Outfit of the Day: Feathers and Flowers

Hey Guys!

I wore this outfit to teach a couple of days back. I really love this hat, which I found at a thrift store, after it had inexplicably been relinquished by its original owner... Why someone would get rid of this I have no idea - it's absolutely amazing. It's in perfect condition and looks as though it's never been worn. I have the most luck at thrift stores!

The lace top is something I picked up from Wal-Mart's G21 section. They actually go up to a 2X now, which is fantastic. I find most of the George stuff to be a bit too old-fashioned/not cute, but I am always seeing stuff I like in the G21 section. I wandered in there when Peter was browsing in the electronics section one day and I noticed that they had bumped up their sizes to the 2X, which made me happy. When they used to have 725 Originals, they had a full range of inclusive plus sizes, which I loved. Then, when they changed their private label brand to George (for middle-ish aged women) and G21 (an unmistakeable reference to another brand with 21 in its name, geared toward the younger generation), they did away with the plus sizes on their "younger" brand, and only offered plus sizes for George. I used to like George + more, but I find that the quality has really gone down lately, and the selection of items offered in the plus range are getting more and more matronly, which is why I am really glad to see Wal-Mart extend the sizing of their more youthful line. I would love to see Wal-Mart offer up to a 3 or even 4X, much like they did when 725 Originals was around. But I really love this lace top, which was rather economically priced at $9. The XXLs sell out pretty quickly, so make sure you buy as soon as you see something you like, or you are bound to be disappointed. One other quibble I have is that the G21 bikinis only go up to an XL. But the tankinis and the one-pieces go up to an XXL. I want some bikini love too! Not just Tankinis. BIKINIS. My stomach, too, would like to see the light of day. I hope Wal-Mart will begin to sell bikinis in at least an XXL. I went to Old Navy this past weekend to try some on as well, but the only bikinis in XXL were the drab gray ones. :( I guess I am going to have to buy online for that... I also got a skirt from G21 with an awesome bird print on it that I will share with you in my next Outfit of the Day post. The really nice people behind the @WalmartCanada twitter helped locate it for me and reroute it to a nearby store. I saw it in Lou Lou Magazine and I absolutely had to have it, but like 3 of the stores that were the closest to me were all sold out. So I was really pleased they were able to help.

Anyway, without further ado, my outfit:

Shoes and Lace Top - Wal-Mart/Tights - Courtesy of We Love Colors/Skirt, Necklace and Bolero - Forever 21+/Belt - Dots/Hat - Vintage from the thrift store

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

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.