|Events| The Haus Of Mimosa - Dinner and Show

Shortly after my season of Project Runway Canada, I started chatting with an awesome fan from New York, named Travis Barr.  We talked on and off over the past few years, but never met.  A couple of days ago, I heard a voice behind me saying something about ‘saying hello’.  When I turned around it was Travis!  It really is a small world [pride] after all.  

Anita, myself and Gina Marie

Travis is one half of the fabulous drag performing duo known as The Haus of Mimosa.  He plays Anita M Buffem, the fast talking Italian Catholic girl and former JC Penny model, with partner Gina Marie Rittale, played by Steven Incammicia.  Their banter is hilarious and they actually sing!  The act started out as a radio show and now work full time as the lippy ladies of Astoria, Queens.  

The reason Travis is here, is to perform for World Pride.  He was gracious enough to offer me tickets to The Haus of Mimosa, Dinner and Show at The Churchmouse and Firken, on Church, Thursday night.  It was a delicious evening of laughs, songs and more laughs from Anita and Gina Marie.  

tank top - Macy's | skirt - Jessica Biffi | shoes and clutch - Call It Spring | earrings, watch and ring - Aldo Accessories | bangle - Cuba | necklace - Forever 21

What does a girl wear to a drag show?  Sequins, obviously!  I fell in love with this rose gold matte sequin fabric a few weeks ago.  I knew I had to make a skirt for myself.  The matte sequin is modern, yet glamourous.  I wanted the look clean and simple to keep the focus on the skirt, so I paired it with a plain white tank and minimal accessories (as minimal as I get, anyways).  I love the shimmer on this necklace.  It looks like an oil slick within the clear plastic (it’s super difficult to capture in photos). I finished it off with a pop of colour in the clutch and shoes.   

A huge thanks to The Haus of Mimosa for inviting me and the bf to dine with them.  If you have a chance to check out the gossipy ladies of Astoria, I strongly recommend it!  They are hilarious and so very talented!

|Events| Fat In The City X PRiMAALA Shopping Event

Our hostesses for the evening - Rachel Holt, owner of PRiMAALA and the ladies of Fat In The CIty, Jill and Aisha

Blogger friends!  Always nice catching up with these ladies!  

Last Wednesday I was invited to a fun event put on by the ladies of Fat In The City and PRiMAALA, to kick off World Pride, here in Toronto.  It was a great evening filled with awesome ladies, fabulous clothing, nibbles, drinks, lots of conversation and laughter.  The event brought together blogger friends, ladies new to PRiMAALA and shop familiars.  It was a fantastic way to meet some new people and celebrate the start of World Pride!  

Rachel and I

Outfit Of The Day:
kimono - Forever 21 | dress and leggings - Old Navy | shoes - Aldo

Pride themed looks, created by Rachel

Happy Pride to everyone!

|Style| It's All In The Jeans

sunglasses, necklace and rings - Aldo Accessories | top, belt, jeans and shoes - Torrid | clutch - Queen Street West vendor | earrings - Topshop | watch - Call It Spring

A great pair of jeans can be hard to find.  Who am I kidding?  It can be IMPOSSIBLE to find - especially in plus size!  Personally, I have a hard time with jeans in general.  They are too long, the rise is too low or the leg is never narrow enough.  And that’s when I try them on.  When I decide to order jeans online, going only on the brand’s description of fit alone, I know I’m taking a gamble.

About a month ago I was up late and in need of some retail therapy.  I just wanted something new.  I landed on Torrid’s site and liked that they had a BOGO event going on (and the fact that I had a paid off Torrid Credit Card at my disposal didn’t hurt either).  I had a few items in my cart and then on a whim decided that I would give their jeans a try.  One of my all time favourite pairs of jeans had come from Torrid, back in the day, and though I haven’t seen them since, I knew it was possible to find.  I looked over all the descriptions of fit and styles.  In the end I went with the Jegging style.  It had the highest rise, narrowest leg opening and most stretch. 

A couple weeks ago my package was delivered.  I immediately tried on the jeans.  Like most jeans the legs were not as narrow of a skinny as I would like, but since I know my way around a sewing machine that doesn’t phase me.  Once I narrowed the legs I was in love!  

I'm going to need to make some more room on that Torrid Credit Card...

|Style| Mermaid At The Wedding

I don’t really need an excuse get all dolled up.  But...what better a reason than one of your best friend from high school’s wedding!  Over the weekend my bf, my best friend Sean (the bride, Sean and myself go all the way back to grade 9), his partner and I went to our friend Penny’s wedding.  

