Manolo for the Big Girl Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman.

August 19, 2008

Sales! Contests! Codes!

Filed under: Fashion,Racktastic,Sales,Swimwear — Francesca @ 12:25 pm

From Francesca’s mailbox:

Click here before September 4 to enter a contest whose winner receives a $500 gift certificate to Igigi and a personal consultation with their “style guru”! Also, check out their bold new “mod” dress. Francesca loves!

And here, Lane Bryant is having a Sweepstakes – enter to win $77,000 in cash, a trip to Las Vegas, and tickets to a show. They are also giving away a pair of jeans every day. Also, for a limited time, buy one top, get the second 50% off.

New designs are available by “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans at Nordstrom. They run up to size 24W!

There are new clearance items at Swimsuits For All in both Plus and Women’s sizes. Francesca says: Buy a swimsuit today, at markdown, for next summer in your current size. That way you will have something pretty to look forward to, and no pressure to “lose the weight by summer” as all the ladies’ magazines would have you do. Have fun in the sun exactly the way you are!

Shop “Final Sale Items” at Kiyonna, and get an additional 40% off by entering code EXTRA40 at checkout. Offer ends August 27. This dress is still available in “sizes 0x to 5x, and can be yours for $61.20, a savings of over $66! (But, please, wear it with a bra!)

Through tomorrow, get 20% off everything at Evans.

Shop at J.Jill before September 1 and enter code HBC214 at checkout to get 15% off your order!

Until August 24, buy at least $100 of items at Coldwater Creek and get $25 off by entering code WXH3908 at checkout. And did you know that Coldwater Creek has over 1,500 items in their Outlet? So many clothes, so little time.

Through August 25, get 40% off your highest-price item when you order from Woman Within and enter code WW20264. Francesca says: Beware, my petite sisters, the clothing at Woman Within run very long!

Old Navy has just introduced their Fall Plus line, which you can see Chic Peek—New Fall Collection in sizes 16-30, only at here. Lots of colorful new things!

Roaman’s has announced a “50 items at 50% off” sale. You can see those items here. Some are terrible, but some are superfantastic. It is worth a look-see.

Francesca received a press release announcing the founding of a new company which provides clothing for women who wear bra cup sizes C-DD but are otherwise of “thin or average” size (which, to them, means a waist up to 33″ and hips up to 43″). She is informing you as a courtesy to our racktastic sisters, but sincerely hopes they soon realize that many buxom customers are lusciously large everywhere.

Today and tomorrow: Everything is marked down (some items more, some items less) at Holy Clothing. If you like the Gothic or Renaissance look, this sale is your dream.

August 6, 2008

Big Girl Bares (almost) All!

Filed under: Racktastic,Swimwear,You Asked For It — Francesca @ 8:44 am

A dear internet friend writes in with a conundrum:

Dear Francesca,

From pool-side in the middle of the hot summer, I ask: where might a 38DD find a cute bikini?

When I say “bikini”, I’m talking completely bare middle here, not a tankini set or skirted bottom or other (very pretty but not what I’m looking for) additions to the bikini swim basic. When I find lovely swim retailers with suits larger than a C-cup (several linked from your site), they all want to hide the middle! So now I am lost when shopping, as my experience is that I’m too large for the average store or juniors and then too small/very badly shaped for the “ladies stores.”  I’m 23, 5’8″, size 14/15, flat-bottomed Apple (so all of the attention is up top. Which I’m fine with, so no need to de-emphasize, but only to securely support.)

The only style note is that I like bright or solid colors or funky patterns in my two-piece, not so much the floral, conservative frills my mom would love. For example, I like some of the trendier swim suits that you’d find at Target in the juniors department, but their idea of an XL top seems to max out at a C-cup. (The women’s section, sadly, seems to offer little in curvy support even when the correct size, and always with the stomach covered and the bored floral pattern.) I also love shopping at Torrid (my average style tends towards the Tripp selection), but all of Torrid’s (very cute!) swimsuits persist in covering up the middle. As for shape (halter top, string set, bra-style cups, etc.) – I’d love to try them all, if only I could find a place that sells them in my size!

