|Preview| mblm by Tess Holliday

Love her or hate her, there is no denying the impact that Tess Holliday has had on the plus size industry and for body diversity.  The plus size model made waves when she became the first model of her size and height to be signed to a major agency more than a year ago.  Since then, you’ve been seeing her face pop up everywhere from tv interviews to the cover of People Magazine.  And now you’ll be able to find her right in your closet.

Tess has partnered with Penningtons, the Canadian plus size retailer, to bring a new direction to their more trendy in-house label mblm, aptly named mblm by Tess Holliday.  The collaboration will run from March 2016 to February 2017.  Essentially customers will be seeing installments throughout the year injecting new styles and trends into the collection.

Photo courtesy of Penningtons

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend the media preview of the collection in Toronto, at the Wildflower bar at the Thomson Hotel.  We were given a chance to see the first installment of the collection, which will be launching in stores on March 20th.  Tess was also in attendance.  I was lucky enough to be one of the few people that got to sit down with her one-on-one and ask her a few questions of what we can expect from her Pennington’s collab and more.  

Check out the video below and look for the collection, starting March 20th at Penningtons.

|Events| DARExSUZYPLUS In Store Meet and Greet

With (left to right) Karen, Assa, Thera. Also, Megan and Diana from Dare MAG.

Last week, as some of you may remember I was one of the bloggers involved in the DARExSUZYPLUS event, in store at the Suzy Shier, in the Dufferin Mall.  DARE Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Diana, hosted the evening, including a fashion show staring myself, Assa of My Curves and Curls, Karen of Curvy Canadian and Thera of Cloud 14+.  Each of us strutted the catwalk in two distinct looks from the new Fall collection from Suzy Shier+.  This is the first Fall collection from the Canadian retailer, for their newly founded Plus Size section.

My two looks were very different, but very fall trend focused.  My first look was boho with a south western vibe.  My second look had a more military influence.  Each look was head-to-toe Suzy Shier+.  Suzy has also just released boots in wide calfs, which is a plus girl’s answer to the calf boot trend problem!  

The ladies on the runway.

The new Fall collection is in store and online now.  Make sure to check it out now and keep a look out for more styles coming.  

|Events| Fat Girl Food Squad x Parker & Pine Plus Size Pop-Up

For those of you that follow my Instagram, you’ve probably already noticed that I am one of the ‘friends’ involved of the upcoming Fat Girl Food Squad plus size, vintage and second-hand pop-up.  This time the ladies have partnered with Parker & Pine, to make this sale more inclusive, giving guys and gender neutral peeps the opportunity to shop and sell.  

The pop-up is happening at Artscape Youngplace (180 Shaw Street, Toronto) on Saturday September 12th, from 12-5pm.  There’s a $5 admission and the sale is a cash only event.  I would suggest bringing a reusable bag to carry your purchases home in and your wallet, because there are some awesome sellers and vendors this time around!  The sale includes, Parker and Pine (men’s plus size), some of the ladies of Fat Girl Food Squad (women’s plus size), Future is the Future (gender neutral gear), Nancy Flood (women’s plus size), Franceta Johnson (gender neutral wear), Mustang Sally Two (women’s plus size), Max (men’s wear), Tyler and Miah (men’s gear), Alex and Jenn (gender neutral pins, buttons and zines) and of course your’s truly.  

I know it’s surprising to think that I’m doing another Pop-up sale, considering I did one a few months ago, but I do love to shop, and my closet is full again!  I’ll be selling women’s plus size clothing, accessories and some lingerie as well (never worn - online orders gone wrong).  My pieces will range from 1X-4X, size 20-24.  Brands include Addition Elle, Penningtons, Torrid, Eloquii and more.  My prices range from $3 to $40, with a few special pieces that are more.

It’s going to be a fun day full of friends, shopping and plus size fashion for all!  Also fear not, because there’s a cafe at Artscape Youngplace - so there will be fuel for your day of shopping.  Hope to see you there!

|Events| #TorridHeartsToronto

Well ladies, it’s finally happened.  Torrid, the American plus size retailer, has opened their first doors in Canada!  The first of many new locations opened in Toronto, at the Eaton Centre on September 1st.  I was invited to attend the opening and mix and mingle with shoppers.  The event was full of shopping, cupcakes and special guests.  Karen, the blogger beauty behind Killer Kurves, along with Torrid models Georgina Burke and Philomena Kwao, were on hand to help lucky winners of a draw, be styled in a head-to-toe Torrid look.  

