Ra l e i g h , N o r t h C ar o lin a ( 919 ) 4 1 0 - 6 8 1 2 www . di a mo n d d iv ak o n n e c t. c om Happy 5th Anniversa ry Diamond Diva. It has been a great and trying 5 years but I have loved every minute of it. Throughout this last year many changes have tak en place and the maga zine has began to evolve into something that is amazining and ever changing for the good of all women pressing their way in business and in life. It has been a honor to find these women and shine a light on them and all the great things they are doing in business and in the communities. As always these women are business women, mothers, women of God and truly Di amond Diva;s to the fullest defintion of the word. Thank you for staying with us and for your continued sup port, it really means alot to us both. Renee & Martin Dawkins
F o r G e n e r a l Advertising Inquiries Please email o r c a ll u s a t : d i a m o n d d iv akon n ect@ g mail.com ( 919 ) 4 1 0 - 6 8 12 Disclaimer: Diamond Diva Magazine is published monthly. Any reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Diamond Diva Magazine does not accept responsibility for st atements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication should be submitted to the editor by email at info@ diamonddivamag.com Diamond Diva Magazine’s publisher, staff and other persons involved in the creation, production or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or it’s content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of the magazine.
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deserves to live an unprecedented life, and now, with these simple ways, EVERY BODY can.
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P r o v e n S e lf I mp r o vemen t Step s o n H o w t o “Live YOUR D REA M L i f e !” Before I get into this, it’s important that you simply perceive what self-help, personal development and self-improve ment, actually mean? In a nut shell, it’s exactly what it says on the tin, anything to try and do with improving or develop ing yourself. As an example, career, relationships, health, psychology, etc... Self-facilitate is largely any type of in formation, or tools that facilitate your, to help yourself. I’ve got you...
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Has there ever been a time in your life where you couldn’t sit up for tomorrow to come? Or maybe didn’t want to travel to sleep as a result of you was having such a great time? You need to have felt like that a minimum of once in your life, right? I bet you even have a huge smile on your face simply remember ing those ‘smart times’... But here’s the thing, why can’t each second of every single day be like that, for
you, me - ALL OF US?... Well truly, it will! However in fact, FIRST, you would like to know how that’s done. However let me tell you something, it’s a lot of easier than you would possibly think... Do you able?. ..
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Perhaps you think that I’m a dreamer, if you are doing, that’s cool! However what if I told you that this situation is strictly what my life is like. Furthermore, what if I told you that my life ‘ought to’ be a ‘misery’, according to some individuals? Well, that’s the fact of it. You see, I have a condition referred to as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that typically leads to complete de bilitation. One amongst the many symptoms are stress and depres sion. So how then am I ready to measure my DREAM Life!? Well, the answer is simple... With good strategies!
self-improvement
I urge you to affix me and make this your reality too. Everybody
If you are at all inquisitive about self-improvement or personal development, it’s important to urge ‘1st things FIRST’. In alternative words, start from the bottom up. Image this, imagine I gave you a recipe to creat e a cake, you wouldn’t begin from step five, would you? Self-improvement is no different... Therefore, let’s do things properly and b egin from the all necessary first step!... STEP ONE is the most vital step of all, and it plays the largest part in what we have a ten dency to all crave in life - Happiness! Step one isn’t solely the most necessary step, however also the most difficult. This is often the stage were you build your life’s foundational values, but not just any old values, they have to be ROCK SOLID val ues. STEP TWO helps to suit the items to your self-imp rovement puzzle. Basically, you’ve got to ‘recognize’, or have a theory, about what tha t means of life is. ‘Knowing’ this, will facili tate your to shape your life. My theory on what life means, is this - “Life is a never end ing, ‘roller coas ter’ journey of CHOICES and EMOTIONS”. Ultimately, everybody desires to be happy. Onto step three... STEP THREE, is to search out, or perceive, what YOUR purpose in life is. Place another method, “what were you place on this planet to do?” Do not worry, this is not as tough or
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www.diamonddivakonnect.com mysterious because it could sound, we all have the right ‘tool’ for doing this - Our EMOTIONS. Yes, it is true, your emotions will be your ally or worst enemy, and typically at the identical time! Thus ask yourself, “What’s it that I really love doing?” Currently take that a step more and raise yourself, “ What FEATURES does my passion have that I really like?” STEP FOUR involves really constructing your DREAM Life. This bit will stretch your self-improvement prowess to the limit, but don’t worry, this is very a lot of doable. This step relies on the options you identified in step 3 and one in all the foremost powerful personal development tools around - GOAL SETTING! Try this for each of the different departments of your life. As an example, Health, Wealth, Relationships, etc. All of this comes along and forms your terribly own, personal development plan. And now for the extremely exciting bit... STEP FIVE - Live the life you have designed in your personal development plan. In alternative words, live your DREAM Life! Naturally, there’s a bit a lot of to it than that, but hopefully you get the general gist of self-improve ment, and what is required to measure your DREAM Life! It takes simply 1 second to choose to vary your life, so what are you going to come to a decision to do in the subsequent few seconds? It’s over to you. If you had simply 30 days left to measure, what would you are doing? No matter you do.
