At the beginning of this year I demanded change of myself. I’d been overweight my entire parental life (since having kids) and now that my youngest is a freshman college, I decided to get back to me. I was in the process of Making the woman that I always wanted to be when my first womb-mate arrived. I put my personal goals on hold for 2 decades though I must say this year I got a firm grip on “getting back to me.”

Beyond dropping 30[+] pounds and holding — I am polishing up all areas concerning my self improvement and/or embetterment. Yes, I said embetterment. It’s a term that we don’t use anymore in American English. I think it was replaced by the word improvement. Meh. I like ’em both. We ought to always seek to self improve. Especially women. I know, because I am one. The most important self improvement that a woman can make early in her youth is to learn and utilize

I’m having a blast over here! This was the perfect time in my life to make such a drastic lifestyle change. What lifestyle change? Well, since I’m no gym rat, my most significant change this year was my diet. I stopped eating out. I stopped eating fast food and largely cut back on finer dining as well because by default the best steaks are usually cooked in some type of oil. I lost 30 pounds by forgoing cooking with oil and butter. Eating from my own kitchen has been paramount in my success. I’m in search of my own apron now. Something to reflect the domestic culinary artist that I’ve become. I’m looking for the right apron, perhaps it will be smart, practical, cute and sexy – all in one. That would reflect my style; the woman that I am.

When Making the woman that I am, I drew from many sources in my youth. I pulled style from Lena Horne, Oprah Winfrey, Diana Ross, Christie Love (a fictional character; a sort of tv series version of FOXY BROWN), Thelma (from Good Times), Stephanie Mills and Patti Labelle to name a few. All of them embodied something that I liked and ultimately utilized in shaping Qui. I think it’s okay to admire and adopt. All women should. If you weren’t born with it, LEARN IT.

Class is something that can easily be learned. Learn the ins and outs of proper conduct and utilize it in your walk, your talk, your business conversation, your everyday and everything. It’s not a part time gig. You should wear class like it’s your favorite outfit. In fact, make sure your outfit has class.

Don’t forget that every time you step out of the door you are selling a brand. The brand is YOU. To those that don’t know you, and have never met you before, what would your outfit say as a first impression? You gotta think about it. It represents YOU and what YOU mean. It’s never a question of IF anyone will see you out in public today – the question should always be WHO will see you out in public today? Always dress the part. Everyone loves statement pieces these days. You are the statement, now what pieces will you adorn yourself in. Remember, everyone (especially those that live to hate on you) will be watching. Give haters no factual gasoline by resisting to wear less than what you mean. If you mean, “step to me with respect,” you might forgo the daisy dukes and crop top. That outfit says ‘fun at the bbq with folks that already know me,’ not ‘step to me with respect at the grocery store.’ It’s super important to dress the part my ‘classy up & coming divas,’ and be on the look out for sisters like me to go out of our way to approach you and high five your level of class. Classy women support classy up & comings. Someone has to pass along this social necessary and we are so glad that it’s YOU. 

And so in Making the Woman, please don’t forget the class.
We love how God made ya, but don’t show everyone your ass.

You may have a body that folks would pay to keep,
but no one will value it if you’re showing it ALL for free.

Up the ante and go CLASSY. Learn the way. You deserve it.
And when tacky steps to you, put CLASS on your response and curve it.

Don’t discourage those that hate, but continue to step in an ‘upper level stride.’
Class is something you hone internally therefore it will always show on the outside.

Pull a Beyonce if you must. Embrace your light and dark feminine stance.
Sasha Fierce is her alter ego, but Jay Z cherishes Lady Beyonce’s hand.

Every guy wants a dual feminine queen by his side.
But CLASS has to reign – if you intend to truly ride.

If there’s no class whatever will set you a part?
If you’re just showing your body – who’ll want your heart?

Let’s be honest ladies, we have got to exude class.
I’m over here working out, tightening up my abs.

I’m over here being resized by a tailor, the new size is hot.
I’m revamping the wardrobe to show off and yet cover my bod.

No slouch gear or going hodge podge – that can’t be our slogan.
I implore you to not forget class when you’re Making the woman.

Me? I’m all over it. Me? It’s my default stance,
I’m Qui
all about CLASS. It’s the foundation of my made-woman.

How do you stand and whatever do you stand for?
Keep it locked right here – on this topic – there’s bound to be MORE…

ON TOPIC of CLASS:  

Girls Just Want To Have…