|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.

|Style| Society+ Ultimate Fall Haul and Giveaway

I’m so excited to share my two must have fall pieces from Society+!  When Jessica contacted me to be part of the Ultimate Fall Haul, I jumped at the chance to curate the Haul along with other fabulous bloggers from across North America. 

jumper and metallic tattoos - Society+

It’s no surprise that when I came across this jumper, (similar to the black and green one I’d posted about before), I had to have it.  It’s the perfect fall answer to the need for a LBD, with way more versatility.  I love the loose fit, but with the tie at the waist, it gives you options for shape and fit.  The length in the leg is also a great feature.  It can be worn down or pulled up, giving more of a bubble dress illusion.  The neckline is open, with a light cowl on the back neckline.  You can wear it on the shoulder, giving it a cowl, or off the shoulder, straightening out the back.  So many options!  It’s the perfect fall jumper!  

cardigan - Society+

My other must have is this fantastic colour blocked waterfall cardigan.  It’s nice and long, so you can wrap it and play with it for many combinations.  It’s the kind of light piece that helps you transition into fall, and layer with once the cold sets in.  I love the burgundy, such a rich tone for fall/winter.  

I hope you love these versatile pieces as much as I do.  Head over to Society+ to shop mine and the other bloggers' pieces from the Ultimate Fall Haul collection.  Also Society+ and I are doing a giveaway for one of three $50 Society+ Gift Cards!  Enter below.  Contest will end at 11:59pm on Thursday October 29th.  Winners will be announced Friday October 30th.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

|Style| DARExSUZYPLUS Part 2

jacket, dress, booties and bag - Suzy Shier+

A few weeks ago, you took a behind-the-scenes look at the DARExSUZYPLUS collaboration that I was selected to be a part of. DARE Magazine enlisted the help of myself and fellow bloggers Assa (My Curves and Curls), Thera (Cloud 14+) and Karen (Curvy Canadian) to help showcase the fall collection from Suzy Shier+. 

I am so excited to share these photos with you! This look is featured in the newest issue of DARE Magazine now. The feature showcases each blogger in their signature Suzy Shier+ look. This project was extra special for me, since I got to work with a few of my favourite ladies, of course being in DARE and working with my bf, Elliot, who shot each of us for the spread.   

As I’ve said before I love fall dressing. Everything is richer, softer and has more texture.  I fell in love with this windowpane printed shirtdress the moment I entered the plus size section of Suzy Shier. It’s just the right amount of structure for this trend-focused print.  I’m also a sucker for a dolphin hem, giving that nod to men’s tailoring in a shirtdress.  This denim jacket is the perfect topper to any fall look, but especially here. It takes the dress from sweet and polished, to a little more street and edgy, which is more my speed. I also love the little leather details on the pockets, which give the jacket a little more definition. I completed my look with some fantastic suede-look booties, a girl’s best friend in the fall and a great convertible crossbody/clutch purse with gold accents. 

Check out our feature in the new issue of DARE Magazine.

If you’re falling for the new collection as hard as I have, then you are in luck. Join me, Assa, Thera, Karen and DARE Magazine in store at Suzy Shier+! We will be at the Dufferin Mall location on Monday September 21st, from 5pm to 7pm for a mix and mingle event full of style tips, a fashion show, nibbles, prizes and more! Join us to have a closer look for yourself and some other exciting surprises to come. Hope to see you there and be sure to check out the newest issue of DARE to see all of the other bloggers‘ looks. And make sure to check out Suzy Shier+, both in store and online, for affordable on-trend fashions ranging from $12 to $56, in sizes 1X to 3X.

|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

|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| COLLECTiON By PRiMAALA Spring/Summer 2015

COLLECTiON by PRiMAALA, is the new in-house label offered by owner and designer, Rachel Holt.  Matching the high-end labels PRiMAALA is known for, the new collection is simple, yet refined.  You can see the thought process of a creator that knows the elements of design, but at the same time, curated with elegant details and taste.  This is just the first season of COLLECTiON by PRiMAALA, with more coming for Fall.

Wearing Asher Tee and Carly Blazer (with silver chain - also comes with gold and gunmetal)

As you know by now, Rachel and I have been friends for a long time.  I’ve been fortunate enough to see the development of the line from it’s inception.  I was excited to check out the collection in person and finally have the chance to try on a few pieces.  Unfortunately for me the collection has been very successful, so not all the wares were available for me to try on.  So if you like what you see, I strongly suggest checking it out in store immediately.

Wearing Sara Dress

|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| 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| 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.

|Events| Body Confidence Canada Awards

On Tuesday September 9th, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the second annual Body Confidence Canada Awards, held at Panorama.  The BCCAs created and run by the amazing Aisha Fairclough and Jill Andrew, of Fat In The City, aims to celebrate “champions of body confidence, positivity and body diversity in Canada”.

With Rachel, owner of PRiMAALA and Ama of Fat Girl Food Squad

The evening was packed with new and old friends, an incredible view of the city and inspiring speeches from guest speakers and the winning nominees.  The winners included Ophilia Alleyne, Jewel Kats, Stefanie Augusteijn and Cindy Baker.  An honourary award was also given to Dr. Carla Rice, one of the esteemed guest speakers.  Each recipient had a moving experience to share, both uplifting and something every woman in attendance could identify with.  A huge congratulations to all the winners. 

