Photo by: Photographs by Jackie
F O U N D A T I O N
Publisher’s Corner
Editor in Chief
Renee’ Smith Managing Editor
Martin Dawkins Copy Editor
Drusilla Dunn Writers
Welcome to Diamond Diva Magazine’s Summer Issue. We have a great issue this month. Stepping out into summer we all want to look our best. There’s weight loss
Marcilio David Moses Greene Thresa Harris Donna Monday Stevii Mills Layout
Renee’ Smith
promises, sexy bathing suit must haves and plenty of beach bum madness going on. In this issue we have brought to you the sexiness of real women, Plus Size Women and their clothing revolution. Also we have a new author sharing her story of tragedy and triumph. We have shared her story and so much more in this issue. We hope you enjoy and as always be Empowered and Uplifted. Renee' and Martin
Diamond Diva Magazine is published bi-monthly. Any reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Diamond Diva Magazine does not accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication should be submitted to the editor by email at info@diamonddivamag.com
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COVER STORY
The Women’s Plus Size Clothing
Revolution
by: Donna Monday
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Once upon a time, not too long ago, if you were a woman who wore clothes over a size 14 your clothing choices were limited to cheap looking, baggy and unattractive clothes that made you look old before your time. My how times have changed! There has been a cultural shift in the acceptance of plussize women, particularly in the fashion industry. Women's plus size clothing is no longer relegated to the back of the isle racks. Now days, it's easy to find trendy plus size clothes such as: dresses, workout clothes, evening wear and swimwear. Plus size celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Camryn Manheim, and Star Jones have also helped to usher in the era of plus size fashions. These women take pride in looking fashionable no matter how much their weight fluctuates. You can even see a once thin actress, Kirstie Alley, strut her stuff in her new cable show “Fat Actress�. This would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Even the high fashion industry has taken notice. Models such as Emme have become famous for modeling large size fashions for women. Agencies are also looking for aspiring plus size models. Women looking for designer plus size clothes online will not be disappointed. In the past, clothing for large size women 22w to 44w was extremely difficult to find and forget about being fashionable. Now, companies are springing up like Making It Big, who cater exclusively to this fashion hungry niche of clothing for big women. If you are looking for big women clothing, you now have more choice than ever when it comes to large size clothes for women. Another old taboo in full figured clothing was that plus size women didn't look good in ladies intimate apparel. Oh, I'm not talking about women wearing a large size bra (which it's now easier to find comfortable large size
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bras). Plus size bras have been available for a long time. No, I mean really sensual full figure intimate apparel. Designers have discovered that any woman will look good in intimate apparel if it's made right for her body. Now, even in this fashion segment, plus sized women's clothing has grown leaps and bounds. Plus size intimate apparel comes in all colors, styles and sizes, so that you can show off your sensual side too, ladies! Need nice clothes for work? You can find an array of plus size suits, including: plus size pants suits, and plus size women's suits. Going to the beach or pool? It's now possible to find a wide selection of plus size swimming suits. Where plus size swim suits used to be mostly black and unattractive, they are now very colorful and figure flattering. Getting married? Obtaining a wedding dress plus size is no longer a huge ordeal. If you are looking for a large size wedding dress, with all the frills, or a plus size informal wedding dress, you'll be delighted at the selection you'll find online and offline. No bride should have an ill-fitting wedding dress, or be denied beautiful style that their thinner sisters enjoy. Many wedding boutiques and some online outlets offer beautiful plus size wedding dresses, and be assured that your plus size wedding dress will fit and look beautiful. Yes, my friends. The plus size women's clothing revolution has arrived. Our plus size sisters can now have a closet full of great looking clothes and keep pace with the best fashionistas. Not only is this great for plus size women, it's great for society as well. Everyone can now see that a woman's inner and outer beauty has nothing to do with size.
