Some of us are a little gun-shy when it comes time to buy a swimsuit. Sure, it looks good on the model, but will it flatter our shape and keep everything in its place? No matter how much you like it, there’s always that nagging doubt that you’re taking a risk when you buy a new suit.

Well, get rid of the risk and buy one of SwimsuitsForAll’s bestselling plus size swimsuits of 2008. These suits suits tried and tested by curvy women like you - swimsuits which were so pretty and flattering that word of mouth alone shot them to the top of the sales list. Hey, ending up with a great suit is pretty easy if you let thousands of other full figured women recommend it to you before you buy.

Among the list of bestsellers is my favorite, the South Beach Border Liz Claiborne Tankini. I know I’ve mentioned this suit before, and have to admit that I did give in and buy it (and though I didn’t pay full price, it wasn’t as cheap as it is now, marked down from $112 to just $69). And I can tell you that this adorable little suit looks as good (okay, almost as good) on me as on the model.

Yellow is a great color, and has been one of my favorites this season in fact. It’s fun, fresh, bright and very Summery. However yellow is not a straightforward color. Matching up your skin tone with the wrong shade of yellow can break your outfit, resulting in you looking a bit dull. Not exactly the look you would be looking for right?

To wear yellow the right way you need to learn which shades suit your skin tone most, and you also need to learn what to match it up with. Check out our latest plus size fashion tips article to read our 5 easy peasy steps to making sure you look great in yellow.

Autumn is coming and it’s time to start vamping up your cool-weather wardrobe. And there’s no better place to do it than at IGIGI. Because at their online store, they have a ton of just-in Autumn styles that will make you feel perfectly happy to banish the sun and surf until next year.

My favorite piece in IGIGI’s new autumn collection? The Bridgette Mod Dress in black, grey, and red. The boat neckline is so flattering and pretty, and the soft vertical red stripe is wonderfully slimming.  Just too cool and pretty.

Want to totally make yourself over for Autumn? Don’t forget to enter IGIGI’s $500 Makeover Mania Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will win a fashion and style consultation, where you’ll receive advice on dressing your body shape and help with your overall style… plus a gift certificate good for $500!  It’s easy to enter, so check it out at the IGIGI website.

Okay, I’m going to risk sounding like a broken record here and say… I love when the seasons change! Autumn isn’t even here yet, and the new styles coming in at all the stores are making me ache for cooler weather - so I can wear some of autumn’s cutest new trends. Case in point? Torrid’s just-arrived Black and Purple Plaid Chiffon Secretary Dress with the flattering high-waisted skirt and oh-so-sexy silhouette.  Must… have… it…

Plus, Torrid in now accepting Paypal for payment! And while for some the major appeal is that you can feel your purchases are super secure, for others (like me!) it’s all in the secrecy. Because if you have a little Paypal money sitting around from selling all your old “Heart” tapes on eBay, you can spend as much of it as you like on super cute clothes, and no one who shares your bank account need be the wiser…

Just practice saying it with me: “What? This old thing?”

At SwimsuitsForAll, they usually shout about their sales from the rooftops. With thousands of swimsuit styles, they want everybody to know when they have a deal going on.

This sale is a little different… because it’s a secret.  Until August 31st, you can take 10% off your order, choosing from items throughout their entire online store. How do you get your 10%?  Just use the coupon code “PRIVATESALE” at checkout. But use it wisely… and only tell who you have to. (Just kidding!)

If there’s a particular item you’ve been eyeing that just refuses to go on clearance (like this ridiculously cute Mod Squad Two-Piece Plus Size Bikini), now is the time to go for it!

Ah, I love the end of the season. You start looking forward to the changing weather and new styles… and you also get to play the vulture and fill your closet with tons of great items at rock-bottom prices. In short… I just love a liquidation sale.

If you’re the same (hey, and who’s not??), it’s time to head over to OneStopPlus, where their “Final Cut” summer liquidation sale is just beginning. There are discounts on hundreds of items all the way up to 75% off. It not really shopping, but… well… it’s sort of stealing. But legal!

Case in point? The sweet and yellow Printed Scoopneck Dress with pretty flutter sleeves for just $17.99. Like with any liquidation, all the best stuff flies off the shelves, so it’s best to shop early. Good luck!

