Why I Do What I Do

Plus Size Holiday Lookbook

A Thank You Letter to Rebdolls

Rekindling My Love of Plaid

   

Memory Tunic in Black Plaid - ModCloth | Printed Culotte - Penningtons

Sweater Weather

It's Been a While

Hi-Lo Knit Sweater Dress - Torrid | Torrid Plaid Ruana Wrap (sold out) - Similar Here

#MyCalgary | Even Odds Collective

Calgary is a city that is quickly on the rise, with a wealth of talented and innovative minds. It is a place where a great idea, paired with dedication and hard work, can flourish in a wide variety of niches. The city continues to surprise me with its abundance of forward thinking and exceptionally driven locals who never fail to acknowledge their roots. Entrepreneurs and their businesses are single-handedly moulding Calgary's landscape, providing depth and spark to our local community.

Even Odds Collective ranks among the top businesses who are doing just that.

Happy November!

Michel Studio Long Sleeve Turtle Neck - Addition Elle | Nadia Aboulhosn Cargo Pant for L&L - Addition Elle 

Faux Fur Clutch (gifted) - Similar at Rebdolls | Nike Air Max 90  - Nike

My Current Favourite Fit & Flare Picks

7 Leather Jackets to Get You Through Fall

The Perfect Knit

Floral Casual

Getting Out of My Style Rut

Redefining Fall

Curves of the World | Dare Mag Feature

My Curves of the World feature in DARE Magazine's Fall 2015 Issue went live yesterday, and I am still reeling from the sheer excitement of seeing little old me in a magazine! How out of body is that?! This is the real first outward expression of the blog in any media form, and I could not be happier about representing Calgary, AB on the Canadian plus size stage! I really hope that by seeing plus size representation from a city that is still new to embracing the curves, women across YYC would feel a little more empowered to flaunt their curves.

NadiaxAdditionElle | A Review

Plus size blogging trailblazer and overall mega babe Nadia Aboulhosn dropped her highly anticipated line with Addition Elle, NadiaxAdditionElle this past Friday. I obviously had no choice but to go check it out and fan girl hard at a line by one of my greatest inspirations. I unfortunately couldn't head over to Toronto to see her in person at the Addition Elle flagship store on Queen, so I decided to take seriously inappropriate pictures and creepy selfies with the posters in her display at my favourite Calgary Addition Elle in Beacon Hill Centre.  

Summer to Fall

Denim Shirtdress - ASOS Curve

With Fall rolling through with the subtleness of a monster truck here in Calgary, my wardrobe has been caught off guard in a big way. It is impossible to switch my entire wardrobe to Fall in such a a short period of time, especially when I have summer dresses, like this ASOS Curve shirtdress that got close to no wear this past season, that I cannot bring myself to let go off just yet! I decided to dig through my wardrobe and create a Fall ready look from a summer dress. I used five key Fall essentials to transform the dress into a look that would help me stay warm long enough to bring my wardrobe up to full Fall status.     

Ying

Short Sleeve Cropped Mesh Top - Penningtons | D/C Jeans Slightly Curvy Skinny White Jean- Penningtons
White Air Max 90 - Foot Locker | Spotty Clutch Bag - Asos | Sunnies - Aldo Accessories

There is nothing better than an all white outfit. Once you get over the stress that comes with having to navigate the world without getting a stain on yourself, an all-white outfit can become your best friend. What I like most about an outfit that incorporates one tone is that you can choose to style it which ever way you want, ranging from a very minimalist concept (swoon!) to an elegant and intricate evening ensemble (aka dinz with bae). 

A Day in Vegas

Las Vegas - the epitome of indulgence in a city that never sleeps. There is no better place on the planet to see the world in literally just one day, visiting the gondoliers at the Venetian before lunch and dining on French pastries in Paris for dessert. Las Vegas is iconic, the real life representation of our glamorous dreams and a city that boasts world renowned shows, lavish accommodations and Michelin-rated restaurants at your doorstep. 

