One Year Anniversary of Classy Confident Curves

YESSSSS!!!!

What an awesome way to complete my first year of starting my blog than to celebrate what my blog stands for by wearing the very print that defines Classy Confident Curves. Like I stated a peacock spreads his feathers to gain attention and shows confidence in who he is to attract a female. Although, the roles are switched I still live by the definition and understanding of how a peacock lives. I wanted to feature a bad ass dress that I had the chance of seeing Kelly Augustine/Essie Golden's collaboration look book that was featured.

This one year has been nothing but amazing. I am so blessed that I have been able to motivate and inspire other women to live life spreading their own feathers of confidence. That is what Classy Confident Curves is all about. I had to make sure that this blog was dated on August 9th to show how  loyal I am to this blog and will continue working hard for the years to come!

I plan on growing in more ways that one on being a better person inside and out. This blog has helped me spread my feathers an inch at a time. My self confidence has sky rocketed in the past year than ever before. I believe one year shows dedication, hard work, and loyalty not only to myself but to those who follow either this blog or even on Instagram where most of my followers see me. I want to say A BIG THANK YOU to those of you who actually take the time to read every word that I type on this blog. It means so much to me!!! I LOVE YOU ladies and gent ;) (insider) I thank you for the uplift, having my back,for those of you putting up with me when taking my pics. A big shout out to Marquita Wood for giving me the chance to style her. Daniel Harrison for taking some great pictures. Tamara Covington for coming out in the rain in the Bull City to find the perfect place to make my one year anniversary for my blog count. Also to Troy Wooten who got me off the stairs in front of my apartment taking pictures to take in what Durham, NC scenery has to offer instead. Last but not least the people who have shared, liked, commented on my pictures over this last year with so much love!! Without you this could not be possible.

Dress: Rue 107, Shoes: Just Fab, Peacock earrings; Gift, Hair: Stacy Okonji

Lets talk about my hair! I love my jumbo twist braids done by Stacy Okonji she did an awesome job covering up my locs. Love the color purple in my hair.

My balloon was up there and I just like this pic anyway

 

 

Happy One Year Anniversary to Classy Confident Curves! 

Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake your Tail Feather

xoxoxo 

Black vs.White in These Streets Part 2 (Field of Dreams)

Hey ladies,

Hope all is well with everyone who is reading. I wanted to complete my Black vs. White blog with me featuring an all white dress I purchased from a well known store. This is actually my first time purchasing from this store that I am sure would be surprising to a lot of ladies. Before I jumped into the fashion you know I have to incorporate some realness into this blog.

Wearing white has never been my strong suit. I mean I am clumsy and sometimes absent minded about the color white and how EVERYTHING that is not white will show up on it. Wearing the color white reminds me of a no drama filled life where nothing or no one can come up against you to throw dirt on you or your name. Its almost like you stand in the middle of a field where no one can come close to you to bring harm towards you. Its hard keeping the color white clean; just like its hard being a woman in these streets. Like on the baseball field if you are not a great hitter chances are you won't hit a home run and just run through each plate clean. We stand on the base with our bat wearing our color white trying to stay clean from drama, negativity, and heartache hoping we hit a home run. Well like I said its always someone or something ready to throw dirt on you. Like me I try to give everyone 100% realness or at least be honest about who I am and what I am all about. I try to remain true to myself and to those I come in contact with each and everyday. I realize that everyone is not here for me. Some are out to get me dirty! Some do it with no care and some do it on the sneak tip. Those throwing dirt either don't use the sense God gave them and some throw dirt because they want you to feel as low as they do. Either way its hard wearing white in these streets. Everything shows up on white; fear, anger, pain, betrayal, defeat, and even let downs. However, in the midst of all the negativity while wearing the color white there is a tool used to keep me clean...PRAYER! I pray that God grants me Justice against my adversary. Luke 18:3. I try my best not to get my white dirty with negativity from other catty women and/or men who don't have my best interest at heart. Its rough wearing white in these streets. BUT GOD!!! I like the phrase once quoted in one of my favorite movies Bad Boys II, "Jesus, is the way my brother." Lol. I hope this passage helps you keep your white clean while you in these streets. Now on to the fashion...

As I mentioned, where I purchased this dress from is actually my first time shopping at this store. I hear so much about it and never got around to shopping until now. I purchased this dress for an all white party that I decided not to attend, but I chose to keep the dress anyway. I love the make and feel of this flare dress. Wearing white has one great asset; adding another color to bring the outfit together. I decided to add a pastel pink to my color white. I felt really girly in this dress and like NOTHING ever could come against me to get me dirty again. Don't mistake my kindness for weakness nor my quietness for being scared. I just don't have time to keep cleaning off the mess some people throw at me. I got bigger and better goals to achieve. As the saying goes, "One monkey don't stop THIS show."

