Hummm… – Page 3

Jumpsuits & Rompers

I’ve come along way with accepting my body as it is. I don’t follow a set of ‘large lady clothing rules”, per say. One should wear what they want, because they want to. Because THEY like it and feel good in it.

But, I’m still mindful of what cuts, fabrics and styles are the most flattering for my body’s shape and how comfortable I’ll be when actually wearing a particular piece.

Being petite, often cuts are “off” on me….meaning, if I find something that fits right in the hips, it’s wayyy too big in the arms and shoulders. So perhaps halters and strapless necklines are the way to go for summer dresses and tops, oh-so flirty, sexy-cute casual look of them …. buuuuuuut have you met my boobs? There’s no way I’m gonna be able to manage a strapless bra for more than a few hours before it becomes unbearably uncomfortable and my entire posture turns into a real life question mark. So finding clothes that make me feel good and actually look good on me that require little to zero alteration can be a tricky – trying to find clothes that are also on trend can be an exceptionally challenging.

You must have notice all the hype around Jumpsuits and Rompers in plus sized fashion these days. Wondering what your thoughts are on them?

Let’s take a look at a few rompers and jumpsuits from the plus-sized fashion retailer sites…to make a better assessment:

Strapless Polka Dot Jumpsuit (AsosCurve, $51)

Ruby Rocks Printed Romper (Simply Be, $54)

Wide-Legged Sleeveless Jumpsuits (eBay, $42 US)

Taupe Drawstring Jumpsuit (Venus, $39)

Floral Open-back Romper (Forever21+, $21) – this model is wearing the 1x size

Abstract Muse Jumpsuit (Forever21+, $27.50) – again, this model is wearing the 1x size – Thoughts?

MY Immediate Thoughts on both Rompers & Jumpsuits:

Cute! Cute! Cute!
Buuuuuut….all the images display women whom are barely plus sized. Perhaps most of the above images are 1x models.
Wonder what it would look like on a 2x and 3x model…would it look just as cute? Things that make you go hummm…
IF you’ve got a tummy and serious hips and a larger bust … is this trend not meant for you?
For the Romper…Deep, low v-back……. ummm, how do I keep the ‘girls’ up & happy when wearing this thing?
What about the dreaded ‘camel toe’ situation – it’s just bound to happen in a onezie …and that just ain’t cute in plus or straight sizes!
Once all my T&A fills up this one-piece….how short/long will this thing really be on me?
How does one pee whilst wearing this? … Seems like I’ll have to be completely naked on the pot in order to get business done, seeing as apparently one must be bra-less in order to wear these low-back numbers.

I’m usually a ‘fashion, before function’ kinda girl. Buuuuuut….when it comes to rompers & jumpsuits, they seems like wayyy more trouble than their worth.

As convenient as online shopping options are, when it comes to trendy pieces like rompers and jumpsuits, before I can commit or judge whether it’s a look that I like, look and feel good in…… ultimately, I need to try it on first before I can really say if this trend is for me! And if I do decide to get on this style bandwagon, I definitely don’t wanna be dropping a ton of cash on a piece like this. Again, that’ll all depend on whether I “like” vs. “love” this jumpsuit/romper look on moi!

I’m personally always looking for a flattering fit — regardless of what the trends may be. Not sure if this is one I’ll be following. But, as Marie Denee aka The Curvy Fashionista says: “Don’t Knock it Until You Rock it” – so we shall see if this trend is gonna be a PPMeow! fav this spring/summer! 🙂

Who’s already jumped on this bandwagon? Rompers? Jumpsuits? Where from?

Share friends…use the Comments section … tell us everything! 🙂

Spring Photo Shoot with Rebecca Northcott

What do you immediately do when a camera is pointed at you and you hear, “Say cheese!”? Do you know which side is your “good side”? Do you know what angle and what light really makes you look your best in photos?

I’ve generally got one standard photo stance: look straight ahead at the camera, smiling ear-to-ear with an involuntary head tilt. Not at all model-esk.

Rebecca Northcott is a photography who has recently moved from Leeds, England to put down roots in Toronto, Canada with her hubs. Yup …she’s a newly wed! 🙂 She’s already done a few outfit photoshoots on my blog here, here , here and here. (More to come in the future too I’m hoping, xo Bexx). Since I began blogging a mere four months ago…I’ve realized how difficult it is to pose for that perfect shot! I’ve been fortunate to have Rebecca’s professional eye – a much welcomed change from those photos taken with my shaky hand and iPhone.

