Five Favorite Things

Wishbone Necklace Giveaway from Emitations

Moe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:45:16 +0000

This month I’m giving away a little bling courtesy of Emitations. The Jennifer Wishbone Necklace will be one reader’s new lucky charm. This delicate piece was inspired by the one worn by Jennifer Aniston in the movie He’s Just Not That Into You. It is a perfect addition to any woman’s jewelry collection.

Emitations has a wonderful collection of fashion staples from rings, bracelets, necklaces, ear rings and more. They offer many celebrity and movie inspirations (the Alice in Wonderland and Twilight stuff is awesome). But if I had to pick my absolute favorite piece right now it would be the Fern’s Flying Pig Cocktail Ring which is full of sparkles and total cuteness.

What’s New from Emitations?

Outlet section with super cheap chic jewelry

Gift sets for all seasons and holidays

Full zoo of animal cocktail rings

Prize Details:

One Gold Plated Sterling Silver Wishbone Necklace
Gold plated .925 sterling silver
16in chain length
Value: $62

How to Enter:

To enter this giveaway please visit the Emitations website then come back here and leave a comment for this post telling us the name of another item you fell in love with.

Stipulations:

One entry per person — suspicious entries with the same IP address (you know who you are) will be deleted. The lucky winner will be chosen from the comments at random, using random.org, on March 31, 2010 at 3 pm EST. This giveaway is sponsored by Emitations but I will be mailing the winner the gift after the email and mailing address of the winner have been confirmed by myself (so make sure you enter the right email). This giveaway is open to person 18 years and older living in the United States and Canada. Void where prohibited by law. The winner will have one week to claim the prize; after which time it will be rewarded to someone else.

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Topic Links
* Visit Emitations for fashion and celebrity styled jewelry

Promo Friday

Moe — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:54:34 +0000

A sale or two to get you through the weekend:

MXM is offering Free Shipping on US and Canadian orders $75 or more
Coupon code: SHIP2010
Expires: March 31, 2010
Visit MXM for trendy plus size clothing MXM!

CJ Banks is offering 15% Off Any Order + Get Free Shipping On Orders over $50
Coupon code: NA
Expires: March 7, 2010
Visit CJ Banks for plus size clothing

Sydney’s Closet is offering $20 off purchase of $100 or more
Coupon code: Prom20
Expires: June 15, 2010
Visit Sydney’s Closet for plus size prom and wedding dresses

Yoga Accessories is offering 10% off retail purchases of $50 or more
Coupon code: AFFS9324
Expires: March 31, 2010
Visit Yoga Accessories for yoga aides

Apple Bottoms is offering an additional 40% off select Sale Merchandise
Coupon code: NA
Expires: March 7, 2010
Visit Apple Bottoms for plus size jeans

Bare Necessities is offering 10% off for a limited time
Coupon code: NA
Expires: March 15, 2010
Visit Bare Necessities for plus size bras

La Grande Dame is having a moving saleHUGE moving sale and offering 20% off of the entire site
Coupon code: MOVE10
When: March 5 to March 14, 2010
Visit La Grande Dame for plus size designer clothing

e.l.f. Cosmetics is offering 50% off all Studio makeup with $15 purchase
Coupon code: STUD50
Expires: March 10, 2010
Visit e.l.f. for affordable cosmetics

JMS is offering Bras As Low As $13.99 during their Playtex Bra sale
Coupon code: NA
Expires: April 7, 2010
Visit JMS for plus size bras and plus size clothing

Hot Topic is offering 25% off on Purchases over $40
Coupon code: HTA25OFF40
Expires: April 3, 2010
Visit Hot Topic for trendy plus size novelty clothing

MIB is offering $5 shipping on orders of $25 or more
Coupon code: 5SHIP
Expires: March 7, 2010
Visit MIB for plus size clothing

Swimsuits for All is offering 10% Off New Delta Burke & Longitude Styles For 2010
Coupon code: 10OFF
Expires: March 7, 2010
Visit Swimsuits for All for plus size swimwear

Have a great weekend!

Plus Size Designers – Yuliya Zeltzer

Moe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:17:59 +0000

Yuliya Zeltzer, a Ukrainian-born, self taught designer is the motivation behind Igigi (pronounced ee zhee zhee) plus size fashions. Her designs have become leading edge for career and party dresses for women size 12 to 32. Her success can be attributed in part to the extraordinary word of mouth for both fit and quality.

This season I’m absolutely maxi dress happy at the moment and Igigi has three of the best plus size maxi dresses so far. Yuliya has also designed a phenomenal wardrobe of working dresses for the career woman. Here are five of my favorites (prices range from $102 to $122):

Don’t forget to check out their party and wedding dresses too!

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Topic Links
* Visit Igigi for plus size designer clothing by Yuliya Zeltzer
* Other plus size clothing designers

Plus Size Designers – Qristyl Frazier

Moe — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:48:13 +0000

I first saw Qristyl Frazier’s designs while watching footage for another of my favourite designers (Monif C) during a Rip the Runway show. At that time a website couldn’t be found but everyone was talking about her. The momentum grew when she became a competing designer on Project Runway season six (I don’t watch it but she definitely captured a fan base there).

