Curvaceous Redemption Mag

Photography By: Sheron Mickie Sheron-Mickie.com IG: @sheronmickieproductions

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Contents

Cover Photo: Ramona Rizzo

In this issue

Photography: Sheron Mickie Sheron-Mickie.com IG: @sheronmickieproductions

Hair & Beauty

Rebel Against Perfection Kendra’s Beauty Corner Healthy Hair Products in the Kitchen Spring Makeup Looks Rapid Hair Growth

Fashionably Fierce College Style Guide 5 „THRIFTING” Tips Di’Nicole’s Spring Inspired Looks

International Curve Affair Denmark Australia Egypt

Dear Friend, We welcome you to travel, grow, and love the natural curves we were born with.

You are awesome and we look forward to shaing, caring, and getting to know you even more.

Please check us out of facebook or instagram for any questions or comments. Enjoy and love your curves. It’s the Rebirth of Curves and we are excited about this movement. Take care.

~CR Team

Love, Lust & Relationships Why You Should Never Assume with Men Go Deeper – Why You Should Get Up and Personal With Your Mate A Child Support Letter To My Baby Daddy A Child Support Letter To My Baby Momma

Everyday Lifestyl: Health & Fitness Pediatric MS…A Curvy Mother’s Nightmare Curvaceously Sexy Summer Abs A Powerful Movement – Fit Nation Transformation 4 Ways to Look Fit and Curvy Cute at the Gym

Finance The Home-Buying Process

Political Why the Affordable Care Act is here to Stay My Descent Into Conservatism

Features Perfecting Everyday – “Flaws and All” O – Owner, Amanda Henley GOODBYE SELF-DESTRUCTION - IT’S MY TIME! – Owner, Tiffany Saunders NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE! – Owner, Amber Jackson Another Chance at Life! – Alicia Contreras An International Curve Affair. – Jerri Louise

Beauty & Self Love What’s your definition of self-love?

My Journey to Beauty An Australian Body Love BE YOU, Be CONFIDENT, Confidence Is YOU!

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www.curvaceousredemption.com

It’s the Rebirth!

Curvaceous Redemption – The Art of setting free all of the negative personas of the world and living life not based on social acceptance and ignorance, but living it with confidence, love and self-worth.

It’s the art of growth – It’s the Rebirth…

Every Curve Deserves a Rebirth @curvaceous_Redemption_magazine FB: Curvaceous Redemption Twitter - @itstherebirth

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It’s the Rebirth!

EDITOR IN CHIEF TIFFANY “T. SAUNDERS” SAUNDERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AMBER JACKSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AMANDA HENLEY

MISS CURVACEOUS REDEMPTION 2014 AMBER JACKSON SENIOR CREATIVE & DESIGN DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER SHARONDA STEWART SENIOR FASHION EDITOR CRYSTAL “BOLD STYLE DIARY” MARSTON

SENIOR FASHION EDITOR AND WARDROBE STYLIST DE’SHUNDRA “D. NI’COLE” GIBSON

SENIOR STYLE EDITOR KALA “MODEL MAY I” RIGGINS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND EVENT PLANNING SABRINA BROWN SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Capricia Washington

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It’s the Rebirth!

Model: Regina "Swan" Photographer: KaySix Studio Fashions: www.bealls.com

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It’s the Rebirth!

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It’s the Rebirth!

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y spring challenge for you is simple.

I want you to close your eyes and find your happy place. I want you to concentrate and take notes on your journey along the way. I bet there were negativities, self-hatred, poor decision making and untrue human beings that caused a detour.

I want you to line up all those distractions that tried to block your way to prosperity, and I challenge you to spring-clean. All the evil and unnecessary ruckus needs to be placed in a storage container and put to the curb for Thursday’s trash pickup. Then I want you to repeat this to yourself: “I cheated myself for too long. I let my unselfish ways and trust in others get in the way of my success and happiness. I will no longer be the victim of clutter within my life.

Today I take control and I battle every obstacle that comes my way. My reflections of misguided paths have been revealed and I now know what I have to do in order to reach happiness – I have to “spring-clean!”

This is my season! My spring evolution starts with me. I will conquer and be on top. Hoarding doesn’t look good on me, so I will keep my closets empty. I am a flower, now sit back society and watch me bloom.”

Doesn’t saying that make you feel powerful and free? This season is all about your evolution to self-acceptance and love. So my question is – What season are you in?

I know I’m stuck on spring, because I am ready to evolve! I am ready for a rebirth! I guess my last question would be – are you?

Editor’s Note Life’s Evolution

Spring is rapidly approaching! Soon colorful fashions will make their appearances on New York City’s prominent runways, flowers will begin to bloom, the sun will shine bright, and we will start to expand our minds as we eagerly await for warmer days.

In my opinion, our life cycles are broken down into seasons. These seasons go from good, bad, reflective and then to evolution. I like to think that summer is a time of indulgence. Fall is a time of mental and physical breakdowns. Winter is a time where we dwell on the “what ifs” and strategically plan our life changes. And spring however, is the time of year where we should start to evolve emotionally, and work towards blossoming and executing those strategic plans to create a life change. Either way you look at it, our change of seasons are cycles that are needed to reach maturity and selfacceptance.

Remember – you cannot prosper if your deadweight is heavier than your motivation to succeed in life. Spring is a time for rebirth!

Thanks for your support and I hope you find self-acceptance and love as you take this journey into the world of Curvaceous Redemption!

Tiffany Saunders EDITOR IN CHIEF tsaunders@curvaceousredemption.com @butteercupp

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It’s the Rebirth!

We strive to not only be the “voice” of the curvy community – we aim to be a part of your family. So here are some responses from our Curvaceous Redemption family members about the “rebirth” movement…

We read every email and social media post that you send. Your feedback and lives are important to us in many ways. We would not have made it this far, if it was not for our dedicated and beautiful followers.

Your Feedback

INSTAGRAM @pinkycamachoo – Thank You!! For reminding us plus size women that we are strong and beautiful! @nikkiisietesmom – It is 5:38 am in California and I’m in tears!!! Thank you so much for these words!!! You’re right, as I continue to dig deep within for self-love and acceptance, I’m overjoyed to see that I can also look to the outer and find sisters who can uplift and encourage!!! Amen!!! Thank you @simplyme1019 – Its people and pages like yours that give girls like me the confidence we need  Stay blessed. @jackyhouston – Thanks ladies! You made my night!!! @always_lovin_bree – love love love!! @the_btw_xperienz – I love…love…LOVE this message @sight4_soreeyez – This spoke to me in ways you can only imagine… THANNNNNKS!!!

Have Questions?

Have a question or a comment about life or “The Rebirth” edition?

Email Editor-inchief T. Saunders @ tsaunders@ curvaceousredemption.com.

I want to hear from you!

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It’s the Rebirth!

JOIN US FOR A CURVY EXPO!

It’s the Rebirth!

Thank You! Throughout this short period of time, we have heard your stories. We have shed tears together, reflected together and we are continuing to grow together.

The Owners of Curvaceous Redemption Magazine

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our pain and happy times have become a part of our daily lives.

But now it is time to share our stories with you. Each one of us has our own journey - our own transformation. Just like you guys, we have been torn down to the lowest point, but it is our strength and faith that allowed us to continue to strive for success. As we embarked down this path, we had no idea that it would make such a huge impact on people’s lives. We set out to tell our stories and empower men and women in hopes that our messages would reach many. We wanted people to hear the things that we longed to hear from another person – which is words of encouragement to help boost our confidence and to help us strive to become better individuals.

This empowerment journey has led us to a broad range of wonderful

friendships, and most importantly; the creation of this magazine. You tell us all the time that we are empowering your lives. But truth be told, the positive response that you give to us, has helped us evolve into strong confident women. Because of you, we have found our purpose in life, which is to motivate and be the support system that the curvy community needs. We created a home for you, I guarantee you will find peace, love and acceptance.

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So come inside and have a seat; and meet the powerhouse behind the movement. Welcome home!

Love always!

The owners of Curvaceous Redemption Magazine

www.curvaceousredemption.com

It’s the Rebirth!

You Are Welcome

COME ON IN...

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It’s the Rebirth!

Perfecting Everyday Amanda Henley Owner, Curvaceous Redemption Magazine By: T. Saunders

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ike many women in this world, the art of perfection has drastically impacted my life. For most of my existence, I lived a life of what my mind considered to be the “right way of living.” I gave off the perception that I was this perfect adolescent woman but inside I was more mixed up than Kurt Cobain after a late night pick-meup. This perception came from my visual intake on how the world reacted and paid attention to other adolescent young women whose figures were slimmer and more appealing than the shell I was hiding in.

Throughout my youth I remember striving to be perfect, whether

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it was through my appearance, behavior, communication or the strides of my steps. I had this unrealistic thought that I had to be the best and conquer whatever curveball life’s hand had dealt.

It’s like I was in the armed forces, but instead of fighting in the Army, I was fighting in the forces of misperception. I let the views of others dictate my way of life. My mind was so geared towards fitting in, that I did not even know who the “real” Amanda was. There stood “Little Miss Amanda” who portrayed a perfect image but in reality my insides were

“I came to the realization that it was ok to be plus size... I do not have to pretend to be in love just to feel complete.”

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y - “Flaws and All” what I’d like to call a dead soul. sam aped eum fugitae periaOn top of the negativity outside my four walls, I had to deal with the pressures of having the perfect figure and life style within my home. My mother always pictured a perfectly built “Northern Belle”, and constantly compared my size to the size she was at my age. Living with the thought of having no true acceptance of my individuality and physicality, made me further believe that pretending to be this person that everyone loved and respected was the right thing to do. I needed an escape; I needed to feel accepted, so I turned towards a life of sexual activity.

I felt if I gave my body to a man, that would overcompensate the fact that I was a full figured young woman and that would make him engage in a committed relationship with me.

I tried to love myself! But for some reason, I had this way of thinking that as long as a man was active in my life (even if it was in a negative and in an emotionally abusive way), that is what I needed to feel complete. . As time went by, I planned my escape. Going away to college helped to transform me. Throughout this matriculation experience something clicked.

I started seeing a group of young women whose body types resembled mine. I saw them loving themselves and enjoying life.

I quickly became friends with them and throughout

our friendship something inside mind clicked. I came to the realization that it was ok to be plus size. I saw that I do not have to just give my body away or pretend to be in love just to feel complete. I had the visual that I had to love myself first, before anyone else could love me. At that point, a transformation began. It took some time but now as I am in my early 30’s, I love who I am today flaws and all.

When I walk in a room full of men and women, I know my presence is felt because I am beautiful, not just beautiful, but a beautiful child of God. Presently, men are attracted to me not just because of my physical attributes but because of my intelligence. Life has definitely thrown me several curveballs. But without the many obstacles that I was dealt, I would not be able to stand before you today as Amanda – A strong intellectually correct African-American female. I am not perfect and everyday my weight and dealing with life in general can be quite a struggle but I’m working on it.

I guess a wise person said it best when they said “how you feel on the inside, definitely affects how you look on the outside”.

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It’s the Rebirth!

Goodbye Self-Destruction Tiffany “T. Saunders” Saunders Owner, Curvaceous Redemption Magazine By: T. Saunders

tending to be happy. When on the inside my heart was being shed to pieces. So I attempted to take my own life.

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ince I could walk I was considered to be plus size. I lived in an era where curves were considered a disgrace to mankind.

Where voluptuous breast and enormous backsides were only ok if your stomach portrayed the image of an ironing board. In school I would sit in class surrounded by young adolescent girls whose body types were representations of what “society” considered to be beautiful. I longed to be those girls. I longed for the attention they received from the young males on an everyday basis.

In my eyes, I was considered an outcast – more like a different bred.

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would look in the mirror everyday with pure disgust.

There I was a 14-year old girl with size 36 C breast, a huge behind, a bulging face and stomach roles that looked like layers of colorful balloons. Even if I wanted to step my game up and dress up to par that wasn’t an option, because the clothing selection for curvaceous women back then were slim to none. I did not want to live anymore, I didn’t want to face the stereotypes and stares. I was tired of hiding behind a smile and pre14 Curvaceous

Looking Back...

Looking back, I am ashamed of my actions. I let the vision of the human race get the best of me. I felt as though I was raped by the negative perception that society enforced in regards to the vision they portrayed towards plus size women. This perception took my innocence, my livelihood and most of all, it almost took my life.

It’s My Time!

“The sad part is that I was so misguided and confused that my giving everything in a relationship was acceptable.”

As the years went on and I became a young adult, I started longing for love. I had the perception in my mind that no decent man would love me because of my size. So with that in mind, I started dating men that I knew were no-good for me. All it took was for a man to say “you’re beautiful” or “I love you” and I was hooked.

Self Esteem...

My self-esteem was so low that it turned me into a walking fool and worst of all a walking ATM. To top everything off, my mind was so twisted and looking to fill a void in my heart that I did not realize the perception I was giving off to the world. n www.curvaceousredemption.com

Self Worth . I was giving off stupid, insecure the perception that I was over. The sad paand worst of all, a push guided and con rt is that I was so miscompletely givinfused that I thought that for dates, buyingg my body and soul, paying of the bills, basi cars, paying 100 percent and wearing thecally being the sole provider was acceptable pants in the relationship this negative treaand “real” love. I accepted though I needed tment because I felt as order to keep himto take care of a man in self-worth and th . I accepted trash over at brings tears to my eyes.

30s & loving me As I entered into my 30’s, I came to the realization that I had to love Tiffany for the person that she was; and in order to love Tiffany, I had to learn to accept the body type that God has given me. I’m a work in progress, but now as I look in the mirror I know that I do not have to feel ashamed. I’m Confident in MY own skin – MY thoughts, MY feelings come first.

I embrace myself – I can now honestly say that I COMPLETELY LOVE myself.

Text Jane Doe Photo John Doe

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Not Just Anoth

Miss Curvaceous Redemption didn’t always have the vibrant smile on her face that you see pictured. Growing up, I considered myself the majority minority. I was a female, bi-racial, and in my opinion, the most hindering of the 3 was the fact that I was obese.

“I AM MISS CURVACEOUS REDEMPTION AND MY CURVES HAVE BEEN REBIRTHED.” AMBER JACKSON

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rowing up in an Italian household raised primarily by my mother, family gatherings were our “norm” and so were endless dishes of pasta and sweets. This never made it easy to maintain a healthy weight. No one in my family is small and it wasn’t until the age of 9, that I realized there was a negative stigma that came from being fat. I had to work hard to make up for my obesity by finding ways to deflect the attention from my appearance. I grew to be quite popular, but not in a way that I was proud of. I was a bully and more people were scared of me then I would like to admit. It took the negative spotlight from me and for that reason I was okay with it.

When I entered high school, I began to take more pride in my appearance. I went to the salon often and I bought clothes that were as stylish as could be for a plus sized teenage girl. I always thought that I was the epitome of the well-known “fat girl” saying, “She has a pretty face but…”

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“If I ever reach 200 pounds, just take me out!

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her Pretty Face Redemption & Rebirth I waited the required 6 weeks before going back to my lap band surgeon to get my band refilled. He injected me with a very small amount of fluid and immediately I realized something was wrong. After undergoing several grueling medical tests, to my dismay, it was determined that my band was not working properly and removal was inevitable. I was heartbroken.

Although I developed a love/hate relationship with my tool, I didn’t want to be without it. To add insult to injury around this same time, I was laid off from teaching. With no job, no health insurance, and a newborn to care for, panic set in. This time however, I decided that I would not feel sorry for myself. I remember just sitting in my car after hearing the news at work and crying. I thought I was a loser. Then I remembered my little man’s smiling face and realized I have so much more to accomplish. Through the use of daily positive affirmations and reminders of my goals; I was able to gain the motivation that I needed to begin the journey to loving myself. I threw myself into the gym, school, and spending quality time with my son. I began teaching special education at an alternative school and absolutely love it! My life was taking a turn for the best.

This was over a year ago and blessings continue to come my way. While I still have work to do, I have grown to realize that I am so much more than that girl with the pretty face… I am a mother, a teacher, a lover, and through my journey with Curvaceous Redemption, I have become a mentor.

I am currently finishing up my master’s degree at Drexel University and hope to continue to change the lives of my current students. I am reaching my goals, I AM MISS CURVACEOUS REDEMTION AND MY CURVES HAVE BEEN REBIRTHED!

and because of that I feared love would never come. Fortunately for me, it did and for the first time, I was able to find someone who didn’t look at me because of my weight, but for my personality. Although we grew apart, I respect now all that I learned about myself from the situation.

If I ever reach 200 pounds

I used to tell my best friend, “If I ever reach 200 pounds, just take me out!”

We would laugh and giggle but in reality, I couldn’t be more serious!

That day occurred when I was 20 years old and it didn’t scare me like I thought that it would. I began a new relationship, was ready to graduate college, and honestly, I just didn’t care. My weight slowly crept until I topped the scales at a whopping 264 pounds! It wasn’t until my new love broke my heart with constant infidelities and lies that I began to feel insecure with whom I was. I hated myself because I knew I was a good person, I knew I wasn’t ugly, I worked, I had my own place to live but here I was…unable to keep a man.

deep depression but managed to hide it from my family and friends.

I smiled on the outside but inside I was dying a slow death. The thought of being lonely for the rest of my life due to obesity was both mindboggling and scary. I made the decision to get the lap band in 2010. Many people think that weight loss surgery is the easy way out, but I promise you, I have never worked so hard to get healthy in my entire life. I lost 86 pounds and gained 100% confidence.

I was starting to love the reflection that was staring back at me in the mirror. But with the excess weight loss came another demon that I wasn’t prepared for. The excess skin that I experienced from surgery was worse than being fat in my opinion. I was once more disgusted with my body.

I was angry and mad because here I was at a comfortable weight, but now saggy skin and horrible confidence. I reconciled my relationship but was always on the edge because I thought, “There is no way he is going to want me looking like this. I have no breasts, no behind and just flab.”

As I reflect on this, I find it so sad because I blamed my inability to maintain a relationship all on the fact that I was fat. I struggled even more to do so after losing the weight because I felt gross.

I found out that I was pregnant in 2011 and although I was ecstatic about being a mother, I struggled with the apprehension of gaining that hindering weight back. My mind was immediately put at ease the first time I heard my child’s beating heart. When I was nearing my third trimester, I learned the baby wasn’t growing as expected and I barely gained any weight. The doctor ordered me to deflate my lap band immediately. That resulted in me gaining 50 lbs, but despite all of that, I delivered a healthy little boy. n

It was at this time that I fell into a

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CONTRIBUTORS

Owner/Editor in Chief Tiffany Saunders Tiffany has a passion for writing and a vivid imagination. She is an upbeat female, with a mission in life to be a motivator for the curvy community. Remember, confidence begins within. Never rely on anyone to make you happy. Once you reach happiness, you can conquer the world, I am a walking testament to that! She can be reached via Facebook at www.facebook.com/butteercupp2001 , Instagram @butteercupp and email at tsaunders@curvaceousredemption.com.

Owner/Executive Director Amanda Henley Amanda has just discovered her love for writing. She is a co-owner of Curvaceous Redemption Magazine and has a heart of gold. She is aiming to take the curvy world by storm, one edition at a time. Amanda can be reached via facebook at www.facebook.com/amanda. henley and Instagram @msamanda03.

OWNER/MISS CURVACEOUS REDEMPTION AMBER JACKSON Amber has the heart of gold. She is beautiful and intelligent. She is currently finishing up her Master’s Degree in Education. She is the co-owner of Curvaceous Redemption Magazine. She can be reached on Facebook at www.facebook.com/voluptumiss1223 and on Instagram @voluptu_miss1223.

Contributor Kendra Williams Kendra Williams is well known in the urban plus community through YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram with her “Kendra’s Beauty Corner.” Although she very similarly docked a 5 Tips, Kendra focuses more on the aspect of TRUTH for the plus community versus a sugar-coated something. Kendra is from Houston, TX and is the owner of www.kendrasbeautycorner.net. She can be found on Facebook at Kendra’s Beauty Corner.

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Contributor Yanika Nicholas My name is Yanika Nicholas from Brooklyn, NY. I am the founder of “Confidence Is You” as well as the author of the book: “Confidence Is You: From Fashion To Flirting, The Plus Size Guide In Having Confidence In Everything You Do”. My Goal Is To Inspire and Motivate All Girls Around The World To Love Who They Are, Know Their Worth and Be Confident. I am down to earth, kind and full of life.