One of my favorite plus size clothing labels, Missphit, has just launched the “Clothes Gone Wrong” plus size model contest.

This is a contest with a twist, because unlike practically all other model contests, you do not need to be a beauty queen to win! In fact this contest is seeking photo submissions of your worst fitting clothes, for a chance to win a wardrobe makeover and become a Missphit top model.

I think this is such a great idea from Missphit’s part, and I am sure the lucky winner will have an absolute blast with the makeover, and with the whole experience of becoming a Missphit top model! I’m very excited to see how this contest will progress over the coming weeks, and I am even more honored to be part of it by being one of the judges.

Here are the nitty gritty details from Missphit themselves on the contest, and what you need to do to get involved:

Style conscious plus-size women struggle constantly to find clothes that not only look great, but fit their body shapes in all the right places. According to a recent Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™ survey, 21% of female respondents reported wearing a size 15 or greater yet 70% of these women stated they couldn’t find clothing they liked in their size. Known for their detail oriented focus on both fit and trendy styles, Missphit is acknowledging this frustration by offering a chance to replace tired duds with fresh new looks that flatter their fuller figures.

Starting this month and continuing bi-monthly for the rest of the year, Missphit will begin seeking photo submissions from frustrated fashionistas showing off their worst fitting outfit for a chance to win $200 worth of free Missphit clothing and an opportunity to bask in the spotlight. Winners of the bi-monthly contests will be awarded a mini wardrobe makeover and be featured on the Missphit Web site with “before” and “after” pictures to show their transformation.

In addition, contest winners will be entered for consideration to become the next Missphit Top Model. The grand finale winner will be flown to Los Angeles for a complete makeover and fashion shoot to be featured as Missphit’s new Top Model. For more information about the contest, please visit Missphit.com.

More About Missphit
Missphit is a Los Angeles based clothing line dedicated to bringing trendy and sophisticated styles to plus-sized women. The company, run by husband and wife team Christina and Yul Kwon, brings 20 years of design and manufacturing experience to the table. Christina studied fashion design at Esmod in Paris and has honed her trade with experience in top design houses such as Christian Dior and John Galliano among others. Missphit is sold nationwide in select stores and is available for purchase online at Missphit.com.

Kiyonna has introduced a new collection, called Island Fever, which will be available for only a limited time. And you’ll want to pick up a thing or two while you can, because this collection is just too gorgeous to miss out on. What makes it stand out? Well, it’s full of pretty, feminine shapes, soft and light fabrics, and cheerful summer colors. I’d be happy to wear any of the items in the collection, but… the first thing on my “I must buy or I’ll die” list is the Delaney Dress. With a fun, summery pattern and a sexy waist-cinching tie-belt, it’s too pretty to be believed.

Also, remember to check out Kiyonna’s deal of the week. Every week they have a new item marked down…  but after the week is over, back up it goes.

It’s time to start thinking about buying some items for Autumn. And while it’s sad to think that there’s not that much summer left ahead, there’s no reason to let it get you down…. especially with the gorgeous new season arrivals coming in all over the net! The latest? Some very cute new pieces at OneStopPlus.

While some of these items are strictly for the cooling weather, plenty of them are great for any season. I know I’m pretty consistent with my love for knee-length, waist-cinched dresses, but I’ve gotta say it… I love the Chartreuse Trim Shirt Dress with the gorgeous satin waist tie. It’ll be perfect at work both for summer and for autumn. I must be on a satin trim kick lately, because I’m also loving the Satin Detailed Pintucked Shirt in emerald green. It’s brand new, but it’s also on sale: you save $10 when you buy two.

See? Transiting to Autumn doesn’t have to be a sad time, after all!

You definitely do not need to be a fashion expert to realize that this season is all about colors. And not just any old boring colors, but bright and vibrant ones.

Colors can add great style and flair to any outfit, but it is not just a matter of splashing colors here and there in what you wear, you need to pay attention to certain things to make sure you utilize bright colors in your outfits this season, to their best potential.

Read our latest plus size clothing tips article to get to know exactly how you should go about wearing bright colors. In this new article you can learn how to:

• Choose the right shades
• Choose the right accessories
• How to wear bright colors with flattering shades.

So go on, learn how to wear bright colors.