outfit of the day

Hospital Fashion

I have elderly South Asian parents with whom I’ve been trying to create healthy boundaries. With these past COVID years, I hadn’t seen my folks in person in nearly 3+ years.

This past week a lot has been happening with mentally preparing to return to work (I’ve been off on medical leave for much of the summer), something inside me was telling me to “call home.”

The Outfit I wore to visit my mum in hospital: Top from *H&M;* Skirt from *Shein* Sandals are *Sketchers*; Flamingo wicker purse is vintage.

I called my folks to find out that my mum and dad were leaving for the ER right at that moment. My mum had been having trouble breathing and was extremely pale; she could barely take two steps without struggling for breath.

My partner and I met them in the ER – although my folks have been in Canada over 40-years, their ability to understand and explain themselves in English isn’t very strong. So having me there gave them the confidence they needed and my mum the comfort of having a woman take her to the washroom, etc.

Hospital Fashion … if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but happily with the care (the formerly known as) Toronto East General Hospital she is slowly recovering from several days of blood transfusions.

Happy to report that upon writing his my mum has been discharged from hospital and is back home in the care of 3 South Asian men: My Dad, My Uncle (her brother-in-law) and My 36-year old Brother. **sigh**.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as her care at home will be questionable, to say the least.

Here she is … my mum with improved health in her hospital bed.

When I visited her in hospital, I was able to give her a manicure and pedicure all the while listening to her go on and on about how fat I’ve become, and how uncomfortable it has been in a shared room. We visited her at home and were finally able to give her the side-walker and cane I bought for her pre-Covid. She’s used both and has shared how much it’s helped give her some independence again to confidently walk to the pharmacy and nearby walk-in clinic.

Anyways, as I struggle to be a “good daughter” to my South Asian mum … I’ve done my best to wear an outfit that both makes me feel and look good, and doesn’t get too harshly criticized by family members. Hope it provides some outfit inspo for you.

Top is from H&M; Skirt is from Shein and the Sandals are Sketchers.

More 🦩 Flamingo Fashion

It’s been 30C for the last week in Toronto… which means this dressing in light airy fabrics as much as possible.

This backless Tatyana frock did just that for me and was worn many times this summer!

It doesn’t hurt that there are orange flamingos all over a navy blue background either. 😉

As I’ve gotten older Ive noticed that being out in the sun really has a negative effect on me. So wearing hats are a must on really hot, sunny days. I picked up this wicker newsie boy cap from Public Butter for $12.

This little wicker flamingo purse had been rescued from my massive closet cleanup that seems to be never ending. How I could let such a lovely item go unused for so long, I don’t know.

Speaking of flamingos, ready for episode 3 of The Hilarious Adventures of Fil Mango?

Here you go!

Poshmark Finds

I’ve been doing my best to shop my own closet before buying anything new. But sometimes, no matter how full your closet is, you still can’t find anything to wear. This is where Poshmark can help.

But sometimes, no matter how full your closet is, you still can’t find anything to wear.
Petite Plus, Meow!

Ever wish you could shop your friend’s closet? Now, you can. Poshmark connects you to people whose style you adore, allowing you to easily shop closets and boutiques. With over 80 million community members across the U.S., Canada, and Australia and 200 million items for sale, we know you’ll find something you love.

Have items just hanging in your closet? Home decor or new beauty items that you’d like to sell? We know the feeling. List items for sale on Poshmark in less than 60 seconds. Sell what you have in your closet so that you can shop for what you really love today!

Dino Purse, Dress and Duster… All found via Poshmark.

Layered Ruffled Hem

Layered skirt. Also called tiered skirt layered skirts are skirts that have layers of fabric attached to each other at the hemline. The length and width of each layer may be the same or may vary. Each gives a different look. The fabric used may or may not be the same.

How ahead of the curve was I having this layered ruffled hem skirt in my closet?

Mine is an oldie from Forever21+

I paired it with a vintage Notorious B.I.G. tee and my sunhat and sunnies for an easy look for these hot weather days. Tucking in the tee’s sleeves help give me that ‘shoulder pad’ look that’s so fashionable right now.

Since the outfit was simple black and white tones, adding a pop of colour with my fringed earrings and my pink Kate Spade side-body purse helped bring out the pink in my sunhat too.

Oh – before I forget, here’s episode 2 in the Fil Mango saga …

Have you gotten into the ruffled hem yourself? Why or Why not? How else would you style such a skirt?

Let me know in the comment section of this post.

Stylishly Yours, Irene

Flamingo Flamenco

It’s no secret … I’m crazy about flamingos. It’s the pink …. I just love pink!

So when my partner brought home these fun earrings from Made You Look, I was just thrilled to see how well he knows me 🙂 Wearing them made me think of this kid song “Flamingo Flamenco” …clip above for your viewing pleasure – you’re welcome.

I’ve been shopping my closet putting together outfits and combinations that are new. The only new item in these pictures, other than the gifted earrings, is the Dollarama polkadot headband.

As for the three-toned dress and open cardi = both are so old that the tags within them are non-existent. The pink purse is Kate Spade. Mixing higher end items with affordable ones to create a full look is what I love doing.

