel to see all the camp adventures + video clips of a few lessons and a mini private concert with Norma Miller – Lindy Hop swing dancer known as the “Queen of Swing”
DOWNTOWN BOSTON
Camp ended on a Thursday…and with the long weekend here (Canada Day), I decided to stick around Boston and explore the city solo.
My hostel – HI Boston – was right next to the Boston Common – pretty much right in the heart of downtown.
I slept the day away – my body was exhausted after 7-days of dance. But in the evening, I walked around on my own and found myself in the Public Gardens just as the sun was setting…
Gorgeous pink skies in the Public Gardens, Boston
And at the other side of this the park… I stumbled upon this landmark…
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name!!”
Naturally I had to stop in and have a cuppa Calm Chowda at the bar and channel my inner Norm. 😉
Friday I was a proper tourist! I was determined to maximize the day AND night!!!
What better way to explore a new city than on foot! I discovered a fab lil’ company called Free Tours by Foot which does just that! These tours are among the best things to do in Boston, taking you through many of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods. Best part: there is no charge to take our tours. Meaning you may pay what you feel the tour was worth after the tour is completed, thus ensuring that your tour guide must strive to give his or her best on every tour. Win. Win.
What I saw on the Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel
Old South Meeting House
Old Corner Bookstore
Old State House
Boston Massacre Site
Faneuil Hall
In addition to all these historic sites … I managed to drive by the Harvard Campus at night …. took the T-train on a pub crawl to some uptown Boston Bars…. checked out the local Lindyhop Social…. brought the house down with newly made friends while Karaoke’ing in Cambridge … caught some live jazz over brunch…and even had a bit of a romantic interlude that weekend to boot! 😉
Overall, my trip to Boston was da.bomb.com! ❤
It’s a fantastic city – super green – with lots to see and do. Sadly, I dedicated an entire day to shopping and came up empty-handed. Nothing wow’d me enough to spend my money. Nothing. Very, very disappointing. 😦
Who’s been to Boston? Were there some “must do’s” that I missed? Now that you’ve read about my adventures, would you take a trip out there too?
Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.
Wearing summer appropriate outfits that fit with corporate-life and life-life can be a challenge.
But having solid staple pieces make things a bit easier.
Take this outfit I threw together for one of the few days I’m forced into downtown Toronto office life.
A simple stripped pencil skirt can be worn for work and play. Bone kitten heels are always at the ready at the office.
The crochet top isn’t something I’ve worn to the office before. It’s really from my ‘summer beach time’ wardrobe. But with a solid cami worn underneath, it becomes totally wearable for the office.
A hot pink blazer just pulls the look together, giving the illusion that some effort was made when I came up with this look.
My uncombed hair, on the other hand, gives me away 😛
How I Got The Look:
Pink Blazer, INC Hudson Bay Co.; Stripped pencil skirt, Marshalls; Crochet top, Forever21+; Bone kitten heels, NineWest
For more looks featuring this skirt click here and here.
What do you think of this look? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.
Toronto weather was so confused this year that Spring got a late start. Only to warm up oh-so quickly.
So since I’ve be rocking more Summer wear already, I thought I’d do a recap post from all the fun Spring style and trends covered on Petite Plus, Meow!
Click on each image to be taken to that specific blogpost 🙂
Spring Forward
Leggings + HiLow + ScarfEaster Outfit
Oldies, But GoodiesAnd last but not least,
THE SPRING TREND Collaborative Series….with Cassie of StyleCassentials
Got a favourite? Got any feedback on what you’d like to see more of on Petite Plus, Meow!.…
Let me know by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading. xo
Whatever you call them, the Bra is an essential item in a woman’s closet and a critical element to making any outfit look exceptional!
But if you’re a busty, full-figured gal, find options that are comfortable, affordable and pretty just isn’t easily done. Now, add the extra complexity of wearing those cute Summer outfits to the burden of the rack.
BEFORE
Like this one! I basically live in dresses like this all Summer long.
Simple, light, and NOT black! That’s my go-to Summer look 🙂
Since bra manufacturing, and the fashion industry for that matter, hasn’t fully realized that “nude” isn’t exactly nude to all skin tones …
Wearing a black bra is the only available colour that does its best to appear invisible against my skin when wearing light/white tops.
THE SOLUTION
The Plunge/Convertible Bijou Bra by Elomi
How sweet are these pink ribbons with black polka-dots. ❤
Plus pink stitching details at the side of the cups … just so pretty. ❤
Bijou Bra by Elomi, courtesy of Broad Lingerie
AFTER
Tah-dah! Criss-cross action of this bra underneath this thin cotton dress makes everything better!
Yes, there’s bit of a peek-a-strap … but its a huge improvement over what I was wearing.
Added bonus of this Plunge/Convertible Bijou Bra was its smoothing factor.
This just might be the perfect T-shirt bra!! What do you think?
