1. Vixen
of the
Month
Diary of a
Kurvie Woman
‘Love Knows
No Gender’
Tiffany
Nicole
McCloud
Also inside: 2015 Fashion Trends
Ms. Kurvie
Upstate NY 2014
AAAAlllsssoo iiiinnnssiiiiidddddee
In Latin Color
The Kurvie Experience
Jan/Feb2015
Issue#1
Winner & Runner-upU.S.$4.00
2. 2 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
Let me help
you fi f ind
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ten: Sassy yet
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comfortable in
your own skin.
~Chandra M.
If you’re
interested in
purchasing
lingerie or
having a lin-
gerie party,
call me.
3. Table of Contents
DavidPatrickPhotography
TrishGarveyPhotography
Dear Ms. V
Cover Story
Vociterous Life Styles
Vixen of the Month
Read the inspiring interview
between a married lesbian
couple who are the epitome
of love.
Readers want to know about a
touchy subject in the bedroom.
Meet Shawntanique Coleman from
the Upstate NY area, VLS
first Vixen of the Month!
Women from the first Annual Ms.
Kurvie Upstate NY Pageant share
the experience with VLS in an Exclu-
sive with our Editor-In-Chief.
vivacious life styles
Find out what the leading
cause of preventable death is
in U.S
DavidPatrickPhotography
De’Jah Blas
Rochester, NY
Tiffany Nicole McCloud
Rochester, NY
“Love yourself, embrace yourself,
and be the beautiful YOU you are”
--Tiffany Nicole McCloud
Shalonda
Reaves
Page.6
Page 8
Page 12
Page 13
Page 15
4. 4 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 20154 |4 | VoVolupluptuotuousus LifLife Se Styltyly ees | I| I| Issussu 1e 1e 1 ||| JJanJanuaruar Fy-Fy F bebrebruaruary 2y 2y 015015015015
Dear Reader,
Have you ever started something small and watched that idea grow and blossom into a well thought out
team project? Embarking on that journey as Voluptuous Life Styles’ Editor-in-Chief, started with a few
women with plans to push some attention to women who did not fit the society’s standard of beauty.
I am so humbled and honored that the staff and writers for this
magazine, are really dedicated and diligent in giving you, the reader,
a better understanding of where the curvier sistas are coming from.
VLS is what happens after a dream became an idea and was shared
with like-minded people that blossomed into a well thought out
sisterhood. I want to thank-you and also welcome you to the VLS
experience.
As an introduction to VLS, we are going inside the 2014 Ms. Kurvie
Pageant of Upstate NY, to touch on some personal sexual opinions
and hear a word or two from the insightful thoughts of our follow-
ers via social media. I’m almost spilling all the beans so turn the
page!
Alexis Armstrong-Hillsman
Letter From The Editor
Editor-In-Chief
Alexis Armstrong-Hillsman
Editorial Production
Yolanda Blackburn
Tiffany Nicole McCloud
Shalonda Reaves
Shawntanique Coleman
Aidaliz Madonado
De’Jah Blas
Adelina Gonzalez
David Patrick Photography
Trish W. Photography
Brandon George Morris
John Lee Photography
Jay Ceeze Photography
MUA
Latifah WIlson
Rosalind Matthew
JayCeezePhotography
ear Reader,
“Validdddaaaatttteeee your ssseeelf-worth through self-love.”
5. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |5JanJannuuararry-y-Fy-Febrebruararu y 2y 2000150155 || IssIs ue 1 | VoVolupluptuous Life Sttylyleess |55
style is the ability to make a trend
your own. Certainly, you can mix
and match trends for example: I
probably would take a bold pat-
terned shirt and pair it with high
waist striped pants.
Have fun, and make it your
own!
Tiffany Nicole McCloud
Fashion Blog Editor
FASHION VIGNETTE: TRENDS // FASHION SNOOPS - SPRING/SUMMER 2015. (2013, July 18). Retrieved 2015
Fashion - is a popular style
especially in clothing, footwear,
accessories, makeup, body
piercing, or furniture.