My passion is destined to greatness and I am determined to reach my goals as well as help others. Yanika can be found on Instagram: @confidence_is_you, via Email at confidenceisyou@gmail.com and via her blog at www.ConfidenceIsYOU.blogspot.com Contributor Muffie Bradshaw Muffie Bradshaw is an award-winning relationship blogger and vlogger who has been featured in several magazines. With many relationship experiences, including breakups, dating success and disasters, Muffie knows firsthand the mistakes women should avoid when going through the ups and downs of the dating process. Muffie Bradshaw can be found through the various social media outlets: www.muffiebradshaw.com IG: @thedating411 and Facebook: www.facebook.com/muffiebradshaw Contributor Tatiana Scott Tatiana Scott holds a degree in Exercise Science and is an avid fitness/nutrition blogger, certified personal trainer, nutritionist and owner of Fit with Curves. She creates and customizes meal plans to meet all her clients’ needs from marathon runners to vegans. She studied nutrition in her under graduate program at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. Stay on the lookout for much more from her in 2014, her first eBook, workout videos, seminars, and much more www.fitwithcurves.com and on Instagram @fitwithcurves

Contributor Christina Wood M.S. Ed. Christina holds degrees in higher education management and English from the University of Pennsylvania and Millersville University respectively. A passionate education professional with over six years of recruitment and outreach experience, she currently works as the Associate Director of Recruitment and teaches College Success courses part time at Harrisburg Area Community College. In addition to freelance writing, she writes for her blog, The Post-It Professional. She can be found at on Instagram @ChrissyW82 and via her website at www.twentythirtyenterprises.com

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CONTRIBUTORS SENIOR FASHION EDITOR Crystal “Bold Style Diary” Marston Crystal is a 21 year old blogger that has a passion for fashion.

She believes that curves are beautiful and should be embraced.

Embracing this world, one outfit at a time! Chic. Classy. Curvy.

Crystal can be found at www.boldstylediary.blogspot.com, www. boldstylediary.tumblr.com/, www.facebook.com/boldstylediary and @boldstylediary CONTRIBUTOR Rogette Harris Born and raised in Central Pennsylvania, Rogette has over a decade of research and policy experience, and current works for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where she researches important issues and writes legislation. Educationally, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and dual Master degrees in Public Administration and Business Administration.

As a freelance writer, Rogette is a community columnist for Central Pennsylvania’s regional paper the Patriot News/Pennlive, and has had research published entitled: “Long-Term Government Funded Problems: A Study of Their Impact on Poverty in the United States.” Her honors include being selected as a 40 under 40 by the Central Penn Business Journal in 2010. Rogette can be reached on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rogette. harris SENIOR STYLE EDITOR Kala “Model May I” Riggins Living in my twenties, and taking life on one outfit at a time... just a curvy girl standing out amongst the crowd...I’m obsessed with lip stick and high heels. My favorite part of the day is getting dressed. The thing I love the most about style is that its undefinable...no one can tell you how to be You! My motto is Fashion is so political, but style is original. I write..I blog..I live...in style! She can be found on Instagram @modelmayi and via her blog site at www.modelmayi.com

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CONTRIBUTOR Xklusive Thoughts Troy Spry is a certified life and relationship coach and a “Reality Expert”. A graduate of Winthrop University, he studied Psychology and officially began the study of human behavior. Troy started a blog called XKLUSIVE THOUGHTS as a way to invite the world to share the many interesting thoughts and conversations he had about life, love and the lessons they taught him. He is known for his straightforward, and sometimes brutally honest approach. However, his words are always full of sincere and genuine longing to inspire which has made him a respected and sought out voice on the social media market and speaking unit. His popular blog, inspirational morning messages, lunchtime discussions, and personal one-on-one relationship and life coaching have landed Troy a position as an official staff writer for the worldwide known website BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com and for celebrity matchmaker Paul C. Brunson. Troy is a dating expert and contributor for DatingAdvice.com & BlackMenRock.net has also listed Troy as a premier coach. Troy’s mission is simple: to inspire individuals to first become better people so that they can become better mates, create better relationships and ultimately help to build better communities. Troy can be found on Instagram @xklusive5 and on his website at www.xklusivethoughts.com Contributor Hollie Chamberlain Hollie Chamberlain is 31, and lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is a passionate body positive advocate who is excited about changing the world’s perception of beauty for the generations to come. In the past she has worked with teen girls, giving seminars on an array of topics such as building up self-esteem, cultivating self-awareness and all around self-love. Hollie believes in the power of being vulnerable and using humor when sharing her struggles and triumphs with others.

Hollie can be found on Instagram @iamgolightly.

Contributor Cherice Scott I’m a daughter, sister, friend, scholar, and businesswoman who is born and raised in Brooklyn, NY (Home of Biggie and Jay Z) with an eye for fashion and writing. My love for social media has taken me from a hobby into living in a dream world of fashion blogging sprinkled with glitter! My goal is to strive for perfection with my career, taking leaps and bounds to promote self-acceptance within all women.

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CONTRIBUTORS Contributor Shanese Crosson Shanese Crosson is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Graduated from Clarion University with a Degree in Marketing. She is currently going to the University of Phoenix to receive her Masters in Business Administration. In Addition, her hobbies are to give advice, fashion tips, hauls, and makeup tutorials on her YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/naturalcouture. Shanese is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She loves giving back to the community and always inspiring women to achieve their goals.

Marcus B. Blackston Contributor Marcus B. Blackston is a songwriter, Hip Hop Artist and Blogger from Harrisburg, PA. He can be reached on Twitter @Bigblackston as well as www.facebook.com/byrdblack75

Senior Fashion Editor Master Wardrobe Stylist De’Shundra D. Ni’Cole Gibson Greetings! I’m wardrobe stylist D. Ni’Cole and owner of Style by D. Ni’Cole. I am very happy to be a part of the Curvaceous Redemption Magazine family as the Senior Fashion Editor & wardrobe stylist. Exported from Jackson, MS, I’m a funky fresh type of woman. My style comes from vibrant colors, bold prints, and mixtures of fashion eras ranging from the 1970-1990s with a hint of the 1920s! My life is heavily influenced my music, especially Jazz & Hip Hop, and inspired by many fashion mavens alike. As your Senior Fashion Editor & wardrobe stylist, I vow to BRING IT! I eat, breathe, and sleep fashion and I’ll make sure to serve it haute on a silver platter with designer and vintage garnish!

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Guest Contributing Photographer - Ole Nielsen Ole Nielsen is an up and coming photographer from Denmark. He started out perfecting his passion for photography by shooting eye catching pictures of nature and wildlife. But as his knowledge for photography grew, he has now expanded his craft to working with models. He is a 30 year veteran who is looking to take his passion to the next level. Ole can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ole. nielsen.1217

Danielle Burney - Makeup Artist Danielle Burney is a makeup artist located on Long Island, New York. She began pursuing her passion for makeup in 2012.

Since then she has been freelancing; doing makeup for various occasions such as birthdays, weddings and photo shoots.

Danielle is a self-taught makeup artist who has advanced her skills by attending makeup classes taught by various celebrity makeup artists in the industry. Her ultimate goal is to provide every woman with a tailored makeover that leaves them feeling confident & more beautiful than they’ve ever felt.

Contributor Aliya Johnson Aliya is a dynamic Realtor serving the DMV area. She is passionate about her career in real estate and her professionalism, knowledge and efficient skills has resulted in nothing less than client satisfaction. If you are in the DMV area and are looking to buy a home, please contact Aliya at 202-701-9792.

Curvaceous 23

Text Jane Doe Photo John Doe

BECAUSE CURVES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Model: Nikki Yancy www.facebook.com/nikki.yancy Photographer: Ferland FB: https://www.facebook.com/delniqueworks Ferland IG: Ferlandodvinci

Cultivate

It’s the Rebirth!

As embracing your curves becomes more and more acceptable, it raises the question are curvy women truly cultivating their curves?

What exactly does all of the terms associated with the *”Curvy Community”* mean?

Some prefer plus size, full figured, curvy, and in rare cases big boned, and we can’t forget the rudest of them all... FAT! But what do those labels really mean? Super model and beauty icon, Tyra Banks said herself she hates the term plus size, and prefers the term “fiercely real.” Tyra also says that using labels to separate women by their body size is harmful. But, isn’t it the most harmful when it is

the curvy women who subconsciously use those exact labels when referring to themselves?

And then there is the weight dilemma. Is your size holding you back? *I’m going to shop more after I lose the weight.* I’m going to pursue modeling and acting when I slim down,” or I’ll be more open to dating if I could only lose a few pounds. Do any of those thoughts sound familiar?

The promotion of positive body image is at an all-time high, but blame is often placed on the community when curvy women are treated differently. Perhaps it is “we” who are standing in our own way. It is one thing to be called that plus size, fat, overweight, out of shape, big girl, but

Rebel

Against

Perfection

By Kala R. Riggins

it is the most detrimental when you allow those labels to hold you back. Now, some things still remain ridiculously unfair, like being asked to pay more for your airline ticket, or charged more for services like getting your legs waxed. But cultivating your curves is the first step in dismissing those stereotypical labels.

Cultivate, by popular meaning, is to prepare and use for growth. Cultivate your curves, not as an accessory, but as a part of your being. When you truly understand and accept who you are and your purpose, you will be able to rebel against perfection. Beyoncé said it best in her song *Pretty Hurts,* “Perfection is a disease of a nation.” *Be body conscious, get in gear, and cultivate your curves!* Photography by - Ole Nielsen https://www.facebook.com/ole.nielsen.1217

Your Curves Curvaceous 25

Beauty

Kendra’s

Beauty corner

Beauty

Kendra’s Top 5 Rule of Thumb for the Curvy and Sexy.

By Kendra Williams

Tip 1

If you have the audacity to wear it, OWN IT! Don’t apologize for what you are wearing....

Tip 3 Let your confidence be the first thing you put on.

-If you come out the house in a trash bag and tennis shoes, rock it! Always stay true to who you are. .

Tip 2 Stop dressing for other people & trends.

-Don’t sacrifice your individuality for the sake of pleasing others and following trends.

20 Curvaceous

Wear clothing that fits properly.

-Having clothes that fit properly is very important. Knowing if your clothes fit can be tricky. But as a general rule, if you put your clothing on and there seems to be horizontal bunches of fabric, it’s too small. If you clothing is gaping where it isn’t supposed to be, the seams don’t hit you where they should or you feel like you are swimming in it, it is probably too loose. Buy your size!

Tip 5

BE DARING! Being trendy is great, but being trendy and putting your own spin on it is even better. Be unique, different, and one-of-a-kind.

Tip 4

Be daring! Regardless of your size.

-No matter if you are a size 2 or 22, you are beautiful! Find things that compliment you! If you have nice arms, play them up. Or show a bit of leg and think outside the box. Your size does not hinder your style.

-Regardless of what you put on, if you are not secure with who you are, it will show. Being confident is the key to looking and being your best!

www.curvaceousredemption.com

Healthy Hair Products

In The Kitchen

Have you ever wanted to put mayo, eggs, olive oil, avocado, or even apple cider vinegar in you hair?

And thought it was just crazy to do so. Well what if we told you this is the secret to give your hair the best nutrients it needs. The hair shaft is made of hard protein called keratin and is broken down into three layers: medulla, cortex, and cuticle.

Using shampoos and conditioners that have harsh chemicals like sulfate, can cause the scalp to become dry, and leave the hair shaft brittle over time.

In result, leaving your hair lifeless with breakage.

So now the bigger question is would you consider making your own hair products that can be made in the comfort of your own home?

What Products to Find At Home

YouTube Guru Shanese Dan

ae

YouTube.com/NaturalCoutureCurls

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse with Mother is a great treatment for hair. The benefits are amazing it gives your hair balance and recovers PH, removes product buildup, and treats dandruff and hair loss.

Someone suffering from an irritated scalps that has dandruff. This is something that it really good to use to get rid of dandruff. This ACV rinse is also good for color treated hair.

Egg Treatment

Eggs are an important part of your hair and skin diet. Every house can easily get a good supply of raw eggs. These can be used for the best deep conditioners, and prevent dull and dry hair. With a good trim, this protein treatment can have your hair back to health in no time. The biggest key is to make sure the eggs are washed out using cold water; unless you want a head full of fried eggs.

Mayo Treatment

Mayonnaise treatment comes at a low lost. This treatment will restore moisture and vitality to your hair strands without spending large amounts at a Salon. Great Right? This treatment can be used monthly, and leave your hair feeling soft, manageable, and shiny.

Curvaceous 21

Beauty

Spring Makeup Looks

This spring is all about the skin!

Natural glowy skin is in this season and will have you looking fresh and flawless. You can achieve this look by using an illuminator to highlight the high points of the face. Sonia Kashuk perfecting translucent illuminator can give you the perfect glow!

Adding illumonators to your foundation can also give you a subtle glow all over the face without over doing it. For women of a deeper complextion Revlon Photoready Skinlights in 22 Curvaceous

bronze light is sure to add a hint of radiance without the shininess. Alternate shades are available for other skin tones.

Orange lips are a guaranteed hit for spring 2014. A simple face with a pop of color on the lips will take you a long way. The model is wearing Milani Cosmetics lipstick in sweet nectar with NYX butter gloss in cherry cheese cake. Remember to choose a shade that compliments your skin tone. There are various shades of orange with different undertones for every woman.. n

www.curvaceousredemption.com

It’s the Rebirth!

g n i r p S s k o o L Curvaceous 23

r i a H r i a H r i a H r i a H Beauty

Rapid Hair Grow The Baggy Method

By Kendra Williams Cut a sandwich bag in half Moisturize your hair with any liquid of your choice (*I use Luster’s S Curl Moisturizer), followed with a cream based moisturizer (I use coconut, grape seed, or olive oil) Drench your ends with the liquid moisturizer and your favorite oil.

Place your hair in the bag and close with a rubber band.

I leave the bag on my hair overnight for the best ending result.

Image Source: http://alexhxcmalice.tumblr. com/post/13474630241 24 Curvaceous

www.curvaceousredemption.com

Disclaimer*** With doing this, you will NOT be able to curl or “style” your hair with a hot iron! I DO NOT “do” my hair daily. I pull it into a bun. That is the reason why I am able to do this very often.

Curvaceous

25

F ashion

Look your BEST! FEEL your best...

NOW!

L

et the sunshine bring in the warmth of the rising of the sun and hot fashions for the spring season! For some of you ladies, the winter posed as the time for gym visits and the thoughts of the ideal body for swimwear. For the rest of you ladies, the winter was the time to experiment with layering and playing around with coats, boots, and gloves including long sleeve dresses, sweaters, and yummy blazers. But thank goodness that season is over with.

LET’S BRING IN THE SPRING RIGHT. For my plus dolls, fall in love with bold colors for this new season.

Don’t be afraid to bring out your inner curvy diva with yellows, blues, pinks, lavenders, and even a hint of black (you can NEVER go wrong with black.) Here is D. Ni’Cole’s «5 Spring Fashun Tips» for the plus goddess in the spring.

Experiment Boldly

1. As I stated before, experiment with bold colors. The spring is all about showing the newness of fashun through clothing; sort of like an «out with the old, in with the new.»

Please don’t be intimidated with gracing those lavish curves with colors that might be lighter or darker than your skin complexion. A cool mint or tangerine red might actually make you stand out in the most awesome way, but also helping you to own your confidence in such daring and delightful shades. And a FYI: colorblocking is still HAWT. Try pairing a 22 Curvaceous

5 Spring “Fashun” Tips

By De’shundra “D. Ni’Cole” Gibson peach with a pink, or even a yellow with a bronze or gold tone.

zing in your clothing.

Lace your body

Rume si nus explantis aut re libea 4. Experiment with blazers. I’m sorry, a blazer can «chic» out any fit by bringing simplicity, class, and elegance to shorts, pencil skirts, dresses, or even boyfriend jeans.

Aim for a lightweight blazer that doesn’t have such a thick lining on the inside. You can find such blazers at popular retailers like Forever 21 or ASOS, even your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or consignment shop. To add a pop of color or flare to the blazer, add a pocket square or handkerchief to the front pocket.

2. Lace your body in prints. Yes, prints are HARMLESS for us curvaceous beauties. Use dots here or cheetah there. However, the key is moderation. Don’t leave your home with a print from head to toe. You’ll end up on some bash page on Instagram that way. Pick your favorite print and ultimately OWN it with your favorite color or colors you have yet to try.

Check you Body wear

3. Don’t even start a new season without checking your body-wear. Ladies, proper sized bras and panties, including Spanx are important. The right shape wear / body-wear can help minimize your trouble areas but also help to lift and smooth to give your curves an even sexier boost. It’s important to look ama-

Blaze with Blazers

Get Inspired

5. Gain inspiration. For me, I love to watch movies created in the 1980s to early 90s. Vintage gives me my fashun fix that sends me www.curvaceousredemption.com

season’s trends and styles.

Bonus

6. *added bonus* Don’t be afraid to flaunt those curves this season with daring dresses, pointed toe pumps, anything with gold, and plenty of attitude. Spring is all about the fierceness of fashun that transitions to the summer of fatkinis and plenty of fun. Also, don’t be intimidated by «signature pieces.» You don’t always have to overpower fits with doing too much accessorizing. Try a plain fit with a bangin’ necklace, bracelet, and/or earrings. Hey, works for me!

Well, I hope that I've given you ladies a great playbook on how to enjoy the spring season while remaining very fashunable. You ladies can visit me on Instagram at @pinklipstickshundra & visit my website, www.stylebydnicole. com! n

to an emotional and creative high.

Mixing vintage with contemporary allows me to create a certain vibe that makes me different from other plus fashunistas. I love it! Or, you ladies can gain inspiration from other women, or even men. Incorporating new and innovative fashion styles in your own unique way helps to enjoy the spring season even more. For certain regions of the country, the spring is chilly with a hint of warmth, while other regions are warm with plenty of sunshine. For that reason, don’t be afraid to intertwine the fall with spring or the winter with spring being mindful of the textures of fabrics and Curvaceous 23

D. Ni’Cole’s Inspi 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

ired Spring Looks

4 1 5 6 2 3 7 D. Ni’Cole’s sense of style is out of this world. She is a fierce, bold, sophisticated plus size diva, who is unapologetic when it comes to her fashion wardrobe. She takes risks and she is not afraid to step outside of the box. Her love of fashion is out of this world. You’ll be in awe and immediately fall in love as you travel down her chic and sexy “plus style avenue!” Enjoy yourself, as she presents to you her wonderful Spring Inspired looks…

Dots, Dots, and MORE Dots 1.

Dots - There is nothing more classic than a dotted item. For the spring, dots give detailing that goes well with bright colors or the classic black. Despite the idea of the color palette of white and black being more associated with the dot trend, GO CRAZY with the dot pattern in pink, yellow, red, navy, and a sexy aqua and guava. For us curvy girls, the dotted print can be purchased on dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, and even shoes from Forever 21 Plus, ASOS Curve, Dorothy Perkins, H&M, Torrid, Rue 107 and Macy’s. Try also with consignment shops and thrifting.

Blue is in the Air 2. Cobalt Blue - What an amazing hint of blue. Ranging from a soft and feminine tone to BOLD and BODACIOUS! Cobalt blue can be intertwined with such colors as peach, yellow, tangerine, white, and gold/bronze. For pieces that cater to the curvy and sexy; Simply Be and Forever 21 are great starters.

Yellow is in FULL Bloom?

3. Yellow - From lemon to mustard, canary to golden; yellows are such the rave this spring season. Especially intermingling with several different bright colors, even blacks and navies. With yellow tones, try retailers such as Old Navy, TJ Maxx,

and H&M for accessories such as necklaces and scarves. For clothing, basics are important with yellow tones: City Chic and Lane Bryant are great go-to’s for such an amazing color.

Animalistic & Chic 4. Leopard - Who doesn’t love a great leopard print? It’s one of my favorite colors! I absolutely love the way it looks on ANY skin tone. Fashion to Figure and Ashley Stewart have great leopard selections, including Forever 21 Plus.

designers like Amarachi Ukachu!

Love & Beauty – Green Machine Nail Polish www.forever21.com $2.80

Orange Blossum 5. Tangerine - Don’t say orange, it’s tangerine! The bright and vibrant hue of the orange family is very much a sexy color. Pair tangerine with reds, yellow, pinks, and gold (even stripes) to bring forth the inner sun goddess in you. For such picks, try Fashion to Figure, Ashley Stewart and Forever 21 Plus.

Exquisite In Red 6. Red - Reds are definitely in! For awesome red hues, I believe the best source is ASOS Curve and Forever 21 Plus.

O.P.I Nail Lacquer www.opi.com www.amazon.com $6.00-$14.99

7.

Lancome L’ABSOLU NU www.lancome-usa.com $30

Come to Bed Red - Butter London Nail Polish www.butterlondon.com $15 Flourishing in Green A 7. Green - I love money green and sage. Those types of green hues are beautiful, however don’t limit yourself to just those shades. Find greens in Zelie for She, Etsy store lines, Dorothy Perkins, and upcoming Curvaceous

25

It’s the Rebirth!

Spring is finally here! Time to remove the winter layers and add a little color to your outfits! Spring is the season for those soft colors like pink, coral, mint, and yellow.

The beautiful floral prints! The color blocking!

Coll

The best way to express yourself for this season is through your clothing. I’m going to show you outfits that can be transition from winter to spring, cost efficient, and of course stylish!

Here are 7 looks that will make your campus a fashion show!

The Sweater The sun might be here for spring but it’s still chilly. For look 1, I used a very light sweater with a pair of acid washed jeans. This season is all about color, so added a pop of color with my shoes and lips.

Sweater: American Eagle Jeans: Local boutique Shoes: Justfab

This printed soft yellow and blue crop top is perfect for the spring! Add a sheer skirt and you’re ready for the campus runway!

