online shopping – PPMeow!

Y’all know how weary I am about online shopping and the potential “shipping back hassle” if something doesn’t fit right…right?

Well, since taking the Measure ME Beautiful Challenge and learning what my measurements truly are, I’ve been braver about ordering things online.

Like this adorable Roesegal Peter Pan Collar Dress — isn’t it just delightful? And to my heart’s content it went up to XXL, who’s measurement chart said this would fit a 95cm (which translate roughly to about 38-inches waist – HAZZA!). Knowing it would be a bit snug, with the free shipping, I figured I could get it taken out a bit by a sew-fabulous gf, if needed and it would be fine. It was just too cute – and it had to be mine.

Weeks go by, to the point of me forgetting that I even ordered this piece in the first place…..and then this dress finally arrives. The website is a liar! The dress measures 15 inches across — It is COMPLETELY too small. And now I have a broken heart and a beautiful dress that will never be worn by moi 😦

My shipping back hassles were immediately realized – and I was forced to put this baby on my TrendTrunk in hopes she’d find love on a slender diva.

And then I met Carmen Nadine Lewin, Owner of CNL Designs who specialize in custom clothing. I shared the story of my pink dress sadness … then handed it over to her to work her magic, as she began to redesign this frock just for me. 🙂

Step 1: Create more room for ‘The Girls’ 😉

Step 2: Add length to the hem, keeping it 30-plus appropriate for my comfort level 😉

Step 3: Recreate the sweet features from the original piece – like the Peter Pan collar in delicate lace instead.

While Carmen was busy fixing the dress, I focused on accessories 🙂

I added a bow-tie skinny belt (Sealed With A Kiss) to the waist with my owl earrings (Forever21)…

In the end, we decided not to recreate the Peter Pan collar, as it would cover up the sweet little pleated details on each shoulder. Instead we kept the arms and neckline simple with black piping instead, leaving the only lace detail for the hemline.

And Vola! Here’s the dress recreated to fit moi:

Even with the black lace hem, the skirt is a bit shorter than I typically like to wear. Wearing some opaque tights would totally give this frock a different look and feel. Adding tall boots to this sweet little dress would totally change the look again 🙂

So thrilled this online purchase wasn’t a complete waste! (Thank you Carmen, xo)

Waddya think about this dress’ transformation by CNL Designs? Carmen Nadine has quickly become my hero!!! Click here to see her magic at turning me into SHE-RA Princess of Power this year for Halloween!

Looking to hire her for some custom duds for an upcoming event? Or perhaps you’d like her to repurose/redesign something that no longer fits you right. Whatever it maybe, Carmen Nadine Lewin can help you get that custom-one-of-a-kind-unique-to-you look! Just click here and tell her Irene of Petite Plus, Meow! sent ya 😉

Now, I’ve yet to wear this redesigned dress out yet. Where would YOU wear it? How would you ‘winter-ize’ it? Use the comment section and tell me your thoughts friends.

Stay tuned to the blog for more CNL Designs features on the blog. xo

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I’ve recently been shopping with a couple of slender, vintage loving ladies in my life – both of whom have mad sewing abilities, who come armed with tape measure whenever they are hunting for fabulous vintage finds. Both of these lovelies are avid online clothing shoppers as well. The key thing I noticed with both of them is that they knew exactly what their measurements were. Plus, they had a keen eye for what materials and fabrics … knowing what could be taken in/let out easily for possible adjustments to make these new-to-them-pieces work perfectly for their bods (mad skills I tell you).

So let me ask you……Do you know your measurements?

The majority of women don’t. I certainly didn’t. Perhaps I was too scared to know what they are. Aside from us all getting over the bad habit of comparing ourselves to other women, society has taught us that only thin can be beautiful. With most ads showcasing perfectly airbrushed tall and skinny women to promote impossible standards of beauty, it’s no wonder we struggle with self-acceptance. Sigh… But we – people – come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

You can be the healthiest version of yourself and never come close to a size 4. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The#MeasureMeBeautiful campaign encourages women to know their bodies and their measurements, because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

And your measurements are just that – facts, information. In order to be an informed shopper – you have to know your size. Become educated and empowered. Show the world that your measurements are just that: numbers, facts, statistics. And that they do not measure your worth, greatness, or beauty.

Knowing your measurements will help you look at size charts and know what size you should be trying on in that store, rather than taking what you think is your “usual size” into the dressing room, having it not fit, getting discouraged, depressed and then telling yourself that you must lose weight immediately.

That’s just ridiculous. Fashion should empower women with confidence rather than riddle them with guilt and sadness in retailer’s change rooms. Every woman has the ability to be a fashionista, regardless of their size (or income level, for that matter).

Sizes vary from store to store, and every brand uses a different “fit” model for their line. So let’s throw away sizes all together and simply know yourself! When you know your measurements, you are in control – not the clothing or their designer.

Right? Right!

Here’s mine (and with this knowledge I’ve been in online shopping frenzy mode folks! It’s nuts!!! Stay tuned for blogposts on my haul soon) 😉 ….

The #MeasureMeBeautiful campaign also seeks to reinforce that YOUR SIZE DOES NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE as a person! These measurements, my size, the number on the scale do not determine my worth as a person. And I will not let them determine my happiness.

I am many things besides a Size 14, 16, or 18 (at any given store). I am also striving to be a body positivity activist. I am a writer & blogger. I’m a fashionista. I’m a friend, a sister, a daughter. A Learning Designer. An off-key karaoke singer. A lindy-hopper. A homeowner. A grieving mother to a recently departed fur baby (R.I.P. Berto). Why should we continue letting the fashion industry tell us we all must fit into their ‘sample size’ in order to be beautiful or fashionable?

Mallorie Carrington of SmartGlamour came up with this fantastic campaign. She’s challenged me. Now I’m challenging you PPMeow readers, to get involved!

Measure yourself!

Not sure how? SmartGlamour has tutorial videos up here. And for those Petite divas out there who’s not quite sure if they fall under this “Petite” term…here’s a vid just for you:

Visit the #MeasureMeBeautiful website to see what the movement is all about. Take a photo of you measuring yourself and share it along with your measurements on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #MeasureMeBeautiful. Let’s show the world that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Help us spread the word that your size does not define you. Measure yourself beautiful! 🙂