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By: Renee Smith
Journey to Life &Recovery
By Thresa A Harris
Before 2004, my life was in control and what I considered to be great, or so I thought. I was a wife, a mother of two teenagers, and a therapeutic foster parent. I had a part-time business and I worked full-time at a highly reputable corporation. I had money to pay bills, as well as for family fun and vacations. I could buy the shoes and clothes I wanted. I could get hair-dos and have my nails done regularly. It appeared to everyone around me that I had it all together. My ex-husband (now deceased) suffered his first heart attack in 2004, and my marriage and my career began to fall apart. I found myself beginning to quickly transition from casual and social consumption of alcohol to uncontrollably abusing it. This is when I considered myself as being reduced to the least common denominator. The truth was, things were way out of control and having control was something that I prided myself with
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always having when it came to handling my adult life. For as long as I could remember I was the one that people could rely on and come to when they needed anything. It could be for a good laugh or a pick me up; a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, or even just a good meal. It was nothing for me to drop everything altogether and head south for a friend or family member, no matter what. People knew they could call on me and I would not let them down. Unfortunately, I began to take on so much and didn't know how to say no, so it became overwhelming. I had too much “pride� and refused to admit defeat. I found myself looking to others (particularly relationships formed with male friends) to help redefine who I was. Before my divorce was finalized, I became involved with a very abusive individual who added to the damage I had already begun to my own self esteem. Although he was not physically
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abusive: the verbal, emotional and mental abuse continuously caused me to feel that my life was slowly being sucked out of me like a deflating balloon. I turned to alcohol more and more which led to missed days at work or missed appointments when I had given my word that I would show up. My behavior forced my supervisors to offer me alternatives to avoid the absolute worst action of being fired. They urged me with the utmost sincerity to take advantage of my company benefits and to go out on Family Medical Leave and then finally Short Term Disability so that I could focus on my mental health needs. I finally had to admit to myself that things were seriously out of control and I needed help because things I thought no one knew: EVERYONE was talking about. I spent almost two and a half years off and on in and out of work fighting my addiction to alcohol. Eventually, I was diagnosed with manic depression in addition to substance abuse. I tried so hard to bring things back together by taking advantage of intensive inpatient/outpatient treatment with a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist along with medication management by a Licensed Psychiatrist. Unfortunately my behavior became more and more reckless leading to three DWI's, along with active and suspended jail time and probation. I squandered money which led to a financial loss. The more I worried about the possible consequences for the choices I had made and the actions that followed: I continued to drown myself deeper and deeper in the bottle. I was angry and verbally abusive to my children, family, significant other or anyone that I felt was a threat. I had not accepted the reality that I was the only real threat. They were just trying to help, but I selfishly continued to push them away. The hardest thing that I really needed to understand before I could
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get better is that I had to focus and work on the things that I could control; rather than things that I could not. After escaping the emotional abuse that I endured after my marriage dissolved, I finally met someone that I had prayed to come along. I had someone who showed me how much he cared and loved me. Because of my active addiction and attempts to hide it from him: it wasn't six months before I was making a complete mess out of what was supposed to be good. Despite my aggressive behavior, two inpatient stays in a substance abuse institution and an unstable work history, he stood by me. I recently experienced another hardship that I could not control. On September 20, 2011, we celebrated my boyfriend's 50th birthday. However, on October 8, 2011 he was tragically killed while riding his motorcycle. This was just twelve days before we were to celebrate my 41st birthday on October 20th. At the time that he was brought into the emergency room, I had already been in the hospital for three days with my 21 year old son who had a fever of 103 degrees that would not go down. We didn't know what was causing the fever. We later learned that he had an infected and inflamed colon which they treated and released him on his fourth day in the hospital. In a blink of an eye, the man that I prayed and asked God for was ripped from my life. I had never felt a pain like that and it hurt too badly to talk about. All I could do was cry, drink and feel numb. I am grateful for my son's moral support during this loss. I learned shortly after my boyfriend's funeral that he had no insurance, no will, no 401k and he was behind on his car note as well as,
