On the jeans issue...

I really love the Levi Strauss brand jeans that Wal-Mart carries. I like the boot cut, they aren't really low rise AND they are stretch jeans. I also find that they run a little big (I think). I have a size 16 that I've been thinking of downsizing to a 14, but tried on a 16 of another brand and could hardly button them up! Talk about discouraging! Anyway, you might try them out.

Ali