Manolo for the Big Girl

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.

Happy, happy Thanksgiving!

Today we are pricing down, to Fashion Bug, which  sells Misses and Plus size casual-wear and lingerie. At the top of the home page, you can opt to shop according to size, including 16-34, 16-32 short (they couldn’t call it petite? Whatever.), and 16-32 long. (Warning: Short and Long selections are limited.) (Misses sizes start at 6). Their sale page is here.

Today they are having the Thanksgiving Day sale, online only, on all their Fall clothing here.

YES

Francesca had a hard time with the “Yesses” and “Maybes” because her personal idea of “casual” is “suede jacket with boot-cut jeans.” So let us get it out of the way: If you are looking for your basic turtlenecks (on sale today for $6 apiece), polo shirts, jeans, panties, and the like, this is a good place to go. It is a good value for the price.

And now for the slightly more Francesca-esque items. Click for outfit suggestions and/or purchase info:

NO

MAYBE

This weekend, Francesca reminds you to:

Perform a breast self-exam.

Test your fire alarms.

Replace your toothbrush.

Rotate your mattress.

Happy weekend. xoxo

Wear novelty panties unless we want people to see them.

Is your collection of intimates frankly blah?

Roaman’s has extremely adorable cotton panties (for hips up to 73 inches!), and if you order today you can use code RDMemorial for 30% off your entire order (on anything from the site).

Francesca also recommends checking out the cute collection of undies at Lane Bryant (Francesca loves their hipsters on her Apple shape: they are comfortable and covering without being as grandma-ish as briefs).  If you click through to their site from their ad at the right (over there ———->) you will receive 20% off your purchase! Also, they currently are providing free shipping on orders of $100 or more.

Avenue, too, has incredibly cute panties, many of which are on sale. Note also that they have introduced plunging bras with adjustable straps, one of which can be worn strapless! Click through from our ad at the right, and receive $20 off a purchase of $100 or more.

For something traditionally a little spicier, Francesca turns you to Frederick’s of Hollywood plus-size panty collection, where the undies can be had up to size 3x (and two models are selling for 4 for $15). Through May 31, receive $15 off orders of $100, and $30 off orders of $150.

Francesca has many odds and ends bouncing around in her notes, so here she is putting them all out there at once!

1- Francesca has received many emails letting her know about the new “Faith 21″ line by Forever 21 (which Francesca has already written about. She’s not that behind the times!). The problem — beyond the fact that they carry few true plus sizes– is that neither Plumcake nor Francesca is in Los Angeles, which at the moment is the only place that Faith 21 is available. So, she asks our West Coast readers: Have any of you checked out these clothes? What did you think? Do you have photos of yourself wearing them? Can you speak to their quality, or the age/style demographic who would most like it? What is the pricing like? Please write in to francesca@shoeblogs.com and I will compile your comments in a future post.

*** Update: Blogger reviews here and here.***

2- Speaking of new lines, Target has recently launched plus-size sportswear by Pure Energy. Their press release: “The Pure Energy collection features brightly colored, dip-dye and burnout tank tops, flowing floral skirts and maxi-style dresses, sophisticated nightlife pieces and a variety of in-style denim including skirts, capris and jeans . . . . [April] delivery into 300 Target stores will follow up with a larger distribution to 1,000 Target stores in June. Tops are offered in plus sizes 1-4 and pant size range from 14-24. Affordable price points starting at $16.99-$29.99.”

***Update: A review by a blogger here.***

3- Internet friend Moira wrote in about Susie Orbach’s new book, Bodies. From the Daily Beast article about it:

Who doesn’t fret about their body? Even the genetically blessed can’t escape self-scrutiny. But what Orbach is attempting to draw attention to is the fact that we don’t question where this massive discontent stems from and why the numbers are epidemic. “Millions, literally millions, struggle on a daily basis about troubled and shaming feelings about the way their bodies appear,” she writes, adding, “for an increasing number of younger people it is almost as though the body is something that is so much a trouble to them that they are wracked with anguish about it and they feel they have to transform it.”

Buy the book here.

4- Shoe lovers might be interested in the $10  Shoes Under storage container, which allows you to keep 12 pairs safely under one’s bed. (Francesca could use three).

5- If you wear shoe size 10-15, check out Barefoot Tess, where you will find, among other things, the Delman Candace sandals available in sizes 10.5-13:

(and if you wear a size smaller than 10, look at their sale page, too, as the smaller sizes tend to hang around longer. For example, the Loeffler Randall Colette is on sale in sizes 7.5-12.)

6- The website Unigo, where college students review their schools, has started a section where students blog about the fashions at their respective universities.

7- Apples! J.Jill has a nice linen blouse (weekend or office casual) perfect for our shape, available in 5 colors through size 4x. Click here to see.

8- Gemdiva writes:

In case you haven’t seen it yet, HBO has a new series that features a terriffic ”Big Girl”.  She is confident, smart and totally beautiful!  Check it out. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is a total celebration!

She refers to gorgeous Big Girl Jill Scott! (whose most important accomplishment, as far as Francesca is concerned, is the development of the Butterfly Bra.)

9-  Another shoe storage solution — clear boxes– here! (Good Mother’s Day gift.)

10- A tip from internet friend Leah:

So I have what is maybe an unhealthy addiction to Etsy, the online “marketplace” for handmade/vintage/crafty clothing, jewelry, and other stuff.  Normally I use it for sourcing my own materials, but today I was doing some serious procrastinating and got sucked into an Etsy vortex of cute stuff available in larger sizes …  Of course, one of the great things about Etsy is that if you see something you like and they don’t already have it in your size, you can talk with the maker and see if they would mind making it for you to your measurements.  I like. 

Happy shopping/reading/browsing!

xoxo

Francesca thought you might like to know that One Stop Plus is selling two designs of a handy “Cami Bra,” which will help provide coverage under low necklines without adding another layer of clothes. Pretty ingenious, Francesca thinks.

(Click on the images for more information.)

Available in sizes 36-48 C, D, DD, DDD and G, in 7 colors.

Available in sizes 38-48 B, C, D, DD and DDD, in 7 colors.

Happy shopping and happy weekend!

xoxo

“I’m sorry officer, is there is a problem?”

I heart this bra! Partially because it’s comfortable and cotton and yet does AMAZING things for the (travel-size but admittedly flawless) gals, but also because when you’re speeding down the interstate going just the teensiest hair over the posted speed limit (like maybe 30 teensy hairs over) and you get pulled over by one of our fine boys in blue, you can escape with nothing but a warning and a deep appreciation for underwires.