For a quick and easy Sunday Brunch outfit of the day, I paired this fantastic baby BATMAN tee (Ardene) with a simple cotton black pencil skirt (Old Navy) and these plaid loafers (Payless). No jewellery, just my white ceramic Michael Kors watch.
I’ll be honest with you… I was uber nervous about buying this shirt from Ardene. The largest they go is XL and often the quality of garments are for one-time wear. But somehow all of me fit into this this one….without streching poor Batman’s face all across my chest – #winning – so naturally this tee had to come home with me.
After all, {insert deep, throaty voice here} ….. I’M BATMAN! 🙂
ps: sorry for the unkept hair and lack of makeup – it was Sunday people. Geez!
After the Victorian Tea event at Your Big Sister’s Closet last month, I met a delightful lady with whom an instant friendship was born. Turns out this chick, Annika Reid is the chief designer and owner of Candi Apple Couture (who was soon to be launching into the bloggosphere) struggles with finding affordable bra options in Toronto. Naturally, our tea-time conversation quickly turned to planning a road trip to Buffalo to empty all of the Lane Bryant locations of their Cicaque bras!!! Annika had yet to learn of the magic of this brand – and I was more than happy to show her what a proper fitting bra could do. 🙂
So we took a day off work and left for the border bright and early …. but first a stop at currency exchange followed by the church of i.HOP…their Strawberry Banana Cream Pie Pancakes is an AMAZING and religious experience! God is Good!
Now…this was meant to be a very purposeful and focused cross border trip. There is absolutely no reason for me to be shopping. My closet is full and my shoe selection ample. This trip’s Mission was strictly for Over-The-Shoulder-Boulder-Holders! Buuuuut some how the following sofa-full of bags ended up coming home with me….
My Shoe Haul!
The deals on footwear in my size were just too good to pass up friends…. soooo this happened:
This was my very first time visiting Torrid … and I must say, when they throw a sale…they mean business!! Check out these two pairs I got from them:
Torrid: Black High-top platform kicks $14!!!From Torrid: suede black sling-backs with gold pointed studs were $5! (I signed up for their store card…and got them for $2.50!!! Crazytown!)Payless: each pair was $17!!!! Naturally I had to get them in ever colour that fit my feet!! 🙂
Then of course, we had to stop at the NineWest Outlet … they’ve never let me down yet…and with their Buy one Get one 1/2 off, these two babies became mine:
Kate Spade New York
I’ve been eyeing the Kate Spade bags for sometime now, but wasn’t sure if I was a “Kate Spade kinda girl”. But then I saw this paten-leather stripped beauty in the window, whist waiting for the girls to find WiFi service within the mall…..and I was hooked. I visited this shop TWICE before making my decision. I cradled and petted it. Wore it with its detachable cross-body strap. Held it by its handle and walked around the store a bit to see if I liked the look and weight of it. It was beautiful. But, did I really need another designer purse?
Then a conveniently placed shop-girl quickly informed me that this particular bag was not only discounted at 40%….but there was an ADDITIONAL 20% off this bag TODAY ONLY!!!! Well…that did it friends! She. Was. Mine! 🙂
Dresses
As I mentioned above, I truly set off with good intentions to keep my wallet tight….I had no intention of buying additional clothes this trip. Buuuuut then this happened….
The girls took me to a shop I’d never been before called:Rainbow. I was immediately drawn to this fantastic nautical cut-out hi-low dress….but at first glance I was too intimidated by it. But upon trying it on – I really really really loved it! And have been kicking myself for not buying it in the summer-tastic teal colour it came in as well as the navy I picked up. It pays to go shopping with two pushy chicks I tell ya 😉 (Thanks again ladies! You make be brave!)
Rainbow: Hi-low nautical stripes cut-out dress was $16!!!
