Curvy Canadian: A Blog about Canadian Plus Size Clothing and Fashion

Outfit of the Day: My Blog's Birthday!

2012-03-01T22:02:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys!

I was looking through some old posts last night, and I realised that it is my one-year blogo-versary! I started the blog in May of 2010, but I didn't really start focusing on it (and consistently posting Outfit of the Day posts) until the post from March 2, 2011. This is also when I "came out" to my friends and family as a blogger (and as a proud, confident fat woman), which is why I consider it my blog's "true" birthday. I hadn't told anyone about my blog or even participated at all in the amazing community that I am now a part of until then. I think a part of me was still ashamed of being fat, and incapable of loving myself or appreciating my own beauty.

I am so glad I did went public with my blog, and I am so glad I have kept it up, even though there were days when I didn't feel like posting or putting together an outfit. It has changed my life and my outlook immensely, and I have all of you to thank for keeping me motivated by commenting and visiting so often. I never knew that my voice could reach so many of you. I thank you for the opportunity, and promise I will always be trying to inspire each and every one of you as much as you inspire me!

I thought it would be fun to do a collage of my favourite outfits from the past year, kind of like musicians do "best of" albums, to celebrate this milestone. They are all in chronological order, so you can kind of see the evolution of my style over the past year (and the change in seasons!). It's kinda cool to see all of the outfits I loved wearing and sharing over the past year (and how long my hair has grown, and the fact that I have eyebrows now!). What do you think? Which outfit is your own personal fav?

I know I personally hate it when tv shows do recap or clip episodes, and the collage post is sort of like a blogs version of that, so here's a NEW outfit of the day post for ya! I think this might be one of my favourite outfits ever. I wore this to celebrate my friend Gen's birthday with her. Hi Gen!

Skirt, Cropped Jacket, Earrings, and Clutch - Vintage/Shoes - Torrid/Camisole and Bracelets - Forever 21+/Belt - Dots

Oh, and if you haven't entered the giveaway with Your BIG Sister's Closet yet, there's still time! Enter here!

Modelling for/Review of SexyPlus Clothing Toronto

2012-02-27T14:49:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys!

Last weekend, I got to go and hang out with Stefanie from SexyPlus Clothing on Yonge Street in Toronto. Stefanie invited me to do some modelling for her, and I shyly, yet happily, agreed. I was supposed to do some runway modelling for her back in early December, but the event ended up being cancelled, so I was glad I finally got the opportunity to work with her! The shoot was a lot of fun, and I got to try on about 5-6 different outfits. Stefanie also wanted me to do a review of one of her pieces, so I'll show you some of the outfits I modelled and the dress I ended up picking out for my review.

The store itself is really lovely. It has a very warm, inviting atmosphere, which partially has to do with the layout and design of the store, but mostly is because of the lovely service provided by Stefanie and one of her shop associates who was there, Michaela. While I was modelling and changing outfits, I got to see them both work with a number of customers, and they each made the women who entered the store feel immediately at ease, which is so important, especially in a store dedicated to dressing plus size women, who can often have trouble with self-esteem and confidence (not that this is exclusive to plus size women, but it's certainly a pervasive issue in the community). A couple of beautiful women came in and tried on corsets. They sheepishly allowed themselves to be assisted by Stefanie and Michaela, but by the time they were finished being laced-up, their faces resembled a renewed, or perhaps newly-found, confidence that they didn't seem to have when entering. It just goes to show how important clothes are in terms of affecting one's own self-perception. These women, first ill at ease, were now proudly walking out of the changeroom into the store, where several people could admire both their beauty and their new confidence. What an inspiring scene!

The actual changerooms themselves are very comfortable. There is a hook for your purse (it's actually labelled) a hook for your coat (again, labelled) and a long closet style bar where you can hang all your garments up comfortably without having to worry about things getting all tangled together or falling off. The changeroom is large enough for a plus size person to very comfortably dress and undress, and there is (what I like to call) a husband chair just outside with a big ol' pile of manly magazines (with stuff about cars, and motorcycles, and pumping iron, etc... lol). They also have girl magazines in case you bring a straight size friend with you for their opinion. Sometimes I find change rooms are way too hot. Stores use the hottest type of lightbulb available, and by the time you're on outfit 3 or 4, you're sweating up a storm and you're ready to go home. I found the temperature in Stef's store (and her dressing rooms particularly) to be just perfect. I was totally comfortable the whole time. Stefanie has set the store up in such a way that you can be sure you will have a comfortable, relaxing, enjoyable, and successful shopping trip.

Now to the actual looks Stef chose for me to model!

The perfect outfit for a tropical getaway...

Love this dress...!

This was my favourite dress of the day, a stunning a luxurious Joseph Ribkoff number. It would be perfect for FFFWeek!

Left to Right: Myself, Stefanie, and Michaela

Another beautiful Ribkoff piece...

And from behind...

Stef cracking me up during the shoot...

And look how cute my Peter looks!!! So handsome. <3 Love that jacket on him!

After awhile of modelling, I got to pick out my piece that I was going to review. I chose this beautiful, full skirted, faux-double breasted dress by Chic Star. The quality of the fabric is really beautiful, and the workmanship is excellent too. The design is stunning. The dress is remniscent of the Ribkoff one I love so much, but it's a bit more casual, which means I can be sure I'll get more wear out of it. It's a lovely dress that's very comfortable and that I know I will wear again and again. What do you ladies think? =D

Dress - Chic Star Design, courtesy of SexyPlus Clothing/Turban - Domino Dollhouse/Gloves - Urban Behaviour/Belt - Forever 21+/Shoes - CBX

Outfit of the Day, and a Rad Giveaway - with Your BIG Sister's Closet

2012-02-24T16:13:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys,

I wore this dress, which I absolutely adore, last Saturday to get my weekly latte fix with Peter. I think this dress is totally gorgeous, and I felt so pretty in it all day! I love the fullness of the skirt and the volume at the shoulders. It gives the dress a very unique feel. I also love that this dress comes with a belt, which I feel really completes the look. I wore it with leggings and my knee-high boots, but as the weather gets warmer, I'll probably wear it without the leggings, although the length might make it a little scandalous! ;) I really like the contrasting black and grey together, and the dress was very comfy, which is definitely a bonus. All in all, I am very pleased with the quality and style of the dress, and I am definitely going to remix it with different accessories soon to create a different look with it.

Dress and Belt (set) - Your BIG Sister's Closet/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Leggings - Forever 21+

So now to the part you're all reading for, THE GIVEAWAY!!! I am giving away a $60 gift card to Your BIG Sister's Closet that can be used to purchase this dress or something else that you love on the site. How do you enter? Just follow the steps in the form below, and make sure you click: "I did this" after completing each task to ensure your entry gets submitted. Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Outfit of the Day: Valentine's Day

2012-02-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

Did you have a nice Valentine's Day? I did! Peter brought me to Medieval Times, which I'd been wanting to do for a really long time, and he brought me home some flowers and chocolates too. :D

I wanted to wear something in the pink or red family, and it was totally perfect, because I ordered a sample pack for my new web store, Your Big Sister's Closet, and one of the dresses was pink. I made sure that I got some good pictures of me in the dress because I'm including them with the product description on my store (who would have ever thought it, me as a model! Pfft!). I really like the fabric used to make the dress. It's a ponte (or a heavy jersey, for those who don't know what ponte is like), and the construction is really good. This is the 3X, which fits me at an 18/20, but would probably also fit a 22 or maybe even a 24, albeit more snugly, because it's a stretchy fabric. I got lots of compliments on it ("You look lovely, milady", lol), and our Knight, who WON, even threw a flower to me!!! *Blushes*

Anyways, without further ado, here is my Valentine's Day outfit. You can purchase the dress if you like, right here. It comes in sizes L-3X, and in pink with black piping (shown), or black with pink piping. It retails for $55 CDN, and I'm offering free shipping worldwide at the moment. What do you guys think? Do you like the dress? What other sorts of things would you like to see me add to the store?

Hat, Purse, Earrings - Vintage/Dress - Your BIG Sister's Closet/Tights - Secret Brand/Shoes - Rainbow (US)

Outfit of the Day: Just Chillin'

2012-02-13T14:38:00.000-05:00

Horrible post title, right? I am trying to be a bit clever, because when I wore this casual outfit I pretty much froze my buns off outside. I am tired of my winter coat already! I can't really complain, though. The weather here has been unseasonably warm, and we've had very little snow. Since it's almost mid-February, I hope we're going to kind of miss a true Canadian winter here in Toronto. Though I hear it's very bad in Western Europe, especially France. How are you guys doing over there? Comment ca va dans Paris?

I picked up this really cool jacket, that is, ironically, from Paris, on one of my thrift store adventures. I adore the shape of it, and the fabric is really good quality. The tag says size EUR 36 - which translates to a US size 6-8, but it clearly fits me perfectly. All the buttons do up, it's not tight anywhere, and quite honestly, I probably wouldn't like it if it was noticeably bigger on me, since it's already fairly over-sized. It just goes to show you - never determine whether something will fit you based on the number on the tag alone. Especially when thrifting. If you like something, pick it up and gauge it's actual size against your body; you'll have so much more luck thrifting this way. I paired the jacket with a purple cami and a colourful floral scarf (I can't wait for Spring), and finished off the look with my black skinnies and simple flats. Peter was laughing at me because my hair was (rather unintentionally) having a Justin Bieber day. And I was like - baby, baby, baby, NO! Hahaha. Of course he didn't point this out until AFTER he had taken the pictures and there was really nothing to be done about it. I say :P to you, sir... :P

Jacket - Thrifted/Cami and Jeans - Forever 21+/Shoes - Lane Bryant/Purse and Scarf - CBX

Outfit of the Day: It's been awhile... And a Lane Bryant Denim Review!

2012-02-10T09:30:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys!

I know it's been awhile since my last outfit of the day post... sorry! I have been putting a lot of effort and work into developing my new online store, Your BIG Sister's Closet. I started out with items from my own closet, as well as amazing vintage finds, but I have branched out and have sourced brand new plus size clothing (and hats, jewellery, handbags, shoes, etc.) from a few overseas (and domestic) vendors, and my little online store has expanded to include a lot more items. I am currently waiting on a sample pack from another prospective vendor, and if it arrives and all looks good, then there will be even more on offer. I should have it by Wednesday or so, so make sure you check out the website for some new items on Thursday or Friday. I think what I ordered will be lovely, and I can't wait to see it! In the meantime, check out what I've already got up here, and make sure you tell all your friends about me! =D

What I wore:

I wore this for my Saturday morning coffee date with Peter, which has turned into quite the tradition! I used to take pictures of my outfits before school, but it's just too early and too cold outside to do that now, so most of my outfits are from the weekends! I also wore this to go have pho (Vietmanese soup) with Peter's family. Yum!

Jacket - Forever 21+/Camisole - ASOS Curve (no longer available - similar)/Jeans - Courtesy of Lane Bryant/Shoes and Purse - CBX (no longer available - similar items here and here)

Lane Bryant sent me these jeans to review, which are a part of their new Genius Fit collection, and I really like them! They are really great with heels, but a bit too long for flats if you're a shorty like me (5'4"). It's no problem, though. I just use these sticky-back snap things that you can buy at the dollar store to change the length of the jean - that way, you can wear your favourite pair with either heels or flats! This pair is more comfortable than the T3s sent to me back in August, and they have a lower rise, which I think I prefer. There was some gaping at the waist, but it wasn't too bad, and considering that I have a 13" difference between my hips and my waist, I doubt this will be a problem for most people! Overall, I really like these jeans and have worn them out a few times since I got them. The leg has a moderate flare which I think looks great, and the wash is really nice.

Make sure you check out Lane Bryant for these fab jeans, and don't forget to pop into Your BIG Sister's Closet to see what new things I've got up! And I promise it won't be as long for the next outfit post. I've actually already got it lined up!

The Curvy Girls' Valentine's Day Shopping List

2012-02-03T09:16:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and neither La Senza nor Victoria's secret have a thing that will fit. You've checked out the department stores, but all they have in your size is bras with inch wide straps in white cotton, and floor length flannel nighties that would hardly suit your grandmother. Frustrating, isn't it? Whenever this happens, I always look online to find something better that WILL work for me. I don't have to settle just because brick and mortar stores don't carry my size, and I actually simply refuse to now. There's no reason why I can't find exactly what I'm looking for online. If these stores won't carry my size, then they clearly don't want my business. I am done trying to squeeze into their extra large. Especially when there are so many fantastic options available online.

So I thought I would compile a list of fantastic items (and stores) where you can shop to get your lovely Valentine's Day goodies. From heart print dresses for your night out on the town to lingerie for, well, your night in, this list has got you covered!

Lingerie:

Hips and Curves - One of my all-time favourite websites for plus size lingerie! They have really amazing, high-fashion inspired stuff, and they have even been featured in Vogue Italia Curvy. They have items that range from demure all the way to racy, so they're sure to have something that will work for your taste. Here are a few of my favourite items from their store right now.

J'Adore Overlay Chemise, $39.95

Baby Doll with Red Heart Molded Cups, $24.95

Baby Doll with Garters and Stockings

Torrid has a lot of beautiful lingerie right now, and the best part is that it's all on sale! All their lingerie is $24.99! They have a bunch of different styles. Here are some of my faves.

