My son is 8 months old, so I don't have to worry about that yet - but I am a preschool teacher - for 18 months to 3 years old for 4 years now, so I have LOTS of experience with potty training. (in my opinion): The fact that she wants to wear big girl panties is GREAT! For me, that is one of the signs that I look for in the kids. I have stories about potty training that could go on forever! I think that bribery sometimes doesn't work, like candy or tv time, stuff like that. once again - in my opinion: I think that you should take your little girl to the store and let her pick out her own "big girl panties". I have reccoended that to some of my parents at school, and that surprisingly motivates some of the kids. Another thing that I have found useful is that if she is still in diapers or pullups, EVERYTIME you change her, ask her if she would like to try to go p in the potty (or whatever you call it). A lot of times they will say no, but that's OK. I had a lot of kids who did the "hot potato" sit, where they would sit and pop right back up. But encouragement is a huge thing. Make it fun - what I found helped (granted there was always a few kids hanging around the bathroom) was that when one of the kids were starting to sit for longer times, but nothing would happen, we would have 'listening contests'. There would be 2 or three other kids (all 2 years old) in the bathroom and we would cup our hands around our ears and listen to see who could hear so-n-so's p. Then the next kid would want to go so everyone could hear him/her. That I think helped alot. I also had a potty dance that I would do for them - they thought it was hilarious - I just made up words for going pottty to itsy bitsy spider or twinkle twinkle little star and do dances from the 70s and 80s. the kids just eat it up. I would try having your daughtor "listen for yours" and then see if you both can hear hers. if nothing happens - I always say that they did a very good job just sitting on the potty, that something doesn't happen everytime and thats OK. i always say thank you for sitting on the potty. At work we have a working toilet that is the perfect size for 2 year olds (its the only one in the classroom - so us adults get to do deep knee bends if we have to go - but oh well). I think that if you can do that - that'd be awesome - but I am also realistic, and know that not everyone can do that in their bathrooms - so using the 'plastic potty' is good - but i think it needs to be kept in the bathroom.
with my kids at school, whenever they 'go' either #1 or 2, one of the things I always do is give them a thumbs up sign, i cheer for them, and i make sure I tell them something along the lines of "doesn't your body feel better now that you've gone potty" I try really hard not to say "go pottty for me, or mommy (to those who it applies)" and tell her to listen to her body. you have to repeat these things but after a while I believe your daughtor will get it if you keep it consistent. I also would say evey 60 min or so (depending on how much they drank - i'd say between 45 min and 90 min) say "Its time for you to try to go potty." Don't ask her because if you say "would you like to go potty" she'll be that wonderful two yearold that they all are and say NO!
one quick story about my kids at school (my son is starting to wakeup) - i just cant' help but sharing - when we kept with the 'thumbs up' and 'cheering' the kids would do it at home, and then if one of us teachers went to the bathroom, when we came out one or two of them would shout across the room - "ms P. did you go potty" and i'll say yes, and then they say "good job ms P.!" and give me a thumbs up. its so cute!
Anyways - i think I've talked long enough - hope some of this helps