Oh hi! It’s been a long time since I’ve had the oomph to write about what I did and what I wore, considering the world has changed so much in that time, writing about my clothes just didn’t seem very meaningful to me. But having taken some time off work to help right-set my brain, I thought it might be fun to share a few looks with my beloved readers and petite plus size fashion fans.
Dino purse – yay or nay?
After 2.5 years of living COVIDaloca, I figured this summer I was going to shop my own closet and make use of and reinvent the ways of wearing items I already had. Dressing up my outsides to help lift up how I’ve been feeling inside: burnt out, exhausted and discouraged.
This Gingham Print Dress (Forever21+ I believe) is nearly 10-years old and only lightly worn as I bought it as a vacation dress. Completely cotton and lightweight made it perfect for exploring during day-trips while still looking fashionable.
These pups (Jack-Attack and Frodo Doggins) are the only reason I’ve still been able to fit into items in my closet these days – doggie walks for the win!
The Dino-purse is the only newest addition to my outfit which I picked up via POSHMARK – a terrific 2nd hand closet sharing app, that helps sellers and buyers find a way to update their wardrobes more economically and eco-friendlier.
Red and white gingham is a picnic staple, but I’m seeing more and more of it this summer. Here are just a few options if you’re thinking about adding a piece or two into your OOTDs…
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.
Prozzak!
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 🙂
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.
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!
This summer I found myself some maxi dresses that I made work for my petite height. Click here and here to see what I mean.
As the weather cools to Fall temperatures … I’m doing my best to avoid jackets, leggings and pantyhose for as long as possible.
Maxi dresses are a perfect solution to doing just that! 😉 I’ve worn this semi-sheer maxi dress many times this summer …. and YUP it can be also be worn as a coverup with your swimsuit!
The 3/4 sleeves with buttoned cuffs are perfect for coverage, without being too heavy and warm for Fall.
I traded the sandals for my zippered black boots to go with the daring vibe of this sheer frock. The boots and fringe purse I paired it with kinda adds some edginess to the allover floral print.
There are a lot of nice little details of this dress:
The entire front is buttoned… I chose to keep it unbuttoned to mid-thigh to allow my shorts to peek out at I move.
The V-neckline highlights the girls … being chesty the buttons tended to gap, so I chose to wear a plunge bra for maximum cleavage and just embraced it! 😉
And the elasticized waist just sinches me in at the right spots, showing off that coveted hourglass figure. ❤ ❤ ❤
Being 5’2 … this dress is hella long without the heels of these boots. But I’ve worn it with flats by tying little knots on the end of each side bottoms and it works beautifully!
I see myself creating new Fall looks as the weather gets colder by wearing this frock with skinny jeans or leggings …hmmm
This dress moves beautifully! Just look at some for these great windy shots taken by Lawerence Kerr Photography. ❤
Live Music! Plays and Performances! Dancing! Sailing! Spas!Shopping!
Outdoor movies! Cultural Festivals! Foods from around the world!
Annnnnnd all of these things are usually FREE and are walking distance from each other! No car required! ❤
Combo Royale performing under the Harbourfront Bandshell
There have been many wonderful fun-filled days this summer – but the most memorable was an unexpected Saturday afternoon that turned into a full day-o-fun!!!
It began with a play – an interactive dark comedy – THE WEDDING – put on by an independant theatre company: The Lighthouse Troupe. As audience members aka the wedding guests, we were encouraged to dress nicely, sign-in at a guest registry, find their table, and interact with the various members of the wedding party, much like a real reception. You know me – any reason to get dressed up is my kind of event! 🙂
After the show… we walked into Harbourfront for their Spicy Food Festival and found a free jazz concert which naturally led to impromptu lindyhopping on grass!
A Large Lady Lindy Hopping – yup! That’s me! 🙂
After that we walked along Queens Quay to Sugar Beach for Sail-in Cinema’s screening of The Princess Bride …
❤ My most favourite movie ❤
Since we arrived kinda late … we found a patch of sand for our blankets way in the back sadly, making the Sail-in screen teeny-tiny.
Plus, it seems we were too late for the courtesy popcorn and back-rests that many around us seemed to have nabbed.