In addition to all lingerie being $24.99, if you use the links to Torrid on this page, you'll get a 10% off discount for Curvy Canadian readers! They also have a really great sale on boots going on right now - $29.99 for all pairs!

I can't forget Lane Bryant, because their lingerie brand, Cacique, is one of my favourites!

Pink Lace Heart Embroidered Baby Doll, $51.11

Ashley Stewart also has some lovely stuff:

Two-Piece Cami Set, $13.49

Black Lace Bodysuit, $26.50 (with BOGO free)

Dresses and Tops:

City Chic Flutter Hearts Top, $14.99

Daytime Luxe Dress from Shop Translated, $89

City Chic Flutter Heart Dress, $29.99

Black Big Hearts Jumper, 28GBP

I hope you enjoy some of these items and have a great Valentine's Day! Stay tuned for more outfit of the day posts soon, and don't forget to visit my new online store, "Your Big Sister's Closet." There are a few lovely pink items in there that would also work for Valentine's Day dates!

My New E-Store (!) and an Outfit of the Day: Love in Black and Grey

2012-01-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys!

It's been a long time between posts. I'm really sorry, but things have been very hectic lately. I was also working on getting my new e-store up and running. I've called it "Your BIG Sister's Closet" and I hope you guys will visit regularly because I'm always adding new items! I am also thinking of doing some consignment sales with ladies in the Toronto area, so if you're nearby and you have some fashionable clothes to consign, let me know and we'll see if we can work something out. There's some lovely stuff up on the site, and I've already made a few sales! It's very exciting!
So without further ado, here is my outfit of the day... I just wore this for a casual day walking around in Toronto, which I love doing. I am loving high, messy buns right now (if you can't tell already). It's kind of casual, but with a little twist added by the height (not to mention it makes you look a bit taller (which I totally need at only 5'4"). I wanted something comfy, but also cool-looking, so this is what I went with. What do you guys think? I really like the pleated skirt, which I found in a thrift store.

Coat and Skirt- Thrifted/Love Cropped Top - Dots/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Jewellery - Forever 21/Handbag - Gift (esprit brand)

Make sure you take a look at my new e-store, Your BIG Sister's Closet, when you get a chance! There are actually a couple of vintage plus size coats on sale that are like the one I have on in this picture...

Toni + Spring Media Preview

2012-01-23T09:24:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys,

About a week ago, I was invited to attend a Spring preview event for Canadian plus size retailer Toni +. With locations in Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton, Toni + caters to the plus size woman looking for more high-end, designer items, and with labels such as Not Your Daughter's Jeans, David Meister, Donna Ricco, Lafayette 148 New York, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Marina Rinaldi, SULU and Yoek, they are doing a great job. I got to meet with Toni Tiraborelli, the owner and founder of Toni +, as well as Albert La Penna, Toni's right hand man and the company's VP.

The event was held in the morning at the Toni + store located in The Bay Queen Street on the fourth floor, and I was the first to arrive, so I got extra time with Toni to chat about all of the Spring fashions coming in and just to talk shop in general. I suggested the she start carrying the Greek brand MAT Fashion, which I totally love. She said she was going on a buying trip very soon and she would look into it, and I really hope it happens because I love MAT Fashion! We also talked a bit about her beginning to carry more youthful items in her stores, and how the younger generation is now emerging and growing in the workforce, and need high-quality and fashionable career and business casual wear. Her new in-house brand, Toni T, is meant to serve as a sort of cornerstone to this initiative.

We were treated to a lovely breakfast complete with pastries, fruit, and coffee, and got to see much of the Spring collection modelled. I also got to meet some fantastic people from all sorts of other Toronto media outlets. It was a great event, and I was very pleased to meet the faces behind the Toni + brand.

The models show us the first outfits.

Toni, Centre, chats with Melissa (left) and Karyn (right) from Killer Kurves, about plus size fashion

Lynn Spence from Cityline Toronto chats with and photographs one of the models in preparation for her segment on plus size style on Friday. Make sure you tune in!

And a couple of pictures of what I had on... Shirt - Evans via The Bay Square One, Skirt - LeatherCult.com, Tights and Bracelets - Forever 21+, Boots - Dots, Purse - Dots, Neckace - Laura, Earrings - Vintage Alfred Sung.

Also, make sure you check out CityLine this Friday, January 27th, and you can watch a vido of Toni + being featured on Breakfast Television here.

Happy Shopping Ladies!

Outfit of the Day: Coffee and Errands

2012-01-11T09:27:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,
I wore this outfit on Saturday to get some coffee with Peter and run some errands. We also got to check out the Junction area of Toronto, and I found a couple of really cool stores down there.

With all the heels I wear, I was super suprised that these combat boots, which I assumed would be more comfortable, actually ended up giving me blisters on my heels. Ouch. I'll stick with my comfy heels, I guess!

I wanted to create a look that was very feminine, but with a bit of a rough edge, which is why I wore the boots with the floral print and the pouffy skirt. I wpre sheer hose from Secret, which I actually got in a swag bag at an event I attended. When I first got them, I wasn't that excited because I thought that they would have runs in them before I even got out the door, but this is about my fourth time wearing them, and they are as durable (if not more so) than totally opaque tights, which is so suprising to me. My experience with sheers has been that they run really easily, but these are great. I also got a pair with tiny polka dots and a pair of fishnets, which I haven't tried yet. I actually really like how this outfit turned out, and in one of the photos, you can see how windy it is, which made the picture look pretty cool.

If you guys aren't following/liking me on your social networks yet, I would love for you to join me there! I sometimes post sneak peek pictures of my outfits in advance of posting them on here, and I always tweet on location from fun fashion events that I am at. I would love to interact with you. Each of these links will open in a new tab, so you don't have to leave in order to add me.

Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Flickr | Lookbook | Bloglovin | Google Friend Connect

But now to the good stuff: the outfit! What do you ladies think?

Top and Bracelets- Forever 21+/Skirt and Petticoat - c/o Sofistafunk/Boots - Famous Footwear/Purse - Vintage/Pantyhose - c/o Secret

Outfit of the Day: The Start of Winter Term

2012-01-09T09:03:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,
So last Wednesday, the Winter term started and I got a whole new group of students and a different course to teach. I kind of miss my last term's class, but I know that I'll probably feel the same thing about this group at the beginning of next semester too. I always like to dress well when I'm teaching because it helps the students (whom I'm not much older than) see me as an authoritative person, it helps some of the girls who enjoy fashion to relate to me, and, well, it gives me something to post here for you! I don't know why, but I am really in love with all shades of green suddenly...!

Dress - Winners (Straight Size XL, but stretchy)/Leggings - F21+/Boots - Dots/Purse - Ardene/Necklace - Joe Fresh

Product Review - Eshakti!

2012-01-06T16:35:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys!

So I was recently contacted by eShakti to see if I would like to do a review of one of their products of my choosing. Since I had a couple of eShakti dresses on my wishlist already, I excitedly agreed! If you are not yet familiar with eShakti, you are in for a real treat. They offer sizes 0-26W (so for any of you who are not plus size out there and reading this, yes, you can buy from them too!), and you can also simply send them your measurements so that they can custom size ANY PIECE from their collection for you. They do this for a $7.50 charge normally, but for your first custom sizing order, they waive the fee. The prices are reasonable and the selection is wonderful. You can also customize the length (if you are particularly tall or short - or particularly conservative or racy), or the neckline to your preference. For instance, if you see a dress that has a sweetheart neckline, but would prefer a v-neck, no problem - just ask. Sleeves are the same. You can choose whether you like sleeveless, cap sleeves, spaghetti straps, 3/4 length - whatever! The ability to customize gives you an amazing amount of choice in terms of how your finished product turns out. This is a very unique and rare concept boutique that is giving its customers the ability to find a piece that suits and fits them perfectly. I highly recommend them. Apparently, Shakti means power in Sanskrit. eShakti therefore means the power of the Net. Eshakti's philosophy is that the internet empowers customers and helps companies be customer-centered - and by allowing you to specify exactly what you want, they are empowering plus size (and straight size) consumers to get just what it is they're looking for.

You might remember this dress from my A/W 2011 wishlist... I absolutely adore it! I wore it to my sister-in-law's birthday part at West 50 in Mississauga. I felt like a million bucks all night. And this dress is on sale for only $29.95 right now! That's a steal.

Dress - c/o eShakti/Tights - c/o Secret/Shoes - Rainbow/Jewellery - Forever 21/Belt - Redress NYC

I totally love this dress and can't wait to wear it again! I might even pop a cropped blazer on over it and wear it to work. It's so chic, and the peplum waist-line is really in right now. There are a bunch of other dresses I want from eShakti too now! It was really great to just send my measurements in and not worry about receiving something that may or may not fit. I know a lot of people I talk to (especially straight size women) are wary of shopping online because they're not sure if they'll like the fit of the garment once it arrives (plus size women are decidely less picky about this, because if limited to brick and mortar stores, we'd have SO little to wear!). With eShakti you don't have to worry about fit at all, because it's made for you. I would definitely say that if you are concerned about internet shopping and fit, eShakti is a good store to start with - this way, your anxieties about proper fit don't have to be a consideration for your first purchase. I am so pleased with my dress and its fit. Usually I find that dresses that are fitted throughout tend to be really tight around my hips (my widest part), causing the dress to bunch and bind all night, meaning I'm always fidgeting with it. With this dress, I was not concerned about it riding up or bunching at all, and it was totally comfortable for the whole evening. I think it was Coco Chanel who said that "there is no luxury without comfort," and this dress definitely delivers in both of those categories. Needless to say, but I highly recommend eShakti. Check 'em out.

Outfit of the Day: At the Cafe Again...

2012-01-05T12:17:00.003-05:00

Hey Everyone,

So you already know that I tend to spend a lot of time in cafes. It might be less clear why. Well, I am working on my PhD at the moment, and I honestly find cafes among the easiest places in which to do research and write.

I get a lot of quizzical looks when I tell people this, but it really works for me. It gives me a reason to wake up, eat breakfast, shower, and get ready for the day, when if I planned to spend my whole day at home, I'd probably have none of that stuff done by noon. I also see others in a similar situation at the cafe, and I feel a quiet but discernable sense of camraderie with these fellow writers and readers. There's a certain appeal about working amongst others. I know I am not alone, and if I let my eyes wander from my screen or page for too long, I can be sure that one of these kindred spirits will shame me back into focus with their own prying and distracted eyes.

There is also an endless supply of caffeinated beverages just waiting for me to order them, giving me that 3pm boost that I always so desperately need. There is no tv, couch - or worse yet - bed, to draw me into hours of procrastination that will ultimately lead to an all-nighter or a missed deadline. So the cafe is a warm place of solace for readers and writers to gather and work, drink coffee and think. And for that reason it will always be one of my favourite places - either to study, write, or pass a Sunday morning with The New York Times style section. Baristas - you have no idea how appreciated you are!

I tried a new cafe in Toronto, and I absolutely love it, despite the fact that it's almost always absolutely full of patrons (and there are many good reasons why). Peter took these pictures of me at Crema (the Junction location) in Toronto. Such excellent coffee, atmosphere, and the best chocolate almond croissant you've ever had.

I got this amazing (yes - shoulder-padded, deal with it!) dress at Goodwill for $4. The boots are c/o Torrid, the leggings and bracelets are F21+, and the scrabble piece necklace (which spells out LOVE) is from ASOS.

Another couple of fun new things to show you: my "new" (another $4 Goodwill score) bright blue coat, and my closet jewelry organizer. Peter was tired of untangling all my necklaces all the time (I do NOT have the patience for that kind of thing!), so I've been looking for something like this for ages. I found one by Umbra, which was featured in January's Vogue, that was shaped like a little black dress, but it was $25, and didn't have as many pockets as this one that I ended up with. I found it at Wal-Mart in the jewelry section amongst the 50% off stocking stuffers and I was ecstatic. Each one was $7, so I bought two, because I have quite a bit of jewelry! I am so pleased with them. No more tangles, and now I can find everything so easily - no more burrowing through my jewelry box for that matching earring that can't be located anywhere when I'm already running 15 minutes late. It makes it easier to co-ordinate jewelry choices with clothing as well. Big time saver! If you can't tell, I'm really excited about organization, lol. Anyway, just thought I'd share that fun stuff with you!

Outfit of the Day: New Dress from Lucie Lu!

2012-01-03T16:09:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys,

Awhile back, I got sent this lovely dress from designer Lucie Lu. It's a beautiful dress with such a gorgeous mint colour and a right-on-trend grey lace overlay. I wanted to pick the perfect occasion to wear this for, and so I decided I would debut it at Christmas dinner! I had a lot to choose from, but this dress just seemed so perfect.

