Double Post! The Shoe Review and Fa(t)shion Friday!

The Shoe: Fioni Barbie Shoes, Sz. 10
The Store: Payless
The Price: $18 USD



These shoes are a staple of my "interesting items" wardrobe - you know, those items you wear out specifically as a point of conversation. Although I cant wear them all the time, I love them for a good night out.

Pros: Unique color, Grippy Heels, Pointed toe doesn't pinch.
Unlike most heels, what I love love love about these, is the heel/pad of the foot is made of a grippy rubbery material, so you don't accidentally slip on slick surfaces. You have NO IDEA how wonderful this is, and honestly, I dont know why more heels dont use this. The color is what truly grabbed me though. Lets face it, I have probably 10 pairs of black heels for every occasion, but I love these more than all of those combined, simply because they're so different from every thing else I have. The toe of these heels, although pointed, isn't so narrow that it pinches your toes. Happy toes = happy feet.

Cons: Heel Height/Width.
I can't be the only person out there that has trouble walking in heels, otherwise I don't think they'd make thick heels, or kitten heels. These are probably the thinnest heels I'd wear without worrying they're going to snap off. (Okay, I still worry, but that's besides the point).

The Verdict:
If these shoes had been more expensive, I probably wouldn't have bought them, simply because I have a hard time walking in them. I love the color though, so, for this time atleast, I couldn't pass them up.

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The Clothes: Floral Wrap Dress, Sz. 2X
The Store: Fashion Bug (USA)
The Price: $20 USD



Pros: Hides imperfections, modest length, two ways to wear it.
When I first bought this dress, I was a little apprehensive, because I'd never owned a *real* wrap dress, and I was worried something might happen and my dress would accidentally come undone, and I'd flash someone (or some other nonsense). None of this has ever happened, and honestly, now I know its kind of silly of me to have thought this. I like that this dress hits just below the knee on me, and makes for a nice, modest Easter/family gathering type dress. Its quick to slip on and go, and the all over floral pattern works wonders to hide any little lumps and bumps. I found two ways to wear it - as shown in the first picture, tied to the side, or after I lost a little weight, I found I could tie it all the way around my waist to define it a bit more.

Cons: Low cut when worn as shown.
My one real gripe with this dress is, being bigger busted, my bras come up rather high on the chest, making v-neck, and low cut things hard to wear. As was expected, this didn't come up high enough to cover the top of my bra, and I ended up having to pin it in the middle, to keep it from gaping and showing my bra.

The Verdict:
This dress is getting a bit too big on me, which sadly means I'll probably have to get rid of it soon, but given the chance, I'd buy it again (especially if I could find it in a size smaller this time around). I love it for when I want to quick slip on something nice looking to go out, or for a day when I just feel like wearing a cute, springy outfit.

Fa(t)shion Friday: Va-Va-Voom

The Clothes: Red Halter Dress, Sz 16
The Store: Ricki's (Canada)
The Price: $30 CAD (Originally $130 CAD)

This dress is one of the reasons I am a complete advocate of getting store discount cards - especially if they're free. If you don't use them, no big deal, and if you do use them, you can get some pretty amazing returns. This particular instance was that Ricki's was having a 50% off sale, and it opened a day early for members (Nothing picked over yet!), I also had a coupon for $25 off, when you spend $75 or more (cheap accessory to cover that price), and another $20 off coupon for my birthday. Right place, right time? Yes, I think so.

Pros: Hugs your curves, Gorgeous color.
Let me start off by saying, as soon as I walked in the store, this dress was like a neon-flashing light to me. Something in my brain clicked on and said "look at the pretty color!". Its hard to see from the picture, but the dress is ruby-red, with a gold undertone. In addition to being really pleasing to the eyes, the gold reflects on your skin, making you look like you have a nice healthy golden glow (which is amazing because I am pasty right now!!). The fabric has a subtle stretch to it, which is great because it hugs your curves, and kind of makes you look like a 40's starlet. Va-va-voom!

Cons: Poly-blend fabric.
I dont know what it is about poly-blend fabrics, but I HATE the feeling. This stuff feels like windbreaker material to be, which is a huge downfall, but at the same time I love the dress itself so much that I am willing to ignore it for an evening out.

The Verdict:
I needed a party dress, and I happened to find a gorgeous dress for less than most cheap articles of clothing. This was a definite buy for me (I am sure I'll find another reson to wear this gorgeous dress too!!).

Fa(t)shion Friday: Work Appropriate Week

The Clothes: Michel Anton Pintuck Dress, Sz 16W
The Store: AdditiionElle
The Price: $20 CAD (Originally $150 CAD)

Pros: Pintuck detailing, Neutral color, Flattering length, Sturdy construction.
For a work-safe dress, this is about as good as they come. This neutral grey dress hits just above the knee, which is neither too short as to look "sexy", nor too long making you look frumpy and outdated. It has a very sturdy construction, and some eye-catching pintuck detailing at the bust. The neutral color leaves for plenty of opportunity to pair with a dash of color to keep the look fresh and in tune with the season's current fashions.

Cons: Heavy weight fabric, Short sleeves.
In the middle of winter, having a heavy-weight fabric seems like a good idea, but even for winter it does tend to be a bit warm. Inversely, it has very short sleeves, which leave you both overheating AND freezing in the cold weather months.

The Verdict:
At the original price, I probably would have passed this dress by, but I caught the right sale at the right time, and I am willing to spend $20 on a nice work-appropriate dress. Overall, I would probably pass this store by - unless, as stated before, I find the right sale.

Shop Online at AdditionElle

Fa(t)shion Friday: Fashion Bug Print Emma Dress

The Clothes: Fashion Bug Print Emma Dress, Sz XL (S-3X)
The Store: Fashion Bug
The Price: $12 USD



Rehash Review, Pt. 2:
This week's reviews are all about rehashes. Favorite store had the most amazing fitting shoe or dress, but sold out before you could buy it? Never fear! Stores often use the same design, but update the pattern each season to match whatever the trend happens to be in style at the time. This is especially handy if you found something that fits amazingly, or, if you happened to have loved that article so much you wore it out and now need a replacement.

Pros: Flattering cut, Pattern hides "bumps".
I love the cut of this cute little spring dress. When worn where I wear it, it has a nice band under the bust that ties in the back to accent the waist, and some sliight ruching on the bust for added detail.

Have you ever stared at those "optical illusions" pictures trying to find a boat or whatever, and never did actually find it? The print on this dress is a lot like that. It seems to make all the little lumps, bumps, and lines disappear like magic, which is kind of nice when you have some pudge you aren't quite happy with.

Cons: Needs a roomier bust, Skirt needs to be longer.
I'm looking at the product pictures, and I see how they are wearing this dress, but thats just not how you're actually going to try and wear it in real life. You're going to try and wear the dress so the band sits under your breasts. And because of this, there isn't going to be enough fabric on top to cover your bra if you're wearing a "full cup" bra. As it is, it barely covers my lowest cut bra, simply because of my ample boobage. The skirt on this dress barely skims my knees, which for people taller than myself might be a pretty big problem since I'm on the short side.

The Verdict:
I like this dress, I'm willing to put up with my tiny annoyances with it. Its probably a better fit for someone sporting a smaller bust size than H. I like the patterns, I wish I would have gotten this dress in black when I had the chance though.

Buy Online and In-store at Fashion Bug