Thank you, and the other wonderful bloggers of Manolo for the Big Girl, for highly entertaining and useful information,

B.

Ah, a Big Girl of confidence who will flaunt her abdomen! Francesca approves!

But, ayyyy! Francesca has been searching for bikinis that meet all of B’s criteria — 38DD, actual bikini, with secure support but no florals — and indeed it has been a frustrating endeavor!

Unless Francesca has missed something, she believes that dear B. will have to look outside of the United States for what she requires. Thankfully, Bravissimo does sell a few bikinis which meet all these criteria (and a 38DD in England is the same as an American 38DD).

See, here is an underwire plunge bikini top (matching panties sold separately; just scroll down) in the bright, solid color which  our reader prefers:

Happy summer, and remember the sunscreen!

xoxo, Francesca

June 11, 2008

Parties and announcements and sales, oh my!

Filed under: Accessories,Sales,Shoes,Swimwear — Francesca @ 5:51 pm

Tomorrow night, Thursday June 12, from 5-9, the Monif C. boutique in New York City is having a cocktail party at the store. Get personal shopping advice, treats, open bar, music, etc, and 25% off the clothes! Address: 325 West 38th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) Suite 1007. Phone number: 212-842-1641.

Lots happening at Lane Bryant:

1) Make a purchase before July 1, and get a $100 coupon and entries into their $100,000 sweepstakes!

2) Cacique bras are “buy 2, get 2 free” and Cacique panties are 5 for $25, through June 28

3) Summer sale on tops, tanks, tees, and capris.

Be sure to click through the button at the right of our site for more savings!

June clearance sale at Nordstrom! (Though it seems you all have bought out the Plus Sizes. Not much left!) AND, if you order $200 or more from the online store, you get free shipping within the USA. Francesca, herself, has ordered this flap bag by L.A.M.B. to use in lieu of a briefcase, at 40% off,

and the bold 4″ heel snakeskin slingback by Linea Paolo, also 40% off!

Holy Clothing has brought back their lovely “Riona” corset dress, so pretty for Apple shapes! They are selling on ebay, for example here, and are available in many colors!

Summer sale at J.Crew going on (x-large and tall sizes available), and if you enter code SEASHELL today at checkout, you get free shipping within the US and Canada.

Francesca is known, she hopes, for her classic and classy style, so it may surprise you to know that she avails herself, sometimes, of plus-size lingerie offerings at Fredericks.com. Yes, they have plus sizes, and not all of their merchandise is best suited for a college spring break scene on a souped-up set of CSI: Miami. At the moment they have many nice items for the classy woman who wishes to let her hair down, at reasonable prices, such as this satin-and-lace chemise which Francesca recently ordered in the “hibiscus” color. And now through Sunday, there is free shipping on orders of $95 or more within the continental USA.

Another promotion code for you! Buy swimwear at Junonia by the end of the day on Friday, enter code 06118, and save 25 percent! For the Size 14+ woman who spends much time in the pool or at the beach, Junonia offers swimsuits in categories like “chlorine resistant,” “water sports,” and “full coverage.” Pretty colors, too!

Finally, two more important announcements for the Poor Girl:

Summer clearance at the Coldwater Creek Outlet! Major deals, here, and many clothes available in plus sizes. Excellent for the poor girl! (And yes, they have items appropriate for the younger womens. Just look carefully and you will find!)

And, through Friday, enter code RD13899 upon checkout at Roamans.com, and save 25% on your highest-priced item. Look! Now you can have this pretty blouse, very nice for Apples, for under 19 of the American dollars.

Happy shopping!

xoxo,

Francesca

April 29, 2008

Oo la la

Filed under: Swimwear — Francesca @ 4:40 pm

Monif C. has introduced a line of swimsuits, and they are very, very pricey and very, very sexy. Francesca likes!

This swimsuit makes Francesca want to become an Angel of the Charlie. Apparently, there are ties at the legs which allow you to adjust it so you can show more thigh, or less. Francesca does not understand how that works, exactly, but is intrigued by the idea.

