Where Are You Spring?

Floral Button up c/o Jones New York | Flared Mixed Media Skirt c/o Junarose at the Bay

Cut Out Booties c/o Pennington's MBLM Line (old) - Similar Here | Lippie - Nars Train Bleu

Well, winter is still here. It literally will not go away. I keep envisioning summer popping up from around the corner, followed by sun kissed skin and flower crowns. But then I'm hurtled back into reality when I have to layer up to leave my home in -40 degree weather. But I'm way to stubborn to take no for an answer, so I'm going to continue dressing in floral prints and skirts in hopes that mother nature will take pity on my soul. This floral print blouse was such a find! I walked into the Bay and it literally spoke to me from the Jones New York collection. I was so excited about the floral print that was muted enough to wear into work but also fun enough to pair with fun skirts, like this Junarose velvet beauty. Paired with these cut out booties that I bought two seasons ago from Pennington's MBLM line and unfortunately some stockings (because it was deceptively cold during this shoot), this makes for the perfect goodbye winter, hello spring outfit!     

Eyebrow Game

Vintage Floral Print Duster Jacket - Thirfted | Eyebrwgame Too Strong T - Nylon Shop

Boyfriend Jeans c/o of Addition Elle (old) - Similar Here | Keds c/o Little Burgundy 

When Nadia Aboulhosn launched her t-shirt shop, I just had to get one. When I saw this particular t-shirt with a message that not only spoke to my soul, but to my entirety, I knew I had to get it. Paired with my favourite boyfriend jeans and some comfy keds, this is basically my go to outfit. I decided to pair it up with this amazing vintage floral duster jacket, that I picked up from a thrift store in Hamilton, Ontario. This duster jacket gives me all of the life, featuring some serious shoulder pad action and amazing print. It is the perfect piece to jazz up any simple outfit, and it is seriously one of my most prized possessions.   

Statement Stripes

Love & Legend Short Sleeve Striped Top c/o Addition Elle | Soft Tuxedo Jacket - Pennigtons

Michel Studio Capris - Addition Elle | Shoes c/o Shoedazzle (old) 

Whiffen Statement Necklace - Aldo Accessories

Wearing stripes has always been the most difficult thing for me to do. So often have I heard that stripes make you look 'wider' and are not flattering on a fuller body. Well, I decided to chuck those old, outdated notions out the window and rock a bold stripe pattern. I stumbled upon this amazing Love & Legend striped t-shirt that exists in the perfect realm of business casual. I paired it up with a pair of beautifully exotic orange capris from Addition Elle's Michel Studio line. I toyed with what jacket to add to bring the entire ensemble together, and settled for this soft tuxedo jacket from Penningtons. Then with the addition of a strong, take no nonsense, statement necklace and leopard print pumps, I had the perfect laid back, business casual outfit. I love the contrast of the two different patterns and the way the orange in the capris really add that extra umph to the outfit. The stripes look amazing and I have decided to chuck out all old, out dated notions surrounding plus size women staying far away from patterns!

Valentine's Day

Love & Legend Blouse with Fringe c/o Addition Elle | Pink Multi Stone Necklace - Addition Elle

Fuscia Body-Conscious Dress with Deep V - Asos Curve | Shoes c/o Shoedazzle (old) 

Hair by my love Christine - check out her Facebook Page

It is so crucial that the notion of self-care be a central doctrine of your day. Valentine’s Day should be a celebration of the love you have for yourself, the appreciation of who you are as a person, and the outward expression of self-love. I am here to let you know that you matter, you are loved and you are an important part of your own life. I am a strong believer in not letting my single status ruin my February. I will not lie; I was not always this okay with V-Day. I would quite literally dress in all black and watch dark movies all day just to shield myself from all the fun that was being had by people who fit that perfect couple mold. However, due to some rather enlightening advice from my mother, I refuse to make that a thing this year. Instead, I will celebrate myself in all my flawed glory and make sure that I am physically, mentally and emotionally taken care of.

Day Off

Grey Sweater Dress & Oxblood Oversized Coat c/o Addition Elle | Fur Cluth - gifted | Nike FS Lites - Sportcheck
Lippie - Mac Cosmetics Ruby Woo | Hair by my love Christine - check out her Facebook Page

Today is my day off (yay!) which means I get the chance to run around and complete errands. Calgary has decided to hurtle us all back into frigid winter weather, which means bringing back out the oversized jackets and wool dresses. I paired my wool long length sweater dress and beautifully coloured oxblood jacket (which I snagged during Addition Elle's end of season sale last month at a killer price!) with some kicks and my go-to-fur clutch. With some Mac Cosmetics Ruby Woo on the lips, I had the perfect day off attire! 

Plus Size Shoe Game

When it comes to shoes, I am pretty much obsessed. Those who know me well, have seen my shoe collection grow uncomfortably large over the past couple of years. There is just something about slipping on those strappy black sandals that increases one's confidence level ten-fold. However, it was not always so easy for me to find stylish shoes in my size. As a curvier lady, I found that certain lines of regular shoes were not wide enough or fit uncomfortably around the toes. I also found that my shoe size fluctuated with each brand or even type of shoe. So I made it my personal mission to find retailers that catered specifically to plus size and larger sized shoes, adding them straight to my bookmarks, and continuing to build my collection. I firmly believe that just because you are plus size does not mean that you have to sacrifice style for comfort when it comes to shoes. As a result,  I wanted to share my finds with you, hoping to help at least one other person who currently finds themselves in the same position I was in a few years ago. Below are my top 6 shoe retailers, with a special bonus at the end when you want to spoil yourself a little. 

1. Shoedazzle

Shoedazzle is the first shoe site that I get interested in. They take a personalized approach to finding shoes, making you sign-up and take a style quiz in order to allow stylists to make personalized recommendations for you in your own personal showroom. I love this site because you get a club-like experience without having to pay the months fees. Shoedazzle only goes up to a size 11; however, their flats, boots and some heeled varieties can fit up to a size 12. They have a great return policy which allows you to try on different shoes and get familiar with what shoe style best suits you.