Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Richard Gallardo Ozuna has one of those looks that stops you dead in your tracks. There is an element of mystery yet warmth behind his eyes. Leading to a person to contemplate if is he the scariest person in the room or the most welcoming? The latter is quickly evident after a few moments with Ozuna. His booming voice is inviting and full of hope. Its immediately evident he is comfortable in his own skin and aims to put you at ease. When we talked on the phone a few weeks back he cut right to the chase. As a…

It’s not hard to be content in the lap of luxury in Miami when seated poolside at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The venue for the spring 2022 She Recovers convention, was housed on a golf course/country club for the many elite retirees in sunny Florida. The hotel/resort is spectacular with Versace-esq motif and plenty of gilded corners to discover. Yet there is too much art, culture and cuisine offered up by Miami to indulge in vs. sitting still on idle sober hands. Between the art and culture, cuisine, and shopping, Miami is a literal hotspot for foodies,…

A few months ago, I stumbled on a coffee table book that is quite possibly one of my favorite purchases this year. It tells the story in glossy pictures of a world I already lived in. Beige is Not a Color by Carlos Mota, a Venezuelan-born interior decorator, stylist, and artist. Mota describes the importance of vibrant colors in his life and how they infiltrate his home décor, personal style, and overall aesthetic. When flipping through the pages of the book (edge-painted in crimson red) I am thoroughly inspired. Selections for my home and my closet are confirmed as I am…

Katie Mack brings a refreshing approach and vitality to storytelling through her craft of acting, writing, and Webby award-winning podcast F*cking Sober: The First 90 Days Podcast, described as an “unflinching semi-comedic mostly nonfictional narrative podcast about the first 90 days of being f*cking sober.” Over a decade of experience in theater, TV, and film, Katie not only elevates the stage with her creative input, but she is also outward about her addiction recovery and reaching two years of sobriety. Follow Along with Katie Mack: Follow along with Mei McIntosh in all of the digital spaces and places Support +…

Despite what society wants you to believe, being overwhelmed and burnt out isn’t normal and no, not all the cool kids are doing it. Being burnt out can have a negative effect on our health. It can cause elevated stress, insomnia, depression, memory issues, increased irritability, weakened immune system, and lack of productivity, just to name a few. Who knew that trying to overwhelm yourself with more tasks can actually yield opposite results! Before you know it, you’re snapping at your loved ones, can’t remember where you left your glasses (have you checked the top of your head?) and your…

Mother’s Day is special to me because…I’m a mom. But not only that, it reminds me of why I decided to cut alcohol from my life. If I hadn’t had my son, I’m not quite sure that I’d be a non-drinker today. In fact, I’d probably be going out to bars regularly and trying to relive the glory days of my early 20s. I had a blast back then – but I’m glad I’ve moved on and that I’m living my life alcohol-free. So, back to Mother’s Day – most people who take on the mother role in a child’s…

“Whose bag is this!?” I shouted to the room one Sunday at a sober gal’s brunch in Seattle. I slung the Louis Vuitton Multi-Pochette over my shoulder and began playing with it. “It’s mine,” said Nicole Ghazal with a laugh. I should have known as she was impeccably dressed in notable yet understated style. Ghazal graciously took the time to show me how all three accessory pouches were detached serving to maximize the bag’s use. It was obvious this was a very intentional purchase. “It was kind of expensive,” she told me. “But I bought it resale and I did…

3 Pop- punk favorites, Avil Lavigne’s love story and an inspiring recovery journey from punk rocker, Mod Sun.

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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”…

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…

Welcome to Gratitude Month 2021! Buddha says gratitude is the open door to abundance. Recovered alcoholics say it’s a way of life. We hear people talking about it like it’s the secret sauce, the magic potion, or the genie in the bottle. Speaking from personal experience, I can say after putting the bottle down, gratitude is definitely the most direct route to happiness. But why is this? How do we get there and how does it work? There are practical steps to gratitude and we are going to show you some. So, read on friends! There is power in gratitude. Focusing on your blessings…

Introducing Farout Drinks from Trish Reynolds and Madison McCleary. These two sober babes from the land down under allow you to experience a good mood straight out of the can. With powerful plant ingredients, you can boost your energy and improve your focus or feel calmer and sleep better with their chill vibes. Check out their Crowdfunding video and see how you can show your support and be first in line to sample this new product line. How Does It Work? These Farout bevies are plant-based and science-backed! Here are some terms to help you get familiar with how they…

Meet Michael Molthan, former drug addict and alcoholic, charismatic speaker, minister to The Missing Man and host of the podcast M2 the Rock.

I’ve always felt like I was an observant person. Since I decided to quit drinking over three years ago, I’m more aware than I’ve ever been. Not only am I more self-aware, but I also notice the things that are happening around me. Sometimes I have fun with it. Sometimes I over-analyze situations. I see my awareness as a positive attribute, but my husband might beg to differ. I can’t not notice. My family and I recently went to an event where the booze was flowing. I noticed every person who was drinking, what they were drinking, and how much.…

Throwback to the Sober Pop Mock(tail) recipe that was created by @Tonix.Mocktails in the Spring of 2021. Nik created this clever beverage for the Sober Pop Club TV-themed night, where we discussed our favorite TV series that had addiction as an underlying storyline. We thought Sober October was the perfect time to bring this one back out of our sober archives. Sober Pop Mock of the Week: True Blood Ingredients You’ll Need: Movie Night with The Sober Curator Need some recommendations on what to watch? We’ve got you covered! Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night!…

Respect covers Aretha Franklin’s rise to stardom and the little known back story including challenges with alcohol addiction.

“Freeway Rick Ross,” tells a story of a kid who had dreams like any other kid. However, his dreams were stolen by a school system that failed him. Instead of becoming the next great African American tennis player, Ricky’s life would take a totally different turn. 

Leah Martin-Brown is an Australian-born singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA but currently in Stockholm, Sweden. Leah started her career at age 13, playing in local pubs and clubs around Gold Coast, Queensland, where she formed her first project- Lilly Rouge. After completing her Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith University’s Conservatorium of Music, Leah and Lilly Rouge began focusing on their professional music goals. They toured Australia, played the Gold Coast leg of the legendary Big Day Out tour, and supported international acts such as Everclear, Presidents of the United States, and homegrown favorites- The Getaway Plan.…

A look at the documentary about the life and death one of the world’s greatest story tellers through the lens of addiction and recovery.