|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.  

|Style| DARExSUZYPLUS Part 1

Recently, I had the fun opportunity to shop Suzy Shier+, with fellow bloggers Assa (My Curves and Curls), Thera (Cloud 14+) and Karen (Curvy Canadian) for a new feature in the upcoming fall issue of DARE Magazine.  We had the chance to check out the pre-fall fashions and shop the shoes and accessories from the Suzy Shier line as well. It was so nice to catch up with these ladies and shop at the same time!

My shopping partners clockwise from left, Diana (DARE Magazine), Assa, Karen and Thera

The best part of the Suzy Shier+ line is that there’s something for everyone.  As fashion bloggers, we each have such distinct and individual styles.  We’re also all different shapes, heights and sizes, yet none of us had a difficult time putting together many amazing looks. And as ladies that do a lot of shopping, the pieces are so reasonably priced ranging from $12 to $56, with sizes ranging from 1X to 3X.   

I know I’ve said it before, but fall truly is my favourite!  All the layers, textures and new prints for the season always give me new life after the heat and minimal dressing of summer. While shopping the Suzy Shier+ selection, I wasn’t disappointed.  There were soft layering cardigans, rich hues of burgundy and browns, great denim pieces and black and white windowpane prints, which are all on-trend for fall.  I loved the pieces I saw and the helpful ladies from Suzy Shier assured us that there would be even more to come in September.  While shopping, I couldn’t resist moving into the shoe and accessory departments as well.  I fell in love with a few shoes and bags in black suede and muted beiges with warm gold detailing—all musts for fall.     

If you’re as excited as I am about the fall collection from Suzy Shier+, join myself, Assa, Thera, Karen and DARE Magazine for an in-store event to shop with us!  It’s all happening on Monday, September 21st from 5PM-7PM at the Dufferin Mall location.  There will be goodies, contests, nibbles and more!  And let’s not forget the shopping part! 

Keep an eye out for more information to come and for the newest issue of DARE on September 14^th.  Also, be sure to check the current Suzy Shier+ selection in-store and online now.

|Style| Sweater Days Are Here Again

Guys...it’s finally happened!  Sweater weather has arrived and it’s glorious!  And while it's still a little warmer in the sun than I want it to be, I'm loving the fact that I can layer and I don’t feel like I’m being suffocated.  One of my favourite things about pre-fall is the mixture of both summer and light fall clothing.  It’s your favourite pieces coming together.

Clear nails and mood rings

In my “it’s finally cool” excitement I did some shopping at Addition Elle’s Customer Appreciation Day (40% off voucher...ah don’t mind if I do!).  Among the pieces, I picked up this super cozy sweater.  I fell in love with the colour and shape right away, but the soft, I’m-basically-wearing-a-portable-snuggle-blanket feel is what made it a must have for me.  

sweater - Addition Elle | t-shirt - Forever 21+ | jeans - Torrid | ring and bag - Aldo | shoes - Topshop | sunglasses - Penningtons

On this lazy Sunday I was headed out with my good friend Melissa, who was in town visiting for a few days. We had a chill day of shopping, nails and Mexican food (at Barrio Coreano, which was ah-mazing!) ahead of us.  I wanted to be ultra comfortable, but still put together.  I paired my sweater with an easy and loose white tee and jeans.  Studded blush flats and a slouchy bag topped off this casual look.

|Preview| Addition Elle Autumn/Winter 2014

Last week I was invited to Brill Communications to check out Addition Elle’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.  I know it might seem hard to think about fall, or God forbid winter, now that the nice weather has finally arrived, but once I saw the clothing all I wanted was for it to be fall!  

Some of my favourites ranging from activewear to career.  Stunning jackets coming out this season.

Fall has always been my favourite season.  I love the richness of colours and all the layers.  It’s great fabrics like leathers and wools.  Fall is key pieces like boots, sweaters and coats.  And on all fronts AE has delivered.  I don’t think I’ve more excited to see a  collection in store, as I am for this one.  AE has really brought their A-game and piece after piece left me feeling obsessed!  

More great leather footwear continuing for A/W 2014.  Wide widths and calfs.  

