Exploring Rabat, Morocco: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Art Nouveau Charm
Rabat is a clean, modern city with wide roads from its French colonial days and plenty of historic and cultural treasures. Whether you’re sipping mint tea in a garden, admiring...
Timeless Toledo: 48 Hours in Spain’s Crossroads of History
Toledo, Spain, is a treasure trove of history and culture, with its strategic location atop a hill and surrounded on three sides by water. This small city is brimming with...
Exploring Tallinn: Where Old Meets New
Tallinn has emerged as a vibrant hub attracting young international talent, particularly in the tech sector. With its high level of English proficiency and a thriving startup culture, the city...
Cordoba, Spain: Where Jews, Christians & Muslims Co-existed In Medieval Europe
A lot of people stay one night in Cordoba, but it is not enough to see all of historic and interesting sites. The last Moorish settlement prior to the Christian re-conquest...
Essaouira, Morocco: The Gnawa Music Festival
What attracted me to gnawa music was how similar it is to American blues and the call and response that is typical in Black American churches. I was delighted to learn...
Egypt: An Epic Journey
Egypt has been on my list for a long time, but the stories I heard from travelers, even seasoned travelers, gave me pause. I knew that I would eventually go,...
Avoiding Tourist Scams in Egypt
Egypt is a great place to visit for its impressive history and sites. However, it is not a starter trip and is rife with aggressive locals and slick tourist scams....
Bristol, England: From Slave Trading to Activism
I would wager that prior to June 2020, most Americans had never heard of Bristol, England. Bristol has come a long way from its slave trading past. According to the...
A Bridgerton Day in Bath, England
From its Roman Baths, Jane Austen Center, Georgian architecture, and Bridgerton sites, there's a lot to see in Bath, UK.
Chocolate and Politics in Brussels
This was my first time in Belgium. It was a short three day work trip to the EU Parliament. Our hotel, the Radisson RED (highly recommended), was next door to...
Santiago de Compostela: The Lesser Known Christian Holy Site
Jerusalem, Rome, and...Santiago de Compostela. A half million Christians end their pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which has been a Christian holy site since the 9th century when the...
Romania Is More Than Dracula
Romania is more than just Dracula’s castle—it's a country filled with breathtaking mountains, charming villages, and lively cities. Whether you're exploring the cobbled streets of Sibiu, hiking in the Carpathians,...
Therme Spa Bucharest: Is It The Best Spa Experience?
I had to write about my experience at Therme spa in Bucharest, which was highly recommended by the locals I met. The website is descriptive, but disjointed. Therefore, I want...
Budapest: Off The Beaten Path
Little know fact: the largest population of Hungarians in the USA, settled in my hometown of Cleveland. I learned this during a tour in Budapest.
Doha, Qatar
I lived in Qatar from August 2020 to July 2022. I left before the World Cup. I wasn't too disappointed, because I'm not a huge sports fan and I don't...
Vienna, Austria
Many often wonder what would’ve happened if Hitler had been admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts, or if that clerical error hadn’t been made allowing him into the German military.
Tangier, Morocco
Random fun fact: Morocco was the first country to recognize an independent U.S. in 1777.
Road Trip: Barcelona, Spain to Toulouse, France
Have you ever wanted to travel to Barcelona? Barcelona is a nice drive to some great cities in France, including Toulouse, Cerbère, and Collioure. In this blog post, I share travel...
The German Rhine Region: Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Japanese Food
For years a long time friend of mine, who´s German, has been telling me that Dusseldorf has great...wait for it...Japanese food.
Granada: The North Africa of Spain
Granada, Spain has been on my list for 16 years. In 2007, I backpacked through Europe with stops in four Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, and Sevilla. Unfortunately, due to...
Marrakech, Morocco
The cool thing about living in Europe is how cheap it is to travel. Morocco has been on my list for years, so when I found a roundtrip ticket for...
Travel Series: Georgia (The Country, Not The State)
Note that recommendations on the Busty Girl Travel Series are based on my opinion. I paid for the trips with my own money and I was not given any compensation...
Travel Series: Azerbaijan
In the fourth part of my Busty Girl Travel Series, I will give some tips about the only Muslim country in the Caucuses, Azerbaijan.