There you have it friends. Our special Summer Outfit Bra-blem Solved series comes to an end.
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading and ready to use these solutions yourselves!
Click here to read more about this new bra boutique for busty, full-figured babes.
And click here and here for the another Summer Solutions to common Bra-blems.
And you know what that means – beautiful Summer dresses with difficult necklines for a bra to work with.
Le sigh…
As If it wasn’t already oh-so-dififcult finding bras that fit larger chests properly + pretty + affordable. But Summer brings with it a whole other set of bra-blems!!!
This week on the blog we’ve got a mini-series dedicated to specific Summer Bra-blemsI’ve experienced and showing you how Broad Lingerie found me a solution, making that Summer outfit even more Wow + Wearable this time around 😉
BEFORE
Here I am… last Summer I found this adorable halter-neck dress, one that I’ve been coveting on my Pinterest closet for months and suddenly found it on a sale rack in a shop here in Toronto!!!
It got me. Hook, Line and Sinker … Click here for that original post for frock deets.
Sadly it was a bit too small to button over my ta-tas. But I loved it anyways and came up with the following way to wear it in public. :p
My tank-top solution worked out well to cover up the gap in the front, buuuut the giant black bra straps and tank straps view from the back isn’t so cute.
THE SOLUTION
Smoothing Strapless/Halter Bra by Elomi
AFTER
Strapless bras are always a challenge when it comes to a good fit and the stay-in-place factor, especially if you’re blessed-in-the-chest.
There was some gaping with this bra, but once the hater strap was attached the fit of Elomi’s strapless bra was much improved.
What do you think ofBroad Lingerie’s solution to my bra-blem for this summer outfit?
Tell me about your thoughts in the comment section below.
And stay tuned later this week for another Summer Bra-blem Solved post 😉
Before…
After…
Want your own Elmoi Strapless Bra?
Mention the blog Petite Plus, Meow and get a 15% off your purchase!!!
Visit them at 1763 Danforth Avenue – just east of Coxwell in Toronto
Store Hours: Wed-Thurs 11-6, Fri-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-6.
With the weather warming up at hyper-speeds in Toronto and the CAD $ yet to improve, my need for finding over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders WITHOUT cross-boarder shopping was becoming an urgent priority.
At the beginning of May, on the heels of me posting a Boobs & Bra-related rant post – click here for that – She Does The City, an online ‘imperfect life guide for women” announced that there was a new lingerie boutique that had opened in Toronto specifically for those blessed in the chest!!!
❤ ❤ ❤
Could it be? Have the stars and straps really aligned? Could all my bra-blems be solved with the arrival of this much-needed local shop?
Only one way to find out! 😉
Broad Lingerieis a store dedicated to women who wear cup sizes DD and above. Our aim is to make bras and swimwear accessible to fuller busted women by offering a smarty curated selection of basic and fashion styles sold at affordable pricing in a welcoming atmosphere.
What really struck me about this shop was the fact that those larger bra sizes that I was on the hunt weren’t all hidden in a backroom requiring a special request before they could be seen. 😮
Nope. They were just hanging out there with all the rest of ’em… in all their glory awaiting to be perused, touched and even tried on without anyone’s assistance.
A shocking, yet refreshing approach rarely seen in my bra-shopping experience.
Fellow blogger and friend, Stef, did a great write-up of her experience with Broad Lingerie upon their store opening.
Sam, the shop owner, provided me with a proper bra fitting, since every brand fits a little different.
Together we selected TWO new Boobie-Traps (ha!) to solve my biggest bra-related irritants:
1. the “back band ride-up” and 2. the “quad-boob + underwire poke” combo!
Stay tuned for a special Summer Outfit Bra-blem Solved series THIS week where I’ll be featuring the Broad Lingerie fixes for some of those “difficult summer necklines”! 😉
Kind of big thing in the 90s … I remember owning a great pair as a teen.
They were kind of boring flats with perfectly shiny, leather crosshatching. Well, they seem to be back as a perfect summer alternative and ultra-trendy. 🙂
So you can imagine my excitement when I saw these bad boys in the sale category on the Aldo Shoes site!!!!
For a mere $19 … these gold leather, rubber soled slip-ons with peep-toe seemed meant for me.
I ordered my usual 8.5 size and then patiently awaited their arrival.
Are they lovely? Freddana sandal from Aldo Shoes
Beware!!! Don’t let their good looks fool you friends! They are a VERY Narrow Fit!!!!
I realised how painful they are after I wore them once. They gave me blister on the back of my foot cause the hard inner material of the shoe rubbed roughly against the skin of my Achilles heel.
My feet are STILL recovering
This has been a public service announcement. Highly recommend sizing up or steering clear of these.
I try to keep this blog’s content simple and honest. My writing is mostly based on a simple concept:
What I Did and What I Wore.