Batter up dressed in ALL White! Dress: Fashion to Figure, Belt: Target, Shoes: Charlotte Russe, Earrings: Forever 21

The fit of this flare dress loves my body. I am ready to take on the world.

Coming to a baseball field wearing all white has got to be the BIGGEST oxymoron! LOL I love it!

 Hope you ladies enjoyed today's part 2 Black vs. White in these Streets. Until next time xoxoxo

Black vs White In These Streets Part 1

Hi Ladies,

As promised I had another feature coming to you showing off this all black scuba/mesh dress. With this particular dress I wanted to talk a little bit about being a FAT girl in a world where wearing see-through can be seen as too much for any woman with my body shape. I say as long as you know yourself and are comfortable in whatever you choose to wear, "WHO CARES" what others think. Yes, I stand by wearing what I like to call reinforcement especially in this type of dress. Scuba material is not body friendly especially on a plus size woman who carries something extra such as myself. However, it still holds you in certain places, but it does not disguise ALL your body. I wanted to be true to my readers and those who follow me and show what my real body looks like without backup worn under this dress. I love this dress because it shows some skin and still leaves some imagination for the mind. This is a sexy dress that can be worn for club night or a date night with that special special special someone. This dress is not meant be to worn just anywhere. I actually think I will be wearing this during this year's NCCU Homecoming. Hmmm?? Decisions, Decisions!

Ladies, being a FAT girl I welcome criticism of any kind. I once read from another blogger that no one can use the word FAT to break me because I own the word and embrace it. Yes, I am big and fat what else is new? At the same time I know how to strut my fatness up and down the street. Even in these pictures I stood in the middle of street while cars drove come up and down some even stopping to give me kudos on this look. So you see its not about the way others look at you its about how you look at yourself. Damn, I felt like Carrie Bradshaw typing that last sentence. Hahahaha....too funny to me! EMBRACE who YOU are and OWN it because that alone can never be taken from you!

 I am exploring more makeup. Example: Colored eyeliner Wet n' Wild (Turquiose)

 Lip Color is by: Corindacouture.com (Twilight) Midi rings from Aldo

Ear Candy: I love these earrings soooooo much! Goes with my lip color and shoes. Now let talk about these shoes.

I am always on Instagram, I mean like ALWAYS!!!!! So its one page that I have come accustom to watching and that is @lolashoetique I love how their prices are reasonable at the same time there is SO much to choose from in the style of shoe. I love these shoes! Before I purchased I knew I had to look for size, width, and if the straps were elastic. Once I could answer yes, yes, and yes I was good to go and the next thing I knew they were on my feet. I love the color, the heel, and my legs just look sexy honey.

 Shoes purchased from Lolashoetique

 

Remember ladies own and embrace who you are in the now so no one can use it against you in the future. Then just walk away strutting in these streets.

Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake a Tail Feather xoxoxo

Introducing the Future Dr. M. Wood Phd: In Living Color

Hi Ladies,

I hope everyone is doing well this week. I wanted to share a special friend with you and to also feature her on my blog this week. To jump right into this week's blog I would love to introduce to you my stylish, inspirational, and a fellow alumna of North Carolina Central University Ms. Marquita Wood. I've known Marquita since our freshmen year at NCCU. We were next door dorm mates from different ends of the state of North Carolina and we had no idea we would end up as great friends until this day. Marquita has made a great pathway into the educational system that will direct her into becoming one of not so many Black female university chancellors.

This woman inspires me to never give up, think long and hard, then make your move your best move of course after praying about it all. She has a heart that everyone has no choice but to fall in love with. While I am typing this in my 31 years of living I have never been able to describe another female this way as much as I can about Marquita. We are always talking about what friends are and what it really means to be a real friend. She has educated me over the years on how its okay to fall in and out of love with your best friend and still remain best friends. As stated from the title of my blog Ms. Wood is currently working on a doctoral degree in Higher Educational Leadership with the goal of becoming an university chancellor.

Ms. Wood will be celebrating a birthday on July 30th and wanted to feature her new look as the future Dr. Wood Phd, and the coming years. So she collaborated with DanielLamar Photography and Classy Confident Curves to bring her vision to light. What was so special about this project that Marquita, Daniel, and myself all graduated from NCCU and we took this photo shoot back to our ole stumping grounds; the sloping hills, the verdant greens of Dear Ole NCC. Two of the three sets featured on today's blog were personally shopped and styled by me and we got Mr. Daniel to bring this vision to light. I've known Ms. Wood to be very conservative in her style of wear so I wanted to bring her and my own style together in this photo shoot. Both outfits were purchased from JCP online and in-store. Accessories were purchased from Aldo and Forever 21.

