Monika L Brooks
  • Home
  • Monika in Audio
  • Contact

Book Review: Keeping it Curvy, Confident, Chic by Marie Denee

11/25/2011

1 Comment

 
Picture






Keeping it Curvy, Confident, Chic. by Marie Denee


 
    
In a previous podcast, we talked about how many people are not aware of the most

appropriate way to dress for business settings (Interviews, Business mixers, etc).  My 


thoughts wandered to think that if people of smaller sizes can’t (or don’t) dress for 


business occasions, how can my larger, curvy self do it without looking ridiculous or 

boring.    

     For the record, my name is Monika, I am a size 18 (depending on the jeans), and I can’t 


stand shopping.  I have been considered “Plus Size” since longer than I remember (like 

when “plus size” began at a size 14). The process of shopping is a chore for me. The 

frustration trying to find appropriate business outfits leads me to not shop at all. Real Talk, 

Its difficult for a girl like me to look my age in what seems like a fashion world that 

assumes a size over 16 means you  should dress like either a school matron or so 

inappropriately that no one wants to hang out with you.  Looking  at the the traditional 

options while trying to maintain my personality is hard work to me.

Thank goodness for Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista!

           Her e-book, Keeping it Curvy, Confident, Chic is a godsend for folks like me. Denee

breaks down not only the best places to get plus size fashions, it also tells folks like me

(the fashion deficient) the tips and tools EVERY Girl should know before trying to shop and 


dress like a grown up.   I’m sure some of the rules were known by some people: Buy a good 

bra, always have a Little Black Dress (LBD). But for me, I thought that bigger sizes had 

different rules. Probably because of the consistent marketing discouraging to today’s 

women.

    This book addresses all of  that.  Its an overall great guide to the when, where and what 


of Shopping. And did I mention that it has DISCOUNT CODES!!!   

    I would like to personally thank Marie Denee for providing a great guide to help folks 


through the task of actually getting clothes that flatter. I am actually getting excited… well 

at least I don’t dread it as much. 

Pick up your copy at the Curvy Confident Chic Website  
1 Comment

On Occupy Oakland

11/6/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
OK, So here’s the thing.  Before we talk about The Occupy Oakland Day of Action. I have to first talk about Oakland.

The Bay Area is a little different. It cannot be explained, It must be experienced.  They replace “very” with “Hella” for goodness sake. Tupac, E40 and Keshia Cole are played more than Biggie, JayZ and Beyonce. It must also be  known that Bay Area folks don’t steal spotlights, The lights just end up on them.

That being said, if the area as a whole is different, the politics will be different also

The birthplace of Ethnic Studies, the Black Panthers and organized Collegiate Anti-War Demonstrations, Bay Area Folks know how to protest. Its in their DNA. Remember Representative Barbara Lee, The ONLY person to vote against the use of force after 9/11? The  people of the Bay Area is who she serves.

What does that have to do with Occupy Oakland… EVERYTHING

The Occupy Oakland movement began on October 10. In most areas, that would be considered Columbus Day in most areas.  Here, it is “Indigenous Peoples Day.”  And to be honest, I didn’t understand it more than I understood the Occupy Wall Street Movement. But Then again, I am a known cynic about Bay Area Protests. They often reflect a “Shiny Bauble” feel to things, where every rage to injustice has a shelf life and then forgotten.  I thought occupy Oakland would end on October 25th when 13 different Police agencies  came in. But they were back the next day.

I decided I had to evaluate the situation from a different perspective. On October 29th, I took my Son (Da Youngsta) to the Occupy Oakland Site. The perspective of children in situations like this is awesome.

So Da Youngsta looks around and asks the first person he sees, “So, why are you guys here?” He listened, then continued asking other people. I let him gather information for him to report back.  His report was simple… “Mom, it looks like only a little bit of people have all of the money and these people don’t like it…” Before I know it, Da Youngsta starts passing out flyers about the November 2 Day of Action and telling me how his money needs to be moved to a credit union.

Another supporter won over with conversation.

The Day of Action was beautiful for the most part.  way more organized than before the police came on 10/25 and so polite (I call them the “Excuse Me, Pardon Me” coalition). They had orderly, organized marches and speakers on everything. News reports the attendance of the rally at over 6,000 and the attendance overall to 100, 000 over the course of the day. With all that, there is still a question as to their purpose and relevance. I still don’t quite understand it.  Let me rephrase… I support their right to take the actions, I just don’t know what the end goal is.

Then I was taking a ride around Lake Merritt today and hear some folks talking:

 ”…but you can’t complain about those occupy cats unless you can actually give them a solution. This my city, I have to do something…”

That stuck with me while I was riding the lake in the “New Oakland.”  25% white, 27% Black. what used to be considered a good working class wage has been converted into a upper lower class existence. After years of  keeping your head down and trying to just make it to Friday,  Its hard to get folks active in anything.

So maybe, the Occupation Movement isn't for City Hall, or even Me.  I know that I have the ability to create change in at least one person a day. Maybe it is for the people that feel that nothing can be done because they don’t have power. Maybe it’s for them.  because now folks that never had any inclination to do anything are changing banks, providing food and provisions and supporting this thing.

The tide is turning in Oakland.  and I “Hella” Love it… 

0 Comments

    Author

    Thanks for visiting. Please follow my thoughts.

    Archives

    October 2012
    November 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    Categories

    All
    #30WriteNow
    Book Review
    Curvy Confident Chic
    Marie Denee

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Monika in Audio
  • Contact