Plus size prom dress from Sydney's Closet, $238

OneStopPlus.com is currently accepting entries in its first-ever Plus-Size Prom Makeover, a nationwide contest for teens to enter for a chance to win a free head-to-toe prom makeover and $500 shopping spree.

Through April 21, plus-size teens who feel stressed trying find the perfect prom dress are encouraged to share their personal stories via Facebook or by e-mailing ospeditor@onestopplus.com for a chance to win full makeovers for their proms. Friends and family members are also encouraged to submit entries on the teen’s behalf.

Two winners each will receive the prom dress of her dreams, hair and makeup appointment, limousine transportation to the prom venue and a $500 shopping spree. The winners will be announced on April 27.

All entries must include the following information:

• Name
• Brief paragraph as to why you (or your friend/family member) need(s) this makeover
• Picture
• Age
• School
• City and State
• Prom Date
• Email Address
• Phone Number

Entrants will be judged on originality and appropriateness.

Jill Scott

On “Storytellers,” singer/songwriters perform and tell stories in front of an intimate audience about their lives, lyrics and careers.  Since premiering in 1996, the series has showcased great musicians including David Bowie, Kanye West, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Green Day, Elton John, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Foo Fighters, John Mayer and Christina Aguilera.

Scott is an amazing R&B singer/songwriter. From her first album “Who is Jill Scott” to her most recent “Light of the Sun” (which features the amazing song “Blessed”), she has created beautiful, heartfelt music. I can’t wait to hear the stories behind her most iconic records.

Other artists being featured this season include Jason Mraz (June 1), Norah Jones (June 8) and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (June 15).

Click here for more on Jill Scott

Star in a Bra is open to all confident and naturally curvaceous women who are D plus cup size. The winner has the opportunity to receive an exclusive one-year international modeling contract with Curvy Kate, and become the U.S. face and body of the brand, fronting a marketing campaign that includes website, video and print components.

Star in a Bra has already taken place five times in the U.K., becoming a widely anticipated event garnering thousands of entries, and has since launched in Australia, and now for the first time, America. Curvy Kate uses only amateur models found through Star in a Bra, and have signed a diverse set of women with dress sizes from 8 – 16, and cup sizes from E – J.

Star in a Bra was born out of necessity when Curvy Kate launched in the U.K. in 2009, and company executives couldn’t find a professional model that wore the product well and also fit the “flirty, fabulous, full-busted” brand image.

Lauren Colfer, who won in the U.K. in 2009, said she entered by taking pictures of herself in the bathroom mirror.

“I sent them to Curvy Kate, and here I am now,” Lauren said. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it! It’s great seeing curvier girls in the fashion industry to relate to.”

Between now and April 27, women ages 18 and over with natural D plus cup sizes can create an entry profile on Curvy Kate’s Facebook page. To enter, you’ll have to upload five pictures of yourself wearing their lingerie or swimwear, and write a short summary of why you want to be Curvy Kate’s Star in a Bra.

People will be able to vote on the winner starting in June. The winner will be flown to the U.K. for a series of photo shoots to execute the marketing campaign with other winners from the U.K. and Australia.  In addition to the modeling contract, the winner will also receive a year’s supply of Curvy Kate lingerie.

Click here for official rules

The members-only shopping site ideeli — which offers clothes and accessories at a steep discount for a limited time — has added new plus size sales. “Plus Size Perfection” will be held on alternating Wednesdays starting at noon. It kicked off this week.

Petite sales will be offered on the other Wednesdays.

Plus size designers participating so far include Ravon, Tiana B, Tahari, Donna Ricco New York, Seven7, Juicy and Calvin Klein. The first sale included casual and fancy dresses, jeans, tops, coats and even lingerie. Prices were good too. This adorable khaki skirt from XCVI, which retails for $105, was offered for $29. And this pretty blue dress from Tahari was on sale for $59, though it retails for $159.

The conversation around special sizes first began with ideeli’s followers on both Facebook and Twitter, where members began expressing a strong interest in seeing plus size options on the site.

“Many designers cap their collections at size 10, yet there is clearly demand for contemporary styles in fuller-figured sizes. With special size apparel still underrepresented in retail – particularly in the popular flash sale category – we couldn’t ignore the incredible response from members and we’re excited to now offer a great selection of brands, styles and sizes on a consistent basis,” says Mary Harmon, group vice president at ideeli.

View the photos below, and click here to watch a behind-the-scenes video from Riley’s shoot.