Crop Top: Amarachi Ukachu Skirt: JCPenny Shoes: Forever 21

26 Curvaceous

www.curvaceousredemption.com

lege Style Guide:

7 Spring Inspired Outfits!

By Crystal Marston

Prints

Going for a sophisticated but yet casual look!

Wear a pair of patterned bottoms with a chambray shirt. Then to have a pop of color and sophistication, add a colorful blazer! This is my go-to outfit for class! To top it off, I added a pair of oxford shoes!

Shirt: Old Navy Pants: Deb Shops Blazer: Macy’s Shoes: Steve Madden

Tribal Curvaceous 27

College Style Gui 7 Spring Inspired Outfits!

By Crystal Marston The Sweater

Uptown Chic! Pair a colorful skirt with a floral blazer or vice versa. I decided to use a white shirt but you can definitely add another color shirt! Remember spring is all about colors! I added a touch of gold with my belt and accessories.

Top: Forever 21 Skirt: Forever 21 Blazer: Forever 21 Shoes: Urbanog Belt: ASOS Curve

Making new outfits out of the same item is my favorite thing to do! It’s so cost efficient! As you can see in the above picture, I wore a beautiful patternedA dress with a leather spiked jacket.

For the second look, I converted the dress into a skirt and added a red crop top. This is perfect for a “Day to Night” look!

Dress: Forever 21 Jacket: Forever 21 Crop Top: ASOS

ide:

It’s the Rebirth!

Color Blocking The key to color blocking for me is to add two or more bold and bright shades.

I used a blue peplum top with a green blazer and paired it with acid wash jeans.

Then to add a little print, I wore leopard flats.

Top: Forever 21 Blazer: Local Thrift Store Jeans: Local Boutique Flats: HM Necklace: Forever 21

1 Dress, 2 Outfits Remember that spring is all about color and patterns! Use these outfit options to treat yourself for passing that exam! Now go and turn your campus into a fashion show!

Curvaceous 29

F ashion

Tip 1 Wear something that allows you to quickly try on clothes. Many thrift stores don’t have fitting rooms, or the line is always long. By wearing leggings or a skirt you can easily slip things on and off. This also makes it easier to decide what’s a “go” and what’s a “no”!

Tip 2 Looking good on a budget can sometimes seem impossible, but you can always find the best trendy looks by shopping at your local vintage shop or thrift store.

The experience has come to be affectionately called “Thrifting.”

Scan the aisles before you start to ruffl through the racks. Items that catch you tention will pop out first! Those are usu the “one of a kind” pieces.

5 “Thrifting” Tips: YOUR Secret to Saving By: Kala Riggins Now some of you may hate the thrift store because it’s too time consuming, or you just don’t feel like shuffling through the racks of clothes. But give it a shot, you may find the best-hidden treasure. Many fashion and style bloggers create looks that are “Totally Thifted.” The beauty lies in the creativity of different pieces you find. Vintage shops are also non-bias to the curvy girl. You also find some of the most classic items like vintage scarves and handbags. And to those of you who are stylish bargain 28 Curvaceous

hunters, the thrift store will become your best friend. You too can dress fabulously while living life on the plus side. If you haven’t given “thrifting” a try here are five quick tips for embracing your inner thrifty trends.

www.curvaceousredemption.com

Tip 3 Take advantage of the 50% off days that most thrift stores offer. But, you must get there when the store opens.

Within hours all of the good stuff will be gone.

le ur atually

Tip 4 Buy the item that may be a size or two too big. Because the thrift store is so cheap, it is worth paying the extra money to get it altered to fit you perfectly. You don’t want to pass up a signature piece simply because it was a little too big.

Tip 5 Don’t focus on just clothes, “thrifting” is the best way to find vintage handbags, and classic jewelry. My suggestion is to head over to browse for accessories first.

Bonus Ask your favorite thrift store how often they restock the racks. Most of them will even tell you the exact day they put new things out. This way you can be one of the first to browse!

Give “thrifting” a chance, you are sure to leave the store with at least one item you’ll love!

Curvaceous 29

F ashion Forward

Introducing the Chic - Sensual Wo

Fashion Forward The Curvy World’s Fashion Outlet Instagram: fashionforward_plus Blog: www.fashionforwardplus.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ fashionforwardplus Twitter: twitter.com/cherglam Tumblr: http://fashionforward-plus. tumblr.com Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ fashionforwardp/

n

The Powerhouse Behind the Movement Cherice Scott, Owner/Creator, Fashion Forward Plus

On Being CURVACEOUS What I’ve learned is, regardless of being curvaceous or being thin there are always going to be adversities that we all have to overcome.

On Being BEAUTIFUL

Not every day we come across a social media community that displays curvaceous men and women in a respectable and positive light. So when Curvaceous Redemption stumbled upon the positive, motivating and well respected Fashion Forward Plus community, we were very pleased and eager to know the meaning behind this positive movement. So today Curvaceous Redemption caught up with founder, Cherice Scott to answer the question that is on the minds of many.

Who is the leader behind the creation of Fashion Forward Plus?

Curvaceous Redemption: Your followers are eager to know who is behind this powerful movement. They want to know who Cherice Scott is. Can you tell them a little about yourself?

Cherice: I’m a 28-year-old Brooklyn, New York native who has a love for the Arts in every aspect such

Being curvaceous comes with the stigma that we aren’t beautiful (our size makes us unattractive) I have faced this issue countless times.

as fashion, music, and writing. I’m easily inspired by all things around me. As a “New Yorker,” I possess that go hard or go home attitude as I strive to live out my dreams in the big city.

Curvaceous Redemption: Please describe any adversities that you encountered being a curvaceous woman?

Cherice: Being curvaceous comes with the stigma that we aren’t beautiful (our size makes us unattractive) I have faced this issue countless times, as well as other numerous stigmas that come with a “curvaceous” body type. What I’ve learned is, regardless of being curvaceous or being thin there are always going to be adversities that we all have to overcome. The only thing that remains important is that we stay strong and overcome

If you could change anything about the curvaceous fashion world, what would you change?

orld

d Plus

I would change what people perceive to be the perfect “plus size” body. There is no perfect “plus size” body just like there is no “perfect body” in general. There is always going to be a feature on someone else’s body that we like. There are always going to be improvements that we want to make. We are human, but to down play someone else’s curvaceous body because it’s not deemed perfect enough for society to accept is definitely something I would change.

Curvaceous Redemption: What advice would you give to your followers?

Cherice: Be yourself. Your style is a personal reflection of you that people notice before they even know your name. It’s okay not to follow the trends. Let your originality speak for itself.

Curvaceous Redemption: Where do you see Fashion Forward Plus within the next 3 years?

Cherice: I see Fashion Forward Plus growing tremendously doing different ventures within the next 3 years.

Although I’m unsure what the future holds for Fashion Forward Plus, I am doing my best to ensure that it remains bright!

them.

Curvaceous Redemption: How was Fashion Forward Plus established?

Cherice: Fashion Forward Plus was created on January 9th, 2013. This blog’s purpose was to promote fashion and chic style highlighted by the plus-size community.

This blog has turned into just more than its origin (an Instagram page @fashionforward_plus). What started out as an outlet to gain confidence, promote plus-size acceptance, and post what I love has evolved into so much more. The people, the love, the acceptance makes Fashion Forward Plus what it has grown into.

Curvaceous Redemption: How do you feel about the fashion world for Curvy Women?

Cherice: I feel like more doors are being opened slowly, but surely. There’s room in the fashion industry for every one of all shapes and sizes.

Curvaceous 31

F ashion Forward

Fashion Forward pre BEAUTY AND MR. HANDSOME OF THE QUARTER Beauty of the QuarterDEMPTION

US RE WHAT IS A CURVACEO BEAUTY? le. This woman it would be Memorab

To use one word, . She de as well as the inside ong, is a beauty on the outsi str ce, gra r he in tic ologe she is uniquely styled, unap en wh s s a light that shine se sophisticated, and ha cau be ct rfe pe are s r curve dent. walks into a room. He nfi co d an lk is fierce, bold, she is she owns them. Her wa t ye n; tur s ad he ke r to ma and not She posses the powe nate. She looks to uplift her humble and compassio in n ee Qu A e. rag ave from downgrade. She is far own right…

Beauty of a special light on our Each Quarter we cast u to Nika yo ing uc rod int , we are the Quarter! This issue 5ft 5in. s thi iew moment to interv FASHChilton. I took a brief e, urs co of d an , life t love, California beauty abou y: Beauty has to sa ION! Here is what our

Nika

FFP: What is your name and where do you reside?

Beauty: Nika Chilton from California FFP: We would love to know, are you married, single, in love or in misery (LOL) Beauty: Single FFP: Who is the most influential person in your life?

Beauty: My mother, she’s a strong woman and has always done what was best for my sister and I, raising us both to be independent women.

FFP: What is the one thing is making you strive harder to achieve specific goals in life Beauty: My six year old son is the reason why I have goals in the first place; he’s my motivation blabore mporite doluptios alitat vendit ditam faceratiost auda intem exped qm facieni hitiuri anisciderae pob usciatiam, sni hitiuri anisciderae pob usciatiam, seque de noneceatquo volupti ument.

FFP: At which point in time, was the moment you fell in love with fashion?

esents the CR Beauty: I fell in love with fashion in the 11th grade, that’s when I learned how to choose clothing that looked good and flattered my body shape.

FFP: I’m glad you mentioned shopping! Where are you favorite places to shop?

FFP: Do you believe that accessories can make or break an outfit? Why/Why not?

Beauty: Yes, too many accessories can definitely break an outfit. Less, but bold is always better!

FFP: If you could give any celebrity your wardrobe, who would it be and why?

Beauty: Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, H&M to list a few.

Beauty: I would prefer to give my wardrobe to any plus size woman who is afraid to show and flaunt their curves.

FFP: What size are you in tops/bottoms?

FFP: If you could design your own staple piece, what would it be and why?

Beauty: Tops- XL Bottoms-14

Beauty: A Blazer, because you can wear it casually, formally, or during a girls night out!

FFP: If you could sum up your style in 2 words, what would they be?

Beauty: Refreshing & Urban

FFP: What changes would you like to see made within the curvaceous community.

FFP: Winter is here. It seems like it’ll stay forever. What are your favorite winter fashion essentials?

Beauty: I want to see more women with higher self-esteem and self-acceptance, more stylish plus size clothing, more magazines dedicated to plus size women.

Beauty: Hooded Scarf and a jacket with fur on its hood are my favorites.

FFP: If you had any message for young adult/adult women pertaining to style and confidence, what advice would you leave them with?

FFP: What is one fashion item that you find yourself wearing almost every day?

Beauty: I wear rings every day. I feel naked without them.

FFP: Nice! Do you find yourself reaching for any specific colors this season? If so then what colors? Why/ why not?

Beauty: I plan to stick with black and natural colors until the summer, and then I’ll bring out the color!!

FFP: Who do you draw your style inspiration from?

Beauty: No one particular place or person, I get whatever I think looks good on me, and it’s been working so far.

Beauty: I would tell them to think freely, don’t hold back because you’re not a certain size. All women are beautiful, you just have to know it and own it.

Confidence is the sexiest thing ANY woman could wear.

FFP: How does it feel to be chosen for the first ever Curvaceous Redemption Beauty of the Quarter?

Beauty: I feel honored, and I appreciate being chosen!

Nika, It was such a pleasure to speak with you. How can we all keep up with you?

Instagram: @miissniika is the best way to keep up with me!

Curvaceous

33

F ashion Forward

Fashion Forward pre BEAUTY AND MR. HANDSOME OF THE QUARTER Quarter Mr. Handsome of theDEMPTION MR. US RE WHAT IS A CURVACEO E? M HANDSO we are the title? Each Quarter,

Need I say more than ndsome fic man to be our Mr. Ha eed highlighting one speci ind be st . Handsome mu art, stylof the Quarter. Our Mr sm nt, de nfi co ty, wit ing, handsome. He is charm ur heart melt. He also has ke yo ish, has a smile to ma can be. to be the very best he ven dri r, tte -ge I say to be a go did d an ft, ate about his cra Goal oriented, passion handsome… than the ndsome is non other This Quarter, our Mr. Ha ce. en 5ft.11’ Philly native, Lawr me Mr. to interview the handso I had the opportunity : iew erv int r ou k into Robinson. Take a loo

Lawrence

FFP: Tell me a little about yourself. What is your name and where are you from?

Mr. Handsome: My name is Lawrence H Robinson and I’m from Philadelphia, PA. I’m a Christian, Father, Actor and Model.

Both my mother and father raised me with two other younger siblings. I have always been a very hard working fashionable guy.

FFP: Our ladies want to know, are you single or taken?

Mr. Handsome: I am single FFP: What 2 words would you use to define your style?

Mr. Handsome: Two words I would use to describe my style is Dapper & Hipster.

FFP: What is your favorite winter staple piece?

Mr. Handsome: My favorite winter sample piece would have to be leather pants I have from Zara.

FFP: What places do you like to shop?

Mr. Handsome: The places I like to shop are Zara, Top man and H&M. I spend money on clothes but not too much.

FFP: So I see that you are a model/ actor, how did you get started in that field?

Mr. Handsome: I got started in the field of acting and modeling in 2008. I attended Community College of Philadelphia took an acting class and realized it’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Modeling and Acting go hand and hand these days.

FFP: Are you working on any major projects right now that you can speak about?

Mr. Handsome: I recently booked a role in the movie Brotherly Love staring Keke Palmer, Macy Grey and many more so look out for me in that!

FFP: When you go to a casting, do you think your style of dress can be the making/breaking factor? Why or Why not?

Mr. Handsome: My style for castings can for sure be the make or breaking factor because majority of castings tell you what they want you to wear. The email may say business man, Brooklyn Hipster etc... If you don’t come dressed for the part they might not see the model/actor they are looking for to promote their brand. Each time I have a casting I always get compliments on my clothes, which I definitely think has an impact on me receiving callbacks.

FFP: If you could swap your wardrobe with any celebrity right now, who would it be and why?

Mr. Handsome: If I could swap my wardrobe with any celebrity it would probably be Pharrell.

His style is dope you can’t put a title on it. It doesn’t matter what event he is at Grammys or Oscars he’s still going to be fresh!

esents the CR FFP: If you could make any item of clothing for the opposite sex, what would it be and why?

Mr. Handsome: If I could make any item for the opposite sex it would probably be shoes because I would be rich lol! Women love shoes.

FFP: Finish this phrase I love it when I see a with____________ cause___________________.

Lawrence

for me: woman b e -

Mr. Handsome: I love it when I see a woman with confidence because there’s nothing more attractive.

FFP: Do you have any advice for anyone of our gentlemen out here who aspire to break into your industry?

Mr. Handsome: My advice for anyone trying to break into the industry is never give up! It’s not easy at all, but find what works for you and keep going. Never look at a mistake as a failure.

Mistakes and downfalls have to happen in order to become great.

FFP: How do you feel being chosen for our Handsome Gentleman of the Quarter?

Mr. Handsome: I feel honored for being chosen for your handsome gentlemen of the Quarter. I feel like I’m a regular guy. The way people respond to my looks surprises me all the time. I am very humble. The world is filled with beautiful people.

Wow! I had a great time speaking with you. I’m sure that our readers would love to keep up with you! Where can we go to keep in touch?

You can keep up with me on Facebook.com/ LawrenceHRobinson Twitter: @LawrenceR215 my website is Lawrencehrobinson.com and of course Instagram @Lawrencehrobinson

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F ashion Forward

SPOTLIGHT

“There’s something about being in the spotlight out the sensual side. Character and self-esteem

Curvaceous prese

The Fashion Forward Plus S Posting my favorite looks on IG is what I love to do. I’ve come across some gorgeous looks all over the world. I love bringing people to the forefront and I love to showcase the people whose style, I feel, need to be seen by everyone!

I went on a quest to have a chat with a few of my favorites. Though I have many favorites, I wanted to shine the spotlight on Rochelle, Peggy, and DeAngelo.

I had the pleasure of having a mini fashion Q&A with them!

Here is what they have to say!

FFP: Tell us a little about yourself. What is your name and where are you from?

SPOTLIGHT: My name is Rochelle. I moved to Arkansas from Southern California 5 years ago.

Everyone always asks me why would I do that?

(So I know your thinking that too) I did it because of Love. Love can make you do crazy things.

FFP: What does fashion mean to you?

SPOTLIGHT: I have always loved fashion and mainly consider fashion not to just be about the clothes but more so about artistic/self expression.

It speaks volumes without using words. Unless of course your wearing a graphic tee that reads: Ratchet.

FFP: How would you define your style?

SPOTLIGHT: I kind of consider myself to be a fashion chameleon. Most days I’m a classic-girl, others trendy-girl, and the next sexy goddess

but always cute (I hope). l always enjoy looking forward to the next thing. I love dresses, a good blazer, and live in high heels.

FFP: What is your favorite winter staple piece?

SPOTLIGHT: I have so many favorites right now.

Most of it has to do with leather! My leather moto jacket, black booties, a big scarf, and my wool fedora.

FFP: What is one piece of advice that you have for an aspiring plus size fashionista?

SPOTLIGHT: One piece of advice I could offer someone is to not be scared to take advantage of all options afforded to us in the plus size community. Make sure you exhaust ALL of your options.

So many people say that plus size fashionistas don’t have a lot of options and that’s just not true anymore.

We have more options now than we have ever had.

Online shopping has really given brick and mortar stores a run for their money. I love that my mall is now my last resort... a place I go for emergencies, impulse purchases or some good ole retail therapy.

If I have at least a week or two to plan an outfit the first place I go is to my iPad!

t. It’s something about the flashing lights and the adrenaline that the attention brings. It brings m rises as you reach the peak of the highest of the high. It’s an honor! It’s glorification!”

-T. Saunders

Redemption

ents

Spotlights of Spring 2014 FFP: Where can we keep up with you?

SPOTLIGHT: Blog:beauticurve.com Instagram:iambeauticurve Facebook:beauticurve YouTube:beauticurvetv

Rochelle

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F ashion Forward

SPOTLIGHT

“There’s something about being in the spotlight out the sensual side. Character and self-esteem

Curvaceous pres

The Fashion Forward Plus S FFP: What is your name and where are you from?

FFP: Where can we keep up with you?

SPOTLIGHT: My name is Peggy Jean and I’m from New York

SPOTLIGHT: Blog: www.ontheqtrain.com YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ontheqtrain Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ontheqtrain Instagram: http://instagram.com/ontheqtrain

FFP: What does fashion mean to you?

SPOTLIGHT: Fashion is about being on trend, setting the bar high, and influencing others. However, I am all about developing a personal style and not caring what others think. Style in my opinion is all about expressing yourself through your clothing.

For me, my body is my canvas therefore throwing pieces and incorporating different styles allows me to express myself daily. Fashion is great but creating style and sticking to your own lane is just better.

FFP: What is your favorite winter staple piece?

SPOTLIGHT: ALL things fur and leather FFP: If you could trade your wardrobe with anyone who would it be and why?

SPOTLIGHT: Solange Knowles. I know I am plus size, but I would sew her pieces together to make an outfit. lol FFP: What is one piece of advice that you have for an aspiring plus size fashionista?

SPOTLIGHT: Developing fashion and style takes time. I myself, am still growing and evolving. My biggest advice is learn about your body and also learn what styles will suit you and your personality.

Peggy Jean

t. It’s something about the flashing lights and the adrenaline that the attention brings. It brings m rises as you reach the peak of the highest of the high. It’s an honor! It’s glorification!”

-T. Saunders

Redemption

sents

Spotlights of Spring 2014 FFP: Tell me a little about yourself. What is your name and where are you from?

the men who are looking to step outside of the box with fashion?

SPOTLIGHT: My name is DeAngelo Evans. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but I currently reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

SPOTLIGHT: Invest in timeless pieces, for these are the key essentials to evolving your style. Also, these items create a solid foundation when it comes to the decision making process of wardrobe planning.

FFP: What does fashion mean to you?

SPOTLIGHT: Fashion is my life. It’s a way for me to express my creativity and imagination through clothing. I literally eat, sleep, and breathe fashion.

To sum it all up, fashion is walking art.

FFP: Where can we keep up with you?

SPOTLIGHT: Currently my Instagram page (@ capitalfly) is where you can keep up with me!

FFP: How would you define your style?

SPOTLIGHT: I would define my style as a mix between edgy, yet classic. Let’s just say, I love to push the envelope when it comes to fashion.

FFP: What inspires you when you are searching for what to wear?

SPOTLIGHT: Everything around me inspires me from the street pavement, leaves on the trees, building designs, weather, occasion etc. My dreams play a big role too, I sleep with a pencil and pad next to me just incase I dream about anything pertaining to fashion.

FFP: What is your favorite winter staple piece?

SPOTLIGHT: A Peacoat, which is a timeless, yet classic piece to anyone’s wardrobe.

FFP: What is one piece of advice that you have for

DeAngelo

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Feature report

An Internatio

Denmark Curves have many definitions. Many dimensions and many different stereotypes. Let’s go abroad, and let’s get inside of the minds of curvy women internationally.

Let’s find out how they embrace their curves and how the curvy community is perceived within their countries.

Lone currently resides in Denmark with her three beautiful children.

