Sooooo I recently celebrated yet another birthday 🙂
This year it fell on a FriYAY! Which meant, this chick wasn’t gonna stay at home…and I definitely wasn’t gonna cook for myself.
AND of course, I needed a new birthday outfit. Here’s what I came up with:
It wasn’t a milestone birthday or anything. Plus its tough trying to round-up the troops after a long work-week to celebrate on a Friday night.
So the plans were simple Triple-D: Dinner – Dessert – Dancing! 🙂
Which meant, I wanted to keep my new bday outfit simple too:
BOTH the Jacket and Floral dress were from Old Navy! Booties are last season from Reitmans.This was a fairly cool evening, so the sweatshirt material of this jacket was just enough warmth. And with minimal accessories with hair pulled back – it would be easy to dance in too!
This dress was super discounted. I really liked the key-hole button up in the back. And it had an interesting dropped waist situation too. I belted it to help break up the floral pattern a bit. Plus, it ties in nicely with my brown booties.
Special Thanksto the handsome owners of NighOwl Toronto who treated the entire table to a round of free drinks … and this birthday girl to post-dinner libations too –> SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! 😉
AND to the lovelies of Bean & Baker Malt Shop who stayed open extra late for this rowdy gaggle of hooligans I call friends. And for the extra special cake surprise – it was DELICIOUS!!!
AND to Lindy Hop Revolution for all the ‘birthday girl’ paraphernalia, glow sticks, wine and BIRTHDAY JAM. 😛
And to all of my friends who showed up to dinner – stayed for ice cream – continued on to swing dancing – and karaoke/car-eokee late night. You guys are the greatest! And sure know how to make this girl feel special and loved! xo
Oh you feel that crispness in the air … Fall is here friends!
And you know what that means: Summer Sales!!!
This outfit cost $20! Reitmans Summer Sales are the greatest!
Yep! It’s your chance to nab some super cute summer stuff on the cheap.
Stay on the lookout for low-cost pieces in jewel tones that can pull a summer wardrobe into fall.
And the perfect opportunity to try and extend these new pieces you acquire into transitioning weather outfits! So checkout my recent summer sale finds and how I’m gonna make them work into Fall….
It’s a TWO piece!!! And the skirt has deep pockets!!!
Winners and Reitmans seem to be my go-to stops for summer sale hunting, especially if I’m in the downtown office.
Purse, old (recently rediscovered it in my closet); Necklace from MyBeadedDesign; Guess Platform sandals, Winners ($29); Matchy top ($10) and skirt ($10) from Reitmans
For cooler Autumn days — simply add tights, trade in open toes for closed toed shoes and a sweater layer in a warm colour, like orange below 😉
Ya’ll know I’m a shopaholic. It would be really easy to blow your fashion budget on buying new clothes for the fall, especially with so many tempting window displays out there right now. (I fell victim to it recently after a simple dental cleaning appointment – if you’re following me on Instagram, then you know what I mean).
But your Fall Tales doesn’t have to buying a completely new wardrobe. By adding richer textures, darker colours and a little added warmth your summer clothes …and you’ll be able to wear ’em well into right into winter!!!
So, what do you think of my Summer Sale, Fall Tale here? You like?
What are some of your tips for transitioning your wardrobe for cooler weather?
It happened. Summer is Over. Fall has officially begun!
I dunno about y’all….but I had an excellent summer! Toronto is the greatest! And Summer in the city is just the best!
With all the many street festivals, buskers, concerts, dancing on the pier, movies in the park and ferry trips to the Toronto Island… there’s always tons of fun to be had.
Here is a quickie recap of some of the fun-in-the-sun events I attended, that I didn’t get a chance to blog about:
TVS PinUp Picnic
Toronto Vintage Society did another PinUp Picnic this year … armed with blankets and baskets we sectioned off a corner of Trinity Bellwoods to enjoy an afternoon of simple fun in overcast skies…
The Outfit: Cherry peep-toed wedges, H&M; Wicker purse, Tatyana; Parasol, Damzels … and the dress…
After picnicking … a few of us were ready to learn how to do The Stroll with Drea from Soda Pop Hop
No vintage picnic is complete without some dancing in the grass. Click here to see what last year’s picnic was like 🙂A few of us from the Toronto Vintage Society and Friends
Dirty Dancing Quote-a-long
The Bloor Cinema hosted a Quote-a-long movie screening of DIRTY DANCING.