The first thing that came to mind as I watched the models strut down the runway in her designs was sexy. Then breezy — her designs don’t suffocate the plus size woman but still accentuate the curves. Qristyl’s clothing sizzles on bodies’ size 12 to 24 and can be purchased at her official website.

Her current website offerings are a world away from that first runway show I watched but here are a few of my favorites (prices for these pieces range from $110 to $325:

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Topic Links
* Visit Qristyl Frazier for plus size designs
* Other plus size clothing designers

Plus Size Designers – Monif Clarke

Moe — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:35:36 +0000

Monif Clarke is the designer behind Monif C a business she started with her mother Elaine. Her designs are bright, sexy, and highlight the curves of women who are size 14 to 24. They are available at fine boutiques in the United States and Canada as well as online at her official website. Her staple piece is the Marilyn Convertible Dress which features new colors every season (for spring the colors are: canary yellow, fuchsia pink, pool blue, tangerine, soft white, and black). Here is a brand new video giving some background on the dress and how to wear it:

One of the things I like most besides Monif C designs is the designer’s consistent hands-on involvement. She is out there wearing her products and encouraging others to look their best. One of the things I love about her website is it doesn’t try to hide the fit of their fashions on undersized models. When you look at images on Monif’s website you see many voluptuous models of various heights and sizes. When you look at her blogging you see Monif C events with non-models wearing the same designs. A shopper gets a true representation of the clothing and how it fits.

The Marilyn Convertible Dress has been my favorite piece since it’s inception. Here are a few new ones:

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Topic Links
* Visit Monif C for plus size designer clothing
* Other plus size clothing designers
* Monif C on Fashion

Plus Size Designers – Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi

Moe — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:27:21 +0000

Continuing on with another week of plus size clothing designers! This week I’ll start off with another longtime personal favorite — Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi has been dressing women size 0x to 5x since 1996. Her boutique styles are sophisticated and trendy but accessible to the everyday woman. In other words, it will still be fashionable next year. The main focus is the well dressed professional but they have added a great plus size denim line. Kim’s designs can be found at the official Kiyonna website and in specialty boutiques. Recently Kiyonna has transformed their price points to become more accessible during the current economic state.

Here are a few of my current favorites (the pieces shown here range in price from $58 to $88):

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Topic Links
* Visit Kiyonna for plus size designs by Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi
* Other plus size clothing designers

Promo Friday

Moe — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:33:21 +0000

A sale or two to get you through the weekend:

Just My Size is offering Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off casual wear
Coupon code: NA
Expires: April 7, 2010
Visit Just My Size for plus size casual and career wear

CJ Banks is offering 15% Off Your Order + Receive Free Shipping On Orders Over $50
Coupon code: NA
Expires: NA
Visit CJ Banks for plus size clothing

Webundies is offering free shipping on orders of $75 or more
Coupon code: NA
Expires: NA
Visit Webundies for plus size underwear (use search feature – plus size)

Target is offering free shipping on orders of $50 in Women’s
Coupon code: NA
Expires: March 31, 2010
Visit Target for plus size clothing

Swimsuits for All is offering 15% Off Entire Order
Coupon code: KISS15
Expires: February 28, 2010
Visit Swimsuits for all for plus size swimwear

Shoes.com is offering 20% off
Coupon code: SHOES20
Expires: March 1, 2010
Visit Shoes.com for fashion shoes and boots

Oh Cheri is offering 15% off store wide
Coupon code: TESA15
Expires: March 7, 2010
Visit Oh Cheri for plus size lingerie

MIB is offering 25% one item from their sale section
Coupon code: SALE25
Expires: February 28, 2010 at midnight
Visit MIB for plus size clothing

Macy’s has a One Day Sale on
Coupon code: NA
When: February 26, 2010 through February 27, 2010
Visit Macy’s for plus size clothing

Lane Bryant is offering 25% off the entire site
Coupon code: NA
When: February 26 to February 28, 2010
Visit Lane Bryant for plus size clothing

Kiyonna is offering $30 off orders $175 or more
Coupon Code: STYLE
Expires: May 1, 2010
Visit Kiyonna for plus size career wear

Frederick’s is offering $10 off orders of $75, $20 off orders of $100 or $40 off orders of $150
Coupon code: NA
Expires: March 4, 2010
Visit Frederick’s for plus size lingerie

Shop the Look is offering 20% off your entire purchase
Coupon code: NEW20
Expires: March 31, 2010
Visit Shop the Look for fashion jewelry

Catharines is offering 40% off ALL Regular-Priced Items and an EXTRA 40% off Clearance
Coupon code: NA
When: February 28, 2010
Visit Catharines for plus size clothing

Addition-Elle is offering free shipping on US and Canadian orders $75 or more
Coupon Code: SHIP2010
Expires: March 31, 2010
Visit Addition Elle for plus size clothing

Have a great weekend!

