[fung'ke] Shopping | [fung'ke] [blak] [chik]™

Caution: Curves Ahead

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping, beauty, me

Today I was happy to read that there are still men who love a woman with ‘meat’ on her bones. Over at Single Black Male, he writes about how he prefers a thicker woman, such as Tocarra. Ironically, if I was a guy, I’d prefer her too. I guess I would fall into the ‘thicker’ category as well. At 5′10+ and a curvaceous size 10, I’m no light weight, but I’m no heavy weight either.

Now, I can’t say that being this size hasn’t always had it’s advantages. One of the most prevalent disadvantages is my love for premium denim, i.e, jeans. For some reason a lot of them just aren’t made for women with ample ‘ass-ets’, if you know what I mean. I pray for the day when I can find a pair that will not only fit perfectly in the waist area, but also a pair that won’t gap out in the butt area. So far I’ve only been able to stick to two brands recently and those are Gap (which doesn’t count as premium) and Rock & Republic jeans.

Now, when you’re also tall, there’s the added issue of finding shoes! I think from the age of 12, I’ve always been a size 10/10 1/2 (sometimes an 11 if it’s a European made shoe). Finding fashionable shoes just wasn’t an easy ‘feet’. Growing up I spent a lot of time in sneakers and preppy deck shoes or penny loafers, because that’s all my mother could find for me. Nowadays, it’s a little easier to find a pair of fashionable shoes, from brands like Nine West…but…now I don’t even have to look that far. My partner in crime, Yashieka, has an online boutique, Aux Pieds De Shoes & Accessories, that specializes in fashionable shoes that come in larger sizes.

At one point in my life, the only thing that I wanted to change was my breast size. Compared to my mother and younger sisters (who are alot thinner that I am), I’m ’small’, even though I’m a “C”, but they’re “D’s”. But after seeing how much trouble they had with back issues and finding shirts/blouses that fit appropriately, you know, I’ll keep my “C’s” and be happy. I doubt I’ll ever be smaller than a size 10 and honestly, anything smaller just won’t look right. I refuse to walk around looking like a lollipop with massive hair. Hmmmm…now that I think of it, I think my hair might weigh a few pounds on it’s own (keep the jokes to a minimum, Yashieka!). Anyways, I’m grateful for my parents genes that have given me this body, there’s nothing on it I would change.

Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth?

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping, me

I received an email yesterday from a random smart ass who thought they were being funny. They asked, “Well, do you smell (f?ng’k?)?”. At first I wasn’t even going to bother to respond, but it did make me laugh a little.

So after I thanked them for being my comedy relief for the day, I explained to them the context I choose to use the word in. Simply put, (f?ng’k?), as in style and attitude not smell and if he must know what I smell like, this week, I’m wearing my favorite scent by Alfred Sung called, “Forever”.

So I figured responding to the email, would be the last I would hear from this random person, but it wasn’t. Today I received an e-gift certificate to Sephora! Now, although I’m quite flattered, I’m not sure if I’ll keep it or simply reply with a ‘thank-you, but no thanks’.

Hmmm…

I’ll have to ponder this one for a few.

My Summer Staple

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping, beauty

During the Summer season my main staple pieces when it comes to clothing is a jean skirt, a t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops. I think I own about 20 different types of jean skirts. From the vintage frayed bottoms to the short mini skirts that are not suitable for bending over in.

My graphic t-shirt collection is forever expanding, I must have about 30+ vintage t-shirts. From my pink Assata Shakur baby-tee, to my practically worn out Jimi Hendrix t-shirt; it’s always hard to figure out which one is my favorite.

Well, that was until recently.

One of the many things I’m proud of when it comes to myself is my commitment to remaining “Natural”. The creamy crack (relaxers) has not touched my hair in about 15 years. The bigger my hair is, the more I like it. Right now, I like to refer to it as my mane, because it’s wild, curly, and definitely fits my Leo personality. So when I came across the Goddess Zuri website, I immediately fell in love with the t-shirts!

This Naugh-Tee definitely fits me to a “T” (pun intended):

Goddess Zuri was designed so women could celebrate their natural beauty, in funky, edgy t-shirts that exude personality. There’s definitely a t-shirt to fit just about every type of personality!

Another one of my favorites is:

For all of the women out there with “BIG ONES”, this Naugh-Tee should be right up your alley:

For more information and to order your Goddess Zuri T-shirt, visit http://www.goddesszuri.com/!

Mad Max Beyond ThunderProm

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping, beauty, women

One of my favorite movies as a kid was, “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”, with Tina Turner & Mel Gibson. The main thing I loved about the movie was the costume and set designs. Although it didn’t have one of the best plots, but at that time I was 11 years old, so that really wasn’t a concern of mine.

