In a few weeks the annual shopping frenzy that is Black Friday and Cyber Monday will hit us.  Though it is expected that lots of online shopping will occur the online sales tax laws that passed in the Summer are sure to affect online sales. When you think about your shopping habits this time of year are you a person that lives for the gladiator games on the day after Thanksgiving or are you one to sit at home on your computer and jump on the latest deals on the Internet?

Regardless as to which crowd you hang with below are a few tips to help you out.  You can always go to the Official Black Friday website and get your fill there or just follow these tips:

1. Don’t buy something you really don’t need just because the price is low
2. Cheap products at a good price are still just cheap products
3. Avoid impulse buying this time of year

Now onto the meat of this post for you to decide if you are a Black Friday or Cyber Monday type of shopper, since at Full Figure Plus I am about plus size fashion on the Internet I will shape tips in that context.

1. There are few b& m plus size stores to choose from keep your eye on IGIGI, Kiyonna, Monif C, Lane Bryant and others for in store deals
2. Now is a great time to look closer at accessories to stock up for the future
3. Shoes will also be in abundance this time of year keep an eye on Payless ShoeSource©
4. Foundation garments are hot now so keep an eye out for sales on shapers and foundations
5. Get your winter coat NOW before the prices go up

Within 5 years online sales are predicted to make up over half of all US retail purchases

Now that we have covered a few things for Black Friday lets cover some of the same things for Cyber Monday.

1. When it comes to sales they will be to many to list check The Ultimate shopping list on this blog and take your pick
2. Take advantage of free shipping in as many places as you can
3. It is almost a guarantee that stores like IGIGI, Kiyonna, Monif C, and Lane Bryant will have Cyber Monday sales as well
4. Look at some new designers like Shop Translated, City Chic, or Simply Be to get some things outside of your comfort zone
5. Get as much shopping as possible done at one time to save money

Note that the lists above do not travel the traditional path of shopping for this time of year but when you think about how things have gone for plus size fashion over the last ten years the industry is built on diversity and change so shouldn’t we think the same way even in regard to traditional habits.  Whether you are a Black Friday or Cyber Monday team player the point is this time of year holds lots of bargains in the shopping sector.

Whatever you are comfortable with is what you should do when it comes to shopping this time or any other time of the year.  The goal as I said is to save money and get the best fashion you can possibly find.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Cell phones, rain boots, grocery-bags are all things that are becoming fashion accessories today.  Did you think about your favorite coffee cup and how it pairs with what you are wearing today?

Honestly neither did my wife until she got her hands on the Flip Flops Porcelain to Go Cup by Lolita. The flip flop porcelain to-go mug is a perfect fit for any fashionista. Lolita introduces a line of porcelain to-go mugs including the “Leopard” – an on-the-go accessory every coffee-drinking fashionista should own.

Details

• Porcelain cup with removable 2 1/2″ silicone sleeve and lid
• Holds 16 ounces
• Cup, lid and sleeve are microwave and top rack dishwasher safe
• Measures 2 5/8″ diameter at bottom x 3 5/8″ diameter at top rim x 5 1/2″ tall

The Good

A sixteen ounce cup is always a good thing when it comes to coffee in my house.  Me and my wife are self-proclaimed coffee snobs who grind, and brew our own coffee daily.  We have tons of to-go cups but none like the Lolita flip flops porcelain cup.  Because it holds a lot it allows her to be able to enjoy her coffee on the way to work and not have to deal with either stopping for coffee or drinking the swill they call coffee in her office.  The silicone sleeve is a nice touch keeping the heat from the liquid from burning your hand and the lid is easy to take on and off.  As you can see from the photos that the cup is stylish and it goes with what she has on today.

The Not So Good

This is something she has never liked and I must say I concur.  To-go cups should be better insulated.  With it being ceramic from the moment you pour your cup of coffee the temperature of the liquid inside will rapidly cool off.  Another not so good feature is not being able to close the lid.  All of the other to-go cups she has the lid can be closed allowing the liquid inside to stay hot longer.  With the cup being ceramic there is a chance of it getting broke considering the heavy usage she gets out of a typical cup.

Overall

This cup has become my wife’s go to cup for on the way to work solidifying the statement “Coffee on the go today is no longer just a way to take your hot beverage with you—it’s a fashion statement!”  Even with the issues with this particular cup if she keeps up with this one the way she does the cup I bought her for Valentine’s Day years ago this cup will have a very long lifespan.  For you non-coffee drinkers this cup will be good for tea as well.

Though in the big scheme of things $12 for a coffee cup may seem like a lot considering how much I know the cup will be used the drink per wear cost will even out making it a bargain in a short time.  Other items available on the website include martini glasses acrylic tableware, glassware, and table products.

