Some of my favorite brands are having promotions right now, so I wanted you to be clued in.

Torrid is having a lingerie sale now through 2/15. Everything lingerie is 25-50% off. Here is my pick - Hot Pink Chemise, was $38, now $28.50



eShakti, sells customize sized clothes at reasonable prices. They are offering a buy 1, get the 2nd 30% off deal through 2/15. I have a dress from them that I really like, so I wouldn't hesitate to order again. Check out their new Chinese Peony Silk Dress. It's $69.95 ($10 more if you want customizing). This is just one of many awesome things on their site.



Kiyonna wants to get more people to become fans of their Facebook page. So they are offering 20% off your order if you become a fan (they'll email you the code). It's worth it get styles like the Lily Surplice Dress, $88 before the discount. Purple is my favorite color (I bet you thought it was pink!)




A few more deals worth checking out:

*Buy 1 Bra and Get 1 at 50% Off at Addition Elle - Expires after Feb. 16, 2010

*Take 15% Off ANY Delia'sOrder Over $75 with code DEL1575. Ends 2/18

*Get Free Shipping at Silhouettes on orders of $75 or more! Use Code AFLOVE at checkout. Ends 2/15

Labels: plus size clothes, plus size discounts

Have you ever heard of La Grande Dame? They have some of the top plus designers available for sale on their site including Melissa Masse, Gayla Bentley, Tadashi, Marina Rinaldi and more. I am not sure why I didn't know much about this online boutique before this but they are definitely on my watch list now.

Check out this Anna Scholz dress available for pre-sale. It's the Bow Button Dress, $305 and super cute!



You can find lots more stylish plus size goodness at LaGrandeDame.com

Um, seriously? Badgley Mischka designing a line for HSN (Home Shopping Network). Not possible right? EXCEPT IT IS. This is Badgley Mischka "American Glamour" style at affordable prices and I must say, the selection is quite cute, although limited right now to about 5 apparel pieces.



Silk Tunic with Sash Belt, $109, to size 3X




Reversible Knit One Shoulder Top, $99.90, to size 3X


They are also doing jewelry:


Drama Star Drop Earrings, $39



Maltese Cross Stretch Bracelet, $79

Would you wear any of these?

It's getting easier to be a plus size woman in Hollywood. The very plus Gabourey Sibide, actress and star of the critically aclaimed film Precious, has been getting some fabulous gowns designed for all the award shows from the likes of Kevan Hall, Tadashi Shoji, and David Meister. I encourage you to support designers who support us! Gabby has chosen designers who do plus size lines, as opposed to straight size designers who only make plus sizes when a celebrity is involved. Go Gabby!

Here is Gabby in Kevan Hall at the Golden Globes:



I think this dress is very pretty, I love the green with her skin. But I'd have preferred the neckline just a little bit lower to open her up a little more, and then the sleeves just a touch shorter. It also looks like it is too long on her, and if that's a train, I don't think it was necessary for this dress. But overall, a nice look.

Gabby wore this Tadashi Shoji dress below to an awards show recently, but I didn't feel like it flattered her shape when I saw the photos. I think this works better for an hourglass than her figure, which is more of an apple.




If I had $550 and a wedding to go to, there is no doubt in my mind that I would own this Tadashi Shoji dress, it is breathtaking:




Gabby has also been dressed by David Meister. Like Tadashi Shoji, you can find this line at Saks. Here is one of his designs, which is also tragically expensive ($530) but stunning. It is made of jersey, which might make it a bit clingy on the lumps&bumps, but it's lined, which does usually help and its ruched, which makes it more flattering. I think Gabby would look fabulous in this dress with the right undergarments.

I keep finding much more stylish, edgy pieces on line in plus sizes. I've had a lot of double takes lately, because I can't believe they are finally making these things in plus! Unfortunately, it's hard to put my money where my mind is on these, because a lot of them are beaucoup bucks. But hey, it gives me something to aspire too - I rarely find a plus designer piece to covet. Here are more than a few!



Why they shot this Stizzoli top (above) with such a dark skirt that it looks like a dress, I don't know. But just the top is $500. And yes, that's actual fringe, not a pattern. LOVE IT.



What I like about the Adrienne Vittadini white top above is that the proportion of the design is the right size and position for plus size bodies. If a pattern or print is done too small or in the wrong place, it can totally ruin the whole look. I'd be careful with the Evans top to make sure the girl's eyes in the drawings don't hit weird places on your bust line.

Left: Adrienne Vittadini Floral Print Top, $218
Right: Evans UK Lace Girl Motif Tee, £27.00






Tahari "Eliza" Leather Jacket, $1,298 (ouch!)

The leather jacket is mega expensive but the leather looks delicious, Tahari makes quality, and a leather jacket is a wardrobe staple. This still would not justify me buying it (what with my mortgage and all) but if you've got the money, I say go for it!!! With some dark wash jeans and a pair of black booties, you would look hot. What do you think?

My husband I just booked a trip to Belize for this summer and of course I've now become fixated on the need for summery clothes and swimsuits. I was perusing the selection available now, which really isn't bad! Winter is a popular travel season to warm climates, so retailers need to have some items available. Here are a few bathing suits I am considering for the trip:

A new swimsuit:


On the left is the Miraclesuit "Rock the Croc"
Swimsuit, $144 at Nordstrom. I think the pattern is very cute and could also be forgiving in the belly area. The suit on the right is Alloy Ring Front One Piece which is a lot more affordable at $49.99. My only concern would be the possibly funny ring tan line.




The suit on the left is the Lane Bryant Balconette Swim Top
, which is $59.50. I think this would be the most flattering of all the suits because it's actually got a real bra top in it and that is my number one complaint in swimsuits - not getting the support I want. The suit on the left is also Lane Bryant, Retro One Piece Swimsuit, $99.50. This is a really sexy suit, very retro and I think would popular with the hubby.

Which one should I buy????

I did it. I started wearing skinny jeans. I never thought I'd succumb to the trend, but lately, I've been rocking it, and feeling pretty good.

I think the trick to them, especially for a wide hipped girl like me, is really finding the right things to wear them with. My pick - a waist slimming belt, and a pair of big, fun boots. I prefer stretch belts as they are more comfy to wear during the day, and big boots because they provide some balance to the hips.

Some cute stretch belts:



Left: Black Swallow Tattoo Belt, $22 at Torrid.com
Right: Red Double Buckle Stretch Belt, $22 at Torrid.com

For boots, I have trouble with heels, even though I totally want to rock them like a sexy bitch (haha). I have been wearing these giant fur boots that make me look a little ridiculous, yet I love them. I've also been doing sweater boots, because you can scrunch them like leg warmers. Neither of mine are specifically billed for wide calves because both have the flexibility to fit a variety of sizes. The ones below are similar to the boots I've been wearing.




Left: RSVP Emma Sweater Boots, $64 at Zappos.com
Right: Timberland Winterbury Boots, $$119 at Zappos.com

Done right, almost any trend can be adaptable to plus sizes - but don't force it if it's not working. I waited a long time to find a skinny jeans look that worked for me, and even still I am not always convinced I wouldn't look better in my old boot cut jeans. But that's why they call them trends - they don't last forever, so if you want to experiment, I say go for it, just don't spend too much money on them, so if you aren't happy you don't have an empty wallet!