What J is Jonesin' For: Nothing like a NY Summer

Morning!

What happens when you're back in your element, and your calendar starts to pack up with places to go and people to see? You shop! The summer has always been a tough time for me jonesin' wise - I want everything I see and don't calm down until my wardrobe receives a decent size upheaval. The more I think about it, maybe I should I have done my 90 days no-shop during the summer - on second thought maybe not.

This month, I'm inspired by my social calendar. I've made a list of all the concerts,classes and places that I would like to go to this summer - a NY summer is something that everyone needs to experience, there's nothing like it. I want to make sure that I stay cool, but that I'm also expressing the style I've had to repress a bit for my job. Because I have no dress code to follow or students to worry about I can wear whatever I please; so I'm gravitating towards plunging necklines, higher heels and pieces that are perfect for late summer nights.


For the party lover in me:

I was jonesin' so bad for this dress that I ordered it; I refuse to agree with the "rule" that curvy girls should not do stripes.

Black and Grey-Striped Belted Dress $38, Torrid

Could I "sweep" all night in these 5" heels? I think not. However, I know I'd look damned good walking into the party with these shoes.

Rock and Republic Chelsey $344, Zappos

For an outdoor festival or concert: 

A simple summer dress and cute flat sandals will never betray you as you walk the entire length of the African Arts Festival or surrender to the rhythms at Central Park Summerstage.

Knit Dress $23.12, Avenue

A day walking across the Brooklyn Bridge with Chinatown Ice Cream Factory as a finish line treat:
I want to be comfortable yet cute; it's a long walk but the ice cream is worth it!

Cream Striped Hanky-Hem Tank $28, Torrid

There are so many other events going on this summer, and true to my jonesin' nature I'll be making sure to style for every one of them. What are you jonesin' for this month?


~Luvin' My Curves

P.S: Enjoy your holiday weekend!!

P.P.S: In my almost daily viewing of clothing websites I saw that Newport News has a Women's Plus Boutique- however the collection looks the same as it did before, just with a different name. Take a look at the site and tell me your thoughts.

-L.M.C-

What J is Jonesin' For: The Rural Rut

Morning!

"So where ya' been?"

Life is funny... and I know that's a bad answer but it's all I can say. Now that my health is taking a turn for the better, I can come back to getting back to our regularly scheduled program. ;)

As I was taking stock of my closet the other day, I realized just how much my wardrobe has toned down because of my new job. I was never "out there" but I was never boring either. I know that some of this change has come from the nature of the job, I work with kids... more specifically high-schoolers... and I can't just wear the shirts I used to. But the other thing is that I've been bored, I love to dress for "me", but when I'm in an office all day, on a small campus and the nearest city is 45 minutes away - it becomes a bit harder to put all of the effort to bring it everyday.

What I've been jonesin' for have been pieces that would take me out of this "rural rut" - things that I can still wear to work but are pieces that I wouldn't mind being seen in off campus.

Goddess Draped Pencil Skirt $68, Kiyonna

Pencil Skirt Perfection! I am in love with this skirt!

Ruffle Dress $49, Ashley Stewart

With the weather warming up, I don't mind getting bright with my wardrobe. If this is too much color, you can always cover it up with a muted cardigan.

Draped Grecian Slinky Top ~$42.69, ASOS

Oh, the possibilities of this shirt. There's nothing rural about this, but it's still appropriate for work!

Type Z Lynet $99, Nine West Ponti $88.95; both from Zappos

Both of these shoes deserve a spot in my closet, but the 1st pair would just not be functional for this environment. (ever got your heel stuck in the mud?) I think the 2nd pair would be a fashionable alternative.


I'm not jonesin' for any accessories this month- mainly because with the amount of accessories that I have I could never be in a rut. In fact, it's the "normal", "regular", or everyday jewelry that I'm lacking. :)

What are you jonesin' for this month? If you were in a rut like me, how would you get out of it?


~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

What J is Jonesin' For....

Hey Folks!


I'm having the winter blahs because it's so cold out here - and there's not much to do. Since I'm not shopping - I havn't seen much that I wanted badly- maybe because I'm doing my best to keep my focus. I'm sure that by day 45 my cheery outlook will be replaced with something more cynical about this 90 day challenge.

A couple of things from ASOS Curve..I'm really jonesin' for these things, I just want to try them on!!! (try them on and keep them) If these items are still available on April 1st.. I might just have to.

One Shoulder Top, Gold Button Detail Top, Pontiroma Seamed Pencil Dress, Shoulder Pad Top all from ASOS Curve.

I want a Wii... I played it for the 1st time with my colleague's 5 yr. old....I've been missing out!

I've been having dreams of high heels, brown ones to be exact...I'd wear them with a sleeveless red linen shirtdress and a mix of ruby & amber bangles. Mind you it's the dead of winter, but I'm thinking summer already.