Peter and I have two Christmas dinners now, because it is so hard to make it to both families' houses in one day (seriously, how DOES Santa do it?!), and previous Christmases were frantic and rushed, and we both felt like we weren't getting all the quality time we wanted with our families. So on Christmas Eve, I hosted my first ever turkey dinner. Yes, "I" (Peter was very little help in the kitchen - except for disposing of the neck and gizzard bag [OMGOMGOMGOMG YUCK!!!!!!], tidying up the house, and carving up the bird while we were getting ready to eat). I was super nervous about the whole thing, but everything turned out really yummy and the in-laws seemed tres-impressed. :D

I also pride myself on presentation - they table and the food has to look great as well as tasting awesome, so I made sure I decorated the place nicely, using a red tablecloth and blue and silver Christmas crackers as accents.

I really love this dress! I am going to wear it out even more in the Spring, since the lovely mint colour complements the regreening happening in nature, and the fabric is the perfect weight for Spring weather. I got a lot of compliments from the in-laws about the dress too, which is nice, because I like to impress on all levels. :D What do you think of my new dress? Isn't it lovely? Lucie Lu has such romantic styles that are so consistent with my own personal style. I love her entire collection. I am really eyeing the Leona dress right now because I think it would be perfect for work, and it is on sale... Sigh. I really must stop shopping!

Dress - C/O Lucie Lu/Shoes - Torrid

And I'm including a picture of the dessert I made because it looks so pretty and yummy. Trifle is my favourite!

Outfit of the Day: Suede, Leather, and Silk

2012-01-02T14:17:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,

It's been a long time since my last post - sorry! The holidays have been so hectic (but GREAT) and my 5 year old laptop finally decided to give up the ghost, and would no longer hold or accept a charge, so I've been without a computer for a while (gah!). I've got it all figured out now, as I picked up a new one for a great bargain on Boxing Day. I couldn't really afford it, but I had no choice since I need a computer for school... At least the timing (near Boxing Day) was fortuitous. So blogging will be a bit easier for me now as well, which is great. It used to take me a couple of hours or more to do a post, but I am breezing through photo-editing and text composition on this new machine, so I'm pretty happy. =D

Now besides my technical troubles, I had a really lovely holiday and I will have many outfits to show you in the coming week (look out for dresses from Lucie Lu and Eshakti that I wore to recent functions soon). Before Christmas, I saw the most lux leather skirt on Fran from Frantic Dreams, and I just had to have one. I immediately put it on my Christmas wish list, and Santa was very good and put it under my tree!
I chose a different style and colour than Fran, and I truly adore both her skirt and mine. Being plus size, it's sometimes really hard to find anything other than "leatherette" (which is just a fancy word for pleather, people! Retailers be warned - you're not fooling anyone!). Leatherette is fine most of the time, I suppose, and more animal-friendly, but sometimes I would like the option of being able to buy real leather if I want it, just like my more-slender counter-parts, and not be charged a premium price simply because I am being offered the privilege of a non-synthetic in a plus size item. It's the same with polyester. You all know what I'm talking about!

The company that my skirt comes from is called Leather Cult, and they do custom leather work. You send them your measurements, and they make the item to your specifications. They have jackets, skirts, pants, shorts, etc. I have a 13" difference between my waist and my hips, so this is amazing for me. It sounds expensive though, right? Nope. Even with the customizations, and all the leather used to make my skirt, it cost less than $100! I am really in love with this skirt, if you can't already tell. There are a few other items on the website that I am coveting. Including, but not limited to, leather skinny pants. *drool*

So without further ado, here are my outfit of the day pictures. I can't wait to play around with this skirt some more and put it in a few more different outfits!

Red Suede Jacket, Purse, Scarf - Thrifted/Camisole - Forever 21+/Necklace - Laura/Boots - Dots/Skirt - Leather Cult

The Curvy Girl's Guide to Boxing Day Shopping

2011-12-26T11:37:00.002-05:00

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope those of you celebrating had a wonderful Christmas! I know I did. Peter and I spent a lot of cherished time with family and made lots of happy new memories; I hosted my first ever turkey dinner, which was a great success and a lot of fun; my nieces were so full of joy all day, and it reminded so much of my own childhood Christmases. All in all it was a lovely celebration. And there is still more celebrating to do! I have a party to attend tonight, and of course there is New Year's Eve coming up in less than a week.

But before all that we have Boxing Day. "What's that?," those of you from the US might ask... Well, it's sort of like Canada and the UK's version of Black Friday. Epic sales abound for those whose pile of presents under the tree did not yield the goodies they so desperately coveted. Shoppers sometimes line up for hours outside of electronics stores hoping to score awesome prices on things they want or need. But luckily for us, we are tech savvy divas on a dime, so there is no need to brave the insane crowds of the malls (and the resultant headaches from parking, food courts with no seats left, or families of ten who decide it's a good idea to stop right in front of you and block the whole corridor when you are walking briskly to the next sale behind them. Grrrr...

Boxing Day sales are a good way for retailers to liquidate what they didn't sell over the holidays, and a great way for shoppers who are still craving some things from their lists to bag them at a bargain price. Here is a quick run-down of all the sales being held online that I think are worth checking out. I've put the links in order of how good I think the sale is.

City Chic - Lovely, youthful plus size stuff (I especially like their dresses/tunics and jackets). 60% off sitewide. Epic.

Dorothy Perkins - Pretty good sale going on right now!!! Yup, gonna have to do some shopping on this site. Gorgeous dresses and tops. Free international shipping on orders over 30GBP for a limited time. This link will bring you to the items they have left in sizes 14-18US (18-22UK).

Forever 21 - Wow. F21 almost never has sales. At least, not ones that are worth bothering over. So, this is pretty big for them. Free shipping, no minimum; Free duffle bag with orders over $50; A large and extensive range of items are BOGO free; A few "yellow tag" deals. Check this one out.

Lane Bryant - Buy two bras, get two free (and I swear by their bras). Up to 60% off in the "After Christmas Sale."

Torrid - Up to 75% off everything. Clearance is marked down an additional 50%. Also, get 10% off your entire order by using this link and entering code 12AF11OFF at checkout.

Ashley Stewart - Some items up to 75% off. I see a couple of items from my wishlist in the sale! =D

Alloy - I like their tops best, but they also have really good jeans if you're tall (I'm only 5'4"). Inseams up to 37". Up to 80% off on clearance items, plus $15 off orders over $75 with coupon code 5AFFNA. Sweaters 40% off, and outerwear 30% off.

Queen Grace Collection - I've worn a Queen Grace Dress before (check it out) and I think they are absolutely gorgeous. They also have lovely skirts and blouses. Get a unique and surprise coupon code for 40, 50, or 60% off your order by liking their facebook page.

Svobada - Looking for some killer new jeans? Look no further. Some of the best looking plus size jeans on the market (no, really!) on sale today for 50-75% off.

Eshakti - Absolutely gorgeous dresses that you can customize to your measurements and preferences (sleeve length, hemline, neckline, etc.). $20 off your order when you register for their email distribution list, and 40% off their overstock section (but these dresses can't be customized).

Hips and Curves - Online Lingerie retailer offering $20 off orders of $100 or more. Enter code "holiday20".

Swimsuits for All - Online swimwear retailer with 30% off the "best of 2011" with code "best123" and up to 80% off clearance section. Not all great, but there are a few gems.

Always For Me - A swimwear and lingerie e-tailer. These guys are similar to Swimsuits for All, but have a few more fashionable pieces. There is not coupon code, but their sale section is full of some really good stuff right now.

Eliza Parker - A plus size online store that specializes mainly in dresses. 25% off your order today only with coupon code "santa25".

Happy shopping to you all, and have a happy and safe remainder of the holidays.

Cherry Velvet Plus

2011-12-21T11:07:00.003-05:00

Hey Ladies,

I recently came across a new line of plus size vintage-inspired dresses from a Canadian company called Cherry Velvet Plus. I absolutely adore their designs, so I contacted someone there to see if I could try it out for myself! I asked for the Charlotte Dress in Love Letter print because I am such a hopeless romantic, and I love anything to do with writing, so I thought it would be the perfect dress for me! I know it's a bit summer-y, but I love pieces that can work for all seasons, and with a little cardigan, this dress can be worn whenever you like.

The shape of this dress is so elegant and nostalgic, and totally reminds me of Mad Men (which you all know I love). The fabric is really high quality, and you can tell a lot of effort has gone into the design and making sure it's a piece that will work well on plus size women. The straps are cut wide enough that you can easily wear a non-strapless bra underneath. The sizing of the dress is generous (I usually wear anywhere between a 1-3X, but most often I am at the big end of a 1, or the small side of a 2 - I only wear 3 sometimes at F21... What's with their sizing? It's way weird!), and they sent me a 1X, which had a little bit of room to spare in the bust and waist (and as you can see, the dress is free fitting around the hips). If you like a snugger fit, size down when ordering, but if you like a looser fit, stick to your norm. I think this dress is really beautiful, and I am actually considering bringing it with me as an outfit choice for Full Figured Fashion Week if I end up going this year. High praise, as I only bring my A game to stuff like that!

To accessorize, I put on my pink suede pill box hat (why not?) and my nude button-back pumps. I added a petticoat underneath to emphasize the fullness of the skirt (but it still looks really full and amazing even without a petticoat), and a skinny belt to make the skirt look even fuller. I added my Miu Miu bag, a pearl pendant (which was a gift from Peter, years ago), and a wicked awesome pair of leather moto gloves I found for $8 in a thrift store. What do you think? Make sure you check out Cherry Velvet Plus. They have lots of beautiful dresses!!!

Dress - Courtesy of Cherry Velvet Plus/Hat and Gloves - Vintage/Shoes and Belt- CBX/Purse - Miu Miu/Bracelets - Lane Bryant and Forever 21/Necklace - A gift from Peter (I think he got it at People's)

(Very Late) Six Take: What I'd Wear to a Holiday Party

2011-12-19T19:19:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys,

So my six take post is almost 3 weeks late, but I figure better late, than never! The holidays are so busy! So this month's six take theme is what to wear to a holiday party. I put together a couple of looks for you guys. I'd love to know what you think!

Dress - Courtesy of Addition Elle/Shoes - Guess/Clutch - Thrifted from Double Take/Bracelets - Lane Bryant and Forever 21/Necklace - Ardene/Earrings - CBX

This dress was sent to me by Addition-Elle. As you can see, the top part can be worn in several different ways. You can make it a strapless, cap sleeve, halter, or you can even wear it as a skirt. You just need to get creative with the tying, and you can find so many different ways to wear it. It makes it a great choice for travelling as well, since you can pack it without it taking up too much space and wear it a couple of times and get away with it! It's also almost impossible to wrinkle it, which is perfect for travel. I would like this dress even more if it came in a few more (bright or bold) colours, and perhaps if it was a touch shorter. I like the versatility of the top, and would love if Addition-Elle would carry this multiple-way dress with a more fitted, body-con, (pencil-type) skirt as well. I jazzed up this simple LBD with a houndstooth clutch and my favourite pair of brighly-coloured heels. This is a great outfit for a ladies' evening out having cocktails and sharing gossip!

These next photos are shots of an outfit I wore to a friend's holiday dinner party. I love incorporating festive green or red into my holiday outfits and playing with texture during the colder months, which is a bit more difficult to do in summer. SHINE is also a big factor in holiday dressing, and it's always nice to have a bit of that going on as well... I mixed my leatherette skirt from Forever 21+ with an embellished collar, jewel-toned, green satin blouse (which means I didn't need to wear a necklace). I put on lace tights at first, but it just looked like I had a little bit too much going on, so I took them off and put on some flat black opaque nylons instead. I added to the shine factor with my silver bracelets, and put on my really-high black suedette hidden platform pumps with a block heel to finish it off.

Blouse - Lane Bryant/Skirt - Forever 21+/Tights - Hue Brand from The Bay/Shoes - Rainbow/Earrings - CBX/Bracelets - Lane Bryant and Forever 21

So what do you guys think? What are you wearing for the holidays?

Make sure you visit the other Six-Takers' blogs to see what they're wearing over the holidays!

Jessica of Too Many Sequins
Yoli of Diva in Deep Thought
Jessica of Chic in Every City
Rikke of Sticky Sweet Danish
Sarah of Queen Sized Flava

A Relaxed Birthday Outfit of the Day...

2011-12-15T11:24:00.001-05:00

So my birthday was a few days ago, and I celebrated by having my family over for a potluck on the weekend, and relaxed the day after and got a mani-pedi. I love getting mani-pedis. So relaxing. But since I'm still in school, I can't afford to get it done as often as I would like, and I usually do my own nail-care. This was a special birthday treat. My feet look so pretty! This is just what I wore to the nail salon I go to... I had to pick bottoms that would allow me to put my feet in the tub, so I wore this skirt with leggings that I could roll up easily. I wore flip flops out of the salon. People were staring at me like I was crazy, LOL. It was a really nice birthday and I felt really special and loved all weekend. As I write, I am actually just about to meet up with a few friends to celebrate some more! Can't wait...!

Top and Necklace - Dots/Skirt - ASOS Curve/Leggings - Forever 21+/Shoes - Lane Bryant/Purse - Vintage

Double Take's Second Annual Designer Dare, Benefiting Toronto's Yonge Street Mission

2011-12-13T17:01:00.001-05:00

Hey All!