Wow!

Happy shopping!

xoxo, Francesca

April 18, 2008

You Asked For It: No-UV Tanning?

Filed under: Makeup,Swimwear,Uncategorized,You Asked For It — Francesca @ 9:16 am

Internet friend Jennifer wrote:

I was wondering if any of your readers had any experience with using Mystic Tan as a big girl.  Regular tanning beds work fine, but for those of us that want a little color without the damaging UV rays I was wondering if there was any advice.

Francesca had never heard of Mystic Tan before receiving this letter, and she is of two minds about it.

As the ultra-fair girl in a high risk category for the unsuperfantastic skin cancer, Francesca is quite intrigued by the possibility of an even, non-UV tan.

On the other hand, Francesca thinks it is somewhat ridiculous that tans are considered, somehow, more attractive than the clean, soft, untanned skin.  Why should those of us whose skin burns like sweet-potato french fries be pressured to have anything other than the creamy, porcelain skin we were born with?

On the third hand, if you want a tan, who is Francesca to stop you?

So, if you have any experience with this Mystic Tan establishment, please share your thoughts.

And, Francesca wants to know: Is a girl with a tummy roll meant to lift it for the spray? Or does she tan on the outside and have a white line under the tummy? Inquiring minds want to know.

March 14, 2008

Color, color, color!

Filed under: Accessories,Fashion,Sales,Swimwear — Francesca @ 11:37 am

Francesca says: Spring is upon us!

She knows because the New Arrivals and Bright Colors at Avenue (home of Sizes 14-32) tell her so! And she has a coupon code for you!

Lookie!

Orchids on your tshirt (without being cloying), and matching crop pants:

This tunic has been seen in Glamour:

Pretty springy bracelets!

Swimsuits!

This belt is available in 53″ or 56″!

And now through Wednesday, March 19, enter code AV81104 and get 20% off your online purchase at Avenue, or 25% off if you order $100 or more of merchandise! Mmm mmm mmm!

Happy shopping and happy happy colors!

xoxo, Francesca

February 14, 2008

Let’s Go Shopping!

Filed under: Fashion,Petite and Plus-Size,Sales,Swimwear — Francesca @ 12:41 pm

The holidays, when we treated ourselves to new clothes, were oh-so-many weeks ago, and the drudgery has set back in and now, to boot (no pun intended) you might be sitting alone at home on Valentine’s day.

Do not despair! A little indulgence, a little online shopping is just what Francesca ordered! The superfantastic addition to the closet means the superfantastic feelings of confidence and flirtatiousness are not far behind!

So, here is the recent news in Plus-Size shopping:

If you are planning on buying anything at Kiyonna, now is the time: until midnight tonight, buy at least $150 of stuff and you get free second-day air shipping within the USA — so your stuff will arrive quickly. They just moved many cute items to the Sale section, too. If you are a Pear, Francesca likes this sweet and versatile dress, which is on sale at 50% off and this sexy satin shell in black and ruby, 30% off! At those prices you can buy three items before you reach the minimum for the free quick ship!

Avenue.com coupon code of the week: Now until the 20th, enter AV81066 at checkout and get 20% off. Spend $100 or more and get 25% off! They recently added many new items to their inventory so it’s a good time to check them out. Francesca lurves some of the new items in their swimsuit section, such as this yummy “support and control” number available in black, red, and –Francesca’s favorite — this lovely, warm brown:

For our Ren-Faire fans, this just in: HolyClothing.com now has free shipping, to anywhere in the world! No minimum purchase! Woo hoo!

Talbots is now selling a line of pants which are machine-washable, made out of a fabric called “Dina.” Francesca has no idea what this is, but reminds that Talbots has an amazing return policy so trying is low-risk . . . and asks that anyone who tries it please write in and tell us what you think. The pants are available in Woman and Woman Petite sizes.

Prefer to shop in stores? Here is a coupon you can use at Avenue stores until Feb. 18!

More coupons and news to come soon . . . Francesca is busily trying to catch up after her absence!

xoxo!

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