I spent more than seven years as the Specialty Publications Editor for the Tallahassee Democrat, the daily newspaper in Tallahassee, Fla. In my position, I edited and designed more than 50 special sections of the newspaper annually. I am also a freelance writer and graphic designer. I've worked with a number of organizations on copywriting, public relations, keyword optimization, newspaper anad magazine-style articles, graphic and web site design.

I am also a fashion guru. I was the editor of a monthly fashion magazine, Style, for several years. The magazine focused on fashion and lifestyle topics for women. Plus-size fashion is my passion and I work to bring it to the forefront in any way I can. During my tenure as Style editor, I was able to incorporate a great deal of plus-size fashion into the publication, increasing awareness of trends in larger sizes. I have written extensively on the topic and spoken with models, readers and major manufacturers about the plus-size fashion industry - what's missing, what's the next best thing, what works, what doesn't and more.

Tip: The Underwire Wars

Underwire versus softcup is a bra battle that will continue to span generations. Underwire bras are those that provide additional lift for your breasts and give great support. Softcup usually focuses on comfort and also gives lift and support, but in a less dramatic fashion. Size definitely matters when it comes down to the choice between the two; larger sizes benefit from the shaping quality of an underwire and smaller sizes often find wirefree to be more comfortable with better lift for their smaller breasts. Most people simply have a mix of underwire and soft cup bras and wear both depending on the outfit.

A good rule of thumb to determine which one works for you is: B cups and up look better in underwire bras; A cups generally do better with soft cups, with the exception of cleavage baring outfits.

Tip: Bra Extenders Help Bras to Last Longer

You may have a favorite bra that you love to wear, but no longer fits as well as it did when you first purchased it. It may be a perfect fit in the cups, but feels snug around the band area. One bra accessory that can alleviate some of that discomfort is a bra extender.

A bra extender is a great idea if you have bras that need to be replaced, but you haven't had a chance because of time or finances. This bra accessory will help extend the life of the bras in your existing collection until you are able to purchase replacements.

Tip: Avoid Nursing Bras That Expose the Entire Breast

Don't invest in nursing bra that opens in the front completely, exposing the entire breast. After breastfeeding, wrestling your breast back into the bra while juggling your newborn can prove to be a difficult task. Look for a nursing bra that has a one-handed release and only exposes a portion of the breast for breastfeeding.

For example, the Comfort style Medela Nursing Bra offers full coverage, a one-handed cup release and comes in beige, black or white. This is a great brand to buy if you want convenience at the forefront of nursing bra design.

Tip: Minimizer Bras Work Best For Larger Bustlines

There are varieties of minimizer bra choices available. From seamless to cotton to lace, women are always on the lookout for the best minimizer bra. Minimizer bras serve a niche market, with most beginning at size 34-C or 36-C.

This is because women with smaller breasts usually do not need to minimize their bustline. Custom made minimizer bras are available from a number of manufacturers for women with a cup size lower than C looking to downsize their look.

Tip: What is Best Way to Care For My Bra?

After spending the time to be fitted and searching for the perfect style, caring for your bra properly is important. Handwash your bra daily to lengthen its life and remove all dirt and oil from the bra fabric that accumulated during the day.

Rotate among three or four of your best bras and wash each one daily after wear. This might seem like a lot of effort, however, if you invest time in caring for your bra and other intimate apparel, your collection will last much longer.

Tip: Bra Fabric Is Important Factor

When choosing intimate lingerie, fabric is one of the most important considerations. Whether underwire or wirefree, bra fabric should maximize comfort. Lacy bras are pretty, but can easily irritate skin. Satin bras are also pretty and often comfortable, but usually need to be hand-washed and require extensive extra care.

Cotton is probably the most comfortable fabric for most intimate lingerie, but is not quite as racy or sexy as other fabrics. Cotton bras can usually be machine-washed and tend to last must longer than fancier bras with radical embellishments.

Tip: Push Up Bras Popular For All Sizes

Push up bras are popular among women of all shapes and sizes because of the lift and cleavage they show in almost any type of shirt. Push up bra cups are padded with gel or foam and often feature an underwire for additional lift.

If you are looking for a more alluring look, choose a push up bra with extra padding and racy extras, like lace edging and sheer elements.

Tip: Why Should I Wear a Sports Bra?

Most forms of exercise, even moderate activity, can put a strain on your breasts. That strain can often result in temporary pain and stretching of the Cooper's ligaments, which is the area of the chest containing the outer skin and connective tissues. Breasts do not have much internal support, which is why strain on them from strenuous activities, such as jogging, can cause saggy breasts. However, you can reduce the stress on your breasts by 78 percent. The way to achieve this is by wearing the correct sports bra during exercise or other sports and activities. Sports bras provide the extra support needed to avoid excessive bouncing of the breasts, which results in less stress and pain on your breasts. Designed to hold your breasts firmly in place, sports bras allow you a complete range of movement. Most sports bras come in fabrics designed to repel moisture from the skin. Sports bras come in a variety of styles and fabrics, so choose one based on your personal active routine.

Tip: Take Your Time Getting Fit For Good Mastectomy Bra

The process of choosing a good mastectomy bra is often a difficult one. Manufacturers are creating more styles and colors all the time to make the process easier. Most mastectomy bras have a pocket in the cup area to hold a prosthesis, which simulates the shape of a natural breast. A well-designed mastectomy bra will help to make the prosthesis look natural and will provide comfort around the scarring area. Take your time getting the right fit --- and make sure comfort is a major factor in any mastectomy bra purchase.

Tip: Demi Bras Give Lift and Show Off Cleavage

An alternative to a strapless bra is a demi bra. Also called a balconette, demi bra style can be purchased with or without straps. They are designed to provide full coverage support with less material for low-cut shirts and blouses. Demi bras give lift and show off a considerable amount of cleavage. Look for demis in bright colors, sexy patterns and as part of bra and panty sets. They are great if you are looking for an alternative to a plain strapless bra and the coordinating panty can have a devastatingly sexy effect.