penningtons – PPMeow!

Summer Shopping Haul

Oooooooo Summer Sales are everywhere friends!!!

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

Summer Orange Maxi with ruffles! $22

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.

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Holiday Double Feature: Casual Cocktails

Here we go – the very last outfit post of our week-long Holiday Double Feature collaboration series with Cassie of Style Cassentials.

We’ve been discussing and putting our own unique twists to some Holiday trends ALL week. Hope you’ve been enjoying it. If you missed any of my previous posts I’ll list them at the end of this one…so you can get yourself caught up and festive ready! 🙂

There’s bound to be a few dress-down weekend holiday house parties you’re gonna have to hit – and that’s what we’re focusing on with this last post we’re calling: Casual Cocktails!

I picked this soft pink lace trim top on sale from Penningtons a few months ago. It totally caught my eye with its mix-media textures, this top would go well with a skirt or dress pants, to the office on weekdays and totally works with jeans on the weekend.

The lovely lace trim and cool colour-blocking over soft pink sheer front and cotton back just makes this top oh-so unique.

Since this top has lots of interest to it, I was easily able to tone down the vibe of my outfit while still looking a bit ‘holiday fancy’ for a festive house party at the neighbours or whatever last min invites that may come your way for boozy egg nog and Christmas cookies 🙂

How I Got The Look: Sheer & cotton laced top from Penningtons; Navy tuxedo striped pixie pants from Old Navy; Brown suede booties from Reitmans; Faux fur bag from Aldo Accessories; Bow-tie earrings were gifted.

Cassie’s off-the-shoulder winter white sweater with lace skirt combo is oh-so romantic for the holidays. Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on how Cassie has styled the trends. Or visit her Facebook page here.

casual cocktail — Cassie of Style Cassentials

And just in case….if you’ve missed a few from the special Holiday Double Feature? Not to fear…

1. Red & Green

2. Office Party (before 5p vs. after 5p)

3. Sparkle & Shine

4. Tuxedo Glam

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Edgy Officewear

Finding office-appropriate outfits, that you actually like, for your plus-size bod can be a challenge.

If you’re like me, you want your clothing to feel and look fabulous, but also to stay within your office’s set dress code.

This sleeveless moto dress is new for Fall from Pennington’s. I picked it up with one of my birthday coupons on a customer appreciation night, and saved BIG!!!

Loving the edgy-chic style of this dress!

Faux-leather inserts, a full front zipper and front pockets. Pairing it with pumps and minimal jewellery helped me take it to the office.

But wearing it with studded booties and a statement necklace, I could totally take this dress elsewhere in the evening.And by wearing something long-sleeved underneath, I could take this dress into Winter while giving it a totally different look. Right?

I see this piece as making many appearances over the next few months my friends. 😉

What do you think of this look? Where would you wear it? As office wear….night-out wear….both…and how? Tell me your thoughts in the Comments section!

How I Got The Look:

Sleeveless Moto Dress from Penningtons (click here it’s currently on sale!); Jade earrings from Stelal & Dot; Kate Spade purse; Pink pumps from Nine West

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Choir! Choir! Choir!

I love to sing. I’m an off-key karaoke fiend, and often have broken into song on the streets whilst listening to my iPod. I’m not particularly good at it … except when I’m singing “Drunk In Love” in my shower – then I sound EXACTLY like Queen B 🙂

Singing makes me happy. And I’m determine to discover and DO more of those things – that make me happy. I’ve been told of social choirs outside of a ‘church type choir’ before, however many of the ones I’ve been looking at have strict rules and restrictions before one can become a member. Plus, most of these chapters are located in Whitby, Mississauga and Oakville. Not at all what this Downtown Toronto gal is looking for.

SIDE NOTE: Just recently found this BlogT.O. article: Karaoke Nights in Toronto – every night of the week?! I’m definitely gonna have to investigate this list and the different spots this summer FO SHO!!!

I often sing the praises (see what I did there…ya, I’m clever like that) of Toronto being the best city ever — and I’ve recently discovered yet another reason why this city is so great: Choir! Choir! Choir!

C! C! C! is a singing group based in Toronto. Since February of 2011, they have been throwing down and saving lives. www.choirchoirchoir.com

I’ve actually been a member of this Facebook group for a few months now. Always wanting to go to an event, but feeling shy and discouraged to go alone. Alas, my social circle’s avaliability has dwindled due to life, marriages and babies….. and of those who still remain, they are less than enthusiastic about singing loudly in public than I am 🙂

But when I received the invite to last week’s session – I was def gonna check it out not matter what!

Don’t You Want Me (Human League) and Tainted Love (Soft Cell) – Yup! Two classics. One glorious night!

Typically, C! C! C! meets at two different pubs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Toronto’s Little Italy (College/Shaw area) …

Daveed Goldman & Nobu Adilman are the musical leads/directors who kick off the evening with riffs and banter before corralling us all to stand tightly as close to the stage as possible, grouping those who sing “highs and mids” separate from “lows and base”.

With minimum practice, Daveed and Nobu were able to make us sound amazing in 3-hours of fun filled singing with beers! Don’t believe me – check out the SoundCloud clips … thrilled that MY voice will be among a few of these renditions now. Oooop Boop!

I really can’t describe how amazing it was to be surrounded by a bunch of strangers singing our hearts out in unison and harmony. The only way to capture that feeling is to show you friends. Check out this clip of C! C! C! singing Neil Diamond’s hit “Sweet Caroline”.… if you’re not smiling ear-to-ear by the end of it, then you are a robot.

Oh … here’s what I wore done collage-style (as I forgot to take pics of the actual outfit) – my #ootd was uber casual for pub singing with C! C! C!:

How I got the Look: Black tank maxi dress from H&M; Great back lace sweatshirt from Penningtons (click here and here for other posts featuring this one); Medina Bib from Stella & Dot; Purple patterned scarf and memory foam soled Sketcher — essential for all the STANDING required for 3+ hours of singing with C! C! C! 🙂

Can’t wait for the next sing-a-long event with this fantastic group of people! Just thinking about it makes my heart happy! Weeeeee!

Want more details about C! C! C!? – Read Here, New People 🙂

Spring Weekend: Shawl + Hat

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;