Rebecca has been developing her craft since she was 17, she’s had her work published in magazines and has worked for a range of clientelle over the years. Her recent move to Canada has been a blessing and also a challenge going from a huge client base in UK to rebuilding from scratch here. Rebecca’s photography style is classy natural lighting with up close portraits. They are her favourite. Her self-proclaimed OCD about having perfect sharp images is a standard she has set for herself, one which gives her a buzz and excitement as nothing else does.

She shared with me that she still get nervous before every shoot, because she knows how important it is to the client she’s working with. Having worked with her several times, I can confidently say that she will produce something wonderful each time – it has always been a pleasure and a fantastic experience working with her!

In an effort to continue to keep her portfolio current, she asked me and a few others bloggers to model some of the lovely Spring Arrivals of Your Big Sister’s Closet so she could snap some editorial type pictures . How do you say no to a request like that? 😉

So last weekend we, Alex of Not Afraid to Wear Heels, Hanna of Classically Curvy, Karen of Curvy Canadian and moi, PetitePlus, Meow! arrived at the store to get styled in fresh spring fashions with light pastel-makeup faces and headed to High Park for the photoshoot. Weather forecasted a +7 degree day … but I was still armed with nude hosiery and a shawl…mama didn’t raise no foo!

The above summary shot links to Rebecca’s Photography page on Facebook, where you’re able to read all about the collaboration and a bit more about each of the outfits worn in each shot. Between the multiple bloggers who were involved in this shoot, I thought I would dedicate this post to the artist, Rebecca Northcott, and the art of photography.

I recently stumped upon this article called “The Truth About Photography and Brown Skin”. Writer and photographer Syreeta McFadden eloquently breaks down the problem: Photography has an “inherited bias” against dark skin. McFadden explains that when it came to the invention of color film — developed to be used by the public and taken to a lab — “the technician worked off a reference card [aka Shirley Cards] with a perfectly balanced portrait of a pale-skinned woman.” This is how modern photography was calibrated: Using a white woman. Which means, as McFadden points out, “film stock’s failures to capture dark skin aren’t a technical issue, they’re a choice.”

Looking at my fellow models from the above “Is It Spring Yet?” photoshoot – I can only imagine that editing MY photos must have taken a lot more time and careful adjusting before they were ready to be shared with the masses. Take a look at the end results of my photos with the talented photographic eye of Rebecca Northcott below:

Rebecca Northcott Photography‘s future goal is to get her own studio space and possibly photograph a celebrity or two (here’s hoping!), while continuing to provide her services and create collaborations on personal projects to those in the community who cannot afford professional portraits.

If you want to get in touch with Rebecca, lifestyle photographer specializing in Weddings and Portraits for families in Toronto, Ontario (GTA), use the various links baked into the above post ….as her website is getting a facelift at the moment 🙂

Yoga Deal for PPMeow! Followers

Since I’ve rediscovered how great the practice of yoga is for mind, body and spirit, I have noticed that despite its growth in popularity over the last year years, yoga sill intimidates people.

So I set up a PPMeow! poll asking: What would make YOU Try Yoga?

The results were as follows:

An amazing Deal/Pricepoint (36%+)
If classes had modified poses/movements for larger bodies
Other* (This was a free-form field…sadly, nothing was entered /captured within)
Location
Not having to go alone

Keeping all of these results and feedback in mind PetitePlus, Meow! has teamed up with Jess & co. from Studio Blue Yoga & Fitness …and we’ve cooked up a special $30-for-5 yoga sessions just for my readers/followers!

This is a phenomenal deal – considering typically one yoga session is around $22! We hoped that this price point would give you the courage and confidence to try out group exercise amongst a group of non-traditional yoga bodies, at a studio that’s easy to get to with supportive, playful classes. Invite a friend to come along … at this price point invite two! 🙂

How the Deal Works:

The PPMeow! $30 Pass can only be purchased at Studio Blue location and is EXCLUSIVE to PPMeow! reader/follower. Therefore, you’ll need PROVE it to them, i.e. Showing them on your phone/device that you’ve LIKE’d PPMeow’s Facebook Page. WordPress followers … You will need to show them that you’re subscribed to my blog using your phone/device (might be easiest for y’all to LIKE the FB page too, if you haven’t already…*wink wink*).
The 5-sessions can be booked for whatever class you like, as your life allows! Use their schedule and class description to select the ones you like best. Try all of them. Entirely up to you!
Once you have the pass, you’ll then be able to book via their online booking tool for the rest of your sessions – uber convenient!
The PPMeow! $30 Pass expires 90-days from its purchase date. Limited one per person.

