3 years

I can't believe it readers! It's been 3 years since I started this little blog.

Black and Blue

I do love this jumpsuit - and it's colour scheme is fitting given that I've spent the last month literally black and blue.

Decade

I can hardly believe I'm writing these words, but ten years ago today I married this man.

Want you back, want you back, want you back for good....

It's been an interesting time for me readers - I know, I know - I've been away for quite a while - and some of you have even taken to writing messages to me reminding me to get back at it (Thanks for the push Judith!) and I have been taking some time to think.

Lady in Pink

I never used to wear pink. I always thought of it as a super-girly colour - and super-girly I am not. But in recent years pink has moved from that sweet, pale, baby pink to a much more saturated and energetic colour.

Hey Mama! Where ya been?

Hello Lovelies!

I want to start by apologizing for being away so long. Did you miss me?

An Example to Live up to

I don't usually post on the weekend - but this year I wanted to take note of Mother's Day on the actual day.

Fresh like Spring

This may actually be a first for me. I don't think I've ever worn a fully green outfit (that wasn't a dress).

Maximum Crochet

I was so excited to pull this maxi dress out of spring/summer clothing storage.

Move it Move it

Recently I've started a new program to get back to running. I used to run all the time when I was younger - but age and life takes over and the thought of going out and running around the neighbourhood just seems silly. So I downloaded a Couch to 5k app (from here on called C25K) for my phone and have started interval training hoping to get up to a running a full 5 k by the end of week 9.

Despite dancing regularly and walking with the kids everyday and the odd family bikeride I don't usually do anything that requires any specific gear - but getting serious about running means wearing appropriate gear. It has to breathe and move with you and not be too constricting or uncomfortable (because there's ENOUGH uncomfortable things about running already, lol).

But therein lies the problem: finding plus size activewear that's not a)super ugly/unflattering b)too small and therefore overly constricting and c)exorbitantly expensive.
Now I know this is going to seem whiny, but I'm going to say it anyway: apparently heavier people "need" to exercise (let's not get into that - the fact is I personally WANT to exercise) but there is a definite lack of activewear in plus sizes. And frankly - I don't want to run in a giant cotton t-shirt just because people think that I need to wear something that bears a striking resemblance to a sack when I run just because I'm bigger.

So - I've done quite a bit of searching and found a few Canadian plus size activewear options that aren't bank-breaking, and are actually quite functional and even cute!

Additionelle has a line called Nola that makes some decent pieces. Their dry-wear is actually quite effective and the prints this season are decent. Some of my faves are:

Nola No-show Waist Legging - love the purple!

Cropped

We're finally (FINALLY!) getting some warmer, more springtime appropriate weather!

Tunic Time

I'll admit that there's not much I love more than a good tunic. I find they're flattering to most body types, they hide a multitude of sins and they can be seriously comfortable.

Put a bow on it

Like most Moms, I often fall into the jeans and a t-shirt rut. It's just so easy to pull on in the morning and get to the business of making lunches, getting kids ready for school and the rest of the everyday life that gets in the way of looking awesome.

Navy Neutral

Apparently Mother Nature did not get the notice that it is officially Spring. Because it was -3' C this morning and then it snowed all afternoon!

Texture and Print

I always love the way mixed prints look on some of my fave fashion bloggers. Specifically stripes and floral. But every time I put it on myself I think I look a little, well, silly. Perhaps I haven't found the right pieces to combine yet.

Spring Floral

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend. Ours was filled with family and church services and love and laughter. Oh, and food. So. Much. Food.

Comfy (New)Chic

*Disclosure: I received these items for free from Newchic in return for a post reviewing the items. All opinions are 100% my own*

Do you remember when I posted telling you about Newchic?

Good Taste

I am very lucky to have family members who have good taste. Almost everyone has experienced that gift that you open and say "Thanks!" when you're really thinking "Oh gracious! Please have a gift receipt!"

Double Duty

So - spoiler alert - this is not a purple skirt - it's a purple dress!

Boho-Babe

Okay - so I know it's a bit tongue in cheek to refer to myself as a babe - but I do love alliteration.

 

Pantsuit fake-out

I do love a good black suit - but I haven't actually owned a pant-suit in ages.

Lady in Red

A while back I heard that Suzy Shier was getting a Plus-Size line - and let me tell you, I was excited. Suzy was a mecca for cheap, fun clothes when I was a teen and I had stopped shopping there a while ago because I had long since outgrown their S/M/L/XL sizing.

Dress or Tunic

Some time ago I bought this tunic at Old Navy...

Winter Prints & Floral

When it's -20'C outside and I have to keep putting on my down coat and giant winter boots I start to get a little clothes-antsy.

Old Favourites New Favourites

Do you have those few items of clothing in your wardrobe that you've had FOREVER but just can't let go of?

Agent Carter?

Do you watch Marvel's Agent Carter? Admittedly, I became interested in it because of my boys and their obsession with all things "super" but I am hooked on the Agent Carter tv show. Peggy Carter is just so. darn. cool.

