|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

|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 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