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Happy Blogoversary to Me!

Happy Monday all!

Yesterday was my blog’s first anniversary! YAY!!!!

This time last year I nervously clicked  the “publish” button and viola! Grown and Curvy Woman was born.  This little blog has made a BIG impact on my life.  Blogging has  really opened and expanded my world in such a positive way.  It has taught me to be   more creative, self-confident and less shy.  I’m now more willing  to step outside my  comfort zone and try new things.  My blog has also given me a source of pride that I haven’t felt in years.

There are two people I need to thank because without them I  wouldn’t be here.  Thank you Thomasena for introducing me to WordPress and encouraging me to start my blog.  There are not enough ways to say thank you to Tamera (aka Le Mer) for her unwavering support. When I asked Tamera a year ago if she would take my blog pictures (with my iPhone no less! LOL) she didn’t hesitate to say yes.  To this day, Tamera still takes my blog photos.

And to my awesome readers,  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your support.   Your wonderful comments and emails mean so much and have inspired me to keep blogging.   Again, THANK YOU!!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Highlights from the past year:

Turning 40 in February
Turning 40 in February
Taking a FULL picture of me in a bathing suit!
Being featured on "Freshly Pressed" on the WordPress home page
Being featured on “Freshly Pressed” on the WordPress home page
Featured on 40+ Style "How to Dress for the Curvy Body Type"
Featured on 40+ Style “How to Dress for the Curvy Body Type”

Meeting these FABULOUS women!

My first…

My fab buddy Shondrika photo bombing me! LOL
Modeled in Skinny Minority’s Fashion Week event at Macy’s

My First BlogHer! Pt. 2

Here are my further adventures at BlogHer!

This is what I wore on Saturday.  I knew I was going to out for the entire day (I didn’t get home until after 12am!) so I wanted to be comfortable yet chic.  I’m wearing a Talbots Woman pencil skirt in my favorite color (red), Old Navy denim shirt and sliver jewelry.  I wore flat thong sandals and I’m so glad I did!   If you plan to attend next year, leave the heels at home!

Shout out to my nephew who woke up at 7:00am to take my picture!

After a long day of conferencing, it was time to let our hair hang down and have a good time!  BlogHer had its first fashion show featuring many well-known bloggers gorgeously dressed.   Everyone looked amazing and strutted their stuff down the runway.  The show was inclusive featuring women of different sizes, races and abilities.

I also got to take a picture with a very well known (well at least to your kids!) celebrity! He was very warm and fuzzy!

Chillin with the Lorax! LOL

I had to take a picture of Danyelle . Her outfit was so colorful and fun. Plus she was so sweet when I asked to take her picture.

For me the highlight of the day was meeting fabulous women from various parts of the country.  I was fortunate to have met Michelle , Karla , Erica and Lea (a fellow SUNY Binghamton alumna).  Not only were these ladies beautiful but they were funny as hell! They kept me laughing all night long, making my conference experience even better!

Although I was exhausted when I made it back to my sister’s house, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.  Blogher2013 is going to be in Chicago next July, will I see you there?

Have a wonderful evening!

My First BlogHer! Pt 1

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

As I posted on Friday, I  attended BlogHer on Saturday in my hometown of New York City.  Due to my work schedule I wasn’t able to attend the whole conference, so I only went for the day.   I first heard of BlogHer from the CurvyCEO back in early June.  I went to their  website and was immediately drawn to the conference.  This was my first going to a blogger conference and  it was completely worth it.    Almost every kind  of  blogger from food to parenting was represented. It was so empowering to be around thousands (yes I said thousands!) of  smart and creative  women. While the conference is huge, I never felt lost or disconnected.  There was always someone to say “hi” and ask you about yourself and your blog.   My usual shyness  evaporated and I became more open and engaging.  Although I went solo, by the end of the night I had met a  group of women that I connected with and were a great to be around.

The sessions I went to mainly focused on the technical side of blogging, an area I needed ALOT of assistance with.  My sessions with Erica Mueller and Cindy Melzer were  very  helpful and  informative.  These women are so tech savvy and extremely knowledgeable about their area of expertise.  I walked away feeling more educated and respectful of the technical aspects of  blogging.

In the afternoon  the lunch keynote featured Katie Couric.  I’ve always liked Katie Couric because she seems to be very intelligent and focused. The  format was a one on one interview with BlogHer co-founder Lisa Stone and not a lecture. Ms. Couric was very relaxed and  at ease with the audience.   The keynote was interactive as the audience was encouraged to tweet questions for Ms. Couric that she answered during her interview.   Also in the afternoon Soledad O’Brien, Christy Turlington Burns and Malaak Compton-Rock spoke about  their various philanthropic organizations and about the importance of giving back.  I was thoroughly impressed by these women.  They are very committed to changing the lives of people not just by giving money but by being active and involved in the community.  It made me think of the ways I could be giving back and being an agent for change in my community.

Katie Couric
From right to left: Malaak Compton-Rock, Christy Turlington Burns and Soledad O’Brien

Soledad O’Brien

I’m splitting my post into two parts because if I didn’t this would be the longest post in the world!

So stay tuned for part 2!