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!!!

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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!

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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”.

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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!:

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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 🙂

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#MyVegasStyle

Now…I’ve never been to Vegas myself.  I was close last summer when I was a California Girl for a week (see my Wanderlust page for a few pics of that trip).  Sadly my trip was too short to include a jaunt to down to The Gambling Capital.  Vegas is definitely on my travel-list…and I would certainly need to pack weeks in advance to make sure I was Vegas Ready when it came to Daytime and Nighttime looks.

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I was approached by the Content Director of Vegas.com to participate in their current blog challenge: #MyVegasStyle.

Challenge accepted!!! 😉

 

Vegas Style: Daytime

I’m usually for fashion over function.  Buuuuut for daytime looks in desert heat, my vote is for fashion with function!  Light, easy fabrics that could easily take you to a nice lunch spot, like at Aria’s Lemongrass resturant, and would keep you comfortable if you wanted to explore the sights of Vegas on foot (which would mean swapping heels for fun flats and sandals).  Take a look at these collages of daytime #myvegasstyle – including a ton of sun hats, my newest obsession!  I included a personal #ootd from a previous post that I think would totally fit into this category of Vegas Daytime Style too!

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Swimwear

Frankly, any of the swimwear from Monif C. would totally fall into #MyVegasStyle category! Love! Love! Love!

This Peru Fringe Swimsuit would definitely be in my carry-on to Vegas.  A dream come true for chesty chicks like me, and the sexy fringe details help distract from any thigh insecurities.   Sexy! Brilliant! Love!

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Vegas Style: Nighttime  

Titty City – I would definitely play up the cleavage in Sin City! I think for a nice dinner followed by a show and gambling I could finally rock my Valentina Illusion Dress from Kiyonna.  I think this number should bring someone a bit of luck, gambling if not otherwise…don’t you think? 😉

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Leopard – I’m wearing this faux wrap Joseph Ribkoff dress a few weeks ago for a girlfriend’s birthday celebration.  All three of us look like we were Vegas Nighttime Ready already, don’t you think?  Meow indeed!!! 😉  Maybe we could wear these outfits to club Haze in the Aria Hotel.

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Sequins – Where better to wear a glittery number if not in the “Entertainment Capital of the World”!  I would def pack and rock my sequins tank and dress, depending on the time of year, I’d swap the tall boots for sexy pumps for nighttime fun in Vegas.  Check out my previous post, How to Wear Sequins for other ideas to incorporate into a Vegas style look 🙂

 

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Little Black Dress (LBD) – You can’t really go wrong with this approach for Vegas Nightlife.

I’m thinking Audrey classy, not clubby-trashy….

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There you have it friends – #MyVegasStyle done from a petite (short), curvy, large chested perspective! 🙂

You likee?  Have you LIKE’d the Petite Plus, Meow! Facebook Page yet?

 If you haven’t….you really should!!!

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Tribal Kimono

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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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

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Navy Polka-Dots: 2 Looks

In an effort to curb my shopping addiction, I’ve been trying very hard to dig deep into my current closet and rediscover the lovely pieces that I already have and come up with new refreshing ways to wear them.

This is one of the first “everyday” dresses I bought a few years ago.  A simple sheer shirt + slip dress from Old Navy (that cost less than $30).  I’ve always worn this in the summer time … but what was really keeping me from wearing it anytime of the year?

So…below are two looks for this cute navy polka-dot number, one for Winter/Fall and the other for Spring/Summer 🙂

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How I got The Look:

Polka-Dot sheer shirt+slip dress from Old Navy, Eaton Center

Taupe suede booties from Rebels

Cork platform sandals from Frizzy Lizard in London, ON

Sunhat from H&M, Yorkdale Mall

Medina Bib Necklace from Stella&Dot

Odette Cuff from Stella&Dot