VMCHOOSING THE RIGHT SWIMSUIT FOR YOUR SHAPE

PHOTOS DEDICATED

TO STAR

A STAR AMONG

US

PLUS SIZE SIZE AND IN

DENIAL

SPECIAL EDITIONMARCH 2013

EDITOR/PUBLISHERCrystal McCray

EDITORIAL Fashion Editor - Phyllis McDavies

Lifestyle Editor - Melissa WagnorContributor - Annette Nixon

DIGITAL DESIGN/GRAPHICS Crystal McCray

PHOTOGRAPHYNyte Visions of Cincinnati, Ohio

(513) 309-5020

FASHION 3 Rock This With...... 13 Choosing The Right Swimsuit for Your Shape

HEALTH10 Plus Size Diva in Denial

EDITORIAL5 A Star Among Us

Letter from the EditorTHIS IS A SPECIAL EDITION OF VOLUPTOUS MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO STAR

CASTLEMAN. WE WILL CONTINUE TO EMPOWER THE PLUS SIZE DIVA IN HER NAME. WE MISS HER AND LOVE HER SO MUCH.

My decision to publish Voluptous Magazine after all this time was a hard decision. I guess if it’s not the way you want it, don’t do it at all was my motto. I feel I owe this to a lot people who were looking forward to this publication. I owe it to the plus size little girl who was teased in school because of her weight. I owe it to the house wife who was told she wasn’t good enough by her husband. I owe it to those who need and want positive encouragement overall.

The reason the Voluptous Magazine concept was created back in 2007, was to inspire full-figured women. And that is still our goal today. We will continue to be an inspiration to those women and men who are not the ideal size according to the standards of society.

Our purpose and mission is to provide relevant content to those who can identify with these prejudices. What you can expect to see is articles that will focus on weight loss tips, and inspirational stories to improve overall health and well-being, the latest fashion trends, relationship issues, new product launches, events, and expos.

Our content will be published on a quarterly basis through online digital content.

I would sincerely like to thank everyone for all the support during the rough times. We would like to dedicate this first edition of VM to you. Without our readers and supporters there would be no us.

I would like to send a special thank you to my biggest supporter my mother Joyce Blake.

A sincere thank you goes to: Larresa Lee, Valerie Fruge, Tillina Whitehead, Dolly Jamison, Falana Whitehead, Ebony Dubose, Tamika, Tarhona Tolbert, Sherria Perry, Miyoshi & Cee Sturkey, Crystal Cornist, Meka, Sayvon Gibson, Dion Thorton, Ebony Williams, Faith Cargile, Portia Hairston Clay, Lynnetta Davis, Amber Johnson, Tiffany Ware, Atiya Meadows, Salim (Nyte) Williams, Duyanna Anderson, Johnetta Anderson, Giselle Grayson, Misty Morton, Cliff Fennell, Alanna Simone & Jerome (Jerry) Parker.

It is my pleasure to share this short dedication to Star with all of you.

VM

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For model consideration, product placement, or to request our mediakit please contact us at:

(513) 823-2124mccraypublications@outlook.com

Peplum Dresses are always hot.Rock this with a Red Clutch,black slingbacks and gold accessories to make this outfitpop.Dress - Plussizefix.comClutch - Zappos Shoes - Shoedazzle Accessories - Fashiontofigure.com

Dress - Plussizefix.com

Shoes - Zappos.com

Purse - Michael Kors Necklace - Traci Lynn- Rockcandy Necklace

Black & White Black & White color block dresses are a must have. Wear it to work, and spice up this look with yellow pumps for happy hour.

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Rock these with..........

Dress - Plussizefix.com

Shoes - Shoedazzle

Acessories (handbag, & necklace - Fashion To Figure

Earrings - (zebra print)Yumnah Najah Hand Painted Jewelry

Lace Peplum

Mint & PastelsMint and Pastels are hot for this spring.

We love this dress from Plus-sizefix.com

Handbag and Shoes - Shoe-dazzle.com

Necklace - Fashiontofigure.com

A Star Among Us

Star was a consummate professional. She was always ready upon arrival. She knew what poses she wanted to do, and she knew what looked good for her. She had a good sense of style and always seemed to be comfortable. I generally like to collaborate with a model, instead of direct them, and she was great with that. I liked her ideas and she was willing to try mine as well. Always cordial and congenial, I couldn’t think of a complaint I could have when it came to working with her. I’ve created a few of my favorite images with her and I am sorry I didn’t get the chance to create more.

