Fashion – Page 17

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

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Swing Prom!

If you’ve been following PPMeow! for sometime now, you’ll know that I’ve fallen head-over-heels for Lindy Hop and Swing Dancing! So much so that all summer I’ve tried to attend as many free, outdoor swing event around the city (click here & here), and nearly every Saturday (since the completion of my lessons with Lindy Hop Revolution), I’ve been at The Dovercourt House where Toronto Lindy Hop hosts weekly live bands and dances (with lessons).

Well friends, the last Saturday of every month, Toronto Lindy Hop has a fantastic theme night – and August’s was: SWING PROM!

Which means, this chick had an excuse to get extra all dolled up in vintage-esk duds AND dance the night away in a tiara – duh!

I picked up this teal dress from a Plus Size Consignment Sale I participated in last year — its an ASOS dress — and this is the first time I’ve ever worn it. The long strand pearls were picked up from the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show a earlier this year and shoes (from Naturalizer) and tiara were from my wedding. Thrilled to finally have an excuse to wear this prettiness out again!

To my surprise….making these corsages and boutonnieres were uber simple.

All you need are some love faux flowers and leaves, a bit of felt adhere the flowers down to, elastic to secure it to your wrists and a hot glue gun to stick everything down into place. Easy. Peasy. Lemon. Squeezy. 🙂

These were the ones I created!!! I’m not at all crafty…and was thrilled and how great these turned out! Yay me!

Tah-Dah! Corsages totally make these prom dresses….don’t you think?

Swing dancing in poofy frocks just makes your heart happy…. at least it does mine. 🙂

swing dancing prom — Gentlemen readers … if you’re looking to meet beautiful chicks in the city…clearly SWING DANCING is where you’ll find them! Meow indeed! 😉

The Pre-Prom Crafty Team … 50s, 60s and 80s themes represented

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AdditionElle @ The Stockyards

A few girlfriends and I have declared this month to be “Save September”! Unfortunately, the flurry of blogger events due to Fall Fashion premieres (click here) and end of season sales everywhere…I’m weakened easily. Plus, with this being my birthday month, my inbox has been bombarded with birthday coupons and discounts at all my favourite shops. I’m only human friends. It would be rude not to accept these kind offers and gifts…right? right!

Needless to say….so far, I have failed miserably as this saving challenge amongst my girls thus far. 😦 But things are looking up for my Fall wardrobe! Woot! Woot! 🙂

The other day I was greeted by the following pieces of mail….

So I grabbed a fellow curvy lady in my life and off we went to checkout the GRAND OPENING EVENT of AdditionElle @ The Stockyards.

I have to admit, from what I’ve seen myself at this opening and from fellow blogger, Curvy Canadian’s recent post on AdditionElle’s 2014 Holiday Fashion Preview — there weren’t very many pieces that were really calling out to me at all.

Out of the entire store – there were only three items that I bothered trying on (sorry about the burry iPhone pics friends):

Love & Legend Faux Leather Bustier Dress — $130

Loved this faux leather bustier dress…I’m wearing a 2x that was wayyy too big for me. The skirt beneath the tule is plaid…too cute.

This sweatshirt dress is literally that….felt like I was in a nighty…an $85 nighty….that wasn’t very flattering on me….pfft!

Are you serious – this acid pink dress is all kinds of wonderful!!!! I first tried on the 2x…and it was horrible. Then the helpful, lovely shopgirl stripped down her mannequin to get me the ONLY size x they had in the store…and I was in love! Needless to say, this frock came home with me …along with some wonderful tee-shirt bras (buy one, get the other at 40% off!….and the go up to H Cup friends!!!).

With my birthday coupons + 20% off grand opening discount + 2nd bra discount + a bonus $20 g/c handed to me upon walking into the shop for their store opening ….. I racked up the savings and went home a very happy camper! 🙂

FYI..this week only, September 5-12 any shopping you may do at this location (The Stockyards: Keele & St. Clair W.) you will receive 20% off your purchase!

Woot! Woot!

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Dancing on the Pier

So long summer ….. the last Dancing on the Pier swing series at Harbourfront Centre took place last week. I kept my outfit of the day relatively simply, yet nautical …swing dancing by the water and all 🙂

What I wore: a striped high-neck tank (Reitmans); my navy anchor pencil skirt (Old Navy); and my red Airwaks (Payless)

For other nautical themed looks click here, here and here.

I only got there for about an hour of solid dancing to the fab Toronto All-Star Big Band, who’s tunes revives the spirit, with the style and sounds of the 1930s, 40s and 50s – that golden age of the big bands.

Checkout a few candid shots from the event taken by Lawrence Kerr of LawrenceKerrPhotography

For other posts about swing dancing in and around Toronto click here, here and here.

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Blogger Exclusive: Fall Preview of SexyPlus Clothing

In my short time blogging I’ve been very fortunate to have met some fantastic, inspiring new people. People who truly encourage and support the endeavours of bloggers within the plus size community, who operate with the true spirit of collaboration. Stefanie Augusteijn, Owner of SexyPlus Clothing embodies all of this – she talks the talk, and walks the walk. Earlier this week she threw a soiree… a Blogger Exclusive …to preview the fabulous Fall fashions her lovely boutique has to offer.