There are three main feels within the A/W2014 season, but the one that caught my eye the most was the Elegantly Grunge Chic range. I could not get over the amazing plaid coat on one of the display manikins.  It’s edgy, but functional and super on trend.  I also loved all the layering options from cropped sweaters to great tailored leather jackets.  And even though there are three different vibes, they all work together to really create a fall/winter wardrobe that is chic, daring and fashionably on point!  

Obsessed over this jacket!  A must own. 

I can’t wait to shop this collection, available in stores and online starting in August.

Check out my interview with Roslyn Griner, VP of Marketing and Visual Display for Addition Elle for more about this collection.  

|Nails| Antler Inspired Nail Art

As a designer I find inspiration everywhere.  It could be a photograph, a song lyric, a sketch or a piece of fabric.  And as a designer, I find something very beautiful when it come to clean simple, graphic lines.  That’s why I became so inspired by my antler midi ring.  It’s so small and simple, delicate yet eye catching.  

I also wanted to take full advantage of my white gels.  Using them as a fresh canvas, I wanted to play off the black and white monochromatic trend.  But, if you know me, more is always more, so I used grey and gold as my accents...and threw in some 3D elements too!  

If you’re interested in finding out how I did this nail art look, please watch my video and follow me on my YouTube channel.  

Products used:

Orly Bonder | CND Asphalt #101 | CDN Locket Love #128 | Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Black | Black nail striper | Essence Nail Art Decoration Kit in Gold | square pyramid studs | Sephora Top Coat | CND Weekly Top Coat | tweezers | tooth pick | cosmetic sponge | tin foil | nail polish remover   

|Style| On Wednesdays We Wear Black...

I don’t know about you, but I am living for the current season of American Horror Story: Coven.  A fan of the series since the start, even though I hate being scared, I’ve watched (mostly through my fingers, covering my eyes) and loved every incarnation of Jessica Lange’s characters.  But I have to say that Coven has been less scary and more story driven and certainly more fashionable than the past seasons.  (For example the serious Grace Coddington vibe Frances Conroy’s Myrtle Snow is serving).  And can we just talk about the addition of Gabourey Sidibe?  I think she is an amazing actress and I am so excited to see what they do with her character.  It’s a breath of fresh air to finally see a plus size actress like Gabourey on a popular show like Coven, that isn’t just there to be the butt of the joke or a run-on sentence of self depreciation.  

Channeling my inner Fiona Goode and following her advice, I wore “something black”.  While I don’t usually dress all in black, I find myself being more and more attracted to it lately.  I work as a makeup artist on the side, so it’s the colour (or lack thereof) of the uniform. There is something sexy and mysterious about wearing all black.  Dare I say, even witchy.

I am in love with this Addition Elle dress!  To be honest I had been eyeing the lace swing dress from Asos, which has been on my wish list, among a few other things for a while now (hint hint bf).  So when I saw this in store I just bit the bullet and bought it.  The lace is a paisley, with an under layer slip that is attached at the the neckline but free flowing at the side seams (sorry for the fashion tech geek moment - that stuff is important to me!).  It is so comfortable.  It’s soft and stretchy, but with a great fit and shape.  I even went down a size!

As much as I am in love with the dress, this blazer is one of the best purchases I have made in a long time.  It has an open front, fitted sleeve and structured shoulder.  I love me a good shoulder pad when it’s done well.  And the best part?  It was on sale!  I went into Reitmans on a whim, just to see what was up.  They tend to have a more conservative vibe, so I don’t usually find things to my taste there, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The jacket was reduced from $70 down to $59.99 with an extra 30% off!  Goes to show you, even if you don’t usually like a brand or line, it’s worth creepin‘ on sometimes.

Lately I feel like my ring obsession is getting ridiculous.  I never used to like more than just a statement ring or a knuckle duster.  But since my nail game has been elevated, the rings had to follow suit.  These ones are some of my favourites, from all over really (mainly Aldo Accessories, Urban Outfitters and Little Burgundy) .  I’m really into to midi rings (if you hadn’t noticed).  Gold is almost always my metal of choice.  I like the warmth it brings to my skin tone and my looks.  I do like the mixed metal detail of this necklace and the 60s long pendant vibe it has.  I thought it was a good pairing with the shape of the dress and length of the blazer.  Chic, with just enough emphasis.   