However, fashion doesn’t
always mean what is in ‘trend’ and
that is where personal style plays a
HUGE role into fashion!
With that being said, some
of the fashion trends out right now,
bold prints, stripes, monochromatic
color schemes and lace, are going to
be huge this season. Retro prints are
attempting to make a comeback as
well.
Now you don’t have to wear
trends to be fashionable. Again,
Vibrant Life Styles
Tiffany
Nicole is the
author of
thediaryo-
facurviegirl.
tumbler.com.
She has
thousands
of followers
across social
media sites.
6. 6 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
VLS: Please introduce yourselves and tell us about your-
selves?
Tena: My name is Tena Cotton-Greenlea. I’m 41 and I
have 3 boys, ages are 22, 21, 17. I’m a Customer Service
Rep for Verizon Wireless. I was born and raised in Roch-
ester NY.
Tonya: My name is Tonya Greenlea-Cotton and I’m 40
yrs old. I have 3 boys, I work for ADT Security, and was
born and raised in Boston MA.
VLS: How long have you two been married?
T&T: Tonya and I have been married for 2 yrs now, been
together for 15 yrs.
VLS: Was there opposition from family, friends and co-
workers when you two became involved in a same-sex
relationship?
T&T: Yes there was opposition with friends & fam-
ily. Some of my friends thought I was going through a
phase. (Laughs) But, as time went by Tonya remained
in my life, a phase was no longer a thought. My family
embraced Tonya when we got together. Things changed
when we announced that we were getting married. We
didn’t really have the support from some of our family
members and although it hurt, it didn’t stop us from ex-
changing our wedding vows.
VLS: What was it like for your children when you two
sat down with
them to tell
them that you
were in a rela-
tionship?
T&T: We both have children from previ-
ous relationships. Tonya’s son accepted
her lifestyle. As for me, it took a toll on
both of my sons. They didn’t quite un-
derstand how and why I was in love with
a woman. Now my boys love Tonya, and
Tonya’s sons love me.
VLS: Are same-sex marriages any differ-
ent from heterosexual marriages?
T&T: The only difference is, it’s a rela-
tionship with 2 women, and that chem-
istry alone, can be very emotional.
We recently
had the opportunity of
talking to two women
that are a part of the
Lesbian community
and we wanted to give
them a forum where
they could share, with
the readers, how Love
Knows No Gender.
Tena and Tonya are the
epitome of what true
love is because ‘Love
Knows No Gender.’
VLS would
like to thank Tena and
Tonya Greenlea for
their contribution and
for providing an infor-
mative and insightful
look into their lives, a
life no different than a
heterosexual couple’s
lives.
VLV
sel
TeT
ha
Re
est
ToT
yrs
bo
yy
VLV
T&T
tog
VLV
wo
rel
T&T
ily
ph
yy
in
p
em
wh
did
meme
ch
VLV
sat
th
th
we
tionship?
We recently
ad the opportunity of
alking to two women
hat are a part of the
esbian community
nd we wanted to give
hem a forum where
hey could share, withwith
he readers, howhow Love
Knows NNo Gender.
enaena and Tonya are the
pitome of what true
ove is because ‘Love
Knows No Gender.’
VLS would
ke to thank Tena and
onya Greenlea for
heir contribution and
or providing an infor-
mative and insightful
ook into their live , aook into their lives, a
fe no di erent than ae no different th
eterosexual couple’srosexual
ves.
PhotobyJohnLeePhotography
Adelina Gonzalez
Vociferous Life Styles Editor
Love Knows No Gender
Vociferous Life Styles
cont’t on page 14
7. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |7JanJanuaruary Fy-Febrebruaruary 2y 2015015 || IssIssueue 1 |1 | VoVolupluptuotuousus LifLife Se Styltyleses |7|7
Diary of a Kurvie Woman
Since this is my first post, my hope is to of-
fer insight and open the mind of everyone, not
just curvy girls. The
curvy girl struggle is not
just physical but also
emotional. As a curvy
girl, we often deal with
societal limits, the desire
to be fashionable, and
overcoming what oth-
ers may say. At times,
it can certainly be hard,
but it is beautiful to be a curvy woman.
