BIG Deal Toronto!!!

Hey Guys!

I'm still totally reeling from planning BIG Deal Toronto! I know I haven't been writing very many posts lately, but I was so busy with figuring out all the details for the event. Now that it's done, I have a lot of blog writing to catch up on!

The event went really well (if I do say so myself!) and I have SO many people to thank for it. I am still so amazed by how many amazing and beautiful women came out. If you couldn't make it this time, I'm sure I'll be planning another awesome event soon. ;-)

Some lovely shoppers

Our fantastic raffle table, designed by Gillian MacDonald, full of amazing prizes from very generous sponsors!

Our grand prize, from Addition Elle, a $250 gift card, won by Stephanie Agosta! Congrats Stephanie!

Palm Beach Jewellery Prizes, won by Veronica Hurtado, Catherine Ward, and Tiina Veer!

A prize pack from Blo, won by Jennifer French! Congrats!

Yoga/Zumba Zone Plus Eight Week Sessions won by Heather Sanderson and Stephanie Agosta (lucky girl!) and five individual passes won by Sam Mooney, "smellycat," Alison Little, Marney, and Heather Sanderson

Vegan Handbag from Urban Expressions won by Aeryn Lynne 

Statement Jewellery from Lavishy won by Shari Misner

Gift Card to Fashion to Figure won by Shari Misner

Crocs won by Veronica Hurtado

Crema Gift Card won by Sam Mooney

Lane Bryant Genius Fit Jeans won by Alison Little

Yoga for Round Bodies Series won by Alison Little, single class passes won by Karen Burns, Shari Misner, Heather Sanderson, and "gakubi"

$50 Gift Card to Gussied Up Plus won by Aeryn Lynne

eShakti Gift Card won by Gillian MacDonald

Penningtons Gift Cards won by Catherine Ward, Monique Siqouin, "gakubi", Karen Burns, and Nora Langan. Congrats Ladies!!!

Check out the racks of beautiful clothes the bloggers brought in!

Brownies, purses, and friends - what more could a girl ask for?

Sarah from Queen Sized Flava (all the way from Montreal!) eyeing the accessory table

Happy shopper =D

Our Boudoir Inspired Change Screen

Bags!

Wrap Station

Lovely Bloggers Courtney from The Glitter Thread and Karyn from Killer Kurves

Sarah from Queen Sized Flava

Peter and his little sis Sharon hard at work at the cash and wrap station =D

My Mammy buying up everyone's beautiful stuff. She found some great pieces!

Our first winner of the day, Veronica Hurtado, picking up her PalmBeach Jewellery bracelet and earrings

Sarah drawing our next winner...

And there she is! She won a beautiful vegan handbag from Urban Expressions

Alison from Round Raglan Road - she was a big winner and took home a yoga package from Yoga for Round Bodies, a single class from Yoga Zone Plus and a pair of Genius Fit Jeans from Lane Bryant!

Aeryn from Geek With Style won the $50 gift card from Gussied Up Plus. Congrats!

My sister Gill keeping track of who won what... thanks Gill!

Reagan from Sodapop Sweetheart drawing for our final prize of the day, for the grand prize of a $250 gift card from Addition Elle... Congrats to our winner, Stephanie Agosta!

All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic day that I won't soon forget! I have so many people to thank, including all the bloggers who participated, especially the fantastic Dayna Barron, who created the amazing graphic designs for our event! The designs were so perfect for the feel of the event, and made it look so polished and professional. Thank you so much!!! I also have to thank my sister Gill for all the beautiful decor, including the stunning raffle table, and for driving me all around the city to pick things up in the days leading up to the event. Everything looked so pretty! I want to thank my sister-in-law Sharon for all her help. So many thanks to my partner (in crime and love, hehehe) Peter. You are always there for me in every way imaginable. I don't know where I'd be without you. :')

Our amazing prize table would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of a number of brands. Many thanks to Addition Elle, Penningtons, eShakti, Gussied Up Plus, Blo Blow Dry Bar, Lavishy Jewelry, Crocs, Fashion to Figure, Yoga for Round Bodies, Lane Bryant, Crema Coffee, Urban Expressions, YogaZonePlus, ZumbaZonePlus, and PalmBeach Jewelry.

I hope you can all make it out to my next event! This one was so much fun, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Many congrats to all those of you who won prizes! I will be emailing you shortly to arrange getting them to you. 

Product Review - Eshakti!

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.

Holiday Wishlist

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)