A few months back I started looking for a dress.  I wanted something short and fun.  I knew that part of the wedding would be held outside, so I wanted it to be colourful and playful.  When I came across this ASOS Curve dress I fell in love.  The colour was perfect and the tone on tone sequins in the shell detail was too pretty to ignore.  My inner mermaid couldn’t resist.

shoes, bag and midi rings - Call It Spring | earrings - Topshop

To complete the look I wanted to keep the accessories simple.  I opted for just a statement earring and low profile hand jewelry.  I wanted the focus to be on the dress.  I went with a mint bag and simple sandals.  I love the play of mint off the coral (and it kept with my mermaid out of water vibe).

dress - ASOS Curve

The wedding was also a great reason to dress up my man!  To me there is nothing sexier than a man in well fitting formal wear.  Since I knew it would be a warm day, I knew the bf would not be into a jacket, so we went with a vest instead.  We kept the colours light and airy, with brown tones to accent the look.  It was impossibly frustrating how easy this was to put together for him. 

On the bf: vest and pants - Mexx | shirt and tie - H&M | shoes - Aldo

A huge congratulation to Penny and Brad.  Thank you for including Elliot and me on your happy day.  All the best and all my love to you both!

|Style| One Look - Two Ways...Stripe Top and Soft Pant

If you’re like me you have a few favourite pieces of clothing.  And every once and a while, those favourites work really well with other favourites, giving you a killer outfit.  For me it’s all about versatility.  I want to be able to wear that great look for more than one occasion, but have it look different each time.  I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.

In my first of a new feature, One Look - Two Ways, I took my new American Eagle striped top and paired it with my Addition Elle soft pant.  I also kept the base accessories and added new elements to change up the feel of the overall look for each outfit.    

necklace - Topshop | midi rings, bracelets and watch - Aldo Accessories

I saw this top when passing by the window display at the Eaton Center.  I don’t think I’ve shopped at American Eagle since I was in high school (and even then, it was usually shopping with/for friends and not myself).  But when I saw this top I knew I wanted it.  Even though American Eagle doesn’t offer plus sizes, this top has a draped, more than generous fit.  I also love a horizontal stripe for spring (I loves me some nautical vibes).  The pants I’ve had for a while (and they became a fast favourite).  I like that they can be dressed up or paired down.  

chambray top and pants - Addition Elle | top - American Eagle | sandals and earrings - Urban Behaviour | glasses - Dita (via Spectacle) 

Look one is all about casual.  I took the base elements and added this easy wear chambray button down shirt.  I like the play of levels and textures in this outfit.  I completed the look with bright yellow sandals and Grandmasters from Dita.    

blazer - Penningtons | shoes - Call It Spring | glasses - gift from Portugal

Look two is more put together.  Here I wanted to give my base look a more polished vibe.  The addition of this bright blazer gives this look a fresh sophistication.  I finished off the outfit with my new white perforated leather-look slip ons.

|Style| What's black and white all over?

One trend that I've been loving since the start of the season has been the monochromatic look - the combination of black and white.  It’s an easy duo that gives you an instant look and a great backdrop to play your accessories off of. 

top - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | tank - H&M | pants and necklace - Forever 21 | shoes - Penningtons | earrings - Frug (PRiMAALA)   

I recently went to PRiMAALA to check out some of the new stock.  I couldn’t resist pulling more and more fabulous black and white pieces.  Monochromatic is a very clean look, which is why I think I love it so much.  There's also something very classic, yet modern about it. 

top - MYNT 1792 (PRiMAALA) | skirt - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | clutch - Opelle (PRiMAALA) | shoes - Penningtons (MBLM) | earrings Regalia (PRiMAALA)

sweater - Eileen Fisher (PRiMAALA) | pants - Carmakoma (PRiMAALA) | shoes - Forever 21 | bag - Aldo | scarf - Micky London (PRiMAALA) | necklace and earrings - Frug (PRiMAALA)

All PRiMAALA pieces are available now, in store!  

|Events| #FGFSPopUp

The cute sign that Fat Girl Food Squad made for my rack

This past Sunday was the Fat Girl Food Squad & Friends Plus Size Pop Up Shop (#FGFSPopUp).  I was really excited to be invited to join the ladies of FGFS for the first of what I’m sure will be a reoccurring event.  The Pop Up was a great success.  I got to meet a lot new friends (and catch up with some old ones) and sell some of my gently used clothing (and some concept pieces), which found great new owners.  

Got to hang out with Amarina from Ursa Major+

We were at Sneaky Dee’s from 1 to 5pm and it was a busy day right up until the end.  Thank you to everyone that came out and shopped with us and supported this awesome event.  A huge thanks to the amazing ladies behind FGFS!  It was great to meet you guys and an honour to be included.

The lovely ladies from FGFS cashing shoppers out.