|Events| mblm mbassadors At World MasterCard Fashion Week

As you may have noticed by now, I was asked by Penningtons’ line mblm, to represent curvy, fashionable women at World MasterCard Fashion Week, last week in Toronto.  Diana (DARE Magazine), Karen (Curvy Canadian), Assa (My Curves & Curls) and I made up the four fabulous members of the mblm mbassadors.  Being no stranger to the tents, it was so fun for me to take in the shows with these awesome ladies, by my side, dressed in edgy chic, rocker inspired mblm.

mblm mbassadors day one: Karen, myself, Diana and Assa

jacket, top (similar), jeans and bag - mblm (Penningtons) | boots - Addition Elle

On Monday, day one of the shows, the mblm mbassadors set out to make a colourful splash, by using red accents to punch up our looks.  My outfit was very rock influenced, with a fitted leatherette jacket and bleach splattered skinny jeans.  To give it a more feminine vibe, I layered an embossed floral crop top (which is a sample - coming soon to stores) under the bolder jacket.  I love the play of textures here.

Congratulations to the winner, Sid Neigum

Day one, we watched as Beaufille, Eliza Faulkner, BLAK.I, Vaiken, Laura Siegel and Sid Neigum, showcased their collections during the Mercedes-Benz Start Up show.  As a designer, I love the idea of the Start Up.  We need more programs like this that support the industry that we all love so much.  The show ranged from clean minimal design, in crisp whites and soft blues, to more ornate, origami like details.  At the end it was revealed that Sid Neigum, took home the grand prize and we will see a full show from the talented designer at fashion week next season.       

mblm mbassadors backstage on day three

jacket, top, jeans and boots - mblm (Penningtons) | bag - Portugal

The third day of WMCFW, the mbassadors took on the runway in black and white with hints of metallic tones.  I loved this look!  Skinny jean and blazer combinations always makes me feel powerful and sophisticated.  I love the silver accents on the shoulders of this fitted open longline blazer.  Keeping with the metallic theme of my look, I paired the more classic elements of my outfit with a long acid washed tank with chain detailing.  

A colourful display at the Hayley Elsaesser show

With the designer herself, after the show. Check out her rad nails.

Day three also boasted one of my favourite shows of the week, Hayley Elsaesser!  It was a colourful display of playful print-on-print styling with creative shapes.  It was youthful, energetic and exactly what the Toronto runways are in need of!  The mblm mbassadors also headed backstage to meet the designer one-on-one.  I have to say Hayley is a girl after my own heart, with her glitter infused pink hair and on-point nails (done by no other than the Pinky's team).  I also got a chance to catch up with model Andi Muise, who walked in the show.   

mblm mbassadors on the final day, under the tents

jacket and leggings - Penningtons | tunic (sample - coming soon), bag and boots - mblm (Penningtons)

Friday, the last day of the shows, has to be my favourite mblm look, from all of the mbassadors!  Our collective feel was very clean monochrome (with pops here and there).  I am living for this sweater tunic, which is a sample, but will be in stores soon ladies!  It’s amazingly comfortable, the perfect length and a great fit.  The graphic comic-esque print is playful, but the play of black and white only, keeps it fresh.  I feel so honoured to be the first to wear this piece.  I paired the tunic with simple black leggings and booties.  

Our looks may have been streamlined, but the collections we saw were over the top and shimmering!  The first show we saw was Stephan Caras.  It was elegant cocktail and evening wear, gleaming with metallic gold on white jacquards and chiffons.  It was a beautifully opulent show.
Our last show of the night and week, Mikael D, was nothing but pure show.  It was extravagant evening wear at its finest.  Expert beading and sheer cutouts gave a modern sexy edge to the pieces, while tulle gave an element of fantasy and whimsy.  It was the caliber of show that you hope to see at Fashion Week.  And the grand finale to Lana Del Ray was the perfect ending.  

Hanging out with Assa, in between shows. Had such a great time getting to know these ladies!

The past week has been a great bonding experience with my fellow bloggers and Diana.  It gave us a chance to hang out, experience the runway together and have fun rocking mblm, while incorporating our own individual styles.  A huge thanks to Penningtons and mblm for asking me to represent curvaceous fashionistas at Fashion Week, and for getting me back to the runway.  This past week has made me miss the fast paced draw of the runway.  Maybe the mbassadors will be taking in a Jessica Biffi show, during a season, very soon.

*Post sponsored by mblm/Penningtons, all opinions are my own.
**All photos by Elliot Parrott Photography

|Events| Announcing the mblm mbassadors for WMCFW

mblm mbassadors - Diana, myself, Karen and Assa

I’m so excited to announce that I am one of Penningtons' mblm mbassadors, for this upcoming World Mastercard Fashion Week, here in Toronto!  I will be representing the bold and edgy line, along side Editor-In-Chief Diana Di Poce, of DARE Magazine (Canada’s only plus size magazine), Assa, of My Curves & Curls and Karen, of Curvy Canadian (and owner of My Big Sister’s Closet).  As plus size women, a group not typically featured during fashion week, mblm has enlisted us to showcase that style is sizeless!

The four of us had a chance to all go shopping Saturday at Penningtons.  With Fashion Week fast approaching, we needed to get our looks together and co-ordinate who was wearing what, and to which show.  We may all be shopping from the mblm line, but each of us has a very different style and voice when it comes to fashion, and it was so interesting to see us each make mblm our own.  

Please follow us as we make our mark on World Mastercard Fashion Week, starting on Monday, October 20th, as we live share our view of the runways.  Check out my Instagram to not only see my favourite looks from the catwalk, but see how we each take mblm on in our own ways and become mblm mbassadors.

