1. Instead of blush, try a little bronzer. Apply it across the apple of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your temples. You’ll have that sun-kissed look without the sun damage. Extra bonus: Add a little bronzer to your decollete to make it pop.

2. Shimmer it up. When you let your arms or legs go bare, play them up with a shimmering lotion.
3. Hydrate. Don’t look like a dried up prune. When you get dehydrated your skin can look dull and your lips dry and cracked. So, remember to carry a couple extra bottles of water with you and drink up.
4. Feminine in flowers. Nothing says summer evening elegant like a flower in your hair. If you’ve just ended a day at the beach, pull your hair away from your face with a barrette and slip a flower in the barrette. It’s quick, easy, simple and very sexy.
5. Be sandal ready. Treat yourself to a pedicure to make sure your toes and heels are ready for their summer debut.
6. Don’t over do it. Keep make-up and hair simple and natural, like you just stepped off the beach.
7. Summer jewels. In the warm summer months hair usually goes shorter or up, so opt for some cute drop or dangly earrings. Also when showing off your legs, try a cute anklet or a fun toe ring with sandals.
8. Packing savvy. Nothing is worst than luggaging a heavy suitcase in hot weather. Pack light by making wise choices. Take clothes that can pull double duty and change your looks with accessories. A couple extra necklaces are a lot lighter than a couple extra outfits. For example pack a cute summer dress that can work with high heels or flip-flops.
9. Wet head. In the summer your hair can get dry, you colors can go flat and blondes can go green. Before dipping in the ocean or diving into the pool, pre-wet you hair with clean water. Extra bonus: Keep a bottle of spray conditioner handy for after your swim to battle the after swim tangles and frizz.
10. Sun-block! Sun-block! Sun-block! The lobster look it out; besides protecting your skin now, applying adequate sun-block will have you looking great for years to come.

The above essentials summer tips were brought to you exclusively by IGIGI. Don’t forget to enter the IGIGI Summer Shopping Spree competition for your chance to win $250 to enrich your wardrobe! Click here to enter.

If you love meeting and mingling with other big beautiful people, then you must definitely make it a point to be present at the upcoming Ultimate BBW Vegas Party.

Organized by Big Boogie Nights, the Ultimate BBW Vegas Party will take place at The Big Boogie Mansion on Thursday, July 27, 2006 from 9pm until late (strictly 21 and over). Join Big Boogie Nights as big beautiful people invade Las Vegas with the hottest Plus Size Party the desert has ever seen!

The Big Boogie Mansion comprises of 10,00 square feet of private, secluded party space including pool, jacuzzi, dance floor, big screen t.v., rooms, even golf greens for those players with clubs!

Ticket prices are $50 per person, or $85 per couple. For more information check out the official website at http://www.ultimatebbwvegasparty.com/.

Yesterday BabyPhat.com announced that a new exciting summer stock has been added to their inventory. BabyPhat.com have a good plus size section which I encourage you to visit if you are looking for something trendy, virbant and colorful. BabyPhat.com are also offering free shipping on order over $174 (use coupon code: bp175 at checkout).

I ran across a great article today on MSNBC.com. This article gives tips on what to do to overcome the top 5 fashion problems women face everday. Among the tips given, the article specifically targets plus size women, recommending us curvy ladies to look for designs which will flatter the full figured body most. I suggest you stop by MSNBC.com and read the full article.

Big Moves will present Big Spender, “an old-time extravaganza of plus-size dance and performance” on Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, at the Improv Café at the Improv Comedy Club (318 W. 53rd St., between 8th and 9th Avenues) in midtown Manhattan.

“Designed to evoke a bygone era of big-boned gals and high-flying hustlers, the all-new Big Spender revue is hitting the cozy stage at the Comedy Club for one weekend only, before heading out for nine crazy nights at the Montreal Fringe Festival. Our décolleté dancers are getting ramped up for the tour, and New York will catch all the sparks!,” state press notes.

“Like other Big Moves shows, Big Spender will be a mix of audience favorites and brand-new numbers, led by Filling the Stage, Big Moves’ musical theater company, which returns with three hot new numbers, including one collaboration with the Phat Fly Girls for a super-fly twist on a stripper classic. In a daring, reality-show twist, three would-be Big Moves-NY dancers will get their Big Moves debut on Saturday night, when they audition their sassy, burlesque-y number live! In addition to these fresh, new faces, we’re thrilled to welcome back to the Big Moves stage the plus-sized performers we know and love, including Seleka with bellydance, drag star Sweetie, singer/songwriter Nedra Johnson, and comedic actress Janie Martinez.”

Big Moves is the only production company and service organization in the country dedicated to bringing more people of all sizes into the dance studio and up on stage. Big Moves-USA and its regional branches are fiscally sponsored projects of Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)3 organization. For more information about Big Spender and the various programs of Big Moves in New York and around North America, visit www.bigmoves.org or call 617-869-2970.

Doors open at 7:30, and the curtain goes up at 8 both nights. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Visit www.bigmoves.org for tickets.

From May 15 to June 15, Blair.com is giving away a FREE $10 Blair.com Gift Card with every $50.00 purchase. To be eligibile to receive this gift card please access Blair.com via this link!

Kiyonna is handing out a very special gift this Mother’s Day to all of it’s customers… which even applies also to those who are not a mom! Go ahead and take advantage of the following gifts:

• Use gift code “Mommy” and receive $20 off orders of $120 or more.

• Use gift cose “Dearest” and receive $50 off orders of $250 or more.

These offers are goof through 19th May 2006, so do hurry to make use of them! Visit Kiyonna today.

Last month I was lucky enough to get to try on and actually feel on my skin what it is like to wear a stunning plus size designer dress.

The wonderful people at IGIGI provided a black satin gown for me, a gown which will definitely make any full-figured woman stand out from the crowd.

Today I have published a review about this dress where I share with you my experiences with this garment, give you an insight about shopping online from IGIGI and also provide some tips for accessorising with this dress.

Read on for a full review of this beautiful dress.

An added reason why it’s good to shop at Junonia… together with any order of $50 or more they are giving way a very useful free gift. In fact they’re giving away a utility pouch which you can tie around your waist, as a belt, which is very handy for carrying around phones, sunscreen, water, etc. The pockets are detachable so you can remove, as well as add items. This utility is great from those long walks where carrying a handbag really gets in the way. Check it out closely at Junonia today.

Today watch out for Tyra Banks’ first Full Figured Top Model show, as this show is hitting the air waves on a television near you! Ashanna Black will appear on this show, therefore keep a look out for it. To find out more about Ashanna please visit http://www.ashannablack.com/.