I’m often yoga-buddy-less, so if you wanna get your personal yoga journey started but are buddy-less also, I’d love to have you join me! So far, the class that best works for me, my life and yoga goals is the Tuesday 6:30pm Foundations Flow – a beginner friendly and comprehensive class with a focus on anatomy. Includes Sun Salutations, Downward Dog flows and other fundamental postures that is suitable for all levels.

Now gentlemen readers – know that YOU TOO can take advantage of this deal! Would love, love, love to have you participate. Of course, the same above rules apply in order to get the PPMeow! $30 Deal.

Everyone’s fitness/yoga goals naturally will be unique to you.

My personal yoga goals are: to better my breathing through every movement, becoming more aware of what my body is telling me and focus on being more present in order to relax.

I’ve only been to a handful of yoga classes and already I can see how much yoga has improved my life in terms of sleeping better, feeling stronger, managing my anxiety and I want everyone to experience its benefits – especially my PPMeow! supporters!

Note: Studio Blue’s First Class Free offer ends March 31st, 2014….. in case you wanted to check them out before purchasing the PPMeow! $30 Pass.

Why are People Afraid to Try Yoga?

I’ve only been to 3 Foundations Flow Yoga classes so far, having purchased a 5-class introductory package via GroupOn for this new studio located in my hood – Studio Blue Yoga & Fitness – and already I can see how much yoga has improved my life when it comes to sleeping, managing my anxiety and being more present.

I’ve noticed however, that many of my friends, colleagues and blog/FB page followers get uncomfortable whenever I suggest they try yoga. Despite its growth in popularity over the past few years, yoga still intimidates people.

So – I wanna hear from you – my PPMeow! followers …What would make YOU Try Yoga?

Use the poll below and vote.

I really want to hear your feedback friends – as there’s something exciting brewing between PPMeow & Studio Blue….weeeee! Stay tuned for that….as soon as I get results from this poll!

Dragons’ Den Auditions: Your Big Sister’s Closet

My friend and fellow blogger, Karen Ward aka The Curvy Canadian, is also the shop owner of Your Big Sister’s Closet – a lovely little plus sized botique in The Junction (Dundas/Keele area of Toronto). She and her husband, Peter, are hoping to meet The Dragons in The Den!

Dragons Den is a CBC TV show where where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls who have the cash and the know-how to make it happen. Launching a business is no small task. No matter how big an idea you think you have, it still takes a lot of work and a ton of cash. It takes more than passion to convince these boardroom giants that your idea is worth their attention. The Dragons are ruthless and rightly so – it’s their own personal money on the line.

Your Big Sister’s Closet’s first audition was this past Saturday – March 1st. This audition is preliminary – meaning it was with the show’s producers – these are the people who determine if we are a good fit for the show and pitching to the Dragons. Karen and Peter auditioned last year, but were not selected for the show. This time around they were prepared to blow this audition out of the water by bringing them a gorgeous fashion show – something really visual that will translate well for TV and will really WOW them! That’s where ME, along with several other plus sized beauties come in 😉

Karen & Peter needed models to show off their botique’s lovely clothes and walk in a runway-style show for the audition. We each needed to come into the store once before the audition for a fitting to determine what we’d be wearing. A simple request right? Right. Now, how could I visit this lovely botique ofnunique-pieces-of-fabulous and not do a bit of shopping? C’mon…ya’ll know I didn’t leave that shop empty handed!

Here’s my mini-haul from Your Big Sister’s Closet:

I fell in love with this purse and giant pearl necklace immediately upon seeing it in the Curvy Canadian’s recent blog post! I lost a night’s sleep knowing I wouldn’t be able to visit the shop until later that week…so I left a blog comment and FB messaged Karen & Peter demanding that they hold these pieces for me STAT! And today…they’ve come home with me! Yaya!

Then during my sytle appointment, I found this Pin Up Perfection Hi-Waisted Pencil Skirt — I wore the bow in the front, but I think it would look great off to the side or even buttoned up in the back – super cute! I’ve been coveting this skirt for many moons… it was actually one of the first things in pinned in my Pintrest closet, and now it’s in my ACTUAL closet! Below pics are just me trying it on in the change room … I think when I do wear it out-out it’ll be with a loud-splash-of-colour top, like hot pink or fire engine red. Huh…thoughts?