I did end up buying TWO more dresses….a scalloped neck and hemlines lace dress from DressBarn ($39) and a coral-navy patterned faux wrap dress from Rainbow ($15!). I ended up wearing this one to this Speed Dating Event I recently attended …. stay tuned on my blog post on that friends 😉
Oh…did we buy bras? You bet we did!!! Lane Bryant’s Cacique bra selection goes right up to F, G and H-cup …. and they often have Buy one, Get one 1/2 off sales also! Which typically means this girl can get up to FOUR bras for less than the price of one in Toronto that doesn’t need to be custom ordered and fitted by a pricy lingerie shop.
Sadly, the selection was rather limited in terms of the styles vs. sizes needed this time around — strongly recommend you pre-order if you’re making a trip out there specifically for bras friends. I did pick up a deep plunge for those dresses that are cleavage specific, a perfect tee-shirt bra, a racer back lace french cut and a regular lace french cut. Curious of what these look like? Click here and visit their site friends 😉
All smiles with full bellies, empty wallets, and sore voices from all the Car-aoke singing all the way back to Toronto. ROAD TRIP COMPLETE! Woot! Woot!
There you have it! A Breakdown of my Cross-Border Extravaganza and Shopping Haul! It was a fantastic day. How many of y’all go cross border shopping on the regular? Would anyone be interested in coming along if Petite Plus, Meow! + Candi Apple Couture were to HOST a cross border shopping trip in the near future? Tell us what you think of this idea in the comments section friends….and we’ll take it from there 🙂
Oh … Have you LIKE’d the Facebook Page yet? Subscribe. Share. And Tell A Friend. xoxoxo
I have to admit, this past weekend with the release of Orange is the New Black season 2 on Netflix, I’ve been anti-social… or rather ‘selectively social’. In my defence I haven’t been feeling in tip top shape …and what better way to regain ones umph than by marathoning episodes of a fantastic show like this? 🙂
Monday, Monday – back to the grind. It is a absolutely beautiful day in Toronto today … which encouraged me to bust out this lovely sea foam swirl dress I picked up from Forever21 a few weeks ago…when I was on the hunt for a sea foam blazer. Alas, the blazer is still at large….but let’s look at how I took this fun, flirty, cut-out back dress from 9-5 and beyond 😉
Office Ready — I had to travel to the depths of Scarborough this morning to deliver a training session…but covering up the backless-ness of this fab patterned dress with a simple black open blazer (Reitmans), gave me the polished office appropriate look with this airy number, I think. I paired it with simple gold earrings and my MK bracelet watch, and my one of MANY new shoes from my recent cross-board shopping extravaganza trip. These brown wedge sandals are from Payless. Stay tuned for a blogpost on that all on its own friends…I did REAL good in the footwear department. Holla!
5pm and beyond: Remove the blazer….and head to your nearest patio STAT!
EASY PEASY, LEMON SQUEEZEY! What do you think of this sea foam colour on a darker skin tone like mine? Shall I still continue the hunt for a sea foam blazer or should I leave this colour alone? Would love to know your thoughts – share in the comment section.
Toronto got its first glimpse of summer weather this weekend friends! Happy to say I got to enjoy a patio or two …hope you did too.
Saturday I put together a real casual run-about-town-doing-nothing daytime look by giving a simple tank maxi dress a trendy tribal feel.
H&M – a store I typically never venture into…but signs for a One-Day-Sale lured me in. Y’all know I’m weak when it comes to sales. 😉 Discovered a selection of basics for fab prices…. I was happy to find that these maxi dresses in straight sizes (size L) fit me! And was only $10!!! Bonus – the length was perfect for a petite gal like me. Typically with maxi dresses I’ll have to wear sky-high platform sandals to avoid hemming the dress…..buuuuuut this maxi stopped well above my ankles, which meant I could do flats easily! With all of these benefits…I HAD to pickup this mauve one AND its twin, in black.
I picked up this sheer kimono from Marshall’s a few weeks ago with a gift card I nearly forgot I had.
