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

ANNA SCHOLZ, too, has relaunched her website. The photography is excellent and Francesca enjoyed perusing. What she appreciates about the new labels is that everyone can find something they like; if they are willing to pay for it.

CHADWICKS is having a clearance sale.

FIGLEAVES has new items in outlet.

IGIGI has come out with a new maxi dress (pictured), and through Feb.20 is offering a free gift and free shipping with purchases of $150 or more. Francesca does not know what the free gift is, but the email implies that it is a set of pretty earrings that match the dress.

SILHOUETTES will take $30 off your purchase of $125, or $50 off your purchase of $200, through Feb. 22, with code  SBE3.

LORD & TAYLOR is offering free shipping through Feb. 18, and is having a clearance event. Also, print this coupon for in-store savings, or use code PRES for 20% off your purchase. (If you have a L&T card, use that and code PRESPLUS for 30% off.) Plus-sizes here.

EVANS is offering free shipping in the UK through tomorrow. Also they have taken 20% off all coats, jackets, and knitwear.

May his soul rest in peace.

Whether the problem lies with Hollywood, or with Vanity Fair, or both is up for discussion.

Sources:

Jezebel

Shine

Gabouray Sidibe!

Francesca loves the Gabouray Sidibe. She is beautiful! She is confident! She is sexy!

And here, she is wearing the “Roxie” dress from Monif C.

Francesca asks: short dress or long top?

Discuss.

What say you about the Ayla colorblock dress? In the back it is all black.

Part of Francesca is thinking “kewl,” and part of her is thinking “that episode of Star Trek.”

Here we have the “Brilliant Ideas” dress in green, which would look superfantastic on the top-heavy or hourglass woman, but is sadly terrible for the woman of apple-ness (the oval-shaped).

Look! The beautiful “Francesca” dress (natch) now comes in a gorgeous shade of purple:

Finally, before we head off for the weekend, what say you about the “Exceptional Ruffle Dress,” shown here in Chocolate?

Francesca loves the belt and thinks this would look terrific in the office, but cannot bring herself to embrace the ruffle.

Ruffles have been showing up with increasing frequency lately on the fashions, and despite her love of lace and feminine styles, Francesca is not excited. “Lacy” and “Frilly” are not the same and do not have to go together like love and marriage.

Anyhow, have a happy weekend! xoxo

LAND’S END

IGIGI has new dresses! What say you of them? Francesca’s pick is the (floor length) Secret Muse Dress with the Bolero shrug (pictured).

JUST MY SIZE has a deal on bras through February 24: Buy any two Glamorize or Bali bras (or one of each), get a third free.

EVANS wants to remind you that if you live in the UK or Ireland, you get free return shipping if something does not fit.

COLDWATER CREEK has reduced prices even further on everything in outlet (these prices are online only and may not match the prices in their physical Outlet stores).

BLUEFLY has new handbags and shoes in contemporary styles. Francesca prefers classic styles, but not everyone has the same taste, so perhaps you will love what is there. Francesca’s pick (pictured):Stuart Weitzman croc patent boots.

CHADWICKS will take $20 off your purchase of $60 or more, through January 31, with code CHTAKE$20. Shop plus sizes here.

ASHLEY STEWART has a “buy one, get one half off” deal on select items  (online only) , and has added new items to their virtual sale rack.

Happy shopping! xoxo

Warning: the column may have some emotional triggers for many readers.

LANE BRYANT

FREDERICKS OF HOLLYWOOD is having a clearance sale. Plus sizes here. (NSFW) Also, through Sunday, if you order $75 or more, they will throw in a free lipgloss.

LA GRANDE DAME has new arrivals. Free shipping and free return shipping, as always, with code FREESHIP.

MONIFC has taken even more markdowns on several items, to make room for new stuff. Francesca thinks the prices are now at a very reasonable level, so if you usually cannot afford Monif C, and there is something you like, the time has come (though, unfortunately, everyone’s favorite robe is not on sale). Francesca doubts the prices will get lower than this. For example, the Angelina trench coat (pictured) is down from $245 to $98.

WOMAN WITHIN: If there is something you want from their site anyhow that is $25 or more, buy it today and throw in code WWLOVEYOU and they will give you a personal organizer with a binder, calendar, calculator, notebook, and address book.

SOMA INTIMATES has taken 25% off all lace bras (online only). Also see their semi-annual sale here.

SILHOUETTES will take The money off your purchase with code SAE3, through Monday: $20 off purchases of $100 or more, or $30 off purchases of $150 or more.

SAKS has new bags and shoes by Gucci. Free shipping on orders of $200 or more with code WINTER.

ONE STOP PLUS has many new arrivals.  Francesca’s pick: A cute cami.

CHADWICKS is having a big sale. Many excellent choices for the office!

AVENUE is having a big clearance sale. Through Sunday, also use code AV101006 for an additional $10 off purchases of $75 or more, or AV101016 for an additional 20% off clearance items. With the code, this one-shoulder dress (pictured) is now about $40.

Happy shopping! xoxo