OOTD - What I'm Wearing (Canadian Plus Size Clothing and Fashion)

Hey Guys,

Just thought I'd put up another outfit. I wore this one to the cafe to study... Seems like I'm always at the cafe studying! LOL. I study well there and I have a big exam coming up at the end of May. This outfit's nothing special really, but I liked the accessories! I think the top kind of washes me out. It's too close in colour to my skintone... I might try it again with a red lip.

I am trying to get to NYC in June for Full Figured Fashion Week so I can be inspired, meet people, and build an even more fabulous community of body-positive readers. I wasn't selected as a member of the Full Figured Fashion Front this year (maybe next, fingers crossed!), so all the money I will need to get down there and stay will be coming from my own (very limited) personal funds (this is the obligatory part where I beg for money, so if you're as strapped as I am, skip to the outfit!). I've put up a donation button on the right side-bar. If you can spare a bit of money (even a dollar!) to send this starving student to NYC, I would be SO grateful. Every dollar counts and no contribution is too small. Thank you for reading, and now to the good part - the outfit!

Top, Cape, Earrings, Sunglasses, and Necklace - ASOS/Jeans - Forever 21+/Belt - Came with a dress from Dorothy Perkins/Shoes - Dorothy Perkins/Ring - Ardene

Thank You For the Music!

Hey Everyone,

This isn't really a fashion or an OOTD post, but I was really, really inspired when I came across the blog By Anika and she wrote this post about music and how it can help us to feel great about ourselves. Music is a very important part of my life and definitely helps me channel emotions. Anika was saying that when she wants to feel great and have a bit of a spring in her step when she is rocking an awesome outfit, the song that plays in her head is "Show me What You're Working With" by Mystical. She says, "The lyrics may not be politically correct, but who cares, it gives me ooommmppphh and the power to let go of what I can not change (my backside) as well as the power to change what I can (my estimation of my backside)." She is a great inspiration! Do you have a song that does this for you? I have SOOO many - and they are all on my iPhone in a playlist called "Swagger" so I remember to have that when I'm listening to them. They sort of remind me to feel good about myself. Peacock clothing and accessories also do this for me - as they typically represent pride because of their showy colours. Do you have anything like that, which reminds you to keep your head held high? I am going to share my feel-good mix with you all - these are songs I play in my head or on my iPhone when I need a boost or really show that world out there what I'm working with. What are your favourites? These are not in any particular order.

Beautiful You Are - Deborah Cox
The Dress Looks Nice on You - Sufjan Stevens
Follow the Light - Travis
Here Comes the Sun and Let it Be- The Beatles
Hometown Glory - Adele (really anything by Adele - she is such an inspirational curvy woman!)
Hot Child in the City - Nick Gilder (this is a good one for that strut thing I was talking about)
I Gotta Feelin' - Black Eyed Peas (I like this for getting ready to go out)
Live Your Life - Rihanna ft. T.I
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
Queen - We Will Rock You
Sea of No Cares, Ordinary Day, and When I'm Up - Great Big Sea
Single Ladies and Bootylicious - Beyonce
So What and Raise Your Glass - P!nk
True Colours - Cyndi Lauper
Vogue - Madonna
You're So Damn Hot - Ok Go

Please comment with your favourites!

Advance Screening of Bill Cunningham New York

Hey Everyone!

This past Thursday, I got to go to an advance screening of a fantastic fashion documentary called Bill Cunningham New York, courtesy of Fashion Magazine Canada. I thought I'd just do a quick review before showing you what I wore to the screening!

