Francesca must hand it to Coldwater Creek. They sent a letter to their email list asking patrons to please make donations toward relief in Haiti.  Not “buy stuff from us, and also donate to Haiti,” not “buy stuff from us and we will give a portion of the proceeds to Haiti.” Just a letter that said “we, the employees of Coldwater Creek, are giving money to help Haiti and we hope you will too.” It was refreshingly . . . nice. They linked to several organizations which are taking and channeling relief funds, including:

American Red Cross

Doctors Without Borders

Mercy Corps

DesignerShoes.com, too, came through with a request for Haitian relief. They have partnered with Soles for Souls, asking that people donate their new or gently-used shoes to be sent to Haiti. In particular they are looking for durable sandals and sneakers, and children’s shoes. Information about how to donate your shoes is here.

CJ BANKS is having a weekend sale (online and in store), through Sunday: an additional 50% off clearance, and 50% off sweaters. The split turtleneck sweater looks cozy. The square neck eyelet tee which Francesca has previously highlighted (pictured) is now marked down from $40 to just $10.

TORRID has taken an additional 50% off clearance items, (online and in-store), “for a limited time.” There are some wonderful deals there for the younger girl of fabulosity, and in perusing the selections, Francesca found that even the women in their 30′s  and 40′s can find select items that are on the more muted side, appropriate for the office.

EILEEN FISHER will take an additional 25% off sale items through Monday, online and in-store.

CATHERINES has several sales going on: 1) today and tomorrow, get $15 off any purchase of $75 or more with code 777003260. 2) Through January 16, get 25% off spring new arrivals. Francesca is feeling “eh” about it, but likes this pretty side-wrap bathing suit (pictured) and the draped-front knit dress for work or evenings. 3) 40% off denim, through Monday.

COLDWATER CREEK has begun their bi-annual Red Tag Clearance.

FASHION BUG has items in the following categories on sale, online only, through Monday: tops for $8 or less; bottoms for $10; sleepwear (terry-cloth robe in 1x and 2x here); dresses (Francesca found a bridal gown in 16W for under $55). Also, intimates are on sale, online and in-store.

SPIEGEL introduces their new “Leather and Leopard” collection, some of which is 50% off right now. Not all items come in plus sizes, but the Misses sizes go up to 18.

Happy shopping and happy weekend! xoxo

Francesca received a personal email asking us to post the following casting call, for women who would like to compete in a television game show about fashion (and win a shopping spree). Disclaimer: Francesca does not know anything about this project except what is written here. Good luck and have fun.

World of Wonder – the Emmy winning production company behind Party Monster, Monica in Black & White and RuPaul’s Drag Race – is casting the pilot for a new fashion game show that will air on a major cable network.  We are specifically looking for curvy and plus sized women who are fiercely fashionable.

Are your accessories the envy of everyone you know? Do people stop you on the street and ask you where you got your outfit?  We’re searching for the most fashionable women in the Southern California area from all walks of life.  If you are the best dressed in your office or the fashionista of your church pew we want you.

World of Wonder (www.worldofwonder.net) is casting right now and if you’re fabulous, we want to hear from you. The pilot will air on cable, and we’re searching for the most fashionable ladies in So Cal ages 20-40.

Email at least two candid pics, how to get in touch with you and a bit about your fashion philosophy to Beth Schacter at bschacter@worldofwonder.net

The winner gets a shopping spree at a major department store!

As we head into the weekend, when we can surf the interwebs without fear of angering The Man, Francesca wants to know:

Do you keep a blog, or know of a terrific blog you’d recommend?

If so, what it is about, and how can we get to it?

xoxo

My dear internet friends, Francesca has been at her computer, typing away for the Day Job, almost non-stop since Sunday morning, and her head may very well explode. This calls, you know, for retail therapy.

AVENUE introduces their “screens and jeans” collection.

CATHERINES end-of-year clearance sale ends today. Also ending today, bras and shapewear are “buy 2, get 1 free” and panties are “buy 3, get 2 free.” Finally, today only, get 40% off a regular-priced item with code 777003245.

FASHION BUG, too, is having sales on intimates, online and in-store through January 19. Bras are “buy 2, get 2 free.” Panties are “buy 3, get 3 free.” Shapewear is “buy 1, get 1 at 50% off.” They also have some nice new workout clothes.

JUST MY SIZE is having a bra sale through January 18.