Awhile back, I was contacted by Julia (blog|twitter), a follower of the blog, and she invited me to a wonderful event at Double Take, a great second hand store in Toronto, the proceeds of which benefit Toronto's Yonge Street Mission. The event involved a fantastic group of up-and-coming Toronto based indie designers, who were each given a $50 gift certificate to Double Take with which to purchase items that they were then to repurpose into new and trendy designs. It was a really interesting premise that encourages us to do a number of good things - purchase and repurpose second hand items in order to support those in need and decrease our carbon footprint, support local businesses and independent designers, and donate items from our wardrobe that we are no longer using. It was a fabulous event that supported a very worthwhile cause, and I was so pleased to have been invited and in attendance. Those of you who are budding Toronto designers should consider entering next year... =D

Check out Double Take on your next thrifting adventure or consider donating your gently used clothing/accessories/furniture. According to Julia, they are definitely in need of more plus size items.

Blazer - Addition Elle (MXM)/Camisole, Leggings and Peacock Feather Headband/- Forever 21+/Skirt - Thrifted/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Purse - CBX (the houndstooth clutch I am holding was from Double Take... I bought it...)

Check out the video (above) of the fashion show of the different looks created by the designers. To find out more about how you can help, visit http://www.ysm.ca/. You can also follow them on twitter.

An Evening Spent Gussied Up at Gussied Up!

2011-12-07T13:38:00.001-05:00

Hey Everyone,

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to attend a mix-and-mingle event at Gussied Up (a fantastic plus size boutique here in Toronto that I have written about on here before). Whitney Thompson, winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 10 (the only plus-size winner to date), was there to promote a new clothing line with which she is affiliated called Allistyle. So I got to meet her, as well as reconnect with a few familiar faces from the Toronto plus size fashion community, which was great! Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Liis from On The Curve Events, Karyn from KillerKurves.ca, and Mari Grace from Mari Grace Accessories, chatting

Me and Whitney Thompson, winner of ANTM Cycle 10

A couple of close ups of my outfit... Dress (which I ADORE) - Courtesy of Damn You Alexis/Tights - Courtesy of Secret/Shoes - Rainbow/Purse - Aldo/Necklace - Ardene/Feather Fascinator - Urban Outfitters

A beautiful bracelet given to me at the event by Mari Grace, from Mari Grace Accessories

Left to Right: Myself, Courtney, Sarah, Liis, and Karyn

All in all, it was a great evening spent with old friends and new, and a wonderful continuation of the affirmation that the Toronto (and Canadian) plus size fashion scene is heating up fast! Thanks for a lovely night, ladies!

Holiday Wishlist

2011-12-06T16:48:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

Did you tell Santa what you want yet? No? Friendly hints given by leaving a few choice items up on your computer screen always help him figure it out! I had one friend who would cut out pictures of engagement rings from magazines and leave them on her boyfriend's pillow. My method is a little more subtle, I think...

Here are some things I would love for Santa to bring for me!!!


"Samantha Sequin Party Dress" by Monif C.

Hips and Curves Red Lace Chemise (lovely for the holidays)

Eshakti Ruffled Cotton Poplin Dress

Queen Grace Collection - Victoria Dress

Eliza Parker Nantucket Dress in Navy

Ashley Stewart Short Sleeve Ribbed Sweater Dress (HOT)

Ashley Stewart Ruffle Sleeve Blouse - Also in Purple and Black

Ashley Stewart Wide Width Brown and Orange Ballet Flats

Dorothy Perkins Tall Stone Taped Dolly Coat

Dorothy Perkins Camel Belted Ponte Dress (If Santa doesn't bring this one, I'm just going to have to pick it up for myself! Comes in purple too!)

Dorothy Perkins Black/Cream Gold Button Dress

Dorothy Perkins Black/White Oversized Dalmation Clutch (I've been wanting an oversized envelope clutch FOREVER)

Dorothy Perkins Taupe Bird Print Jersey Shirt

Dorothy Perkins - Black Dandelion Print Tunic

Dorothy Perkins Champagne Sequin Skirt (Perfect for NYE!!!)

Marks and Spencer's Slash Neck Animal Print Panelled Jersey Dress

Alloy's Aria Crochet Dress in Black (also available in Ivory)

Alloy's Cut Out Tunic in Navy (also available in gray)

City Chic's Vinyl Spliced Jacket (on sale for $30 today only - as day one of their 12 days of Christmas sale, all jackets are $30 today... most are down from around $100-110)

(I Love) We Love Colors

2011-12-05T12:37:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,

I was recently invited to try out a few pairs of tights from We Love Colors, and I jumped at the chance since I've been wanting to order a pair for a while now. I remember going shopping for hosiery about a year ago and being SO frustrated. I wanted some awesome colourful tights, and I couldn't find ANY. I went to The Bay (sort of like Macy's for you US readers), and checked out their hosiery section (which is actually pretty huge). I expected I would find lots of options since they seem to have so many, but I was really, really, terribly disappointed. They carry Hue brand tights, which I was excited about because they come in lots of colors. I started looking through the rack for my size, but guess what? Nothing in my size. I asked an associate where the plus size hosiery was, and she directed me back to the Hue section. I told her I hadn't found anything there, and she showed me my size. In black and brown only. URGH! Big women want to wear color too!!! HELLO? Plus size women want more options than black and brown. There wasn't even any gray. :S

I left and went to a Legs Beautiful in the same mall. Same problem. Hue brand tights had plus sizes, but only in black and brown. The lady there showed me some other options in different brands, some with cool patterns and even a pair of plus size fishnets, but I wanted color. I left disappointed.

When I got home, I googled, and found this amazing website called We Love Colors that carries an extensive range of plus size hosiery. They have plus size tights in 51 different colors! It's like Baskin-Robbins, but for your legs! They also have 51 shades of fishnet pantyhose, striped pantyhose (either black or white stripes) and some really funky patterns.

Needless to say I was really stoked to hear they wanted to send me some to review. I chose three colors: Rust, Spruce Green, and Olive Green (I have no idea why I am so obsessed with green all of a sudden).

The rust colored pair are a little bit too orange for my taste, as I had expected them to be a bit more reddish brown with a hint of orange. When I put my untanned legs in them, they look downright pumpkin-colored! Not for the faint of heart. People WILL look at your legs all day - not that that's a bad thing ;).I love the other two colors, though, and the tights seem really durable (and I've heard from others that they last a looong time. Here is me wearing my pair of Olive Green tights from We Love Colors:

Tights - Courtesy of We Love Colors/Top - Courtesy of Kmart LYS/Skirt - Giant Tiger/Shoes - Lane Bryant/Cape - ASOS Curve/Purse -CBX

You should definitely check out both their Facebook and Twitter pages, because they often run contests where you can win some tights for yourself. This Facebook Fan Page is devoted solely to their curvy customers, and there are some awesome ladies on there! They are very helpful if you have any questions about sizing as well. So check 'em out. These tights definitely add a great (and necessary!) pop of color to any wardrobe while helping keep you warm during the winter months! Happy shopping!

A WONDERFUL night of Toronto Plus Size Fashion at The Time is Now, by On the Curve Events

2011-11-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

A while back (sorry I've been a bit slow to post lately - I'm so busy with school and teaching), I was invited by Liis Windishmann to what is to be the first of many fantastic events for Toronto based plus size women. I was so honoured to be invited by her, and I had a really amazing time. Liis is a totally amazing person. She has done so much to pave the way for Canadian plus size women, and this is a major milestone along that road. Here is a short bio of Liis and a description of On the Curve Events:

On the Curve Events is a series of fashion events throughout the year, starting with The Time is Now, to celebrate the curvy woman through intimate and large scale fashion shows, seminars, presentations, designer Q&A’s and boutique shopping events.

As an entrepreneur, educator and top model, Liis Windischmann has played a leading role in building a diverse and inclusive fashion industry. She initiated Walk the Catwalk, a ground-breaking advocacy campaign that was the first organization in the world to link the singular sample size with the lack of diversity in fashion media.

Liis Windischmann has enjoyed a long, successful career as a top model. She has appeared in numerous worldwide print campaigns for retailers such as Talbot’s, Eddie Bauer, Laura Plus, Reitmans and Addition-Elle. Her frequent television modelling appearances have included Fashion Television, Fashion File, Breakfast Television, Canada AM and CityLine. Some of her editorial appearances include Woman’s World, Wedding Bells, Lush, Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Homemaker’s, Today’s Bride, Clin d’oeil and the coveted September cover of MODE.

She is also a director of the world-renowned Ben Barry Modelling Agency, headquartered here in Toronto, which provides representation for models who demonstrate beauty diversity (they have models of all different sizes, heights, and ages). If you ever read Lou Lou magazine's 14+ blog, she is it's author! Liis has done a lot to promote body acceptance and fashion options for women of all size, height and age groups. It was truly a pleasure to meet her and attend this wonderful event.

Lola and Gigi, Toni +, Gussied Up, Stephanie Bezaire, and Allistyle all showed their Winter 2011 collections, and I must say, I was very impressed. I had always throught that Toni + was more for an older crowd, but the collection that they showed looked fairly youthful (or maybe I'm just getting older?), so I think I am going to go and check them out soon!

I invited Sheena from MTV (since I know her now, how cool is that?) to join me, and I was so glad that she came. We got to hang out off camera for a while and it was great to see her again. I also got to see Karyn from Killer Kurves, and Sarah from Garters and Stockings. It was a great night with wonderful fashion, friends, and swag, and I can't wait for the next On the Curve Event. Seriously. When will there be another one???!

Me, Karyn, and Sheena :D

Me and Liis

Everything except shoes - Forever 21+/Shoes - Rainbow

Cyber Monday Plus Size Clothing Sales

2011-11-28T09:35:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys,

I am sure you are all still reeling from the Black Friday sales this past weekend, but today is also a good day to shop (and without all the hassle of parking and crowds at the mall). Today is known as "Cyber Monday," the online equivalent of Black Friday. Since many Canadians can't make it to US malls, this is a great opportunity to bag some of the great deals traditionally only available to our US neighbours. Here is a list of sales that might interest those looking for some new clothes for the holidays, or for those looking to pick up presents for the beautiful plus size lady in their life. Use these links to get some really epic deals! I've put an asterisk (*) in front of the ones that I think are exceptionally good sales, for those of you in a hurry! Happy Cyber Monday Shopping!

*City Chic - They have some really cute, youthful clothing options, and a wide range of dresses for all those holiday parties you'll be going to. The whole website is 60% off and you can get an extra 30 off entering code 3ON3W. Free shipping to Canada and the US. This sale ends tonight at 11:59pm.

*Hips and Curves - They have some amazing lingerie here. Beautiful, sexy pieces that will make you feel fabulous. Santa teddies abound. $10 off orders $100 use code save10nov11. $20 off orders $150 use code save20nov11. $30 off orders $200 use code save30nov11. They have a sale section with some really great bargains for Cyber Monday. Some of the stuff is 80% off the original price. Not sure when this one ends.

*Queen Grace Collection - These guys have some fantastic evening wear. The quality is incredible (you remember when I reviewed their Elise dress here?). Everything is 50% off, including their new skirts, which I think are SO glamorous! Not sure when this one ends either, but it might be tonight...

Eshakti - They sell beautiful dresses that you can custom-order to your sizing specifications or desired length/neckline, etc. You can get $20 off your order by entering code ESHAKTIBFSR at check out. Offer expires December 31st.

Eliza Parker - Some really pretty day dresses and work wear. Everything is 35% off with code Friends35. Offer expires at 11:59pm tonight.

*Svoboda - Their jeans are fantastic, and normally they're around $130-$170 a pair. But today they have a pretty spectacular sale and most of their jeans are on sale from around $30-$70.

Shop Translated - Some really pretty blouses and dresses. 40% off everything in store, plus free shipping on orders over $99. Enter code HOLIDAYJOY at checkout. An extra 50% off all sale items with code FIFTYOFF. Sale ends tonight at 11:59pm.

Kiyonna - Some really nice dresses. 30% off all orders of $150 or more. Enter code PIE at checkout. Ends Wednesday at 11:59pm.

SWAK (Sealed with a Kiss) Designs - Some really cute tops and dresses. 25% off sitewide, ends tomorrow night at 11:59pm. Enter code ILOVETURKEY at checkout.

Alloy - Good jeans and outerwear and a few nice tops. Everything is on sale on their website, and you can get one of the following deals on top of that: free shipping - enter code 25AFFNA, 20% off your entire order enter code CY2, or $20 off an order of $75 or more - enter code 75AFFNA. Just pick the one that'll save you the most money based on your order.

*Anna Scholz - Some amazing amazing pieces in the sale!!! Some wonderful items in the 20-50 GBP (Great Britain Pound) range. So tempted by this one right now! Just click the sale link at the top of the page to see what they've got.

*Ashley Stewart - Gorgeous and versatile items. This retailer, who already (under non-sale circumstances) offers excellent value for your money, is having a 30% off everything sale - today only. Also, free shipping within the US for those who order $75+ of merchandise.

Dorothy Perkins - Lovely tops and dresses as well as very pretty accessories. They are offering free international shipping for Cyber Monday, and their boots and shoes are on sale - up to 20 GBP off.

Domino Dollhouse - A great line of edgy and youthful clothing. 25% off site wide, ending tonight at 11:59pm. Enter code CYBMON25 at checkout.