In the movie the promised land is referred to as “Tomorrow Morrow Land”, and Max (Mel Gibson) has agreed to help the lost children in their search of “Tomorrow Morrow Land”, but then comes across Aunt Entity (Tina Turner) and the battle ensues.

Who would have thunk it, that almost 23 years later in the year 2008, the offspring of the lost children of “Tomorrow Morrow Land” are alive and well and now attending their first prom!

People, please get your kids!! Upon viewing these photos, I figured out they were from a New Jersey prom, so I must bow my head in shame.

I’m not sure what parent in their right minds would let their children walk out of the house looking like this:

For some reason this kid reminds me of K-Ci from Jodeci. I’m not sure who made this outfit for this couple, but I’d ask for a refund.

The family that PROMS together, stays together. I’m upset that this kid’s first prom memory won’t be that of her own senior prom, but of her daycare prom.

At first glance, she reminded me of Evillene from The Wiz, sorry girl, but the bad news is, is that your dress is horrendous!

Hmmm, you tell me, is her date a guy with breasts or a girl? I can’t seem to tell. I have no words for either outfit.

Pink & Green was definitely the color to be seen in at this prom. If I was a guy, and my date made me wear something like that, she’d have to go solo.

My question is, whatever happened to just going to David’s Bridal or looking at Prom magazines for a dress? Am I that old? What parent in their right mind, would let their child walk out of the house looking like an escapee from Thunderdome? I’m all for experimenting with fashion, but these kids look like science projects gone bad!

Attention Walmart Shoppers!

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping

The last place I ever want to be on a Sunday afternoon is Walmart, but of course today it was my last resort during my search for a reasonably priced allergen mattress cover. To make matters worst, last night was the worst night of sleep I’ve ever had, it included tossing, turning, fevers and shivers. Needless to say, with my cranky & sickly self, I wasn’t looking forward to the Walmart experience.

I’m not sure if it was because church services in the area had just let out, or if there was some huge sale going on, but it was packed! Within the first few minutes of walking into Walmart, I heard kids crying, parents yelling, a plethora of languages (Spanish, African & East Indian). The one thing that really struck me was the smell! I’m not sure if it was because I’m sick, but I can only equate it to the smell of plastic shoes! Immediately a wave of nausea hit me. My knees felt alot weaker and I couldn’t focus and remember what I actually needed from the store.

Eventually I made it to the bedding section and started to look for the mattress cover. As I’m looking I heard a horn honk behind me. At first it caught me off guard, but when I looked around and saw an elderly man in his motorized jazzy. He then asks if I worked at Walmart, I guess the fact that I was pushing a cart & was shopping as well, didn’t lead him to believe that I was a shopper like him. After I told him no, he asked me if I knew where the electric blankets were, I figured if I told him no that I didn’t, he would just leave me alone and look elsewhere. Of course, that didn’t happen. He followed me around for a few minutes complaining about the lack of electric blankets and speculated that maybe they were discontinued because of the fire hazards. I tried to be polite and listen and respect the elderly but eventually I cut the conversation short and headed towards the checkout area.

“Attention Walmart shoppers, there is a missing mother in the store, please come to the courtesy desk to claim your child”, is what I heard on the loud speaker while I was standing in line. All of a sudden, I heard a woman screaming in Spanish, I saw a kid hysterically crying and what looked like a Store Manager trying to console the child. From what I overheard, the child was intentionally left at the front of the store, while his mother was shopping and the woman had the audacity to get upset because she was being paged to come and claim her kid.

Unfreakingbelievable!

By the time it was my turn at the cash register, I’ve learned at least two more languages, was a part-time employee, purchased my mattress cover and witnessed an incident that needed the attention of The Division of Family & Child Services. Mental note to myself, next time I’m in need of something from Walmart, I’ll just sign on to the website and order it online.

Shop Til You Drop or Go Broke!

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping

There was once a time when I considered myself a compulsive shopper. My habit was definitely enabled by living right across the street from a huge Mall. Sure, it was a selling point when I bought my house, but I kept telling myself that I refuse to become a victim. Every time I looked out my window, there it was, Columbia Mall. I felt like ‘Pookie’, Chris Rock’s crack head character in New Jack City, “The sh*t keeps calling me, man. It just keeps calling me”.

At one point, I was at the mall at least 4xs a week. My drugs, I mean stores of choice typically ranged from Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, H&M & Macy’s. If there was a sale, I was on it. It wasn’t until my first holiday season at the new house that I realized living across the street from a mall wasn’t all that it cracked up to be.

Can we say, “TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE“???

Needless to say, I hardly ventured out to the mall during that time of year. I stayed clear of it because I couldn’t deal with the parking lot arguments, the screaming kids, the rude teenagers and the slow old people. So I developed an online shopping habit. It’s like trading in one drug for another.

