CONFIDENCE IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

How many of us have heard the term, “Food is good for the soul”? Well, that may be true, but I like to say “Confidence is good for the soul”! The last six months or so have been really tough on most of us, and our focus may have often shifted to survival over self-care, which is completely understandable, but we can’t forget our own needs. Remember “self-care, is not selfish”! Fashion is such a major part of everything around us, and that includes the wellness level of our mind, body, and souls. Covid-19 has had most of us in lounge wear for most of 2020, and a ton of us have picked up what we now know as the “Quarantine 15”, but we must remember how super important it is to love ourselves at every level of our journey. We have to know that it’s okay to want to appreciate where we are at this very moment, mid pandemic, while being completely comfortable and confident enough to focus on where we want to go. Self-love and body positivity include loving what we currently see as well as embracing improvements that we will benefit from, and that’s what promotes real confidence.

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Attire | Fashion to Figure @fashiontofigure

By Ashley Walker

We have about a month left of Summer and it is time to get out of the lounge wear, no matter how many pounds we may have gained. Some of us are back to work, never stopped working, or are looking for work, so let’s make time to feed our minds, bodies, and souls with a little fashion for a great pick-me-up!!! Great fashion makes everyone feel good and confident, so I like to use that as ways to get and keep me going. I also love great fashion on a budget, so keep that as a priority especially during these times. We may not be going on all of the trips we had planned, but nothing stops a great hotel staycation or a dip at your friend’s pool, while practicing social distancing of course. So, pull up the hottest swimwear still on sale and make it to your nearest pool to get your fix of vitamin D!!! We have seen some amazing one- and two-piece suits from all of our favorite brands. Don’t want to swim? Grab your favorite athletic wear and go out for a nice brisk walk or jog to take in the fresh air, and get that heart rate up. The season has brought some of the best athletic pieces, because brands know we all want to tackle our “quarantine 15” to kick Covid-19 right in the face!!!

Loving yourself right where you are and appreciating your journey to health and wellness is super important and we have to give ourselves a break. Confidence is when we are comfortable being exactly who we are, wearing what we want to wear, and doing exactly what we want to do without regret. The way we do things in the fashion industry may have changed, but fashion as a vehicle to improve our way of life has not. Let’s get online and support our favorite brands, take a trip masked up to your favorite local store, or even did beyond the lounge wear in these closets, and treat yourself to something that will get you out of your pj’s and the house. Let some fashionable pieces along with a booming self-confidence, help you take the last months of 2020 to focus on a mind, body and soul type of wellness!!

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Attire | @shein (“Keep Healthy” Athletic 2 piece)

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou Attire | @shein (“Keep Healthy” Athletic 2 piece)

“Confidence means taking care of me before anyone else. Knowing when I need to slow down or even stop to order my steps and make a start fresh. Positive thinking and selfaffirmations go a long way.”

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Jennifer Davis @jen_bunny15 Attire | Shein Curve @sheincurve

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @ charissolutionsphotography Model | Charleigh Clayton @ charleighclayton_ Attire | @amazonfashion

“Personally, having a healthy mind, body and soul type of wellness is treating your body like the temple it is and embracing everything God has blessed you with. As Women, we tend to downplay our bodies because we don’t feel like we have the “ideal” body. However, we need to embrace what we have, work it, love every inch on ourselves, and have the confidence like no other while doing so. WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE

Photographer | Joey Blanco @joeblueye Model | LaShawn Kinley @ladivak Attire | @walmart @amazonfashion

BEAUTY AND FASHION

“Loving myself at every step of the way means..... Making sure that I am healthy mentally and physically. It is very important to make sure that you are in a happy place with yourself. If you are happy with yourself then it shows through in the way you carry yourself. Secondly, if you love yourself you take care of yourself physically as well. I use to be big into fitness and staying in shape, but life happened and stress happened. I gained weight and no longer felt beautiful. But recently, I decided to make a change. Instead of talking about how I wish I was in shape I decided to do something about it. I found that walking at least 30 minutes a day not only helps me physically but also helps me mentally. So I am learning to love myself again more and more each day.

“Confidence means being the best version of yourself which allows you peace as you continue your life’s journey.

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | ShaKera Ferguson @therealsamplesize Attire | Diva’s Curves @Divascurves

CONFIDENCE IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL | ASHLEY WALKER

“I am a firm believer in holistic health. Meaning health of the mind, body, and spirit. Having all three aligned is very important. Knowing when to take time for yourself and work on yourself improvement are key. Sometime you have to be a little selfish and take the time to seclude yourself to order your thoughts and feelings, work on your physical gains and losses, and definitely check in with GOD or your higher power for direction and clarity of your purpose. When you work in these three areas, you usually find that they all fit together and balance each other out to make you such a wellrounded person. So, take the time to go out in nature, meditate, raise your energies and vibrations, focus on your manifestations and affirmations, and seek

Photographer | Alvin Hunter @alvinhunterphotography wisdom.

Model | Porscha Brown @encore_barbie

Attire | Curvaceous Boutique @curvaceousboutique

“The journey of loving yourself is not an easy one and can be an ongoing struggle that requires balance and self-reflection on a daily basis. It’s being able to adjust to life’s curves, manage stress, balance family with work and still make time for your needs both physically and spiritually.”

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Nichelle Thibodeaux @forever_nichelle Attire from @walmart