Not only is this tribal print on trend, but the light sheer fabric is perfect for a comfortable coverup/outerwear layer to help you ‘closet swap’ whist we enjoy this in-between weather from Spring to Summer. Most of the kimonos in straight sizes fit me nicely – the one I’m wearing here is a size L.
I’m really loving the tribal patterns that seem to be going strong into the Summer, and even happier to have incorporated this trendy piece into my wardrobe with a gift card that was totally forgotten about in my wallet. Did you know that you can sell gift cards for cash at the price you choose? Raise Marketplace accepts gift cards and merchandise credit from any brand or restaurant, and you get paid when the gift card sells. Good to know, huh… 😉
Alternative to pairing this tribal kimono with this maxi, I think it would look lovely with a crop top and loose-fitting drawstring pants – for a more summertime easy-breazy look.
Waddya think? Would you rock a kimono or tribal prints this Spring/Summer season?
How I got the Look:
Sheer tribal kimono from Marshalls; Mauve maxi tank dress from H&M; black flat peep-toe with cutouts from Payless; Jade & gold drop earrings from Stella & Dot; Cat-eye sunnies from Public Butter Vintage
It’s a full week of rain in Toronto … and although I’ll happily take it over snow, I’m always looking for alternatives so I can avoid carrying around a giant umbrella to get from A to B in the city.
I have the best pair of galoshes!!! These pink paisley rubber boots basically screamed “Irene” when I scored them a million years ago from Wal-Mart.
But sometimes, a girl doesn’t want to be in humid rubber boots all day. Plus, these boots don’t exactly go with ever look and outfit. 😉
So here’s what I put together as a Rainy Day Alternative recently … in an effort to rid myself of an umbrella and galoshes.
The solution: A giant hat + booties!
Now naturally, this alternative is only good if the temperature is warmish (15+) and rain not too heavy so your footwear doesn’t get ruined. Since my jacket was 3/4 sleeved (and extremely light), pairing it with this fun scarf helped give me that extra bit of warmth. If you wanna see the many other ways to tie a scarf, I’ve got you covered in that link 🙂
Since the overall colour scheme was pretty simple and muted, I thought I’d add a pop of colour by wearing this HOT Pink gold studded belt to give my outfit some pizzazz!
I’ve been all over this circle scarf I picked up back in November from Aldo (I even mentioned it in my Interview upon being nominated for a 2014 LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD). It’s a light-weight simple beige toned bird patterned scarf, that I find myself adding to any and all outfits I whip up, especially on the weekends for running errands or impromptu meet-ups for brunch, drinks and the like.
Like the look? What are your solutions to looking cute in the rain?
How I Got The Look:
Bird circle scarf, Aldo Accessories (click here for related other posts)
Pink paisley galoshes, Wal-Mart (click here for related other posts)
3/4 sleeved brown jacket, AdditionElle
Black n’ white striped long-sleeved dress, Old Navy
Hot pink studded belt, Your Big Sister’s Closet
Large cream brimmed hat, Toronto Vintage Clothing Show(click here for related other posts)
Faux cowboy booties, Payless( click here for related other posts)
Gussied Up, a plus size clothing boutique owned by the lovely Victoria McGroarty, celebrated the store’s 3rd anniversary this weekend – with a Meet & Greet with Miss Tess Munster!
This delightful Bathurst boutique has classic pieces and Canadian designs in sizes X-3X. With versatile pieces like day-to-evening dresses, casual blazers, leggings and cute but practical undergarments.
This past visit I had my eye on the vintage-inspired bathing suits — any era with fashions that celebrates hips & tits wins my heart every time! The feminine details for belts and bling is what I go weak in the knees for (ended up buying a sweetie-pie one I’ve had my eye on since seeing it on Instagram).
MINE! The Black Bow Belt!
