My Top 10 Posts!

Well, it’s the last day of the first month anniversary of CurvyCEO.com. (It’s also the next to last day to vote for me to be a semifinalists in the Black Weblog Awards – *hint, hint, nudge, nudge*) I thought, “What better way to close out the month than to highlight my favorite posts of my first year of blogging?” So, I am pleased to present:

CURVY CEO’S TOP TEN

*fanfare*

10. Monday Morning Memo – Remembering Michael Jackson Anyone who knows me knows that I *adore* the King of Pop. So, when he died, it really messed me up. In this post, I reflect not only who Michael Jackson was as an artist, but also as a person – and what lessons we – the overworked, frazzled women that we are – can take from his life and, more importantly, his untimely death. In truth, it’s a blog post about work/life balance and personal values hidden within a tribute to a music legend.

9. Evolution of Curves Hits DC! This was one of the first fashion events I attended as a blogger . . . and it was AMAZING. First off, the fashions were incredible. Second, and more importantly, I got to connect with the fabulous Sandy JeanPhilippe – this woman is the definition of fierce! She is an entrepreneur, actress, designer, and philanthropist…just to name a few. She has become one of my role models in this industry and I am so privileged to know her.

8. Too Much Fabulousness: Mikki Taylor on Michelle Obama This was another event that I was so thrilled to attend . . . legendary beauty editor of Essence, Mikki Taylor discussing her new book the First Lady’s fashion. It was wonderful just to be in the presence of such greatness. I also got the opportunity to (meekly) voice my ambivalence about the First Lady’s platform and get honest feedback about what message it sends to plus-size American women. FAB!

7. & 6. TIE – Real Talk: Weight, Success and Dating, Part 1 and Part 2 In recent years, there have been no shortage of articles asking “Why don’t successful black women get married?” These posts take this question a step further by examining it in the context of weight. I have to give an honorable mention to My Obligatory Why-Black-Women-Are-Fat Post, which also delves into these issues.

5. Seven Steps to Stay-Put Summer Beauty I love this post because it features lots of my favorite beauty products. Quite honestly, they’re not just great for the summertime, but anytime that you have a long day and need your look to take you from day to evening. I think I did a good job because it was picked up as a guest post over at one of my favorite beauty blogs – The Painted Ladies – yay!

4. All on the Line with . . . Qristyl Frazier! I am SO proud of this post for so many reasons. I was inspired to write this after getting an email from Qristyl’s mailing list talking about her appearance on All on the Line with Joe Zee. As I explained in the original post, I had met Qristyl a few years before at the first Full Figured Fashion Week in New York. It was before Project Runway and she was still grinding to get the name recognition she deserves. She was so sweet when we met, but it had been a few years since I had been in touch. When I learned about the show, I took the leap and sent her an email reintroducing myself. The next thing I knew, we were conducting a phone interview and she was sharing with me all about her sacrifices to make it in this industry. I felt like I had been given an awesome responsibility in re-telling her story through the blog. So, I worked through the night to put this post together. It didn’t necessarily make a “splash” at the time, but I was truly proud of what I had published.

3. My Journey to “Going Natural” I love this post because I love this topic. I have become quite passionate about natural hair in the last year. Despite my dismay at those “natural hair warriors” when I wore straight hair, I have now become one of them: complimenting other natural women and asking about their regimens, bubbling over with advice when relaxed ladies ask about my transition . . . . Although natural hair is becoming more mainstream in the African American community, I do think it still poses concerns in the professional world and even the dating world. I was excited to address those concerns in this post.

2. Back to Basics: Your Guide to Finding Suiting Apparel This post – one of my first posts – is really what inspired me to start CurvyCEO.com. Because for the longest time, I had difficulty finding plus-size suits! So, over the years, I just developed a list of go-to spots and I felt it was important to compile it someplace for others to see. If I were to make this list today, I would probably include a few more places – like Talbots, Coldwater Creek, and a few others. In the coming weeks, I will be revamping Curvy Shops! so that it’s even more comprehensive…stay tuned!

1. You Are Not a Box! Suiting Alternatives for the Curvy Career Gal This post is so dear to me because it actually represents a shift in my own style evolution. Inspired by my meeting and interview with Styleauteur Lauren Rothman, this post outlines different options for professional women who don’t want to literally be boxed in by what is usually the drab offerings in traditional suiting attire. I am now an official member of Team Cardigan and I think I’m there to stay!

Well, there you have it – my top 10 posts from my first year of blogging! I’m already excited for what is to come. If you are, too, please vote for me for Best Plus-Sized Blog at the Black Weblog Awards!

Thanks so much, everyone!!!

— curvyceo