Forward Motion

In New York City, forward motion is seen everywhere… From us driven curb stompers, making our way through mounds of people seeming strategically placed in front of us to keep us from reaching our destination, to the silver bullets roaring in our tunnel system under our feet blowing hot air and train stench up the sidewalk, to drivers stuck on the west side highway crawling through rush hour traffic eager to make it out of the chaos and into their private oasis away from it all; Forward Motion is not only a navigational tool in the physical sense but a metaphoric way of life for the average ‘New Yawka’. Our livelihood and very survival is dependent on being able to make a way through the madness while absorbing every encounter, and in a city of Hustlers Ambition, making it work for us. FINALLY, amidst being thrust forward to meet with dreams that seem to have been manifesting in the cosmos for me for quite some time; climbing up the ranks as a Plus Model and now Contributing as a Writer/Blogger for internationally known Curvy Models Rock, I have a platform where I can talk about some of the things I love most, can’t stand in the least and by far won’t live without in what I affectionately call ‘My City’. This is where I Live, Love, Eat, Sleep... These are the people I learn from, become inspired by and if they’re lucky enough, sleep with. In a City as sexy as mine you really have a smorgasbord of delectable flesh to indulge in.  My Plush Size self is no exception to the rule, contrary to what some may think. Being able to translate through words my passions and experiences while REPRESENTING for the City I LOVE is insanely exciting, humbling and terrifying all at once cause I know me and I know my voice.  Both cannot be tamed.  I live as fearlessly as a bike messenger in “New York Fuckin’ City” streets dodging “New York Fucking City” traffic… Not for nothing, this metropolitan of a forbidden fruit has knocked me down and raised me back up at the same damn time; and while many know it to be a Fashion Mecca attributed to the Cultural Conglomerate of influences in tastes, sights and sounds, for me this is simply home, and I’m extra lucky I get to call it such.  My City has raised me to be a F.L.Y Nuyorican Curvy Model who is Rocking Now more than EVER. I want to welcome you all to my world of Fashion, Friends, Foes and (just cause it’s my first official blog I’ll refrain from using the F word … again) SEX!!! I hope through my experience you’ll learn curvy girls can do it all and live it up with the best of them.

This weekend started off with me bartending in my hometown, The Bronx NY where I find my curves are readily accepted and admired on the daily. Of course curvy love and culture go hand in hand and as you journey with me you will begin to understand different towns and even certain areas of NYC acceptance of curves vary. For me bartending allows me to play up my attributes both physically and mentally while making money at the same time… DOUBLE WIN right?!! However in Manhattan NY you will very rarely find a plus size female bartender. This itself is gonna have to be another topic for another day. Alas here it is 4 am as the straggling partygoers are stumbling their way out the door, I am eager to make my way towards the nearest 24 hr Rite Aid so I can pick up some false lashes and foundation for my Runway walk during the Ashley Stewart Denim Event. 

Only 3 short hours of precious sleep is afforded me before I have to be “Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed” for their in store fashion show. The words of the fabulous Joy Ashley of the NYC Plus Model Network Ringing in my ear louder than my alarm “LATENESS WILL NOT BE TOLERTATED." NYC is, as I’ve mentioned, strategically designed to make you tardy and challenge you in every other way possible so IM UP, IM UP!!! “Hair Done, Nails Done, Everything Did”. I’m out the door and on my way. Energy drink of choice?! A Double Shot Caramel Iced Latte from Dunkin Donuts which has me forgetting the sleep deprivation I’m enduring and frankly becoming more and more accustomed to.  I arrive. The curves are in full stock; the fashions are on point for the fall and the Faux Wrap Maxi Dress (Seen below with Joy Ashley of the NYC Plus Model Network)
 

paired with a cute denim jacket showcased my curves perfectly. The Variety of stylish Denim Jeans and (my fav) Faux Leather Printed Vest had me envisioning myself rocking out from a savvy business meeting to a night out on the town with my girls making me as giddy as giggidy. The models are prepping for their strut down the runway upstairs with some working as window models and live mannequins on the main floor of Ashley Stewart in Harlem NY. As we all change into our runway outfits upstairs by the stores lingerie section, I can’t help but have my eyes wander to this one piece shapewear item in all black with snaps in crotch area which has my mind reeling of all the fun times to be had while wearing. Who will get to enjoy such a treasure??? Hmmmm…. FOCUS NICOLE… Behind me faces are being beat.  Mine done up by the Beautiful Plus and Natural Hair Model Chrisandra Wells Miss Curves of Beat it CC Make-Up Artistry all while Size Matter Photography is snapping away catching the behind the scenes fun. (Photo NYC Plus Model Network All who walked the runway for Ashley Stewart Denim Event. Photo by Size Matters Photography)