It is for these reasons, and many more, that I was more than excited to be able to plan out a day of outfits for my perfect day in Las Vegas. To find inspiration for these outfits, I chose a Las Vegas resort and let the glamorous restaurants, nightclubs and venues shape my outfit choices. Below, I've put together three looks that would take me from shopping at Via Bellagio to dinner at the chef's table of Jöel Robuchon. These looks seamlessly transition from night to day and would keep me looking chic and fab throughout every moment in between! 

Look 1: An Afternoon Spent Shopping at Via Bellagio

Alice & You Maxi Dress with Lace Up Front Detail - Asos Curve | Satchel - Michael Kors
Areladia Sunnies - Aldo Accessories | Wide Fit Strap Metal Block Heel - New Look

#MyCalgary | ReggaeFest

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending my first ever ReggaeFest here in Calgary. As a past resident of Toronto, Ontario and avid Caribana attendee, I was more than thrilled to find a festival in my new city that celebrated the Caribbean culture. I came into the event with pretty high expectations of Caribana-like atmospheres and I was not at all disappointed! Even on a slightly chilly, overcast afternoon, it was still impossible to overlook the genuine energy and vibrancy that came along with the festival. 

Like proud, age old Calgarians, all the attendees simply pulled out their umbrellas and extra coats that we all carry around in the back seat of our cars (due to the fact that Calgary weather can sometimes walk the thin line between temperamental and puzzling) and enjoyed the festivities nonetheless. I was transported straight to the islands, greeted warmly be all around me and felt a sense of community as we all jived together to the sweet performances that were part of the festival’s line up.

Yang

Motto Jacket with White Zipper Detail - MBLM Penningtons | L&L Ombré Skinny Jean - Addition Elle
New Look Inspire Strappy Cami Dress - ASOS | Wide Fit Black Chunky Ankle Strap Block Heels - New Look

I know it is only the middle of August, but it's time we start talking about the F word - fall. Summer has been so good to us, but the days are getting a little shorter and the wind is just a little bit too cool. It's time to say hello to trench coats, scarves and touches of leather and brace for falling leaves and pumpkin pie. 

Curvy Corporate Pt. 3: The Pantsuit

Plus Wool Jacket - Jones New York Collection | Plus Wool Flat Front Pants - Jones New York Collection

Plus Split Neck Shirt - Jones New York Collection | Leopard Print Pumps Shoedazzlet (old) - Similar Here
Blue Gem Stone Necklace - Penningtons

The Fancy Minimalist

Rushed Wrap Dress in Jersey Crepe - Asos Curve | Sally Wide Fit Pointed Heels - Asos
Harmony Statement Necklace - Aldo Accessories

I decided to tap into my inner minimalist for this week's blog post. I fell in love with this Asos Curve rushed wrap dress as soon as I spotted it! The cut of the dress is simple and understated with a high neck and rushed detailing for a defined waist. The part of the dress that really spoke to me, is the wrap front and front slit to show off the perfect amount of leg. I paired this dress with simple nude pumps with criss cross straps that mirrors the wrap front detail of the dress. 

Dressing Up Simplicity

Midrise Jean in Paulo Wash Blue - Asos Curve | Shell Pink Laser Cut Out Hem T-Shirt  - New Look

Wide Fit Stone Chunky Strap Metal Block Heel - New Look

For this week's post, I decided to take a little break from the patterns (I know - stressful right?) and challenge myself to keep it simple. Nothing emanates simplicity in an outfit better than a pair of great fitting denim jeans and a t-shirt. The first way to dress up a simple outfit is to look for basic pieces that have subtle details, such as the laser cut out he on this New Look t-shirt. This turns a relatively simple piece into a focal piece in the outfit. 

Stripes, Florals & Polka Dots

Full Midi Skirt in Summer Floral Print - Asos Curve | Bardot Neckline Top in Stripe  - Asos Curve
Spotty Clutch Bag - Asos | Lilac Croc Ankle Strap Heels - New Look 

At this point, I think that I've proven how much of a love affair I am in with bold prints. The number of patterned kimonos and sundresses I have in my closet is both impressive and slightly worrying. This time around, I've decided to see how far I can push the pattern mixing line! Stripes and floral print are both 2015 summer trends and I have seen so many variations of them being combined in one outfit. I decided to try the same while adding my own personal touches. 