DVF Gladiator Love-Knot Sandals $295; Tory Burch Wrap-Up Sandals $325 both at Saks Fifth Avenue

My livingroom is pretty spacey so my once decent-sized TV now looks so small- plus I think I deserve an upgrade. This could be a savings goal - or a birthday gift to myself.

What are you jonesin' for this month?

~Luvin' My Curves

What J is Jonesin For: "Just Because"

Happy New Year!!

Most of us are back to the grind of work and school (college students, I'm jealous as most of you have at least another week of vacation). Some people are hyped and energized by their New Year's Resolutions- and there are others who know themselves well enough to not even have made resolutions because they would be over by Jan. 2!! 2009 was a great year for me on many different levels and the plan for 2010 is to keep the momentum going and the positivity flowing. Because I'm getting over the holiday sales, there's not much that I'm jonesin' for in terms of need- this month is all about pure decadence.. things that I want "just because".


It's cold outside but I'd like to rock more mini's this year...

Taupe Eyelash Ruffle Miniskirt $25.50, Torrid

Because I love my hometown I thought this would be a cute addition to my charm bracelet- my BFF put me on to this. There are also other city themed charms but this one is my personal favorite.

Taxicab Charm $125; Tiffany & Co.

I love boots....I'm really in need of tall brown boots- but then I saw these purple ones and I want them, NOW!!

Jessica Simpson Virnica2 $116.06; Zappos

and then I saw these and I figured this could satisfy my need for brown boots, I love the detailing.

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Berkshire Boot $275; Zappos

And what's Jonesin' if there's not at least one item that is completely financially unrealistic- I can't even think of making this kind of purchase with the student loans I have, but it's always nice to dream! (plus, there's always a similar yet cheaper alternative somewhere)

Shiny Napa Petal Hobo $1895; Neiman Marcus

What NOT to Wear- MAJOR SIDEYE

I'm not one for billboard clothes- the items that reek of logo..in that same vein I'm not fond of items that have to broadcast what I already know. Basically I'm the master of my clothes, I create the message and my clothes display that message for me- looking at Torrid's new arrival's (trust I have nothing but love for Torrid) two belts bothered me.. if you feel the need to hammer in the point that you are bootylicious or a sexy bitch that's fine- but I'm not feeling it. What do you think?

Bootylicious Pyramid Stud Belt & Sexy Bitch Pyramid Stud Belt both $24; Torrid

~Luvin' My Curves

What J is Jonesin' For: Just in time for the holidays!

Hey!!!

Just unpacking from a great couple of days in the mile high city of Denver, Co.!! Surprisingly it didn't snow in Denver, but I was greeted back to the East with snow. Ugh!

This month, I'm jonesin' for a break... a vacation!! But since this is a fashion blog, I'll indulge you and myself with what I've been hi-liting & book-marking this month.


The cold in NYC has nothing on the bitter cold out here, and from what I'm told this is nothing compared to how it's going to get. (Major sideye for that!) So I'm jonesin' for a cute, long, down coat- this is where practicality trump fashion , if only for a little bit!! (And no, not a puffer coat.. this is some serious cold out here, I need the down!)

Steve Madden Hooded Long Quilted Down, $99.99, Macy's

Satisfying my hunger for color...

Blue Geo Print Shirt Dress, 32GB ($52.72 )Dorothy Perkins

This is where I raise up my hand and shake my head at myself... there is definitely an inner vixen working it's way in me because some of my picks are like "Woah, this is cute.. but will this see the light of day out of my closet?" Could I really wear this at the faculty Holiday party and not feel like it was a total waste of my stylish time?

Raquel Dress- Lipstick Red, $59, B&Lu

My love for clutches continues...

Rosette Clutch $19, B&Lu

Sooooo not in my budget... but hey I can dream right? Plus, I'm sure I can find a cheaper alternative!

Moschino Beaded T-strap Sandal $1,195, Nordstrom


I've been dreaming of a sequined mini skirt for a holiday party... help me find one!!

~Luvin' My Curves

What J is Jonesin' For: November

Good Morning!!

So.. two months into the new job and the entire school now knows about Luvin' My Curves... it was a small secret between me and some of my students who googled me. But in the new faculty profile spread of the school paper, instead of mentioning my law work and all the other academic stuff they focused on LMC, hahaha.

Just because I'm employed now doesn't mean I've gone totally shopping crazy- I'm doing my best to resist the urge to shop and make up for lost time, it's hard!!! What I've been doing is buying two affordable pieces a paycheck- one piece I need ( a closet essential) and one fun piece I want.

This month- I decided to cave in to one of my "jonesins'".. for change- I got hi-lites that in my opinion are waaaaaay too bright but everyone seems to love it- I'll post pics soon.


This edition of Jonesin' is excruciating, because most of these pieces are in my shopping carts already just waiting for my card number...help!! I've been lusting over all types of stuff, shoes, coats, jewelry- anything that will comfortably allow me to stand out up here. (Trust me, I stand out for so many other reasons but I'll focus on the fashion here!) Let's get to it...