Le sigh…
Our sad seats on the sand, way in the back of Sugar Beach…before the win~INCONCEIVABLE! 😉
THEN….the event announcer asked for a family-of-4 who would/could potentially win a fabulous prize for answering a single movie trivia question.
When they failed…we managed to flag him down and I provided the CORRECT answer… which won us seats on a sail boat to watch the movie!!!
And there were handsome sailors too! #bonus 😛
Knowing useless Princess Bride trivia won us seats on Canada’s Fastest Sail boat! Boom!!!
THIS was our view for the movie … just waiting for the sun to set so that the movie could start!!!
Floating around on Canada’s fastest sail boat, eating popcorn with sailors and watching the greatest movie ever …
A perfect ending to a wonderfully unexpected summer day!
Curious about what I’m wearing?
How I Got The Look:
Dress and crop-top from Forever21+; Shoes from Winners
How would you describe THE Perfect Summer Day? What would it include? What would you do? What would you wear?
Tell me about it in the comments section below. 🙂
Special thanks to Ellie for capturing those dancing pictures! And to Five for the pictures on the boat!
Summer weather is here, which means I’m looking for easy, comfortable, yet fashionable outfits to take me out-and-about to enjoy all the summer fun this city has to offer!
Being petite – short – wearing maxi dresses isn’t an easy task. This is the main reason I don’t own too many of them. When I *do* find one that I like, there’s usually an additional cost to whatever the tags …hello: shortening alterations. 😦 ANOTHER factor to me NOT wanting to buy them.
Lucky for me Forever21+ had this one is a gorgeous summer orange that really looked amazing against my skin tone.
And the price was right at $22! BIG WIN!
This maxi dress is made from a stretch knit, light fabric. With adjustable cami straps making it perfect for ladies who are short-waisted like me.
There’s an elasticized waist, which I covered up with an old belt to add some more interest to this simple frock.
And a ruffled flounce bodice adds to the neckline showcasing the girls nicely, without being too titty-citty-in-your-face about it 🙂
Now, it’s still hella long for me… but I managed to make it work for my petite height by simply knotting the frock off to the side.
Which gave the entire outfit a summer-goddess-drappy look. Making this maxi work for minis … like me!!! 🙂
Do you like it? Tell me what you think of the way I styled and made this maxi work in the comment section below.
Since shopping in Boston was a total bust (click here Boston trip summary) … I was dying for some much-needed retail therapy!
Lucky for me that I happened to stumble upon some crazy sales over the last few weeks here in The6ix.
Here’s my recap from those Shopping Hauls:
TATYANA BOUTIQUE
Just look at my receipt below from an unexpected shopping trip I made last week – when I got an email from Tatyana Boutique saying that it was THE LAST day to get 50% off everything in store INCLUDING already reduced items!!
What did I buy you’re wondering…?
Here’s a quick snapshot of the frocks that followed me home ….
A total of 3 Tatyana Dresses came home with me: Floral & Lace (left) $60 and the Golden Tassel (right) $17!!!!!
That gold dress doesn’t look like much on the hanger. But it’s vintage reproduction at its very best – hugging curves just right and landing at the perfect height without any alterations.
I’ve already worn it to work!
It’s not every day you find a dress with office-appropriate tassels 😉
And the 3rd dress I got was THIS one!!!! I have no idea when or where I’m gonna wear this …. but it was just magical…followed by ooo’s & ahh’s upon stepping out of the change room.
Perhaps its time I started my jazz singing career just to wear this dress nightly!!! 😉
This gown was over $200. But with this amazing sale, it came home with me for $60!!!!!
This dress has an intricate spider webbed, sexy sweetheart neckline and with a cascading waist with a bow detail in this form fitted silhouette.
A sexy v-shaped back leads to a zip closuer and ends with a striking slit up the back. And even at my petite height (when worn with heels) it’ll be floor-length fantastic!!! ❤
FOREVER21+
I try to avoid doing too much shopping at Forever21+ … for fear of looking like every other plus sized babe in the city.
But just look at these sweet colours and patterns!!! YUP! They needed to be mine!