*Lane Bryant - Some great stuff and FAB bras and undies. 50% off everything from Lane Bryant and Cacique. Use the above link and enter code CYBERMONLB at checkout.

Penningtons/Addition Elle - Get 25% off your entire order, plus free shipping. Enter code PTX25 at checkout.

Enjoy! Hope you all find something nice for a great deal =D

Styling MTV's Sheena Snively!

2011-11-23T12:25:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys!

So I mentioned before that I was given an amazing opportunity to style MTV host Sheena Snively at the beginning of the month. I have been anxiously waiting for the editing to be done and the video to be posted, and it's UP!!! I wanted to make sure I gave you guys the inside scoop, a sort of behind-the-scenes look at the styling I did and my experiences, so that's what this post will be about.

Sheena was an absolute dream to work with, and I think I can actually call her a friend after getting to style her! She is so warm and open and sweet, and I was REALLY excited to get to meet her, but she seemed excited to meet me too, which was so weird for me because, like, she's the celebrity, ya know? But she did seem really happy to see me, and I was super flattered about that. I studied Sheena's fashion on her facebook fan page and in her videos to get a sense of her style before pulling samples for her. It's SO important for the person you're dressing not to feel as though you're dressing them in someone else's style. They need to feel like themselves, just the best possible version of what that is. I made sure I was careful with all of the selections I made for Sheena, and I really think that she was pleased with everything I picked out for her. She especially liked the DKNY pink moto jacket from Lane Bryant, and the ruched back boots from Torrid. She was also so excited to learn about a less-known brand called Domino Dollhouse that offers fashions that are really consistent with her youthful, edgy style, and she loved the Dahlia Pencil dress, Pretty Kitty cardigan, Miss Fancy Top, and Bowie Metallic Leggings in Red that they sent.

All of the samples I pulled from the different retailers had been sent directly to MTV, and I was so eager to see all of the items in person so I could get a better sense of the garments. Sheena had waited for me (very patiently, I might add) before she even tried anything on, but I am pretty sure that the wait was killing her, as she was super excited to finally get to put on the clothes. She looked absolutely fantastic in all of it!

When I got there, I put several outfits together out of all the lovely pieces that had been sent, and we got to filming. I got to be a bit silly on camera with Sheena, which was awesome, and I don't think she was expecting that at all, lol. We had a total blast working on the video, and afterwards, Sheena gave me and Peter (who was there snapping LOADS of photos) a tour of the MTV Building, which used to be a Masonic Temple, and thus, is very creepy. It was lots of fun to have her give us the grand tour! Without further ado, here are a few photos of the shoot, Sheena looking absolutely fantastic in her new clothes, the MTV FORA video, and links to all the lovely stuff Sheena's wearing. I'd love to hear your comments! =D

Checking out all the stuff that was sent to Sheena when I first arrived...

Chatting with Sheena and Leeor, editor of MTV FORA (right) about all the pieces!

The first outfit pull. A red leopard blazer from Addition Elle and a black leatherette panel dress also from Addition Elle.

Putting some bangles from Torrid on Sheena... She was really excited about the bangles!

Sheena and I chatting about how hard it is to find bangles that fit at accessory stores, and how you try to fit your hand in ones that are too small anyways... LOL.

Outfit 1 - Blazer and Dress - Addition Elle/Bangles and Shoes - Torrid

Outfit 2 - Ruffle Shrug and Oxford Shoes - Torrid/Miss Fancy (Pink) Top - Domino Dollhouse/T3 Jeans - Lane Bryant

Outfit 3 - Striped Sweater, Tripp NYC Skinny Pants, Leatherette Boots, and Leopard Bangle Set - Torrid

Outfit 4 (which Sheena doesn't look at all excited about, lol) - Pink Moto Jacket - DKNY for Lane Bryant/Shoes - Lane Bryant/Leopard Bangle Set, Black and White Lip Service Skirt, Belt, Cami - Torrid

We're getting excited about how awesome these red metallic tights from Domino Dollhouse are...

Outfit 5 - Blazer and Top - Torrid/Leggings - Domino Dollhouse/Shoes - Lane Bryant

Sheena's interviewing me about my blog here... This part didn't make it on the cutting room floor :(

Peter took a shot of me in between outfit changes =D

Sheena looking adorable in Domino Dollhouse's Pretty Kitty Cardigan.

And here in Domino Dollhouse's Dahlia Pencil Dress.

A final shot of all of the fine ladies who worked together to make this happen!

And just me and Sheena... LOVE this shot! =D

And that's a wrap! It was SUCH an awesome experience to style Sheena, and I really hope I am invited back to do it again! You should definitely check out the MTV FORA video (below) and see the antics we got up to. Pretty hilarious! =D

Toronto Plus Fashion Bloggers Head Down to Lane Bryant!!!

2011-11-21T11:40:00.004-05:00

Hey Guys,

So for the past little while, I've been planning a trip to Buffalo, NY for myself and my fellow Toronto bloggers. I was so excited when Lane Bryant agreed to host us at their store in Walden Galleria! They have been really great to work with, and everyone who I've been in touch with over there has been so nice!!!

We took the Megabus from Toronto down to Buffalo, and all of the girls were so excited! I am pretty sure we were annoying the heck out of the other passengers with all our giggling!

Lane Bryant put us up in really nice digs, very close to (in the same parking lot as) the mall. We stayed at the Millennium Hotel Buffalo, which was very comfortable and accommodated to our every need. The shuttle service was fantastic (they shuttled us over to the mall and even to other box stores in the area), and everyone we were in contact with was so friendly and courteous.

When we arrived (early) they already had our hotel rooms ready, so we were able to drop off our bags and freshen up after the journey. Once we were all ready, we headed excitedly over to Lane Bryant to see what they had in store for us...

The managers we met with were so nice, and made sure we were very comfortable and well looked after during our stay. We were invited to look around the well stocked store to see what tickled our fancy, and I saw SO much I wanted.

Of course I tried on lots of stuff! Here are a few shots from the change-room. Sorry the quality is not the greatest... I didn't have Peter with me this time to be my photographer!

I picked up some great pieces, including the green top in the first photo and the gold skirt in the last photo. I am a bit sad that I left behind the black sequin skirt. It looked so great on, and I definitely should have grabbed it. It would have worked really well for the holiday parties I have coming up! I also picked up a couple of pieces from the Cacique lingerie section. . They have a fabulous selection of bras and undies for the most discerning fashionista. My sister (who is straight size) even expressed her frustration to me after wandering in there once, thinking it was stuff that would fit her, and not being able to buy anything! They have so many great designs in the sizes that you need. It's really the only place I buy undies and bras from anymore. I was really happy with everything I got from Lane Bryant, and I know you see it all in OOTD posts soon!

Another great part of my trip was getting to hang out with some truly amazing women. All of the bloggers who came along are fantastic people, and I'm glad I got to bond with them some more over the weekend.

Karyn from Killer Kurves

Sadia from Rawrmanifesto

Sasha from Flaws of Couture

Alison from 'Round Raglan Road

Garcia from Flaws of Couture, left, and Luna from Not So Starving, right

Sarah from Garters and Stockings

A fantastic group shot of all of us!

Once we were finished our shopping for the day, we headed over exhaustedly to the Olive Garden, where we had such a nice meal together.

The next day we all did a bit more shopping, prefaced by an excellent breakfast at the nearby IHOP, and in the evening, it was time to head home. It was a very busy weekend, full of fun and fashion, and I so hope we have the chance to do this again soon! Lane Bryant was so gracious to host us so well, and I know I'll be back very shortly! You should all check them out for your holiday shopping! You can visit your nearest store (they have stores in pretty much all border malls), or you can shop online since they recently added international shipping! <3 Happy shopping! =D

Outfit of the Day: Casual at School

2011-11-18T12:37:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys,

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! I know, it's uncharacteristic of me. Things just get really busy, and before you know it, it's been almost two weeks since your last post! :S

I have a lot of really cool stuff coming up on the blog - I styled MTV's Sheena Snively in an MTV FORA video which should be coming out soon, as well as organized a trip for Toronto fashion bloggers to Lane Bryant in Walden Galleria, and attended a Toronto plus size fashion show, entitled The Time is Now, put on by On the Curve Events, so when I say I was busy, I really mean it, lol! Those posts should all be coming up very soon (in the next week or so), so hopefully I will make up for my absence on here by giving you a few really awesome posts soon!

This outfit was one I wore to school, and I think it was a Friday, so I was working a more casual look. It was too cold out to take pictures in the natural light, so sorry about that... :( I hate Winter!

Top and Scarf - Courtesy of Kmart/Camisole and Bracelets- Forever 21/Jeans - Dots/Necklace - Laura/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid

I also made another collage of my favourite outfits from the past little while. Which one is your favourite?

Outfit of the Day - Rust, Teal, and (Faux) Fur! New Hairdo!

2011-11-07T13:07:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys!

I have some outfits left in my "archives," but I am just so excited about today's outfit that I couldn't help but post it before my earlier outfits! I got my hair done about a week ago, and I took a big risk and decided I wanted to do something a bit fun and funky with colour. It's just my bangs, so I figure I can dye them back to black later if I fall out of love with this look. But I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. I love it!

I am loving the 70s luxe trend that's happening right now, and I am wearing the style as much as I can before it goes out of style. Feathers, fur (faux for me),sequins, leather, flowy dresses, rich colours, and just general opulence... How can I not love this?!

Check it out!

Your first look at my new do! What do you think? It fades from green into blue at the top, but you can really see it all that well in this shot. Maybe I'll ask Peter to take some shots of just my hair and I'll post them on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. I was inspired by peacock feathers. Peacocks are very proud animals, and I want to reflect that a bit, and just show the world that I am proud of the way I look and that I refuse to be body shamed. I also just think it makes me look like I'm cool and awesome and trendy and adventurous... All elements of my personality that I want my look to reflect. So I'm pretty happy with it if you can't tell. =D

Dress, Hat, Earrings, and Necklace - Thrifted/Coat - ATTITUDE Jay Manuel for Sears Canada/Belt - Forever 21+/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Tights - Addition Elle/Purse - CBX

So what do you all think of everything? I am especially curious to see if you guys like my new hair as much as I do, lol!

Meet Your Favourite Toronto Plus Size Fashion Bloggers at Curvaceous Consignments Ajax

2011-11-04T15:24:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys!

You're invited to a special event being held at Curvaceous Consignments in Ajax, ON, on November 27th from 1-3pm. Some of your favourite Toronto plus size fashion bloggers (myself included) will be in attendance for a meet-and-greet, and you will have the opportunity to say hello as well as do a bit of shopping. Wanda, the store's owner, will provide light refreshments, and will be there to talk to you about her community outreach project "Curvaceous World." She is also happy to accept your gently used garments for consignment (you receive 40% of the sale price back in cash once the item sells). This is a great way to make more room (and a few bucks!) for those fantastic pieces you've been wanting to add to your closet. You can check out the Curvaceous Consignments website here, and here are some coupons for $5 off a $20 purchase or $20 off a $50 purchase. Please RSVP here.

We would all love to see you there! Can't wait!

New Pop-Up Shop in Toronto - Inside Out

2011-11-02T15:25:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys!

So I was wandering down Queen Street West on the weekend as I am wont to do (I love El Almacan's Yerba Mate), and I found this AMAZING new store. It's a pop-up shop devoted to vintage, filled with the most amazing hats and fascinators, coats (including both faux and real fur, as well as some wool and leather), jewellery, and purses. I was so excited when I found the store and spent like an hour and a half there trying on all the amazing retro hats and coats (yes, some of them actually fit me!).

Eva, the store's owner, pops up in different North American cities for a couple of months at a time to offer customers the opportunity to purchase a small piece of fashion history. Most of her hats come from Montreal, and have been sourced from the vintage collections of film's costume houses. Her range of items is very impressive, and she is so sweet and helpful. All of the items are so unique, and anything that you pick up is certain to be both a bold statement piece in your wardrobe, and something that you will cherish for a long time. Her store was even featured in the Huffington Post recently. Check out some of the pictures that I took of her store. It's so lovely!

She has such an incredible collection, and I'm so glad I found her store. I wish it was a permanent situation, but Eva, and all of her fantastic vintage stuff, are headed back to Montreal at the end of November. :(

You should drop by and visit if you get a chance. She is located at 1040 Queen Street West in Toronto. You can fan her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter as well. She also has a website for the store here. Happy Shopping!

Six Take - Happy Halloween! - Here is What I Dressed Up As!

2011-10-31T15:17:00.002-04:00

Hello My Plus-Size Ghouls and Goblins!

Happy Hallowe'en!!! I just thought I would write a quick post to show you what I am dressed up as today. I wore this to class (I teach Children's Lit at a university), and there was practically no one on campus dressed up. :( I got a few disapproving stares from passers-by, but I don't really care. I am an individual, and today is one of the best days to show it off (because you get to be even more outrageous with your outfit choices than usual! LOVE!!!). So it was just me and one student in my class, who dressed up like a tuxedo-ed lego man. Pretty awesome costume. I hope he puts as much effort into his essay as he did making it! If he does, I know it will be fantastic. Anyways, without further ado, here it is, my Helena Bonham Carter inspired witch.