Beyond Hydration

*Disclosure: I was provided these L'Oreal products for the purpose of a review. All opinions expressed herein are my own*

I was super excited to receive the new Hydra-Total5 skincare line!

Breaking my Own Rules

I'm usually pretty strict about my "rules" when it comes to dressing myself.

Online Shopping

*Disclosure: I will be receiving product from Newchic in return for this wishlist posting as well as a post reviewing the items once I receive them.*

Do you do much shopping online? I order lots of different things online, but usually, clothes aren't one of them. I was recently contacted by Newchic website and asked if I would like to order a few things to try and review. I was definitely interested, but wary because I don't usually buy clothes online - what if they don't fit!? What if the material isn't what I expected?
Also - I usually have major issue navigating the websites for online clothiers.

Newchic's website is fairly easy to navigate and they have TONNES of search options, which I like. I hate looking through lots of pictures and choosing to look at something only to find it's not available in my size. You can narrow your search parameters by size, colour, print, price range, material and pretty much anything else you can think of! They also have a really easy to use wishlist function (which I find is a nice way to save all of the things you *think* you might want to order and then narrow it down according to your budget later on)

Surprisingly - they actually have a fair amount of plus size clothing. My other main issue with most online retailers is they say "We have plus sized clothes!" and by that they mean "We carry up to a US size 12" which is.... not. the. same. You have to take a look at their size chart to figure out what they call the sizes, and knowing your measurements is definitely helpful, but Newchic had quite a few items that fit my measurements.

Here are a few things that I actually ordered from Newchic. I may order other things later on if these items work out.

This casual top looks really comfortable and I look forward to pairing it with my fave jeans, or leggings.

This scarf has a beautiful print and I'm looking forward to wearing it when it arrives.

And lastly this dress is just so fun. I'm hoping that the ruching and curved detail suits my figure.

What do you think? Have you ordered clothes online? Did you have a good experience or bad? Let me know in the comments below - and let me know your fave online retailers!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link/make a purchase I may make a small commission or receive compensation. Thank you*

Fringe-tastic

Fringe, fringe, fringe!

Prep

I have to admit - even though this outfit sort of screams "Prep School" I still love it.

Mama Talks Hair

*Disclosure: This post was in collaboration with Madison Reed to share my hair dos and don'ts with you. I was not compensated for this post.*

So, I have something to share with you Blog friends... you may not have noticed, so I just want to let you in on a little secret.... I have a LOT of hair.

What? You're not surprised? Lol. Okay, okay - I know.

I have naturally curly hair; by naturally curly I mean mostly frizzy, often poofy, nicely curly in some spots and weirdly crimped/flat/completely bizarrely straight in others. Yeah - it's all kinds of awesome.

It's also thick - so thick that I regularly have it cut with thinning scissors. And here's the best part about having curly hair - people just LOVE to give me hair advice.

"Don't get layers cut into your hair!" "You should try out that no-shampoo thing for curly girls!" "You should never ever brush out curly hair!" and so on and so forth.

Well, you know me - I just love to follow people's advice. NOT.

Possible Curly Hair Don't #1 - DON'T cut layers into curly hair or you'll end up with Christmas Tree hair
FALSE. I have layers in my hair; many many layers. In fact, without layers in my hair I often look like a triangle head more than a Christmas tree. I would say a much more reasonable "Don't" for curly hair would be: Don't let someone who doesn't know how to cut curly hair cut layers into your hair. Or DO ask your stylist to see some examples of curly hair they've worked on before. I happen to absolutely love my hairstylist - and she is amazingly talented at cutting curly hair.

Possible Curly Hair Don't #2 - Never use shampoo on your hair.
UM. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!
Okay - I've heard this about a billion times, and I even looked into it:  the "alternate" cleaning solutions for the "no-poo" system for hair. Pretty much anything that's not shampoo makes my hair look greasy, and flat in irritating spots. It's just not great.
That said - one of my DOs for curly hair is do skip a day (or 2 or even 3) between washes. Curly hair is a lazy girls blessing. I wear my hair down for about a day, maybe 2 after washing and then I can usually wear it up for another 2 days before shampooing my hair again.  A little steam and a bit of water and fresh mousse or argan oil spray and my hair is good to go for the day! Win!

Possible Curly Hair Don't #3 - You should NEVER brush out curly hair. 
Well I'm sorry(notsorry) - but I just can't do it. I will admit that I DON'T OFTEN brush out my hair. But when I do I use a wide bristle brush and go really really slow and careful. That said - if I don't brush it out I end up with hair falling out all over the place. I DO brush through it with a wide tooth comb while I'm in the shower every time I use conditioner. I know that people say that it causes more breakage to brush out curly hair - but I don't think I've ever noticed a significant loss of hair because of brushing.

 

Madison Reed has a pretty cool hair colour quiz you can take - and check out some of their Dos and Don'ts for your hair.

What's your best hair advice? Have you ever bucked the trends or bucked the rules and done something you're not "supposed" to do? DO let me know in the comments below!