Foxes on a simple sleeved, belted swing dress! $33
A semi-sheer maxi dress featuring an all over floral print, a buttoned front, a V-neckline, an elasticized waist, and 3/4 sleeves with buttoned cuffs. $33
Stay tuned to the blog for specific outfit posts styling each of these ones soon! 😉
PENNINGTON’S
OH MAN!!! I’ve been ranting about bra’s and bra-blems for a few posts on the blog. With the CAD$ being in the can…it has been preventing me from cross-boarder shopping for over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.
Being a busty gal…finding my cup size here in Toronto just isn’t affordable.
But then … Penningtons had a crazy, stupid sale…making ALL THAT YOU SEE HERE $22 each!!! Unheard of price for ladies of the big titty committee..right?
Now, although this retail claims to have G & H cup sizes, they rarely seem to have them when I’m shopping. Seems they are super popular and sell out immediately. Sigh..
I managed to find sister sizes (i.e. 44DDDDDD … LOL! you get what I mean) to help compensate for band:cup difference. At this price point…I was determine to make them work!!! 🙂
Oh, I picked up 2 sweet nightys too…for $15 each!
STREET VENDORS & OUTDOOR MARKETS
Summer brings with it the many outdoor festivals, markets and other fun where vendors are selling their wears street-side. And fantastic deals and finds can be found!!!
I’m all about the hats in the summer… sun protection is very important … especially for keeping the once face sun-spot free 😉
Hats! Hats! Hats! Sold at Kensington Market.
Of all the many hats I own, I didn’t have a simple black and white one. So when I found this adorable side-bow-button detail on this one….it had to be mine.
$10 – and basically goes with everything! Whoop! Whoop!
There you have it friends! You’ve gotten the inside scoop on all the newest pieces in my closet.
Were you able to take advantage of any of these deals yourselves?
Got any favourites from what I’ve showcased in this haul? Tell me about it in the comment section below.
Wearing summer appropriate outfits that fit with corporate-life and life-life can be a challenge.
But having solid staple pieces make things a bit easier.
Take this outfit I threw together for one of the few days I’m forced into downtown Toronto office life.
A simple stripped pencil skirt can be worn for work and play. Bone kitten heels are always at the ready at the office.
The crochet top isn’t something I’ve worn to the office before. It’s really from my ‘summer beach time’ wardrobe. But with a solid cami worn underneath, it becomes totally wearable for the office.
A hot pink blazer just pulls the look together, giving the illusion that some effort was made when I came up with this look.
My uncombed hair, on the other hand, gives me away 😛
How I Got The Look:
Pink Blazer, INC Hudson Bay Co.; Stripped pencil skirt, Marshalls; Crochet top, Forever21+; Bone kitten heels, NineWest
For more looks featuring this skirt click here and here.
What do you think of this look? Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.
What about sandals? Are there rules on summer footwear for a flowy maxi at the office?
Well, earlier this week I did it. I took an easy-peasy, light n’ airy, double-side-slit maxi dress to the office for a business casual look.
I’m a rebel. Living’ on the edge. It’s true. 😛
This dress is almost too long…but the loose belt helps me mange the length a bit.
I recently had to return an online item I ordered from Forever21…and exchanged it in-store for this bold abstract printed maxi dress.
The fab braided, strappy back design is really what sold me. Being petite (short), maxi anything is always a challenge for moi. I haven’t been wearing heels very much this year. And there’s just something oh-so-cool and sophisticated about wearing a flowy long dress with a pair of flat sandals.
I recently bought myself some aqua thong’d Birkenstocks that have quickly become my go-to-shoe for the summer — showing off my orange polished pedicured feet 🙂
Another nice effect to this dress is the 21cm long side-slits! Totally ready for summer beach strolls and weekend brunch.
Buuuuuuut, is it office appropriate? Things that make you go hmmmm…..
I dunno if you’re like me, but when I buy something new, I like wearing it out immediately! So it was gonna happen!
Blazers cover up a number of clothing sins and boosts the level of professionalism and sophistication to nearly any outfit. This blush pink open Dorothy Perkins blazer has come in handy to do just that for me in both Fall and Spring. It’s a bit warm for Summer wear (due to lining), but it did the trick.
I tried balancing out the length of the dress’ slits with covered up arms – the 3/4 sleeves cuz its summer. Alternatively, I could also put a button down shirt over a maxi dress and belt it for a different office-appropriate effect.
On its own, NO! This dress is not office appropriate.