With the weather oh-so gorgeous, I walked up from West Queen West (a significant distance) – so I decided to dress down cozy and comfy with my navy faux Toms (Airwalk from Payless), pink stripped maxi (from AdditionElle), cat-eye sunnies (from The Public Butter), pink moustache scarf (from Winners), faded denim-hoodie jacket (Jessica Simpson from HBC) and my MK grey cross body bag to make my Saturday afternoon stroll to meet Miss Tess Munster!
The line up to meet Tess nearly wrapped the corner of Dupont! Lucky for me….Rebecca (of Rebecca Northcott Photography) and I had a “tag-team approach”… and who ever got there first would save a spot for the other, regardless of the dirty looks to come our way by fellow-in-line fans! 😉
Tess is a Plus-Size Model, Make Up Artist, Body Positive Activist and Blogger based in L.A., who turned her hobbies into a successful career. She is a petite woman with an amazing smile that truly does light up a room!
She recently founded the #effyourbeautystandards movement which has over 65,000 shares on Instagram alone, that changed her life. She receives letters and emails from different women every day thanking her for empowering them to love their bodies, and to not be ashamed of being short, pale/dark, or dare I say…Fat.
The features that Tess was bullied about in her youth, that she now embraces, that has led to her success. She really is an inspiration, encouraging other women to embrace and accept who they are, as they are.
Tess hopes that girls who are bullied, and women who lack confidence will begin to see their inner and outer beauty at whatever size.
For everyone that says we can’t show our tummies, wear a pencil/form-fitting skirt, wear a bikini, wear sleeveless tops… YOU can!
That’s the main message of the #effyourbeautystandards campaign — Tess wants YOU to join her in wearing “daring” fashions & stop hiding your body because society tells you to.
BE a total babe regardless of our size..big OR small we all deserve to feel beautiful.
Take a look at some of the beautiful shots Rebecca captured at the Meet & Greet with Miss Tess Munster at Gussied Up:
Tess was a delight to meet! A genuinely nice person — happy to give hugs, pose for pictures …even TAKING SELFIES with her adoring fans!
I’ve got a massive #girlcrush on this woman – even more now that I’ve met her!
Tess with Rebecca, of Rebecca Northcott Photography
Tess is proof that determination, relentlessness, and positivity can look beautiful on anyone, and that there is a wonderful life past a size 20.
Gussied Up located at 1090 Bathurst St (at Dupot) in Toronto, Ontario. You should def make a visit to see what fabulous fashions finds need to be yours!
Here are a few shots taken by my iPhone camera too:
Me with Victoria, Owner of Gussied Up!
Shots taken with my iPhone: Me + Victoria and Me + Tess Munster
It finally happened! Toronto got an actual SPRING weather weekend! Hooray!
So this Sunday I ditched my winter coat for a belted shawl + hat look instead.
I was invited to a photoshoot at High Park…and was asked to wear pastel colours for makeup. I’m not a big makeup kinda girl in the first place, but I was a bit intimidated of how to make pastels work for my darker complexion. With the help of Google and with Rimmel having a sale at Shoppers….here’s my attempt at pastel eyes and lips for the day.
Waddya think?
In hindsight, the light grey lacy-back sweatshirt and silk scarf I wore under the houndstooth shawl did not keep me warm enough….especially after 7pm once the sun went down. But, fashion before function, right? Right!
How I Got The Look:
Outter: Shawl from Reitmans; Cobalt pants from Old Navy; Rhinestone nude flats from Payless; Black belt from Lane Bryant; Hat from Vintage Clothing Show
Inner: Grey lace sweatshirt from Pennington’s; Oriental printed scarf from Vintage Clothing Show;
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 cityshe 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! 🙂
How I got The Look:
Mint & black lace sheer hi-lo top from Carpe Diem, Your Big Sister’s Closet (Dundas W/Clendenan Sts.)
Black crop top from Forever21+, Toronto Eaton Center
Solid black leggings from Old Navy, Toronto Eaton Center
PPMeow! 