A sneak peek of my looks for the week. Stay tuned to see them in full detail.

*Post sponsored by Penningtons.  All opinions are my own.  

|Profile| On The Verge

As a teenager growing up in Guelph there weren’t many cool places to shop.  As a person that’s always been drawn to fashion and accessories, when I found the gem that is On The Verge, it instantly became my favourite place to shop, downtown.  

On The Verge is a cute little gift and clothing boutique in the heart of downtown Guelph.  Every time I head home to visit my parents, I make a point of stopping in to see what’s new.  One of the last times I was home, I noticed that the shop was no longer along the main downtown strip.  I admittedly freaked out...and ran to my phone to see what had happened.  Turns out, On The Verge is not gone, it just moved to a new and improved location.  Curious to see the new store, I made it my first stop during my last trip home.  

The best way to describe the new On The Verge is to call it a quirky teenager that grew up into an interesting yet uniquely refined adult.  It’s a cute mix of housewares (true story, every shower curtain I’ve ever had, has come from On The Verge), clothing, shoes and accessories.  They also have an amazing card wall with the most special and one of a kind cards.  What I like best about the shop is that no matter when I come in, the place is always full of new things that bring a smile to my face.   

Meds with shop owner Cathy

I had an opportunity to chat with shop owner Cathy Cole and her adorable shop greeter, Meadow, affectionately known as Meds (as in the best medicine).  Cathy showed me around and spoke to the new displays that she refurbished herself, and the hand picked lines she carries.  One thing that I’ve always appreciated about On The Verge, is the attention to local and Canadian designers and lines.  Speaking to Cathy you can hear the passion in her voice and love she has for her shop.  

If you find yourself in downtown Guelph, be sure to check out On The Verge, at 5 Quebec Street.  There is so much charm within it’s walls, that you can’t help but fall in love with it.   

|Style| Two Ways To Wear It - The Plaid Shirt

Nothing says fall more than red plaid. It’s cozy and warm.  The colour combination of crimson and black plays of the richness of the fall palette.  It’s the perfect fall staple.  When I spotted this great plaid shirt I just knew it would be a versatile piece for the season.  I also love the lace detail, that gives this otherwise androgynous shirt a feminine edge.  

Here I style this one top, two ways.   

shirt - Addition Elle | skirt and leggings - Forever 21+ | boots - Dollhouse (Winners) | necklace - Stella & Dot | hat - ebay

Plaid, lace and leather, some of my favourites!  Here I paired my shirt with a leather-look skater skirt, cut-out booties and this amazing hat!  The look says fall witch, in all the best ways.  It’s dark, yet refined.

shirt, tank top and boots - Addition Elle | leggings - Forever 21+ | beanie and earrings - Aldo Accessories | bag - B-Low The Belt | necklace - ebay

For my next look, I wanted to keep the vibe more casual.  Playing off a more grunge take on plaid, I paired my shirt, this time open as a jacket, over an all black base with a slouchy bag and sequined beanie.  The look is laid back, but edgy.

|Events| Big Deal Toronto

I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be one of the bloggers featured at this year’s Big Deal Toronto, hosted by Your Big Sister’s Closet!  If you’ve been checking out my posts and thinking you would love to shop my closet, now you can!      

Big Deal Toronto is all happening on Sunday, October 19th from 1-5pm at 3030 Dundas West, bar and lounge.  Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or at the door for $5.  If you just can’t wait or want to beat the lineup of excited shoppers you can also purchase a VIP ticket, that allows you a one hour pre-sale shopping experience from noon to 1pm and a gift bag, for $20.  There are only 50 of these spots available and they can be reserved online!    

The last few days I’ve been busy tagging and packing up items from my closet to bring to the sale.  I have sizes ranging from 18 to 24, pieces ranging from casual jeans, to formal dresses.  My rack will feature items from ASOS, Evans, Torrid, Addition Elle (including pieces from my capsule collection with them), Penningtons, Forever 21+ and even a few custom and sample Jessica Biffi pieces.

I’m so excited to be participating (and shopping) this year.  If last year’s turnout is any indication of what’s to come, it should be a busy, exciting day, filled with new and old friends, great shopping opportunities, sustainable fashion and awesome deals!  I’m also thrilled to meet my readers and fans!  If you can, please join us on Sunday and spread the word!  Check out the Instagram account for more information on all the bloggers showcasing their closets.

|Style| Guest Speaker

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak to the Introduction to Fashion students in first year at Ryerson University.  As an alumni of the Fashion Design program, I like to help whenever I can.  The students have been asked to design a dress for either the plus size or petite market.  My former professor Lu Ann, asked if I would join Diana Di Poce from DARE Magazine and Kristy Laing, a brand manager for Jones New York, to speak to the students about the market place, design and trends.  

Intro To Fashion class, first year Ryerson students

It was great to introduce these first years to a different sector within fashion and to answer some of their questions.  It’s also always a little strange to be on the opposite side of the of things, since it wasn’t that long ago I was in their place.  

blazer - Reitmans | top - Addition Elle | jeans - Torrid | bag and shoes - Aldo | ring - Mirror Image

I love the look I put together here.  It’s the perfect combination of fall trend and sophisticated alumni.  I picked up this great chiffon plaid shirt up while I was on my stay-cation in Guelph a few weeks ago.  The blazer I’ve had for a while, and the weather is finally breezy enough to wear without over heating.  Some simple flat and an this beautiful teal bag keep the look fresh, but polished.