Happy Women’s History Month! Having spent five years volunteering with a NYC-based women’s empowerment non profit, I can truly say that there is nothing more powerful than when women come together to advocate for the rights and advancement of other women. It is a notion that deserves to be celebrated and explored through various platforms of discussion. For this reason I’m hoping to cover topics relevant to female empowerment on the blog such as budgeting, the significance of creating a personal brand, as well as making time for self-love all through what is left of this month. Of course fashion will still be featured, including my final winter look for this season and some early spring looks that I’m excited to finally share, as it is a significant way we can empower each other, however, such self-expression is only one part of our experience as women. 
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Category: Self love
Q & A With Journalist & “The Souls of Black Girls” Documentary Producer, Daphne Valerius
Last November I had the privilege of attending a screening of a documentary involving the representation of black women in media entitled, “The Souls of Black girls.” Featuring Regina King, Jada Pinkett-Smith, the late Gwen Ifill, and Rapper Chuck D to name a few, this film presented hard truths that are often ignored even now, ten years after it was first produced. The screening and the discussion that followed left me wanting more, so I reached out to the creator and producer, Daphne Valerius for some insights as to her film and the planned sequel that is in the works.
Host, Producer and Entrepreneur Daphne Valerius
Check out my talk with her below.
Disclaimer: Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Confessions of a Recovering Wallflower
Let me take this time to confess something: ever since I was a pre-teen I have suffered with severe social anxiety. I have been known to have a panic attack at just the mere thought of doing any kind of activity in front of a crowd, like public speaking. I have gotten ill. I have even literally run away. I would blush severely and break out into sweat whenever I raised my hand in class or even when speaking to someone outside of my immediate circle of friends and family.
Growing up I constantly received so many negative comments about my weight, hair and overall appearance that I became more than content at being behind the scenes because that is where I was told I belonged. I developed a warped understanding of beauty and self-worth to the point that I told myself that only those that were conventionally beautiful were meant to be photographed. I wasn’t, so I didn’t need to be. 
So how does a person like this become a fashion blogger? With much difficulty and purpose-fueled drive. For example, whenever I go out for blog shoots I am very self aware of what I am doing mostly because half the time there are people around. I get self conscious as to what these passersby may be thinking especially when there have been times that they have stopped to watch. I’ve only managed to follow through because my blog photographers are so enthusiastic about the entire process and my body positive mission that it becomes so easy to forget about the curious looks from those around.
Naturally Curly Hair Winter Straightening Tips
Thanks to my mother I have been natural my entire life. I only got around to experimenting with me hair once I got into college, mostly out of necessity as I could no longer sport the two pigtail braids that were my signature back in high school. Yet it would be some time until I could actually figure out how to properly care for my natural curls without twisting them and in the process I began to try something new by straightening my hair via heat styling.
Fast forward to the present and I really only ever straighten my hair during the late fall/winter and sometimes into early spring. Why? Well, to be honest I do love my curls and make a point to try to challenge western hair standards, however, I’m a very lazy natural. In order to get my natural coils looking fresh and defined, it takes at least 7-8 hours of work and waiting (I air dry my hair). That’s practically a full day of work! For straightening it can clock in at 2- 3 hours max, which is still a lot, but I still get time to do other things. Not only that but I can get my hair done in the evening once I get home from work and this is something I can’t do with my curls because they don’t set and dry that quick. So more often than not, my decision to straighten my hair is in response to my hectic schedule, which usually does not have room for a lengthy hair day, OR I have a job interview (Note: That is a topic for another time.) That said, with today marking the official start to winter I felt it would be beneficial to share a few tricks and products I’ve picked up that have helped keep my hair healthy in the winter when using heat styling.
+Size Matters: Hairspray (1988 and 2007)
Hairspray is a very interesting film and musical as the protagonist is plus size but the story presents a character of this body type be more than just a source of humor due to “gluttonous practices.” The heart of the story is the theme of acceptance of difference, whether it be size, race or even economic background. The protagonist, Traci Turnblad, uses her privilege and local celebrity platform to bring on a cultural change which in this case involved integrating a very popular dance show. The very title implies the significance of appearance which is conveyed better in the 1988 original with the opening sequence being that of the council members getting ready to go live on television.
Colleen Fitzpatrick as Amber Von Tussle, Debbie Harry as Velma Von Tussle, Divine as Edna Turnblad, and Ricki Lake as Tracy Turnblad, Hairspray (1988). Image Credit: © 1988 New Line Cinema
I truly believe that what makes this Hairspray so appealing is the layers that come with it. The story follows Tracy’s rise in dance show scene, the racial conflicts of the 1960s, the socioeconomic differences of their community, as well as the relationship between the two mothers, Edna and Velma, and their daughters, Tracy and Amber. With the live broadcast of the musical adaption set to air tonight, I thought it would be great to take a look at these two very distinct films and how they help set the standard for what makes a great body positive, plus size protagonist lead story.
Big City, Curvy Girl, Thin Wallet 