Jacket - Delirium Clothing (Waterloo, ON)/Skirt and Petticoat- Courtesy of Sofistafunk/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Top (not really visible underneath jacket) - Forever 21+/Fingerless Lace Gloves - Urban Behaviour/Sunglasses - Vintage/Hat - Dollarama/Nail Polish - Ski Teal We Drop by OPI

One thing I consistently hate about hallowe'en costumes is the flimsy fabric used. Like, if I wouldn't wear this outside under normal circumstances, why would I wear it now? O_o

That's why I love putting costumes together out of fashion pieces I already own.

All of the pieces here are a part of my normal, everyday-wear wardrobe, I just don't typically mix them together because it's a bit over-the-top for my style. I would normal wear one of these "statement" pieces on its own with some basics and it looks fashionable and not at all costume-y. But when Hallowe'en rolls around, I mix several statement pieces together, and voila! I have a very couture inspired costume! =D

What are you going as tonight?

Have a happy and safe hallowe'en, and send me pictures! I can't wait to see what you're all wearing!

Make sure you visit the other girls' blogs to see what they dressed up as!

Rikke from Sticky, Sweet Danish, Jessica from tooMANYsequins, Jessica from Chic in Every City, Yoli from Diva in Deep Thought, and Sarah from Queen Sized Flava made in Montreal

City Chic has a site-wide 60% off sale! Today only!

2011-10-28T11:01:00.002-04:00

Need I say more? Go SHOP! They have some amazing dresses and outerwear right now. Love it!!!

Toronto LG Fashion Week - Thanks to L'oreal Paris Canada!

2011-10-27T22:11:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone,

I realize that this is coming a bit late - you've probably all seen a bazillion posts about LGFW, but not from the perspective of a curvy girl, so hopefully it was worth the wait!

I meant to buy the full week-long media pass for LGFW, but I put it off too long (waiting for my paycheck to come in) and by the time I actually got around to wanting to place my order, they were already all gone :( I was praying to the fashion gods all week long to let me go and see at least one show. You can imagine my surprise when they answered!

I had been tweeting people who were involved in LGFW all week to see if they had any spare tickets floating around. No such luck. Finally, I entered a twitter contest with L'oreal Paris Canada, and I WON! Honestly, this has been the winning-est two months of my life. I hardly won anything up until then, but now, I am on quite a streak!

I was totally excited about the shows (Caroline Neron, Bustle, and VAWK [if you watch Project Runway Canada, this is Sunny Fong's line and I was really excited about it]). I found out that I won the tickets like less than an hour before we had to leave to see the first show, so you can imagine what my bedroom and closet looked like after I had finished picking out my outfit! I didn't have as much time to style myself as I would have liked, so I just fell back on the dress I like to call "'ol faithful" because it's always an easy choice if I'm not sure what I want to wear and I have to look presentable in a hurry. I tried to jazz it up a bit with some seventies-inspired jewellery and accessories. Do you think I pulled it off?

Outside the tents at the step-and-repeat. I was so excited!

On the red carpet with my red vintage suede jacket...

And without the jacket... Brr...

Inside, near the box office

In the "Fashion Environment." There were a few sponsors here: Special K, DHL, Woolite...

When I saw this maple leaf, I was like OH MY GOD. It's the perfect backdrop for a blog picture! Especially since I'm "Curvy Canadian"!

I know that was a lot of shots of the same outfit, which I apologize for, but I was just having so much fun posing everywhere! Here are some close-ups of the pieces:

Dress - ASOS Curve/Belt, Breacelets, and Earrings - Forever 21+/Thrifted Vintage/Necklace - Laura/Purse - CBX/Shoes - Charlotte Russe

I guess I should also show you some pictures of the fantastic stuff I saw on the runway too, huh? Okay... Highlights from:

Caroline Neron

Image Courtesy of Fashion Magazine

Image Courtesy of the Ottawa Citizen

I was actually lucky enough to be able to take a short video of the finale of Caroline Neron's show. Check it out:

Such stunning jewellery! The show was really fantastic and actually had a theme. The women were different cultural interpretations of goddess figures. They definitely looked the part. They were ethereal and beautiful and were shining so brightly that you could actually almost believe they were from another world. I would give Caroline Neron five stars for this show. I was so impressed. I don't wear jewellery like this every day (obviously), but when I am looking for my wedding bling, I know where to go!

The next show was Bustle, a menswear line. There were a lot of nautical inspired looks and some pastels mixed in for good measure. It's a really preppy line. Peter was with me and he really liked a lot of the looks.

Image courtesy of fashionist.ca

Sonny Fong's collection for VAWK was amazing, and was insect-themed. There was one skirt in particular that I fell pretty hard for (sort of like the middle picture, but it also covered the front, lol). What I liked about this show was that they used both a fuller-figure (size 12) model, and a more mature (62 years old) model. I would like to see more of that, of course in the show (2 out of like 25 models were "diverse" beauties), but I know we have to start somewhere.

Image Courtesy of Toronto Life

Another thing I noticed was that there were A LOT of curvy girls attending the shows. If there are this many fashionable curvy women in Canada, where are the brands to cater to us? Canada has a long way to come in terms of serving the curvy market. It seemed like most of the clothes that the fashionable curvy women were wearing were from UK retailers. Another thing I would like to see is a plus size label (or a few of them) exhibiting at Toronto Fashion week. If you really want to impress the truly fashionable curvy women out there, you'll should be able to put your clothes on display in the international public eye! More plus size brands and designers need to step up to provide options for the young and vibrant curvy women who want fashion in their lives. Personally, I would love to do all my shopping in Canada, but if I want to achieve the aesthetic I'm going for, then that's just not a viable option for me. Anyway, enough ranting!

I owe big big thanks to L'oreal Paris Canada for holding the contest so that I could come and partake in the Toronto Fashion Week joy! Thank you so much! It was great to meet you and have you host me at the shows! I had such an amazing time! =D

A/W 2011 Wishlist

2011-10-23T22:25:00.004-04:00

Hey Guys!

I've been wanting to do one of these for a while now, and I am only now getting around to it! These are my picks for A/W 2011. I wish I could have all of these items, but alas, it is not meant to be. Maybe you'll see something you like, though! Clicking the pictures will bring you straight to where I found the items. Happy Shopping!

DRESSES

Monsoon - A UK retailer that I've just discovered that has some items in up to a UK22. Sadly, there is no search by size feature on their website, but these are a few of my favourites that are in stock in sizes 16-22 at the moment. They currently have a free international shipping promo going on. It ends on October 31st.

Anna Scholz

Shop Translated Here's a coupon for 25% off orders of $100 or more

Eshakti - They'll make dresses to your sizing specifications (free for the first order, and an additional $7.50 thereafter... There are lots of coupons for these guys floating around). The custom sizing is so useful if you have unusual measurements (like me - 13" difference between my hips and my waist).

Queen Grace Collection

SHOES AND BOOTS

Free shipping on this boot or the leopard print boot above with the code CLFREE323

I'm all about a sensible shoe - and this one does have a sort of 70s vibe to it that I'm liking.

Not so sensible... But OH SO FABULOUS! They also have it in a blue colour. *Drool*

OUTERWEAR

City Chic - They Offer Free Shipping to Canada!

Anna Scholz

PURSES AND ACCESSORIES

I <3 Dresses, and everything 70s! Can you tell? LOL.

So my dears, what is it that you are craving this Fall?

Outfit of the Day - The Boho Chic Teacher

2011-10-22T12:23:00.001-04:00

Yep, you guessed it! Another teaching outfit... Kmart sent me this beautiful dress as a part of my sample package and I absolutely adore it! As soon as I saw it, I knew it would pair well with the faux-fur coat that I got at a nearby Goodwill on a cold day for an autumnal bohemian look. I added my ever-present (but favourite) tassel bag and my over the knee torrid boots to complete the outfit, as well as some gold accessories. Peter said that I look like a Russian princess. Not sure if he meant it as a compliment or not, lol! My sister in law saw me in this and was petting me, lol! Well, it is nice and cozy and functions well as a warm blanket for when I am napping on the bus on the way in in the morning! What do you guys think?

Coat and belt- Thrifted/Dress - Courtesy of Kmart LYS/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Purse - CBX/Necklace - Courtesy of Penningtons/Earrings - Hand-me-downs from my mom

So what do you guys think? Are you partaking in the Faux-Fur trend this season? Do you like my outfit?

Outfit of the Day - The Cool Teacher

2011-10-20T12:03:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone,

Here is another outfit of the day post, again for teaching. Seems like that's all I do! I really wanted to be at Toronto Fashion Week and I am so sad I didn't get tickets, but my life is just so busy at the moment and I couldn't make it happen :(

I titled this post as "The Cool Teacher" because I feel a little rocker girl-ish in this outfit, but in an understated, teacherly, professional way... What do you guys think?

Dress - Courtesy of Kmart LYS/Jacket and Bracelets - Forever 21+/Belt - Dots/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Necklace - Courtesy of Penningtons/Earrings - Hand me downs from my mom/Mini-Briefcase - Thrifted

I also want to congratulate my friend and fellow blogger, Alison Little from 'Round Raglan Road for winning the Addition Elle blogger styling challenge with this look!

Awesome work, lady! Your looks were fantastic, and I am so happy for you! Congrats!

Another Teaching Outfit of the Day and Kmart Love Your Size, Love Your Style

2011-10-18T11:33:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone!

This is yet another teaching outfit... Sorry I'm not doing things that are a bit more interesting that I can tell you about! I do have a couple of really awesome things coming up at the beginning of next month, so make sure you stay tuned for that! I am really excited about it, and can't wait to tell you all what the surprise is!

I wore this outfit to school, and I noticed a couple of the uber-fashionable international students from Hong Kong checking out my outfit in appreciation, and that's always a good sign! The cape sweater was sent to me by the very fabulous Nicole, designer of Kmart's wonderful Love Your Style, Love Your Size brand. Recently, I found out that Kmart has begun to ship to Canada through Sears (since they are owned by the same company), and I was SO excited because I wanted my LYS stuff - I got introduced to Kmart LYS (and Nicole) at Full Figured Fashion Week and I have been so sad that I haven't been able to get pieces from their collection ever since. I was so disappointed when I saw that, for some reason, the LYS brand was not included as something that Kmart ships here. I contacted Nicole to ask her what was up right away! She's still looking into it, and hopefully we'll hear something back soon and LYS will be available here! I love their stuff. Nicole sent me several samples from the collection to curb my cravings for LYS in the meantime, and you'll be seeing a lot of those on here over the next little while. I am all set for Fall now because of the lovely stuff she sent. Thanks Nicole and LYS! Hopefully we'll be able to shop with you soon!

Cape Sweater - Courtesy of Kmart LYS/Bodysuit - ASOS Curve/Skirt - Thrifted/Shoes and Purse - CBX/Tights - Addition Elle/Necklace - Laura/Bracelets and Earrings - Forever 21

What to Wear for Hallowe'en - Some Options for Plus Size Women

2011-10-15T12:01:00.004-04:00

Hallowe'en used to be so frustrating for me. All of my friends would buy these adorable little outfits like a sexy nurse, sexy cop, sexy angel, sexy devil, etc... and I would feel totally left out. I was never able to get cute stuff like that in my size. It was either the cheap plus size polyester floor length nun's habit, or I was on my own. Needless to say, I took the latter route. I am a fairly creative person, so I took to putting together my own costumes. For many years, I just went as a cat or a bunny with good make up, using my own black or white clothes and topping it off with a one-size-fits all pair of ears and tail. A couple of years ago, I found an amazing store that sells really beautiful masks. It's based in St. Jacob's, Ontario and it's called Dream Power. They have a couple of masks up on their website, but it's really nothing compared to what they have in-store. If you're anywhere near there, you should drop in and see what they've got. Peter and I both got our masks from there last year:

I can't remember where my wings were from - I've had them for years. I think it was a hallowe'en pop up store

This was a pretty low-key hallowe'en for us. We were just hanging out with my family and spending time with our nieces, who got to go out trick-or-treating. For that, a mask and wings is perfect.

When I am going to a hallowe'en party, or out to a pub or bar, though, I want something a bit more elaborate. This was my costume from two hallowe'ens ago, when I went as Alice in Wonderland:

Everything except wig - Torrid/Wig - Queen of Hearts Costumes

I love Torrid's hallowe'en costumes. They don't have Alice this year, but they do have the Queen of Hearts, a bumble bee, a gypsy, a zombie prom queen, a cartoon-mouse-who-shall-remain-unnamed-due-to-licensing-legalities, a super-hero-who-shall-also-remain-unnamed-due-to-licensing-legalities, a cat, a race car driver, a can-can girl, a pirate, and (perhaps my favourite) a 1960s inspired flight attendant!

So many options! And they have amazing accessories to go with each costume so you can jazz it up a bit if you want. Check out what they've got for hallowe'en here. I can certainly speak to the high quality of the costumes that Torrid sells, as well as the value for your money. I find most hallowe'en costumes so cheap and flimsy. Typically, the fabric used is terrible and it looks as if the item was thrown together because the fit/stitching is so shoddy. You won't find that with Torrid's costumes. They are awesome.