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www.diamonddivakonnect.com This is a candid interview with the Editor-in-Chief Mrs. Renee Dawkins of Diamond Diva Magazine. An insightful look into the life of an empowering woman of God, strength, humility, beauty, and womanhood. Renee Dawkins is a loving wife and mother who has pursued entrepreneurship efforts to connect women in her community by highlighting everyday women. She has managed to find balance between her business efforts and her family. I asked her what inspires her and her reply was, “My husband and children inspire me daily and I give all glory to God”. Many of us monthly look forward to reading Diamond Diva Magazine, originally Serenity Woman, which was birthed from a place of appreciation for the contributions women were making in her community. A purposeful vision was placed upon her to bring forth to inspire others to honor those “everyday sheros” around them. After nearly 3 years of having the publication in print and online the magazine also hosts an annual banquet to acknowledge the cover stories we read about monthly. Out of the 12 women 1 is chosen as the “Diamond Diva” Woman of the Year as an honor for her servitude. I had the distinct pleasure to be recognized as a cover story and to witness the power of motivation in the room of women business owners. The winter extravaganza is one to look forward to each year as the holiday season arrives. As we enter spring she puts on the “Divas on Fire” the all-women’s Awards Show where you the reader get to vote for your favor-
ite divas in categories from community service to entrepreneurship. It’s the reader’s votes that bring forth the winner. As Spring flows into Summer she hosts an annual shopping experience “Diamonds & Stilettos” where women and men can come together to enjoy local vendors and motivational moments to discuss networking and business opportunities. Vendors vary from the beauty, women’s shoes, jewelry or skincare backgrounds just to name a few. Typically held in the summer this event is aimed to please the avid shopper who wants one of a kind products to enhance their lifestyle. Along with her husband she owns Brick City Treasure Boutique where you can shop online for one of a kind accessories, clothing apparel, or handbags. So how do you find balance amongst the promotional events, family lifestyle, and being a business owner? “I pray and I look to God for understanding over it all to find balance”, she replied. Her husband is an inspiring supportive factor in her life and the love they share is evident. The growth of her business in partnership with her husband has increased in success as well as with her faith. What advice would you offer to your younger self? “That everything is going to be ok just remain focused in what you believe in”. On a personal note Renee enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and creating new ways to
set a legacy for her businesses. A new venture with the magazine is Diamond Diva Konnect which is an online connection place for business owners and consumers to connect. It’s a new way of networking interactively and it keeps her businesses in an ever-changing technological world. As I think of the process of a diamond to be created with the pressure applied to mantle of the Earth to be created into a beautiful crystal affectionately known as “a girl’s best friend”. As women we go through life’s pressures that at our core we’ve had to try to hide our inner “diamond” because many we come in contact with may not recognize our value. Renee has shown us that a true “Diamond Diva” shines in the midst of her pressures and that we must allow our beauty within to shine. This Diamond Diva can be reached on social media at @diamondivamag on Twitter or Diamond Diva Konnect on Facebook. Please also visit the site at www.diamonddivakonnect.com
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helps balance the overall flavors Ingredients: ½ cup blueberries, ½ cup greek yogurt, ½ cup raspberries/strawberries, 5-10 mini dark chocolate chips (optional) Directions: • Place blueberries in the bottom of a glass, • add yogurt on top, • Top with strawberries • Repeat layers • Garnish with yogurt • Sprinkle dark chocolate chips between layers if using III. Veggie Nachos
