COVID-19: Week 1

Spring has always been one of my favourite times of year. After months of hiding under puffy coats and bulky hats it’s time to get out into the city again and BE CUTE!

Unfortunately, this Spring has been postponed due to COVID-19 and the need to practice Social Distancing (and I do hope you all are doing your part). Instead of brunching on patios and sipping wine, er, soda in the park we are all stuck in our homes.

But, just because we are Social Isolating doesn’t mean that we can’t still be cute! If you’re like me, you still have to walk your furry friends a couple times a day and even if you don’t have dogs to take care of it is still recommended that you get out at least once a day to take a solo walk, jog or bike ride.

Staying active and getting fresh air is important for your mental health during this lock-down, and as long as you stay 6-feet apart from others you can do so safely and FASHIONABLY.

For my afternoon/evenings I like to take the time to get dressed up for what I call my Furryball-Fabulous strolls!

My (properly distanced) friend snapped this photo of me during one such adventure in Toronto last week.

This is an easy to put together look that mixes old and new from my closet and is functional for the activity it’s being worn for – waling these guys.

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Me and Frodo Doggins out on an afternoon Furball-Fabulous Stroll during the first week of lockdown in The6ix of COVID-19

In the early days of Spring it’s still a little dull outside, so I like to stick to a basic black and white look. It’s chic and timeless. I start to mix more colour into the look as the days get warmer – like nature itself!

Here, I’m wearing bomber jacket made of sweatshirt material from Forever 21. It’s a stable of day-to-day wear this time of year. Surprisingly warm and light it’s practical without being bland.

I accent it with a Kelly Green crossbody purse, a graphic popcorn Tee (both Forever 21) and music note socks from Soxxy Socks. 🙂

Animal print continues to be a 2020 on-trend vibe … and I happily oblige with my tiered leopard print skirt (from Shein, I think).

It’s muddy in the springtime in Canada so I need to wear boots, but they don’t have be ugly. Timbos are popular for a reason, you know!

I round the look off with a chartreuse headband from Addition Elle and a girl shouldn’t go anywhere without her Dior Sunnies!

This entire look is without nylons – it’s spring – RELEASE THE LEGS! 

We may be in a global pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t look great!

How are y’all remaining sane and managing your mental health while Social Isolating?

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Sheers that don’t suck!

 

Trying to find hosiery that fit properly are one of the most frustrating things a petite person can shop for. 

Often I end up having to pull them up to my armpits to ensure that they 

don’t sag at the bottom avoiding that Elephant-ankle look…..that’s just not the sexiest or most comfortable look! :/Now, add on the fact that your a larger bodied plus-sized petite person … ugh!!!  

So I was ecstatic to find that Sheertex not only had sizing with my height, they also designed cute patterned sheers with my body type/body size in mind.

My excitement grew even more when I found out that they also promised to be furry friend proof —they claim to be indestructible!

Sheertex – the world’s toughest pantyhose.

The fit was perfect and they were one of the most comfortable hosieries that I have ever worn. I wasn’t counting the hours down to when I could tear them off and get into my comfy clothes — my Sheertex *were* comfy clothes!

 

 

I wore my Sheertex for a full day at the office and walking the pups to test them out.

Visit me on Instagram to see how they fit on me with their thick waistband.

😉 😉 😉

The true test would come with the dogs.

I have two furry pals that can be very loving. That’s awesome, but they tend to be hard on my closest when they attempt their daily climb of Mount Mommy.

More than one pair of hosiery has met an untimely death at the claws of Max the Maniac  or Frodo the Frightful.

My pups are lovely, but they are destructive doggies when it comes to hosiery…sigh. 

 

 

Sheertex proved to be their foil!!!

I’m wearing the Polka-Dot Sheers and as you can see they held up to the riggers of both puppies perfectly.

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Max the Maniac climbing Mount Mommy
 

If you are a someone who occasionally gets climbed by animals or has a tendency to catch hosier on desks, nails, chairs, shoes, shrubbery, whatevs …nearly immediately upon putting on a new pair of pantyhose…. then say hello to Sheertex and hosiery that doesn’t suck!

Use my discount code and get $10 off your first pair:  MEOW10

 
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NYE Throwback…Way Back

🎊 ME decked out and ready for #NYE celebrations in a stylish yellow #jumpsuit and rocking a wicked #bowlcut in front of a silver tinsel tree 👌🏾🎄🎉

Have you made plans to ring in 2019 yet?

Have you picked out your outfit?

Tell. Me. Everything. Use the comments below!

Wishing you all a safe and memorable night of New Year’s Eve fun!

Stylishly yours,

Irene of Petite Plus, Meow!

Rewind: It’s the 90s

img_8464It seems that the 1990s are everywhere right now.