Oh yes…. taking us back to the summer of 1963, via the summer of 1987. Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is resigned to spend her summer at a wholesome family resort in the Catskills, when she unwittingly discovers the wild dance parties the resort staff have after hours.
This quote-along screening was hosted by comedian Steph Tolev, in a karaoke-style where you were encouraged to yell back at the movie screen and boo Robbie-the-Jerk, woot Johnny-the-Dreamboat, and get up and dance like it’s the Time of Our Lives!!!!
Happy to report that EVERYONE knew exactly when to say, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
Toronto Vintage Society’s Tiki Lani Lanai
This was our 3rd Annual Tiki Party … and it was our best turnout ever!
Not quite sure what a Tiki Party is? Click here to find out more Tiki culture. And here to see what it was like last year 🙂
Me among the crowned Tiki Queen of the evening…. and her wife. Aren’t they both just adorbz! My outfit: I found this floral aqua romper (yup, its a onesie friends) from Forever21+; Hair flower from Fruits of Bali; Sandals from Coach
A few of the ladies of Toronto Vintage Society who helped organized and put this party together 🙂
O.K. Blue Jays!
I’m not a big sports fan – sitting through 9-innings of baseball on the hottest day ever and paying for ridiculously over priced food and booze, isn’t my first choice of spending a sunny afternoon.
Buuuuuuut the Toronto Blue Jays have been killing it this season! And in true bandwagon-fan fashion… I wanted to be apart of the hype!!!
So, we got ourselves nose-bleed tickets to a PACKED Skydome game!
Plus, look at these cutie-pie tees I found us!!! $17 from Winners bebe! Aren’t we the cutest!??!
Clearly our matchy-matchy look helped them WIN the game that day. You’re welcome fellas! 😉
Turns out for a non-sports-fan, I made it to a game last year too. Click here for that.
Pre-drinking at Steam Whistle Brewery before the game
Let’s Go To The Ex!
I haven’t been to The Ex since I was a teen. A few dancing friends went down on a Monday night to cash in on the $6 after 5pm deal….. We tasted weird deep-fried foods … checked out livestock at the farm … rode some rides… lost money trying to win prizes…
In line with the gang for BUMPER CARS at The Ex!
AND got to dance the night away to BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY ….!!! We were “So Money” and we didn’t even know it 😉
We’re mid-September, but instead of layers-upon-layers to keep us warm, the weather is keeping us in summer dresses!
And I’m loving it!!! 😀
Like this cutie-pie floral one I picked for $10!!!!!! From a little shop called Smart Set, maybe you’ve heard of it?
Smart Set recently had a CLOSING sale.
The Montreal-based retailer said it will shut 107 Smart Set stores over the next 12 to 18 months, including 31 by year end or early next year. Curious as to why, click here.
Only 31 of the locations will be closed completely. The remaining 76 will be converted to other company banners, which include Reitmans, Penningtons, Addition Elle and RW&Co., as well as Thyme maternity stores.
When I was in highschool, this was a shop I’d visit often. But I don’t think I step in one until a few weeks ago, when I saw the closing signs while I was on my lunch downtown.
Smart Set didn’t carry a plus-size line. So I was very surprised at finding an XL fit me.
What I really liked about this dress was the criss-cross deep-v back…
If I had a longer torso, you’d be able to see how the peek-a-boo criss-cross action should work. But for $10, it was coming home with me for sure…and my short-waisted self was gonna wear it anyway!!! 🙂
Oh, the hat … picked it up from Public Butter, on WQW. Click here for other looks in this hat 🙂
Were you a Smart Set fan? Are you sad about the news that Smart Set having closed?
How I Got The Look: Hat, Public Butter; Sandals, Berkinstock; Dress, Smart Set
Looking for other summertime simple looks … click here, here, here and here. 🙂
If you’ve been following the blog, you already know what a big fan I am of vintage/retro/rockabilly reproduction fashion.
