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

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...

A Relaxed Birthday Outfit of the Day...

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

OOTD: Outfit for a Meeting

Hey Everyone,

Yesterday, I had a meeting on-campus that I had to go to, so I used it as an excuse to wear something post-worthy! It was a pretty straight-forward meeting... Every year, there's a new graduate chair assigned for the department, and all the PhD students are called in as a group to meet with them and address any concerns. Nothing major... It was a good opportunity to get together with a bunch of my PhD friends though!

During your first year in the program, you complete your course work and meet other 1st year PhD students in the department. In your second year, you start reading for your comprehensive exams and work independently. You often end up teaching on a team with other PhD students, though, so you get to interact with them that way. By third year, you are working on your dissertation and teaching independently, so you are fairly isolated... It was nice to get back together with them, and we ended up at the grad pub for a few beers after the meeting. I had lots of fun!

Dress and Purse - Thrifted/Beaded Bracelet - Dollarama/Other Bracelets and Flower Headband- Forever 21/Necklace - Charming Charlie/Earrings - Pixics

OOTD: Come Fly With Me... Let's Fly, Let's Fly Away...

Hey Guys,

I thought I'd post a new OOTD post since I went to an art show on Wednesday night in Toronto and I thought I would dress nicely and take a few photos. When I was putting this outfit together I started with the dress (I always start with one piece that I want to wear and build my outfit from there, adding and subtracting pieces as I go - how do you guys do it?) and wanted to do a sort of nautical theme inspired outfit since the dress lends itself to that with the combination of navy blue and white piping around the sleeves and neckline. The outfit quickly morphed itself into something I hadn't expected as I began to add the pieces I wanted to wear. I just picked up the scarf at a favourite thrift store, so I started by adding that. I wanted to put some gold in because there's always gold involved in nautical theme stuff, so I put on the earrings. Then I wanted to add a red purse because that's also a colour frequently used in nautical imagery, so I tried that, but for some reason, it just wasn't working well with the other pieces. When I looked in the mirror, I realized that the scarf and the earrings were sort of making it look more like a 1950s-60s stewardess/flight attendant inspired outfit, and honestly, at that point we were running late, and so I just decided to run with it! I think it may have been some sort of subconscious manifestation of excitement for the new ABC series starting in the Fall called Pan-Am. Have you guys seen the preview for it? I will be watching, if only for the fashion. I loved the film Catch Me If You Can, and I think I'll also love this. Here's a link to the preview if you haven't seen it yet. I picked out a purse I also got on a recent thrifting outing that looks sort of like vintage luggage/a hat box, and a pair of aviator sunglasses that were a gift from Kmart, and I ended up with a bit of a happy accident of an outfit. What do you guys think? Has this ever happened to you before?

Like I said, I decided to just GO WITH IT... And I embraced it fully, as you can see... "The emergency exits are located at the front, middle and rear of the plane on both sides." 

Here are some more pictures of the outfit and the pieces:

Dress - Forever 21+ (US)/Shoes - Redress NYC (originally from Target)/Belt -  Taken off a blouse from Dots/Purse, Scarf, and Earrings - Thrifted/ Sunglasses - Gifted from Kmart

When we got to the art show opening, which was being held at the Steam Whistle Brewery (and the display will be in their gallery for the entire month of July), there was a huge tent outside for a show called "The Railway Children." All around the tent were antique Canadian trains on loan from the Canadian National Railway museum, displayed to promote the play as well as interest in the history of the CNR. The oldest train on display, named Vicky, is a steam engine from the late 1800s and is actually used in the play (it goes through the tent during the play). If that's not enough to get people interested in theatre, I don't know what will. I really want to see this play now! There were CN operators on site to answer any logistical or historical questions for people as well. It was a really interesting display, and of course I couldn't resist taking some pictures with the trains for the blog... LOL. People must have thought that we were cheesy tourists or something. Oh well!

I made these photos look kind of vintage-y. What do you guys think? Do you like it?

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

So Much to Share! Where to Begin?

Hey Guys!

Wow, I have so much to share with you all. It's been quite the weekend!!! I've had a few outfits stored up on my camera for days, so I'll post those here now, at last!

I was also privileged enough to attend this weekend's Big Fat Toronto event, including both a clothing swap and a discussion. The event was a great success and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers. It was truly amazing to meet up with all of you wonderful, confident, and inspiring women to exchange clothing, war stories, and loads of laughs. I can't wait to do it again!

Today, I went to the park with Peter and went thrifting. Lots of fun! I don't think I've ever been so exhausted after a weekend. But it's good exhausted, so it's okay!