Ok…back to Saturday and the Dragons’ Den Auditions! We – the curvy models – were each styled by the lovely Karen at her boutique prior to Saturday. My outfit choice was narrowed down to two lovely looks:

1. Professional Business Woman – this black and white houndstooth peplum dress with a lovely black tweet blazer with a single silver studded accent down the shoulders (a safe look I often create myself for the office with a bit of an edge),

2. This Lady-Like Purple Lace …. with a ton of girlie girl accessories including the lovely giant pearls and giant pink facinator!

On the actual audition day, we met bright and early in the atrium of the CBC building downtown (250 Front Street West, at John Street) for 9am with our hair and make-up done as we usually do it. They brought our planned outfits and we changed there via a clever pop-up changing tent they brought along. (Brilliant!) Part of the WOW-factor to keep this audition memorable to the producers was that we were going to carry body positive picket signs that said things like “Plus Size and Proud”, “Curvy and Confident”, etc. Similar to the #BoPo Art Installation I was apart of in February for the store’s 1st year Anniversary Party.

I arrived at the CBC Studio a little before 9am, half-asleep with a Starbucks and post-wedding hair (was a bridesmaid in a gf’s wedding the night before – stay tuned for blog post about that fabulous night), to find Karen and Peter just unloading their car with all our lovely outfits. They gave me the important task: Sign them in for the auditions and report back! We were lucky #21 on the list. As you can see (above pic)…there were a ton of entrepreneurial hopefuls who got there hella early all with the same wish: to be selected to pitch to The Dragons on the show.

This was my first time “cat-walking”. I mean, I strut down the street all the time, buuuut I was terrified with a fear of falling onto my face whilst a giant #BoPo picket sign fell on top of my head. Dun dun dunnnnn… Happily, we all strutted our stuff to perfection once in front of the producers.

The camera crew really seemed to LOVE our little possy of plus-sized lovelies! They got tons of footage of us practice our strutting choreography as directed by Peter, whist Karen rehearsed her pitch for the Dragons. They even asked us to do several cheering clips – so much so that I can still faintly hear us chanting “Dragons’ Den! Dragons’ Den!” for much of the afternoon.

What a fantastic way to kick of the month of March! The morning was spent with such a great group of women – some of whom I’ve met before and others, meeting for the first time. Shout outs to my new blogger sistas: Alex of Not Afraid To Wear Heels and fellow WordPress-er Hanna of Classically Curvy.

Fingers crossed Your Big Sister’s Closet gets selected for the show….weee! You can count on a follow-up blog post from moi if we do! 🙂

How I got The Look:

EVERYTHING is from Your Big Sister’s Closet – 3126 Dundas Street West in Toronto

My watch is Michael Kors and the ponty-toed nude pumps with mint toe are from The Hudson Bay Company (Queen & Yonge Sts)

I Am Torontonian

Over this past long weekend, I had tickets to the Mirvish show The Metamorphosis. Now I’ve been a Mirvish Subscrption Holder for a few years now, which means I need to commit to buying a year in advance 6 pre-chosen shows, and am then offered additonal savings on other one-off shows that may come to the city outside of the chosen 6 in the subscription. It can be a bit of a gamble…however overall, the quality of the shows in the subscription have been excellent. There’s always a ‘dud’ or two now and again…and sadly this one fell into that ‘dud’ category for me. The Metamorphosis is (apparently) a widely studied story and often cited as an example of existentialism and surrealism (which I found out once I googled reviews … AFTER losing 90-mins of my life in the Royal Alex Theatre …brutal!) Even though this show wasn’t my cuppa-tea, what was noteworthy was the phenominal acrobatic skill of the main actor who played Gregor Samsa/the Vermin. He is incredibly physical…his movement design blends elements of parkour and aerial circus arts. HE was pretty impressive.

Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to get outta there and decided to walk home since the weather was a balmy 0-degrees with the sun still shinning. With the long cold winter days, this girl was determined to stroll along Queen West without buying anything! Applaude me people…y’all know how difficult that is for me 😉

Livin’ my life like it’s golden {Insert Jill Scott’s tune} I was suddenly stopped mid-stroll by a CBC-touque-wearing-camera-toting artist named Semco Salehi. Semco is crafting a giant multimedia project entitled: I Am Torontonian where interviews and stroies of residents of Toronto are shared. And he asked ME to be apart of it!!!

Semco’s instructions were the following: talk about who you are and your life in 1-min! Go! On the fly…off the top of my head. Think ‘man on the street’ type interview. Talk about pressure!