- Salim Williams

What we saw was a young woman, who always had a smile on her face no matter what she was going through. Most were unaware that she was battling a rare blood disease.

Star was multi-talented, making her acting debut here in Cincinnati, Ohio starring in a sitcom wrote by Lee Zellars. She was also a talented rapper and singer, and has competed and performed in several showcases in Cincinnati, and surrounding areas.

She transitioned to Newark, New Jersey in pursuit of her dreams of being a professional model.

She was the epitome of beauty from the inside out. Star has touched so many during her short time on earth. She had a huge heart, and always gave those around her uncondtional love and support. She was a loving mother who adored her son dearly. This year will mark the third year anniversary of her passing. Her death rocked the whole community in disbelief. I admired her drive, and the way she showed support to everyone around. Her words were, “I will never give up until I reach my dreams.” She is missed but never forgotten. She was a great friend and confidant to many. RIP - Star Castleman You are a true Angel.

Meeting Star for the first time I knew there was something special about her. I met her way back when she was a shy, quiet teenager. Her mom and I were good friends. When I saw her again as an adult I was intrigued by her poise and confidence. I remember the day so well. A fall day back in 2007, auditions for “A Curvy Affair” fashion show. When she walked into the meeting hall, Duyanna Anderson, Giselle Grayson, and I was impressed by her presence. We knew she had the “it” factor.

After the first auditions, Star studied the intricacies of modeling carefully, by perfecting her runway walk, and presence in front of the camera. With each season she mastered her skill and found a way to channel her energy to create beautiful photos.

At this point, Star was unstoppable.

A DETERMINED YOUNG LADY

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“She was a pleasure to work with.”

Meeting a Star for the first time

by Crystal McCray

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Weeks went by , and I still didn’t start exercising.

One morning while getting ready for work both my legs felt numb. I thought it was because I was sitting Indian Style on the floor for a while trying to stretch. I never felt that feeling before, anyways, I dismissed it. I don’t know how long it’s been since I even got on a scale. I was now in a size 20 clothes, and I didn’t even want to know how much I weighed.

I gained so much weight in one year.

The wedding was 8 months away, and now we were pregnant. Oh my god I thought, not now! Although that I not was physically, or mentally ready for a little one to arrive we planned the wedding and the arrival of our bundle of joy.

My pregnancy was normal Jaden Jr. was a bouncing 7lbs, 8oz., no complications what so ever.

Well I was Mrs. Jaden Nixon now. Proud of my family and my supportive husband, I felt I had it all. I had a man who loved me unconditionally and a beautiful baby boy. Now Jaden Jr. was 9 months old, I was determined to start an exercise routine. I turned to fad diets, that didn’t work.

These weird tingling sensations in my legs were back. I dismissed it thinking that it was because of the injury.

I was back to work, and finishing up my Business Degree in the evenings, I didn’t have time to work out.

A Plus Size Diva in Denialby Annette Nixon (Richmond, VA)

I have always been a little on the chunky side, even from birth my mom told me I was a meaty baby. During my adolescent years I was the biggest out of all my friends. However, once I reached junior high school, I began a very active lifestyle by running track, and playing basketball with my school team. High school was a normal experience for me, I was popular, made plenty of friends, and even made it on to the debate team.

My junior year I stood 5’8” and weighted 150 lbs. I remember going to the doctor to get a physical for my senior year sports activities. The doctor told my mother I should consider losing a little weight and change my eating habits. I didn’t think my eating habits were that bad, however I did have the tendency to snack on glazed donuts with the chocolate in the middle. So I made some changes, but I did enjoy eating my sugary snacks every now and then.

My senior year in high school, I successfully lost 10 lbs. while conditioning for basketball. Toward the end of the basketball season, I suffered a knee injury that put me on crutches for a while. Years later I would find out this injury would change my life forever.

After graduation I went on to college, my knee healed and felt ok to resume my activities.

I felt I was able to start jogging again. So I did twice a week, just trying to ease into thingsat first. As I was jogging one morning I met a really niceyoung man. We soon became really close friends spendingtime together, and in the spring quarter we had a chemistry class together. Before you know it we were an item. We were inseparable.