So first, the pictures from Big Fat Toronto. I decided to wear this purple polka dot blazer that I got from a Salvation Army near me for $5! Everyone was admiring it so much, so I was really glad I decided to grab it! One girl even said she wanted it so much that she felt like biting me! LOL! I really love the colour of it, as well as the cut. What do you guys think?

Browsing at the swap...

If I ever talk about my Herculean calves, this is what I mean. Check 'em out. I can lift around 800 lbs on the leg press, and I'm proud of it! It comes from many years of ballet. Unfortunately, it makes it super hard to find cute boots in the winter that come up above the ankle...

Outfit Details: Jacket - Thrifted/Camisole and earrings - Forever 21+/Shoes - Torrid/Skirt - Suzy Shier/Purse - Aldo/Cameo - Vintage jewellery sale in the UK

My Argyle Nails! I used OPI by Nicole Nail Apps. They're just like stickers. So easy to apply! They wear off too quickly, though.

The girl who said she wanted to bite me. 

Group shot of a bunch of us. Such lovely ladies!!!

Faith from 'Faith'fully Yours...

I met lots of fantastic women!

And you guys remember Alison, whose closet I visited? She was there too, looking fabulous!!!

I really love the colour of it my new jacket, as well as the cut. What do you guys think? I thought it would be a good idea too if I did a haul video so you guys could see all the great stuff I got at the swap! I promise I will keep you guys apprised of any upcoming Big Fat Toronto events in the future so you can plan to come! So here's the haul video!:

Like I said earlier, I've also been saving up a lot of outfits that I just didn't get a chance to post yet, so here they are. This is what I've been wearing for the past few days!

Outfit 1 - I wore this a while ago for a nice walk along the beach near the Toronto skyline. It was a beautiful day! The dress is thrifted, and is actually a wrap-around skirt that I just wore high-up and cinched with a belt. The belt is from Forever 21+, the sandals are from Spring, the jewellery is crafted/from Dollarama, and the cardigan is from Penningtons. Madison Plus has chosen me to be their Style Correspondent for Toronto, which I'm super excited about, and you can see more of these photos as well as a few words about them at the Madison Plus blog, here.

Outfit 2 - This outfit was also for a walk on the waterfront, but these were taken just today! It was so gorgeous out, we just had to get out of the house and enjoy the sun! My hair is messy because of the hat, sorry! The dress is from Dots, the hat is from Le Beau Chapeau (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the shoes are from Target, and the bag is from Costa Blanca.

Outfit 3 - I think I wore this one to go see a movie with Peter. We went to go see Bridesmaids. Don't get me started on the representation of fat women in the film, but trying to look beyond that, other parts were pretty funny. The denim jacket is from Dots, the dress, tights, and shoes are from Target, the necklace is from Ardene, the earrings are from Bonjour Button (an Etsy store), the purse is from Costa Blanca, and the buttons are from various sources (the ones of Hildegard Von Bingen and Anne Boleyn are from Tartx Designs, and the piggy one I got from a upcycling fair in Kitchener called Bloomin' Earth). 

Outfit 4 - Not sure if this is my favourite, which I guess is one reason why I didn't post it right away. I can't even remember what I wore this to... The top is from Forever 21+, the purse is from Costa Blanca, the skirt is thrifted, the shoes are from Target, the ring was a hand-me-down from my sister, and I can't remember where I got the earrings. I think it was a store in Square One (if you're familiar) called Panache.

Outfit 5 - Nothing special. I only took this one shot of the outfit because I planned on only posting it to tumblr since it's so casual, and I wasn't sure if it was blog-worthy. But since this post is a sort of grab-bag of so many different things, I thought I would throw it in! Why not? I don't normally wear shorts. Usually I prefer skirts or jeans, but it was really hot, and I like the fit of these, so I decided to go for it. I think they're a good length too. The top and shorts are from Dots, the purse is from Costa Blanca, the shoes are from Target, and the necklace is thrown together from the stuff in the beading section of the craft department at walmart (it's amazing what you can find in there). 

Phew! That was a long one! Sorry for the somewhat compendious nature of this post. I was holding out on you guys, I guess! I just waited too long in between post and built up a lot of OOTDs! Hope you liked it! You know what else? I snagged a vintage CHRISTIAN DIOR suit from Goodwill today. IN MY SIZE. $10! Stay tuned to see me style it... I better watch out for that girl who was gonna bite me yesterday, lol! I've been really lucky in the thrift stores lately :D

So what's new with all of you fine people? Did you enter my contest yet? Do it!