What’s old is new again and all that. The last concert of the summer, I took it to another level when I attended the Toronto date of Aqua, Prozzak and Whigfield’s Rewind Tour at Echo Beach.

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Prozzak!

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That’s Whigfield….singing about Saturday Night

 

It was a Saturday night so I now have had the delightful experience of hearing Whigfield’s famous song, Saturday Night, on a Saturday night!

I couldn’t go back in time without the look to match it, now could I?

 

Why yes, that is a little bit Britney influenced 🙂

 

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Although the September air was little chilly, I rocked this baby blue Gingham checkered two piece. The concert was on a beach so I was damn well going to wear a beach outfit, 16° temperatures or not!

As it was a ‘90s bra look the bra, from additionElle was peekaboo-ing out the front to really add to the fun, sexy feel of the outfit.

The jelly shoes were purchased in Malaysia. You can read about those shoes and that trip here. The white purse belt was from Forever21.

Topping off the look was the Pom Pom accessories in the hair. They were re-purposed clip-on shoe embellishments from Aldo’s end of season sales.

The look proved to be a real head turner, which all kinds of folks asking for a photo with Brit during the evening.

 

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How’d I Get The Look: 2pc gingham set from Forever21+, jellyshoes from travels in Malaysia, pom poms from Aldo, white lace bra from AdditionElle.

All and all it was a fun, throwback night with a fun retro look to match. With ‘90s retro becoming more and more popular you should shop your closet to find the gems ready to make a re-appearance!

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Women’s dresseshttps://www.dresshead.com/c/dresses/

Lumberjack Plaid

Lumberjack plaid.

Everyone and their dog (literally) seems to have this staple pattern in their closet.

Except me (and my dog). :/

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Well, I’ve subsequently fixed that – thanks to Old Navy!

Not only is this a perfect “Christmas red” … I added an extra nod to an Xmas-y vibe to this outfit by adding my Jack tights from Torrid.

You know Jack…Jack Skellington … king of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town, you know him right? :/  –> The Nightmare Before Christmas

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OK… so I took this casual lumberjack plaid and paired it with a leather skirt and a statement necklace with green booties….

Take a closer look at the jewels on my Instagram page – oh, Follow Me!

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Odd combos – maybe.

Fab results – YAASSS!

How I Got The Look: Booties, Payless; Jack tights, Torrid; Purse, Kate Spade; Skirt, F21+; Lumberjack plaid, Old Navy; Jewellery, BitterSweet

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Hope this look helped give you some style inspiration for your upcoming Christmas holidays.

And with that I leave you with the following greeting Facebook reminded me I wrote 3-years ago …  🙂 ❤

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Photos take by Joel Colbourne

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Winter Outerwear: Faux Fur Poncho

Isn’t this a fantastic photo?! ❤

That bright blue painted wall as a backdrop to me and my pup (Max) really came out great! Good eye –  Thanks Joel! ❤

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You know what the worst part of winter is?  Seeing all the black parkas. :/

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve got a black parka too – it’s an essential to combatting Canadian Winters.

But since the weather has been pretty mild all of November, and these first few days of December, I’ve been experimenting with “alternatives to the parka”. 😀

Here’s what I came up with:furponcho1

I dunno about you, but wearing a single winter coat all winter long is just not my jam.

Living in a country where there’s typically 8-months of winter….a girl needs lotsa options for winter outerwear!  Click here and here and here for some of mine 🙂

This faux fur poncho does the trick on those “above 5 under 10 degree” weather days.

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To keep me warm under this ‘alternative-to-the-parka’ is a long-sleeved black sweater.  With my head, neck and hands covered up, this faux fur sweater poncho kept me toasty warm.  

Wanna know what I’m wearing?

The leopard pants are from Old Navy; black booties and green leather gloves are from Winners; the gorgeous hat from Pearls and Pockets on WQW; and of course the Faux Fur Poncho is from Obsessions, in the P.A.T.H. in downtown Toronto.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing, child, dog and outdoor
Photo Credit: all photos take by Joel Colbourne

What do you think about this look?  Think it’s something you could and will try yourself, before it gets too cold?

As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  xo

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Joggers Boat Cruise

You really can’t ever dress properly to keep it cute and combat the weather you’ve got to endure in The6ix these days.  A few weeks ago I was invited to a birthday party — a Joggers Soca Winter Boat Cruise upon the Empress of Canada.

The boat wasn’t as um, Empress-like as its name implied… but the event did have 2 floors of dancing DJ’d fun to be had… AND apparently everyone’s ticket came with food (which they ran out of before our birthday loving toop could get any) :/

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Um, looks like this empress needs a wash and paint job.

Those ominous clouds above held off for the most part … buuuut there was a sudden 7-min storm that totally wrecked some parts of the city.  Including the party guests on the top deck of the boat…like US!