About Lolita

It all started with a girls’ night out… one that contained more than the usual laughter and fun. Browsing for the first time through a Martini menu, Lolita was inspired by the recipes. After being served a Cosmopolitan, her creative imagination made her see the glass differently – the way she thought it should be – a bit more dressed up with a pattern, with flair and a fabulous recipe on the bottom.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Update

Full Figure Plus Coupon exclusive. FFPSAVE50 The code is for 50% first order for the first 25 people, 1 use per person, and cannot be combined with any other coupon or sale.

New Fall fashions always get me excited and even more so when a new company hits my radar.  Recently I was introduced to Cassandra’s Clothing Boutique.  As most of you regular readers know I fully support independent plus size fashion designers so when Cassandra contacted me about reviewing one of her pieces not only was I honored but thought of it as my duty.

The Good

The first thing that I do when it comes to any garment is check the construction.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the stitching on the dress was strong and double stitched in the areas that are traditionally weak points.  As you can see from the photos below the fit if you have a curvy shape can leave you looking a bit boxy looking but that’s what belts and other accessories are for to bring our your best assets.

The selection process is about as personal as it gets.  Color choices range from pink to red, with four lengths available(knee length shown), from petite to tall sizes, standard sizes from 2-28, or custom sizes in which you put your measurements in.

Another good detail about this dress was the tag.  For my wife she normally cuts the tags out of her clothes because they irritate her neck, but the tag on the dress is I think stenciled on making it one with the garment.  Two thumbs up on this detail.  The length is flattering and the color flattering against her skin.

“Classic Dresses Customized to Fit your Shape”

The Not So Good

Though we like the color of the dress the one disappointment was the deepness of the color.  The description on the website said cobalt blue.  In our mind this shade of blue is much darker and it looks darker online so we were surprised to see that the color was as light as it was.  Another area of concern is the price.

It may be standard for a nice dress to cost over $100 but for most that will price them out of buying several pieces.  I understand for small designers manufacturing costs are part of what drives the price up but it would be nice for simpler designs such as an A-line dress for it to be cheaper.

Cassaundra’s Clothing Boutique is a culmination of 20 years experience in fashion, designing, and dressmaking

The Final Word

In the world of plus size fashion there are few designers and even fewer designers of substance.  Even with the stuff I did not consider the best of the best when it comes down to it if Cassandra’s Clothing Boutique continues along this path not only will the company grow but it will be among the bright spots in the world of plus size clothing.

When you go shopping be sure to tell Cassandra that Glen from Full Figure Plus sent you.

Accessories

The necklace and ring came from Krystal Bijoux Jewelry, the belt from Lane Bryant, the pearl earrings are swavorski from Mary Loggins designs.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Tailored and waist-defining wide-leg pant and elongated pencil skirt suits in rich tweeds, animal prints, and embellished, side-slit dresses are just some of the highlights in IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel’s FALL ICONIC COLLECTION inspired by the golden ages of some of Hollywood’s most glamorous screen icons 40s through the 60s.

Founder and Head Designer to the award-winning American label, Yuliya Raquel has created a collection that lets us have a piece of our own Grace Kelly in the chic, ladylike styles; enjoy Greta Garbo’s impeccable cool in her men’s wear inspired suits; and reenact Gilda in the sensuous femme fatale gowns ala Rita Hayworth. Designed and made in the San Francisco Bay Area, FALL ICONIC COLLECTION is now available in sizes 12-32 at http://www.igigi.com. Prices range from $60 to $320.

Celebrities like Nikki Blonsky, Kim Coles, KayCee Stroh, Jill Scott have worn IGIGI

“I am so excited about this collection where I was inspired and influenced by the glamour of these beautiful and powerful women who were the original, trend-setting style icons. They took their individual style to such exponential levels that they have continued to awe and impress fans around the world. The strong sense of style that each of these women created transcends time and celebrates the power of femininity for women of today and they will continue to do so for generations to come” said Yuliya Raquel.

Yuliya Raquel’s passion for design can be seen in the IGIGI Fall Collection

The FALL ICONIC COLLECTION is a delightful juxtaposition of structured tailoring and soft draping that create curve-defining looks. Animal prints, seamed and elongated pencil skirts, origami tops, ruched and draped dresses, and coats provide for a flattering, chic, and stylish wardrobe.

About IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel
Headquartered in San Francisco, Ca, IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel was founded in 2000 with a mission to transform the world’s view of beauty by providing full-figured women with fashion-forward, quality, and well-fitting clothes that would help express their beauty. Collections are designed in-house and produced locally through independent San Francisco Bay Area contractors.