Dresses! Jackets! Boots! Jewellery! Wine and Cake!

Best. Wednesday Night. Ever!!!!

Ok let me introduce you to all who were in attendance —

back row (left to right): McKinna, the lovely SexyPlus Clothing shopgirl; Tierra Sedgemore of Size Sexy; Erica of Erica Exposed; Thera of Cloud14+; Annika of CandiApple Couture; Sarah of Big Hips Red Lips; Karen of Curvy Canadian

front row (left to right): Maryanne, Owner/Designer of My Beaded Designs; Lisa of Ginger Won’t Snap; Jessica of Clothes & Shit; Moi, Petite Plus, Meow!….and sitting up front is SexyPlus Clothing’s Stefaine.

10688437_10152414533516288_7285996379081478421_o — CakeStar cake covered in social media – perfect for this Blogger Event!

We were lucky to have the creative, photographic talents of Rebecca Northcott, Rebecca Northcott Photography on hand to capture all the moments of the event. I’ve peppered my blogpost with a few of my favourites 🙂

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-37 — Lovely handmade one of a kind jewellery from My Beaded Designs

Naturally, I HAD to try on a few items of course…. any of these strike YOUR fancy for Fall friends? Special shoutouts to go the lovely shop-girls, McKina and Sabrina who were uber attentive and helpful, providing honest opinions and encouragement once you’re ready to emerge from the change rooms.

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-57 — Fall fashions from Joseph Ribkoff

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-59 — Fall fashions from Joseph Ribkoff

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-85 — I LOVED this Joseph Ribkoff jacket … as you can tell by the way I stepped out of the change room 🙂

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-86 — Fall fashions from Joseph Ribkoff

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-82 — I really loved this top….made in Canada by Artex

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-63 — This gorgeous Joseph Ribkoff black n’ leather fit me more like a dress than it did a jacket … ah yes, the pleasures of being petite.

Overall, it was a fantastic night. Or in the words of Miss Stefanie:

It was a girl-power-curvy-positive-collaborative-fashion-princess-empowering-sizesexy kind of night.

SEXYPLUSPREVIEWF14-157 — Too funny…..us being drama queens … *“It’s Too Hot!”*

So … the big question – what did I go home with? 🙂

1. A gorgeous statement necklace by Victorious Me, a Toronto-based retailer

2. A long slit dress, custom made for SexyPlus Clothing by Ralph C also made in Canada – $99…reduced to $25!!!! Crazytown score – hooray for me!

3. The newsprint dress: made in Canada by Artex, called the Jax dress, new Fall arrival priced at $89 — a steal and a half!!!

I even got my very own MEME out of the night … words to live by, I think 😉

So, waddya think of my Fall haul? See anything you like from SexyPlus Clothing‘s Fall Arrivals?

If you’re in the GTA and are planning on visiting this fab boutique to get your shopping on… I’ve got a few discount cards that I’d happily send YOUR way. Simply leave a comment below and let me know!

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Perfect Game Day Outfit Challenge

Let’s Go, Blue Jay’s! Let’s Go!

I haven’t been to the ballpark to see a game in a long, long time. 9-innings of baseball sitting on hard plastic seats snug beside strangers can be a bit daunting. But when a gf invited me with some premium 100-level seats on a hot, sunny, breezy Sunday knowing the Rogers Center/Skydome would be wide open…how could I say no?

After all, any activity where one can drink beers in the afternoon without judgement is one I can happily support. 😉

Truth be told, I’m not much of a sports fan, and dressing ‘sporty” isn’t the easiest thing to do within my existing wardrobe. But I definitely wanted to be a ‘fan-girl’ … so I dug out my Jays Jersey and paired it with a simple jean skirt, with built-in shorts (Reitmans), my red Airwalks (Payless), and the only baseball cap I could find, and off I went.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of the new Blue Jays logo. I much prefer the classic one….and have my eye on this great baby blue cap from Fanatics; the leading online retailer for everything sports, specializing in apparel for all of your favourite teams.

When getting ready for the big game I know that everyone has their own sense of style. Looking around the Dome that afternoon, checking out everyone’s sporty personal style… I started to think about what my Perfect Game Day Outfit would look like.

In addition to this classic logo’d Jays cap in baby blue, I’d use these 7-pieces of clothing/accessories to create my ensemble:

Love this lace baseball tee! Sporty, yet delicate and feminine…perfect for a hot summer day and more interesting than just a plain tank-top. Cotton draw-string shorts to make the long hours of sitting on hard plastic seats a bit more bearable. Plus having a cross body bag means you won’t have to place your purse on the sticky, gross floor. I kept the jewellery simple – white leather bracelet and pretzel earrings (how fabulous!!!). And finally baby-blue polka-dot Keds …who not only go with my baseball cap selection, but keeps you comfy casual and cute. And a scarf, just in case it gets cold. BOOM! Game Day ready! Let’s Play Ball!!!

Fanatics has a ton of other baseball hats in case the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t your team…. just sayin’ 😉

Checkout a few snaps I took from the game I was at that Sunday afternoon … I dunno what it is about a dancing mascot but he makes me oh-so happy.

Enjoy friends!