Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Meredith earned her Bachelor’s Degree from ULL in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in English. Her work has been featured in Poets Choice, Anti-Heroin Chic, and the anthology “Storealities.” She is the subject of an Artist’s Feature in Hatchlings Publishings. She headlined and produced the event, A Night of Poetry, created and produced the Flood Relief Fundraiser with Paige Daye to raise over $5K for victims of the 100 Year Flood in Acadiana, has shared her work in readings at The Warehouse, Feed N Seed, Glide Dance Studio, The Warehouse Project, (Lafayette, LA) Readings on the Pike (VA), Poetry in…

Over the last four decades, Lesley Zwick @comebackzwick has been a standout in the fashion industry, and she has done it all sober. You did the math correctly, folks. This fashionista boasts a staggering forty-one years of continuous sobriety. Now residing in Florida, Zwick’s journey in the industry started in New York City, the fashion capital of the U.S. She said, “when I look back, it was during the time of Studio 54, and the party scene was crazy. It was glamourous on the outside but hazardous up close.” She told me that she had already been to rehab gotten sober by…

Jessica Jeboult is a Sober Girl. After trying to get sober for nearly 10 years, Jessica is here to share her experiences along the way to complete and utter sobriety. From health and fitness to relationships, dating and even having sex sober, this hilariously witty and casual approach to an otherwise daunting subject is sure to give you some solid tips to getting and staying sober. Mei McIntosh: The Creative Sober Mei walks us through her sobriety journey that includes relapsing after 5 years sober. She explains how this time around is different and how her podcast, The Creative Sober,…

Friendships. What are they? Why do we need them? And why do we get so darn upset when they change? We’re humans, that’s why. And change is hard. Change is uncomfortable. But change is also inevitable, and at times, it’s something we can’t control. Sometimes, change can even be good. The Big Bang Theory – The Friendship Algorithm Let’s Define Friendship What is friendship, anyways? The dictionary has a definition for it, but who cares. We all get to decide for ourselves what it means to be a good friend. We’re all different, which means we have different wants and…

Sustainability has undoubtedly become a fashion buzzword, and brands big and small are working on ways to reduce the waste of excess materials and even produce less volume. As a result of this altruistic shift, the notion of re-purposing garments, upcycling clothing, and GASP…buying used goods has received a lot of attention as of late. I have even heard the word “stigma” being thrown around on the fashion scene as a means to overcome the snobbery around the description “gently used.” As a woman in recovery, I eat stigma for breakfast; therefore, pre-worn fashion doesn’t have anything on me. In…

Model Gabby Fé @iamgabbyfe knows her way around the center stage. She has modeled for big names like Target, Calvin Klein, and has been featured in a global commercial for TJ Maxx.  In addition, she is multi-talented as a singer and songwriter. You can check out a few of her songs on Spotify. And as I write this piece, she continues to rack up her accomplishments, reminding me that those mentioned above may be just the beginning for Gabby Fé. Now living in LA as an NYC transplant, Gabby is getting accustomed to more than just the sunshine. “I am working…

I woke up in a sunlit room at the Hotel Hendricks in midtown and starred at the skyline. I had my quintessential I love NY coffee mug in hand. It was Monday, February 14th, and Valentine’s Day was the farthest from my mind. It was the long-awaited day of the Break Free 2022 NYFW showcase. My friend and designer Alexandra Nyman @iamladycat had fitted me immediately when I landed in the city. I was looking forward to my first time walking a major runway. While packing my “model kit” (nude heels, iced coffee, and a ton of snacks) I…

Wow. Four whole years without alcohol. I never imagined I’d have the life I have now. I didn’t know much about myself before I quit drinking. I wasn’t aware that people like me existed. What I’ve learned in the last four years is that although there is only one Blair, my story is not unique. This fact keeps me telling my story. It keeps me creating. It keeps me writing about things that matter. It keeps me growing. Four years ago I needed to hear that living a life without alcohol was OK. I needed someone to tell me the…

The Creative Sober Podcast is a collection of interviews with sober creatives from all walks of life who inspire and continue to create in sobriety and is hosted by Sober Curator, DJ Missing Mei. *Trigger Warning: With consent to release, the following is a recorded interview with Martin Lapid before his passing in Dec 2021. Topics include substance use disorder, self-harm, and alcoholism. Las Vegas resident Martin Lapid was a graphic designer, business owner, and co-founder of the recovery brand Serenitees Collection. He shares about his design career during the past 20+ years, how he found life in recovery and…

Self-trust is one of the most important parts of healing and growth. For us to move forward, we first have to trust that we are safe outside of our comfort zones. As trauma survivors, as people in recovery, as human beings, we all need to feel safe. Safety is important for our survival; it’s innate in all of us. When we go through a traumatic experience, it can cause us to feel like we can’t trust the world around us, and sometimes, not even ourselves. We live our lives in our small bubble, in survival mode. But for us to…