This shoot is to not only inspire style but to also inspire growth, friendship, hard work, passion, trust in others, and most importantly dreams do come true. Watching Marquita stand firm on her own as she has for so long on the campus in front of the James E. Shepard statue gives me belief that she will become the woman God has her to be. Along with watching Daniel take the shot that captures what I so clearly see just by looking at Marquita take those poses gives me trust that we all can go for what we want out of life. Okay now for some color. Without further ado: Introducing Dr. Marquita Wood Phd. "In Living Color".

Prepping Dr. Wood for her photo shoot.

" In Living Color" Eagle Pride!!!

 I love this pose. Ready to take on the world all while in a business suit.

 Top/Skirt: JCP, Earrings: Aldo. Slingback pumps and Michael Kors watch purchased by Ms. Wood.

 

Top: JCP, Gold Chain Belt: Forever 21, Skirt: JCP, Earrings: Aldo

I want to thank Marquita for giving me the opportunity to style her for such a momentous occasion. I am greatly appreciated. Again, Daniel did a wonderful job capturing the future Dr. Wood Phd. Marquita, I pray the God blesses you beyond your already wildest imagination and Happy Birthday honey, I love You!

Stay Tuned ladies there will be another blog feature coming to you soon called Black vs.White in these Streets the other version.  xoxoxo

Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake a Tail Feather!!

When Life Throws You Curves

Hi Ladies!!! Its once again a great day to be alive and well. I wanted to talk a little bit about what I have experienced in the past couple of weeks. Let me just start off saying you can never make EVERYBODY happy or please people 100%. I never saw myself as a role model or someone anybody would look up to in life. I am a loner at heart and fashion has thrown its own curves in my life which I am welcoming with open arms. After watching what some plus size fashion bloggers go through when it comes to rude, disrespectful, and down right ignorant comments from people I sat back and wondered is this what I really want. When I decided to open up and broadcast myself on social media I never thought that I would have to worry about rudeness from others because I didn't think many people would be watching me. Well I was wrong.

As I get more and more comfortable with having hundreds and maybe even thousands of people looking at me from head to toe I have started noticing the hate, criticism, and body bashing trolls lurking. Its like they are just waiting to hate on the BIG BLACK WOMAN with the audacity to want to show off her style and curves. I am hear to say bring it!!! Regardless of the fact that no one person is perfect, but women still have the nerve to want to critique another woman on how she looks or what she has on. People are going to be who they are and there isn't anything I can say or do to stop them.

So what should I do about this you may ask? Not a damn thing but continue being me. You may think my arms/stomach is too big or that shirt doesn't go well with the rest of the outfit but I'm here...iz FREE!! (had to add little Color Purple in there). Honestly, ladies when life throws you curves FLAUNT them and keep moving. Do not worry about others and what they think they know. You can be the #1 most prettiest woman on Earth people will still find something wrong with you. While I'm on this journey of plus size fashion I am learning and growing. I expect to take risks that may not be necessarily flattering but guess what its me taking the risk and no one else. I finally know now I am on the right track to be great.

So without further ado I would like to give details on this week's featured outfit. I purchased this lovely African printed skirt from Christelle and Michelle N from The African Shop (Etsy.com). Once purchased the sites states it will take 2 weeks before shipping. Once shipped I received an email that informed me I should receive my item within 6 to 16 days I swear I received my skirt within 4 days. I was so excited to try it on. I ordered a size 22 because I was not too sure about the fit. I know now I can get my original size (20) with my next purchase. The colors and the added bow with pockets just warmed my heart. I loved the customer service and polite conversations I had  with these ladies. You guys ROCK!!

Top: Forever21
Skirt: The African Shop (Etsy.com)
Shoes: Heels.com
Earrings and Sunglasses: Forever 21

 

I hope you guys have enjoyed this week's blog as much as I enjoyed wearing this skirt. Until next time xoxo!!!

T-Shirt Dress Trend

Hello Ladies!!!

So, there is this trend brewing around now where wearing a basic tee as a dress is in. I have jumped on the trend-fashion band wagon and ordered my own. It was a pre-order buy from an online boutique that I follow off of Instagram by the name of Voluptuous Vixen Boutique. I saw this piece and really like what I saw as far as how women were wearing it. Its comfortable but at the same time most definitely a trendsetter. Most of the time we see trends such as these first seen on reality television shows like Love and Hip Hop of Atlanta etc. I usually pick up a few trends from reality television shows here and there but never go over board with them because I still feel more like myself wearing my own style. However, this look I knew I could have fun with. Which is what I actually did especially with this photo session with my photographer. This is our fourth session and the background rocked along with my outfit. It only took 30 minutes to get these shots compared to an hour and some change. I do not know if I love the graffiti or my outfit the most...lol! This particular shirt is now SOLD OUT online where I purchased mine from, but I am sure there are a few more websites selling this and maybe even in different colors. As always remember to have fun with your clothing and just know its nothing wrong with following the trends that we see on social media. I hope you enjoy this week's blog and like always the details will be below.