Style eras that celebrate hips and tits are ones I need to be apart of! 😉
There are many UK clothing lines that specifically cater these styles. I’ve got a Pintrest board dedicated to all my coveted retro frocks!
In fact, this was one of my pins …. was this dress by Collectif in London:
The Rowena Dress, by Collectif
The Rowena Anchor Swing Dress … a nautical inspired halter neck frock with navy and red all over anchor print. With three pockets and a removable neck tie for a variety of different looks. Isn’t it the cutest?
So I went to check them out and guess what I found in their sale rack……..
THE Rowena Anchor Dress!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
Now granted the only size remaining was a 2x …and as you can see the only way it would fit my ample upper half was by unbuttoning from the collar down…
BUT I’m in love with this dress: hook, line, and sinker!!! (yup, that was an anchor pun) 🙂
I’m really not a fan of having to wear a strapless bra … so I try and avoid buying clothes that force me to wear one.
I tried wearing this halter dress with a regular ol’ bra….since I had to wear a tank to fill in the giant-boobie-gap. And this was the result:
Then I decided to buy a cheap tank, and cut off the strap to make it into a halter tank …. then wore my clear bra straps and THIS was the result:
Always nice having options that still allows you to wear a proper bra!
I kept the accessories simple with this frock – sometimes jelly shoes, sometimes sandals, with a cross body bag and minimal accessories.
I had this anchor necklace from My Beaded Designs Kinda feel like it was waiting for this dress 🙂
OK. Now that you got a low down on What I Wore…. let me tell you What I Did while in this outfit 🙂
I happened to be out an about all day in this frock … and made my way to Nathan Phillips Square for a PanAm Concert one summer night…
To see THE ROOTS!!
Minus Canada Day in Ottawa, THIS was the largest crowd I’ve ever been apart of in a long, long time.
It seems I’m a big fan of Nautical Inspired looks – click here, here, here , here and here to see what I mean 😉
How I Got The Look: The dress from Loveless Boutique; Necklace from My Beaded Designs; Tank tops from Reitmans and Forever21+
So waddya think? Did I make a mistake buying a dress I couldn’t button up? Or was my tank-top fix a good move?
Let me know by leaving a comment below friends. Until next time…
Oooooo! This summer has been filled with mini travel adventures.
There was an excellent seat sale on Porter.ca … So I decided to spend a little over a week in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city over…
Canada Day Long Weekend!!
Here’s a recap of what I didANDwhat I wore …when I remembered to take pictures 🙂
Oh, Ottawa…. so many monuments, buildings, pretty views and beavertails to enjoy. For outfit deets in these pics…click here 🙂
Things To Do In Ottawa!
This may have been my first visit to this Big-Little City as an adult. And I have to say it is beautiful in the summer!!!
The first half of the week I stayed with friends right in The Byward Market. Within an area of roughly four blocks, you’ll find museums, cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs, salons and more! Often there are musical buskers performing and so many patios to sample! I did my fair share of sampling a few afternoon pints and bites throughout my week there.
There was one spot that had a fabulous Brunch menu – called Lieutenants Pump Pub. For my food review click here.
Brunches were meant for mimosas, eggs benny, babies and old friends 🙂
And I finally got to wear my flamingo summer frock I picked up from Tatyana Boutique on WQW, Toronto.
It got oh-so many compliments from strangers all throughout the meal and beyond 😀
Flamingo dress from Tatyana Boutique
I found a delightful shop called Workshop Studio & Boutique – who had so many fab unique pieces!! I definitely wanted to support the local handmade loveliness.. ❤
Check out a few trinkets I picked up for myself 🙂 If only the frocks they carried were larger I would have spent a fortune in there. Le sigh… #plussizeplease
Oh Yeah those are flamingo ceramic earrings you’re looking at…and button earrings and pins…the cutest!
I had excellent summer weather the first half of my trip…which meant there needed to be a dedicated Lazy, Hazy, Beach Day!!! 🙂
Mooney’s Bay Parkseemed to be a super popular summer destination for swimmers, rowers, and volleyball players.
The beach is located on the east shore of the Rideau River just south of Carleton University. There appeared to be a lots of set-up happening for Dragon Boat Racing when I was there too.