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By: Tamara Williams Summer is here a nd with July 4th around the corner , we are ready to eat some good food. Before you fill up on the BBQ, burgers, and sweet tea, add these recipes to your collection for a healthy yummy twist. I. Watermelon Smoothie I love watermelon when it is ripe and sweet. The problem is it can get sticky and messy. Try drinking instead Ingredients: watermelon Benefits: helps stop dehydration; aids in weight loss Directions: one cup of cold diced watermelon; 3-4 ice cubes Add to blender and blend for 45 seconds Pour into glass an d enjoy II. Red, white & blue parfait This parfait is packed with antioxidants, pro tein, and pectin The tang of the Greek yogurt mixes wonderfully with the sweetness of the berries. The dark chocolate chips adds additional bang that
I love nachos but not the calories associated with them. Shave some calories off with this veg gie nachos recipe and gain some protein from the beans! You will not miss the meat! Ingredients 15 0z can – black beans 15 oz can- pinto beans 15 0z Can of corn 2-3 tomatoes, diced Guacamole (recipe follows) ½ cup red onion diced ½ cup green peppers diced Tortilla Chips- try baked to save additional calo ries Salsa Favorite Seasonings: pepper, seasoning salt (watch your intake), garlic powder, cumin, etc Directions: • Heat black beans and pinto beans in sep arate containers according to directions • Mash pinto Beans and season both types of beans • Spread tortilla chips onto plat e • Spread Pinto Beans on top an d layer with beans, corn, red onions, green peppers • Garnish with guacamole and top with tomatoes and salsa Guacamole Recipe 3 Avocados (ripe) Lime Juice Pinch of Salt Salsa (optional) Jalapenos (optional) Directions
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www.diamonddivakonnect.com • Cut avocados in half and remove the seed • Remove avocado from the skin and mash but leave some chunks • Add salt and lime juice ( the lime juice help delay the avo cados turning brown) • Add optional ingredients if you using • Cover with plastic wrap tightly and refrigerate until ready to use We enjoy the good food but remember to eat in moderation. Give thes e recipes a try and enjoy the benefits. Switching to a healthier option can create a healthier you.
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There’s a WORLD of wide-fi t t i ng sh oes onl i ne.
Following the latest trends in women’s wear is all well and good, but it seems as though most clothes and shoes are designed for women who want to follow fashion, regardless of whether it suits their shape or not. Sadly, these fashionable clothes tend to cater towards one particular body type. Many high street clothing and shoe shops seem unaware that us ladies come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, this does make it rather difficult to fin d clothes and shoes that are comfortable and attractive at the same time. If you’ve ever t ried to find wide-fitting shoes or ladies slippers that look good as well as being comfortable, you may have had a challenge on your hands. Most high street retailers stock shoes in the standard sizes, because they sell more of them. Consequently those with narrow or small feet or wider or larger feet can find it difficult to find something suitable and at a good price. You may be tempted to squeeze your feet into shoes that are small or too big for you because you cannot fit the right size in what you want. However, this can cause a number of health issues. Wearing the wrong shoe size can cause problems with your posture as well as your feet. Podiatrists caution against wearing ill-fitting or incorrectly sized shoes: cramps, pains, blisters and even back, neck and shoulder problems can be the result. Buying the correctly sized shoes in specialist online shops can help to
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avoid all of these problems. The good news is that those in search of widefitting shoes, narrow shoes or ladies slippers can find what they need in online stores. What’s more, many brands that you will find online have additional ranges aimed at those with differently sized or shaped feet such as wide fitting shoes from standard to EEEE width and up to size 9. These brands do not compromise comfort for fashion. At the same time, you can be assured that you will have a gorgeous pair of wide-fitting shoes or ladies slip pers to enjoy. As a matter of fact, you may find a wider variety of sizes and styles online than you would find in the high street: delightful designs and gorgeous colors can be yours, whatever your size. This is often a blissful revelation to those of us with larger feet: finally, we can enjoy some feminine and fashionable footwear! There are shoes suitable for all kinds of occasions, whether you need a pair for relaxing or for formal events. You can even find trainers for running in or flip-flops for holidaying in. All you need to do is carefully consider what you need your shoes for, and you’ll be able to find the right pair for you online.