Maxis are tricky ones! This one had a nice modest neckline, not too tight. But look at those high slits for a leg peep-show and the boho pattern. Maybe it was TOO beachy, too light, and read more like a nightgown …. but I wore it with confidence and took it to the office anyways! 😛
I even got to catch some Vitamin D at lunchtime “networking” with a coworker WITHOUT the blazer. Oh yeah!!!
How I Got The Look: Blush blazer, Dorothy Perkins; Maxi dress, Forever21+, Aqua sandals, Birkenstock, Aqua purse, Aldo Accessories
Summer in the city! Gotta keep that wardrobe versatile to go easily from 9a-5p and beyond 😉
Ladies, sound off — are maxi dresses or maxi skirts ever appropriate for the office, or have I committed a terrible fashion faux pas?
Oh, and if they’re ok…. which are the proper shoes to wear with them? Assuming that my aqua Birks were deemed inappropriate for the office too … told ya, I’m a rebel. 😛
Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below!
Oh friends! I’m sorry I’ve been so absent with outfit posts.
I am getting up everyday and wearing clothes and going out and about … I promise. 🙂
I just haven’t been very good about photographing. And truth be told, been feeling kinda blue these days and not in the mood to write about clothes, shoes, etc.
Just been feeling ‘meh’.
But enough about that…..here’s my April Springtime in PINK recap:
Follow me on INSTAGRAM … as I often post OOTDs there as they happen 🙂
Pink Lace
I recently hit The Duffrin Mall for a much-needed eyebrow clean up appointment…and somehow this lovely frock followed me home 🙂
I’ve noticed that the styles of Forever21+ online are very different from what they’ve got in the store. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found this one. (PS: Great plus size selection at the Duffrin Mall location by the way ;))
Since it’s been a wintery-like Spring for much of this month, I paired it with a long-sleeved cardi with diamond-like sparkle buttons (Mark’s Work Wearhouse)
Hot Pink Shortie Cardi
Oook! Remember my tailor-made-just-for-me Birdy Dress from Vietnam? Well, I took it to the office by wearing this hot pink shortie cardi overtop (Old Navy) and this bright printed circle scarf (Ardene) to keep the cleavage work appropriate.
And last but not least,
Colour Me Pink with the Fanny Midi Skirt:
I picked up this amazing green Fanny Midi Skirt from Tatyana Boutique last fall during their BOGO event. Happy to note it’s still currently available here.
It is a pricey piece…so I’m thrilled to be able to make it work for springtime too!
I wore it last weekend to a fun Rockabilly Brunch in my hood, with a long-sleeve laced shoulder shirt from Forever21+ that I picked up ages ago, and the striped purse is Kate Spade (click here for more purse).
OH, click here to see how I wore it this past Winter, and where I went.
Hoped you enjoyed this quick and dirty recap of my April Springtime looks.
Got a favourite? Which do you like the best? Tell me in the comments section.
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE…with weather that matches. Finally!!!!
Now I know florals for spring isn’t a new concept or new fashion trend this year or any other year. 🙂
So, I tried doing the floral trend by mixing it up:
I’ve been trying my hand at mixing patterns more. Taking this floral dress and pairing it with a striped black and white cropped blazer really amped up this look, right?! I’m really digging the contrast.
In an effort to keep this outfit ‘work-wear’, I wore dark stockings along with my black suede booties. This was the outfit I wore to the office for my first day back from my big Asian Adventure (I’m working on those posts friends…stay tuned).
Both these pieces were thrifted finds as last year’s BIGDeal Toronto Sale (and the first time I’m wearing this dress ever). I’m not the biggest fan of floral patterns — but I really liked these colours on this white background of this dress.
Plus, being a peplum skirt it creates hourglass-come-hither style hitting the curves in all the right places …. that always gets a BIG thumbs up from moi!
How I Got The Look: Floral peplum dress & Stripped cropped blazer from Forever21; Black suede booties from NineWest
Dunno what sort of plan y’all might have this long weekend, but this might be a good Easter weekend outfit inspiration, hmm? 😉
What do you think of this look and the pattern mixing? Would love to know your thoughts in the Comments section below.
For other looks with this striped blazer click here and here.
It seems that the 1990s are everywhere right now.
There are a lot of nice little details of this dress:
PPMeow! 