Jet lag is no joke! 1 More day of No shopping to go..

If I could spend all my time in Cape Town I would... BUT bills are due, and work calls.. fantasy done!

I'm having a serious case of jetlag (21 hours will do it to you!), and a love hangover from Cape Town- it was a wonderful trip; we did alot of service-learning, a good amount of tourism and the students I took with me had the experience of a lifetime.

As promised, here are some pics for your viewing pleasure:

I know some of you would like to know if I shopped... well I'm proud to say that today is 89 Days of No Shopping. Some of you suggested that I take a break from the challenge because going overseas is an exception but I really wanted to see if I could stick to my challenge. (stay tuned for my post 90 day recap)

With that said... it was hard... so very, very hard! I'm at the Artisans Market purchasing beautiful jewelry, paintings and such for family and colleagues who made the trip possible for my students and I didn't buy a thing for myself. DO YOU KNOW HOW EXCRUCIATING THAT IS? It's always great to give to others, but when you're surrounded by beautiful items it's tough to not pick up a trinket or two for yourself.


I hope you all are well, enjoy the pics!

Totsiens! A word before I leave...

Totsiens means "See you later" or "Goodbye" in Afrikaans... ;)

As you know I'm off to Cape Town, South Africa for the next two weeks! I am beyond excited to go back to this beautiful city! The flight is long (about 21 hours) but the experience is so worth it, trust me.

I will make sure to channel an appropriate, transcontinental Airport Style - as I learned my lesson when I looked like garbage and saw LL Cool J and Kevin Liles in the D.C airport. I made that vow to never again walk into the airport with a headscarf and cap on- I can at least comb my hair out!


When I think about this trip, I can't help but to think about shopping. This shopping addiction of mine was present even in college, which was the last time I went to Cape Town. I made sure to learn how to say some of the major shopping phrases in Afrikaans (English is spoken in South Africa- but when I was there before I received the craziest discounts when I spoke Afrikaans at the shops !)

I want to buy .. Ek wil ... koop
I’m just looking Ek kyk net ‘n bietjie
How much is it? Hoeveel kos dit?

and my absolute favorite....

Do you accept credit cards? Aanvaar julle kredietkaarte?

The 90 day challenge is going to be really hard as the art markets in Cape Town are drool-worthy and I know that I will want to buy, buy buy! Nevertheless I will only buy souvenirs for friends & family - I've given myself a budget so that I don't go overboard as a means to quell my inner shopper. I'm serious - I'm going to make it to 90 days!


I will do my best to post while abroad! Bon Voyage!

~Luvin' My Curves

Calendar Worthy: Curves & Cocktails & Full Figured Fashion Week 2010

Mark your calendars..... I know it's only March but if you don't want to get left behind then put the pen to the calendar and start to mark it up! As the plus-size community gets stronger and starts to mobilize more events that allow us to network and just "be".



The "Premiere Shopping Event for Women with Curves" , Curves & Cocktails is back in NYC on May 8th at the DUMBO Arts Center from 11am- 5pm. If you've never been, read my review of last year's event here - make sure to buy your tickets and get more information on the official site.

It's baaack...

The dates are set.... it's seems not so long ago that we were in the midst of the 1st Full Figured Fashion Week and now we are here again!

FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK 2010 June 16-19, 2010

Grab your friends, pack your bags and get ready for something that's made just with you in mind!


As events and happenings are updated I will make sure to keep you informed - but I urge you to not wait until the last minute.If you are looking for a place to stay- click here for a list of the Full Figured Fashion Week 2010 host hotels. If you're from out of town, I would definitely suggest booking one of these rooms early - you don't want to miss out on the action! The tentative schedule is up; and it includes a Young Designer Showcase, The State of the Curvy Community Panel, Big and Tall Male Showcase, an Escorted Shopping Trip amongst so many other events.

Follow FFFWeek on Twitter, join the Facebook group- get involved and get to NY!

Stay tuned!!

~Luvin' My Curves

P.S: I didn't forget the Fat Girl Flea Market- the dates havn't been announced yet- once they are I'll be sure to let you know.

Mentioning the Unmentionables

Good Morning,


If you're a full-figured chick then you know there are not alot of fun panties for our sizes . Actually, let me rephrase, I mean everyday panties.

In my opinion.. there are the practical panties (aka bloomers) or there are pleasure panties.. (get what I'm saying). The spectrum appears to be extreme , either lingerie or bloomers. Where are the fun, colorful, and comfortable underwear?

Practical.

Pleasure.

Where's the playful?

Excuse me, but I like to have fun.... even with my underwear. I love being comfortable - but I enjoy ruffles, lace trim, colors and different cuts . If you've been reading for awhile then you know I find that what's underneath our clothes is just as important as what we put over it. I do my best to make sure that everything I put on/adorn myself with not only serves a purpose but makes me feel and look my best- underwear included.

Periodically I overhaul my drawer and I always to make sure to have a mix of practical, pleasure and playful panties to choose from. I like to have choices, don't you?


So what did I find? Retailers are finally getting the message that GASP! plus size women do want fun underwear? Now, the market is nowhere near perfect, I'm still looking for some of the styles that I see in the "regular" stores but it's come a long way from the holy trinity of underwear; black, beige and brown bloomers.

Mentioning the Unmentionables by LuvinMyCurves on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Fantasie Simone Brief Panty 2305 at BareNecessities.com, $36
Plus Size Lingerie | Plus Size Panties | Hips & Curves, $25
Rumba boyshort | Lane Bryant, $20
Lace applique hipster | Lane Bryant, $18
Lace trim hipster | Lane Bryant, $18

In my search I also found some etsy designers that do custom sizes; after this 90 Days No Shopping Madness - I might treat myself to some custom-made draws. On my Etsy underwear radar: OnTheInside, TouchMeNot & KAntoinette. (If you know of any others, please share!)

Am I the only one who likes to have choices?


~Luvin' My Curves

What J is Jonesin' For: Can Spring just hurry up and come?

Good Morning!

When outside looks like this...

My mind goes into spring mode, corals, nudes, detailing....this month I'm Jonesin' for better weather and pieces that welcome springtime back into my wardrobe.

Givenchy Peep Toe Sandal $774 ,FarFetch

I will hurt someone for these shoes... seriously!

Lela Rose for Payless Paloma Clutch, $29.99, Payless

Payless and another designer join forces; Lela Rose. So far, I like the Payless collaborations, do you?

Taffeta silk strapless sheath dress $69.95, eShakti

This is a such the perfect frock for a spring wedding or graduation- I would wear this with a cardigan, pearls and simple pumps.



In other news....


Today makes exactly 60 days of No Shopping..... I'm surprising myself everyday. This is not easy, but it's a great challenge to put something back on it's hanger because I made the promise to myself to not buy a thing.

There's alot of work to be done before I fly out next week - but in that rare moment of down time I find myself envisioning outfits in my head. The other day I went to the mail room and the manager told me that she missed seeing packages with my name on it, she liked to see me get excited and oftentimes ripping the package right in front of her.

I'm already making the list for my post 90 day celebration-it's ridiculously long and I know that I won't get all of the items but it's nice to lust in moderation.


What are you jonesin' for this month?

~Luvin' My Curves