Outfit deets: Swim coverup, Old Navy; Hat picked up in my travels to Malaysia earlier this year.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, then you know that I’ve been on A BABY TOUR the last few months.
Nearly all of my long-time friends have coupled off, started having babies and often moving far, far away.
Baby Bonanza of a Summer!
The first half of my trip was spent catching up with a gf AND her adorable little fella ❤
Mornings were spent with Dora the Explorer. The Wiggles. Elmo & friends. Thomas the Tank Engine. Bubble Guppies.
Bubble Guppies…Bubble Bubble Guppies.
Oh yes…that tune was my jam … this song kept playing in my head all week and beyond friends. It’s so freakin’ catchy 🙂
And I was lucky enough to have him as my beach date!!
Look at him in his stylish swimwear and whale-printed matching sun hat ❤
OK…if you haven’t had one of these PalmBay frozen cocktails yet this summer…get yourself to a LCBO stat!!!! WARNING: Goes down way too easily **hiccup**
Swing Dancing. You know I needed to checkout the lindy hop scene in this city! There seems to be two big nights of swing dancing weekly in Ottawa:
Hosted by Swing Dynamite, SNS features two lessons (an introductory lesson and a specialty lesson) and social dancing till 1:00 am. Doors open at 8:15 pm, lessons start at 8:30. Social dancing starts at 9:15 pm. For more info please visit http://www.saturdaynightswing.com/
This is what I wore for Friday night dancing, click here for outfit deetsThis is what I wore Saturday night dancing. Outfit deets: Dress from Old Navy , Jellyshoes from my Asia trip
Did you know that there are many FREE passes to various Ottawa sites and museums that can be checked out at the local library?
Want the experience of flight but prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Here is your chance to sit at the controls of an aircraft without taking off! Friendly, knowledgeable Museum staff will assist you in boarding one of three cockpits:
the Tutor (CT-114)
the CF-18
the MIG-21
Don’t ask me which one is which. I have no clue. I just wanted to sit in as many cool planes as they’d let me!
We chose to explore the Museum’s amazing collection at our own pace and moved from aircraft and exhibitions as throughly as we wanted. Which meant we had plenty of time for cheesy tourist photo ops like the below shot 😉
You really do need an entire day there.
So maybe the below plane was in a roped off section … but I managed to sweet talk one of the volunteers to let us into the area 😉
I really, really, really wanted to sit in this wee plane.
Learn how an ejection seat can save a pilot’s life. Listen as the Museum’s enthusiastic guides describe the ups and downs of ejecting from a fighter jet.
Then, sit in an authentic ejection seat and learn how pilots use this essential piece of equipment. Like I did below 🙂It was pretty cool discovering Canada’s contributions to aviation from the days of early aviation to the jet age and on into space exploration.
I highly recommend visiting this museum if you get a chance!
No “Irene vacation” is complete without a day-o-SHOPPING!!! 😉
With the Canadian Dollar doing so poorly these days, I’ve been avoiding my cross-boarder shopping trips.
But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Ottawa has an outlet mall: Tanger Outlet
Now…the shops selection was decent, but there weren’t too many “deal-deals”, if you know what I mean.
But I did find a few gems that followed me home:
Fringed purse, with option cross-body strap was from Aldo for $20!!! BONUS: They shipped it to my home in Toronto for FREE!These crisp white loafers with gold piping detail were from Naturalizer, for only $20!!!
CANADA DAY-o-Fun!
Oh man! As a proud Canadian…I was super excited to be spending Canada Day in my Nation’s Capital!!!! The crowds and crowds of people dressed in all kinds of patriotic get-ups ALL DAY LONG. The concerts on Parliment Hill. The close up fireworks! It really is something to see and be apart of ❤ ❤ ❤
Naturally, that meant there was outfit planning to be done…and here’s what I put together for my Canada Day look:
Outfit deets: T-shirt, Old Navy; Headbands and Moose Earrings, Ardene
Now….it should be noted that the below look lasted exactly 22-mins 😦
As soon as we got out of the car, picked up our Starbucks and began heading for Parliament Hill —- it began to POUR!!! Raining cats and dogs, and squirrels and raccoons and the like. It was madness.