cont. on page 13
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This is “Just Stevii� and I look forward to helping you turn your dreams into reality by giving you practical steps to help you along your journey! Stevii A Mills Community Relationship Coordinator 949.208.4352 seriousstatement@hotmail.com Turning Dreams Into Reality Next Chapter It is a very interesting thing in life when it is time for your next chapter. Sometimes, we are ready to embark on the exciting time in our life. Other times, the next chapter hits us like a ton of bricks. I have just started the next chapter of my life. There are some things that I was looking forward to and there are some things that were completely unexpected and met me as if I were a boxer being shocked by my opponent's uppercut. It is amazing to me the challenges that I face every year when we approach the B.E.A.U.T.Y. From Head To Toe Tour Season. The first year, I got extremely sick and could not travel. The second year, the people who stated that they were in it to win it, dropped off like flies. Then this year, I have had people who held 2 close positions in my life end their friendships. I was aware that challenges would come. I was expecting that because anytime that people are doing good and helping other people, they are met with challenges. However, I was caught completely off guard by the type of challenges that I have had to deal with. I am thankful for the lessons that God continually teaches me. They make me stronger and they give me more testimony to tell others. I
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am a true believer that we are overcome by the testimony of others. I make it my life's work to help others through my transparent testimony.Life is truly a classroom and we are all teachers. We are all here to help each other. Each day that we live we are writing in our book. We have chapters, paragraphs, sentences, exclamation points, and more. It is a matter of perspective and it is up to us to figure out where the commas are. Sometimes we need to put periods where the commas are. Don't forget to put exclamation points in your book as well. These are for the exciting times. It is even ok to have question marks in your book. Trust me, I have plenty of them. Name your book, name the chapters. Make it interesting. Live life out loud! I want to hear about your book. I want to see what the next chapter holds. I want to see the commas, exclamation points, and periods. I want to see what
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genre your book is. It is your story. It is your time to own the fact that you are worthy to have a story and that you should make it as interesting as possible. Enjoy the peaks and valleys that color your story. Learn from them and use them as fuel to continue to live another day. Email me at itsjuststevii@gmail.com. I will be doing a B.E.A.U.T.Y. From Head To Toe Tour ticket giveaway! You must tell me the name of your book, what your next chapter is and what you learned from doing this exercise. As always, I am truly excited to help you get to your next level of greatness. Sisterly, "Just Stevii" www.beautyfromheadtotoetour.com www.juststevii.com
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Journey to Life & Recovery Cont.
maxed out on all of his credit cards. I also found out that my mortgage was two months behind and is now currently in foreclosure. I was faced with some other celebratory times that I felt cheated out of. There was my birthday which was immediately following his death; then Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, 15 year anniversary of homeownership, and finally St. Patrick's Day (he was Irish). He was a good man who tried to make me happy and always told me that we were going to be alright. He wanted me to focus on getting help, staying clean and being the person that I was when we first met. His gift to me was feeling like a lady again for the first time in literally 20 years. I know that “life� happens, but in my mind it kept happening over and over and over to the point that I felt like I was being trampled by a pack of untamed horses on rewind. Therefore, on January 3, 2012 and the day after I received my formal foreclosure notice from the Sheriff's deputy, I pleaded with my son to admit me to the hospital for treatment for the third time. The shame that I once felt to have to face the staff again went out the door with my pride. I had promised each of my counselors and therapist that I would never pass that way again on an inpatient basis, but if I had not, I would not be here today to share my story. On that day, it immediately became clear that this was my last chance and I needed professional help. The help I needed was not only with my addiction, but also dealing with grieving for the loss of my soul mate. The only way that could be possible, was to go back through detox, get the alcohol out of my system once and for all and get back on my medication. My