Bill Cunningham New York is a film about the endurance of the human spirit as much as it is about fashion. It chronicles the life of Bill Cunningham, octogenarian style photographer for the New York Times. We are invited into his life, and what we find there is stunning - both beautifully and tragically. The passion demonstrated by the notoriously un-fashionably dressed Bill Cunningham is an inspiration and most certainly anomolous. It is rare to glimpse the life of someone so determined to find beauty everywhere, in places expected and unexpected. At 80 years of age, we see a determined Bill Cunningham cycling all over the (cyclist unfriendly) streets of New York, determined to capture the perfect moments on film (yes - film - he doesn't use digital), creating a fascinating narrative about the city through his images of its style. His work is even somewhat anthropological in nature, as his office is full of filing cabinets bursting at the seams with photographic negatives that document decades of the street style and culture for which New York has become famous. The film includes interviews with several important people within the fashion world (Anna Wintour says "I've said many times that we all get dressed for Bill") who emphasize Bill's participation in that world (and the massive effect he has on it), but he is not merely interested in high fashion. Many of Bill's photographs are of "regular" people on the street who simply happen to wear something that interests him. He is not interested in "celebrities and their free dresses," he is interested in clothes - no matter who designed them or who's wearing them. His vision of fashion is rather democratizing and insists that fashion is available to all. I love this aspect of the film because it is so in keeping with my project here. Bill and several of the people interviewed in relation to Bill  (especially Patrick McDonald and Shail Upadhya - former UN official to Nepal) are true characters, and exhibit such a determination to be themselves despite what others think that they are incredibly inspiring. Bill entirely eschews worldly goods and refuses to sell out to or for anyone, living an almost-monk-like lifestyle, insisting that he will not accept anything (even a meal at a function he is covering) so that he can maintain artistic integrity and true freedom of expression. This aspect of the film is truly refreshing in our capital-driven times. I strongly recommend that you go see Bill Cunningham New York. Anyone who is interested in fashion will love it, and those who are not interested in fashion, but just interested in humanity, will love it too. My favourite quote from the film was something Bill said: "He who seeks beauty will find it." Well, I have found it. In this film, and definitely in you, Bill. Thank you for dedicating your life to helping us all to see the beauty.

With Michael from Films We Like - The production company for Bill Cunningham New York

Many thanks to Fashion Magazine Canada for the complimentary pass!

Jacket - Forever 21+/Dress - ASOS (their straight size collection - a UK 18 or US 14, this one looked stetchy and big at the hips so I chanced it and ordered it - glad I did)/Leather Look Leggings - Yours Clothing/Shoes - Clockhouse Brand from a department store in Amsterdam called C&A (these need some love from the shoe repair guy as they have a kitten heel, and I wore them in Amsterdam walking on cobblestones and the heel kept getting stuck and the leather is all messed up now)/Purse and Scarf - Costa Blanca/Feather Fascinator/hair clip - Urban Outfitters

Peacock feather fascinator/hair clip

And the man behind all the fashion madness finally consented to me posting a picture of him on here! This is my boyfriend/life partner/significant other/whatever-you-want-to-call-it, Peter. We've been together for over 12 years now, and he's always amazingly supportive with everything I do (which is quite a lot, actually). Thank you sweetheart, for being my photographer, sometimes my assistant self-stylist, a great ear and shoulder, and my best friend. I love you.

When we got home, I realized this detail on the dress had been hidden in a lot of the shots by my scarf, so I decided to take a shot of it because it's one of my favourite parts of the dress!

And zoomed out...

So what do you guys think of the outfit? Have any of you seen Bill Cunningham New York yet? I truly recommend it (no one has paid me/given me anything to say this - it's just my honest opinion). Peter even liked it, and he's not into fashion at all. We even spent this past Sunday perusing the style section of the New York Times (which is where Bill's articles appear) in a coffee shop in Liberty Village because we were so inspired by the film. Go see it!!!

OOTD - This Little Piggy Goes to the Market!

Hey Everyone,

I thought I'd put up another outfit for all you lovely ladies to enjoy! It was a bit rainy this day, so we started taking the photos outside, and then it got rainier, and we had to go back in to finish. A few raindrops got my top wet, and those are the marks you see on my shirt on the inside photos :(.

I wore this outfit to the farmer's market in Kitchener, and the bf and I had a great time wandering the stalls. Love it there :D I was in Kitchener/Waterloo because I was scheduled to proctor an exam, and we decided to make a day of it. When I was on campus I tweeted that if I saw one more undergrad wandering around in pjs, I'd have to go all Stacy and Clinton on their ass! Pajamas are not clothes... How long does it take to pull on a pair of jeans, really? I have a pj radius limit of my mailbox, and that's only when I think there might be something good (read: a package with clothes) in there! Anyways, we went to the farmer's market, and then I saw this great dress in the window of Biba Boutique. It was a stunning dress, just longer than knee length with a fitted bodice and and a really pouffy skirt. I love pouffy. It was silk and had a gorgeous floral print on it. I just had to go in and see about pricing and sizes. It was $1895. Apparently I have expensive taste. But it was truly gorgeous! One day...

