One of the best inventions in swimwear was the Miraclesuit. Plus size swimsuit provider, Always for Me, had a beautiful new addition in Turquoise. If the color is too bold for your they also have it in black.

This suit is designed for chestier women with a C-cup and up with an underwire to help in shaping. I love the plunging neckline which is balanced by the scoop back.

The side shirring at the waist is a lovely detail that helps to accentuate the waist in a good way. The thigh rise is perfect for showing off lovely legs.

The Miraclesuit “Escape” Hidden Underwire One Piece comes in sizes 16 to 24 for $142.

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Topic Links
* Get your own Turquoise Miraclesuit from Always for Me

One of the most versatile accessories this year is the pashmina wrap or scarf. It’s been around for years and is popular in Europe. With the sleeveless dress gaining more and more appeal amongst plus size women, the addition of the pashmina has gained momentum 100 fold. I was at a June wedding a few weeks ago and literally half the women who attended had some kind of pashmina to keep the chill off. Some were in sundresses and some were in suits. Either way it’s a nice addition even for summer.

You can spend a lot or a little money on a pashmina. I’ve seen them priced for as little as $10 to a whopping $1000. It is nice to have a few inexpensive pashminas of various colors to match your wardrobe (be sure to include the neutral black and tan). I found an array of pashminas from Amazon all under $60. Their fabric content ranged from the most desired cashmere to viscose; the viscose being the least expensive alternative. The best part is that they come in large (80” x 36”) and there are many colors to choose from.

If you are dumbfounded on what to do with your pashmina once you get it then watch this video by the Travelista showing different ways to harness various looks:

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Topic Links
* Get Your Own Pashmina from Amazon

I love this new machine washable cover up from Lane Bryant. Talk about easy to put in — just step in and pull up. The smocked chest does double duty by adding detail as well as keeping the dress in place. I also like the double ruffle at the bottom which draws the eyes down to the calves and feet. A nice way to show off a great pedicure or hot sandals.

This sundress style Gauze Cover-Up is an online exclusive that is selling for $49.50. It comes in sizes 1x, 2x, and 3x. I like the white which helps to keep the body cool but it also comes in black.

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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size gauze cover from Lane Bryant

A growing trend in plus size club wear is wearing a pretty corset as a top. In most cases I find that corsets and bustiers are meant for shaping and should be kept for the underthings they were meant to be.

But occasionally I come across a corset that I can totally understand why some one would wear it as a top; at a club or otherwise. Plus Size Plum has a lovely corset top called Corset Vest with Casablanca Stripes. It comes in the Ivory shown at right as well as a soft pink. I think the pink looks too underweary to wear as a top but the ivory has definite halter top potential.

This $69 plus size corset comes in sizes 40, 42, and 44, with adjustable/removable garters and g-string. Doesn’t it look great with jeans and matching pumps!?

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Topic Links
* Get your own Casablanca Corset from Plus Size Plum

A sale or two to get you through the weekend:

Catherines is offering 40% off all regular priced items and an extra 40% off clearance items
Coupon code: NA
When: June 28th ONLY
Visit Catherines for plus size clothing

Black Cat Plus is offering 20% off purchase of $100 or more
Coupon code: PROMO20
Expires: NA
Visit Black Cat Plus for plus size clothing

Target is offering free shipping with $50 purchase in Women’s
Coupon code: NA
Expires: 10/03/09
Visit Target for plus size clothing

Torrid is offering 50% off clearance sale
Coupon code: NA
Expires: July 5, 2009
Visit Torrid for trendy plus size fashions

CJ Banks is offering Free Shipping On Orders of $50 Or More
Coupon code: NA
Expires: June 29, 2009
Visit CJ Banks!

Avenue is offering $20 off $100 purchase
Coupon code: AV91069
Expires: July 10, 2009
Visit Avenue for plus size fashions

Swimsuits for All is offering 10% Off Your Order
Coupon code: 10off
Expires: NA
Visit Swimsuits for All for plus size swimwear

Junonia is offering 10% off $100 order
Coupon code: NA
Expires: NA
Visit Junonia for plus size active wear

Be sure to check out last week’s Promo Friday for sales and promotions that may still be running.

Have a great weekend!

From June 24 until midnight June 28 receive $10 off orders of $60 or more with coupon code: 776279804. This online only coupon can not be used for things like “priced just right” items or fragrances. It also can noot be used with other coupons.

There are so many lovely things at Fashion Bug, which carries regular and plus sizes. They carry plus sizes 14 to 28. Here are a few of my favorite items. Notice I couldn’t decide on one pair of shoes!

Fashion Bug definitely falls into the affordable end of the plus size clothing available online.

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Topic Links
* Get your own casual tops, jeans and sandals from Fashion Bug

Old Navy has jumped on the maxi dress bandwagon. Ok, they had one dress; but it’s cute and it’s affordable.