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boyfriend had sacrificed so much to make me happy so I could focus on my recovery. I not only owed it to myself to get well, but I owed it to him and the memories of the time's we shared. I also owe it to my family and friends that stood by me even when they were forced to do it from a distance. So often I have been praised for being such an inspiration to others when I was not in a drunken stupor. More than anything I have always wanted to make a difference and give back because I believe that I was born to be a servant for God. Now that my boyfriend is gone and I have no job, my unemployment is exhausted and I don't have the means to pay my mortgage at this time, I am wondering what to do. Given my history of involvement with domestic violence, physical abuse and now my addiction to alcohol, there is no question in my mind why I would decide to return to school to become a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and Substance Abuse Counselor. I feel especially passionate about my decision to commit to becoming involved in clinical social work, domestic violence and substance abuse counseling because of my story and the need to share. Although it is necessary for formal classroom instruction, I firmly believe that the lessons I have learned with on the job training (real life experiences) over the course of the last eight years are many of the prerequisites I needed to make this decision. I am a mature adult with an open mind, compassion and a burning desire to help make a difference in the lives of others through truth and understanding. I am seeking any financial assistance that is available and that I am eligible for based on the fact that I refuse to quit or fail to answer a call to help be a part of change. I am asking for help to carry this desire out successfully. Life has brought me to my circumstances, but God is carrying me
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through. Now it's my turn to help someone else on this Journey to Life and Recovery.
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Experts say that the best summer weight loss diet is to load up with nature's produce. Fruits and vegetables are low in calorie but loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, plus antioxidants and fiber to help your body flush those unwanted toxins and fats. Aside from their health benefits, they are delectable, juicy, and satisfy the taste buds. Berries, tomatoes, zucchini, melons, cucumbers, peas and other greens are available at farmer's markets and grocery stores. Forget portion control and go ahead and eat all the fruits and vegetables you can get your hands on. Summer weight loss with nature's bounty will do your waistline no damage.
Healthy Eating For Summer Weight Loss By : Marcilio David Winter has been unforgiving. What better thing to do during the cold season than to sit in a couch and munch on some goodies while keeping yourself cozy and warm? It seems like yesterday when you were struggling to lose your winter coat; before you even know it, summer is in its full effect. The minute you feel warm enough to wear shorts, you realized something: The beach is beckoning and you are not prepared for it, physically! You panic and think of stapling your mouth for a week or two, until you look good on your swim wear, as your summer weight loss solution. It can really be a struggle to shed excess fats and most people fall into a summer weight loss dilemma every year. Wacky diet, starvation, and diet pills are beckoning and giving you hopes of slimming down for that swimming costume. Summer weight loss doesn't have to mean starving yourself to look your best in shorts or swimsuit. The secret to weight loss is to eat healthy foods; food choices are actually easy to make during summertime because high calorie dishes are less appealing during the hot season. Take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables that are at their peak and at their best in summer. Refreshing and light foods are bountiful and keeps you out of the hot kitchen.
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If you are wondering what the healthiest summer weight loss foods are, here is a list of dieticians' and experts' food recommendation: Berries are luscious and sweet but there is more to berries that meets the appetite. They are known to boost antioxidant levels and help reduce the effects of ageing. Berries are also rich in nutrients that help lower cholesterol level. Watermelons are loved because they are watery, juicy, and crisp, perfect for satisfying thirst during the hot season. If you want a tasty summer weight loss, mix slices of watermelon with milk, water, and ice cubes. Whirl in a blender and your perfect juice is ready in a snap. Garden salads are the best bet for time and cost efficient summer weight loss meal. They are easy to prepare and the perfect way to get vegetables into your diet. Dress your salad with healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil or your choice of other healthy oils. Salads are a great way of letting yourself off the hook from the hot kitchen. Healthy eating is your best summer weight loss plan. Enjoy a hearty meal and reap the benefits of losing weight, staying fit, and living a healthy lifestyle. Jumpstart your summer weight loss with fruits and vegetables and get in shape for your favorite swimsuit.
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BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS
www.azhea.com
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www.todayssimplepleasures.com
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July 2011
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