(I Love) We Love Colors

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 Fantastic Weekend!

Hey Everyone!

I had a really fantastic weekend, what about you? It is SO hot and humid in Toronto right now. Peter snapped these pictures so quickly because it was sweltering outside and we wanted to get back into the air conditioning! My family took me out for brunch to celebrate me passing my PhD field exams and brought me a big bouquet of flowers! My niece even painted me a beautiful ceramic wall hanging that says "Dreams." So sweet! It was just the ladies at brunch, so we got a chance to catch up. It was awesome. We started out on the patio at about 10, but it got so hot so quickly that we had to move inside.

I think it's finally hitting me that all I have left to do before I graduate is write my dissertation. I am so excited to get down to work on it! I finally get to write solely about what interests me. I am also looking forward to finishing and defending my thesis so that I can finally get full-time work, get married and (eventually) start a family... Not to mention all the fantastic clothes that I will be able to afford once I'm working full-time.

I saw these murals in Etobicoke (one part of Toronto) that I really loved, and I wanted to make sure I took some pictures in front of them at some point. Peter and I decided to go down this weekend to take them. Is there anything like this in your city?

Skirt - Giant Tiger/Top - Redress NYC via Forever 21/Shoes - Target/Earrings and Mirror Necklace - Forever 21/Bangle and other necklaces- Thrifted/Ring - Ardene

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

Hey Guys,

It's been way too long! I'm so sorry about the lack of OOTD posts recently. I've been at home mostly this past week, which means no cool outfits to show you. Just super casual stuff that's not worth posting. And pajamas. I was going to post a wish list (a list of things from a bunch of plus size retailers that I love, with pictures and links) but I wasn't sure if you guys would like that or not, so I didn't. What do you think? Would you like to see some posts with that sort of stuff? Sometimes I get bored when other blogs do it, but maybe if it's only like once a season or something, you guys would enjoy it...

Anywho, I am headed to Full Figured Fashion Week in NYC this week (leaving on Wednesday night, arriving on Thursday morning) and I am SO SO SO excited! What my blog has been lacking in outfit posts will certainly be made up for this week and weekend! I am so excited to meet all the other bloggers who I've been chatting with. Some of my blog idols will be there!!!

For Thursday, I have been invited to Lane Bryant's second annual blogger's conference which is an all-day event from 10-3. They have a bunch of stuff to show us from their upcoming Fall and Winter collection and are even going to do a makeover on one lucky attendee! I hope it's me, wish me luck! There's also a plus size sample sale going on, but since I will be at the Lane Bryant conference, I don't think I'll get to make it for that. I can't wait to see what some of my other blogger friends pick up at it, though! For the evening, I will be attending a sunset cruise of New York's harbour, mingling with other bloggers and members of the plus size fashion industry and community (models, photographers, retailers, media, etc.). I am super excited about this, because I will even get a glimpse of the statue of liberty! I've never been to New York before, so I am sure I am going to be an embarrassing tourist, constantly snapping photos. At least this means that I'll get to show all of you the awesome things I see!

On Friday, there are a bunch of events happening, including an escorted shopping tour, panel discussions focusing on curvy topics, and a networking event. I waited too long to pick up tickets for these events, and they sold out, so now I don't know what I'm going to do! I am sharing a hotel room with three other plus fashion bloggers, from Chic in Every City, Queen Sized Flava, and Diva in Deep Thought, (and I don't think they have tickets to these events either, though I may be wrong) so I am sure we'll find something to do in the fabulous city of New York! I was thinking perhaps some thrifting, visiting world-famous Magnolia Cupcakes, taking a look at F.A.O Schwarz (I'm a kid at heart and I need to pick up some little souvenirs for the nieces), taking a walk along Fifth Ave (and stopping in at Saks, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and maybe even Barney's - though I won't actually be buying anything), perhaps going up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building (which I always thought was the Chrysler Building - I've had the two confused my whole life, gah), and of course I have to go to Central Park. I am really hoping we get some nice weather for this, because it will be pretty unpleasant to do all the walking I have planned (never mind the cruise!) in the rain... I am hoping Full Figured Fashion Week is organizing an overflow event for the evening, as I would like to continue to socialize on Friday night!

On Saturday morning, there is a brunch held by Kmart's Love Your Style fashion line which is from 10-1. I can't wait to see what they have in store to show us! In the evening, there is the finale event, which is a semi-formal runway showcase and awards ceremony. I am SO excited about this! I have never been to a runway show before, so this will be my first time! I will be sure to take lots of photos for all of you. There are a few designers who are debuting their inaugural collections, so I will be sure to take lots of photos and get lots of info for you ladies so you can see what new and stunning options are available for your curves. I have no idea what to wear to this. I have to figure out something awesome... I actually have no idea what I am going to wear to anything! I have to plan my outfits to all these events, and pick up my business cards *calling to see if they are ready*

Is there anything you guys would like me to ask the people at Lane Bryant or Kmart while I'm meeting with them? Suggestions or requests, that sort of thing (besides opening stores in Canada - I'm obviously going to ask them about that!)? Let me know! I would be glad to pass on the message.

Now onto the OOTD! I wore this for a walk along the lake with Peter (we seem to do that a lot, huh? LOL) I wore a plain black singlet with a long flowy skirt and a thick belt. I topped it off with some brown sandals and the fringe bag that seems to make it into every single post ever. Seriously though, I need to vary up my handbag choices a bit. I just love that one though, and it fits so much stuff. I am a sucker for big purses! What do you guys think of the outfit? It was very overcast so the light conditions weren't very good, and it was the end of the day, so my makeup's looking a bit worse for wear, so please ignore that!

Singlet - Giant Tiger/Cardigan - Penningtons/Skirt - Thrifted from Salvation Army/Belt - Dots/Sandals - Target/Purse - Costa Blanca