#MyCalgary | Crafted Artisan Truck

It is no secret that the Food Truck scene in Calgary is bigger and better than ever. There is such a diverse line up of trucks to choose from, touching on cultures both far and wide. They have become a regular sight on Calgary streets, bringing out large crowds at local events as well as during lunch breaks downtown. The notion of food on wheels, along with the novelty, has become an increasingly popular part of the Calgary scene; however, a new type of truck has been adopted into the scene and it's changing the way we Calgarians see trucks.

The Crfated Artisan Truck is the unique brinchild of Pamela Morales. Pam took a hobby that she was trully passionate about and turned it into a creative, boundary pushing business that continues to rock the scene. The Crafted Artisan Truck, a pioneer of the new wave of shops-on-wheels hitting the streets of Calgary, provides a wide selection of hand made goods for us shop-a-holics to indulge in. The best part? All hand made goods on the Crafted Truck are local, providing a city-wide platform for Canadian artists and creators to showcase their pieces of work. Crafted Truck goes beyond being a store, providing one of a kind private shopping experiences for events as well as workshops where local Calgarians can learn creative techniques from local artisans.    

I had the pleasure of visiting Pam at her truck and, I must say, it was a uniquely amazing experience. I was accustomed to seeing food trucks from the outside and interacting with them through their serving windows. Being invited into the truck provided me with a different view of trucks in general, opening my eyes to how the space could be utilized. Crafted Truck's wide array of artisan products caters to a wide audience, providing products ranging from handmade jewelry to beautiful material dream catchers. The interior was warm and welcoming, reminding me of an artisan boutique on wheels. Pam was gracious enough to speak a little about her personal journey and share how she defines her Calgary.   

  

Pink Lips & Thick Legs

L&L Printed Duster Kimono - Addition Elle | Cactus Multi Strap Bodycon Dress  - Addition Elle
Lovilla Statement Necklace - Aldo Accessories | Lip Pencil in Talking Points  - Mac Cosmetics

I have a serious love hate relationship when it comes to my legs. I love the fact that they seem to not get hairy (thanks for the solid genes mom) and that they have little scars everywhere that each tell a wonderful story (such as flying off my scooter when I was 9 and grazing my entire knee); however, the size of my legs are a touchy subject. I shy away from shorts and short dresses simply because I am not their biggest fan. This summer, I have decided to begin embracing them, and falling back in love with by thick, beautiful legs. No more shying away from short dresses, skirts and shorts. No more stockings to try to help hide them. I am going to strut around with my chin to the sky and show off these bad boys.

Stampede Inspiration

L&L Dolman Sleeve Printed Maxi Dress - Addition Elle

These past few weeks has been a personally challenging one for me. I have had to make some rather large decisions while also having to adapt to large amounts of change happening around me. To tell you the truth, I was not sure if I would make it through at times, but it's amazing the positive effect that having a strong support system can have. I had to lean hard on my family and friends, and I can not express how much it means to me that they willingly allowed me to. 

To celebrate freedom from a pretty hard time, I decided to dress a little outside the box. This beautiful dolman sleeve printed dress from Addition Elle was the perfect piece for me to explore a Calgary Stampede inspired look. Tapping into my inner cowgirl, I wanted to channel some serious Carrie Underwood vibes, and the flowing, mystical print of this dress was the best way to do so. This dress does in fact fit big, so I sized down to get a more fitted look. 

So this post is in honour of all my people who helped me through this hard time and an apology to everyone who tried to contact me in the past couple of weeks. I promise that I am back to my usual 100%, ready to take on the world once again.