Travel Series: Armenia
Note that recommendations on the Busty Girl Travel Series are based on my opinion. I paid for the trips with my own money and I was not given any compensation...
Travel Series: Oman
Note that recommendations in the Busty Girl Travel Series are based on my opinion. I paid for the trips with my own money and I was not given any compensation...
Travel Series: Jordan
Note that recommendations in the Busty Girl Travel Series are based on my opinion. I paid for the trips with my own money and I was not given any compensation...
Cartoons Are For Grown Folks
Someone once asked me what I like to watch on TV. I responded that I rarely watch American TV and was currently on a Kdrama and anime kick. I went...
The Wonderful World of Korean Soap Operas
I got hip to Korean soap operas or Kdramas last year through my boyfriend's mom. The first one that I ever saw was Boys Over Flowers starring the very handsome and...
Cleveland Rocks! Part II
That loyalty and hope have translated into some business, tech, healthcare, and infrastructural investments that are putting Cleveland in the upswing after a massive depopulation due to the eradication of...
Cleveland Rocks!
Any Cleveland travel guide is incomplete without mentioning Slyman's Deli and The Westside Market. Slyman's has THE BEST CORNED BEEF I'VE EVER HAD! I've been to Katz in NYC and...
My Culinary Tour: Stellar Steaks
I love a good steak and I've eaten it on four different continents. I've had steak at both world renowned steakhouses, chain steakhouses, and lesser known restaurants. So below I...
Tokyo: All Things Cat
Like the internet, Japan loves cats. From cat cafes to cat themed clothing boutiques to cat marshmallows, cats are everywhere. Apparently, most landlords in Tokyo prohibit renters from having cats...
I'm In Love With Japanese Candies
I just got back from a trip to Tokyo and I probably spent more time and money on procuring candy than actual food. I was on a mission from the...
Stylish But Comfortable: Tips For Travel
One of my friends admitted to me that he couldn't understand why someone would want to sit in a "tube" for 12+ hours. My response was: "Well, we all basically...
Inspiration Through Travel: Tokyo
In October of 2013, I boarded a flight at JFK and 12 hours later I arrived in Tokyo, Japan. The trip was part vacation and part fashion inspiration. Japan, particularly...
Inspiration Through Travel: Thailand
I live in NYC (Brooklyn to be exact) so one would think that I'm used to the hustle and bustle of the city, but it took me a few days...
Inspiration Through Travel
Recently I traveled to Thailand, Taiwan, and Myanmar (formerly Burma). I went to a tailor and a seamstress in Bangkok in order to have a suit and two blazers custom...
Bye, Bye G Cups :-(
I always knew that one day my boobs would take over the world. It seemed like I went from a training bra to a D cup* within a period of...
Big Bust Bloggers Part II
In a previous blog, I listed 5 bloggers "who are trying to save us from fashion and bra fitting hell...one busty lady at a time." Below I will highlight 5...
Supportive Wire-Free Bras For Fuller Busts
I was recently in London, which like NYC, has everything. In Spain, Black haircare and full bust anything are virtually non existent. Therefore, every time I go to the UK,...
"Nude" Bra Alternatives For Dark-Skinned Women: Take Two
In one of my previous blog posts, I lamented that finding a "nude" bra if you are dark-skinned is difficult. However, it is almost impossible if you are both dark-skinned...
Nude Bra Options For Full Bust Dark-Skinned Women
The following is a guest post from Sam, owner of Toronto's D+ bra and swimwear shop: Broad Lingerie. I read Exclusively Kristen's blog post about the lack of "nude" bra options...
"Nude" Is Not For Me: Finding A Full Cup Bra That Matches My Skin Tone
Finding a full cup dark nude bra is like finding Big Foot. I've been searching for months and have only found a few bras that don't show through my white...
It's Not Just Trump Model Management: Modeling Agencies' Unscrupulous Practices
In my previous blog, I outline some of the scams targeting aspiring models. So what happens if you make it past the gauntlet of modeling school and photography scams and...
So You Want To Be A Model?