But here’s the catch: Because Inclusive will be sold only on H&M’s website, plus size ladies in the United States won’t be able to get it. According to Frockwriter, the items will be available in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Swedish Finland and the UK.

It’s a real shame, because the clothes look great. They’re much more fashion-forward than a lot of plus size lines by other retailers. We may not be able to buy it here, but Inclusive is a real step in the right direction.

Here’s a look at a few of the dresses that will be available:

Morae is the daughter of actress Lisa Raye, and appears with her mom on the reality show “Lisa Raye: The Real McCoy.” According to Bossip.com, Morae is Apple Bottoms’ first plus-size spokesmodel.

Morae herself recently said that in the modeling world, what’s considered “plus size” is what the rest of the world considers normal. She told Gloss magazine: “I don’t because most people don’t realize when you see plus-size models, you see a girl that’s about a size 12 or 14. To me, it’s just thick, it’s not plus-size. I don’t think I’ll ever be skinny; I don’t want to be skinny.”

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from the Apple Bottoms shoot, which was done by photographer Derek Blanks. Looks like the shoot will be featured in an upcoming episode of “Lisa Raye: The Real McCoy.”

Click here to shop Apple Bottoms’ plus size line.

If you’re larger, shopping for maternity items can be hard; it seems like many stores only offer items in “standard” sizes. And often, what is available, can be very expensive.

I like Torrid’s line, though the items are a little tamer than the typical trendy, somewhat sexy clothes the store sells. Torrid’s maternity options also aren’t too expensive — definitely a plus when you’re buying clothes that won’t be a permanent part of your wardrobe.

The majority of the items Torrid is offering are tops, with a few cardigans and dresses thrown in. There are only a handful of pants; two skinny jeans (one with a belly band, the other without) and a pair of leggings. But again, when you’re looking for maternity, a focus on basics is a good idea.

One of my favorite items is this pretty red dress with crocheted shoulders and back. It also comes in black, and the crochet detail adds some visual interest to an otherwise simple look. The dress is $54.

Another favorite of mine is a rather sporty-looking faux wrap top that’s available in plum and black. It’s got a nice peplum bottom that cinches below the belly, and a pretty rosette detail on the back. It costs $38.

Torrid’s maternity items are available in sizes 0 (12) to 4 (26/28). Many items are online-only, but you can call Torrid to find out what store near you has maternity items. Their customer service number is 866-867-7431.

• Follow three fashion fundamentals: silhouette, proportion and fit. When they are in harmony and balance, anyone can look fabulous.
• Invest in the essentials: wrap dresses, belts and skirt/top combinations. Each of these items will have long lasting staying power.
• Shop smartly: When people shop on a budget they are very thoughtful and mindful about how new items will fit into their wardrobe and lifestyle. Think strategically about your overall wardrobe and how the garments you are purchasing will fit in.
• Embrace your shape: Even if it seems that everyone is wearing a particular style one season, be sure to evaluate how it will work with your shape before committing to purchase it yourself. Embrace your own shape—it’s beautiful — and adopt the trends that accentuate your best features.

“If getting fashion right were easy, everyone would look fabulous, but it can be challenging… Providing helpful styling tips is great because it helps people celebrate their new look and recalibrate their thinking about style, while finding an enhanced self-confidence,” Gunn said.

Valerie Bertinelli, Sara Rue, Nicole Sullivan, Jason Alexander — and now Carrie Fisher.

The actress famous for playing Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy has announced she will be the new celebrity spokeswoman for weight loss company Jenny Craig.

(Jenny Craig photo)

“A day comes when you can no longer face not wanting to leave the house because you don’t like the way you look,” said Fisher. “A day comes when you want to stop apologizing for it. When you want to make a decision to live the rest of your life in a healthy way.”

Fisher, who reportedly weighed 180 pounds at her heaviest, was about 105 pounds when she made the “Star Wars” movies in the ’70s and ’80s. The slave costume she wore in “Return of the Jedi” made her an instant sex symbol for sci-fi fans everywhere.

“I look on the Internet and they say, ‘Whatever happened to Carrie Fisher? She used to be so hot and now she looks like Elton John,’ ” she tells People magazine . “I was really hurt.”

Fisher will appear in Jenny Craig’s new advertising campaign that launches in February 2011.

Curvy List is about loving yourself at whatever size you happen to be, so I think it’s great that Fisher has chosen to get healthier. Her goal is realistic — 30 pounds — and if she succeeds, she’ll still be a beautiful, curvy woman.