She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Lone-BS/361998417273369

Lone Bech Sørensen How have you “rebirthed” your curves?

After giving birth to my three lovely kids, I tried everything to lose weight. Any diet! But I just wasn’t successful. It was very hard finding clothes to wear. After some years, some plus size clothing came up and I was happy! I became smart, happy and confident again. I learned that it was ok to be curvy, and that I can be beautiful and sexy, even though I am curvy. My friend Ole Nielsen, who is a photographer, took some pictures of me, and that really helped me to believe in myself, and to love myself the way I am!

How does your country embrace curves?

In Denmark, I guess it’s the media and fashion that tells people what to think and how to look. To me, it’s kind of sad. Teenagers are really trying to look like the people on TV and some magazines. The more mature you are the easier it is for you to accept your body as it is. Ten to fifteen years ago, you couldn’t find plus size clothing anywhere, you had to make it yourself, or wear men clothing. No one saw the need for fancy clothes for curvy people. You had to hide your body in giant sweaters. It was embarrassing to be curvy!! Although the media still showcased skinny women who resemble the look of Barbie, some companies got the balls too show up for curvy girls! And today it’s more legal to be curvy. You can find plus size clothes in almost every town right now. It became more legal to love yourself the way you are, and not hiding it. We have more different brands of plus size clothes, social events and the general acceptance of curvy people is growing.

I think Denmark has developed in the right direction, but we are not quite there yet. If you’re doing nothing to be happy, it’s a sad sight.

Photography by - Ole Nielsen https://www.facebook.com/ole.nielsen.1217

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An Internatio

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Australia Gillian Chamberlain How have you “rebirthed” your curves?

I have been thin in my life and I have been plus size, and sometimes even plus plus! But recently I have rebirthed my curves as I have been inspired and encouraged by my daughter to accept who I am. I am the mum and she is the child, but I am learning so much from her. How to love how I look and how to embrace my curves. I am lots of things, and I am finally making peace with that side of me. The side that I have always waged war against, denied food, tortured in the gym and covered up with layers and layers of clothing; even in the midst of a heat wave.

So now, at the ripe old age of 57, I am finally saying, «you look great with those curves,” and actually mean it!

How does your country embrace curves?

Just like in many parts of the world, Australia is finally accepting that not all Aussies want to be model thin. More plus size clothing shops for both men and women are popping up and some of our top designers are now making there fashion lines up to a size 18, which is fantastic!

This acceptance of curvier bodies is due to magazines and Instagram pages like Curvaceous Redemption and all the brave women who said, «it’s hot, I will not wear a jacket», and dared to bare their arms. We salute you!

Gillian currently resides in Melbourne, Australia with her family.

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An Internatio

Feature report

Egypt Curves come in many shapes and sizes., even in Egypt.

We introduce Nermeen Nasef, our Egyption Curvy lady. .

Nermeen Nasef How have you “rebirthed” your curves?

I kind of rebirthed or embraced my body recently by following lots of plus size YouTube gurus and bloggers and suddenly realized that I have to love the body God created for me. I realized that it doesn’t affect my life or fashion style at all.

Realizing this, made me feel like I should help other women in my country and join the American plus size movement and bring it to the Arab World and to Egypt. That’s why I created my blog «Kalbooza» which means chunky or thick but in adorable way in the Arabic Language.

How has your country embraced curves?

Well, Egypt just started embracing the plus size community.

Although Egyptian women are mostly plus sized, the movement is moving very slowly. Now, few shops offer plus size clothing but not like the large brand names like you have in the US; such as Torrid or Lane Bryant But we will push for them to do it - don’t worry. lol Go curvy women AKA Kalbooza in Egyptian !!

Nermeen currently resides in Egypt with her family. She hopes to be the leader of the plus size rebirth movement in her country.

She can be found via her blog at: www.kalbooza.wordpress. com

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Feature report

There are two types of relationships. Selfrelationships and companion relationships.

To some, relationships are vital in order to breathe and gain acceptance.

Relationships are assets and liabilities. It is up to you to decipher between the differences and make a change.

- Amanda Henley

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www.curvaceousredemption.com

Relationships

A Journey

To self-acceptance & self-worth Why You Might Keep Falling Victim To Unhealthy Relationships By: Xklusive Thoughts «To all my women with the flaws I know it’s hard my darling, you wonder why you’re lonely and your man’s not calling...you keep falling victim ‘cause you’re insecure and when I tell you that you’re beautiful you can’t be sure. Cuz he don’t seem to want you back and it’s got you asking, so all you see is what you lacking, not what you packing, take it from a man who loves what you got...baby girl you’re a star don’t let him tell you you’re not!»

YUP on another infamous flight I was listening to my IPod again and I came across these lyrics from JCole and I had to speak on it!

healthy relationships.

As a relationship coach you begin to see certain patterns in the situations you coach people through, and this scenario is one I see often. I find that so many times I find people in bad relationships not because that’s what they desire, but because someone has convinced them that that’s all they deserve. Maybe it was a family member, or an ex, or even a current mate. But for many, their worth has been compromised and their value has been depreciated in their own minds.

The biggest ingredient in the recipe to developing healthy relationships and choosing wisely is self-worth. Thus the idea of lacking worth, value, and confidence is dangerous for a few reasons:

Her: «stop lying you are just saying that to shut me up!!!»

1) Makes it easier to settle

My grandmother, mom, twin sister, and wife have taught me a lot and if it’s one thing that I have grown to respect it’s the value of a good woman. This is why it troubles me when I see so many women fall victim to so many unhealthy relationships and it almost always stems back to value. I have had a call to action to men to become more accountable for how we treat our women, but that is not what this article is about! This is about starting within and doing what it takes to feel valuable in our own eyes so that we can be valuable in the eyes of others. The best way to create a healthy relationship is to start with two healthy people! Let’s make that the goal so that we can choose wisely. The fact is that when you feel better, you treat yourself better, and when you treat yourself better others treat you better! .n

When you don’t think you deserve great you will settle for subpar. You will settle for a piece of a dysfunctional relationship instead of striving for a full healthy one.

2) You will compromise your standards Instead of building a relationship you will just accept what’s given to you and fall for who shows you attention.

Instead of accepting nothing less than being the priority, you will settle for being just an option.

3) You will become resentful and bitter When we don’t feel good about ourselves we find it hard to be happy with someone else or even for someone else.

This leads to many meaningless disagreements and a negative attitude. Neither of these is conducive for building

4) You become needy and insecure!

It’s draining to be with someone who needs constant confirmation. It’s annoying to have to entertain someone who is always fishing for compliments and who isn’t comfortable in her own skin. The conversation usually turns into…

Her: «baby do I look fat?»

Him: «no baby you are beautiful»

Him: «I just can’t win with you...»

That’s one frustrating conversation for a man!

5) You become a target for the wrong men A recipe for ending up involved with a very controlling man is to present yourself with low value and self-worth.

Some men prey on women with low self-esteem, not so they can build them up, but because they know they can break them down and take advantage of them. This never ends well!

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Every Journey is Different For Everyone

Model: Regina "Swan" Photographer: KaySix Studio Fashions: www.bealls.com www.CurvaceousRedemption.com

Christina Wood

My Journey to Beauty

Christina Wood M.S. Ed. www.twentythirtyenterprises.com

What makes you feel beautiful? Is it how people respond to your looks? Or is it based upon your own perceptions? Recently I watched a video on YouTube produced by Dove that focused on how we as women see ourselves, versus what other people see. The results were like night and day. Ninety-percent of the women interviewed described themselves as unattractive and were extremely critical of their features, while strangers described them strikingly different.

At the conclusion of the video we were left with the statement, “You are more beautiful than you think.”

As I reflected upon my own journey to self-acceptance, I remembered my teenage years when everything about me seemed so awkward.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about my looks even in the midst of people telling me that I was beautiful. And when others harshly criticized my looks, I remember feeling the sting of disappointment and rejection, as if somehow I had done something wrong.

But at some point, we have to let go of those insecurities because the truth is, we will never be able to live up to others’ expectations. What matters most is what we think of ourselves and what we believe to be true about own abilities. This is what

As a young woman, I discovered that EVERYONE will ALWAYS have an opinion about me, and everyone else for that matter.

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will inspire confidence.

Lesson #1: What others think about me does not make me beautiful or worthy of acceptance.

This was a lesson that I had to learn quickly. As a young woman, I discovered that EVERYONE will ALWAYS have an opinion about me, and everyone else for that matter. If I allowed myself to be ruled by what other people say, how would I ever be satisfied with me?

How would I ever even discover what makes me, me? Realizing this, I made the decision to only explore what made me happy, regardless of what the “popular” thing was. Today the trend is for women to become “bad b*%tches”; but I just want to be me.

The more comfortable I grew in my own skin, the less pressure I felt to conform to ridiculous labels and categories that really only divide us as women and force us to see each other as competition.

Lesson #2: Beauty is about embracing what makes me unique.

When I looked in the mirror, I used to only see long, thick, curly hair that just wouldn’t behave without a relaxer. I saw skinny arms and legs. I saw thick eyebrows and stubby, wrinkly fingers. Why couldn’t I be taller? Why couldn’t I have a nice hourglass shape?

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S elf-Acceptance And after years of critiquing my body, I finally had to get to a point where I accepted it for what it was, because all this emphasis on what I had and didn’t have was taking up precious time that I could have been using to do something worthwhile. It was truly just a distraction that made me increasingly unhappy with myself. And when I learned from my doctor that, as women, our bodies are constantly changing, I realized that it was pointless to hold myself hostage to my looks.

Doing so was keeping me from truly discovering what makes me special on the inside.

Model: Christina Mendez Fashion: Qristyl Frazier Fashions: www.www.qristylfrazierdesigns.com

I started working on investing in myself in other ways than just my physical appearance. I read about and fell in love with my culture. I experimented with acting, singing, dance, photography, writing poetry, plays, and short stories. I earned a few degrees. I started a career. I began volunteering for local community organizations. What I discovered was that I see the world through an artistic lens; I’m passionate Embrace Uniqueness about education; and that When I looked in the mirror, I used to I absolutely adore working only see long, thick, curly hair that just with people and uplifting wouldn’t behave without a relaxer. I saw my community. I liked this skinny arms and legs. I saw thick eyewoman! And it wasn’t bebrows and stubby, wrinkly fingers. Why cause of her dress size, or couldn’t I be taller? Why couldn’t I have a nice hourglass shape? And after years the length of her hair, or the of critiquing my body, I finally had to get shape of her behind. This to a point where I accepted it for what it woman was beautiful bewas, because all this emphasis on what cause she had an intangible I had and didn’t have was taking up pregift that she could use to cious time that I could have been using to do something worthwhile. It was truly touch others. Finally, what just a distraction that made me increasI loved the most about this ingly unhappy with myself. journey of self discovery and acceptance was that it helped me to start setting goals so that I could filter out appreciate my beauty helped distractions, determine what was to build my confidence. really important to me, and really shape my life. I feel more of a Once I started to spend more sense of control now than I ever time examining who I was, I did before. began to identify with people who appreciated the things that Lesson #3: Surrounding myself I valued. I surrounded myself with people who recognize and with what I like to call my per-

sonal board of directors. These are the individuals that would be honest with me, empower, and motivate me to be even greater than what I thought I could be. They recognized my abilities and would recommend me for opportunities that were a good fit. They looked beyond my physical appearance and saw that I actually had a brain.

So they challenged me to spend time developing that instead of just my exterior. This helped me to see that I was so much more than my body. My intelligence and passion for life are beautiful and fierce!

You have the ability to love www.CurvaceousRedemption.com

Model: Regina "Swan" Photographer: KaySix Studio Fashions: www.bealls.com

yourself, independent of others’ views of you. One of my favorite quotes that I always share with the young people that I mentor is “Success and failure in life is based upon how we handle opportunities.” Everything that happens to us in life, whether good or bad, is an opportunity for growth and self discovery. Be bold. Dare to discover the true beauty that you are. It’s your choice. Don’t let someone else define your beauty. Do it for yourself.

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An Australia By: Hollie “Golightly” Chamberlain

This view of myself was pervasive and persistent throughout my childhood, my adolescence, and every moment of every day during my 20’s and adulthood. This mindset had power; it was fierce!

Learning to be a good friend to myself was not going to be easy. How does one go about showing deep affection and unconditional love to a friend that you have known your entire life, but not appreciated or cared about? You need to admit that deep down you really do love them, and set forth to build a relationship.

I am Hollie Golightly, 31, Australian, a body positive advocate, a realist and a gal on a journey.

My journey began a few months ago, in the shower of all places. I was washing my hair, and I noticed how rough I was being, just to get the job done. I started rationalizing about how I think about and treat my body. Not just when I’m ‘treating’ myself, but in the daily mundane times that make up a life. It occurred to me that if I were washing my best friend’s hair, there is no way I would be as absent minded or rough as I had been with myself. I would be gentle and sensuous. I would show my love with every sudsy stroke.

So why on earth wasn’t I doing this for myself?! Why could I show love to my friend but not to me?

I got to thinking that at some point in my life, somewhere deep inside my head; I had decided that my body wasn’t something to be valued, or treasured. I certainly respected and appreciated my mind and my soul, and put a lot of time and effort into expanding and loving those parts. But I had been ignoring my body, my big, curvaceous, voluptuous body. Perhaps I was ashamed, or didn’t want to confront what I had always perceived as a deficiency – that I must endure rather than enjoy my six-foot, extremely curvy frame.

I knew I needed to do something radical, after all I was on a mission to become more positive about my body in the here and now. I was intent in changing this thirty year habit; it was almost like starting a new job. I knew it would feel awkward, messy and uncomfortable, and I’d feel totally out of my depth not knowing what to expect; for the first little while at least.

I decided to start a secret Instagram page. I would show pictures of myself, out there, into the world for anyone to potentially see I posted pics that showed parts of me that I’d spent a lifetime hiding, from everyone. Friends, family, strangers – everyone. But I had a rule, any pics that went up were all photos I’d be happy for my grandmother to see!

I showed the world my big arms, my wobbly belly AND MY THIGHS! It gave me such a rush – terror and joy fused together. There was no way a novice photographer armed with nothing but an iPhone could disguise the “flaws”. But those flaws are me; they are what they are, and I am who I am.

It was thrilling and it was my secret, until a random person from the other side of the world commented, ‘beautiful’. I didn’t think anyone would bother looking at my photos or actually want to! And I certainly didn’t expect to see any comments at all. Something inside me was shifting; I began to feel more confiwww.CurvaceousRedemption.com

an Body Love dent, and I even started to wear lipstick. But not your nudes or lightweight glosses, I went for the brightest, boldest and reddest reds I could find. This was a lipstick I couldn’t hide behind, like it or not I was out there!

It was terrifying and wonderful to be so exposed, but it got to the point that it didn’t make sense for me to have this online persona that was vivacious and confident about her body, yet I hadn’t shared her with those who mean the most to me and who already love me just the way I am.

So with my “spankin” new body-positive attitude I told my mum and a couple of friends about this new me; and at this point it all got very real. I wasn’t an anonymous person on Instagram anymore. I was me, and my friends could see me, and the parts of my body I had been so ashamed of for so long.

My courage was tested knowing my friends were seeing my body in all its glory, and I was eventually going to have to look them in the eye. It’s easy to be confident in front of strangers from the other side of the world, but far harder if they’re in the same room.

When I had my confession sessions with my friends about my secret page, it was liberating.

I explained that I am part of a movement about redefining beauty standards. Being ‘body positive’ does not mean ‘big is better,’ it means that whether we are big or small, men or women, we all have the right to be sexy, confident and admired, through our own eyes at the very least.

Although I realized it’s nice to get the compliments, that’s not why I created this page. I did it to show myself that I’m not ashamed to put myself out there – as I am. I am confident in my mind, soul and now finally learning to love my body. Some people have found me sexy – good, sometimes I am. If

no one looked at my Instagram page I’d still do it. It shows my demons. I’m not afraid of them, anymore.

This is only the beginning of my body-positive journey, and so far it’s been a steep and amazing rise upwards. It’s summer here in Australia, and I have challenged myself to a ‘sleeveless summer’.

Usually I wear cover ups, cardigans anything to cover my big arms, even in 113°! Not because I enjoyed roasting myself, but because I thought that people would be offended or judge me. So I am pushing myself out of my habitual cardiganwearing craziness and trying something new, bare arms!

Here’s a thought I’d like to leave you with. Recently, I was out for coffee with a gal pal, trialing my new 2014 ‘sleeveless summer’ look and mid conversation, I said, ‘OMG! I’m not wearing sleeves; I am freaking out!’ And do you know what she said to me? She said, ‘Oh, I didn’t even notice.’

So while I was anxious and hyper aware of my naked arms, she just got on with the conversation.

It’s funny how we can beat ourselves up and hide our true selves because of what we believe people think of us, sort of crazy don’t you think…

“It was terrifying and wonderful to be so exposed, but it got to the point that it didn’t make sense for me to have this online persona...”

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Be YOU, Be CONFIDENT, Confidence Is YOU! By: Yanika Nicholas

“Confidence you were my friend, then my enemy, and now you are my best friend, and I love you more than ever.”

I know some may wonder - how can confidence be your friend then become your enemy? Here’s Yanika’s story on how confidence went from being her friend to her enemy.

It all happened four years ago, when my confidence was taken away from me by someone, I loved, someone I trusted. Someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. A relationship I thought I would be safe in, broke me down mentally and emotionally. Growing up I had confidence, I knew I was beautiful, smart, and I would be someone great. However, it all changed one day when I didn’t feel the same way.

I was always a big girl, and I was fine with that, I had my moments where I wished I was smaller, but I never stopped loving who I was. It wasn’t until I got into High School that my weight started to affect me. I felt I wasn’t pretty enough and cool to be part of the crowd. I started to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. I just couldn’t be the person I knew I wanted to be anymore. As I slowly began to lose myself, I met a man whom I thought would make things different. In the beginning, it was great but a year went by and things were slowly changing; I wasn’t happy anymore, but I thought no one would

accept me for me. In my mind, I thought I was fat, so I might as well stay. A year turned to five years later - at this point I was lost.

The Confident Yanika wasn’t there anymore.

He did something that completely made me shut down. After that, confidence became my worst enemy, I fell into depression, and I just didn’t want to live anymore. I was so lost, but a part of me wanted to be the writer I knew I was destined to be. I wanted to see all the beautiful islands I imagined visiting. In my mind, I knew I deserved better. I believed in me enough to know that I could and would fulfill my dreams and be a better person. As days went by I wanted to smile again, I wanted to be back to my old self. I wanted to love myself and appreciate me, and this body that I grew to hate. It took some time but I prayed, and I knew my confidence was waiting for me to smile, so I knew it would be ok.

Days turned to weeks, and I was starting to be back to my old self. I reintroduce confidence into my life and made a promise that I will always love myself and no matter what to never allow someone to break me down again. I was a queen, and I deserved to be treated like one. I started smiling but laughing this time around. I was back to my old self, ten times more confident this time, and I was deeply in love with whom I was. It wasn’t easy, but I knew in order to be happy I needed to love who I was and be the person I wanted to be. My happiness mattered to

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me, and I knew deep down inside despite the fact I lost myself; I was destined for greatness.

Once I was back to myself completely I knew I wanted to help others find their confidence and teach them to love themselves. I always wanted to be a writer, but I just didn’t know where to start and what to write about. One summer afternoon while taking a walk with my sister the idea came to mind and in that moment “Confidence Is You” Was Born. While going through what I was going through, I couldn’t buy confidence or wait for it to find me. I had to find it deep down inside of me so it can be the best accessory I wear every single day. I wanted to inspire and motivate girls all over the world to know their worth, to love themselves, to appreciate who they are and most of all to be confident. We live in a world where we are judged about everything, which prevents us from being who we are because we are scared of what they might say. My motto is - screw them with a narrow mind and BE YOU, Be CONFIDENT, Confidence Is YOU! My passion turned me into an author, a motivational speaker and an activist in positive body image. I wouldn’t trade my past for anything.

It made me who I am today. God saw my vision before I did and because of it; I am changing, motivating and inspiring lives all over the world. Confidence starts with you, be the person you want to be and conquer the world! Confidence Is YOU!

“Days turned to weeks, and I was starting to be back to my old self.”

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In ninety-five percent of relationships, reproduction occurs.

Majority of the offspring are born into a world with parents who hate each other so much, that they become the victim of a one parent home. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the child support laws and the rights of fathers around the world. Child support has caused so much confusion and hatred towards parents throughout the United States that Curvaceous Redemption felt like this topic needed to be addressed.

Up next is two child support letters. One written by a female to her baby’s father and another written by a male to his baby’s mother. Two different situations, two different letters. Do women really place men on child support out of spite? Are men really stepping up to the plate? Here is an insight on how men and women view the child support issue.

A CHILD

SUPPORT LETTERl

l

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Feature report Dear Baby Daddy, United we stand, divided we fall was the model that I lived by throughout our detrimental series that we once called a “relationship”. My visions of your character resembled those of a man that was strong, loving and a good provider. But as years went on and the truth of your character started falling off layer by layer, I slowly went from being “in love” to “in misery” with you. You became a stranger in my own home. I became a stranger to my own being. Ever fiber within my body, every move that I made whether it be a personal or financial move, I always did what was best for “YOU”. But that was never good enough. So we decided to part ways. Then we got caught up on the one more round before we depart phase and raw dogged our way into a trap. I use the word trap because the ramifications of that meaningless night were reproduction and an 18 year sentence.