The beautifully decorated store is tightly packed with all of the latest Torrid fashions.  I, for one, am so excited to be able to shop the retailer in person now, something I’ve only until now been able to access online via the American site or a shopping trip Stateside.  If you follow my OOTDs you know that Torrid makes quite a few appearances.  I love their edgier style and swear by their Jegging fit jeans!  

shirt, jeans, belt and shoes - c/o of Torrid

I was so happy when Torrid wanted to dress me for the launch.  It wasn’t an easy task selecting one look from their new arrivals, but after some debating I did it.  I decided on this amazing longline, sleeveless, collared shirt.  I liked the fact that it’s sheer and is the perfect topper for the Jegging fit jean I paired with it.  I think I have every colour they’re available in now.  I accented the look with a simple, yet sexy pair of black wedges and reversible belt (the other side is brown).  I had to head to work after the event, so I opted for an all black look (see: makeup artists wear all black, all the time).  What I love about all these individual pieces is the way they work together, but they will be amazing additions to my current wardrobe.  

With Torrid's beautiful models, Philomena and Georgina (top to bottom),  Catching up with blogger friends Allie and Karen (left to right).

The location at the Eaton Centre is just the first to be open in the GTA, with more to come.  Keep a lookout for more locations coming soon!

|Events| Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Launch

I don’t think it’s any surprise that I’m a Melissa McCarthy fan.  She’s hilarious, beautiful, intelligent and now the name behind the newest plus size line.  Seven7, a clothing collection inspired by the life and travel of the funny lady herself, launched in Canada, exclusively at Penningtons, this past Sunday.  

The event was largely blogger driven, with a meet and greet with myself and the other ladies involved.  Seven7 was showcased on a few very special bodies.  Penningtons enlisted Chastity (GarnerStyle), Chanté (Everything Curvy and Chic), Sarah Rae (Ravings By Rae) and my sister from another mister, Jessica (Life and Style of Jessica Kane) from the U.S.  Fear not though, Assa (My Curves and Curls), Sasha and Garcia (Flaws of Couture), Karen (Curvy Canadian) and Jessica (Clothes and Shit) were representing the Canadian bloggers.  And to top it off, the event was hosted by one of my favourite stylists, Erica Wark!  

Not only was it great to meet and catch up with all my blogger babes, both modeling and mingling, but I also got to shop the collection!  I would be lying if I said I hadn’t creeped the collection online and in all the press information I had received.  I was on a mission to collect up the wears I had been coveting.  I did try on a fair amount of the pieces and have to say that overall I am very happy with the collection.  The fit is very tailored and structured with amazing stretch.  The pants are a dream!  I fell in love with the burgundy jeans, which fit better than any jean I’ve ever put on from the rack (I usually have to peg my skinny jeans).  I’m also really into the manufacturing and attention to detail that went into the construction of the line.  And a great feature is that a lot of the pieces are reversible which gives a lot of versatility.  

With my girl, Jessica Kane.

The collection is available at Penningtons and online.  It’s a little bit of a higher price point than the core offerings from the plus size retailer, but considering the construction, fabrications and the versatility, I think it’s totally worth checking out.  And the sizes run from 1X-3X in tops, with bottoms ranging from 14 to 28!  I obviously snapped up some goodies, but you’ll have to keep your eye on the blog for an upcoming post to see what I got! 

tank and vest - Addition Elle | culottes - Forever 21+ | shoes - Forever 21 | necklace - Stella & Dot

|Events| Consign Your Curves 2015 - Part 2

Over the past weekend I was in my hometown of Guelph, selling my closet at the 3rd annual Consign Your Curves event.  It was a jam packed Saturday, full of meet and greets, new and old friends, great deals and lots of body positivity! 

I spent the day organizing my rack and chatting with shoppers about the pieces I had for sale and different ways to wear things.  Being a veteran of sales like this, I knew what pieces would be popular.  It was no surprise that my edge to edge rack was almost sold out be the end of the sale, leaving behind only a small assortment of random things.  

With founder of CYC Carlie

I wanted to give a big shout out to Carlie, the organizer and founder of Consign Your Curves.  It was such an amazing success!  The turn out was bigger both in sellers (40!) and shoppers than ever before!  The day saw some awful weather (rain storm anyone?), and it did get a little hot in the venue, but nothing could keep a plus size girl from a killer deal!  I even snapped up a great pair of black leather on black suede boots, that had never been worn for only $20!   