If you're looking for something a bit more provocative, or are just interested in seeing what else is out there, you should definitely check out Hips and Curves They sell plus size lingerie, and have a few really awesome pieces in for hallowe'en. Here are a few of my faves:

If you're looking for something a bit more conservative, or again, just for a few more options, this website has a variety of options and they do ship to Canada...

I'm not sure what I'm doing for this hallowe'en yet. I want to see what masks Dream Power has, and I should be going down to St. Jacob's this weekend. So tell me, ladies, what are you dressing up as this year?

Outfit of the Day - Teaching in my new Torrid Boots!!!

2011-10-14T12:01:00.002-04:00

Hey Guys,

This is just a regular outfit of the day post. I wore this to school to teach in. It was a very comfy outfit to wear, but I got a couple of compliments on it (on my lipstick and my new boots, courtesy of Torrid), and I felt pretty good in it! I noticed my students checking out my style too, so that was nice! What do you guys think?

Tunic - Winners/Tights and Bracelets - Forever 21+/Boots - Courtesy of Torrid/Briefcase - Liz Claibourne via The Bay/Necklace - Tiffany & Co.

These are the fabulous new over-the-knee suedette boots Torrid sent to me. The colour looks a little funny in this picture. It's just the light. They're black... See below.

I added this one so you could see my new lipstick shade - So Chaud by MAC. Love it!

Many thanks to Torrid for the awesome boots! What do you guys think of the lipstick shade? It's really orange-y and awesome. I saw another blogger, Fat Aus, wearing it, and I just had to grab it, so when I had my 6 empties, I went down to MAC and traded them in for this! It's not a shade for the faint of heart, that's for sure! Stay tuned for a post on where to find awesome hallowe'en costumes in plus sizes! I should be writing that in the next couple of days.

Product Review: Second™ Yoga Jeans

2011-10-13T12:01:00.006-04:00

Yoga Jeans - aren't those two conflicting ideas, you ask? Not anymore!

Second™ Denim Co. has a line of jeans that are literally comfortable and flexible enough for you to do yoga in. I was so excited to receive these jeans, but I was sort of sceptical at first as to whether they would actually be as comfortable and flexible as claimed. Well! Honestly, these are easily the most comfortable jeans I have EVER worn. Have you ever put on a pair of yoga pants? You know, the kind with a stretchy waistband that you can go to the gym in? Yeah. That's what these feel like!!! I couldn't believe it. I can even do the splits in them. They are called Second™ Denim Co. because they fit like a second skin. They literally feel like yoga pants, but look like a fantastic pair of jeans! These jeans are from a Canadian company, and they are 100% made in Canada, meaning that you know that their production was ethical, and you are supporting local, homegrown business. I have worn these so many times since I got them, and they haven't lost their shape at all. They wash well, and look and feel great on. They are totally unrestrictive and they feature diagonal stretch so that they move and change shape with your body. They have a multi-piece waistband that follows your curves and allows you to move around without it cinching. I can't express how much I love these jeans. I hope they never wear out so that I can wear them forever! LOVE!!! They come in overdye black and rinse (blue denim) in both skinny (#84) and bootcut (#83) styles. I am wearing the overdye black in the skinny style. You can check out the skinny jeans on their website here, and the bootcut jeans here.

Check 'em out on me!

Jeans - Courtesy of Second™ Denim Co./Top - Dots/Jacket - Forever 21+/Shoes and Purse - CBX

Outfit of the Day - Teaching in Vintage

2011-10-11T16:47:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

I wore this outfit to teach in - actually, I was teaching Little Red Riding Hood - funnily enough! I picked up this pink '70s vintage dress and the earrings the last time I went thrifting, and I got the tights from Addition Elle and I love the colour!

Cape - ASOS Curve/Earrings, Necklace, Dress, and Belt - Thrifted/Scarf and Boots - CBX/Tights - Addition Elle

I'm pretty sure these boots are on their last legs! The heels are going all wonky. Oh well. I am pretty hard on my shoes. Whenever I find a comfy pair I wear them like all the time until they are totally worn out. I was lucky enough to have Torrid send me some fabulous boots which I just got today that you'll probably be seeing a lot of soon!

I also wanted to let you guys know about a giveaway going on that's being hosted by my favourite beauty bloggers over at Beauty Crazed Canada! The prize is a $150 gift card for Penningtons! It is open to Canadian entrants and will be going on until October 14th. Check it out here!

What do you think of my vintage look?

Happy Thanksgiving, my fellow Canadians! Check out my new dress from Queen Grace Collection!

2011-10-09T17:30:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving! And Happy Columbus Day to my US readers! Here is the outfit I wore to Thanksgiving Dinner at my Mom's house. We like to dress up ;)

Marina, owner of Queen Grace Collection (Facebook/Twitter), sent me this stunning Elise dress, which I received about a week ago, and I was so excited about it that I just had to wear it at the first possible occasion! It is a beautiful, sophisticated dress, that is SO well made. The quality of the fabric is just amazing (and I always find fabric quality to be lacking in plus size clothing). The dress is cut beautifully for my shape, and it has a very subtle sexiness to it. I don't normally wear things with this much decollatage, but with this dress, it didn't feel scandalous at all, probably because of the long lace sleeves and the modest length. I absolutely adore the lace on the sleeves (again, the quality of the lace used is impeccable), and the sleeves' blouson shape really balances my pear shape out (because I am bigger on the bottom than on the top). I really love this dress and I am just waiting for another occasion where I can wear it! They have so much stuff that just looks fantastic, and you should definitely check out their website if you have a special event coming up or holiday parties to go to. They have something that will work with every shape (pear, apple, hourglass, and strawberry), which I also love! I was lucky to have the privilege of seeing Marina's collection debut at Full Figured Fashion Week in New York this past Summer, and I was blown away. My favourite (other than the Elise, which I have on) is the Victoria. The shape is amazing, and I love the sequins and satin!

Dress - Courtesy of Queen Grace Collection/Peacock Feather Hair Clip - Urban Outfitters/Necklace and Earrings - Tiffany & Co./Clutch - Vintage/Shoes - Torrid

A close-up shot of the beautiful lace on the sleeves

I love Thanksgiving because it means I get to get together with family and celebrate everything I am grateful for in my life, and that is so much! I am so lucky to be as blessed as I am! This year, I really committed myself to this blog. I started writing in May of 2010, but I wasn't really focused on it at all, and I was WAY too embarrased (still really ashamed of my body) to make my fashion blogging public to my friends and family. One night in March after a couple of glasses of wine (aka liquid courage), I posted my blog URL on Facebook for everyone who knew me to see. I woke up the next day kicking myself - but honestly - it was the best decision I could have made. It forced me to stand up for my own body and my place as a fat woman in the world. It was not an easy task, as some people were not as supportive in the beginning as I would have liked.

In some ways it was almost like a coming-out experience. I was talking to my blogger friend Queen Sized Flava about this, and she was like, "how can you come out as fat? That doesn't make any sense. Everyone sees that we're fat!" And I was like "I know, but no one can tell just by looking at us that we're proud of our bodies, and that we're not ashamed of the way we look." I think then she understood. You can't come out as fat. But you can come out as proudly fat. People won't like it. They will want to shame you into losing weight. No one cares if you're fat or not. They just don't want you to feel okay with it. That's what they feel uncomfortable with... But I am a healthy, happy, and proud human being. We all deserve respect. And we should constantly adopt a position of shame just because it's what others expect of us. Be proud. It's okay. I promise. Once you stop letting other people make you feel inferior, you will begin to hold your head up high and the sky is the limit.

I think that's one of the main parts of blogging that I am thankful for. It's almost like scripto-therapy. I have finally been able to let go of all the shame that I've been holding onto and it feels great. I no longer seek validation from others to make me feel better about myself, because deep down, I love myself. It took a long time to get to this point, but I am so glad to finally be at peace.

I am also so thankful for the wonderful community I am now a part of. We're all such strong, beautiful, and confident women! And I feel so happy to be surrounded by all of you. You are fantastic!

I am thankful to all the contacts I made this year, and the businesses that constantly strive to provide us with fashionable clothing that makes us feel great and allow us to express ourselves. Thank you for all your hard work. I promise it is more appreciated than you'll ever know.

And of course I have to thank my wonderful support system. My family and friends have really been great about my blogging. They have been especially good listeners to when I am constantly blathering on about something fashion or blog-related! Thanks guys! I promise I'll try to talk more about other stuff!

And then there's Peter. I'm not sure if you all know this, but I really don't think there would be a blog here if it weren't for him. He is always there to take pictures, to drive me to obscure locations to cover photo shoots or fashion shows, to support me emotionally and to give me honest (and actually quite insightful) opinions about my outfits. I am, above all, thankful for him... I love you, sweetheart.

So what about you, my dears, what are you thankful for this year? And what do you think of my beautiful new dress from Queen Grace?

Curvy Canadian (and Peter) go on a wine tour in Niagara with iYellow Wine Club

2011-10-07T17:44:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone,

I have been totally lucky with winning stuff (up until lately I was the person who would say, "aww, I never win anything..."), and the main reason has been twitter! I won free tickets to go to the Toronto premiere of Bill Cunningham, New York, a wristband to meet Jay Manuel and preview his Fall collection, and recently, I also won 2 tickets for a Niagara wine tour with iYellow Wine Club and In Liberty Village on Twitter. I have you guys to thank, too, because it was a "whoever-gets-the-most-retweets-wins contest," and all you tweeters out there came together to help me win. You are the best twitter friends ever! Thank you so much. Peter and I had such a great time, and I wore something pretty because I thought there would be some really nice photo ops, and I was right. It was a beautiful day.

Getting on the bus...

Stop one was Chateau Des Charmes winery. It was all set up for a wedding and it looked really beautiful.

The wines were lovely. I especially liked their Cab Franc. Delicious. Angela, who was leading the tour, gave us a wonderful tutorial on how to taste wine properly, and it was really interesting. It allowed me to appreciate a lot more of the flavours in each wine. It's a five step process - first, look at the wine and appreciate its colour. Next, swirl the wine to help it aerate. Then, appreciate the aroma of the wine. Sip (some people take a little breath of air with the wine in their mouth to get more of the flavours to come through - it works, suprisingly. But this gets much more difficult to do without dribbling on yourself after you've had a few glasses. Trust me.). Finally, savour it...

Our next stop was a rather popular Ontario winery called Inniskillin. They are well-known for their ice wines, but their whites are really lovely too. My favourite wine here was the P3 (so-named because it is a blend of 3 different pinot varietals). The P3 is sadly not available at the LCBO - only at the winery.

That's the wine grower in the back explaining different elements of the wine's production. Very knowledgeable guy! We were actually given the opportunity to go out to the vine and taste the grapes used in the wine-making. So cool!

Down in the wine cellar...

Then it was off to Southbrook Winery - the only Eco-Diverse winery in Canada, and one of very few in the world. They use lambs to help prune leaves from their vines (so cute) and they make blankets out of their wool every year that you can buy in the winery's shop. I didn't get to see any lambs, though, which made me a little bit sad. I wanted to pet one! All of their wines are eco-friendly, and all the ones we tried were vegan, as well.

The part of this that was the most fun, is that Peter, my partner, is not a drinker. He honestly never drinks, but for this occasion, he agreed to come with me and enjoy himself... He ended up totally inebriated. I am Irish, so all these tastings didn't affect me too much... but Peter?:

Poor guy! LOL.

Outside there was a beautiful reflecting pond, and I decided to take some shots of my outfit in front of it. I absolutely love how these ones turned out! What do you think?

Sweater - Zellers/Cape - ASOS Curve/Scarf and Boots- CBX/Jeans - Forever 21+/Purse and Earrings - Thrifted

I also took some shots of my accessories so you guys could get a better look at them...

After that we visited the aptly-named Creekside Winery and got to enjoy a tasting on their lovely (Creekside) patio. My favourite wine of theirs was the 2007 Merlot. Apparently 2007 was a good year for Ontario Reds.

Our last stop, at Vineland Winery, was easily my favourite. There was such a beautiful atmosphere there and Brian, the winegrower, was so approachable and demonstrated such a passion for his craft. These were also my favourite wines of the day. We liked it so much, we picked up a bottle of their Elevation Cabernet as a hostess gift for my mom for Thanksgiving... I know she'll love it!

This is Angela Aiello (does the name iYellow make sense now?), the founder of iYellow Wine Club and our tour guide, rolling up her sleeves and pouring us some great sparkling wine to taste. Love that t-shirt!

This shot was actually taken by Brian, the winegrower! He was so awesome and down-to-earth!

Their fantastic cellar:

And the man himself, the winegrower, Brian Schmidt, @benchwineguy, explaining some aspects of the wine to us.

And the beautiful grounds:

And just one last picture of me with Angela, and we were headed back to Toronto!

It was a lovely day, and I have to thank Angela at iYellow Wine Club, as well as the great people at In Liberty Village, and all the lovely people that we met at the different wineries, who made our experience wonderful.