When I told you I was pregnant, it was like “we” went into a mode of -“we” have to do what is right for “our” unborn.” “We” put into our minds that “we” had to stay together to create a stable home and to properly instill the moral values that “we” felt were needed in order to raise a healthy and respectable child. “We” drew this map but “we” neglected to research how “we” would attack and overcome the detours along the way so that our “relationship” would not reach any dead ends. “We” failed at this mission. I emphasize the word “we” because for some strange reason, you make it seem like the journey that ”we” agreed upon traveling together, was all my idea. You see you made it seem like I forced you to become a family man. You tell this story to many, but you neglect to state the fact that it was “you” that wanted to stay and be a family. You see, you initiated the trip, “we” booked the flight and boarded the plane together. But in my eyes -it was you that caused the crash landing. Because what I expected from you, was far more than what you could ever provide. Throughout the mist of all of this you lost your purpose, your identity and you became miserable and then you started to hate me. Once the hatred filled our hearts, we neglected to comprehend the trickling effect our arguing and unhappiness weighed in on our child. Then it came to a point where I could not stand being around you so “you” were asked to depart.

You moved on and started dating out of spite and I left you alone. I embraced your new life venture. All I asked is that you never neglect your child and spend much needed time. But somehow along your psychological path, you took my embracing attitude for your relationship and flipped it into me being jealous. Then that turned into me putting you on child support because I was bitter of your new healthy life. Let me get something straight with you.

I could give a flying f*c* about what you do with your “new life”. All I care about is our child that you treat like a revolving door. All I asked is that you voluntarily pay for a portion of our child’s monthly expenses, you agreed.

You made a few payments, but then it became nonexistent. So yes I did call your phone, yes I did send messages asking for a payment. I anticipated that money to help out with bills. But you made it seem like my calling and texting was me nagging and wanting you back. Then reality hit me and I came to the conclusion that I would not chase you around just for a couple of dollars. I wouldn’t lower my character, nor beg or force you (remember – you are the father) to take care of your seed. So you’re damn right I put you on child support. Here I am the mother of your child working full time, being a damn good parent. Struggling to provide a roof over your child’s head, put food in your child’s stomach, clothing on your child’s back and not being able to do anything nice for me because unlike you, I put my child first. While you are prancing around town with new shoes and clothing and making appearances at your significant other’s children’s sporting events, I am here picking up the pieces, I’m at the barber shop, I’m heavily involved with school and sporting events, I’m disciplining and instilling values.

You say that you “hate me” because I put a judge up in our business. I let a judge decided on what it would take financially for you to become a better parent. You blame me for your short checks or your lack of ability to take care of your “new” family. But you are so blinded that you cannot see that before a judge was “put up in our business”, I gave you every opportunity in the world to just step up and be a better parent. I was willing to work with you. But all you did in my eyes, was make things worse. You showed up when you wanted to, you paid when you wanted to, you made promise after promise and then you would not show up. Consistency is what is needed to raise a child.

We cannot communicate effectively with one another, so in my intellectual state of mind, I felt like going through the courts was my only way to receive the help that I needed to raise “our” child. Just because you could not be an 58 Curvaceous

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Letter from HER adult and raise up to the responsibility that you now have, I had to go out and find you a babysitter and that babysitter’s name is Child Support.

I wish that a person could tell me a set amount that I am supposed to pay on a bi-weekly basis. You have it easy and you do not even know it. You can live your life and budget around that “scheduled” payment amount, while I never know what my expenses will be on a monthly basis. See you cry about 40 percent being taken from your check.

I have to live with 100 percent and more of my check being put into my household, a household that you helped to create the night that “we” decided to not use protection. You do not have to deal with and brainstorm how you will make ends meet when you have to “rob Peter to pay Paul” when the light bill fluctuates, or registration fees for extracurricular activities have to be paid and how about co-payments for doctor visits. What about when the unexpected sickness comes within the household and I am forced to take off of work without pay, because I cannot pick up the phone and call you, because the response that I will get is – “I have to go to work in order to pay child support!”

You keep saying you cannot do the activities that you want with your child because I am taking all of your money.

Let me educate you on something – if I did not have a child I would only have to support one person, but because I have a dependent, that requires more room, food, gas, clothing and activity money than I would have to have if I was solely on my own. I wish I could say I want new shoes, so I am not able to pay my bills this week. I do not have the luxury to do that. Because if I had the attitude that you have about taking care of your responsibility. Our child would be homeless, hungry and delusional. You laid up and helped me have our child, so why do you have in your mind that you are not 50 percent responsible for a payment?? Bottom line is that child support is the best mediator for us. Without it, you would not do what you need to do.

I hope this letter makes you realize that I did not do this to get revenge and gain satisfaction of seeing you hurt. I did this because your child deserves the best life we can provide. For a moment I hated you, but now I have peace with you. Because without peace in my heart, hatred would continue to weigh me down. Maybe one day we will learn how to effectively come together and put our differences to the side and do what is right for our child. But I do want to thank you but not in a positive way. I’m thanking you because your actions towards my decision to put you on child support has now left my child fatherless; and as a result, I have to end this letter with…

Signed, Another Statistic

This is a very sensitive and relevant issue. What do you think? Let us know. Meet us on Facebook to give us your thoughts.

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Feature report Dear Mother of my Children, I am writing this letter with great sorrow and I offer you my condolences. Even after everything we have been through, both good and bad, I wish death upon no one. In every homicide, two lives are forever lost; the killed and the killer. At a time like this, the most popular phrase is “Rest in Peace.” With this letter, I offer you peace of mind and stick close to my relationship with God so instead of saying F you...I say Forgive you. I forgive you for accepting a price that the government uses to determine what being a father is. I forgive you for finding comfort in the judge’s words, “a non-working mother is better because they are considered a stay at home mom and can spend more time with the children.” I forgive you for removing the kids from day care and sports programs. Those were bills that were covered by me. I forgive you for giving the children to your mom to watch while you go “to work.” I know I’ve contradicted myself by saying you don’t work and then saying you’re going to work. I was confused as well. But I guess modeling, spending money to travel, and not getting paid but getting exposure for a 30 year old artist is now considered work.

Our relationship didn’t work for multiple reasons on your end as well as mine. I could remind you of those reasons, but this letter is to offer you a peaceful rest. Your morals, your logic, and that innocent girl died when you killed my fatherhood. As a man I will not die, but continue to grow and reach not for success but for faithfulness in my creator. I will stand up as a man knowing I tried my best. There is no price for my babies laying on my chest trying to mimic my breathing and saying “Daddy our hearts beat together.” There is no price on studying for spelling tests, doing speed math in the car (instead of listening to Beyoncé), them helping me make daddy’s special baked potato, or even saying I love you for no reason. There is no price because these things can’t be controlled by money.

Money controls your life. I understand that money is a necessity and imperative to raising a child. Could you have used more money to put a roof over their head, provide clothing for them, take them to Chuck E. Cheese, get them ice cream from Rita’s and do more? I answer you: YES! I will not argue with the fact that you could use more money. I will not argue with the fact that I could have given you more. I will argue with your efforts in getting money yourself. As much as relationships are built on love, it is also a financial decision.

Financially, you are not a good look. I take this moment to stand back from this letter, looking at your life now and prove that financially; you are not a good look. Again, I could go into the bad financial decisions you’ve made and continue to make because you love materialistic things and keeping up with the status quo.

I’ve noticed that both are more important to you than the future of our children. It is this logic and thinking such as saving money, starting a college fund, a CD, savings bonds and efforts like this that a father or intelligent parent male or female would think of. Unfortunately for our situation, you pulled the trigger.

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Letter from HIM

You pulled the trigger to put my children, sorry our children into the system. Not because you needed more money. No no no, you would fail financially even if you made six figures because even a rich person can go broke with your financial skills. You pulled the trigger because of your emotions and for a lack of better terms “hate.” “It was all good just a week ago” because you still had the potential to get sex some from me, “It was all good” because you thought I wasn’t happy and you thought I was struggling. As Kevin Hart said, “she gets mad when she hears fun in the back-ground!” You saw fun and what you thought was progress in my life and decided that instead of fun for me, you would pull the trigger on my fatherhood.

As a father, I could not be with my kids every night. I understood that when I left! I left after trying to be with you an additional three years from the time I was ready to leave. I understood that I could not be with my kids every night when you moved out of the city and further away from me. I had them every weekend while you “worked.” I had them Sundays until 11 at night, even as late as two in the morning, hot summer nights and cold winter days while you “got it out your system” I was the man that taught them to clean, helped them learn to use the microwave, and taught them how to cook. I was the man that began teaching them to ride their bike and showed them that it’s okay; if they fall I’d be there to help them up. I was the man that cried with them, scared monsters away, surrounded them with friends and family so that they would know their next of kin.

I offer you my condolences for losing yourself in this homicide. You often say I killed your goals and dreams with this baby. In response, I killed my dreams and came home to be with my kids. That’s a sacrifice. You are in the midst of chasing your dreams as a single mother with a child support check bigger than your actual check. That’s not sacrifice. Sacrifice is what we did when we laid down and gave up our dreams to each other.

You on birth control and all, we did that. Giving up a dream is something I can do for my babies. Giving up this money is something I can do for my babies. Giving my life I will do for my babies. What I will not do is allow my pride and dignity to die with yours. I will stand up and fight for what is right, not what is popular.

The system will label me a dead beat dad. Your friends will label me a dead beat dad. But my babies will not. No, I will not get them every weekend only because I can’t afford to feed them. No I will not take them to Chuck E. Cheese or to Rita’s, or to the clothing store to go shopping. I will not send them to the book fair with $10 a piece to get whatever they want. I will not take them and feed them breakfast, lunch, and dinner because according to the system, that is what I pay you for. You are the stay at home mother and this is better for you to take care of your kids while I work my butt off two weeks at a time to pay for your rent, your food and bad spending habits. My kids still lay on my chest and watch as we breathe in sync because that won’t cost me a dime. I will work out with my kids. I will take them around family so they know their family. I will take them to the park. I will show them I love them because my love is priceless. Then I will bring them home to you.

You killed the real way I could influence my children day in and day out you killed the way I wanted to keep them in sports because I know sports builds character. You killed my creative way of being a parent and you continue to show them a “money over everything mentality.” So to you, rest in peace. Have peace of mind that I’m okay with my creator when I lay down. I pray and ask God to watch over my babies and keep their minds and hearts close so they will not mentally be like their mother.

Dead beat Dad that got beat by the system Label me The dead beat dad Ladies, if you’re offended this is JUSTIN CASE Curvaceous 61

S elf-Acceptance

Exclusivity:

Why You

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u Should Never Assume With Men

by Muffie Bradshaw

Having strong feelings, spending a considerable amount of time together, having sex, meeting the parents, etc. are not indicative of exclusivity. You go to the movies, meet for happy hour and have even gone on a few quick weekend trips. It’s the perfect relationship until you find out he is also having that type of fun and intimacy with someone else. You think about all the time and emotion you’ve invested, and you’re disappointed with the end result One thing that I learned very quickly during my early dating experiences as an adult is to never assume anything — especially when it comes to exclusivity. When you’re under the assumption that he is seeing only you, you’ve already set yourself up for major disappointment. I don’t know about you, but I want to make sure that my person of interest is on the same page as I am BEFORE I take my heart from under my Spanx® and put it on my sleeve.

Think of it like this: You wouldn’t as-

Setting Expectatons The best way to not fall into the assuming exclusivity trap is to set boundaries and expectations for your dating relationship.

No matter how much you like the person you’re dating, don’t provide them with boyfriend/ girlfriend perks if you’re not exclusive.

sume that you have a full tank of gas before you, and the girls make that six-hour drive to D.C. would you?

Of course not, you would check your tank to ensure you can get to your destination without getting stranded.

Same thing goes for assuming when you’re dating someone. When you assume exclusivity, you risk being stranded; stranded with your emotions left out there with no certainty of the end result When you know from the beginning that the person you have an interest in is dating other people it allows you to “fill-up your tank” with the appropriate emotions so you don’t get stranded during your dating journey. In other words, don’t put all your lip gloss in just one hobo.

In Laymen’s Terms, if you’re dating someone, take it for what it is: DATING. A lot of times women choose to invest our time in someone who won’t even verbalize commitment, which makes no sense. Granted, it is easy to get wrapped up in the assumption of exclusivity when he makes you feel good, but you can’t let your heart do all the leading ALL the time. No matter how good you feel, that doesn’t change the fact that he may be seeing someone other than you--and that’s okay if you can handle it. Feelings have no relevance when it comes to knowing if you’re exclusive or not. Period. The ONLY way to know where you stand is to ask. Trust me, you won’t seem like Thirsty McJackson if you ask him if he’s dating someone else. Ideally, the “Are-You-Dating-Other-People” question shouldn’t be brought up after your first martini, but it should be brought up in one of your conversations sooner than later. If he says no, take his word for it and don’t overthink things. If he says yes, props for the honesty and don’t overthink things. Regardless of the answer, it’s still vital to keep the lines of communication if things change.

Dating Terms A lot of times women choose to invest our time in someone who won’t even verbalize commitment, which makes no sense.

The best way to not fall into the assuming exclusivity trap is to set boundaries and expectations for your dating relationship. No matter how much you like the person you’re dating, don’t provide them with boyfriend/ girlfriend perks if you’re not exclusive. Perks are extremely subjective and are not one-size fits all. For example, a boyfriend perk for me is sex. If we are not exclusive with one another, and we have not made a commitment to be, it’s not going to happen no matter how good he looks in a suit. This perk may not be realistic to some people, which is totally understandable, but know ahead of time what limits you’re going to set for yourself when dating. Setting limits makes it easier to walk away from a dating relationship that’s not conducive because you know upfront what you’re willing and not willing to do. A lot of times we’re so busy trying to figure out what the person we’re just dating will do for us, we forget to truly assess the things we will and won’t do for them. I assure you that once this is done, the thick line between exclusivity and dating will be much clearer.

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Go Deeper! Why You Should Get Up Close and Personal With Your Mate! -By Xklusive Thoughts Face to face…pelvis to pelvis…body to body! With every kiss your body tingles, and with every touch you get weaker until finally you both melt. Two bodies become one as you get lost in each other’s skin and every breath is in sync…shhhhhhhh….can you hear that? That’s the sound of trust coming from each moan…

STOP…can you feel that? That’s the feeling of security coming with each embrace. WAIT…can you taste that? That’s the taste of loyalty all over those lips. As your eyes meet you see each other’s soul…you’ve never felt intimacy like this before, but you know you don’t want it to end.

Remember those days? Maybe it was months ago or years ago, but you said you didn’t want it to end. Then life got in the way...maybe children got in the way, or careers got in the way. You started viewing sex as a job and necessary evil instead of time to connect and share with your mate. MAYBE it’s time to take a trip back in time. As couples we must remember that the art of sex and intimacy is a huge component to staying connected physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. We can talk until we have no more words, and we can have dates nights with the best of them, but there is just something about the vulnerability and the nakedness involved in making love to the one you love.

HOLD ON…slow down…take your time. Kiss her on her neck until she begins to feel that tingle in her toes.

Rub your fingers down the spine of his back. Kiss her passionately and you grab him and squeeze him tightly letting him know that you don’t ever want to let him go. Treat her body like a canvas and take your time and paint it with pleasure, passion, and maybe even a little pain. Steal all of her insecurities by the way you look at her and let him know he is your king by the way you serve him.

Sharing these next level experiences with your mate lets him or her know that you care about how satisfied they will be. It conveys that sex isn’t just a job that you have to do, but it’s an experience that you are lucky enough to enjoy together. This isn’t to say that sometimes a good quickie isn’t needed and sometimes it can’t be just raw, animalistic SEX because we need those too! Sometimes life happens but that doesn’t mean that your intimate sexual relations should suffer; it just means that you might have to work to keep it a priority. Your sexual connection with your mate should be something you put effort and time into. Besides who doesn’t like a good orgasm!!!!

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Our features are individuals who have been through the storm but managed to survive and come out on top. They are individuals who have turned their negatives into positives and are now walking down the right path. Which is the path to self-acceptance and success.

Spring 2014 Features Model: Shemerria "The Amazon" IG: theamazonqueen_ptm Facebook: www.facebook.com/theamazonplusmodel

Doing it Right!

These featured individuals have made an impact and have turned things around.

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Qristyl is no stranger to the fashion industry. At the young age of 15, she started perfecting and gaining a love for fashion design. She has worked with big named clothing companies such as “Sean by Sean Combs,» “Alice and Olivia,» “Victoria Secret” and the list goes on. Her talents landed her on numerous radio and television networks. Some of her television debuts were on Project Runway Season 6, All On The Line with Joe Zee and the biggest of them all was BET’s Rip The Runway in 2006, which paved the way for her success. With 20 years of expertise, Qristyl matured into one of the top plus designers of today. Her designs bring life back into the broken and helps curvy women all over

Meet Qristyl Frazier Dynamic fashion design entrepreneur. She has worked with big names like Sean Combs, Victoria Secrets, and more.

www.qristylfrazierdesigns.com

Welcome to the World o the world gain confidence through their fashions. Her designs are tailored exclusively for the individual customer. With her trending phrase “Plus Sexy,» which is a term of endearment to describe confident voluptuous women who embrace their curves.

Qristyl has become a positive addition to the “Plus Sexy” world. She solely owns and operates Qristyl Frazier Designs, which is a powerhouse within the curvy fashion world.

It is with great pleasure to crown Qristyl Frazier as the Curvaceous Redemption Designer of the Quarter.

T. Saunders: At what point in your life did you start to fall in love with Qristyl Frazier Designs?

Qristyl: I would have to say that 2006 was a great year for me. I had the opportunity to do BET’s hit show Rip The Run Way. It was an opportunity for me to show my designs on TV for the first time. I had no idea of the amount of viewership BET had.

After the show aired, I got more than 150,000 hits to my website. I was shocked at the amount of people that wanted my designs. Unlike the other designers showcased, I was not prepared in other areas. I did not have the proper team that I needed. My website received so many hits that it went down, and I lost a lot of business. Everyone wanted my clothes.

I had to hurry up and regroup, and it took me three weeks to get an ecommerce sight up and running. I fell in love when the people saw and demanded my designs. In 2006 and 2007 is when I got serious, and I just started putting in the work for Qristyl Frazier Designs, Inc. The show validated what I already knew, which was that I was meant to be a “Plus Sexy” designer.

Designer of the Quarter Welcome to the World of Qristyl Frazier.

The Art of “Plux Sexy” Spring 2014 Collection

size designer?

Qristyl: I hate to say it, but I see a lot of designers getting into the business for all the wrong reasons. They tend to get into the area of plus designs because they see a need for it, and they realize that it’s an area where money can be made. However, not every designer is meant to be a plus designer. It takes a certain skillset to design for today’s “Plus Sexy” woman.

These bigger companies that have bigger budgets are hiring young designers to put out fashions for curvy women. A true “Plus Sexy” designer will know exactly what fabrics to use that complement the full-figured body type. It is an art to designing for curvy woman and not many designers have that knowledge to deliver

T. Saunders: How do you feel about the growth of the curvaceous clothing selections within the curvy community? What makes Qristyl Frazier different from any other plus66 Curvaceous

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of Qristyl Frazier

the best product that will have full-figured women looking and feeling good.

I’ve been creating fashion designs since I was 15 years old. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the most expensive schools, Stephens College, located in Columbia, MO. While at Stephens, I mastered the concept of how vital the fabrics chosen for voluptuous designs are. In the “Plus Sexy” world, fabrics can make or break the outfit. After college, I moved to New York and worked with various stylists and designers who knew how to draw, but could not grasp the concept of how to create a piece that fit curvy body types. That is what made me different from other plus designers in the industry.

T. Saunders: Out of all of your accomplishments, which one are you most proud of?

Qristyl: I would have to say that the accomplishment that I am most proud of would be appearing on the hit show “All On The Line with Joe Zee,” which aired on the Sundance Channel. My appearance on that show landed me a deal with Lane Bryant.

T. Saunders: What’s in store for Qristyl Frazier Designs? What can your customers and followers look forward to?

Qristyl: That’s a good question! I am very excited to reveal my Spring 2014 collection during the upcoming launch which will be February 27, 2014. My customers and followers can also look forward to my upcoming summer launch as well. I am pleased to announce that Qristyl Frazier Designs will be adding more collections to the website. My customers made the suggestion, and I am acting upon their request.

This year will bring more motivational speaking engagements, as well as, a lot of networking. I have been receiving

a lot of invitations to international events. Some places have been Paris, Australia and the list goes on. My company ships a lot of International orders, and people are so pleased with my designs that they want to bring me abroad. There’s a lot of good things in store for Qristyl Frazier Designs. I am excited for what’s to come.

T. Saunders: If you could offer a piece of advice to inspiring plus designers, what would you tell them?

Qristyl: Be focused, be diligent and believe in your brand.

