OK, so some of you luuuurve it, and some of you haaaaaate it, but the Marilyn Convertible dress by MonifC continues to pique Francesca’s interest. I cannot explain why. I am riveted. One of these days, Francesca will have to stop by the MonifC boutique in New York and try it for herself.

Anyway, the reason Francesca brings it up is that the dress is now available in colors which would go nicely with the sort of fashionable, colorful shoes which the esteemed Manolo has been discussing at his home blog.

Look . . .

Lime!

Fuschia!

Orange! Francesca is so jealous of women who look good in orange!

And other colors too.

Francesca loves these colors. She would advise that the model in the last two photos would look uber-superfantastic if she a) wore stockings and b) avoided tying the dress so tightly that she hangs over the top of the dress. Otherwise, it is very nice.

Francesca loves the spring colors!

xoxo

So many pretty things, so little time . . .

Shirdresses are in fashion. Show off those arms! This little number can work “dressed up”  for the company picnic or strolls in the Hamptons, or “dressed down” for the “Mommy, Me, and Mozart” class. Available 14W-24W.

Such a sweet way to wear the mod pattern which are so in vogue. Sizes 14W-24W.

And here, the oo-la-la lacy satin dress for the special night out. Sizes 14-24.

Women have a reputation –deserved or not– for not liking other women.  Personally, I dig chicks and my life is infinitely better for the various and sundry kick ass women who’ve entered it.

This week’s mission is to find one of the women who has made a positive difference in your life and write her a thank-you letter.  It could be the first woman who showed you that it was possible to say no graciously or your first boss who encouraged instead of sabotaged you. It could be the aunt who stood up to the bully of the family, the female clergyperson who consoled you through a miscarriage or your kid sister who battled cancer. Heck it could just be that girl at work who told you that maybe you needed a lighter foundation to avoid the dreaded scourge of Easter-egg neck.

Whoever it is, say thank you. It’s hard enough being a woman, why not spread a little kindness?

In light of our recent discussion about public insults, I thought I’d share this heartwarming revenge story with you all.

While I am not usually a fan of the snappy insult in return for clueless cruelty, I do think this woman had it coming. And as much as I prefer to rise above the fray when possible, there are times when something Needs To Be Said.

Here’s what I need to say:

I stand being fat every day because there is more to me than a superficial shell…though that superficial shell looks damn good, thank you very much.

I stand being fat every day because it’s a better look on me than the stress of trying desperately to fit into a mold I will never actually fit.

I stand being fat every day by knowing that even if someone doesn’t like the way I look or the way I dress, they can still connect with a vital, interesting mind underneath.

I stand being fat every day by enjoying the love of friends, family, neighbors, and a cat who thinks I’m his pajamas.

I stand being fat every day because it’s a part of who I am, and on the whole, I’d rather be me than anyone else in the world.

Why? Because I’m superfantastic, I rock, and I have a good time with my life. I can write. I can sing. I can make my own lace. I can remember the words to all the Monty Python routines that make me laugh like a loon. I can get obscure references to historical oddities. I can entertain a small child. I can bake fabulous pies. I can speak intelligently on Jacobean theater and the latest episode of Project Runway as well as literature, classical music, rock music, the evolution of the bustle, and myriad other subjects. I can listen to others in pain and give comfort. I can appreciate a well-turned phrase and a well-turned shoe. I can carry a heavier load than you’d think. What’s more, nobody can take that away from me no matter what I weigh.

Why? Because not one of those things has a damn thing to do with my waistline. And if there are people who cannot see beyond my dress size, I feel sorry for them.

Amusingly enough, there’s nothing that irritates people like that more than being pitied.

How I love my fellow Big Girls! Whenever I start up a round of caption madness, you come up with such deliciously imaginative responses. This time was no exception. Faced with this picture:

You sent in caption after caption, each one superfantastic in its own way. But there can be only one winner, my friends, and this week the virtue of simpliciy in the face of ridiculousness is demonstrated.

Give it up for thepinkeminance! She wins with this elegant yet gutbusting response:

Marriage: Unplugged.

Congratulations, thepinkeminance! And thanks to everyone who played. You are all, indeed, superfantastic.