Plus Size Designers — Niehla Ollie

Moe — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:30:28 +0000

Niehla Ollie is the owner and head designer of Chocolate Sushi Couture. A strictly plus size designer with an updated retro flare that is romantic, functional, and fashionable. Her fashions are currently available through sample sales she announces on Facebook but a website for online shopping is coming soon.

Here are some of my favorite designs (sorry don’t have a price point):

You can see more of her designs in her Facebook photo album and if you become a “friend” you can learn about quarterly “soirees” and other news.

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Topic Links
* Visit Niehla Ollie’s official website for plus size designs
* Other plus size clothing designers

JJ Footwear Wide Calf Boots Review

Moe — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:42:50 +0000

Knee high boots are a must-have item for every woman’s wardrobe. That includes plus size women. Unfortunately it can often be difficult to find quality boots that fit the calves. JJ Footwear, “Dutch women’s fashion boot company”, can appreciate our plight and have recently opened up a website to serve customers in the United States and Canada. They asked me to review a pair of their boots for Five Favorite Things.

JJ Footwear makes “high-end, classic-styled women’s boots” that are available in multiple calf sizes. They are “an 80-year old family-owned company based just east of The Hague in The Netherlands” and have been “making quality shoes and boots for over 80 years.” They fit feet 5.5 to 13.5 US (not all boots are in all foot or calf sizes). At this posting the cost for one of the twelve custom boot designs is $295 and there is no extra cost for shipping or returns.

I had such a hard choice choosing from the twelve styles offered as I liked most of them. I finally settled on two pair — the Elin and the Jordaan. To break the tie I did a Twitter vote and the final winner was the Elin in black (seen at right).

Ordering

To order the size I needed I went with a pair a boots I already owned. There was some confusion on my part as the size tag gave US and EUR sizing that didn’t match the website. I emailed customer service for guidance and heard back within a few days along with an apology for the late replay and an explanation on sizing which cleared things up. Once I had my shoe size I needed to measure both my calves. I entered both these numbers and received a final size that the company uses to fit the boots.

The ordering process was simple enough but the sizing had a combo choice which included the one recommended to me and what appeared to be a smaller choice which I found confusing. I continued on but put a note about the sizing with my payment info. As a new customer I had the option of registering or making a purchase as a guest. I chose the guest feature which was pretty quick. I was transferred to Paypal and the deal was done within a few minutes.

The boot order was completed on January 25 at 10:30 pm and the boots arrived on January 29 at 2:13 pm. All the way from Holland! I confirmed shipping details with the marketing people to see if it would be the same for everyone and was told: “3 to 5 days from shipment from our warehouse in Holland – Fed-X came up with some sort of arrangement and it’s been working great. We originally thought it would take from 10-14 working days, but good old Fed-X came through!” They certainly did.

The boots were double boxed. The outside one was damaged but the inside box protected the boots. The boots were stuffed with tissue and cardboard cut outs to help keep their shape in transit.

The Boots

The Elin boot is made from “buffed calf leather” and has a “rounded, pointed toe”. They are lined with felt fabric. Down the back of the calf is a deep elastic. They have a full zipper on the inner calf and there are two adjustable buckles; one on the ankle and one on the calf. The thick sole has some moderate tread embossing.

They are pretty form fitting. Thankfully the elastic back is forgiving on the one leg. Before ordering I was actually concerned that the ankles would be slouchy because I have small ankles in comparison to my calves but they are a good fit. I was a bit impatient to try them on so they were probably quite firm from being cold (it’s -15 C today) but so far I’m impressed.

They have a comfortable but fashionable heel (1 1/4″) that is easy to walk in. This is definitely an everyday boot. There is a thin felt lining that is remarkably warm. At -15 C my feet legs were not the slightest bit cold and on the opposite end they didn’t feel the slightest bit overheated either.

After the first day my left ankle, which has a previous injury, was a bit sore but overall no foot discomfort. They fit my feet perfectly and were comfortable to walk in.

I like the unique design with the buckles and elastic back (see picture insert in left corner). If I could go back and order them again I would probably order them with an extra inch around the calf to accommodate a skinny jean. As it stands they are strictly bare leg or tights. I don’t want to cover them up with pants because they are too pretty.

Overall, I’m quite happy with the Elin boots from JJ Footwear in terms of fit, wear, and fashion. If you have any questions about these boots please feel free to ask and I’ll respond in the comments.

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Topic Links
* Get your own wide calf boots from JJ Footwear

Plus Size Designers — Jasmine Elder

Moe — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:41:49 +0000

Jasmine Elder is the designer behind Jibri which offers “high fashion chic and urban street sleek” designs for plus sizes 14 to 24. Since 2006 she has been sharing her creative eye for the truly curvy woman. Jasmine’s designs can be purchased at select boutiques and online at Etsy.

The Jibri collections are truly artistic pieces that are lovely to look at. Here are just a few of my favorites (for these pieces the prices range from $110 to $250):

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Topic Links
* Visit Jibri Online for plus size designer clothing
* Get Jibri from Etsy
* Other plus size clothing designers
* Other plus size Etsy designers