T. Saunders: What inspired your 2014 Spring Collection?

Qristyl: “Plus Sexy” women want clothes and fashion. They want the same clothing options that are available for the smaller fashionistas.

“Plus Sexy” women want to look and feel good too. People always notice the well-dressed smaller woman in a crowded room. But when you notice a curvy girl in a crowded room, and she is fly – that right there is a powerful thing. I don’t follow trends. I look at what I think the curvy women want and need. I know about fabrics and how they react to the body, and then I create my silhouette. This spring collection is different from any other collection that I have designed. It is different because it is showing a lot of growth in me as a designer.

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Feature report Watch out for this trailblazer. www.QristylFrazierDesigns.com

QRISTYL FRAZIER

SPRING 2014 COLLECTION

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F A S H I O N

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RaMona Rizzo A “Rebirth” in the Making When we think about the hit television series “Mob Wives,” we immediately think negative thoughts of the hot tempered, loyal and sometimes out of control cast members. RaMona Rizzo was one of those cast members. Throughout her reign on the hit TV show, she bared it all. She laid her whole life on the table, leaving viewers with a connection that gave them hope for brighter days. We saw her ups and downs and we also seen that “Mob Wives” have hearts as well. RaMona has been through the storm. But yet, she has managed to reciprocate her downfalls into success, confidence and self-belief.

She managed to overcome a life full of turmoil, broken hearts and confusion, without giving up or losing all hope. She is a wonderful mother, friend and entrepreneur. Despite the negative publicity, she still walks with her head held high. She is the walking epitome of Curvaceous Redemption. And for that reason, it is an honor to announce her as our spring cover story. Come get inside RaMona’s mind and heart as she reveals information about her family life, friends, body struggles and her journey to self-acceptance.

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RaMona Rizzo CR: What is your definition of beauty?

My definition of beauty is someone that for sure looks amazing naturally, but also has a special glow that comes from within. Which means their insides are pure and good. It reflects on their skin and within their eyes.

stage and then my pregnancy stage. But in the last couple of years after the baby weight and all the dieting tactics, I can say that I do love my full thighs to say the least.

CR: Describe the hardest obstacle you ever had to overcome?

The hardest obstacle I overcame had to be when I was basically CR: Have you always been left holding the bag....(aka) left confident about the skin you to raise my kids without the co- my adult time. For work, I am are in? Have you ever strug- parent and financial income to always ready and willing, but I gled with self-confidence? assist me at all. have been in situations like other I have always been confident parents have been in, where I had in my own skin! But like all CR: You are a single parent of 4 to turn down jobs to tend to my women out there, you always beautiful children. How do you children. There have been some wish you could have different balance work, motherhood and events I had to attend for work hair, or maybe even a different your dating life? How do you and couldn’t be with my chilbody part, etc. For me, since protect your girls from the "lifes- dren, but I have a great family I was younger, I always strug- tyle"? that assists me. gled with confidence in regards I balance all my responsibito clothing selections. I don’t lity with the order that means The lifestyle truly has nothing have the body shape that can the most. So kids rule out eve- to do with my children. Crime is wear everything. rything else. But my kids are very well behaved. When they Sant laut accupta quatem imilla sitate CR: How did living within are sleeping, that’s basically oditia vel maxim estisimagnis ven. the mob "lifestyle" affect your emotional well-being and your weight control?

The “Mob” lifestyle never had anything to do with my weight.

That is all left to the bad things I love to eat too much of. Cakes, cookies and bread (lol).

CR: Describe the day when you fell in love with your curves and accepted Ramona Rizzo for the "true" person that she is?

I truly fell in love with my curves, I believe in the last couple of years. Growing up, I went through my Barbie Doll

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Making Big Moves and a redefined lifestyle.

Photographed by Felix Natal Jr (IG - @felixnataljr and www.felixnataljr.com) and hair by Marcello Costa (IG@marcellocostahair and www.marcellocosta.com ) 72 Curvaceous

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everywhere and can sneak up on good people also. In life, bad choices do affect some people sooner or later, so I just teach them to stand by their friends in times of need and to learn from even smarter people’s bad choices.

CR: Loyalty to others is a big code that your "lifestyle" lives by. Do you feel like you have been 100 percent loyal and true to "RaMona Rizzo"?

I feel like I have been fairly true to myself, but there are those downfall times that I picked my heart over my gut common sense feeling, and this has destroyed me financially from my ex-husband. I also just took a financial hit, for a friend that truly broke my heart more than my pocket. For in the end money comes and goes but friendship for over two decades and a marriage that created four kids is hard to deal with.

For those are the last people you would think would do you that way! In the end I know I was a friend that was always there and also a wife that loved being one. So I was true to my feelings and heart even though that broke me!

You had a bad marriage that left you with literally nothing. Describe how you redeemed yourself and got back on your feet to become a stronger mother, idol and entrepreneur.

Regarding the marriage situation, still to this day I don’t think I have fully mourned that horrible adjustment. I basically had no other option but to stay strong for my kids. I am the only parent they have. I often sit and think - what have they done to have their parent fail them? They are so innocent and pure, when it comes to the love they give their parents. However, as a parent our main priority is to put our kids first, even though we may want to crumble at times.

found that you are one of the most beautiful - nicest woman in the world. Do you think that your role in the Mob Wives reality show, painted a negative picture of your true personality and character?

You have a tough exterior. But how is the interior of Ramona?

Is it as tough as your exterior, or do you have walls built up from past relationships and heart ache?

Truth... I am tough and can handle myself. But I am very soft when it comes to giving people second chances and accepting apologies. GOOD & BAD QUALITY! I LOVELOVE AND I RARELY TAKE PAST PROBLEMS OR HURT INTO A NEW SITUATION!

After going through the storm, what does self and body confidence mean to you? How would you give instructions to a woman trying to gain self-confidence?

Thank you, I appreciate that! All the words I spoke on Mob Wives were my own. But with the world of edit and hidden agendas things at times were truly off. I am a tough cookie. I am a bitch!

But only if you mess with me or my friends! I never start or bully, I just react. They didn’t start showing more of the real me until my second season. That’s when the people that at one time truly hated me started loving me!

After the storm, my body and self-confidence is higher than ever. For the greatest achievement of that is being able to look in the mirror with confidence.

I often look in the mirror and smile. I smile for the people that tried to destroy me. For the ones that never wanted me to succeed and be able to face myself in the After speaking with you, we mirror, I thank you because your doubt fueled me to overcome the worst. Never the less, smiling Former TV Star and being happy of what I see which is me... happy, fully here Ramon Rizzo & confident! .

My advice to women trying to gain confidence would be, when you figure out and reveal the name of who tried to destroy your confidence, if the name given is not your own, then you are truly off. For people can aide in your self-confidence, they can even boost and destroy it. But in the end, we truly have ourselves to thank and blame. We create our self-worth, not a man and definitely not a picture in a magazine of how we are supposed Curvaceous 73

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What is in store for Ramona Rizzo? Where do you see yourself within the next 3 to 5 years?

We can all say that we are in store for big things. In the end, that’s all out of our hands.

God controls our days and hours... I just know within them, I just want to be able to love and provide for the four children I have created & love to death! ■ RaMona Rizzo can be found through her website – www.ramonarizzo.com, Instagram - @ ramonarizzo and Twitter - @ramonarizzovh1.

She can also be found through her Market America website at www.shop.com/ramonarizzo .

Photographed by Felix Natal Jr (IG - @felixnataljr and www.felixnataljr.com) and hair by Marcello Costa (IG- @ marcellocostahair and www.marcellocosta.com )

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Feature report

Another Cha

Imagine a world full of agony and desperation; where obesity has set major limitations that are beyond your control. Where leaving your home without gasping for air or facing egotistical looks of sympathy and disgust seemed like a dream deferred. Can you imagine it? Alicia Contreras can. She doesn’t have to imagine that life style or feeling – she has to live it every day.

Most of us sit and occasionally have beautiful vivid memories of our childhood; Memories of smiles, special occasions and love. But for Alicia, all she has are horrifying memories of a childhood full of resentment, abandonment and abuse.

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In 1974, a luminary by the name of Alicia Contreras took her first breath, as she entered into the world.

By the time she was eight years old, she was forced to become a woman, due to being molested by a family member. Struggling to rise above the demons that were left behind after her sexual attack, she had no one to turn to. Loneliness, confusion and guilt set in and as a result, food became her best friend and coping mechanism.

For years she relied on food for comfort. Junk food became her outlet; fast-food became her security and carbs became a hypnotic daily habit.

On top of her body transformation, lost soul and wicked memories, she was taunted daily by her father about her excessive weight gain.

Everything that she had going on in her life made her feel like she had no purpose in this world.

Throughout her youth, she only had one person who loved her for who she was. And that person was her grandfather. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and later died of a heart attack. Devastated by the news, her world froze. After her grandfather’s departure, her weight mounted to 250 pounds. Stress finally got the best of her, her good grades she had worked so hard at improving and her small social life of after school activities were falling through the cracks. To top everything off, she was put out of her family home at the age of 17. “I didn’t know what to do, where would I go?’’ Pleaded Alicia. She was forced to sleep in her automobile for months at a time, not knowing where her next meal was going to come from or if she would make it out of this situation alive. At this point, it was safe to say that Alicia had officially hit rock bottom.

She later connected with a local woman’s shelter, who helped her find a suitable apartment. Just when she thought she was on the right path and

Destiny: A Rebirth In the Maki The definition of OVERCOMER!

gaining control of her existence – she was raped by her friend’s boyfriend.

Forced to relive those same events, those same feelings of horror as she felt nearly 12 years ago. Her livelihood was now completely robbed from her. She could not stand the thought of looking at herself in the mirror. Because the mirror reflected vivid memories of a convoluted past; one full of deceit, betrayal and deterioration.

Not wanting anyone to touch her, breathe on her flesh, or stare at her body. With the thoughts of her grisly sexual incidents, she dug deeper into her food addiction. “It was like I did not know what direction to turn. My mind was going in every direction, I

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ance At Life: The Story of Alicia Contreras By: T. Saunders

ing

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Feature report was not stable.” Cried Alicia. She never thought that she could trust another man; hell another human being for that matter. Until one day, she met her now boyfriend of 19 and a half years. She immediately created a strong bond that consisted of trust, loyalty and respect. She now had control and was at peace.

She felt a sense of happiness and that is something that she had not felt in a longtime.

one was there to help me.” “How could I lose two hundred pounds?” Replied Alicia. On top of everything, another medical bombshell came her way.

She found out she was diabetic. After receiving the news of her medical state, something hit her and she started to notice all the physical things that everyone else saw. For the first time, she saw a 500 plus pound woman.

Two years into their relationship, Alicia found out that she was pregnant with her son. She went through some relationship issues and was forced to move back with her mother in order to provide a stable environment for her son. The demons that departed for a short period of time, came swarming back into her head. By this time, she was smoking marijuana and eating so much that her weight jumped to a whopping 560 pounds, at just the young age of 29. “It was like even though I was alive, I wasn’t living. I was only existing!” Stated Alicia. Family and friends tried to intervene and confront her about her weight, but she would brush their thoughts and concerns to the side because when she faced herself in the mirror, she didn’t see herself any differently.

Her weight was invisible. For ten years, she walked around with 500 plus pounds of weight on her body.

Instead of gaining treatment for her eating disorder and vicious thoughts, she kept relying on food to comfort her, to hide all her problems; to take away all of her pain.

The big day finally came, and Alicia was finally getting gastric bypass surgery. The surgery was successful and her first month was the hardest.

“It hurt so bad, that I immediately had buyer’s remorse. Did I do the right thing?” explained Alicia.

Shocked with the aftermath of surgery. She was unaware of how sick certain foods would make her, so she began to educate herself on the proper things to eat. “In the beginning, it is very mental. The pain is very difficult to endure.” But through all of the downfalls, she managed to lose one hundred and forty five pounds. This experienced changed her whole outlook on life.

Mobility was a major issue. Her relationship with her son was suffering because she could not do activities with him, attend school functions or be a part of the major events that were vital and meaningful in a child’s life. Not having the ability to establish a strong and active relationship with her son was the one thing that ripped her soul to pieces.

Searching for alternatives and help, Alicia stumbled upon information regarding the Gastric Bypass Surgery. But for years, her insurance company denied her medical requests. Frustration finally took over.

“I wanted so badly to fix my life, I wanted to be able to walk again. I just wanted to live.” Replied Alicia.

Finally, prayers were answered and her insurance company agreed to fund her procedure that would without a doubt save her life. But yet again, another door was slammed in her face. She was informed by her medical team that in order to conduct a successful surgery, she needed to lose two hundred pounds.

“At that point, I just felt like I could not get a break.

I knew I wanted to change my life, but I felt like no

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Before gastric bypass, she never checked her mail or walked anywhere. Now she is doing things that she never thought she would be given the opportunity to do. Since the surgery, she is no longer a diabetic. And for the first time in years, she finally ran. “The choice I made was to save my life. I told everyone that I loved them. Because if I died on that surgery table. I’d rather die there than die not trying.” Explained Alicia. When we asked Alicia what advice she would give to the world she simply replied: “People take the littlest things fore granted.

Imagine not being able to fit in a car. Or to have the ability to take a shower or use the restroom without assistance. I want people to realize that life is a gift. Overeating is a mental disease that can cause you to lose hope and it can be deadly. I was on my way to death. But then I realized that my life is worth more than a piece of cake. I now exist! For anyone going through what I went through. I encourage you to find a support system and gain love and trust for yourself. Because without those two key things, you can never overpower your weight.

It’s hard and painful, but if I had to do it all again, I would choose the same route. I just would have recognized my problem a lot sooner than I did. I thank God for my second chance.”

Alicia is taking it one day at a time. Critics often scrutinize her for not losing the amount of weight that they feel she should have lost by this time. Re-

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Alicia member, weight doesn’t develop overnight, neither does losing it.

Every person is different, and every situation has its own unique outcomes. Alicia is not giving up. She is rebirthing her life and accepting her curves one day at a time. â– Alicia can be found on Instagram at @acjccm and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/MsBeautifulalicia

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Feature report

An Intern

Photographed by Heijo van de Werf, Eye on the Light Photography www. eyeonthelight.com

JERRI LOUISE A woman that overcomes her insecurities and blossoms from within, is the sexiest woman on earth.

Jerri Louise displays confidence, love and stability. She came from a shell and has blossomed into one of the world’s top up and coming models. Her beauty makes you want to travel down the road to “an International curve affair.” So sit back and relax while we travel through Jerri’s life.

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national Curve Affair

By: T. Saunders

Jerri Louise T. Saunders: Growing up, were old. I was so against putting on you always plus size? How did more weight. I refused to take you deal with your weight? notice of the advice I was given to control my sugar levels and Jerri: For as long as I can re- ended up very ill in the process. member, I felt different to my It was only when I had my first peers. I grew up in an area that daughter that I started to take wasn’t very multi-cultural and care of my health because I wanI was bullied mercifully for ted to be the best mother I could years. I can remember loo- be to her. king in the mirror at about 8 years and wishing I could be T. Saunders: How has your anyone but myself. I did some weight affected your love life? child modeling but overall, my confidence was low and Jerri: I never had a problem atI didn’t know my self-worth. tracting men. But I think my lack My home life was happy. I of self-confidence may have had spent my favorite past-times an impact on past relationships. in the kitchen with my mum, a During arguments I would hear chef cooking delicious meals. the low blows like “you are fat We always ate well and I had a and ugly, who would want you?” huge appetite. But as a child I and “the only reason men like you could eat as much as I wanted is because of your big breasts.” I and I stayed the same weight. thought so little of myself, stupiWhen I hit puberty at about 12. dly I would believe it. Now, I am I blossomed into a woman’s a single woman and I am confifigure, almost overnight it see- dent in my body. I have to say it’s med. By the age of 15 I had 34DD breast and the hips of a mother. I stuck out like a sore thumb at school. I felt so selfconscious that I stopped doing the things I was good at, such as, sports and dancing, to stop the jeering from the boys. I hated the attention my figure got me and I tried to ignore the ‘fat’ jibes; but they got to me. When I looked in the mirror I didn’t see a ‘whale’ or ‘walrus’, so I struggled to understand why society was so cruel. I was ok with who I was so why couldn’t they be? I got diagnosed as diabetic when I was 15 years

like men can see that. I seem to attract a different caliber of men than I used to. I am attracting the ones that like the more confident woman. But it will take a very special man to sweep me off my feet. I will never allow myself to settle for anything less then what I deserve again :) T. Saunders: Who most influences your daily decisions in life?

Jerri: The decisions I make are

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Feature report influenced by the fact that I am a mother of two beautiful girls. So anything I do, I try to make sure it will only affect them in a positive way. But on the whole, it is me that influences myself, because I know what I want and I know it’s only me that can take me to the place where I want to be.

Jerri: This time last year I was a mum to my daughters. I lost who “Jerri” was as a person. I had been through a hard breakup and my self-esteem was at an all-time low. I would only make an effort with my appearance on a night out and I wouldn’t think twice about my girls going out looking beautiful, while I just threw my hair back. I lived life for the day and not for the bigger picture. I didn’t like the way I looked. I didn’t feel fat as I have always liked curves on a woman. But, I felt that the size I was wasn’t unacceptable in society.

support of my mum, I made it along to the second one. When I walked into the venue and saw hundreds of beautiful women, I thought I was well out of my league. The women were given some catwalk training and a photo-shoot which I loved. I met some of the other girls.

Many who were already models. They were lovely and it felt amazing to be around so many women that loved who they were. I can remember one woman saying to me that she thought I would do very well and that my confidence shined through. After that, I put in 100 percent effort. If a stranger could believe in me and if my daughters believe in me. I had to believe in myself. I left that audition LOVING my curves and I have never looked back. That audition was a turning point for me. In the public vote i received over 400 votes and that meant I made it through to the finals. The support was overwhelming. Every weekend I had catwalk training with the other finalists and fittings with top London designers. I was living the life of a model. Walking the catwalk at the finals all made-up and wearing beautiful clothes was the most amazing feeling. And my daughter was right there at the front cheering me on. Seeing her proud face was amazing.

T. Saunders: What made you join the Miss Curvaceous UK competition?

T. Saunders: Tell us anything you would like us to know about your life.

Jerri: I got approached on the street by someone from the Ms. Curvaceous team.

I laughed it off and stuffed the info in my bag. A few years later while having a “clean out,” I came across the details of the auditions while my daughter was sitting next to me. She asked what it was and I explained that it was a competition for curvy women. She asked if I was going, and I told her there was no way that mummy could model. She asked why not and said that I was beautiful and that she knows I would get through. She asked me to do it for her, so I did.

Jerri: My modeling career is really starting to take hold and I have some very exciting projects in the pipeline. My dream is to go global, so working with this magazine is a pleasure. I want to spread the word that CURVES are beautiful and that needs to be celebrated! I want our future generation to be able to flick through a fashion magazine and see women of all shapes and sizes. I want for our children to realize that no matter your size you can accomplish anything you put your mind too. I want our children to love themselves the way God made them.

T. Saunders: Describe the plus communities in the UK - are curves embraced, accepted and/or discriminated against?

T. Saunders: Before joining the Miss Curvaceous UK competition, how was your self-esteem in regards to your image?

T. Saunders: Describe the experience that you gained from the Miss Curvaceous UK competition.

Jerri: Ms. Curvaceous UK was one of the best things I have ever done. I backed out of the first London audition, but with the

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Jerri: The plus sized community is just starting to slowly be accepted in the U.K. In the past few years more clothing lines are being seen to cater for the plus sizes which means that we can actually buy nice clothes that fit instead of clothes that are unflattering and made to simply cover our curves. We have a plus sized commu-

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nity trying to pave the way for us curvy women and there are a few modeling agencies that have a curve section. However I would love to see the day when ‘Regular sized models’ and ‘curve models’ can walk the same catwalk and there not be an eyelid batted. There are events such as the British Ms. Curvaceous UK competition that has started to create a platform for curvy women. We need to get the message across that beauty doesn’t have a size :) T. Saunders: Do you feel like the UK could do more in regards to promoting self-love and acceptance?

Jerri: I think we could do a lot more. I think that self-confidence workshops should be made compulsory in schools. So many children are bullied and struggling throughout their childhood because of the pressures to look a certain way. The U.K needs to embrace curvy women. Stop segregating us and realize that there is no perfect size.

T. Saunders: What is the message that you would like to get across to the world about loving the skin that you are in?

Jerri: I have the figure of a mother, because I am a mother. I love my body. Every single lump and scar shows a journey and progression. Love the skin you are in. You are exactly the way you were meant to be.■

Photographed by Brian & Diane Marshall www.plussize.co.uk

Photographed by Heijo van de Werf, Eye on the Light Photography www. eyeonthelight.com

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Health & Fitness

You can still be healthy with curve

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es... We like to call it

Healthy Model: Regina "Swan" Photographer: KaySix Studio Fashions: www.bealls.com

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Health & Fitness Motherhood is a gift that is dear to our hearts. It is a sense of accomplishment. It is a love like no other.

