Gary Lamkin, age 28, did his first stand up set at the age of 16 in “The Great Canadian Laugh Off” and he’s been going ever since. Now based in Toronto, Gary continues to make audiences laugh with his effective blend of material and improvisational crowd work. He was featured for the first time on television when he was 18; on the show “Comedy In The City” and has headlined and toured in various parts of Canada. He has also completed 2 years of training at Humber’s “Comedy Writing and Performance”’program. He hosts his own podcast “The Hump Day Podcast” which is available on iTunes/Spotify.
As hosts of these Humpday Wednesday YYZ events, Matt and I try to step it up with a little #casualcosplay as a nod to each film we’ve chosen to screen.
I got a chance to reuse part of my nun costume worn for the sound of music cosplay a few years ago. Just paired my homemade-sewed-by-moi nun’s habit with a black short sleeved frock from Shein…the delicate eyelit hem just gives this simple dress oomph!
Your Hosts of The Comedy Cinema: Luchador Announcer Matt Duffy and Sister Mary Irene
We still have tons more funny flicks lined up next week and beyond for the rest of the year – hope you’ll come join us for one, some or ALL of our Humpday Wednesday fun with the.ComedyCinema! Get your tickets now!
What I Wore: This lace and mesh duster overtop of an Ashley Gram slip-dress with little brown bootiesCheckout my Popcorn 🍿 earrings!
Super fun time coming up with Casual Cosplay for this classic funny flick
We still have tons more funny flicks lined up next week and beyond for the rest of the year – hope you’ll come join us for one, some or ALL of our Humpday Wednesday fun with the.ComedyCinema! Get your tickets now!
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.
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?
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.
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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.
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
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.
Dino purse – yay or nay?
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…
Here we are: the last Thursday of December …. the LAST THURSDAY OF 2016!!!
All month long PPMeow! teamed-up withStyleCassentialsto bring you another collaboration featuring some of the Winter Trends for 2016 Holiday Season!!!
To wrap up our December long series we’re putting our own spin on wearing VELVET!
As luxurious as velvet it… I’ve stayed away from it so far, as I just haven’t found a piece that I liked myself in.
The velvet slip dress was the “IT” item this Fall. So I kept an eye out for one that might work for me and my bod. I ordered one from ASOS way back at the beginning of this month – but it has never bothered to arrive.
And then I found this one on the Forever21+ Instagram page:
Remember Carrie Bradshaw’s “the naked dress”from SATC? That’s basically how I felt when I first tried this dress on upon its arrival in my mail. 😮
This dress has a fantastic hemline, with a bit of ruching in the mid-section to help mask any tummy troubles from that 2nd helping of dinner or in my case a cheese fondu party.
I didn’t feel comfortable having the ta-tas all out-and-about in this brown/pink curve-hugging velvety frock for holiday house parties among married and coupled-off friends.
Sooooooo I wore a thin long-sleeved band tee underneath it + sheer hosiery + mid-calf length black boots … and BAM!
Holiday Ready rocking this Winter Trend! ❤
I’ve styled this velvet dress in 3 different ways throughout December …. which way do you like it best?
How I Got The Look: Velvet slip dress, Forever21+; Bomber stripped jacket, Old Navy; Boney M tee, super old from my radio days; Black mid-calf boots, Steps
Cassie is wearing this high neck, long-sleeved grey velvet frock….with a little cutout. Her gold accessories, purse and strappy shoes really add to her overall glamorous look!
Head over to Style Cassentials for all the details on Cassie’s winter trend of velvet in her outfit. Or her Instagram here. Or visit her Facebook page here.
There you have it!!! The entire month of December with a featured Winter Trend!!!
We hope they bring you some fashion inspiration to try yourself this month – maybe for NYE 😉
To see how we’ve put our own unique twists previously this month click on the below links:
Canadians know how to make sure they squeeze out as much summer as they possibly can – cuz Winter is Coming and will last 8+ months of the year! 😦
That’s why we gotta make the most of the August Long Weekend!!!!
This was the first time I stayed in town. The streets of Toronto are filled with loads of party people and tons of Americans who come up for Caraibanna ! The weekend is dedicated to TONS of parties happening everywhere and the weather is usually picture perfect!
I was lucky enough to have some RMT benefit dollars to burn – so I grabbed a gf and we drove to Caldeon, ON to spend the day luxuriating at a day spa!