Till this day, you will never find me in a mall. If I can’t find it online, then there’s no need for me to buy it. The only shopping I’ll venture out to do is an occasional weekend excursion back to NYC to visit a few of my favorite shops in the East Village or Meat Packing district. You will not find me in a mall.

My Black Friday was spent recuperating from family members, not standing outside of Walmart at 4am waiting for the doors to open, just so people can bum-rush and try to grab one of the 7 computers that they were selling for $300, only to realize in a couple of months that they purchased something to the equivalent of a scientific calculator.

This is why I stay away from the mall during the holiday season!

For those of you out there who have developed a online shopping habit, below, I’ve listed a few of the online sales/savings going on this season. Some of them expire pretty soon, so Happy Shopping!

p.s.(I accept gifts!)

Alloy Coupon Code: ALYGIFT (20% off entire order til Dec. 3, 2007)
American Eagle Outfitters Coupon Code: 64152219 (15% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, 2007)
Armani Exchange Coupon Code: STYLE20 ($20 off $100 from ? - ? )
Banana Republic Coupon Code: BRHOLIDAY (20% off from Nov 27 - Dec 24, 2007)
Bare Escentuals Coupon Code: BEFAMILY (20% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Barnes & Noble Coupon Code: T4N3B6W (25% off Single Item on Nov 27 - Dec 10, 2007)
Bath and Bodyworks Coupon Code: VELVET10 ($10 off $30 from Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Bed Bath Store Coupon Code: holiday07 ($15 off $75 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 10, 2007)
BeBe Sport Coupon Code: FAMILY25 (25% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
CCO - Closeout Catalog Outlet Coupon Code: CC10042 (extra 30% off your most expensive item - ends midnight Tuesday, 12/04/07)
Children’s Place Coupon Code: FFTAHPVAC7 (30% off from Dec. 2 & Dec. 3, 2007)
Cloud Veil Coupon Code: 7LJ400 (45% off from ? - ? )
Crazy8 Coupon Code: C8ONLINE (20% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Designer Linens Outlet Coupon Code: FRIENDS77 (50% off from Nov 27 - Dec 3, 2007)
Disney Store Coupon Code: HOLIDAY25 (25% off from Nov 27 - Dec 2, 2007)
***Eastbay Coupon Code: EMEB72GC (20% off Giftcards from Nov 17 - Dec 20, 2007)
GameStop Coupon Code: AFF25 (25% off Used Games from ? - ? )
Golf Smith Coupon Code: FFD07 (UP TO 30% off from Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2007)
Exclusions, here’s the original post Guess Factory Stores Coupon Code: FNF30F (30% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Hasbro Toy Shop Coupon Code: FRIENDS20 (20% off from Dec 2 - Dec. 9, 2007)
Illuminations Coupon Code: 999201329 (20% off from Nov. 27 - Nov. 30, 2007)
J. Jill Coupon Code: FFNV25 (25% off on Nov 27 - Dec 2, 2007)
JC Penny Coupon Code: CHAMPION (20% off from Dec. 9, 2007)
Joann.com Coupon Code: NOVA740 (40% off 1 Regularly-Priced Item from Nov. 28 - Nov. 30, 2007)
Levis Store Coupon Code: LOJVWYJ9 (20% off $75 from Nov 30 - Dec 2, 2007)
Limited Too Just click link for savings (25% off from Nov 27 - Dec 9, 2007)
Linen & Things Coupon Code: 223823997733 (20% off from Nov 30 - Dec 31, 2007)
Liz Claiborne Coupon Code: FRIEND40 (40% off from Nov. 30 - Dec. 3, 2007)
Macy’s Coupon Code: MACYSFRIEND or MACYSFF or CFF117 (20% off from Nov 28 - Dec 03, 2007)
MetroStyle Coupon Code: MSTYLE50 (50% off Single Item from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007)
New York & Company Coupon Code: 9897 ($30 off $75 from Nov 27 - Dec 3, 2007)
Nike Coupon Code: 2PCTH7A (20% off $125 from Nov 27 - Dec 24, 2007)
***Overstock Coupon Code: 73989 (10% off $45 from ? - ? )
***Ralph Lauren Coupon Code: HOL2007 (30% off 11/10 - 12/10)
Red Envelope Coupon Code: AMX25WISH ($50 off $200 from ? - ? )
restaurant.com Coupon Code: THANKS (60% off from Nov. 28 - Nov. 30, 2007)
Sephora Coupon Code: FF2007 (20% off from Nov. 28 - Dec 31, 2007)
***Sharper Image Just cick link for savings ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 - Jan 31, 2008)
Snap Fish Coupon Code: FRIENDS07 (25% off on Nov 27 - Dec 25, 2007)
Speedo Coupon Code: FRIENDS4 (25% off on Nov 27 - Nov 30, 2007) r />Sports Authority Coupon Code: TSASAVE25 (25% off on 11/29-12/2)
Timberland Coupon Code: 3421273 (40% off from Nov 30 - Dec 2, 2007)
Toys ‘r’ us Coupon Code: TRUFRIENDFAMILY (15% off $150 from Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2007)
Ulta Coupon Code: 84447 (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2007)
Victoria’s Secret Coupon Code: FA78113 or FA78449 ($15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, & $150 off $500 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 20, 2007)
Victoria’s Secret Coupon Code: WARM25 (25% off Single Sweater from Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, 2007)
Warner Bros Coupon Code: HGFFWB (20% off from Nov 27 - Nov 30, 2007 )
WinkFlash Coupon Code: G3F8E7W4 (40% off from Nov 28 - Dec 15, 2007 )
Yankee Candle