After we got back to Toronto, we wanted to make sure we got to take part in Nuit Blanche, Toronto's annual all-night art festival. Unfortunately, it has gone SO downhill over the past three years. There is too much corporate sponsor presence (Chevy had displays all down Yonge Street, and this space used to be used for ART - which is the reason why I am there in the first place). Also, many people use the event as an excuse to just stay up roaming the streets of Toronto all night while completely drunk, and are not interested in the art at all. That makes it so much harder for those of us who are there for the art to enjoy it and get around to the different exhibits. It's turned into more of a carnival/mardi gras festival than an art festival, and after having attended every event annually up until now, I am finally saying that I have given up on it as an art event and I won't be returning next year. I think all the good artists have also realized that the event has become something of a joke. It's sad, because it used to be a wonderful opportunity for artists to exhibit and make their art accessible to a wider community. Oh well... Hopefully there will be some less popular art events coming up in Toronto in the near future that I can attend (so that I can actually see some art)! At least the weather is such that I was finally able to break out my cape again. I love my ASOS Curve cape!!!

So what do you think of my post, darlings? Are there any wine drinkers out there? Have you tried any of these wines? Did any of you try to see art at Nuit Blanche (urgh)?

Meeting up with Karyn Johnson and Taking a Trip to Gussied Up

2011-10-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone,

A little while ago, I got the chance to meet up with Karyn Johnson, gorgeous Canadian plus size model and winner of the wellies giveaway! I brought her wellies over to her, and they fit nicely and looked lovely on. Pink is her favourite colour, so it was perfect! She is SO nice, and I am glad I got to meet her because we hit it off immediately and I feel like I have a new curvy friend now! We decided to go down to check out a plus size clothing store that is near her place called Gussied Up. It's an awesome store! I really love the atmosphere there. I almost passed by it when we were walking because I thought it was a straight size store, and I was thinking, wow, that place looks nice! I was so pleased when I realized that was actually where we were going. It is a very chic boutique, and its nice to finally have a store available to us that offers such a nice environment, just like a straight size store. I was able to meet with the store owner, Victoria, and she was really nice too! Her store has been open just over 6 months, and it's really lovely.

After we met with Victoria, and I was able to browse around in her lovely store, the three of us decided to go to the wine bar next door to have a glass (or two... okay, three) of wine. I had a really great evening with these two ladies and I can't wait to see them both again!

If you are ever in Toronto, you should totally take the time to check out Gussied Up. It's a lovely store with great pieces (very young and trendy, and all high-quality), and its really affordable too. I know I will be headed back very soon. Thanks Karyn and Victoria! I had a great evening with you ladies!

The Toronto Clothing Show and My New and Fabulous Skirt from Sofistafunk!

2011-10-04T17:29:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone!

So last weekend was the annual Toronto Clothing Show. I had heard some great things about the shopping there, so I decided to go and check it out for myself. I invited Sarah from Garters and Stockings to come too, and we had a great time!

There were loads of great vendors and I had a great time browsing and meeting lots of new people. There was tons of jewellery, accessories, and hats/fascinators everywhere, which is great, because they fit everyone!

Browsing through some lovely jewellery

Outside a vintage booth

Chatting with Lisa from Rent Frock Repeat - a dress rental company - about plus size designers I'd love to see her carry. I think it's a good sign that she was taking notes! LOL.

Trying on all sorts of hats! There was one in particular that I fell in love with, but it was so impractical, and it was $70... I couldn't justify it!

Meeting with Melanie Dubuc, a new up-and-coming Canadian plus size fashion designer

Waiting for the runway show to start!

Here are some videos I was able to take of Melanie Dubuc's and Ashaki Charles' new lines:

Very nice stuff!

Now the skirt I have on just came in from Sofistafunk, a company who specializes in very cool skirts. I met the designer, Arlinda, and Full Figured Fashion Week a while back. She was wearing this amazing black and moss green floor length full skirt to the finale runway show, and I just had to go over and say hello. I asked her where she got her incredible skirt because I was dying to know, and then she told me she designed it! I was pretty much in awe and told her she was very talented (which I am only more convinced of after seeing all the other amazing skirts on the site). We got in touch after Full Figured Fashion Week and she sent this skirt, along with an awesomely flouncy petticoat, as a gift. I absolutely adore it!!! When I got it in the mail I was doing a happy dance all around my apartment for like a good half-hour. Then when I put it on, I was practicing ballet and doing twirls for another half-hour! There is just something so pretty about a really full skirt, you know? It reminds you of the princesses you adored as a child and the opulence of their glamour, and it just makes you feel so youthful and pretty! I think this skirt is fantastic, and I totally recommend you go check out their website if you're looking for a new skirt or if you just like to look at really pretty things. The skirt she sent me is the "Sofistafunk RX," and it's a multi-functional skirt designed as a prescription for those "I-would-love-to-go-but-don't-have-time-to-go-home-to-change" situations. I know you all know what I'm talking about! It comes with a handy little tote so that you can stow it away in a big purse, your desk drawer, or your car in case you score a last-minute invitation to an event you want to look stunning for.

Anyway, I totally ADORE my new Sofistafunk skirt (thanks Arlinda!) and as you can see, I am wearing it to not-so-last-minute occasions. I actually want to wear it to school with a tiara on, but I think people might look at me funny! But seriously, I can't wait to wear this again!

Six Take: No H8

2011-10-02T23:44:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone,

So me, and my fellow six-take bloggers, Rikke from Sticky, Sweet Danish, Jessica from tooMANYsequins, Jessica from Chic in Every City, Yoli from Diva in Deep Thought, and Sarah from Queen Sized Flava made in Montreal, have decided to write a post entitled "No H8" to promote greater understanding, acceptance, and love of others and what you might perceive to be their differences. We were inspired to do this after one of us endured hateful and abusive messages through one of our social media networks. We must show others that we will not be intimidated by their hatred, and that's what this post is all about.

Like many women who self-identify as fat, I was bullied mercilessly as a child. Other kids would call me "tub of lard" or "connect the dots" (because of my freckles) and I was often the object of other kids' cruel and elaborate schemes, one which involved getting a boy to pretend he liked me, me letting my guard down, and them pulling the rug from underneath me. These experiences left me scarred and lacking self-esteem entirely, and I found it difficult to believe that anyone would ever like me or even want to be friends with me. I suffered from two particularly traumatic physical assaults at school which resulted to my mother pulling me out of that school and registering me at another. The second school was somewhat better, though not by much. I internalized much of the bullying that had become a daily expectation; I became introverted and focused intensely on my studies to distract myself from the constant abuse from my peers. I think I also felt that if I wasn't pretty, that I should at least be smart, so that I could have something going for me...

When High School started, the aggressiveness of the Middle School bullying had dissipated, but there was a whole new sort of passive aggressive judgement that was rampant. I was lucky enough to go to a school where uniforms were required, so I didn't have to try as hard to keep up with all the brand names everyone was wearing, but on casual days, where we were invited not to wear our uniforms, you could tell that there was a lot of judgement going on regarding who was wearing what. There were also a few prank phone calls to my house. I thank my lucky stars daily that I don't have to be in High School in the Facebook era. Who knows what sort of trauma that could cause. People are so callous online. They think that the distance created by the medium of the computer gives them license to berate people, when if faced with the same thing one is critiquing in person, the berater would simply remain silent on the issue. The distance between people in an online discourse is no excuse for one to treat another poorly. Even in online environments, people should treat each other with the same respect that they would observe in-person.

Recently, there was a hashtag trending on twitter - "#onlyfatpeople." Some fat-haters began to put hateful messages after the hashtag - things like "order a diet coke with a supersize combo at McDonalds because they are 'watching their weight.'" There were a number of other terrible comments which I won't reiterate here, partially because I don't want them to function as a trigger for anyone, and also because I don't want to dignify their terrible message by re-broadcasting it. Quite frankly, those idiots and their hateful messages are not worth my time. I posted a response to this hashtag on twitter and had a number of people congratulate me for standing up to these bullies (and got about 100 new followers - welcome, by the way, if my response is what brought you here), and also a number of bullies trying to force me back into submission by way of body-shaming me. After experiencing this journey of self-acceptance, a self-acceptance that has come by way of the scripto-therapy that this blog has given me, I found myself steeled against their bold and impudent attacks. I was not affected by it. I recognize that their hatred comes from their own deficiencies, and I accept their difference in opinion. So I politely (and eloquently) told them to f*@# off. I have come to love myself and nothing can change that now. I am me, and I will be me, and I don't care what anyone says about it. I use fashion as a language to express who I am to the world. I will no longer be shy, and I will no longer submit to body policing by others who would force me into striving towards an ideal female normalized body that I would never be able to healthily (mentally or physically) inhabit.

So the pictures that accompany this post are not themed. They are just me being me, and being totally happy with who I am and what I have on and what that says about me. I can't help it if others are going to be hateful, though I can control my reaction to it. In my own life, however, I have adopted the principle of No H8, and I hope all of you will too. We are all people with hearts and hopes, dreams and desires, families and friends, and no one wants to feel the sting of hatred and we should strive for peace and understanding always.

Jacket - Forever 21+/Skirt - Thrifted/Petticoat - Sofistafunk/Shoes - Honest Ed's/Top - Redress NYC/Sunglasses - Vintage Clothing Sale in York, UK

Remember:

Above all else, to thine own self be true.
- Shakespeare

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
- Siddartha Gauttama

Life isn't about finding yourself.
Life is about creating yourself.
- George Bernard Shaw

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
- Winston Churchill

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

New Line: Attitude Jay Manuel for Sears Canada

2011-09-30T17:45:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,

If you are as avid a fashion magazine reader as I am, you will have seen the new campaign for Jay Manuel's new line, Attitude, with Sears Canada - Sorry to the US peeps on here, it has launched in Canada first, with possibilities of expansion into the US stores at some point in the future - when does this ever happen? Usually it's the other way around!

For those of you who didn't know, Jay Manuel (also known as "Mr. Jay" on the show America's Next Top Model), is actually Canadian - born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Gotta love homegrown talent!

Anyways, I've seen a picture of this amazing coat in a campaign in this month's Flare, Elle Canada, and Fashion magazines, and I was like, woah, that's an amazing coat.

But like I do with most things I see in fashion magazines, I looked and passed over it, assuming it would not be available in my size and be way out of my price range. Well, I was wrong on both counts. For once, I am happy to admit it! The line actually goes up to a size 18. The most expensive piece in the range is actually this coat, which retails for $229.99, and is currently on sale online for 40% off (until tomorrow). Trust me when I say I am having the hardest of times not breaking out my credit card right now.

How did I find all of this out, you might (not) wonder... Well, I actually was fortunate enough to win tickets to an event where I got to preview the line and meet Mr. Jay himself, courtesy of Fashion Magazine Canada! I have been very lucky through twitter! Up until now, I have not won many things, but I keep getting goodies by retweeting things! I love it!

Jay talked about how he was pleased that he could offer the line to a wider size range of women, and explained that if a piece wasn't going to look good on women at any size, then he simply wouldn't put it in his collection. He also reiterated one of Coco Chanel's oft quoted design principles; that fashion is not about size, but about proportion, and that a woman can be stylish at any size. Have I mentioned that I <3 him? The presentation of the collection was really wonderful, and a montage began before a short (5 look) runway show. The montage showed Jay working with other designers, models, etc., and Billie Holiday's song, "I'll be Seeing You," set the mood for the nostalgic collection, which evokes 1970s luxury. I was very excited to see the collection, especially after finding out the garments would fit and hearing Jay talk about it. The collection is really lovely and I am hoping I will get to see a full fashion show of the collections Spring 2012 looks at LG Toronto Fashion Week in October.

Here are a few pictures I was able to snap while watching the show...They are a little unclear since I was a bit far back and because the models were moving... But you get the idea.

Aren't all of the looks pretty? I really love that Winter white suit, and I am also loving the pink and black jackets! After the runway show, I actually got to meet Jay and get his autograph. He is such a nice, down-to-earth person! We talked about the line, and how I was really happy to see a designer step outside of the ends-at-size-14 business model. He was really receptive to everything I had to say and he was totally nice. The first thing he did when he saw me was say "look at you! So chic!" and said he really liked my outfit, and that he especially loved my hat. I was totally blushing, because that means like, a lot, you know? Coming from him...! Anyways, I did put a bit of extra effort (read: I pulled every piece out of my closet mixing and remixing and ended up with clothes strewn all over my room) into my outfit that day because I knew I was meeting Jay, and the fashion context allowed me to be a bit more bold with my choices. I decided to go with a monochromatic look because monochromatic dressing was quite pervasive on the Fall 2011 runways (and is actually carrying over into the Spring 2012 collections). Think of it as the antithesis to colour blocking! You can see some pictures of what I'm talking about from Lanvin's, Blumarine's, and Michael Kors' Fall 2011 collections. You don't have to worry about being all "matchy-matchy" anymore - it's in this season!

I was a bit nervous to try this look out for myself, because it is kind of dramatic, and I was wondering how people on the streetcar would respond to it. It was fine. I think I added the touches of brown because I couldn't fully commit to everything being one colour. Baby steps... LOL.

Hat, Belt, and Earrings - Thrifted/Dress and Bracelets - Forever 21/Purse - CBX/Shrug - Dots/Tights - Addition Elle/Shoes - Payless

And I finally got to meet Jay, which you can tell from my expression in the picture below that I'm really happy about... LOL. It was a great event. Thanks to Fashion Magazine for giving me the wristband!