Reflection is good for the soul.

So as we boldly step into what could possibly be the best year ever, let’s take a moment to look back over 2011, starting with the top 10 StraighFromTheA.com RHOA stories of 2011.

I don’t know if my shoe collection would be nearly as extensive if it weren’t for The Real Housewives of Atlanta and I doubt if any of the “housewives” were actually prepared for what they signed up for.

Being that they were chosen to portray “Atlanta’s elite,” the show catapulted them into nationwide “stardom,” but their popularity clearly relied upon the obvious paradox between television “reality” and the truth.

VIDEO: The Real Housewives of Atlanta Montage

That dreamgirls track behind all that craziness is classic! I’m sure you would agree that each season, the tomfoolery just gets worse. That’s why it’s always fun to reveal the real deal behind what you see on tv.

So without further adieu, check out my list of popular Real Housewives of Atlanta posts for 2011:

At some point last season, NeNe Leakes became extremely vocal about leaving her husband Gregg.  She even proudly announced that the two were getting a divorce.

Viewers of the show would have surely believed what was presented to them, had it not been for moi (that’s “me” in French by the way) seeing the couple out on several occasions with my own eyes.

They were finally caught on camera when I spotted them chilling in the cut in the last Summer during the Essence Festival.

Spotted: NeNe Leakes & Her Hubby Gregg Boo’d Up at Essence Festival ~ PHOTOS

…and YES MediaFakeOut blatently STOLE my photos cropped the watermark off and posted them as “exclusive” and it wasn’t the first (or last) time. But I digress…

While word on the curb is that Kim Zolciak is still creeping with her married Big Poppa, she’s playing house with her own new hubby Kroy Biermann and a new baby KJ.

Kim and Kroy decided to rent a new home for their growing family and I shared that news with y’all last March, along with the listing photos of Kim’s soon to be dream home.

PHOTOS ~ Check out Kim Zolciak’s New Dream Home…

Kim’s new home is rumored to be rented by Bravo as the backdrop for her spin-off (turnt wedding special).  In case you missed it, I also spilled a bit of Zolciak/Biermann wedding tea a while back.

READ: Kim Zolciak Wedding Drama – PHOTOS

Deshawn Snow and Lisa Wu were each booted off the show. DeShawn got her pink slip at the end of the first season, while Lisa made it through 2 seasons prior to her departure.

Sometimes it’s what happens after the show that piques our interest and DeShawn hit the blogs soon after she left the show when Eric Snow filed for divorce in 2010.  She then dropped a ton of weight in 2011 after surviving her relationship drama off air.

DeShawn Snow Drops 30+ lbs After Divorce [PHOTOS]

Lisa Wu (formerly Hartwell) also hit the blogs after her departure from the show with a similar tale.

While details are sketchy as to what actually happened between her and her fine baller hubby Ed Hartwell, rumors have swirled that SHE cheated on HIM with her EX (singer Keith Sweat).

Ed and Lisa Wu split earlier this year and it was Ed who chose to tell the world of their breakup via his facebook page.

 *CONFIRMED* Lisa Wu-Hartwell & Ed Hartwell Break up

Next up this Marko Marlon Marlo Hampton character pops up outta no where.

Introducing Marlo Hampton ~ Atlanta’s New “Housewife”

No one knows where Marko came from or what she/he does for a living, but she/he wears nice clothes and had a pretend boyfriend/fiance named Charles Grant who was kinda/sorta linked to NeNe Leakes.

A quick search of the net turned up a gazillion mugshots on Marlo who evidently has a very EXTENSIVE criminal past…

Marlo Hampton Mugshots

Spotted: Marlo Attends Phaedra’s Son’s Party + More Info on Her Criminal Past

[Sidebar: Grant, Marlo’s fake fiance, was also arrested recently so maybe these two are made for each other after all.]

And since we’re on the subject of mugshots….

Cynthia Bailey‘s hubby Peter Thomas was arrested earlier this year but he got off.

Mugshot Mania ~ Peter Thomas Arrested For Assault

And Dwight Eubanks, who claims he left the show because of the drama, was arrested for minor traffic offenses but he appropriately served FEVER in his MUGSHOT.

Everyone’s favorite attorney Phaedra Parks caught flack for introducing her male stripper “client” with self-pleasuring talents to the world…

Meet ReDICKulous! Atlanta Housewives’ Stripper of Season 4

Sex sells, so Kandi Burruss started a sex toy line…

Kandi Burruss Launches BEDROOM KANDI + Sends Message to SFTA Readers [VIDEO]

And Sheree Whitfield‘s imaginary house aka “Neverland” seems to be quite a topic of interest for the past few weeks..

Chateau Sheree = “Neverland” The REAL DEAL About Sheree’s Dream Home

Sheree Whitfield Responds to “Neverland” Rumors…

Sheree’s ex, Bob Whitfield became an SFTA favorite when he started contributing a few relationship based editorials:

7 Reasons Why Women Cheat

Love is a Non-MuthaF*ckin Factor

She Smashed The Homie

And to round out the year… Child Support Drama:

And Diss Tracks:

Sheree Whitfield’s Who Gon’ Check Me Boo [UnOfficial Video]

I think I covered just about all of the RHOA top stories of 2011. If you think of any I missed feel free to let me know…