Author, professional speaker, substance abuse counselor, and podcast host Mike Gliem shares his in-depth story about his 20+ years battling addiction and the depths it took him. This is a raw and real read. If you’re in recovery or know anyone who is, or who may be struggling this is a MUST read! Mike writes about his struggles, trials, and tribulations, the lessons he learned from them, and how to overcome them. “The MEANING of my life was to find my purpose, my PURPOSE of life is to give it away.” Break yourself free from the bondage of addiction. We…

Wait, what’s your name? I said while I was scrambling to open my computer. “It’s Jenn, but fashionistas call me Firty. It stands for fifty is the new thirty!” F*ck, yes, I thought. I cannot wait to learn more about this woman. And being the die-hard fashionista that I am, I will refer to her as Firty. Meet sober model, entrepreneur, and fashion influencer Jenn Ancelin. She is the creative fixture behind the brand and logo Firty @firtyfashion. With over a hundred thousand followers on Instagram, she has made a big splash on the fashion forefront. The Firty trademark combines…

We live in a time when “mental health” is a pandemic buzz phrase. So, it’s no shock that people are coming out of the woodwork to participate in Break Free NYFW. A fashion showcase dedicated to mental health and addiction recovery. Regardless, I have remained adamant that I interview people with true stories and real-life experiences. No offense to the bandwagon fans (#mentalhealthmatters), but I continue to seek out those with witness authority. Fortunately, I crossed paths with photographer Rob MacNeil @robmacneilphoto who has a personal and professional commitment to this work. MacNeil will be photographing the event, and he…

Tuesday Tunes Song of the Week: Daisies Artist: Katy Perry Early recovery for me was a bit of a war zone sometimes. When I drove up the driveway to the treatment center, I had a feeling come over me that I just knew this was my one shot at a new life. I entered treatment with the plan to accept all the opportunities given to me there (not always with a smile on my face or gratitude in my heart, LOL). I wanted a better life, and I was willing to work for it. The naïve me didn’t know that…

I spent the past 12 months experiencing life without alcohol. While addiction isn’t a part of my story, I never truly realized what big role alcohol played in my life and the lives around me until I decided to give it up. The original plan was to do Dry January as solidarity to my friends in recovery and a challenge to myself. Every once in a while, I like to do challenges…I always discover new things about myself. Most of them are mental challenges, and interestingly enough, I learned that I’m much better at not doing something I want to…

Tuesday Tunes Song of the Week: Brighter Days Artist: Blessing Offor It’s here…2022. If you are anything like me, you have a little hope for the new year. I, for one, welcome this energy shift. 2021, I’m so read for you to be over. I felt the weight of the world for most of 2021. It became unbearable some days. Did anything horrible happen to me or my life, no but grief was a heavy backpack I wore most days toward the end. In my quest to be inspired for 2022 I found this song, Brighter Days by Blessing Offor. …

“I gotta run; I’m late for my treatment team meeting,” I said to my husband. Gulping down the last bit of cold brew, I shoved some dry cheerios in my mouth. I was wearing pleather pants and a Ramones logo tee with a pair of scuffed-up Doc Martins. My outfit was topped off with a distressed denim jacket and my signature array of eight-hundred gold bracelets. I was off to save the world, lip gloss in tow. Allow me to introduce my authentic sober self… If you are wondering what professional setting in corporate America allows me to roll up…

Hey Molly, It’s me… The one who comments on your Instagram posts. I’m the one who shares your harmful mommy-wine posts on my story and DMs you about your alcohol-centered approach to social media. I’m writing you this to try to get you to understand. Imagine for a minute that you’re a mom struggling with alcohol. The days pass by, and you try to do your best. Small (and big) humans depend on you for everything. You don’t have a person to clean your house or cook your meals for you. You don’t have anyone to take care of your…

This week’s song is a no-brainer. In anticipation of the big day, we dance to the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) Past, Present, and Future: Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You. The Queen of Christmas has me jiggling my jolly parts every time I hear this one. I hope you enjoy this holiday season, and my wish for you is peace, serenity, and JOY. TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren McLaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance PartyTuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin AKA @Joyfullysober – The Holiday EditionLET IT…

It’s time for TUESDAY TUNES, and I DARE YOU not to bust out some finger-snapping, head-bopping moves to this song. I can’t resist a good boy band holiday tune during this time of year, and N’Sync brings it big with this jam. Not only is it a catchy tune, but if you listen to the words, it hits home in many ways for me. Three Lyrics I love: “It’s a wonderful feeling, feel the love in the room, from the floor to the ceiling.” Sometimes we get so wrapped up in stress during this time of year it reminds me to…