I want to send out a huge thank you to everyone that shopped my closet!  I’m so happy my pieces, both from retailers and a few Jessica Biffi originals, went to fabulous homes and will have a new fashionable life!  

Look out for events like this in your area.  It’s a great way to connect to your local plus size community and who among us doesn’t love to shop at a sweet discount?!    

top - Forever 21+ | onesie - Mendocino | necklace - Aldo Accessories | shoes - Forever 21

Knowing the day would be busy, physical and hot, I opted to wear something very comfortable, but still chic.  I am so completely obsessed over this onesie!  It’s the perfect combination of function and fashion!  Here I paired it with a sheer panel and crochet top, for light layering.  Keep an eye out for another post coming shortly featuring this piece in another colour (obviously I got more than one!) and different ways to wear it.

|Events| Consign Your Curves 2015

Guys, it’s that time of year again.  Time to come out and shop my closet!  I’m so happy to say that I will be returning to Consign Your Curves, which is now in it’s third year!  The event takes place on Saturday May, 30th from 12pm to 4pm at Three Willows Church (577 Willow Road) in my home town of Guelph.  This is a cash only event. 

CYC will feature the closets of over 40 sellers, all plus sizes.  Guest closets include models Meg Bradley, Melissa Shannon and Geneve Benatar (all of b&m Models).  Bloggers include Karyn of Killer Kurves, Erica of Erica Exposed, Ama Scriver HBIC of Fat Girl Food Squad, Thera of CloudOneFour, Annika of Candi Apple Couture, Lora from Ps. You’re Beautiful, May from Boldy Curvy, Carlie from Friends In My Closet (and founder of CYC), new blogger (and store owner) Stefanie Augusteijn of Sexy Plus Clothing and me!

Like the sales I’ve done before you should expect to see gently worn and new plus size garments for sale.  I will have wares from many retailers including, Addition Elle, Asos, Penningtons, Torrid, Forever 21+, Domino Dollhouse, Carmakoma and many more.  I’m also selling a small selection of accessories including bags, scarves hats and more.  Prices range from $3 to $50 depending on item.  And I’m happy to say that I will also be selling some limited pieces from my newest Covet By Biffi collection of accessories!  These will be available to purchase directly from me, cash only.  

I love doing events like Consign Your Curves.  Not only is it a great way to make some room in your closet, but it’s a great way to fill it too!  It’s a new way to find out about brands and clothing lines you may never heard of.  It’s a way to build the plus size community.  And let’s be honest...who doesn’t love a sale!?!  So if you’ve been coveting my style from posts you’ve seen on the blog, come out and join me and get a little piece of it for yourself!

|Events| PRiMAALA's One Year Anniversary

Last night the bf attended the One Year Anniversary of PRiMAALA, on our behalf.  It’s funny to think that just one year ago, Rachel Holt, owner and creator of the luxury plus size boutique, opened her doors.  

The evening also saw the debut of COLLECTiON by PRiMAALA - the brand new in-house label from Rachel, herself.  Rachel, wearing one of her new designs, showcased the first in many seasons to come, of chic and sophisticated wears.    

Owner and designer Rachel Holt with a few pieces from COLLECTiON by PRiMAALA

Rachel and I have been friends for many years and I’m so proud of all that she has accomplished.  When she was finishing her thesis collection at Ryerson, PRiMAALA was just a dream, and now it’s a beautiful reality!  And now with the addition of COLLECTiON, there are even more amazing things to come!  

Keep and eye out for a post coming soon, featuring COLLECTiON by PRiMAALA, which is available starting today in store!

|Events| GLAMWJ Presents: My Super Sweet (16 x 2) - The Whatever Edition

Every year to celebrate my birthday, I have a themed party.  It all started when I turned 24 and threw the first Gettin’ Loose and Messy with Jessie.  Since then it's taken on the word Presents, followed by whatever theme I'm feeling.  Since I was turning 32, I thought why not spend the night 'rolling with my homies' and revisit my teen years!  I give you Gettin’ Loose and Messy with Jessie Presents: My Super Sweet (16 x 2) - The Whatever Edition!

