A broad Broad, abroad

*Welcome to my first guest post! I have mentioned Vanessa in past blogs & tweets but now you get the real thing! From time to time this East Coast born, Toronto living, hairstylist & fashionista will be writing about her experiences & take on fashion. You can follow her on twitter as her alter-ego, Kenicke Street.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a globe trotter. Every year or so I hop the pond and treat myself to a European jaunt. There are three things that keep me returning to the old countries: the sights, the food and the shopping!!!

There's nothing I like more on a sunny, Spanish afternoon than sitting at a cafe, enjoying a cervesa and ogling the locals. Europeans know how to kill an ensemble. Everyone is so put together and how they manoeuvre the cobbles in those heels I'll never know.
If Hollywood has taught us anything it's that every European is a vision of waify perfection. What my travels have taught me is that European woman, like the women the world over, come in all sizes. The difference between us North Americans and our European brethren is that the Euros recognize that there are women bigger than a size 10 and that we too like to look savage.
My favourite shopping spot that i have found abroad in recent years is a store by the name of Penney's (or Primark outside of the UK). I compare it to another European superpower H&M, but it has sizes up to a 24! and it's cheap!! I find more often than not, European stores carry up to at least a 16 but usually higher.　

Vanessa outside House of Lords salon in Toronto

The North American retailer, boxed in with small sizes that sit in the store, eventually hit the sale rack and then are recalled back to the company should take note of European retailers. I feel like Europe has a better understanding of supply and demand when it comes to fashion. Between Primark, Asos, Evans and many others, there are so many ways to keep us Full of Fabulous

　
　
dress: Primark (13 euro)
shoes: Walmart ($19)
headband: Ardene's
necklace: etsy (darling dilemma)

OOTD; Toronto Edition

On the corner of Queen & Augusta, Toronto June '11

As I have now mentioned (several times) I just returned from a trip to Ontario. It rained most of my holiday but on my last day, in Toronto for my shopping spree, the sun was blazing & I was thrilled (although slightly hungover)! My friend snapped a couple pictures of my outfit & I thought I would share the (somewhat disheveled) results.



tunic top from evans (love the ruffles & sequin details)
pewter leggings from voluptuous



Steve Madden bag from StyleSense



Right before I hit the salon for much better hair... I promise!

Alright, I look grouchy but I promise you I wasn't... in fact I was having a marvellous time. This whole 'pose for the camera' thing is new to me, so I'll have to get in some more practice! 

*On a side note sadly Dom has decided to part ways with the FoF blog and focus on her other ventures (and trust me when I say she has plenty of them!). Have no fear though, I will continue on & already have several featured writers lined up for time-to-time posts!

Packed Full of Fabulousness

 

So like Dom, I too am off soon for a mini va-cay to Ontario! Dom will be off to Mississauga/Toronto area to cheer on our local Sea Dogs hockey team while I am off to see my nearest & dearest!

It is hard to resist a meet up for crazed shopping sprees, seeing as we will be there at the same time, but alas our schedules will likely not sync.  That being said, I think it is safe to say you can expect shopping posts from both of us upon our returns!

So it looks like I will be in my hometown & surrounding areas for 5 full days (with 2 days on either end of that for driving!) & I'm excited to pick & pack all my fabulous outfits! We have had a sudden & drastic change in weather here in New Brunswick the last few days but for the most part I haven't had the chance to wear much 'warm weather' clothing yet this year!
This is definitely an area of my wardrobe that needs to expand!!
Couple pairs of capris, few skirts & 1 summer dress, totally don't make a season's worth of outfits!

I recently picked up what I predict will become a summer staple, a beige mini with cargo flare (& built in shorts underneath which is a TOTAL blessing as an active mom & with warm summer thighs... ah the realities of plus size are glamorous sometimes!).

This skirt is from Three Hearts, a brand I'm not familiar with, but I found for only $20 at Winners!! The skirt is heavy cotton with some stretch & absolutely great quality. A perfect find.

 

Some other things I'm looking forward to breaking in on this trip are my more 'fancy' or 'night time' clothes.

An amazing pair of crazy silver grey & metallic skinny jeans from ASOS Curve (scored from their latest sale along with a few other dreamy items!) are jumping at the chance to get on the dance floor!!

Also waiting for the light of day is a navy blue tunic style piece that a beautiful friend in England scored me from Evans.

So while Dom is looking forward to getting new clothes on her vacation, I'm ready to show mine off!
Now who wants to take me out?

Fabulously,

Em