Once that was behind us, it was lit on the top deck as we floated around the lake catching views and busting moves!

Below are the many looks that took place as the weather and dancing lead to removal of layers and drowned-wet-rat hair. 😀

 

There were surprisingly a ton of people on this boat that were “blasts from my past” … gotta love those unexpected catch-ups of faces you haven’t seen in more than 10-15 years!

The day was pretty great dancing, drinking and floating with the birthday girl and the team that love her.

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Me and the Birthday Girl as the sunsets on Toronto

Now that you know what I did, curious about what I wore to this Soca Joggers Winter Boat Cruise?

What I Wore

Y’all know I’m the biggest sports fan … and dressing “sporty” is a piece of cake for me.  (**written dripping in sarcasm** ) #gosports

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Photo credit: Joel Colbourne

I really didn’t want to have to be worried about a jacket while on this boat.  So layers was the name of the game for outfit strategy!

I found this cropped TFC sweatshirt from Winners a few days AFTER having attended my very first soccer game.  So I was thrilled to have an excuse to wear this top somewhere where I’d stand out more than among crowded stands of similarly dressed fans.

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Photo credit: Joel Colbourne

I wore a simple ribbed black tank underneath a plain white tee to give me warmth layers.

My bottoms are my very first pair of jeaggings (jean leggings) … in black…rolled up cuz I’m short.  With my wedge high-top black kicks and red mini-crossbody that’s just large enough for my cellphone, money, sunnies and lipgloss. Keeping me free to ‘jump up’ for all the soca fete ‘big chune’ goodness. **insert loud horn noise here**

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When you’re trying to take pictures for the blog…and swarm of handsome men come photobomb you. 🙂

How I Got The Look:  TFC cropped hoodie, Winners; Round sunnies, Public Butter; Thin Cross-body purse, Necessities; Jeggings, Penningtons; High-top kicks, NineWest (layers of black tank and white tee both from Old Navy)

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Photo credit: Joel Colbourne

Would you take a Winter Boat Cruise around the Toronto Harbour?

What did you think of my outfit strategy for this event?

Use the comment section below and tell me your thoughts!

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Shameless Bathroom Selfies

Have you been following my instragram posts?  You should! You should! 😀

If you have been, then you know work-day-Irene is Queen of Shameless Bathroom Selfies!

With colder temps creeping into November, I thought I’d do a recap of some of my favourite!

How I Got The Look:  Royal blue peplum top with bow details on both sleeves is an oldie from F21+; This fabulous white floral skirt is also an oldie from H&M; and Payless versions of Toms on my feet.
 

Oooooo! I remember this pic…it was the “travel outfit” on the eve of my trip to New Mexico.  Stay tuned for that trip recap blogpost soon! 😉  How I Got The Look:  Shoes from Payless; Top & Skirt from Reitmans; Soft trench from F21+ 

How I Got The Look:  Panda tee from F21+; Yellow midi skirt custom-made-for-me on my trip to Vietnam; Leopard printed Keds on my feet

How I Got The Look: Striped midi skirt & Popcorn tee both from F21+; Shoes from Payless

This entire look was made up of pieces found from Forever 21+ …. but at various times during the year.  This top is really a bodysuit. 
 

This flamingo dress is my absolute favourite summertime sundress ever!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤   How I Got The Look:  Dress from Tatyana Boutique; Cotton 3/4 length tee from Old Navy; Shoes from Payless

How I Got The Look: Long cardi & Butterfly slouch top from Reitmans; Platform flipflops are Coach

How I Got The Look:  Booties from Payless; Pleated midi skirt from Hudson Bay Co.; Long-sleeved top from F21+

 

How I Got The Look: This lovely grey sweater has delightful copper embroidered polkadots on it ❤ – from Old Navy; Pencil skirt from Reitmans; Sparkle kicks from Sketchers

How I Got The Look: Old old old Reitmans skirt; Top from Old Navy; Booties from Payless; Slouch socks from Ardene
As you can tell from this recap post… I seem to have a favourite few stores that I frequent often to create many of my day-to-day looks.

Hope this post gives you some style inspiration for your upcoming weekday outfit choices.  Follow me on Instragram for more Shameless Bathroom Selfies daily (ish).

Got a favourite look? Let me know in the comments section 🙂

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October Ramp-up to Halloween

I freakin’ love ANY excuse to dress up! ❤

That’s why Halloween is one of my favorite times of year – cuz you get to do just that.

Since I’m a corporate-type by day, I wanted to do a little something with my outfits that was a gentle nod to Halloween…  A lil’ nod once a week, every week leading up to the big day for the entire month of October.