Two of my favourite movies are having their 20th anniversaries this year so I thought it would be fun to pay homage to Clueless and Empire Records with a 90s themed house party!  Given that this wasn't the first GLAMWJ, my friends weren't bugging and totally killed the theme!  Kelli, a friend from fashion (Ryerson) actually made her Cher outfit that day, from scratch!  I, on the other hand went vintage, and rocked a velvet longline jacket that I wore in high school.  Everyone looked like total Bettys and Baldwins - no Monets here (and no virgins who can't drive).  I'm Audi.   

|Events| New Circles Prom Boutique 2015

Well it’s that time of year again.  Excited teens all over the city are getting ready to celebrate the end of an era and the end of high school.  What better way to do that than with prom!  And with prom comes all the planning and dreaming of the perfect outfit.

Enter New Circles, an non-profit organization that helps low-income families.  One important mission of New Circles is to aid the youth of these families put together a dream prom look, at no charge to them.  They unfortunately are low on plus sizes and accessory donations and I offered to help by getting the word out there about what they do.  

New Circles will be taking donations (everything from shoes, dresses, accessories, makeup, suits, tuxedos and more) up until April 17th.  Personal shopper volunteers will then spend an hour with each student to give them a full shopping experience and deck them out from head to toe.  Knowing how pricey prom can be, I think this is such an amazing cause!  

If you are interested in helping out in anyway, please check out New Circles for more information.  Please donate if you can, either with items or financially.  Prom is something everyone should be able to experience and everyone deserves to look fabulous for their special night.

|Events| navabi Curvy Blog Award

Have you heard?  navabi, the German online clothing retailer (size 12-28), is celebrating the online world of curvy bloggers with the navabi Curvy Blog Award!  There are three categories, the Community Award, Best Curvy Fashion Blog Award and Best New Curvy Fashion Award.  

I am so honoured to be among the nominees, some of which are blogger that I look up to and follow.  It means a lot to me to be included on this list of 165 curvy bloggers, especially since JustBiffi is a newer blog and just over a year old!  

Voting is now open!  Head over to the navabi voting site now, and vote for JustBiffi (#049)!  When voting select the blog, by clicking on the blogger's photo that you want to vote for (me, obviously!) and scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the "I am not a robot, so I am able to type what I see in this image" thingy, and finally, submit your vote!

Every vote matters!  Please spread the world, and help boost the traffic to the Awards.  Voting is open until the end of November!  

|Events| COVET BY BIFFI Pop-Up at PRiMAALA

I have an exciting announcement to make!  I will be doing a one day, pop-up shop and styling event, at PRiMAALA!  On Thursday, November 20th come to PRiMAALA all day to check out my new holiday collection, from my accessory line, COVET BY BIFFI, which will be in store and available for purchase.  

I will also be in store from 3 to 7pm for one-on-one styling sessions to get customers ready for the holiday season.  Appointments with me, can be booked by calling PRiMAALA at 416-360-1479.  To hold your reservation, a $20 deposit is required, which is redeemable towards your future PRiMAALA purchase!  

I’m so excited to share what I have been busy creating for the last few weeks.  The collection is a little edgier than what Covet By Biffi has offered in the past, but still elegant and feminine.  The line features hand crafted costume jewelry, wool and leather detailing and a focus on body adornment. 

If anyone is interested in more information, please contact myself or PRiMAALA for more details.  I hope you will join me as I launch my newest collection and shop with me in store!  Stay tuned for sneak peeks as we get closer to the event!

|Events| #BIGDEALTORONTO

My rack to sell, and the adorable poster Karen made for it

A few weeks ago I participated in Big Deal Toronto, a blogger closet sale, hosted by Your Big Sister’s Closet.  While I have shopped this event in the past, it was my first time selling.  I loaded up all my gently used clothes, bags and a few Jessica Biffi plus size samples and headed to the Junction, to mix, mingle and shop with fellow Toronto bloggers and our readers. 

The sale was set from 1 to 5pm, with a pre-sale hour for VIPs from noon to 1pm.  The second the doors opened to our eager line up, the back room at 3030 bar and lounge was full of excited curvy ladies.  With over 18 blogger closets, there was a lot to shop from!  

It was a great event, surrounded by awesome people all day

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that came out to support Big Deal this year.  Everyone that I had the chance to meet was so friendly and happy to share in plus size fashion.  Also a huge thanks to Your Big Sister’s Closet for organizing such a successful event!  And last but not least, thanks to every lady that shopped my rack, I came home with almost nothing!    

all-way top, t-shirt and boots - Addition Elle | leggings - forever 21+ | belt - Torrid

|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.