|Style| Chains and Lace

Spring is finally here!  And with spring comes the start of wedding season.  Coming from an Italian/Portuguese background, it’s hard to remember a spring/summer season growing up when I wasn’t attending a shower or wedding.  As I’ve gotten older, that hasn’t changed.  

One of my best friends from high school, Penny, is getting married in June.  This past saturday my best friend Sean and I (I met Sean and Penny in grade 9, they have been friends since kindergarden) headed to Guelph for Penny’s bridal shower.  

I originally bought this Evans green lace dress for my birthday party last year, but sadly it didn’t make it from the UK in time.  Since then it’s been living in my closet...waiting.  It originally had sheer lace 3/4 length sleeves.  Putting my shower look together before the weekend, I realized what it really needed was a revamp.  By taking the sleeves off, it made the dress look fresher.  To be honest the original sleeves aged the dress a bit for my taste.  

sunglasses - Penningtons | vest (former blazer) - Your Big Sister's Closet | dress (modified) - Evans | shoes - Forever 21

Keeping with my alteration theme, I also altered my now vest.  Originally the vest was a blazer from Your Big Sister’s Closet.  I loved the shape of the blazer the moment I got it, but like most jackets I try on the sleeves needed to be tailored a little.  I made that adjustment a while ago and still wan’t satisfied.  Then I made them into short sleeves, which was cute, but ultimately decided what I needed was a blazer inspired vest (very on trend at the moment), which was the perfect topper for my dress. 

necklace - Bitter Sweet | watch, rings and earrings - Aldo Accessories | cuff - Forever 21 | lipstick - MAC Morange

This look says polished yet edgy.  I finished off the ensemble with a few key gold accessories.  I kept the rings minimal to really showcase my larger cocktail ring.  I also played down my earrings to allow the main focus of the look to be centered around this fantastic necklace.  I like the harder contrast it brings the softness of the lace.

|Style| The Hostess With The Mostess...

Some of my favourite pieces of the evening

The first thing you should know about me is that I’m an accessory junkie.  I love ‘em, can’t get enough of ‘em.  They give me a sense of joy, complete a look and there is something for everyone.  Also, growing up plus size, accessories, bags and shoes were alway my way of following trends and being “fashionable”, when clothing options were limited.  If there’s one thing my mother taught me, it’s the importance of a good accessory.  But I can never have just one!

As a fashion and accessory designer, I find myself constantly looking for new brands and checking out trends.  A girl’s gotta know what’s out there.  That’s why I was so excited when Krystine contacted me to host a Stella & Dot Trunk Show.  Since I had never heard of Stella & Dot before, I became curious.  

Krystine and I met briefly at Consign Your Curves back in October.  As on of my Instagram followers, Krystine noticed my constant nail and accessory posts, and thought I would make a perfect candidate for a hostess.  Any reason to have a girl’s night at my place, drink some wine and have some treats while looking at sparkly pretty things, sounds like my kind of party!  

Think of a Trunk Show as an advanced level tupperware party for the fashionable set.  A hostess welcomes her friends and family to an intimate evening with a Stylist, where you get to play and try on samples of all the goodies you can then buy and have sent to your home!  I was totally in!  

Colourful baubles for spring

Last night I hosted a Spring Stella & Dot Trunk Show.  It was the perfect excuse to catch up with girlfriends and to clean my house like an old European grandmother that was told the Pope was coming over for dinner.  Within a few minutes Krystine transformed my living room into a cute little accessory boutique.  It was only a few hours, but so fun and easy.  Everyone, including myself, all bought items (some even planning to buy online next payday!).  And no surprise, as a host, there are some rewards coming my way!  Between this and my upcoming accessory collection I am going to need a bigger vanity!

If you’re interested in checking out Stella & Dot online you can be my extended guest and shop HERE.  And please contact Krystine to host your own party!  

Stay tuned to see what I bought from the Trunk Show and what goodies I got with my hostess perks!  

|Style| Pretty For A Big Girl?

FOC Apparel Pretty for a Big Girl? campaign shot
Photo: Elliot Parrott Stylist:Talecia Gordon 

A few months ago my friend Jelissa, asked me if I would help her do makeup for a new crewneck sweater campaign that her friends were launching.  Turns out her friends were none other than Sasha and Garcia of Flaws of Couture.  I had met Sasha previously at Big Deal Toronto (I even bought a lil’ somthin’ somthin’ from her closet).  Excited to help out and collaborate with the FOC ladies I was happy to help.  It was a real “all in the family” gig, since my bf was also doing the photography.  

Makeup: Jessica Biffi and Jelissa Matthew

The ladies had a very clear vision for the campaign, girls with attitude.  Which is fitting considering the statement being made commands attention.  Each girl had her own look, but the vibe was cohesive.  The focus was on the eyes - dramatic and sexy.  

As a thank you, Sasha sent me my very own crewneck!  Thanks so much ladies!  I am proud to promote the message and make a point!  Pretty For A Big Girl? No question!       

crewneck - c/o FOC Aparel | collar necklace - Covet By Biffi