Outfit of the Day: My New Favourite Top!

Hey Guys!

I thought I do another quick outfit of the day post since I'm feeling chatty and I recently took several pieces that I am in love with from my store for my own wardrobe! This top has been flying of the rack, and I kept meaning to keep one for myself, but they'd always sell out. By my third order of the top, I smartened up and ordered loads of them so I could be sure I'd snag one for myself! I also finally got my hands on a book clutch! I'd been wanting one ever since Kate Spade came out with them in early 2012, but I couldn't justify $400 for a statement purse (maybe for a really good everyday purse I could, but not so much for something more evening-wear-ish). Anyway, ASOS came out with one and I snapped it up right away for a meagre $40. Well worth it!

Top and Leggings - Your Big Sister's Closet/Clutch - ASOS/Shoes - New Look

I also just changed the window display at the store and I'm loving the looks! The navy dress with the stripe-y skirt has all but sold out today. It's so pretty and the colours and print remind me of Marc Jacobs SS 2012 collection. I will definitely be ordering more (one for me and loads more for the store) and posting this dress on the website. So pretty!

Plus Size Black Friday Deals - Everything You Need to Know In One Place

Hey Guys!

So my inbox is overflowing with emails from all these different plus size stores offering sales for Black Friday, and I thought it would be a good idea if I posted a list of all the best sales with links and codes for you to use if you like to shop online for plus size clothing. Keep in mind that "Cyber Monday" is also coming up this Monday - and often offers even better deals to online shoppers than Black Friday, so make sure you check these sites on Monday as well! Happy Shopping!!!

City Chic – 60% off sitewide, and up to 80% off previously reduced merchandise. Additional 30% off with code 3on3w.

ASOS Curve – 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAYBONUS. 30% off footwear and accessories

Eloquii – 50% off everything plus free US shipping with code FRIDAY50

Torrid – 40% off all regular priced merchandise, take an additional 50% off clearance. Free shipping (US only) with minimum $25 purchase using code BLKFRISHIP

Lane Bryant – 50% off almost everything with code HOLIDAY50LB plus free US shipping on orders over $125

eShakti - Up to 50% off

Forever 21 - $14 denim, plus an extra 50% off all sale merchandise with code EXTRA50. Free shipping for orders over $60

Ashley Stewart – 40% off sitewide

Monif C Plus Sizes – 50% off sitewide

Addition Elle – 20% off all orders with code ABLK

Penningtons - 50% OFF Intimates and Outerwear

Domino Dollhouse – 30% off with code BFRI30

Kiyonna – 30% off orders of $150 or more, plus free US shipping. Use code THANKFUL

Bare Plus – 40% off selected styles

The navabi 2012 Curvy Blog Award

Hey Guys!

I have a really big favour to ask of all of you! navabi, this really awesome website that offers the most amazing plus size designer fashion, is hosting the very first Curvy Blog Award. The grand prize is a trip for two to London Fashion Week in February 2013, a meet-and-greet with one of my all-time favourite designers, Anna Scholz, and 500 euros to spend on navabi's website for a beautiful designer dress. Needless to say, the stakes are super high, and I really, really, really need to win this one!!! I would love to cover this event, and attend London's first ever Plus Size Fashion Weekend (where I can also provide you all with great coverage and maybe make some new UK designer contacts for my new store, Your Big Sister's Closet (and you all know how great UK fashion is - they're always at least a season or two ahead of us in trends!).

I really need to win this one for my hubby, Peter. Peter and I met when we were both still in high school, and we've been through so much together. He went to work to help put me through University, and he has been working hard ever since. I've travelled a few places as a part of my studies (with him always providing the financial support necessary for me to go) but he himself has never had the opportunity to travel at all outside North America. After all he's done for me, I really want to win this one for us so I can show him all the amazing things I was able to see in Europe as a result of all his hard work. He really deserves it, and I am going to do absolutely everything I can to get us there. That's where you guys come in! PLEASE VOTE. It only takes a moment or two of your time, and it has the possibility of being life-altering for us. I am SO lucky to have such a wonderful man in my life who cares so much for me, and loves me, and who has taken (and continues to take) such good care of me. If I can do this one small thing for him, and show him some of the beauty that his hard work has allowed me to see, I will be so happy!

Peter and I in a photo booth back when we first met as teenagers - (notice my nineties grunge style with the crazy brown-red lip and the denim overalls! LOL)

Peter and I just before the prom.

Peter and I after my University graduation. He had a huge part in me being able to get my degree.

Peter and I this past summer....

To vote, (please please vote!!!!) just click the link below and I am #61. Click the little dot beside my name and hit submit, and I will love you all forever and ever. You can vote once from each device you have (so say you have a laptop, desktop, and a smart phone, you could vote from all three). Please vote as many times as you can. I really appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!!

http://blog.navabi.co.uk/en/voting-curvy-blog-award-2012/

Outfit of the Day: Chantilly Lace on a Pretty Face

Hey Guys!

I am so sorry, it's been forever since I've done an outfit of the day post! Peter was like, "Hon, shouldn't you be taking some pictures for your blog? We haven't done that in a while..." Hahaha, so when I went out for Easter with my family yesterday, I made sure to take some time before leaving to snap some shots. I promise I won't let it be so long the next time. It was the end of term with school, and it was a really busy time (all my students had their essays due, and had a million questions, and then I had to grade all of them). They've got their exam on Saturday, so I just have to go in for that, grade those, and then I have the whole summer to relax work on my dissertation.

So without further ado, here is my outfit... The lace is certainly not from Chantilly. The dress is from F21, so it's more likely to be from Guangdong, haha. But I like to make my titles creative, so... yeah. I really like how this outfit turned out. I bought this dress a couple of months ago at the F21 in the Eaton Centre because I fell in love with it, but then when I got it home, I was like, where on earth am I going to wear this? I'm sure many of you have experienced similar conundrums. I just decided I'd break it out for Easter. Why not, right?

Jacket - Attitude Jay Manuel for Sears Canada/Dress - Forever 21+/Shoes - Rainbow/Hat - Vintage/Purse - Thrifted/Necklace - House of Harlow

And just a quick reminder, if you haven't purchased tickets for the Curvy Girls' Cross Border shopping Tour that I'm organising and leading from Toronto to Buffalo on April 21st, then make sure you get yours soon! You can read more about it here.

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

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!