As for me, I come from a long line of women
who are built curvy. They own and embrace it.
So naturally, when I came into my womanhood
I started to embrace my curves. It brought me
freedom that I love and welcome every day.
I welcome you to embrace your curves or
the curvy women in your life. Step into a new
journey of inspirational
and motivational posts
for beautiful plus size and
curvy women.
Follow along as you explore
“The Diary of a Curvy
Girl!”
Sincerely,
Tiffany Nicole
A Kurvie Woman
Dear Diary
Image provided by Google
PhotobyTrishGarveyPhotography
8. 8 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
Tiffany Nicole McCloud en-
tered the Ms. Kurvie Upstate New
York Pageant in 2014, looking for an
experience to gain a better connec-
tion with positive plus size women
in an uplifting and entertaining way.
What she did gain, was a sisterhood
of women who all had differ-
ent purposes.
“Love Yourself, Em-
brace Your Curves, and Be
the BEAUTIFUL You, you
are,” is the message she sends out
to over seven thousand people who
adore her sense of style inspired by
Solange, Janel Monet, and Nadia
Aboulhosn to name a few.
McCloud admits that she
Ms Kurvie Upstate NY 2014Alexis Armstrong-Hillsman
Editor-In-Chief
“Love Yourself,
Embrace Your Curves,
and Be the
BEAUTIFUL YOU,
you are.”
-Winner
Tiffany Nicole McCloud
“I don’t go through what
I go through in life just for myself.”
--Tiffany Nichole McCloud
Pictured
De’Jah Blas
Shalonda Reaves
Tiffany Nicole McCloud
Shawntanique Coleman
Aidaliz Maldonado
9. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |9
went into this competition with the
mindset to have fun with everyone
at the event held at Frederick Dou-
glass Resource Center in Rochester,
NY on October 26th, 2014.
“I don’t go through what I
go through in life just for myself,”
was the motto and motivation be-
hind her decision to enter this com-
petition.
McCloud never thought she
would win. So when the
announcer called her to
accept the crown as the
first Kurvie Queen ever,
it was a surreal moment
for this first time model
and pageant participant.
Behind the ballroom gowns
and Colgate bright smiles, were
many women who have been deal-
ing with serious body image issues.
From first timers, to seasoned pag-
eant participants, the experience
was like no other.
Photo by David Patrick Photography
“Love Yourself, Embrace Your Curves,
and Be the BEAUTIFUL You, you are!”
--Tiffany Nichole McCloud
cont’t on next page
10. 10 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 201510 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
of the oldest and feared that she was
not pretty enough to enter.
Because of this event alone,
Reaves has increased the number of
sisters through Christ who encour-
age her to continue to teach others
about the giving spirit.
The stunning women took part in
a photo-shoot this past winter in
Rochester, NY with photographers,
David Patrick and Trish Garvey.
While the ladies in waiting, were
getting the Diva treatment from
MUA Latifah Wilson and Rosalind
Matthew, all the women displayed
why this pageant existed. When
asked would they do it again, all
answers were presented with such
a passionate, “Yes!”
The wom-
en were not
m a l i c i ou s
t o w a r d s
each other.
In fact, the
amount of
love that
poured out
in their ac-
tions that day, spilled over to oth-
er community involvements as a
movement, well after the pageant
was over.
Yo l a n d a
Blackburn and La-
tiffany Anderson
are the creators
of the Ms. Kurvie
Upstate NY Pag-
eant, whose goal
was to show the
world that women
who are a size 14
and up, are beautiful, confident,
classy and intelligent.
During the evening wear,
bubbly personality: Shawntanique
Coleman, of Rochester, declared
in the intimate evening scene, “I’m
here, and I’m me.” There was no
shame, trolling or insensitive re-
marks from the audience, to the
members on the judging panel.
