"The Bigger Picture" - Plus Size Fashion in Toronto with The Grid TO

Hey Guys!

So The Grid TO (a city-wide free weekly news mag - just in case you're not from here...) has been working on a story about plus size fashion in Toronto for the past couple of months, and they got in touch with me to see if I could share some thoughts and loan some pieces from my store, Your Big Sister's Closet. Of course I agreed! They also invited me to participate in a fashion photo shoot featuring some of the city's most stylish plus size women. And of course I agreed to that too! You can check out the article here, and see some of the candids I took behind the scenes below. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet so many beautiful, amazing women. Thanks everyone! If you happen to get a paper copy - you'll see we're actually the cover story! I was so shocked to see my own face staring back up at me when I went to go grab it!

My best blogger buddy Alison from Round Raglan Road

Dress available at Your Big Sister's Closet

Both these dresses available at Your Big Sister's Closet

Here is my own picture that was on the cover of this week's The Grid TO! So exciting!!! I am dressed in Your Big Sister's Closet from head to toe (big surprise!) ;)

Addition Elle Flagship Grand Opening

Hey All!

So on Wednesday, I got to attend the grand opening of Addition Elle's new flagship store at Queen and Yonge. It was really great to catch up with a lot of friends I haven't seen in a while! I've been so busy lately and it was great to finally have a chance to just relax and mingle a bit. We were invited to have a look around to see the changes Addition Elle has made, both in terms of their fashion and their in-store experience. I have to say that I'm very impressed. This seems like a completely different Addition Elle than the one I remember from a couple of years ago when I first started blogging. They have some great stylish pieces this season, and from what I've been hearing from the brand's execs, Fall '13 is going to be even more impressive. They were serving hors d'oeuvres and champagne, and Ashley Graham was there to chat with customers. Here are a few shots I took at the event =D

I picked up the sheer lattice-shoulder top, but in black instead of mint :D

Flaws of Couture bloggers Sasha and Garcia with Addition Elle's social media maven Jennifer Patterson

The always-lovely Sarah St. Fleur of Queen Sized Flava

I love what I wore! Dress and Jewellery - Addition Elle/Shoes - Enzo Angiolini

GabiFresh and I

Lots of lovely blogging ladies (L to R - Me, Fat in the City, GabiFresh, Rawrmanifesto, Franceta Johnson, Big Hips Red Lips, Killer Kurves, and Friends in My Closet... Missing from the yearbook photo [aka behind the cameras] Round Raglan Road and Geek with Style)

EDIT with Jeanne Beker and Addition Elle

Hey Everyone!

It's been so busy around here, but trust me, I am still blogging, and still definitely working with other brands! Just because I have started my own initiatives does not mean that I don't support others. I strongly believe that plus size women NEED variety, and that more stores won't hurt the industry here, but help it. They will make more women interested in and invested in fashion. I don't shop exclusively from my own store, and I don't expect my customers to. Women love and need variety! I still want to bring you guys all the (unbiased) news about plus size fashion here in Toronto and in Canada generally because I think it's still hugely important, and I want women to be educated and informed about all of their options. It's why I got involved in the plus size industry here, and that hasn't changed one bit. I am still here to help you look and feel great in any way that I can. it has been a crazy couple of months, but I wanted to finally get around to posting about the event I attended with Addition Elle and EDIT by Jeanne Beker back in November.

It was a really lovely event at the Hotel Germain near the ACC. We got to meet and chat with Jeanne Beker, former host of the program Fashion Television, who told us more about herself and how she got involved in the fashion industry. We got a preview of her collection which will be offered at Addition Elle in the Spring. It is gorgeous line with really fresh, beautiful Spring colours like mint and coral. There was one leatherette jacket in mint that I fell head over heels for! Models came out in looks from the line, and the fit and fashion of each was totally on-point. I'm very excited about the collection and you should totally check it out.

Me with Carlie from Friends in my Closet (left) and Roslyn Griner (centre), VP of Marketing for Addition Elle

Meeting the fabulous Jeanne Beker, designer of the EDIT line available exclusively at Addition Elle

What I Wore - Tights, Camisole, and Bracelet-Addition Elle/Shoes - Forever 21/Skirt - LeatherCult.com/Body Jewellery - Aldo/Clutch and Jacket - Vintage

Some of the fantastic shoes available at AE this Spring

YUM!

Lovely Coral and Neutral Looks...

There's the mint jacket I'm in love with on the right!

Getting a closer look at what's available...

The models' third looks