While I may not possess the powers of the Supreme, it is fun to play dress up as one.  

Outfit Details:

dress and necklace - Addition Elle | blazer - Reitmans | boots - Penningtons | leggings - Old Navy | scarf - Aldo Accessories  

|Hair| Fresh Fall Cut

I used to be a little intimidated about short hair.  Maybe it was the fear of my curls rebelling.  Maybe it’s because the only times I remember having short hair as a child were traumatic.  There was the time my mom cut my hip length curly locks into a 70s white girl afro (my best friend didn’t speak to me for a week.  And she did this to me the day before Grade 2 photos!).  Or the time I was convinced I could pull off the “Rachel”, which then turned into the equivalent on the 4th Pyramid of Giza.  I’m sure there were more, but obviously only therapy will bring those to the surface.  Sylvie Prud’Homme, my hairstylist, has been wanting to take me short since 2011.  I let her have her chance well over a year ago and haven’t looked back since.

In the summer I was rocking a ‘do like Miley, but for the record I was on that before she was.  It was the last stop of my “My hair is too damaged to function so I’ll keep cutting it off” tour.  Wanting something edgy, but still feminine, I started to grow out the sides in hopes of growing it into a short bob.  Never having hair this short before I didn’t realize the issues of growing out shaved curly hair.  It grows out, not down!  

Frustrated and fuzzy, I decided that maybe short hair was the best answer.  I had been loving my hair the last year, through all it’s evolutions, so why not work with that?  Also Rihanna has been looking amazing lately with her pixie, so I went for it.

I could not be happier!  My hair feels soft, it looks shiny and it’s so easy and fast to do.  I was worried that my curls would get unruly without any length weighing them down, but not an issue.  Blow drying is a dream and 5 minutes with the straighten and I am done!  I’m in love with my hair again...and it’s been a while since I really meant that.  

I think there is a stigma about plus size women and cutting your hair short.  There is a fear of your face looking rounder.  You know what?  Your face might already be round, longer hair or not!  Why not try something new and fresh?  Pixies are a huge trend for fall and suit everyone, you just have to find the right framing for your face if you’re really worried about facial focus.  Also I’ve been told by a few people now that I look younger!  Ladies...take the help where you can get it!

Hair by Sylvie Prud'Homme of The Loft Toronto

|Style| Today's The Day...

I am so excited for fall!  I suffer through summer and all the frizz, humidity and sweating off my perfectly placed makeup, to embrace all fall has to offer.  Sweaters, layers, scarves, rich colours, frizz free hair and not being hot from just standing still.  Though it is not as cool as we Torontonians are used to, I will take it!  I’m like that one guy you see on the first day the snow starts to melt, wearing shorts, but in reverse.  Give me a fall breeze and I’m busting out the boots and capes!

One of my favourite fall trends is the rich bold colour palette.  Jewel tones and depth of colour give a nice warmth when it’s chilly outside.  This Oxblood hi-low top from Penningtons was a no brainer.  It’s a great length to pair with leggings, which makes it a no fuss piece you can easily style many ways.   The colour is totally on point for fall and is a nice backdrop for my favourite metallic of choice - gold!  I’m happy that people are finally on board with the thick, chunky chain look.  (Personally I’ve been trying to make this a thing for years now).  This necklace from Aldo Accessories had to come home with me as soon as I saw it.  

Another reason I have been craving the cold air is so I could finally wear these amazing faux leather leggings from Addition Elle.  When I tried them on they fit so well and were so cozy, but when I took them off I realized how warm they made me.  They have been living in my closet since the beginning of August, just waiting for their time to shine. 

Topping this date night out with the bf look is my worn-in Old Navy jacket.  This old gem is a great piece in spring and fall.  Just enough to keep off the cold but add a casual element to this otherwise edgier look.

Outfit Details: 

denim jacket - Old Navy | top - Penningtons | faux leather leggings - Addition Elle | shoes and bag- Aldo |necklace and watch - Aldo Accessories | jewellery - all over (did I mention I have a midi ring addiction?)