We did our best to get ourselves back and hid under a giant patio umbrella, until my gf’s hubs could turn the car around and pick us up again. #wettshirtcontest
Did you know that on Canada Day, entry to museums are free? Thank goodness for that…cuz we needed somewhere to spend the day drying off so we could be ready for the evening fireworks!
Three proud patriotic, rained-on Canadians, ready to explore the War Museum on Canada Day
There was a special exhibition called:Gladiators and the Colosseum – Death and Glory.
What would you have seen at the gladiatorial games, nearly 2,000 years ago? Maybe you would have seen an emperor, a helmet, or a crocodile?
You can see it all in this special exhibition, complete with a guidebook to help you find all the stops along the way and collect the stamps to discover what you would have seen at these ancient games.
Introducing Gladiator Ireneus!
For dinner, we stopped for a proper Canadian dinner: POUTINE from Smoke’s Poutinerie
I splurged with the Prime Beef Deluxe Poutine …mmmmm
As dusk approached, we made our way to Parliament Hill, to be amongst the crowds …
We even got to watch a few musical performances Canada Day Concert on the Hill. Pretty good sightless, considering 🙂
And last but not least, there were fireworks and impromptu group singing of O’Canada ❤
Happy Birthday Canada!! 148 Years Young!
Are you following me on INSTAGRAM? If so, you’ve likely seen a few more pics and video clips as I took them during my trip.
Search for the hashtag: PPMeowTravelsto see more of my adventures there. Thanks for following and reading 🙂
What a pretty view…even with overcast skies. The Ottawa river’s Gatineau shore
If you’re planning a summer city getaway, hope you’ll check out this beautiful city!
Summer sales are everywhere friends! So run out and get your shopping on!
Found this black n’ white tiki crop top at Reitmans on sale + 50% off the sale price…so it was basically free!
Staying in the same color family is the easiest way to mix patterns in your outfits. You can use contrasting colors, as long as the prints have a color in common.
Mixing black n’ white is the easiest I think!
I added pops of colour with my accessories instead: with my yellow earrings & necklace set and with my aqua-teal purse and sandals.
Contrary to O’Magazine’s “advice” (insert eyeroll emoji here) … me and my plus sized non-flat belly having self decided to rock this tiki top is a crop top, pairing it with a horizontal stripped maxi skirt…displaying a visible belly outline.
Oh yeah. I’m breaking all kinds of mainstream fashion ‘rules’ with this outfit of the day friends But I think I look fierce! 🙂After several weeks of enjoying my new angled bob haircut, it was getting kinda shaggy and loosing its shape.
So that evening, I chopped it off again!!!
Tah-dah!!! The short angled bob is here for say for a little while longer 🙂
And then decided to check out the fab 3D Toronto sign that’s been set up at City Hall for the PanAm Games….for some photo ops. Finally!
How I Got The Look:
Stripped maxi skirt and Tiki crop top, Reitmans – for other looks click here
Cat-eye sunnies, Ardene…..Aqua purse, Aldo ….. Aqua sandals, Betula for Birkenstock
Statement necklace and earring set – for other looks click here
Looking for something different to do on a gorgeous summer day?
Why not spend the day betting on the ponies at the track! 🙂
The Queen’s Plate is Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race, having been founded in 1860. It is also the oldest continuously run race in North America. The race takes place each summer, in June or July, at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke, ON.
For more history on the Queen’s Plate, click here.
Moi…en route to my first Hat’s & Horseshoes Event
Never placed a bet before? Not to worry, they had guests covered! Everyone got a $2 betting voucher with entrance and the Betting Impact team will be roaming the Hats & Horseshoes Party to teach you the Basics of Betting.
Sadly, I’m not very lucky and didn’t win on any of the horses I selected. Le sigh…
I did get a kick outta some of the horse names – my fave was Conquest Boogaloo. She’s she pretty?
One of the most compelling parts of attending this event was the excuse to wear a giant hat!
I decided to do my best “country club” look with my tiered floral maxi (Old Navy), platform black sandals (Coach) and beige sunhat with gold hardware & ribbon detail (Necessities).