Were you looking for a fun way to jazz up your festive DryBations this Holiday season? How about a Peppermint Bark-inspired rim!?! On this Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, Let’s rim some glasses! What you will need: How to: To operate a double boiler, fill the bottom vessel with about an inch or two of water. Do not fill all the way. Turn on the heat and let the steam from the boiling water melt your chocolate. Enjoy Safely! Remember, if you give this a go, tag @thesobercurator and me in your photos!!! Until Next Week! To Your Health! Xoxo -Nik…

“Mija….you smell like beer,” my mother-in-law said reluctantly as I climbed in the back of the SUV. “You may want to go back inside and brush your teeth.” It was 2015, and my husband drove us to my mother’s annual Christmas Tea. I was hungover as usual and dressed in a tacky Santa ensemble that I threw on last minute. I ran back into the house to gargle mouthwash and spray on more perfume. I looked at myself in the mirror; I was disheveled, bloated, and fighting back nausea. I plastered on a smile and forced myself out the door.…

The Holidays are in full swing and for some, this is the first holiday season to be sober. On my first holiday, I was 8 months sober and it was scary and overwhelming and if I am being honest very humbling. I was 28 years old, living in a sober living house, working at Bath and Body Works in the Mall of America. I couldn’t afford Christmas gifts and I didn’t have extra money to buy supplies to do any baking (nor did I have my own kitchen). There was no tree to decorate. I was embarrassed and angry…

Adding different flavor elements to your DryBations is a great way to elevate your garnish game!On this week’s, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make some tasty flavored foam! What you will need to make flavored foam: It’s as easy as adding a pinch of Versawhip to a small amount of your liquid and letting the milk frother do its thaaaaang! This lovely way to add dense foam that won’t deflate and adds an additional flavor element. How about a Lemonade with a Lavender Foam?Or a Mint Bevy with a Chocolate Foam!?Let your creativity take flight and tag me and…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and the beginning of the never-ending debate on when it is ok to put up your tree. Are you Team Before Thanksgiving or Team After Thanksgiving? I am Team After Thanksgiving. So this weekend I rocked out to Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson and got it done! Oh, and of course, I got a new Holiday Themed Housecoat! TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren Mclaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance Party PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state…

Are you a hands-on shopper?Looking for a curated selection of NonAlc beverages? Well, I’m taking you virtual shopping, On This – Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!!! On the Eastside of Los Angeles… in the Indie/Hip part of town, in a city called Silverlake, a beautiful Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop has opened its doors! Let me introduce you to Soft Spirits! This bottle shop is a great introduction to NonAlc bevies!  Are you looking to try options but don’t want to commit to large quantities from Online Retailers for free shipping?  Or would you like to skip shipping in general? In-person shopping…

Last week I came home to find a couple of deliveries that my husband had plopped on the kitchen counter side by side. One was a shipment of Teetotaler Wines from Boisson in NYC @boisson.nyc, and the other was my December issue of Vogue magazine. Sarah Jessica Parker graces the cover in a gauzy pink Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda gown with metallic floral embroidery and Dior bracelets. She looks every bit the part of our beloved Carrie Bradshaw from SATC. The caption reads, “And Just like that SJP is….Back!” “And just like that the gals on SATC trend Teetotaler”…

We are starting a new weekly segment: drumroll please……Introducing Tuesday Tunes! Let me introduce myself; I’m Lauren, a Sober Curator from the Chicago area (aka the suburbs). I am a person in long-term recovery; I celebrated 15 years in April of 2021. Music has played a massive part in my recovery. I got sober so long ago that iPhone, Spotify, Pandora weren’t even a thing yet! LOL, I had cases of CDs (see picture above). This one is not mine since I left all of my CDs in my drug den apartment that I evacuated when I got sober; maybe I…

Is it getting cold outside? Wanting to heat things up? Grab your crock pot and let’s get to the kitchen! On this, Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make a Hot Cider!!! What you’ll need: Directions: Cube your fruit and remove all rind and pith from your citrus and combine in your crock pot with spices and 7 cups of water.Cook on low for 8 hoursORCook on high for 4 hoursWith the last 30 minutes to and hour, smoosh your fruit in the crock pot.After carefully straining, add in your maple syrup and ENJOY!! This is a wonderful drink to…

As fall festivities approach, and we attend our Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving feasts, how will we toast with flavorful DryBations? Let’s get inspired with flavors of the season, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Today, we will focus on one of my favorite fall fruits, pomegranate! The beauty about putting the focus on the pomegranate is there are so many products to incorporate for your non-alcoholic beverages!The Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and vitamins with a tart and sweet flavor which supports so many amazing recipes! You can get already peeled fruit for garnishes, you can use the juice as a tart…