                                                                      

 

   Girl gotta mean walk...hammocks all out SMH!

 All accessories: Aldo, Maxi Dress: VoluptuousVixenBoutique (SOLD OUT), Jean Shorts: Made by me, Shoes: Charlotte Russe, Sunglasses: Forever 21

 

I hope you ladies have enjoyed today's blog and photos as much I did! Have a great day xoxox

Black Is My First Love: The Nino Brown version

Hello Ladies!!! Hope your day is going fantastically well as mine has. I wanted to come to you today to talk about my first love. No, not a man but a color. A color that has been so good to me over the years that I could never part ways with him. Yes, I believe the color black is a male. The only male in my life that has stayed true to me and my body for years. I use to wear black all the time growing up. It was my safe haven because you could always find clothing in black. As I have grown over the years; wardrobe wise I can tell my love for black has diminished. Mainly, because I was trying to broaden the look of my closet and what I was wearing. Some how I always come back to my main man Black. He does a body good! As much as I love wearing prints and bright colors my first love will always be black. I remember being told that the color black makes you look at least 10lbs lighter. Along with the fact that this color can hide certain areas of our body we may not necessarily like. It conceals a lot of blemishes on our bodies and can make a woman feel like she is on top of the world. Well I literally felt like I was top of the world when taking these pictures on the American Tobacco Trail here in Durham, NC. My photographer Daniel and I took a quick walk up to one of the many bridges on this particular trail. First, off let me just say I was a little afraid to walk over this bridge because of an accident I had a few years back. As soon as I was in my Nino Brown mode and I started hearing car horns honking I forgot all about the bridge and enjoyed my photo session. I owned this look and that bridge. Shout out to the men that saw ALL of this up on that bridge hahaha you made my day. The color black will always be my first love because it will never steer me wrong and for that I love you black forever and always! xoxox Details of this outfit will be below.

Necklace: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Amazon, Top: Forever 21(Sold Out), Leggings: Love Drunk Boutique (Sold Out), Shoes: Heels.com, Earrings & Midi Rings Aldo

 

                                 

Once again I have to commend the photographer Daniel of Daniel Lamar Photography on capturing me from head to toe! I have enjoyed him so far and looking forward to working a lot more with him. Until next Rock-a-bye Baby (inside the mind of Nino Brown) Be Good, Be Fly and Shake a Tail Feather xoxo.

I Am Not a Sneaker Head I Just Love Shoes!

Mannnnnn....let me tell you it has been an eventful week leading up to today's photo shoot. First, let me just say I love shoes. Growing up I was a lil tom boyish and loved sneakers; wearing mostly New Balances, Pumas, and Nike. I kept a pair of sneakers on my feet. I had more sneakers than heels growing up and that was just fine with me. Today, I had to go back to my roots. A few weeks back I was on KicksOnFire.com and I was looking at the sneakers that were coming out around my birthday. I found the WTKD VI When I saw these sneakers I just had to have just like any pair of heels. The only difference with these type of sneakers I can not just go online to purchase them. There is a time frame, limited access, and other restrictions to ordering these shoes. Well after much debate, research, and a fight to the death. I am winning!!! Lol I was so freaking happy to know these babies were coming to me I knew I had to debut them on the blog. After purchasing the shoes the very next day I went to searching for the rest of the outfit. I knew I wanted something to accent all the colors in the shoes but not go overboard. So where did I go to find the perfect piece...well of course my safe haven, Forever 21. Only this time I did not find it from the plus size section I actually got it from 21 Men. Yes, the men section came through just nice for your girl especially for these sneakers. I wear a lot of graphics tees and they actually come from the men section. Once again I really enjoyed my photo session with Daniel Lamar Photography. I am becoming more and more excited with every shoot. Ladies, I really hope the idea of you knowing you have the power to change it up every now and then is evident in these photos. Its great being a woman with style because we can dress it up, down, and everything between. Hope you enjoy! The details of the outfit will be below the pictures.

 To get the opportunity to purchase these joints was ALL love.

 I am loving these earrings.

Sunglasses, earrings, necklace, midi rings: www.aldoshoes.com, Top: 21Men, Jeans: Forever21, Sneakers: Nike (Out of Stock)

 

I was feeling myself in these photos as you may can tell thanks again to Daniel Lamar Photography. @daniellamarphotography

  Until next time Be good Be Fly and Shake a Tail Feather!! xoxox