We try to protect our children from the wickedness outside of our four walls. But what happens when we no longer have control of situations. What happens when sickness comes in and we no longer have the ability to nurse our kids back to health or to make the pain go away. Dyan and Mckenna have experienced a lot of downfalls over the past couple of years. McKenna was diagnosed with Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. It is a disease that attacks your nervous system. It can cause blindness, loss of mobility and pain. Let’s get inside the hearts and minds of this mother/daughter duo and find out what it is like from a mother and daughter’s perspective, living with this horrific disease.

For more information on Pediatric Muscular Scloerosis, visit www.nationalmssociety.org .

PEDIATRIC MS...

A CURVY MOTHER’S

N IGHTMARE Dyan Stokes - Mother

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe your feelings when you gave birth to McKenna.

Dyan: It was a love like I had never felt before. When they handed her to me all the chaos around me disappeared and it was just me and her in complete awe of each other. My whole world was wrapped up in a little pink blanket!

Curvaceous Redemption: What are some vivid memories of her younger years before diagnosis?

She has always been a shining star! At one of her recitals when she was 7 she stole the show, when she did cartwheels across the stage while the other kids forgot their dance steps.

She got to cheer for the Utah Jazz when she was 9. Her famous words are “Mom-Dad watch what I can do!” instead of playing at parks like normal kids, she would go around to all the kids and ask them if they knew who Jesus was.

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Curvaceous Redemption: Describe the day and the emotions you felt when you first learned she had MS. Dyan: My world collided with despair, confusion, sadness and then asking God why. My healthy 15 year old who one day was playing JV basketball woke up one morning blind in her right eye, was admitted into the Peds ICU and three days later lost all mobility in her right side and was in a wheel chair. I just wanted to take her place. I was scared for her, but it was almost as though God gave me this strong backbone and I knew things were going to be okay. The Lord was the only source of strength to carry us through all the pain and confusion.

Curvaceous Redemption: How is it financially dealing with McKenna’s disease?

Dyan: It hasn’t been easy! Her father works two jobs to cover what insurance doesn’t and the rest we lay at the Lord’s feet.

I am building my own business so that I can work my own hours and still cater to her needs.

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe the way your community treats her - has it been a negative or positive thing?

Dyan: There is a mixture of negative and positive. Many people see the happy and healthy McKenna, they do not see when she is sick and weak. So they think nothing of the seriousness of her disease or think she is “faking it,” but the positive far out ways the negative. Her school has been such a huge support system for her, having teachers with compassion and that will pray with her. They allowed her to Skype the class when she is in the hospital so she doesn’t miss class or the socialization. The school nurse Patty is like a second mother to her and that put me at ease during the day.

9.

Curvaceous Redemption: How do you support her during her tough days?

Dyan: First and foremost PRAY! She loves her back to be rubbed and I rub oils on her neck and spine to alleviate her pain. The last time it was a struggle for her to walk up the stairs to her bedroom. So we pitched a tent in the living

Curvaceous Redemption: How has this effected you emotionally? Does it affect your relationships, work, etc.?

Dyan: I’ll never forget the day her needles and medical supplies came in the mail. The box was not marked so I had no idea what was in the box.

When I opened the box and saw all of her medical supplies it hit me like never before. I dropped to my knees and sobbed gut wrenching screams of anguish! I cried out, “Why Lord! Why my baby!”

I’ve never cried so hard in my life! I have spent many nights in my bedroom closet crying after watching her struggle to brush her hair, open the lid to a gallon of milk, walk up stairs, pick up a pencil to do homework, and then there are the nights she spends laying on the bathroom floor from being so nauseated, or her body shaking from being sick, the marks her needles leave on her body, or the allergic reaction she had to a medicine that landed us in the emergency room with anaphylaxis. She is sick a lot and it does affect my work,

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Health & Fitness room and watched the “Twilight” series on a mini TV inside the tent. Anything that helps put her mind and body at ease.

10.

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe how MS affects her from your point of view.

Dyan: She is weak and tired every day. School is a struggle for her, by the end of lunch her body is exhausted and has to use the elevator. It is also hard for her to concentrate on any task at hand. Weekends she just wants to sleep, so her social life suffers a bit. The most difficult is when she is extremely sick and she struggles to do simple daily living things. But if I may add a positive she has been an inspiration to many by her strength and will to persevere thru it all!

Curvaceous Redemption: How were you able to rise above all of this with a smile and a positive attitude?

Dyan: Jesus Christ has been my strength! He has picked me up off my closet floor more times than I can count! His faithfulness and love for my family in never ending, but most of all McKenna has kept me positive and a smile on my face! She has never said, “Why me Lord?” instead she says, “Use me Lord!”

She is such a strong and beautiful young lady and her strength carries over to me! I am really honored that God choose me to be her mom!

McKenna Clements - Daughter Age at contraction: 15 years old.

Curvaceous Redemption: What was your childhood like prior to getting diagnosed with MS? McKenna: My childhood was fun and exciting! It was always an adventure. I was never sick and always on the go.

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe the day and the emotions you felt when you first learned you had MS.

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McKenna: Hearing the words that I have multiple sclerosis made me sick to my stomach. I cried for 2.5 seconds but my feelings became numb. I felt nothing. I wasn’t sad or angry; shocked and in denial were the words to describe it. I already knew I had MS, but hearing the words of my diagnosis was rough. As strange as it is, I felt peace. All the mixtures of emotions brought me to peace, because I knew my God was in control. I knew there is a story to tell behind MS patients and I am special enough to easily accept it, experience it, and tell it.

Curvaceous Redemption: How are you effected on a daily basis?

McKenna: It is exhausting! I am tired all the time!

It doesn’t matter how much sleep I get, it still isn’t

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enough. My muscles are achy and weak to the point when my best friend Brittany has to help me get up. She carries me on her back sometimes and I have a hard time accepting the help but I have to. A struggle can even be giving myself my shot, but I have Brittany who is more than happy to play nurse give it to me. My mom carries my emotional stress. I wish she didn’t have to know that I hurt but it is what it is. The school nurses are also my best friends. I am in there all the time! This is what I call the “norm.”

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe how people outside of your immediate family treat you.

McKenna: They look at me and say I’m not sick because I look fine. People call me a liar for the reason that I laugh all the time and am always smiling. What they don’t know or choose to ignore is that I am in pain and my smile and laughter is the only happy to my day. There are some people that do care and ask a lot of questions and I appreciate that. This is a world of jerks and nice people, so I choose to ignore the negative.

Curvaceous Redemption: How is going to school - do your peers pick on you, taunt you are they supportive?

McKenna: They are pretty supportive. There are of course the mean kids that think I’m lying but who cares about what they think. The people that hate me -motivate me, the people that love me inspire me.

Curvaceous Redemption: Are there things in life that you want to achieve but you fear you won’t be able to because of your MS diagnosis?

McKenna: Yes, at one point in my life I wanted to join the Navy but with my diagnoses I know I won’t be accepted. I have always loved to do hair but a lot of days my fingers do not work very well, so that is out of the question. I focus on the present, getting my high school diploma and just loving those around me. Live in the present!

Curvaceous Redemption: Tell me how you plan on

overcoming this and rising to the top?

I live by this quote “Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.” Harvey Mackay Curvaceous 89

Health & Fitness One question that is on every woman’s mind is, “How do I get sexy summer abs?” So, we’re taking it back to the basics for this summer with 6 moves that are going to build strength, stability and help get your core tighter.

Your abs are your “Power House,” meaning they are the center of strength and control for your entire body. These moves, combined with cardiovascular activities and a healthy diet, will help you get you the fit and curvy figure you desire.

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Sexy Abs Just In Time for Summer 1. Forearm Plank

Not only does the forearm plank help strengthen your core, but the plank exercise also helps increase stability in your shoulders and strength in your forearms and wrists. When you perform planks on your forearms they engage more abdominal muscles than planks performed on your hands.

Try holding this position for 60 seconds, three times with only 30 seconds in between.

2. Toe Touch Crunches

The toe touch crunch will not only help you in developing your abdominal muscles, but this move also helps stretch the back of your legs or your hamstrings. To perform this exercise, lie on your back with your legs straight toward the ceiling. Engage your abs to push your lower back down. Then, crunch your head and shoulders off the floor, extend your arms straight and reach for your toes.

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5. Pooch Be Gone

Leg Lifts also called leg raises, or what we like to call “pooch be gone”.

By raising your legs above your body, you work not only your upper abs, but your lower abs as well. Because you raise your legs off the ground, Leg Lifts especially work your lower abs.

Lie flat on your back with your legs extended, locking your knees.

Beginners should place their hands underneath their butt to protect their lower back. Start by raising your feet 3 to 5 inches off the ground. Raise your legs high enough that your hips and butt are elevated. Lower your legs back to the starting position slow and controlled. Try to complete at least three sets of 20 reps. Inhale as your raise your legs and exhale as you lower them.

4. The Timeless Crunch

3. Medicine Ball Seated Russian Twists Russian twists, oblique twists or what we like to call love handle minimizers help strengthen muscles in your abdomen, specifically your rectus abdominis, and the internal and external oblique’s.

1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and raised up off the floor.

2. Engage your abs and sit at about a 45 degrees angle.

3. Hold the medicine ball with both hands directly in front of you.

4. Engaging your abs, twist your torso slowly to your right without allowing the medicine ball to touch the floor.

5. Swiftly and controlled, engage your abs and twist your torso without allowing the medicine ball to touch the floor.

6. Try 3 sets of 30

The timeless crunch is thousands of curvy girls go to exercise for targeting the rectus abdominis muscle. You may think it’s simple, but many perform the timeless crunch wrong. When you have the proper form this simple exercise becomes more effective.

How to Do the Basic Abdominal Crunch

•

Lie flat on your back; bend your knees, placing your hands on the sides of your head.

•

Engage your abs and press your lower back into the floor.

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Exhale as you lift, keep your neck straight and chin up to the ceiling.

•

Slowly lift your shoulder blades one to two inches off the floor.

•

Exhale as you lift, keep your neck straight and chin up to the ceiling.

•

Hold for a second and remember to breathe.

•

Try 3 sets of 20 to 25

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Health & Fitness

4 Ways to Look Fit

By: Tatiana “Fit With Curves” Scott

Many of us may have a hard time finding time and motivation to make it to the gym to begin with, so let’s not make it even worse by not feeling the cutest while we are there. The saying, “When you look good, you feel good” applies to the gym as well. Here are 4 ways to take your workouts to the next level with gym attire.

The Roll Up

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Don’t be afraid to roll up your shirt with your yoga pants to show a bit of the skin that you worked so hard to achieve. Try the Fit With Curves team short sleeve v-neck ($29.99) and pair it with your favorite pair of yoga pants from Kyodan ($39.99-$49.99)

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Curvaceously Sexy Abs Just In Time for Summer 6. Bicycle Crunches The curvy approved bicycle crunch is a great way to focus on the rectus abdominis (front) and the obliques (sides) in one effective exercise.

1.

Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed into the floor or mat and engage your core muscles.

2.

With your hands behind your head, remembering not to cross your fingers, lift your knees to about a 45-degree angle.

3.

Slow and controlled perform a bicycle pedal motion.

4.

Alternately touching your elbows to the opposite knees as you twist back and forth.

5.

Making sure to breathe out as you contract and in as you come back to the floor.

Tatiana Scott @fitwithcurves is a certified personal trainer who holds a degree in exercise science.

She is an avid fitness and nutrition blogger who has a passion for helping individuals live a long healthy life. Join her fit and curvy movement www.fitwithcurves.com

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Health & Fitness

Gym and Prints

Just because you are at the gym does not mean that you cannot rock your favorite prints. Yoga pants come in all sorts of prints and patterns that will help you look not only cute, but fit and curvy cute while at the gym.

Try these Betsey Johnson Performance brand yoga tights ($70) paired with a solid shirt of your choice.

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Gym Flash There is something about bright, flashy colors and working out that makes you want to take your workout to the next level.

Bright reds, yellows, oranges, hot pinks and greens our great ways to brighten up your workout and help you feel good about being in the gym. Try this limited edition red Fit with Curves shirt. www.shopfwc.com ($31)

4 Ways to Look Fit Color Pop

We all know that black is more slimming, so it’s understandable that we want to wear it to the gym.

We also know that the color black is not always associated with fun heart pumping workouts which is where your pop of color comes intoplay.

Try pairing a black gym tee like this Fit with Curves team shirt that can be found on www.shopfwc. com ($29.99) with a pop of color by choosing your favorite color of yoga pants

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Health & Fitness

A POWERFUL MOVEMENT : TRANSFORMATION FI By: T. Saunders Robert Philip Richardson II, Founder

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe your childhood.

T. Fit: I was always treated differently. All through my life, I was oversized. When I was the age of 8, my height was 5’8 and I wore a size 11 shoe. I always played with the older kids because of my size. I was too big to play with kids in my age bracket.

Curvaceous Redemption: Tell us about the man behind Transformation Fit Nation.

T. Fit: I had a passion for football as a child. I was good at other sports, but football was my preferred sport. It was my passion. I received a full scholarship from Morgan State University and played football there for two years, but I gained majority of his weight.

I was treated harshly by my team and college classmates, because my uncle was the president of the university. I was picked on, and it was stressed that killed my passion for football. During this time, I gained 8090 pounds of weight. I would eat all the time. During my Freshman year, I was 330 pounds; My sophomore year I was 350 and then during my junior year I was a shocking 395 pounds…

In 2009-2010 I wanted to enter into the NFL, but my knees were bad. Everything kept going downhill. I did not realize that I was so heavy for so long that my knee gave out. I had knee surgery back to back for 2 years. At that point I knew that no team would want me because I was considered a “hazard.”

All I remember one day is going to the gym and stepping on the scale and looking at the numbers 470.

That was an eye opener and on top of that, on the same day my doctor stated that my health would continue to deteriorate and not function if I did not change my life.

From that moment on, I started working out.

Curvaceous Redemption: How much weight did you lose?

T. Fit: I had help from a dietician for the first month, but after that I researched on my own different techniques that would help me lose weight. I hit a plateau after the first fifty pounds. My best friend, who was a trainer at the time took me under his wing and helped me lose the extra 120 pounds. My philosophy is this: “When you work out, you should feel tired and drained, to the point where you need to kick your own behind.”

Curvaceous Redemption: How do you feel about sur96 Curvaceous

gical weight loss techniques?

T. Fit: In my opinion, if you want to have surgical weight loss; exhaust all options before going to see a surgery. Surgeons will make you lose weight first. Before any procedure gets done. Surgery is just a quick fix. You cannot escape exercise. I do not find anything wrong with it. It’s a personal choice. I am going to get a procedure done to get all of the lose skin off of my body.

Curvaceous Redemption: How did Transformation Fit Nation come about?

It all Started when one day, I was talking to a stranger in the mall. This stranger knew about me from my high school football days. At first, they did not recognize me because of my weight loss.

They had lost a tremendous amount of weight as well. They shared their story with me. Which led to a light bulb going off in my head. I said you know what “what if people started sharing their www.curvaceousredemption.com

IT NATION

stories with people so that they can motivate others on their journeys� I wanted to share different people’s stories. I wanted to share what motivated them and how they changed and what their plans for the future are. I think we all have a story from our experiences so I started a social media page.

Curvaceous Redemption: Did you think that this social media outlet would touch so many lives?

No, not at first. I never wanted to be in the spotlight or recognized for anything I just wanted to help people out and help people out. Give people more knowledge of nutrition and the importance of exercising each day.

What are some things you would like to see happen with Transformation Fit Nation within the next five years?

T. Fit: I would like to create a worldwide fitness outlet. I receive a lot of emails from different countries who are trying to motivate people around them to be

healthy. I would like to spread the love of fitness.

Curvaceous Redemption: If you could send out to all of your followers - what would it be?

T. Fit: To make a change happen for yourself for the better you have to do it only for yourself. It cannot be for nobody else you should not try to mimic or copy anyone else. Make the change happen because you want it to happen.

Robert can be found on Instagram @transformationfitnation and on Twitter @Tfitnatio

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Health & Fitness

SUCCESSFUL MAN Dan Diaz Occupation: Executive Protection “EP” or Bodyguard and On-set Security Curvaceous Redemption: How did you get into the line of work you are in?

Dan: Well I’ve been doing security for over 17 years, you name it I’ve done it! Bars, clubs, parties, real estate, construction and video surveillance. But I’ve always wanted to be that guy you’ve seen walking next to the stars! (No not a personal assistant) but the really big guy in the back or the front or basically anywhere he would want to stand. But I didn’t know how. So I tried bouncing at some most popular clubs in New York City!

But to find out I’m not the big guy at all (only standing in 6’1) and everyone around me 6’6 and up! I started developing a Napoleon complex!

Ha! Time went by and the game of security had changed so much. I didn’t want to do the night life anymore and I seriously started looking into law enforcement and executive protection work.

I started realizing where they were filming throughout the city. I was always asking questions, always getting cold shoulders and the runaround. Finally one day I found out they were filming “Men in Black III” not too far from where I lived.

I hopped into the car and I drove down there with the utmost confidence and picked out and talked to anyone I saw that was taller and bigger than me. Finally someone saw in my eyes how serious I was.

They said to me the guy I should be talking to

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was just around here but you just missed him.

“I’m going to give you a little bit of information “said the gentleman that I was just talking to.

Why don’t you show up here at 6 a.m. You’ll be sure to find him. So I said to myself “Knowing my luck this is just a run around I’ll show up at 430am!” So I did.

I saw the same guy I spoke to the night before and I said hear I am! He then smiles and laughed at me. He gave that person I was supposed to talk to a call. Next thing I know this huge shadow appears behind me and I turn around and there’s this 8 foot tall ex Giants player with his massively huge hand extended out trying to shake my hand saying “I hear you were looking for me”.

He went down a list of things that I should have.

And before he finished saying every word and sentence I pulled out everything he asked for.

He laughed out loud and said “you are prepared aren’t you!” He took in all my paperwork and said “I’ll call you”. The very next day I got a call asking if I was available to work! My listing since then can be found on IMDB:. Men in Black III, Side Effect, The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider Man 2, The Cobbler, The Knick, And a few commercials here and there.

Curvaceous Redemption: What challenges did you face in regards to becoming the successful man that you are today?

Dan: All through my younger life, weight was always an issue especially when I was 12 years old and diagnosed with high cholesterol due to a

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loving grandmother who you could never, ever tell you didn’t want to eat anymore!

At a very young age I was into martial arts. Due to family personal issues I fell out of it. So I talked to my mother and decided to go back full time and at the same time going into gymnastics. Within just a few short months my health was back to normal and I was in the best shape I could ever have been at that age. I started becoming more active and got into inline skating and different types sports. I was always on the move.

I was 20 years old. I’ve done everything and anything you can imagine. I’ve traveled so much. I even had a son, Daniel Jean. Somehow I ended up raising him by myself! Things were hard and it was always a challenge. I was going to the gym, working out and always on the go. Then things slowed down, and eventually came to a stop. Once I had free time on my hands, I started dealing with weight issues again. Always a yoyo.

It was really hard I would get in shape and then lose myself. I guess kind of like what a bear would do. Eat everything in the world during the winter time and going into a depressed hibernation HA! Yeah that sounds just like it.

Working in the movie industry is very difficult when it comes to a good eating lifestyle. On the left side of the table you have everything in the world you would love to eat that is bad for you! And on the small part of the right side of the table there’s everything in the world that is healthy for you! Many avoid that side of the table, you’d be surprised. But as time has gone by I’ve learned. Nowadays you find me on the good side of the table, eating as healthy as I can in the morning with a delicious egg white omelet with mushrooms, scallions and turkey bacon. Snack time is a few vegetables and smoked lox with a boiled egg. Lunch time is arugula, mushrooms, raw spinach and any type of lean meat they may have.

Curvaceous Redemption: Are there any people in your life that you would have not come this far if you did not have them by your side?

Dan: I would love to give a big credit to an amazing woman who has been by my side no matter what and who will continue to be by my side. MEL and my son Daniel.

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Health & Fitness Curvaceous Redemption: What is your current occupation?

Dawn: I have been practicing law for the past 25 years. I am licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, & Washington DC. I have offices in Manhattan, Bronx, & New Jersey. I was a prosecutor for 12 years in the Bronx. But now, I have my own law firm & specialize in criminal defense in state and federal courts.

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe what it was like growing up with a curvaceous body. How were you treated?

Dawn: My weight has always fluctuated throughout my life. I was chubby when I was little and during my adolescence I rode the roller coaster of gaining and losing weight. When I was in high school, I remember being teased and embarrassed by my classmates when I gained weight. I was so devastated that I lost weight in college. At one point I remember being 120 pounds and I was six feet tall, but people still called me names and ridiculed me even when I was thin because I was so tall. My weight ballooned to almost three hundred pounds when I was in law school and while I was studying for the bar examination because of stress. I continued to lose and gain weight throughout my adult life depending on what relationship I was in. It has always been a vicious cycle.

Curvaceous Redemption: Describe the day that you decided that you were going to take charge, and love your curves. How did it feel? What made you get to that point?

I recently took charge and embraced how much I loved being curvaceous. It has been a struggle all my life to feel comfortable in my own skin. When I was a teenager it was not socially acceptable to be curvy.

