To my dearest, superfantastic readers,
It is with sadness that I must announce that Francesca will no longer be working on this blog, for the foreseeable future. She is leaving to invest her time in other (alas, non-fashion-related) projects.
Manolo for the Big Girl has been a gracious and loving home to me for the past three years, and it is not easy to leave. Yet, Francesca knows that you will be in the best of hands with our wonderful, inimitable Plumcake and dear Twistie.
I have learned much from you, my internet friends, and from all our excellent co-bloggers in the Fatosphere, especially from Plumcake and from the incomparable Kate Harding. My own self-confidence, self-acceptance, and sense of personal style have increased because of all of you. I hope that I have been able to contribute to your lives, as well, in the most positive of ways.
Francesca will continue to check in on the Manolo empire and perhaps comment from time to time, so this isn’t exactly a “goodbye.” However, I feel a need to leave with an example of Big Girls in Art,
and a parting lesson about beauty: the first rule of being superfantastic is to be thoughtful of others. The second, third, and fourth rules involve clear skin, a good bra, and a good haircut, but I’m sure Plumcake will have plenty to say about those. Listen carefully to what she tells you!
Happy shopping and happy LIVING!
xoxo,
Francesca
Francesca, you will be missed. I bought my very first pencil skirt yesterday, and as I was checking my hot self out in the mirror of the dressing room, my first thought was, “I should have listened to Francesca sooner!”
Thank you for helping us realize that the superfantastic is within us all!
Melissa
Comment by Melissa — February 28, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
Thank you and good luck with what comes next!
Comment by Deb — February 28, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Good luck in your new endeavors. I’ll always remember you for introducing me to Les Toil, and for that, always be thankful.
Comment by Mrs. Hendricks — February 28, 2010 @ 3:10 pm
You will most certainly be missed. I have sincerely appreciated your distinctive writing voice on this blog.
I wish you the best of luck in your future projects!
Comment by Alexis — February 28, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
Good luck, Francesca!
Comment by Frances — February 28, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
Francesca! The best of luck to you, and thank you so much for so many great contributions to Manolo. I will miss you!!!
Comment by Tobey — February 28, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
yes, yes — bonne chance!
Comment by marjorie — February 28, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
Francesca, thank you for all the wonderful articles, which have helped open my eyes to being more positive as a plus size woman.
Best wishes for the future!
Christine
Comment by Christine — February 28, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
Francesca you’ve been an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, opinion and perspective. You’ve helped me to move out of my fashion/style comfort zone.
Happy trails!
Joods
Comment by joods — February 28, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
Wishing you all the best in whatever direction you’re taking!
Comment by All Women Stalker — February 28, 2010 @ 11:47 pm
Best of luck, Francesca! We will miss your superfantasticness!
Comment by The gold digger — March 1, 2010 @ 9:55 am
Sniff :-( Bye Bye Ms. Francesca….
Comment by Jennie — March 1, 2010 @ 11:20 am
Oh Francesca, you will be sorely missed. Thanks for helping Big Girls everywhere feel superfantastic! Good luck in whatever the future holds for you!
Comment by gemdiva — March 1, 2010 @ 11:29 am
Fare thee well, Francesca! I hope you will continue to drop by and impart your inimitable words of widsom!
Comment by La Petite Acadienne — March 1, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
Good luck, Francesca!
Comment by dcsurfergirl — March 1, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
All best to you Francesca!!! I really appreciate all your wonderful work for this blog.
Comment by Lisa — March 1, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Best wishes, Francesca, and thanks for the smiles.
Comment by theDiva — March 2, 2010 @ 5:41 am
Dear Francesca,
I wish you all the best for your new projects.
Thank you so much for your wonderful work!
Big hug from Brussels,
Marie
Comment by mariebruxelles — March 2, 2010 @ 11:07 am
Thank you for all the effort you put into this blog. It’s been the only fashion blog I’ve ever wanted to read on a daily business. I appreciate how much work it’s been for both of you, but I hop I can assure you that at least from my point of view, your efforts have been worth it.
Best of luck with whatever new passions you embrace!
Comment by Constance — March 2, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
Dearest Francesca, I will miss you so! You are an amazing voice, a thoughtful, caring individual, and always a wonderful read. Please do check in! I will miss you very much. I’m not a big girl per se, but I find the information and ideas on this site to be very much of the real world, no matter your size. Take care of yourself, and don’t forget us!
Comment by slownews — March 2, 2010 @ 6:27 pm