This has made Petite Plus, Meow!an online journal of a short, curvy city gal’s experience-based perspective of going out-and-about, trying new things and reporting back to you – my readers – to hopefully provide you inspiration and encouragement to try those things YOURSELVES! 🙂
And in doing that, I end up writing about a lot of different things … fashion, dancing, food, shopping, dating, dogs. ❤
If you’re following me on Facebook, then you know WHAT I DID!!! 😉 I recently applied to become a foster-fur mom to a dog rescue called Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue.
It’s been a few summers since I’ve lost The Berto (R.I.P.) … and I’ve been toying with the idea of getting another pup.
I’m not sure if my heart is ready just yet. But in the meantime, why not help out where I can with improving the welfare of rescued and surrendered pups! ❤
Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue (PSBR) is a volunteer rescue group in Ontario, Canada. We provide care for dogs that that have been surrendered by their owners, rescued from puppy mills, or are in danger of losing their lives in local animal control facilities. We are a registered Canadian charity, operated by a group of dedicated individuals committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming Pomeranian and other small breed dogs. All dogs are fostered in loving home environments.
My first placement has been this adorable Pomeranian Maltese mix lil’ pup named Snoopy.
He arrived mid-week, dropped off by his surrenders…shaggy, tear-stained faced, crazy long nails…and didn’t want anything to do with me. 😦
Snoopy hung out at my front door waiting for his ‘people’, not knowing they’ve left him for good.
Meet Snoopy
But then…after 3.5hours….this lil’ filthy, barky furball starting exploring his new digs…and then made his way to my lap on my sofa…!!!
There were a few pee-accidents that first week, but with the help of tethering this quickly stopped. His appetite soon returned, eating his full bowl at breakfast and dinner right when they were served.
By the end of that week, Snoopy started to hangout more with me more on the living room carpet and even let me play with him…tug-o-war and fetch seem to be his favourite. 🙂
Having only been a dog owner once in my life – to the Berto – the most silent, affectionate pup in the land, who had full reign of my living space – I was in new territory with Snoopy and his crate.
I never felt comfortable locking him in there anytime I needed to leave the house. But I did it, to make sure his boundary training was kept intact while in his new pad – my house.
Being crate-trained, he would often would just hangout in there for naps or for chewing on his toy keys. Since I work from home, Snoopy would very rarely be without my company.
Look at that little face… Snoopy’s, not Darth. 😉
At night, he’d sleep in his crate. One night, I left his crate unlocked to see what would happen…would my apartment be unrecognizable by morning…only to find him asleep with me on MY BED!!!! ❤
By the next week, this pup and I were fast friends…and even napped together. He climbed me!
He climbed me! The Snoopy likes me…finally! Yippee!
Over the weekend I left him alone a few times for longer and longer periods of time to see what his behaviour is like. He’s a barker. My neighbours are understanding, but their kindness died down quickly – as condo living and barking-fits just don’t mix.
It happens sometimes that people don’t tell us “the whole truth” about the dog..and we get lovable little handfuls. But with some training tips from the rescue’s behaviourist, I was able to begin curbing some of Snoopy’s bad habits in the house and on walks. He needs consistency with these techniques so that they can become permanent behaviours.
Adopt Snoopy
For the last few weeks, Snoopy has been living in Niagara Falls so that he can work with the behaviourist 1:1 to make him more adoptable 🙂
Once Snoopy is adopted PSBR’s commitment doesn’t stop there. Dog trainer Renee Mauro is ready and willing to help with the training after the adoption takes place for no charge.
If YOU’D like to adopt Snoopy … click here to read his Petfinder Ad and apply today! 🙂
If you’d like to adopt, donate or become a foster yourself with Pomeranian Small Breed Rescue, visit www.psbrescue.com and apply!!!
Here he is..12 lbs of fun!!! Snoopy is big personality in a little package, guaranteed to bring laughter and joy to his lucky forever home! https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/35120538
Hope you like this new feature of the blog: ADOPT ME… where I will be summarizing my experience with each new pup that ends up in my foster-care until their forever home is found.
Again, if you’re interested in Snoopy, the rescue, donating or getting involved in helping in some way – use the baked in links above or feel free to leave a comment below. 🙂
Based in southern Ontario, PSBR is a volunteer-run registered charity providing care for dogs that have been surrendered or rescued. Established in 2001
How I Got The Look:
![Summer Bra-blems Solved: Broad Lingerie [3/3]](https://petiteplusmeow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/screen-shot-2016-06-10-at-4-39-59-pm.png?w=1200)
![Summer Bra-blems Solved: Broad Lingerie [2/3]](https://petiteplusmeow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/screen-shot-2016-06-12-at-3-55-14-pm.png?w=1200)
This week on the blog we’ve got a mini-series dedicated to specific 
![Broad Lingerie [1/3]](https://petiteplusmeow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc03639.jpg?w=1200)
PPMeow! 