All the models were super skinny and most young women were brainwashed to think that was beauty.

Social media and the Curvaceous Redemption Movement has helped me realize that beauty comes in all sizes. It took me a long time to believe in myself and to love all the curves God gave me. The struggle is the process.

Curvaceous Redemption: How did you get into the occupation of criminal law?

Dawn: I got involved in becoming a criminal attorney because I feel fighting for a person’s freedom and upholding the Constitution is so important. I have found what I love to do and made a lot of money doing 100 Curvaceous

it. I work tirelessly to vigorously defend my clients and to help them with their legal issues. I care about my clients and love helping people. I work almost every day. I sleep very little, but I sleep very well at night. I have such an exciting career because I am in court every day and I am a trial attorney. I do a lot of murder cases and it is very rewarding saving people from life sentences. I became interested in criminal law by doing internships when I was in school. I always wanted to be an entertainment and sports law attorney when I graduated law school but there were no job opportunities.

Curvaceous Redemption: What challenges did you face in your life that helped you become the successful woman you are today?

Dawn: I was very shy and lacked confidence when I was younger. Those were my challenges that I have had to conquer. I had to break out of my comfort zone to become so successful. So many people never thought I could do what I do. I made it my mission in life to prove them wrong. There are not many aggressive and passionate women criminal defense attorneys. It is a male dominated profession. I had to overcome many obstacles to get to where I am today.

I am relentless and will not be stopped in accomplishing my goals.

Curvaceous Redemption: Besides working as a criminal lawyer, do you have any other business ventures?

Dawn: I am involved in another business venture called Market America and Shop.com. Market America is a product brokerage and internet marketing company that specializes in one to one Marketing and social shopping. It was founded in 1992 by JR Ridinger and his beautiful wife Loren Ridinger.

Loren founded Motives Cosmetics and her business partner is LaLa Anthony who specializes in cosmetics for darker skin tones. I love them because they have given me the opportunity to make residual income through Market America. If only everyone knew the value of residual income and the freedom of trading and leveraging time for money we all would be knocking down brick walls to go and get it. Market America is changing the way that people shop and is changing the economic paradigm so everyone can become financially independent by creating their own economy.

Curvaceous Redemption: Who influences you to continue to strive for continued success? www.curvaceousredemption.com

SUCCESSFUL WOMAN

Dawn M Florio The Dawn Florio Law Firm (212) 939 - 9539 Instagram: @dawnmflorio Market America http://www.shop.com/dawnflorio

Dawn: The person who influences me to continue to strive for success is Joseph Cartagena, also known as the legendary hip hop artist Fat Joe. Joe is like a brother to me and has always given me personal and professional advice. He used to be very heavy and he was always so confident despite his weight. He was my role model and I always admired him because he would speak at schools to children about the dangers of unhealthy eating and about having a positive body image. Joe has never lied to me and he speaks the truth. He is the realist. Fat Joe introduced me to Market America. I am so proud of him because he was recently crowned the President of the Latino and Urban Division of Market America. Most of the millionaires in the company are Asian and White.

What attracted me to Market America is that I am part of this division called Team Fat Joe and besides making residual income for life I can help people from the urban community who would never have this type of opportunity to become super rich.

Curvaceous Redemption: What’s next for Dawn Florio’s career?

Dawn: I have an exciting career in being a criminal defense attorney and a flourishing law practice. I want so much more. I see myself in the future traveling the world through Market America and teaching as many people as I can to be wealthy. I want to inspire and motivate as many people as I can and to help others have an awesome life.

Curvaceous Redemption: If you could go back in time and take back one situation or event that happened within your life, what would you eliminate?

Dawn: If I could go back in time I would not waste a single moment in time about feeling too fat and being so shy. I suffered and struggled so much to overcome so many of these obstacles that I created in my own mind. I was my own worst enemy. I never thought I was thin enough or confident enough to be successful.

I let my negative body image hold me back. I listened to too many negative people, who told me that I could not do what I wound up doing anyway. When I finally let go of the negative perceptions that society perpetuates amongst the curvy community I found freedom to achieve my wildest dreams. I have overcome hurdles to conquer my shyness and have redeemed my curves.

I recently gave a speech in front of over 20,000 people at the Market America World Conference in Miami at the American Airlines Arena that inspired so many people. I walked on stage proudly loving every curve God gave me and felt reborn.

Curvaceous Redemption: What advice do you have for other curvaceous women who are striving to reach the level of success that you have achieved?

Dawn: My message to other curvaceous women is to live fearlessly and passionately. Stay focused on your goals. You have to grind now to shine later. You must believe and invest in yourself. We must be leaders and help educate other women to love themselves first whatever shape, size, or age. Surround yourself with positive people and the only person you have to please is yourself. Curves are sexy and hot. We are taking over. Lead by example. People do what you do and not what you say. People are not going to do what you won’t do. So be confident about your body each and every moment. Rock it and own it. You are beautiful.

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Health & Fitness

Investing Yo

Buying a home is one of the most rewarding experiences that anyone will have the luxury of doing in their lifetime. However, buying a home can be a very intimidating process, especially if you’ve never done it before.

So the first thing you should do is figure out if owning a home is right for you. It may or may not be depending on your circumstance. Take into account that when you buy a home, there are extra responsibilities and cost. There is no maintenance man to call.

Your lawn care, home maintenance, and repairs all fall on you.

The first thing you should do before getting into a mortgage or any loan is check your credit score. In order to qualify for a mortgage loan, your credit score needs to be at least a 600. The higher your score, the better loan you will qualify for. Don’t forget to check your report for errors. If there are errors, dispute them. This may help your credit score.

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Secondly, you should only get into a mortgage loan if you have steady income coming in. You need to have funds in order to pay your mortgage bill every month. Figure out how much you can afford. You can contact a mortgage broker or even check online. There are several online mortgage calculators that will help you calculate an affordable monthly mortgage payment. The great thing is that in this day and age, you don’t need to put down 20% to buy a home like in the old days. There are loans available with little to no money down payment.

An experienced mortgage lender can help you understand all your loan options, closing costs, and other fees.

To find the right mortgage lender, I believe it’s best to shop around.

Get recommendations from your family and friends. Make sure you choose someone that you are comfortable with and who makes you feel at ease. Once you have chosen a mortgage lender, www.curvaceousredemption.com

our Tax Return Wisely

By Aliya Johnson

Model: Nikki Yancy Photographer: Jay Cummings Fashions: FB www.facebook.com/750fotos IG @

make sure you get a pre-approval letter. The preapproval letter is gold! This is what you present to your realtor. This way, your realtor will know how much you are qualified for. This will make it much easier for your realtor to submit an offer on a home on your behalf. Again, make sure you choose a realtor who you are comfortable with and one who you feel has your best interest at heart.

Your realtor’s job is to help you find the perfect home for you and to negotiate a deal that you are satisfied with. Realtors and mortgage lenders are paid once you settle on a home and actually purchase it. Realtors are paid through closing cost funds. A lot of realtors who work with buyers negotiate deals where some or all closing costs are paid from the seller.

to helping you have a smooth home-buying experience!

The Pros of Homeownership: 1) Building Home Equity (Equity is the difference between the market value of your home and your outstanding loan balance, so the smaller the loan balance, the more equity you are building.

2) Potential Appreciation- (Homes typically appreciate in value - unlike cars, which depreciate in value) 3) Tax Benefits 4) Home-Equity loans and lines of credit 5) Stability 6) Build long term wealth with Home-Ownership

Make sure you let your realtor know how much money you have towards your purchase. Buying a home for the first time doesn’t have to be a hassle if you are prepared and you know what to do and who to do it with. Choose an experienced lender and a friendly, knowledgeable realtor. They are key

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Health & Fitness

Politics with a Curve By: Rogette Nicole Harris, Columnist Follow on twitter: @RogetteHarris rogetteharris.com

THE OPINIONS OF THE NEW “CARE OF THE NATION” The Healthcare Act is a controversial topic.

Some say that the Act was designed to help Americans; others say it is just another pricey program put in to place to control the lives of Americans. So we teamed up with two individuals who are heavily involved with politics, to get inside their minds and to get their views on the Healthcare Reform Act we referred to as - “Obamacare.”

One program was compared to socialism, and another was said to be the end to freedom in America.

Did you think I was talking about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called “Obamacare”? If you answered yes then you are wrong. I was referring to the grim predictions that predicated the start of two other major legislative initiatives - Medicare and Social Security.

The Affordable Care Act has always had fervent critics and supporters long before last fall’s problematic launch of the HealthCare.gov website. Opponents of Obamacare say the law will reduce the number of health plans available to Americans, and therefore will not be able to afford to pay for healthcare coverage.

Opponents also believe that delaying portions of the ACA, rather than the entire law is a trick the Obama Administration is using in order to keep the new healthcare law running. The solution in their mind would be to delay the implementation of the entire law for at least a year to fix any problems that may arise.

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On the other side of the debate, supporters of the ACA argue that the new law is working, is already curbing health care costs, and that in the first time in the history, affordable health care is available to all Americans. The ACA lays a new foundation that will bring added security and stability to all. Supporters believe provisions like enabling young adults to get insured under their parents’ policies and barring coverage denials based on pre-existing conditions are already broadening access to care.

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Affordable Health Care Act

Model: Lone Bech Sorensen Photography by - Ole Nielsen https://www.facebook.com/ole.nielsen.1217

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Health & Fitness Affordable Healthcare Act continued...

They also believe delays are to be expectant and should not hinder the entire law from enactment.

While the rollout of the Affordable Care Act was a disaster, there are a lot of successes that should not be ignored. As of January 24, 2014, the Affordable Care Act has 3 million enrollments, which means the White House has the ability of meeting its initial goal of 7 million people enrolled by the end of March.

In addition to the encouraging enrollment numbers, the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is extremely positive for states who participate. The expansion of Medicaid means that more than 6.3 million Americans are now eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). As many as 4 million new people signed up for Medicaid since October 1, 2013.

These are all people who did not have access to healthcare or who could not otherwise afford it.

The Affordable Care Act also provides tax cuts to small businesses to help offset the costs of employee coverage, and tax credits to help families pay for insurance. Health reform will also lower costs for families, businesses, and the federal government, reducing our deficit by more than $1 trillion in the next two decades.

A new Associated Press poll found that more people are warming up to the new health care law.

Negative perceptions of the rollout have decreased from 76 percent in December to currently 66 percent. And while 71 percent of people encountered problems on the health care website, those experiencing successes soared from 24 percent in December to currently 40 percent.

Here are the five most popular elements to the Affordable Care Act: 1. ACA allows young Americans to stay on their parents’ insurance plans: The Affordable care act allows young adults up to age 26 to stay on their parents’ insurance plans. This means that as many as an additional 3.4 million young Americans with coverage. Furthermore, statistics show that the percentage of uninsured young people aged 19-25 106 Curvaceous

fell from 48 percent in 2010 to 21 percent in 2012.

2. ACA bans insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions: Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to patients due to a pre-existing condition. So those horror stories, such as insurance companies considering domestic violence a pre-existing condition and thus denying coverage is no longer legal.

According to several news reports, this is what happened to Jody Neal-Post in 2006, as she tried to get health insurance but was rejected because of treatment — counseling and Valium — she received following a domestic-abuse incident with her ex-husband. She says the insurer told her that her medical history made her a high risk, more likely to end up in the emergency room or require additional care.

3. ACA offers tax credits to small businesses to buy insurance: The Affordable Care Act expands tax credits to help small businesses provide health insurance to their employees. Companies with less than 50 employees do not have to provide insurance, but have cheaper options if they choose to provide health care coverage.

4. ACA provides subsidies to help individuals afford coverage: Many of the 45 million Americans who lack health insurance simply don’t have enough money to afford coverage. Obamacare will lower the cost of premiums but also provide subsidies to help low- and middle-income Americans purchase insurance. The amount of the subsidy will be based on income as well as the cost of health coverage in a particular state.

5. State-based health insurance exchanges: Health Insurance exchanges will create competition among health insurance companies, which will cut up monopolies, and allow Americans to shop around for the best price. The concept of an open market is popular among all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.

The cost of doing nothing on health care reform was too great and the cost of repeatedly refighting the political battles of the past is irresponsible. Republicans against the Affordable Care Act need to work with Democrats to improve it. Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, President Obama signed it into law and the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality, so it’s here to stay.

However, there are many ways to make the law better and the only way to do that is to cooperate and work together. www.curvaceousredemption.com

My Descent into Conservatism

By: Marcus Blackston

When I was asked to write an article on the Conservative viewpoint of The Affordable Care Act, my initial reaction was one of shock and bewilderment. After all, I am a lifelong Democrat who has voted for Obama, Kerry, Gore and Clinton and have always voted the straight Democratic ticket in every local election. So, what would give anyone the impression that Marcus Blackston is anything close to a Right Wing Extremist? Granted, I do listen to my share of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity but only under the premise that I always feel the need to know what the other side is saying. Well, what are the chances that in the process, some of those good old fashioned conservative values rubbed off on me? I began to take inventory of my beliefs to see just how closely aligned I am with the right side of the aisle. I decided to use Republican views against “Obamacare” as the barometer, so let’s see where our minds meet.

UNCONSTITUTIONALITY; No matter what side of the fence you land on, Obamacare is a complex issue. Most Americans have no idea why they are for or against the newly enacted legislation. But, neo-cons have a plethora of reasons why they feel it’s the fall of western civilization. But the primary reason is that it’s unconstitutional.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL, the first word every new tea party recruit learns. Well, in this case it’s more than just one of those ten dollar words, but it actually has some merit. You see, there is this little thing in the Affordable Care Act, A.K.A. Obamacare that is called the INDIVIDUAL MANDATE. This is a frequently overlooked little gem within the legislation that requires every American to purchase health insurance. WTF?!!! That would mean the days of you having the right to be a carefree, irresponsible, twenty something year old, who throws

caution to the wind and lives healthcare-less as if you are invincible are over! Even if you are one of those “mother to the world” types that cannot resist the urge to try to control everyone’s life. Even if it’s for their own good; you must realize that forcing an individual to purchase a service goes against everything our founding fathers stood for. The very fact that never before has the Federal Government required American Citizens to purchase a service, product or run the risk of facing penalties and fines renders the law completely unconstitutional.

Additionally, the law promotes the concept of THE NANNY STATE: There is no such thing as a free lunch I was always told, and no one knows this better than conservatives. Surely Uncle Sam offers the ability to take away all of our problems in the worst of times, let’s take a moment to examine in the rawest of form. Lost your job, unemployment will take care of that. Too old to work, Social Security will supersede the deficit. A single mother struggling to make ends meet, Public Assistance and food stamps has you covered. In fact, many conservatives blame the fall of the black family on Uncle Sam’s continued desolation of the role of the black male, by continuing to promote dependency on such government assistance. But that’s another story or is it? All of these services come at a cost, and that cost is freedom. How much of your freedom are you willing to sacrifice in order to put big brother in charge of your healthcare? You see, once Uncle Sam is compensating for your medical bills, in order to curb costs they will begin to tell you what you can and cannot eat, even what you can and can’t drink. New York City’s ban on large soft drinks is just the tip of the iceberg. Soon you will be told how much dessert you can have, that you must have more veggies with your meal, hell there may even be a penalty one day for not drinking enough water, who knows?

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Health & Fitness Moreover, when the time finally arrives that old age gets the best of you, guess who gets to decide whether or not you can undergo potentially lifesaving procedures? Not You! Good old Uncle Sam will have the last say! Directly speaking, once the government is in charge of every citizen’s healthcare, they have to make sure there is enough to go around. This leads to what is known as government rationing. In other words the government, or as Sarah Palin refers to them, Death Panels, will get to determine whether you should get that pacemaker, or if you are too old and there is no point in wasting such limited equipment on YOU. Pretty frightening huh? In addition, even if you are approved for that heart transplant or that triple bypass surgery, keep your fingers crossed and pray that it takes place before your ailment gets the best of you. Our British brethren across the pond, where nationalized healthcare has been the law of the land for decades, spin nightmarish tales of waiting lists that are so seemingly endless that legislation has been introduced to ensure that citizens get treated within 18 weeks........... 18 weeks?!?!?!?!? That’s FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS! Almost a half of a year just to be seen for even minor ailments so how is that free lunch tasting now?

MAN! Maybe I AM the right-winger I have been accused of being, who knows? Maybe it IS time for me to go looking for that 6X “DON’T TREAD ON ME” tee-shirt. Something tells me, much to my chagrin, I just may be a Tea Bagger in the making after all. Not so fast! On so many moral and social issues, I find myself completely at odds with the folks that call themselves “TRUE” Americans. But when it comes to the national albatross that has come to be known as Obamacare, I have found myself in total agreement with the Grand Old Party, quite a troubling thought.

Service from running up four billion (that’s with a B!), four billion dollars in losses in 2013. The financial woes of the Postal Service have become so devastating that one of the oldest institutions in the history of this great country has been beset by layoffs, cutbacks and even the prospect of being forced to halt Saturday deliveries.

Let’s think about this for a second, the same US Government that oversees one of the greatest monopolies of all times in the US Postal Service, a business that has virtually no competition still manages to lose billions per year! This is who you want in charge of your healthcare?!?!?!? Puh-leeze!!! Worst of all, the track record ain’t gettin’ no better!

Thus far, the roll out of Obamacare has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. Problems with the log in, crashes and glitches of all shapes and sizes have led to a maiden voyage for the program that would have made the Titanic’s look like a smashing success! It’s almost impossible to fathom how after three whole years of preparation and planning, Uncle Sam still found a way to foul this up. Now, , by no means am I implying that the less than stellar implementation of Obamacare means that it is doomed to fail. After all, we are merely talking about a website here, not the program itself.

However, here is something we must think about. If Democrats, after 40 plus years of scratching and battling to finally capture what has been their Holy Grail, were

The final and most important reasons conservatives and I disagree with this law is GOVERNMENT INCOMPETENCE. Think about all the things the government holds the reins to; SOCIAL SECURITY, a program that was once designed to act as a government run trust fund that would keep the elderly above the poverty line, has devolved into a mismanaged, poorly run debacle that is likely to be depleted within twenty years. Another example of government dropping the ball is, The UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. Not rain, not snow, not dark of night could stop the Postal

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T. Saunders This whole journey is dedicated to my grandmother Dorothy C. Saunders. It’s been two years since you left and my life has not been the same. You were the person who believed in me the most and for that reason I dedicate this to you. I know you are watching over me. I told you one day I would make you SUPER proud of me and today I did that, it’s just you aren’t here to experience this day with me.

I would like to thank my parents Randy and Sharon. I know I drive you crazy but I love you dearly. To my dad, my strength, my confidant, my hero. Words cannot express what you mean to me. I don’t know where I would be without you. To my mother, I know things get rocky between us and I know I am all over the place (lol), but I want you to know that I love you soo much and I hope that my accomplishment makes you proud to say, “that’s my daughter.”

Thank you for everything you have done. To my sister Tamika White, we have come along way.

I just want the world to know that I am proud to call you my sister.

Sherrilyn Grier, you have been there for me when no one else was. You have taught me how to be tough. I love you and I am looking forward to spending this journey with you. Akeela Logan - Thank you for always believing in me no matter what. I love you. Uncle George, Big Erf, Shah Ali, James Williams, Grace Garcia, Tiger Rose, Steve McElrath, Amy Knisley, Andrea Bucher, Tina Macier and Sarah Eversham - THANK YOU for not allowing me to give up on my dream. Dawn Florio, a friend who just fell into my lap. A lot of this would not have been possible if it were not for you. I am excited about what is to come with us. Thank you for EVERYTHING. I love you.

RaMona, I feel like we bonded throughout this process. Thanks for being a good sport and a compassionate person. I want to thank my team – my sisters, Amanda Henley and Amber Jackson… WE DID IT BABY Last but not least, I want to thank Sharonda Stewart for just being the amazing person that she is. You are talented, beautiful and awesome. You came in and stepped up to the plate and I am so grateful for that. I am excited to see what is in store for us. We have created a bond like no other… We are stuck together forever baby cakes.

Amanda Dedicating this to My grandma Lela J. Brown who pasted away 1/20/14 Thank You to my parents Jennifer and Jamie Henley for always being supportive of me Thank you to Rob for being an excellent father to our daughters and for picking up the pieces when my schedule gets hectic!

Thank You to my Brother’s Marcus, Jared, and Brandon for being willing to help out when necessary wither it be for advice or babysitting!

Thank You to my daughters Amira, Alinah, and Akilah for being my inspiration. I do everything I do for them.

D E D I C A T I O

Amber Jackson I would like to dedicate my journey with Curvaceous Redemption to my Angel in the sky, my grandfather as he always told me I was beautiful regardless of what I had on, what my hair looked like, and how much I weighed. I am grateful for his influence and strive to continue to make him proud.

I would like to thank my Cousin Tiffany, the mastermind behind the movement for allowing me to be a part of this amazing journey. Without her dream, none of this could be possible and she continues to touch the lives of women worldwide. Love you !

Amanda, Thanks so much for being the sweet heart that you are. You are level headed and even when you aren’t saying much you still speak volumes! I am so glad that to share this Journey with you and Tiff.

Redemption is here!

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