With the Models feeling and looking fabulous, the runway show was a hit as the register rings and we are greeted by Harlem locals who have come to support Plus Size Fashions. Ashley Stewart, Joy Ashley and her assistant Techla Island Musiq Nesbitt (Pictured Below)

as well as the photographers, Models and Make Up artists involved pulled this Runway Show off without a hitch! At the End of the event I was feeling extra inspired by the new people I’ve met, learning about their journeys in Plus Fashion and Modeling in general. Ashley Stewarts Creative Director, Monique Walton, takes a moment to impart some industry wisdom to my new found Model friend, Monet Solomon and myself, and we discuss this new blogging venture I’m about to take on. With some positive feedback I find I’m feeling extra eager to get this blog underway. Photo Ops and Handshakes done, Monet invites me to tag along with her and some friends to another event which ends up falling through so after a delicious lunch at a local chain restaurant courtesy of yet another new found friend ,Andre the photographer, we head into The Heights (Washington Heights) to chillax for a bit with some really cool people.

Coronas on deck, Monet and I get a little itch to play Spades, a very serious game where here only Monet and myself are veteran players...We commence teaching 2 people the way of the game with only my student showing enthusiasm to learn but Monet and I are bound and determined to get this game going. We are so successful at teaching them to play we end up kicking our own ass! With Coronas and conversation flowing alike, I come to find my spades protégé has some knowledge of his own which I have a profound interest to learn... CAPOEIRA!!!! Say Whaaaa??? Before I know it I am in ‘Ginga’ ready to learn some defensive moves. The rhythmic Berimbau sounds emanating from the speakers hanging out the window and my student now turned teacher is becoming increasingly impressed by my quick ability to pick up on the moves. Yes this Big Girl can get down in case you didn’t know…. Back in the day I researched Capoiera, initially because of the similarities in style to Break Dancing( as a Bronx girl I was raised with strong influences from the Hip Hop Culture) but as I learned more about the history in relation to slavery, I grew a deeper respect for the Martial Arts dance Style of fighting. So now, this is turning out to be a BOMB weekend!!!! I’m feeling really excited for my new found friendships, ventures as well as the overall positive energies surrounding me. I’m feeling extra inspired by their hospitality and through our exchange of knowledge. After capturing some footage of my ‘Maestre’ in action     Monet, Andre the Photographer and I say our goodbyes. The time has escaped me and I realize it is now almost midnight as the tiredness of a 3 hour sleep cycle begins to set in. We get to the car and the already more than generous Andre the Photographer offers to take Monet and me out on a night on the town. It took some convincing but I thought about the words of a gentleman I met a few months back, a self-proclaimed ‘Guru to the Stars’ and Clairvoyant, who said to me… “You’re destined for greatness… Just show up!!”

And we’re off!!! Part three of our already awesome night. Some more good eats as we noshed at NYC staple Katz Delicatessen in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Andre then took us over to hang at his friends hookah Spot, Café Khufu, a cozy place with a very chill vibe, playing some really good reggae music. I think to myself I have to remember this spot since I usually find I’m in that part of town on any given night. We smoked and we laughed as Andre took this opportunity to capture some candid shots of Monet and myself puffing on deliciously flavored tobacco, tossing back what would be the last of our Coronas for the night. As we head to drop Andre the photographer off at his place, he has one more treat in store for us.  It seems he couldn’t let us leave without having dessert and as a surprise purchased for us an assortment of Punjab pastries, the names of which I have no idea but OMG were they delicious!! Sexy and alive Monet and I exchange a look of total satisfaction as we knew this was a night to be remembered.  A night only ‘My City’ can provide, A night in ‘My City’ that people from all over the world travel to just to have a snippet of a similar experience. Cultured, Curvy and Confident, nights like these are the reasons why we say ‘Only In NY.” Safe travels home and a warm exchange to signify the unified feeling of the awesomeness we shared…  and we’re onto the next one. Forward Motion