On a recent day trip home I ran into Payless to check out the Christian Siriano line...I got these flats (good look mom!)

and now I want these heels!

Christian Siriano for Payless Carolina Pump $34.99, Payless

I'm also jonesin' for a cute coat, actually I want a couple of them-it's cold out here!!

Short Wool-Blend Coat $82, Old Navy (I'd wait until this goes on sale)

and these runner ups, I've wanted to put a purple coat in my "arsenal" for years now! Which one would you choose?

Purple Military Coat (~$122) , Purple Funnel Coat (~$107) (both from Evans); Purple Tiered Coat (~$90), Dorothy Perkins

The problem is that the new job is not the average 9 to 5- not many places to go for afterwork drinks... let alone trendy places that deserve me to dress up. So when I make purchases, I know that many wont be shown off until weekends off campus. Always adding more dresses to my closet- I like this one for weekend's off campus...

Giselle Dress in Rasberry, $56, SWAK

I've definitely been going for the dresses that hug me in all the right places- nothing wrong with that. I NEED THIS DRESS IN MY LIFE!!!!I don't know what for and I really don't care... I need it thanks.

Flapping Grace Dress $250, Jibri

My go-to earrings are hoops.. but these earrings are very stylish for the days when I want to pin my hair up and add some flair.

Vintage Style Oversized Pearl clip-on studs with rhinestone surround 9GBP (~$14), Asos

What are you all jonesin' for this month?

Every Girl needs some Pearls....

Good Morning!!!

Double Strand Pearl Necklace, $85 Toccata, Etsy (this designer also has single & triple strand necklaces)

So... pearls...every girls needs some!! They are one of the ULTIMATE accessories; can you imagine the one piece of jewelry that can instantly glam up anything- think of pearls are the LBD of the accessory world.

Single or double stand, choker or loose - pearls through uniform in appearance allow for you to tap into your own creativity in how to wear them. Mix lengths (a la Rihanna, below) , go "dramatic" with an all black suit, or go "demure" with a single strand, a-line skirt, simple cardigan and flats or funk them up like I do - mixing them with chunky multicolor chains, scoop neck t's jeans and platforms. The choice is yours...

Glory Pearl Necklace, $6.80, Forever 21 ; Rihanna mixes lengths- taking the classic to a new level

Don't worry about the cost- pearls are a piece of jewelry that you should feel comfortable with buying a good imitation... (Jackie O' wore a fake strand that years after her death were sold for thousands!)

Keyrose's Faux Pearl Layered Necklace & Earrings Set $34.95 ; Reign's Graduated Faux Black Pearl Jewelry Set $34.99 ;
Judy's 24 Inch Imitation Pearl/Necklace Earring Set $24.99, all from Emitations

If you're not sold on the necklace, start slow... pearl studs add instant class to any outfit.

Set of 24 Pearl Studs, assorted colors $1.99 Fabuless.com

I know many of you think that pearls are snobby or only for older women, but I'm telling you pearls are timeless and work for any woman rich or broke, young and old. What was once seen as a sign of privilege and elitism is now for everyone!

Want some more? Check out :

All Girls Love Pearls

Emitations

Girl Props

What do you think of pearls? How do you wear them?

~Luvin' My Curves

What J' is Jonesin' For: The Pink Edition

Good Morning!

By now I'm sure you've seen pink all over the place and know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This edition of "Jonesin'" is dedicated to all things pink in which proceeds go to support Breast Cancer research. It's so much more about the color pink, it's about finding a cure for a disease that affects more than 190,000 women a year- the awareness doesn't stop on October 31st. Even though the incidence of breast cancer is lower in African-American women, the death rate is one of the highest across the board.Regardless of ethnicity, breast cancer affects us all and it's vital that we do what we can to help find a cure and take the steps needed to check ourselves.


So whether it's a scarf, t-shirt, item of jewelry or even a donation to a pertinent charity - make a difference.

Torrid has a collection of items in which the proceeds are donated to breast cancer research & they are also giving 10% off your entire purchase if you use the code "powerofpink"

Save the Ta-tas Splatter Tee $28,, L.A. Ink White Rose Pink Ribbon V-Neck Tee $28, both at Torrid

Balmshell "1 in 8" LipGloss $22, Sephora (my favorite shade is "Who's Your Caddy?")

Reader Submitted: Like a pink snuggie.... but considering that it's bound to get cold soon I can get with this.Pink n.a.p Comfy Ultra-Plush Blanket with Sleeves $39.95, Brookstone

I recently purchased a pair of sterling silver cancer ribbon earrings for a friend of mine who has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer- they were from Elisa Ilana ($35)- she loved them!


For more information on breast cancer & how you can help visit the Susan G. Komen foundation site here.

Think Before You Pink!

A word of advice, make sure that if you buy "pin"k that the money is actually going towards research- (sorry it's the little social activist in me) check out Breast Cancer Action for more information.



What are you jonesin' for this month?


~Luvin' My Curves