Love him or hate him, Donald Trump has brought many important issues to the forefront. One of which is the rarely talked about but ubiquitous problem of modeling scams. Trump...
All About Sheer and Straps: CurvExpo NY Lingerie and Swimwear
This was my second time attending CurvExpo in NYC and I must say that I'm excited for the Winter/Spring collections.
Deco Shape Ivory Moulded Strapless Longline Bra Review
Now that warm weather is upon us, I broke out with my strapless/spaghetti strap dresses and tops, which gave me the opportunity to wear the Deco Shape Ivory Moulded Strapless...
Hot Mess: Shopping As A Busty Woman
Last month, I held a pop up shop in Kansas at The Heavy Hanger, which is a big bust lingerie boutique. I arrived in Wichita the day before the event, so...
GG Cup Adventures
I recently had a pop up shop at The Heavy Hanger, which is a fantastic full bust lingerie boutique located in Wichita, Kansas. Before my arrival, I relayed to the...
The Big Bust Revolution is Happening in Wichita, Kansas
The Heavy Hanger by Melons: The Complete Bra Shop is a lingerie boutique located in Wichita, Kansas that only sells D+ cup bras and swimwear and the owner, TeOnya, is an expert full...
H Cup Online Adventures
Since my boobs are in size flux, I thought it better to go to a lingerie boutique for a proper fitting and the opportunity to try on the actual bras...
H Cup Adventures
As I outlined in my previous blog, my boobs grew so I'm no longer a G cup (bye, bye G cups). Now I'm in a desperate search for cute and...
The Year of the Boobs
Body and skin tone inclusivity are things now. Consumers are demanding that companies cater to more than just the "standard" (however that is defined) and some companies have finally acquiesced....
Just Say No To Playing Peek-A-Boo With Bra Bands
One of my biggest fashion pet peeves is when (on the rare occasion) I find a sleeveless dress or shirt that looks like it can fit my G cups, I...
The Illusive? Colorful, Young, and Exciting Full Bust Lingerie Marketplace
I hate to admit it, but I haven't purchased a bra in over three years. I am a bit behind the times and long overdue for a lingerie wardrobe update....
CURVExpo And My Pursuit Of (Not Your Grandma's) Big Bust Lingerie
This past weekend, I attended CURVExpo and it was great to see all of the beautiful lingerie on display. The most significant thing that I came away with is that the...
The Rack Shack: Lingerie For The Young And Young At Heart
I recently attended the grand opening of The Rack Shack in Brooklyn, NY. The boutique sells reasonably priced lingerie, including bras sizes 28A - 38HH, that is geared toward a younger...
What's Up With USA-Based Big Bust Apparel Companies?
Before I launched Exclusively Kristen, I did some research and quickly discovered that big bust fashion has a much stronger presence in Europe, specifically the United Kingdom. This is surprising...
Shirts for Men 5'2" to 5'8": Ash & Erie Review
A few months ago, I came across an article about a company that makes shirts for men who are 5'2" to 5'8", called Ash & Erie (formally Ash & Anvil).
My New Favorite Netflix Original: Atelier
A friend told me about this new show on Netflix called Atelier. I heard the words "small business", "fashion", and "Tokyo" (my favorite city) and my interest was piqued. I...
Big Bust Bloggers
Here are some bloggers who are trying to save us from fashion and bra fitting hell...one busty lady at a time.
An Ode To Niche Fashion: "Why Can't I find Size 15 Men's Stilettos?"
I commend those entrepreneurs who see a void in the market and create something to fill it, like Janet's Closet "A Cross-Dresser's Paradise" and Heels For You, both of which...
An Ode To Niche Fashion: A Celebration Of The Badonkadonk
In the next installment of "An Ode to Niche Fashion", I highlight some other awesome companies that cater to underserved body types, particularly women with a little more junk in...
An Ode to Niche Fashion Companies
An estimated 700,000 people are transgender, the fashion needs of these groups have largely been ignored. Even though these numbers are substantial (especially plus size), brands that cater to these...
Busty Girl Problems Part II
I love empire waist shirts and dresses! They are great for accentuating curves and are a fashionable addition to maternity clothes. Unfortunately, up until last year, I owned only a...