Just cick link for savings ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007)

PRINTABLE INSTORE COUPONS—For those who must venture to the actual stores

Barnes & Noble (10% off on Nov 27 - Dec 3, 2007)
Bath and Bodyworks ($10 off $30 from Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, 2007)
BeBe Sport (25% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
BestBuy ($20 off $175 from Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, 2007)
Borders or Waldenbooks (20% off from Nov 27 - Dec 6, 2007)
Crazy8/Gymboree (20% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Foot Locker (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Champs (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
FootAction (30% up to $100 or 30% + 10% over $100 from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
Gordmans (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 - Dec 9, 2007)
Guess Factory Stores (30% off from Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, 2007)
H&M (25% off from Dec. 7 - Dec. 9, 2007)
J. Jill (25% off from Nov 27 - Dec 2, 2007)
JC Penny (20% off on Dec. 9, 2007)
Kirklands (25% off Single Item from Nov 27 - Dec 31, 2007)
The Limited ($30 off $100 from Nov 26 - Dec 2, 2007)
Limited Too (25% off from Nov 27 - Dec 9, 2007)
Linen & Things (20% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 31, 2007)
Loehmanns (15% off Reduced Item & 20% off Clearance Item from Nov 27 - Dec 31, 2007)
Lord & Taylor (15% off from Nov. 9 - Dec. 24, 2007)
Macy’s (pdf)(20% off from Nov 28 - Dec 03, 2007)
New York & Company ($30 off $75 from Nov 27 - Dec 3, 2007)Niketown, Nike Women, Nike Outlet -
Front / Back 30% off 11/29 - 12/2 YMMV
oshKosh ($10 off $50 from Nov 26 - Dec 11, 2007)
Radio Shack (Various Deals Dec 1, 2007 from 7am - 9am)
Sharper Image ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 - Jan 31, 2008)
Staples (12% off from Dec. 2 - Dec. 8, 2007)
Ulta (20% off Single Item from Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2007)
Yankee Candle ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007)

Gadget Guru

Posted under: [fung'ke] Shopping

If you ask anyone who knows me, what my biggest weakness is they will definitely say electronic devices/gadgets. I can’t even pinpoint when this ‘habit’ formed. I guess it was when I purchased my first cell phone during my Senior year of highschool. That phone could now be lethal if thrown at someone. It was huge and bulky, the screen was black with basic green numbers. All you could do at that time was talk. Nothing else. No camera, no text messages, it was no frills.

Like the Virginia Slims slogan, phones have come a long way.

It’s bad, but I can’t even count how many upgrades I’ve had this year. This year so far, I’ve had Pocket PCs and Treos. For the past few weeks, I’ve been patiently waiting the release of the newest line in the Treo family, the Treo Centuro.

Last week, I placed my order, only to cancel it a few hours later because they didn’t have the red one available. Unfortunately, they didn’t fully cancel my order in the system and sent me a black one instead. So today, being the gadget fiend, I found myself waiting outside of the Sprint store at 11:35 am just so I could be one of the first people to get my hands on the red one that was released today. Of course I wasn’t alone. After I arrived about 10 other people lined up just to purchase the Centuro. We were all like kids in a toy store, eagerly waiting for our new gadgets.

As the customer service rep. is processing my exchange, he then decides to let me know that Sprint’s version of the Iphone will be released tomorrow! I looked at him and immediately felt my face heating up from anger, because I wouldn’t be able to make another exchange tomorrow. I totally forgot the touchscreen/iphone clone would be released this month!

Yes, these things are a big deal to me. In any event, after I further researched the HTC Touch, I did find a few issues that still hadn’t been fixed with this new release and also, I think I’m used to the full keyboard that the Treos have. In any event, I guess I’ll spend the rest of my Sunday playing around with my new toy and hopefully I won’t get the urge to purchase another one any time soon!