Ole! Me striking my best Flamenco pose I could in my new flamingo earrings from Made You Look

If you enjoy this look, and my flamingo pink hair (no joke – that’s what its called) you might like a little side project I’ve been working on.

It’s a story about a not-so-young, but dashingly handsome young comic who comes to Toronto to try and make it in the comedy scene. I’d love to know what you think of it, as it’s my first time trying my hand at comedy writing.

Use the comment section and let me know.

Introducing the Hilarious Adventures of Fil Mango – follow him on Instagram @fil_mango

Stylishly Yours, Irene

Gingham & Florals

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.

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…

PetitePlus, Meow!

Sampling of Summer OOTDs

Last week, Today

Hey, hey, hey….it’s Monday! And you know what that means – NEW BLOGPOST!

I’ve been battling my iPhone4s photo taking space… yes, it’s an old eff’ing phone…but it doesn’t have a cracked screen and I can’t bring myself to buy a new one just yet 😛

But I’m committed to recapping my outfits of the week (when I remember to take a snap) into a weekly blogpost for you in a fun series called: Last Week, Today.

Gatsby Glam

I got to be a California Girl last week – check out all the fun things I did on Instagram!!!

And that’s when I got to go shopping at Unique Vintage in LA….who carry lovely reproduction pieces with sizes going all the way up to 4x!

Gatsby Glam is something I struggle with – so when I found this lovely on the sale rack, I had to try it on and hope for the best. It was a bit too small for me, but still lovely none the less. Pardon my lack of slip.

Drappy Jumpsuit

**How I Got The Look:** Shoes, *Payless;* Blazer, *INC Hudson Bay Co*.; Belt, *Reitmans;* Jumpsuit, Venice Beach shop (forget the name :/)

Whist in LA last week, I found this drappy black jumpsuit from a shop on Venice Beach. I really wasn’t sure it would work for me, but it was such a different shape than anything I’ve styled before, that I decided to bring it home with me 🙂

I made it “office appropriate” by pairing it with a hot pink blazer, wide belt and lace-up flats. You likee?

Bicycle Swirls

My last look from last week is this great Tatyana bicycle print dress with the greatest capped sleeves ever!

I wore it with the same wide belt I wore earlier that week with the drappy jumpsuit to tame the fun print for corporate life. 🙂

There you have it friends – what I wore last week – hope it provided some fashion inspiration for you to try yourself.

Follow me on Instagram for all my life+style moments as they happen 😉

Let me know which you liked best by leaving a comment below.

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Little Black Dress #3

Continuing with January’s Little Black Dress week on the blog today.

If you missed any of the previous LBD’s click here: #1 and #2. Today’s LBD isn’t completely black I know….but go with me 🙂

I picked it up this Fall at SexyPlus Clothing’s Blogger Soirée — to see how I styled it for Fall wear on my birthday, click here.

LBD #4: SexyPlus Clothing’s JAX Newsprint

It has been bitterly cold in Toronto. So keeping warm and cozy has been more important than ever. Which means a perfect excuse to adorn oneself in faux furs!!!

Regular hosiery options just wasn’t warm enough under this light Fall dress. So I’m wearing thick leggings with tall boots instead. Cover up as much of that skin as you can ladies. Instead of going bare-legged, consider wearing tights or thermal leggings beneath your skirt or dress. Not only does it look more climate-appropriate in formal situations, your legs will remain softer since they won’t be as exposed to the elements. Just like scarves, leggings and tights come in many different varieties, so it is nearly impossible not find a pair that will work with your outfit and mesh with your personality 😉

How I Got The Look: LBD from SexyPlus Clothing; Grey fur scarf from Indigo; Black boots from Payless; Black leggings and earrings from Old Navy.

Do you have a favourite Little Black Dress? Where’s it from and how to you style it? Tell me your tips and tricks by leaving a comment below.

WANNA see the other LBD’s I’ve talked about so far – click here and here.

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Little Black Dress #1

I dunno about you friends, but January is officially Little Black Dress month for me. There has been WAYYY too much eating over the festive season … and this holiday weight is making me choose blacks over other fun colours in my wardrobe these days.

Lucky for me, I’ve got a lil’ Collection of LBDs that don’t nearly get enough of my attention all year round. So why not use this month to let them shine 🙂

LBD #1: Forever21+

Truth be told, I bought this dress as a Halloween Costume one year, when a girlfriend and I dressed as Robert Palmer girls. The best (and easiest) costume to pull off I tell ya.

What sold me about this dress was the different textures of fabric used. The top is this shiny poly-blend with a sweet little twist to the neckline which leads to off the shoulder sleeves, and the skirt portion is a ribbed cotton.

There is beauty in simplicity. I tried sticking to a head-to-to black … keeping the hose and heels black too. But in the end, I needed more — and that’s when this red blazer just kicked it up a notch.This giant pearl necklace is my absolute favourite (Your Big Sister’s Closet) – it just adds the perfect punch of sophistication to this entire outfit.

Do you have a favourite Little Black Dress? Where’s it from and how to you style it? Tell me your tips and tricks by leaving a comment below.

How I Got The Look: LBD from Forever21+; Red blazer from Jessica, Sears; Glossy black pumps from Payless; Sheer hosiery from Dollarama; Necklace from Your Big Sister’s Closet; Gold earrings from Ardene

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