The Millcroft Inn & Spa had an outdoor terrace, indoor and outdoor pools, an indoor whirlpool, an Infrared Sauna, private men’s and women’s locker facilities with herbal steams rooms and showers.
It was the greatest!!!
Plus, they’ve got an award winning resturant – where we had lunch overlooking this gorgeous pond + waterfall. ❤
This was the 2nd summer in my life where I have come to peace with my body insecurities and donned a bikini (aka fatkini)! 🙂
This was an intensive week of non-stop dance with workshops all day, everyday to improve your dancing skills. Taught by amazing dance instructors from all over. Followed by nightly live bands to dance to until the wee hours of the morning!
Here’s a quick run down of those live musical acts:
Truth: When I signed up for this trip, I figured I’d have a ton of other Toronto dancers going with me. But with the CAD$ being so low…that wasn’t the case. And then I had a lower back injury that led to me doing very little dancing all winter. I started to chicken-out and was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone else at this camp.
What if they were all amazing dancers and they discover that I’m a dancing fraud!?
What if they’re all super young and I’ll be the oldest granny of the group?!
What if I sit all alone for every meal with no friends all week!? The Fear Was Real!
As the travel date got closer and closer… turns out that there were only two other Toronto dancers heading to Beantown …and we were all arriving at different times.
So I forced myself to be brave, packed my electric heating pad, a sh!t-ton of Ibuprofen and muscle pain ointment and off I went to spend over a week at a dance camp, in a city where I know nobody… dun dun dunnnn!
I had to audition to get into an appropriate “track level” for all your classes that week. Terrifying? Yes!
Result: Turns out I’m an intermediate dancer!
This was the first time I participated in a group routine and performed in public!!!
I’m happy to report – we didn’t mess up once on stage!!! Woot! Woot! 😀
Me and my routine dance partner, Eddie
Here’s the routine. We were nervous that we’d screw it up…so we claimed a spot in the back row…far right, if you’re looking for me.
Look for my especially twirly skirt. 😉 Click here to read about my outfit if you’re curious.
I was way too busy having the time of my life … that I didn’t take too many pictures during my stay at camp.
Luckily I’ve managed to find a few of me taken at the fun photobooth the last night of camp – celebrating its 20th anniversary!
Visit my Instagram channel to see all the camp adventures + video clips of a few lessons and a mini private concert with Norma Miller – Lindy Hop swing dancer known as the “Queen of Swing”
DOWNTOWN BOSTON
Camp ended on a Thursday…and with the long weekend here (Canada Day), I decided to stick around Boston and explore the city solo.
My hostel – HI Boston – was right next to the Boston Common – pretty much right in the heart of downtown.
I slept the day away – my body was exhausted after 7-days of dance. But in the evening, I walked around on my own and found myself in the Public Gardens just as the sun was setting…
Gorgeous pink skies in the Public Gardens, Boston
And at the other side of this the park… I stumbled upon this landmark…
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name!!”
Naturally I had to stop in and have a cuppa Calm Chowda at the bar and channel my inner Norm. 😉
Friday I was a proper tourist! I was determined to maximize the day AND night!!!
What better way to explore a new city than on foot! I discovered a fab lil’ company called Free Tours by Foot which does just that! These tours are among the best things to do in Boston, taking you through many of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods. Best part: there is no charge to take our tours. Meaning you may pay what you feel the tour was worth after the tour is completed, thus ensuring that your tour guide must strive to give his or her best on every tour. Win. Win.
What I saw on the Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel
Old South Meeting House
Old Corner Bookstore
Old State House
Boston Massacre Site
Faneuil Hall
In addition to all these historic sites … I managed to drive by the Harvard Campus at night …. took the T-train on a pub crawl to some uptown Boston Bars…. checked out the local Lindyhop Social…. brought the house down with newly made friends while Karaoke’ing in Cambridge … caught some live jazz over brunch…and even had a bit of a romantic interlude that weekend to boot! 😉
Overall, my trip to Boston was da.bomb.com! ❤
It’s a fantastic city – super green – with lots to see and do. Sadly, I dedicated an entire day to shopping and came up empty-handed. Nothing wow’d me enough to spend my money. Nothing. Very, very disappointing. 😦
Who’s been to Boston? Were there some “must do’s” that I missed? Now that you’ve read about my adventures, would you take a trip out there too?
Tell me your thoughts in the comment section below.
PPMeow! 