When we were at the market, we ran into some friends and they told us about this awesome event going on at Kitchener City Hall called the Bloomin' Earth Eco-Fair. It was really fantastic. I think it was supposed to be outside, but it was pouring rain, so they moved it into the atrium. Everything at the Eco-Fair was vintage, recycled, upcycled, or environmentally friendly. Since it's Earth Day today, I just want to stress the importance of considering your eco-footprint, especially in your fashion choices. The fair's website has a list of vendors (most of whom have websites where you can shop). I would definitely recommend you check it out! All of the items are lovingly handmade with the utmost consideration for the effect that their production will have on our earth. Great people and great booths. Fantastic. I got myself a button made with upcycled vintage fabric (with a little piggy on it - to show off my big fat pride) and a pair of earrings with strawberries on them made from upcycled vintage buttons. I am sure you'll see them very soon in an upcoming post!

After that, it was over to the university to proctor the exam and then home. Hope you like the outfit! I got a few appreciative looks and some compliments from my honey guy at the market and the nice ladies at the bakery stall. So nice. Compliments always make my day! Happy Earth day lovelies! Celebrate by treating yourself to something eco-friendly!

The clothes photograph totally different in different light conditions...! Anyways: Top - ASOS Curve/Skirt, Belt, and Leggings - Forever 21+/Shoes - Costa Blanca/Necklace - Ardene

Curvy Canadian has a Plus Size Blog Sale!!!

Hey Everyone!

I decided it was time to do a bit of spring cleaning, and I couldn't forget my closet! I've decided that I need more room in my closet, and could use a bit more money to buy new things to feature here, so I've decided to put up a few items for sale here.

I promise I am awesome to deal with and I will be up front about any problems/damages with the garments I'm selling.
SALE INFO:

-Sizes from XL-2X, 14- 20
-All shoes are a size 10
-All items come from a NON-SMOKING and PET-FREE home.
-Shipping is not included in price & will be calculated based on your location and the weight/dimensions of the item you want.
-I will ship your item(s) within 5 days of receiving cleared payment but usually sooner.
-Paypal only.
-All sizes are US/North American sizes.
-I am am based in Canada, so shipping may take a little longer if you live elsewhere. If you need the items sooner, I am willing to ship using faster methods, but all shipping costs will be charged back to you.

Old Navy Shorts - Size 20 - $14

Old Navy Khakis - Size 20 - $14

Linen Skirt from Reitman's - Size 18 - $12

Brown Halter Dress with Embellished Neckline from Ricki's - Size XL (would prob fit 14-18) - $20

Blue Floral A-Line Skirt from Reitmans - Size 18 - $12



Grey Dress from Voluptuous - Size 1X - Price $12 (small stain visible in both shots, but it's not as bad as it looks here - the flash makes it look worse)




Black and White H&M Dress - Size 14, but it's a stretchy wrap dress, so it would prob fit up to an 18 - $20



Brown and Cream Tank Dress - Size 1X - $15

Rose Cordouroy MXM Blazer (excellent quality) - Size 16 - $20

Black and Cream Tank Top (3 tiny holes, biggest is 1/16" barely noticeable) - $5

Rose Frill Tank with Rhinestone Embellishments from Costa Blanca - Size XL (but it's stretchy) - $12

White Tank Top, Never Worn - $10



Butter Yellow Button-Down Shirt from Ricki's - Size 16 - $12



Black T -Shirt with Pattern - Size 1X (this one's really big in the bust) - $7

Purple Handkerchief Hem Shirt (a bit sheer) - Size XL (but very stretchy) - $12

$15 (new with tags)

$15 - They need a new heel tip on one shoe (shoe repair places do this really cheaply)

Champion Shoes - $15

Wore these out only once - a bit snug, would probably be better on a size 9 or 9.5 - $20

Waistcoat - $12

Lane Bryant Black Pants (these are too short for me) Read Triangle Size 4 (or in layman's terms, an 18) - $15

White Flowy Tank (bottom is sheer), haven't been daring enough to wear this out, totally new - $12

Beige Tube Top - Torrid size 1X - $20

Dorothy Perkins Jeans - New With Tags (didn't fit, too short) - UK 22, US18 Short would fit someone 5'2" or under) - $25