Here’s what that looked like…

A Nod to Halloween – The Month of October

 

Gentle nod with a striped dress (F21+) and soft trench (F21+); Sparkle kicks (Sketchers) … giving off a Mime, Jailbird or Beetlejuice vibe.

 

He-he! Ooow! This was my attempt at bring MJ’s spooky spirit to my outfit with my Thriller tee (Old Navy) and my Lepoard pencil skirt (SexyPlusClothing)

 

Trying for this all-black-everything look for complete with my “Handbook for the Recently Deceased ” tee (PublicButter) with this angled pencil skirt (F21+) and Black booties (Winners). Sadly this was photographed without my stripped cropped blazer, to truly give off the Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice …BEETLEJUICE vibe!

Halloween Weekend – Saturday Night

With October 31st falling on workday (boo!) …the weekend before was the weekend of all Halloween’ing!!!

How lucky am I to have artsy friends in my life.  Joel Colbourne and his amazing make-up job transformed me into a scary skeleton!  Check out this Instagram for more of his makeup artistry. ❤

I had picked up this fab Skeleton Dress from Unique Vintage while I was in L.A. last November …ps: very, very delayed blogpost about that trip coming soon 😉

The make-up just brings this cute dress into spook-tacular frock… Worthy of winning Toronto Lindyhop’s “Most Scariest Costume” prize at the 2nd event I was at!!!!

Halloween Day – Office Costume

It took a month of convincing … but finally my office team agreed to dress up as Cowpokes for October 31st!

Since I didn’t get their permission to share the team photo… here’s what **I** looked like for the Cowboy theme:

How I Got The Look:  Boots from Aldo; Jeans & cowboy hat from F21+; Super old belt from Lane Bryant; Plaid shirt from Old Navy; Vintage scarf for my neck ❤

 

 

Halloween Night – The Village (Church St. in The6ix)

I’ve lived in Toronto my entire life and this was my 2nd time ever enjoying the sights and sounds of Church Street  aka The Village” on Halloween Night! (Click here for the 1st)

Somehow I’ve managed to insert myself into a fabulous social circle of shameless,  onsie-wearing friends who were all more than happy to parade around in public with me.

I fell in love with the Giraffe onsie from Kigurumi … thinking it wouldn’t be a popular choice.  I was wrong. :/

 

Found a total of 5 onsied Giraffes in The Village…only managed to photograph these 3 🙂  Photo Credit: Joel Colbourne

Oh, the fun that was had simply walking up and down the street as a zoo of animals!

We were sooooo famous – everyone was asking to take our photos.

WE WERE A TOTAL SPECTACLE! 😀

 

Curious about what I’ve done for Halloween in the past?

Click here and here and here and here and here for past October fun!!!

Hope you enjoyed this post…and that it’s given you smiles for your day and inspirations for your next excuse to dress up 🙂

Which one is your favourite?  Let me know in the comment section below!  OH, and follow me on Instagram!!!

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Product Review: Sugar Candy Bra

BOOBS!

Yup, lets talk boobs!

You’ve heard me rant before about boobs and our bra-blems:

Underwires stabbing you in the chest.

Straps constantly falling down.

Riding up back-band.

Oh and a personal favourite: The Quadboob…ugh! #TheWorst

Well, have you heard of Sugar Candy Bras?

The Sugar Candy Everyday is a luxurious seamless bra that is specially engineered for the fuller bust. With support panels that are designed to maximize lift and support without compromise.

Your shape is unique, which makes it sometimes difficult to find bras that are made in standard sizes, work for you.  Story of my life.

This Sugar Candy Bra comes in 6 easy sizes to suit over 35 cup and band size combinations.

I had the opportunity to try out this bra myself of a few months. And I have to say it really does meet all its brochure claims and has exceeded my expectations.

Those common bra-blems I rhymed off above, none of those were an issue when wearing the Sugar Candy Bra. ❤

Its one-piece cup construction was surprisingly supportive, with nice lift for Thelma & Louise … that’s what I call “The Girls”. 😉

I’ve never worn a bra that didn’t have an underwire before.

The soft, stretchy materials made of luxuriously soft yarn and its elasticized band made wearing this bad boy all day an easy thing to do.

Like all bras, with wash and wear over time it will lose its shape and fit more loosely.  But with the many rows of snaps on back, you can adjust that with wear super easily.

 

Sugar Candy is not intended to replace your typical wired bra, but to provide you with comfort and support at home.

 

I have worn this bra around the house, during the few hot summer days we had here in Toronto when wearing clothes was just too much. Going bra-less can be uncomfortable and sweaty.  This Sugar Candy Bra was super helpful in keeping me covered up just enough, while keeping “The Girls” up and separated.

Thank goodness Canadian weather allows for me to mostly follow this needlepoint philosophy instead. 😉

Product courtesy of Sugar Candy Bra

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