My wife loves how IGIGI dresses are fully lined

IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel has been featured in major fashion and life style magazines like Marie Claire, The Oprah Magazine, People StyleWatch, Ladies Home Journal, Glamour, and Essence, and it has been a favorite among celebrities such as Nikki Blonsky, Kim Coles, KayCee Stroh, Jill Scott, Kelly Price, and Gabourey Sidibe. IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel collections are available online at http://www.igigi.com and select boutiques worldwide. IGIGI was honored with the Best Plus Fashion Retailer of the Year award (Full Figured Fashion Week, June, 2010), and made Internet Retailer’s Top Hot 100 list (December, 2010), and recently received About.com Critics’ Choice Best Plus Designer Award (March, 2011).

What I like the most about the IGIGI Fall collection is the use of the seasonal colors to capture a slice of the past.  Of the many plus size fashion designers that I have encountered over my time as a blogger I have always been very impressed with everything from IGIGI and this collection is no exception to that rule.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Leather is one of the hottest fashion trends this Fall.  When it comes to purchasing leather the biggest cost is when you make the initial purchase but over time with proper care a leather jacket, coat, or pants can last for years!  Many own leather but do you know what it takes to properly care for it.  Today we will go over some quick tips to help you take care of your leather no matter when you purchase it.

 Leather ages gracefully and can last a lifetime with the proper care right from the start

• Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape. Use shoetrees in footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue to help retain their shape.
• Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers. This will cause leather to become dry.
• Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any direct heat source. Leather can be treated with a conditioner to restore flexibility while suede can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
• In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments and footwear by sponging with water; follow with the above treatment for wet or damp leather.
• Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight.
• Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that will impair a garment’s ability to breathe.

Frequent oiling of leather, with mink oil or neatsfoot oil keeps it supple and improves its lifespan.

• Wrinkles should hang out. If ironing is desired, set iron on rayon setting, use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine.
• Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
• Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement. For best results, see a leather care professional.
• All products formulated for at-home use should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the garment.

Pleather, Naugahyde, Durabuck, NuSuede, and Hydrolite are leather alternatives

Thanks to the PLCA for the tips.  Established in 2010, the Professional Leather Cleaners Association (PLCA) is a not for profit trade association founded by a group of leather cleaners from across North America, each with at least 30 years of experience and dedicated to the highest standards for cleaning leather. Their goal is to provide information and resources to the consumer about the unique characteristics, care and cleaning requirements for leather apparel and accessories.

Leatherette Military Jacket- $109.00Black luxury Leatherette military jacket is a City Chic must have this season! The jacket features cute military style double breasted buttons and a front zipper for open and closure, this style is great teamed with cute dresses and tops. Please note sizing runs small in this style, we advise to purchase one size up.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Happy first day of Autumn! I was actually awake at 5:04am when it came in though I was not aware until I turned on the news.  In the spirit of cooling temperatures, football season(GO STEELERS!) and turning leaves, Just My Size launches its Fall/Winter collection with great sweaters, tops, pants and jeans.  They have put together some fantastic looks into a JMS Lookbook that will be posted to Facebook and Twitter next week, but you guys get the first looks here on Full Figure Plus!

What I like about this collection is the colors.  I talked yesterday about how the color you choose can make you look like a million bucks.  With this collection especially the blue’s I can see many ladies stepping out in this budget friendly collection and looking great.

As always, JMS has designed these new looks specifically for the plus-size woman with flattering proportions, special features and great fabrics.  And, all for a GREAT value – everything in the Lookbook is priced at $20 or less.  JMS is a great for your wardrobe and your budget!

While the majority of the items will not be on the website or in your local Wal-mart store just yet you can see the entire Lookbook here.  While you are waiting be sure to follow JMS on Twitter and like thier Facebook page to keep up with everything that is going on including the launch of the new collection of belts which I wrote about in the post Top Five Belt Tips From the Desk of JMS Designer Regina Martin

BONUS

JMS MEASURING TIPS

Hold the measuring tape firm but not too tight.
BUST: Keeping your tape level, measure around the fullest part of your bust.
WAIST: Measure around the natural part of your waist.
HIPS: Measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape level to the ground. Look at your hips from the side in the mirror to determine the fullest part.
INSEAM: Measure a favorite pair of your pants from the crotch to the hem. Or have someone measure you from the top of your inner thigh down to your ankle.

Other things going on on the JMS website right now include:
25% off Glamorise bras and shapewear
Enter to win a JMS Fall outfit
Buy 1 get one for $10 pant sale
All Bali Bras are $15.99
One Days Only : Buy 1 get 1 Free-ALL CLEARANCE at JMS.com. Valid 9.23 ONLY.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women