Miss Jacquie, founder of the Toronto Vintage Society, and moi walking the red carpet at the 156th Anniversary of the Queens Plate. Isn’t her hat divine! ❤
Turns out our penchant for any excuse to wear large hats was a something many of us had in common 🙂 Ran into a few more Toronto Vintage Society gals at the event …dressed in lovely vintage summer frocks and purses, naturally.
It was an extremely hot day. There was very minimal shady covered spots at the track, and I was thankful to be wearing a sunhat. It was only while I was watching the gorgeous horses parading around close up that I started to wonder about their treatment. 😦
If you’re curious, click here to read more about the racetrack safety protocols followed by The Woodbine Racetrack.
Jockey’s are so little.Refined ladies eating hotdogs in the grass … Classy!
The only clip still on my phone ready for uploading to this post: Bag-pippers marching along doing what they do best.
Once we had enough wandering around the grassy grounds among the food trucks and beverage tents, and had our fill eyeing all the well-dressed men and women and their giant hats …
We headed to our $18 seats for a break. It was Race Time!
Sunnies Activate!
I tried filming at the track. But it seems I’ve since deleted the vid clip of the excitement from my phone.
Not to worry…it’s documented here on my Instagram channel – are you following me friends? Start following me here.
Wearing my FREE Queen’s Plate Lapel Pin proudly … eating popcorn and cheering for our horses in our $18 dollar seats 🙂
I have to say, the best part of this event was the photo ops …. men in uniforms…**swoon**
What’s better than a man in a uniform? TWO men in uniforms!!
Hope you’ve been enjoying your summer friends. Stay tuned for more of my summer adventure recaps – complete with what I wore and what I did. xo
Did ya read the latest in O, The Oprah Magazine? 😕 Who else is tired of being told what they can and cannot wear? If you want to wear a crop top — WEAR A CROP TOP. If you like it, wear it. Life is too short. Live your life and stop waiting on your weight! Be happy in your clothes and with your body just as you are NOW. ❤ ❤❤❤❤❤ #effyourbeautystandards #rockthecroptop #freethebelly #bodypositive
Hello friends!!! Sorry it’s been such a long while since I’ve done a proper blogpost.
Summer days lead to summer nights…and I’ve been making the most of both so far this July.
Hope you are doing the same. 🙂
Guess what I’ve managed to do? I finally introduced some NEON into my summer wardrobe!
It’s everywhere. You’ve seen it. I just didn’t know how to pull it off myself. But then I found this body con dress from Rainbow Shops on my last cross-boarder shopping trip earlier this Spring for a super steal of a price. And it’s been hanging in my closet with tags on ever since.
I finally had the nerve to wear it while I was in Ottawa over Canada Day Long Weekend. (Stay tuned to the blog for a recap of my trip…coming soon!) The centre colour block of neon with the bold black and white strips down the sides of this body hugging midi length frock, make this a very loud and vibrant look. Especially when worn at night … So I made sure to keep accessories, shoes and purse solid black and simple, to avoid adding any more noise to this outfit.
During the hot summer months, neon is quickly becoming something I want to wear more of. I’ve been looking for the perfect chartreuse pieces to introduce into my wardrobe next. Preferably in a pump 😉
How I Got The Look: Neon & Stripes dress from Rainbow Shops; Jelly shoes from my AsianAdventure
Have you jumped on the neon bandwagon this summer? If you’re nervous about it, start small. Go for a piece of jewelry with neon stones, neon nails, or a neon belt.
Are you following me on INSTAGRAM? If so, you’ve likely seen a few more pics and video clips as I took them during my trip. Search for the hashtag: PPMeowTravels to see more of my adventures and outfits there.
Special Thanks to the handsome owners of NighOwl Toronto who treated the entire table to a round of free drinks … and this birthday girl to post-dinner libations too –> SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS! 😉
And the perfect opportunity to try and extend these new pieces you acquire into transitioning weather outfits! So checkout my recent summer sale finds and how I’m gonna make them work into Fall….
It was pretty cool discovering Canada’s contributions to aviation from the days of early aviation to the jet age and on into space exploration.
PPMeow! 