IGIGI has added new items to their sale rack. Francesca’s pick: the Jessica dress (pictured) is now under $50 (limited sizes). They also have some VERY interesting new arrivals.

JESSICA LONDON is having a winter sale including coats and boots and other things to get now at good prices to wear next year (and this year). Francesca’s pick: the Leather Trench Coat.

MAKE YOUR OWN JEANS will take 10% off any purchase with code 10JEANS through January 31.

MAXIMUM WOMAN is selling coats at 50% off, and for a limited time if you buy one sale coat you can purchase a second for $50. Use code SUKA. Also see their clearance sale here.

MONIF C is having a “secret sale” through Friday: PHONE IN your order at 1.212.842.1641 and say “secret sale,” and they will take 50% off the original price of holiday items, and 50% off the clearance sale of clearance items. (This also works in person, if you can go to their Manhattan boutique.) If you have been eyeing the trench coat, or if you are on the love side of the “love/hate” divide on the convertible dress, now is your chance.

OLD NAVY is having a clearance sale.

PERFUMANIA is having a big sale on a wide variety of scents, and you get free shipping on U.S. orders over $65.

That should take care of Francesca’s headache! xoxo

Francesca sometimes reads the blog “Single Dad/Disabled Daughter,” which is pretty much what it sounds like: it is written by a 40-something New England man whose teenage daughter is non-mobile, non-verbal, and cannot communicate in any way. (She laughs and cries, but cannot perform a repeatable action at will to represent “yes” or “no.”)

As “Pearlsky” gets older, Single Dad wants to know from his female readers how he can make his daughter look pretty and well-cared-for, without sexualizing her or crossing into creepy territory:

Should her ears be pierced? Her navel? And if so, should she wear those shirts that show her midriff?

I have always wanted, and still want, Pearlsky to blend in as much as possible . . .  . Yes, I know Pearlsky will never really blend in, so maybe it is so she stands out less?

She is dark haired … do I shave her legs in the summertime when she is in shorts and swimming? Should she wear nail polish? Lipstick? (Those two are probably impractical, but still). How about mascara? If not, why do you? Being a teenager, her skin occasionally breaks out, especially in rhythm with her cycle. Should I try to minimize any acne-like activity? If so, how does that reasoning differ from mascara which would only highlight her beautiful eyes. But then, do I want to highlight anything beautiful about her? If so, why? Why not?

Francesca knows that the intelligent, stylish and friendly women here will have good pointers for this poor stymied man! Read the whole post and share your wisdom here.

P.S. Word to the wise: Single Dad really does not like it when people compliment him for being strong or doing things that they don’t think they could do in his shoes. He is also tired of “Lord bless you and Pearlsky” sentiments. FYI.

SILHOUETTES will take an extra 25% off clearance with code SCL25. Ends tonight at midnight.

KIYONNA will take 20% off everything from their site, and give free shipping on orders of $100 or more, through midnight tonight. Use code RESOLUTION.

CHADWICKS is having their first sale of 2010.

TORRID has new swimwear. Francesca’s pick.

SHOEMALL is having a sale.

LA GRANDE DAME will take 25% off everything on the site with code NEWYEAR, through Friday.

CHICO’S will take $25 off purchases of $100 or more with code 6712, through Sunday.

B & LU is having a terrific post-holiday sale, with many fantastic party/night-on-the-town tops now for under $20.

JESSICA LONDON is having a winter clearance sale.

AVENUE is having a “winter sidewalk” sale. If you can wear empire waists, check out this fun “Sosie Geo Print” dress for the summer, costing just $12.96 on clearance.

FIGLEAVES is having a nice sale, with items up to 50% off.

ALIGHT has a sale going on.

ZAFTIQUE‘s clearance sale ends on January 11.

JUNONIA, the wonderful source for cold-weather clothes and activewear, is continuing their after-Christmas clearance sale.

SMART BARGAINS is having a big liquidation sale with truly excellent deals. Women’s apparel. Shoes. Fine Jewelry. Women’s watches. Handbags and other accessories.

Francesca’s picks: Check out these incredible designer-shoe opportunities:

• Charles David leather boots for $72.
• Isaac Mizrahi satin peep-toes, $72.
• Taryn Rose Cap-Toe Wedges, $143.
• Charles David crocodile stiletto boots, $192.
• Cole Haan “Genevieve” copper pumps, $98.
• Taryn by Taryn Rose double-strap Mary Janes, $66.
• Cole Haan “Lucetta” Mary Janes, $104.