During the summer I was involved in a car accident that broke my knee, the same knee that was injured in high school. My exercise routines were at a halt, I couldn’t do anything. I started to gain weight because of lack of activity, and my sugary cravings were getting the best or me. I was more and more tired and on crutches again. I was feeling depressed because of the weight gain. My boyfriend assured me that he still loved me unconditionally no matter what size I was.

Because of my previous injury I had to have knee surgery, and was out of commission for about 2-3 months. I frequently received cortisone shots as part of my recovery.

A few months after I started to heal, my boyfriend proposed to me I was so happy.

By this time I was able to get around okay, still not 100%. I knew I had to start an exercise routine, at least one that I could do, based on my injury.

Anyways, I was an athlete in high school, I don’t have anything to worry about, so I thought.

I have always felt pretty good about myself, always held my head up high, and never had a self-esteem issue. So I decided to become comfortable in my own skin. I am a Plus Size Diva now, so I will own it. I could grace the cover of any magazine. I could walk in stilettos just as fierce as any petite woman could. I could work what my mama gave me. My husband loved it, and the other men made sure I knew that they liked what I was working with.

I may not live up to society’s standards but I feel pretty good about myself. I own the latest designer bags, shoes, and clothes anyone could ask for. I drive a nice car, have a gorgeous house in an upper-middle class gated community in Virginia. I thought I was “good”. One morning I opened my eyes, just about 5 minutes before my alarm was scheduled to go off. It was 5:25 a.m. exactly. I sat up and tried to get out of bed, but I couldn’t move my legs. They were completely numb. I moaned in disbelief, I couldn’t deny what was happening. I couldn’t move my legs. I called out to my husband for help, and started to cry frantically. He tried to calm me down, not knowing if he should call a family member or the paramedics. He called the paramedics. It has now been a few minutes and I still could not feel my legs, I can’t move them. The paramedics arrived, they asked me all the pertinent questions, medical history, on any medications, etc. When they asked has this ever happened to before, I didn’t know what to say, because it has, but I denied it, I dismissed it thinking my health was fine, when in fact it was declining.

The hospital ride was horrendous, they tested my blood sugar levels and they were through the roof.

I was immediately diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The numbness in my legs were caused by nerve damage brought on by diabetes. I didn’t understand, how this could have happened like this. I wasn’t diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant.

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Fast forward to present time… Jaden is now 2 years old. My son and my husband are my reason for living. My husband and I are still together raising our son. Now I have started an exercise routine that works for me. I have lost 20lbs, so far, and I currently wear a size 16 and on my way to controlling my sugar levels. No more donuts, and junk food for me. I am still plus size and probably always will be, and that is fine with me, as long as I can live a healthy lifestyle and exercise 2-3 days a week.

The proceeding article was a story submitted to us a few years ago. Her story is raw and unedited. Mrs. Nixon wanted to bring awareneess to the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and the dangers of diabetes.

by Phyllis McDavies

Swimsuit Season is just around the corner, and before you get stuck buying a piece that doesn’t fit properly take your time to choose the right one. First you must understand that all swimsuits are not created equal. Monif C has nailed it with her swimsuit designs to flatter every shape.

For full-coverage try the Malibu Surfer Plus Size Suit (pictured left). This suit swimsuit features mesh covering of the arms, with sewn in bra cups for the perfect fit. It is available in turquoise and orange multi-color.

Shapes perfect for this suit are; Rectangle The color contrast in the middle of the suit would create the illusion of curves drawing your eyes to middle.

Choosing the Right Swimsuit for Your ShapeFINALLY A BIKINI FOR THE CURVES

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Who said you curvy divas can’t wear a bikini? For pear shapes with small waistlines, the Sao Paulo High Waist Bikini is just right for you (left bottom). The bikini top has a sweetheart neckline with a neck tie, and adjustable straps in the back for full support. The bikini bottom has ultimate tummy control, which all us plus size ladies can appreciate. Available in Blue & Orange Multi Color, Coral, Black, Black/White Stripe, and Leopard print.

For those who would like a cover type suit try the Mozambique Swim Halter dress. It features mesh lining, soft bra cups for support .

This suit is perfect for any shape, especially those who would like to create the illusion of a small wasist the detachable belt with gold hardware will give you the look you want.Purchase online www.monifc.com

This ruched swimsuit is perfect for the rectangular or triangle shape giving the illusion of a waistline.

The ultra sexy vintage look will catch all eyes.

This suit features mesh lining with support of the bustline and adjust-able neck tie.

Purchase online www.monifc.com