I Am Torontonian’s goal is to demonstrate that we, the people of the earth, can all live in peace for the limited time we share on our planet. Semco is a Toronto-based photographer who has been organizing this gallery of photos taken across the GTA, representing and documenting random individuals only to portray life in Toronto and create an exhaustive catalogue of the city’s inhabitants.

Thanks so much Semco! You totally uplifted my Saturday spirits – I love this city! Here’s my interview clip and photo that’s now apart of this cultural artistic project:

How I got The Look:

Cat-eye sunglasses from a Public Butter (vintage shop) on Queen W for $5

Blue & brown tassel purse from Guess

Black n’ white herringbone jacket from Forever21+

Beige n’ cream polka dot scarf from Winners

Black leather bow-tie gloves from Danier

Photo credit: Semco Salehi, iamtorontonian

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8 Secrets Busty Girls Want You to Know

Reminder…

BollyFuze, now what?

This past summer I found a fabulous GroupOn deal for 10-classes of BollyFuze! The instructor (Melissa K) was fantastic and the studio space was great + located super central at StreetDanceAcademy at Queen W/Spadina Sts. With classes on a Sunday that started at noon, made it perfect for me to still go out Saturday night, sleep in a bit and make the 45min walk down to the studio with a Starbees in hand 🙂

BollyFuze (formerly known as BollyFIT) is a Bollywood dance based workout designed to get you up and moving! Each class runs an hour-long, blending together elements of Indian Classical, Modern Bollywood & Folk dance with main stream fitness techniques that gives you a full body workout. Best part – BollyFuze is designed for all levels, ages & abilities …and with the energetic beats of Bollywood you totally trick your body into getting fit with hip-shaking-fun!

My class was even featured in this article. I was getting soooooo good at these BollyFuze moves…as you can see by my announcement on Facebook:

Sadly, the classes were moved to a smaller-not-as-nice-studio located in a more sketchy-ville part of the city by the Fall (Habeeba’s Dance – don’t let their website fool you friends – yikes!) And now, this company no longer seems to offer classes in the downtown Toronto area..sigh. 😦

I’m getting restless with this polar vortex that is keeping me home more often than I like. With Spring around the corner I need to find my next fun fitness/dance class. Any ideas?

Leave a Comment with your suggestions and details of what you’ve tried and loved. 😉

#BoPo Art Installation

Earlier this month I blogged about my friend Karen and her hubs, Peter’s store anniversary party. Their store, Your Big Sister’s Closet turned 1 this month and I was asked to be a window model for their Body Positivity Art Installation. The concept was to make plus sized women more visible and to address what is not usually addressed.

I have to admit, putting myself out there in the “real world” was harder than in the virtual one I’ve created via this blog, but it was a great opportunity to make a statement. Me, along with a few others, were asked to wear whatever fabulous clothes we looked and felt great in, and were to stand in their store-front window holding up a sign that has either displayed our weight or measurements or some other indication that we were a curvy, bodacious lady, and an adjective that describes ourselves. So for instance, Karen’s sign read: Size 20 & Fabulous!

Originally when Karen reached out to me as “one of the most #bopo ladies in the city she knows.”.. I have to say, I didn’t know if that was a good thing or bad thing. And upon researching ‘bopo’ via Urban Dictionary, I was very alarmed at its definition. But Google said #bopo stood for Body Positivity, which relieved my initial concerns – once I stopped laughing hysterically. (Wanna know what was so funny? Check out Urban Dictionary’s def here … Ahem! No doubt that would certainly draw a crowd and make the news! But for all the wrong reasons, haha!)

Karen lined up a designer who came from NYC for a trunk show called Curvy Couture – showcasing bras right up to H cup – Hooray! Along with a full candy bar, coffee and complimentary hair touch-ups and nail care all day from event sponsor Donato Salon + Spa. Check out my “before” and “after” shots – big thank you to Michelle & Tracy for making and keeping me pretty all day!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet amazing, positive and beautiful women!

Even networked with other plus fashion bloggers and hob-knobbed with Toronto celebs like Sheena Snively from MTV and the Full Figured Model, Ophilia Alleyne.

Together we brought awareness to the public promoting a simple message: ALL BODIES ARE GOOD BODIES! My sign read: Curvy & Confident!

Sizeism is widely considered to be the last socially acceptable form of prejudice. Body shaming happens every day, all over the city. This Art Installation entitled “There’s No Right Way to Have a Body” was meant to bring awareness surrounding our society’s obsession with size and size shaming.

Overall, it was a Saturday well spent being ogled as a full-figured beauty in the window of Your Big Sister’s Closet! 🙂