The Crochet-Trim Maxi Dress comes in the blue of nightlife. I especially like the draw string and crochet trim. It’s a nice casual sun dress for staying cool in. The plus sizes available for this dress range from 16 to 24. It’s regular price is $39.50 but it is on sale for $34.99.

The straps are pretty thin so you’ll need to dig out the invisible bra straps or go strapless underneath. Please don’t do the colored bra thing or the bra less thing (going bra less in public in a sun dress or at all gives the rest of us a bad name — unless you’re a celebrity).

Hope you all are having fun and staying cool.

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Topic Links
* Get your own Maxi Dress from Old Navy

The Amarté Aqua Veil Pure Hydration Serum is the last item I’ll be reviewing from the first Beauty Fix Kit. This facial hydrating serum came in a 2.2 fl oz tube and retails for $42. According to the Beauty Fix data sheet this product hales from Korea and is known as “magic water” in Asia.

The Aqua Veil has an interesting texture. It’s thick and has a matte appearance to it compared to other facial lotions. I immediately recognized a cucumber scent which I found comforting — great for the end of the day when I’m preparing for bed. Other ingredients include: mallow flower, sambucus nigra flower, arnica montana, parietaria officinalis, and hedera helix.

The serum glides over the skin and absorbs quickly while providing more than adequate coverage; a little goes a long way.

Skin results? I’m very impressed. I have oily skin and this product gave my skin an even texture and kept it virtually oil free throughout the day while still giving it a soft texture. It reduced breakouts around the jawline. But the most noticeable difference I found was my pore size. I have large pores to begin with and my regular lotion does a fair job of reducing their size but the Amarté Aqua Veil topped that by at least 75%. I don’t think my pores have ever looked so small. Another plus is that I couldn’t even tell I had lotion on my face. It absorbs so naturally. Some days I’d forget to apply it and I’d get this dry itchy feeling. When I applied the Aqua Veil I had immediate relief and was able to forget about my skin. I would love to try a body lotion version of this!

The Amarté Aqua Veil also came with a trial size version of Amarté’s Natural Wonder Cream. The only thing I wonder is how they ever got the name. The full size version sell for $90. I hated it and stopped using it after a week. The purpose of the wonder cream is to fade freckles, hydrate and smooth lines. All it did for me was make my face feel incredibly greasy.

A definite yes for the Amarté Aqua Veil Pure Hydration Serum and a definite no on their Natural Wonder Cream.

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Topic Links
* Get your own Beauty Fix Kit
* Get your own Amarte Aqua Veil from Amazon

I spent most of my life being white as a sheet and being commented to about it. I don’t really care any more since white is in again and when the wrinkles start to really roll around I will be blessed with looking younger.

When I saw this new t-shirt from Threadless (I never get sick of mentioning them) I had to mention it to you. The “White as a Sheet” t-shirt was designed by Anwar Rafiee. It comes in sizes small to 3x for $18. I luv this one but I would like to see another version with blonde hair. Although technically, I guess you could argue she could be blonde because the image is printed in black and white.

I love Threadless tees because they have such unique limited designs and of course because they come in plus size. Hopefully some day soon they will go bigger than 3x so even more people can enjoy them.

Another reason I love Threadless is their obvious appreciation for cake! Threadless in conjuction with Threadcakes is having a contest this summer where Threadless t-shirt owners can create cakes in the likeness of their favorite t-shirts. This is their second year for running the contest and they have a nice line up of prizes; like a year’s worth of tees (luv it!) and a bunch of baking supplies.

I’m actually kind of excited. I have my cake planned in my head so far with a couple of notes on paper. I’m not going to tell what shirt I’m doing yet until I unveil/submit my final results but you can probably read about complaining on twitter. If you are a Threadless nut like me I hope you’ll enter too.

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Topic Links
* Get your own White as a Sheet t-shirt
* Sign up for the Threadcakes contest

I have two Friends and Family Sales for you this week.

The first is with Liz Claiborne. They unveiled their new designs by Isaac Minzhi and are looking to give their customers some summer savings. Shop at Liz Claiborne between June 23 and June 25 and receive 40% off their entire site. I mentioned last week that Liz has gone really bright for summer.
To take advantage of these savings you need to enter VIP40 at checkout.

Second up is plus size clothing retailer Catherines (you know if Catherines is having one that Fashion Bug and/or Lane Bryant is probably not far behind). During this Friends and Family sale Catherines is offering 40% off Maggie Barnes items (and free shipping on orders over $75). This sale finishes June 23 at midnight. There is no coupon code for this sale. But I do have a coupon code for $10 off orders of $50 or more: 776999864. Doesn’t hurt to try!

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Topic Links
* Update: Liz Claiborne is now at QVC
* Enjoy Catherines’ Friends and Family Sale