What I Wore - Calgary Park Show

Chevron Jersey Surplice Dress - Ralph Lauren | Sheer Knit Cardigan  - Junarose

 Brerrama Earrings - Aldo Accessories | Strappy Heels (old) c/o Shoedazzle  - Similar Here

Last month, I attended the Park Fashion Show here in Calgary. It was a great event that truly showcased the creativity of local designers and artists. I decided to go with a bold print for the event, and lucked out on this beautiful red chevron dress by Ralph Lauren's plus sized line found at the Hudson's Bay. The dress is extremely flattering on any figure, with my favourite accent being the velvet belt that helps further define the smallest part of the waist. Paired with this sheer backed, Junarose long-line cardigan (which I absolutely adore) and statement red ankle strap pointy toed heels, this outfit was the perfect ensemble for the event. 

A Rant about Body Positivity

Starting this blog has been one of the most rewarding challenges that I’ve ever pushed myself to complete; however, it has opened my eyes to the unfortunate amount of body shaming, as well as blatant disregard of human feelings, that can come as a result of standing up and saying “hey, I’m okay with the way I look”. Take, for example, the #effyourbeautystandards movement – this positive reaffirmation of our need to love our bodies, despite what standards exist out there, has been misconstrued and reused as a way to fat shame. The opposite is also true when we look at the comments under pictures of women reposted by Instagram pages such as @plusmodelmag. Our own comrades in the fight for plus size recognition openly degrade these images stating that “they are pretty and all but I don’t think she really counts as plus size” simply because they appear to look “smaller” than a socially constructed image of what plus size should be. 

It is so ironic that I am unsure whether to laugh out loud or cry uncontrollably.

Nowhere is it stated that a requirement of being body positive is being plus size, just as being plus size does not automatically make someone body positive. Body positivity is a mind state that transcends size, race, gender and pretty much any other barrier. It is the belief that we are all beautiful in the body we are currently in, as well as the acknowledgement that our body may change as we journey through life. It is the collective understanding that each of us was created using a different mold and that our outward appearance should no more define who we are at the core as our height or favorite ice cream flavour does.

I’m fed up of the judgmental, insensitive and tactless attacks that take away from the true nature of the body positive movements. Body positivity is not a right reserved for a certain few – it should be defined as a communal world view that celebrates people in general, flaws and all.  I applaud men and women who love their bodies and are proud of their flaws, whether they are a size 0 or a size 32. I applaud men and women who have decided they want to work at changing their bodies through adopting a healthier lifestyle or plastic surgery because they have enough insight to know that their decision is what will make them happy and comfortable in their own skin. I applaud men and women who have survived eating disorders and are working to gain weight because that is the path they have chosen to attain happiness in this lifetime.

Who are we to judge others based on something as meaningless as size? I do not reserve my applause for anyone purely on the basis of how they look – my applause is intentionally blind and seeks only to celebrate those who are willing to celebrate themselves while inspiring others to do the same.

It is time to end this backwards way of thinking about body positivity. It is not a realm in which only plus size women can inhabit nor is it a space in which negativity can be forced in. Being body positive simply means appreciating the body that you are in, sending positive and reassuring vibes to those who are equally as able to appreciate their own bodies, all while helping to create a safe, inviting environment where others, who may not be quite there yet, can learn to love themselves. 

Love & Light

Feminine Casual

Lace Detail Kimono - Junarose | Woven Party Top  - Junarose

 Boyfriend Jeans c/o Addition Elle - Similar here & here

Casual attire is always the go to for long weekend festivities; however, casual does not mean that your personal style has to take a back seat! Sandals and a pair of boyfriend jeans, courtesy of Addition Elle, are perfect patio, sangria sipping building blocks for a casual outfit. I decided to add my own personal touches with pieces from Junarose. The lace detail in the kimono and the vibrant colour of the woven blouse keep the outfit breezy and casual, while also adding flirty, feminine details that stay true to my personal style.

Casual and plus size are not normally synonymous - I know that in the past I've found it difficult to put together a casual outfit because casual often translates as ill fitting in some plus size pieces. I'm slowly learning that wearing pieces that fit well but that are made of lighter materials can create that casual look while still flaunting your fab figure. Adding fine details, like the lace in the kimono, or patterned fringing, and bold summer colours, are also fabulous ways of creating summer ready, comfortable outfits!