I think events like this are so important and they need our support to grow.  If you want to help build this event, please nominate someone that embodies what the BCCAs are all about by heading to the website and nominating someone for 2015.  “Everybody has a story”, and we should celebrate that!

With Aisha and Jill, our hosts for the evening

top - Torrid | skirt - Eloquii | shoes - Addition Elle | necklace - Stella & Dot

|Events| FGFS & Friends Plus Size Pop Up Shop

I am so excited to announce that I have been invited to be one of the Friends featured at the Fat Girl Food Squad and Friends Plus Size Pop Up Shop, Sunday June 1st!  The rad females that run and write FGFS, along side myself and some other amazing plus size ladies (Amarina of Ursa Major + and Erin from Zero Style and Re/Dress...to name a few!) will be selling items from our personal closets as well as some hand picked vintage wears!  

All items will be size 14 and up, at prices ranging from $5 to $20+.  Come out and shop with us from 1pm to 5pm tomorrow, upstairs at Sneaky Dee’s (431 College Street West - the corner of College and Bathurst).  We are asking for a $5 donation at the door to contribute to the awesomeness that further fuels the endeavours of FGFS (like making Pop Ups a more frequent thing!).

All my pieces range from $5 to $20, with a few specially priced gems.  Most of my stuff is from my personal closet with a few sample/concept pieces from past Jessica Biffi collections and collaborations (Jessica Biffi for Addition Elle).  There are a range of brands from Torrid, Addition Elle, Evans UK , ASOS and more.  

Stop in, shop and have a few tasty treats or a cocktail (available for purchase at the bar).  It’s going to be a lot of fun.  And the more we support events like this (and sustainable fashion), the more we can grow our plus size community!  

I hope to see you guys there tomorrow!

|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.  

|Profile| A Perfect 14

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to sit down and speak on camera with Giovanna Morales Vargas and James Earl O’Brien of the documentary A Perfect 14.  A Perfect 14, follows the story of plus size model trying to make a names for themselves and change society’s view of beauty.  It opens the doors to diversity in fashion, behinds the scenes of a glamours industry and shares the journey of three brave models that have many life changing moments along the way.  It also showcases industry professionals and what the term ‘plus size’ means in fashion and to society.  

I have touched on being plus size and the fashion industry many times in interviews before, but something felt very different about this experience.  The filmmakers had such sincerity and warmth in their questions and a real depth for understanding the subject matter.  I was so honoured to be a part of this wonderful documentary and I can’t wait to see the final film. 

If you want to help support A Perfect 14, head over to the film’s Facebook page for more information and their IndieGoGo site to contribute.  There are many incentives, but none greater than helping to bring this story to light.

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|Style| Birthday Witch, Supreme Style

dress and vest (modified jacket) - Forever21 | belt - Penningtons | leggings - Old Navy | shoes - Spring | hat - ebay | purse - gift from Protugal

I love birthdays.  More specifically, I love my birthday!  From the age of 24, I’ve been celebrating with themed parties, under the banner Gettin’ Loose And Messy With Jessie.  Since the first annual GLAMWJ Presents, there have been themes like Vegas Baby, The Mad Men Birthday (complete with early ‘60s fashions) and last year’s Peter Pan themed birthday (my 30th).  The themes come from all kinds of inspiration.  It could be the age I’m turning, a costume idea or a show or movie I’m into at the time.  This year drew inspiration from the latter.  

It was no surprise to people that know me well that I was obsessed with American Horror Story: Coven this year.  The story may have gotten a little side tracked at times, but there was no denying the killer style and design the show brought to the small screen (also see my On Wednesdays We Wear Black post).  The idea to turn my love of the FX show into my 31st birthday theme came from a lunch date with one of my best girlfriends.  We were enjoying a delicious meal at Southern Accent, a Cajun/Creole restaurant celebrating the food and culture of New Orleans.  As I was eating my chicken fried steak it dawned on me, this would be the perfect place to have a Coven themed party and a fabulous excuse to buy myself a version of the amazing hats I was living for on AHS: Coven!

Gettin’ Loose And Messy With Jessie Presents: Biffi’s The New Supreme - The American Horror Story: Coven Edition took place on April 13th.  Party guests were asked to infuse their favourite witch’s style into their outfit.  And as Fiona Goode would say, “wear something...black”.  

My look was a little Zoe meets Queenie, with a Biffi edge.  I paired a racer-back dress dress with a spiked jacket-turned-vest.  I punched up the witch vibe with a wide brimmed felt hat and cutout oxfords.  

The celebration was fantastic.  Great food and amazing friends (that also looked on point in their Coven inspired outfits), what more could I ask for?  I even got the opportunity to sit down with one of the in-house tarot card readers and have a spiritually guided conversation about what my next 12 months will bring with my career and with the BF.  It was very interesting and gave me a few things to think about.  

This was one of the best GLAMWJs yet.  I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out and celebrating with me in style!  You made getting one year older feel like the greatest thing in the world.  I am truly blessed.    

I wonder what I’ll do next year...