The Beauty of a Trunk Show
I am excited to announce that Exclusively Kristen will be hosting a series of trunk shows this summer. What is a trunk show? A trunk show is an event in which...
Busty Girl Problems
I played sports in high school: track & field, softball, and cheerleading. I distinctly remember that I was a 34 shell (top) in my cheerleading uniform but had to order...
What To Look For In A Garment If You Are Busty
Exclusively Kristen shirts are specifically made for women with large breasts and in my previous blog post, I outlined the details that make our shirts perfect for busty women. However, this...
Why Exclusively Kristen Apparel Is A Must For Women With Large Breasts
What Makes Exclusively Kristen products so unique and a necessary addition to any woman's wardrobe who wears a D+ cup bra? In this blog post, I will outline three types...
Teen Fashion Angst
I remember seeing a not-too-revealing bustier in the window of a popular store at the mall and going inside to try it on. After trying on three different sizes, I...
From One Best-Selling Shirt to a Full Collection: How Kiva Is Helping Us Expand Bust-Friendly Fashion
Starting and growing a business is never easy, and for women entrepreneurs—especially Black women—access to capital remains one of the greatest hurdles.
A Kiva Story Part III: Manufacturing in the USA
If you ever start a fashion company, I recommend staying in the USA in order to learn how to source and get a hands on experience on the production process.
A Kiva Story Part II: Fabric Choice
Many of you shared your insights on which type of fabric you'd like used for Exclusively Kristen's bust-friendly shirts. Customer feedback is extremely important because I want to make sure...
A Kiva Story: An Entrepreneur's Journey
After a long hiatus, I have restarted "Busty Girl Stories." Life became so busy for me that I was unable to devote adequate time to blogging, so I decided to...
Small Business As A Force For Ethical Change
I recently attended the 39th Asian American International Film Festival's showing of Under Construction, which is a Bangladeshi film directed by Rubaiyat Hossain. The film follows Roya, who seems to have...
Girl Power! Part II
Brazen Bras was the host of my first pop up shop, so it has a special place in my heart. I probably sent the most green pitch but Christine, the...
Girl Power!
ALL of the lingerie boutiques that I've worked with have been owned by women. Most of them cited frustration with bra shopping due to being plus size or top heavy...
The Underratedness of HBO's How To Make It In America
Around the time that I founded Exclusively Kristen, my friend told me about a show on HBO called How To Make It In America and I was hooked after the first...
An Ode To Niche Fashion Companies: Clothes For The Small Statured
On the next installment of "An Ode To Niche Fashion Companies", I will highlight brands that cater to short statured people.
Working With Factories If You Are A Small Company
"If you only have small orders, factories don't care about you." That statement may sound fatalistic, but it's true.
Business Ethics: Product Reviews
The journalist became horrified that anyone would charge money for reviews and lambasted the blogger for being unethical. I had not planned on working with this blogger, but the reaction...
Trunks Shows Are An Entreprenuer's Best Friend
Trunk shows have multiple benefits: market research, broadening your client base, and connecting with potential buyers.
What Would You Do With $25,000?
Because I am passionate about Exclusively Kristen and know that this underserved community of busty women deserve better fitting clothes, I signed up to be in the running for the...
Why Exclusively Kristen Chose To Debut With Basic Garments
I wanted to debut with a more size inclusive version of the garments that gave fuller women the most grief. Also, I wanted to be the one who solved the...
Finding The Right Manufacturer
In my previous blog post, I outlined the pros and cons of manufacturing overseas. In this blog post, I will go into greater detail about finding a manufacturer that is...
Should You Manufacture Overseas Or In The USA?
Exclusively Kristen is proud that we manufacture our garments in the USA. However, there are pros and cons to both manufacturing overseas and in the USA, which I will highlight...
Fashion Lines: From Idea to Product In 6 Steps
Starting your own fashion line can be fraught with road bumps, so below are some guidelines to smooth out the process. You might have a great idea for a shirt...
Where It All Began
Project Runway judge Nina Garcia recently posted this photo on her Twitter account, which brought back memories... When I was about 10 years old, my mom and I started a small...