Summer will officially be here in a week and it’s time to get your lovin’ on.  Whether you’re single or taken, the summertime gives everybody a chance to go out, have a great time, socialize, and date.

Although expensive candlelit dinners are nice, not all men are ballin’ like the men of Let’s Talk About Pep, so Centric is giving you three summer date ideas that will be sure to make your honey happy. Read the rest of this entry »

Every Thursday night you get the chance to see what it’s like to be Tracey Ferguson.  You watch her nuture her children, run a magazine, and keep amazingly coiffed hair.  In honor of  JONES Magazine ONCENTRIC is spotlighting woman who carry the ”Jones” spirit. 

Va$htie is a NYC 20-something better known as “Downtown’s Sweetheart” that is originally from upstate New York.  She’s a music video director, fashion designer (Violette New York), and trendsetter that has taken her passions straight to the top as she influences a generation of people to live freely and to be confident in everything they do.  With a flare for style and unmatched confidence, Va$htie recently told Centric what makes a “Jones woman” and what she can’t live without during the hottest months of the year.

Centric: In your opinion, what makes a dynamic woman?

Va$htie: Someone not afraid to be who they are…despite the imperfections, they are unapologetically themselves. I think as women we’re taught that “pretty” is the ultimate goal. While “pretty” will get you noticed, it’s not something that will last nor will it keep anyone’s attention for long if there’s nothing behind it. I love strong willed, powerful and smart women. Women who think outside the box and don’t follow trends, rather they blaze trails as they move.

What and who influenced your style?

Everything from film to music to art. As a kid I was glued to TV and magazines. I’m from the MTV generation that still had music videos in heavy rotation, so that had a huge impact. Musicians like RUN DMC, RAKIM, DEPECHE MODE, NAS, NENEH CHERRY, DEEE-LITE, etc.
Having an older brother and sister played a huge part. They were both 7 and 8 years my senior and they were the coolest people I knew. My gay brother introduced me to NYC, house music, fashion and voguing.  My sister taught me music and her style of flipping her hair to one side and denim cutoffs. If you know me today, you know that all of those things are still present in my life. It’s like I’m stuck in a moment and all those things still amaze me as if I was still a child.

Summer is rapidly approaching, describe your summertime style.

Hmmm. I’m a creature of habit and I like comfort. It’s usually denim cutoffs, biker boots or skippies and a wide armed tank top or an oversized Violette tee. I’m not a sundress and sandal kind of girl, but if I must dress up I’d probably wear a black mini and a crop tee with some boots. I usually throw on a light fabric long sleeved shirt for when it gets chilly.

What are the three colors that you can’t go without during the summer?

Black, white and denim.

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It’s getting hot outside, so that means that it’s time for short shorts, tank tops, and sandals.  The three summer items that I just mentioned are obvious, but what isn’t is the fact that in order to complete this look a manicure and pedicure is necessary.

If you’re going to wear sandals, then prepare to keep your feet looking great.  This goes beyond the color of the polish that you decide to wear and extends to how well your feet are taken care of.  Follow this short guideline to achieve great pedicures on your own—and on a budget.

1. Exfoliate: find a foot scrub and a pumice sponge or stone and go to work on your feet.  Don’t scrub until the skin comes peeling off of your feet, but definitely scrub gently so that the dead skin is removed leaving your feet silky smooth. Read the rest of this entry »