Shalonda Reaves didn’t place but
had an inspiring ‘personal break-
through’. Shalonda stated that the
Ms. Kurvie Pageant helped her
come out of her shell. She was one
Ms. Kurvie Upstate 2014 con’t
Stay tuned to
www.mskurive-
ny.com for more
information
on upcoming
events and
pageant entry.
“I’m here,
and I’m me.”
--Shawntanique Coleman
All photos taken by
Brandon George Morris
Scan ME
11. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |11January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |11
The day of my daughter’s first modeling competition, I heard a
voice,
“Hey big booty, we need to talk!”
The voice belonged to Yolanda Smilez. She invited me to partake
in her new project, ‘Ms. Kurvie Upstate NY!’
I accepted the invitation and it was a unique and memorable expe-
rience as I had my # 1 fan in the audience: my daughter, Anahiya Machin
which made me cry when I heard her shout out: “Mom, you’re so beautiful”.
I was looking forward to dancing Salsa which is the talent I had chosen,
to truly represent my Island. Salsa, is the traditional dance of my island,
Puerto Rico and everyone enjoyed it.
While backstage, I couldn’t allow my nerves get the best of me, no
matter how nervous I may have been. Preparing in between scenes, con-
testants had to run back to their as-
signed areas to change their clothes,
touch up their makeup and hair
style to fit the next scene.
It was amazing, some-
thing new in my life. This is where
I had to represent my Latina KUR-
VIES.
I met so many people,
but one in particular, where a beau-
tiful friendship was formed with JO-
JO, another contestant. We made
it fun, we all laughed and we were
looking on the bright side of things.
Representing my island
in the MS KURVIES UPSTATE NY
competition, was an unforgettable
experience. I learned from every-
one.
Aidaliz Maldonado,
In Latin Color
PhotobyTrishGarveyPhotography
Ms. Kurvie Upstate 2014 con’t
12. 12 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
Obesity from childhood entering into adulthood, can
lead to other deadly diseases such as high blood pres-
sure, sugar diabetes and let’s not forget: mental stress!
Studies provided by the government CDC website
state that,
• Higher income women are less likely to have obe-
sity than low-income women.
• More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese.
• Non-Hispanic blacks have the highest age adjusted
rates of obesity.
The health related issues are among the list leading
causes of preventable death. In order for weight loss
to begin, you must first love yourself. You must be
able to tell yourself: ‘I can do this!’
Telling yourself positive affirmations will seem point-
less at first, but that second step is to believe that you
are made the way you are for a reason, with purpose.
Young, Voluptuous women, stay encouraged and don’t forget to WORK IT!
A Smile is a hug in disguise :-)
Public Domanin, Amanda Mills,
2011
Vivacious Life Styles
Obesity on the Rise
Shalonda Reaves
Vivacious Life Styles Writer
| | |
Spread the message, not the STD’s.
Please visit my website and cop a shirt
www.tippindavelvet.webs.com
Scan ME
13. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |13JanJanJJaJJanJanJaJanJanananJannaanJaJanJ uauaruuauauaruuaruaruaruaruaruaaruaruaraaararrrraaaaarua yyyyyy Fy Fyyyyy Fy Fy Fy Fy Fy Fyyyyy eebrebeebeeebrbebrbrbrebrebrbreeebre uauauuauauuaaarrrarruauaaarauaaryy 2yy 2y 2yy 2y 2y 2y 2y 2222y 2y 2y 2y 2y 2y 22yyyyy 01010100100111551551515150 ||||||| IIssIsIsIIssIsIsssIssIssIsssIssIssssssssuuuuueueueueeeu 111 |1 |11 |1 |111 |||||| VVVVoVoVoVVoVooooVVoVoVVoluplullupllulupluluulupluplupupl pluplululuppupppptuotuotuouotuotuotuoooooouuuuuusuusss LLifLLifLififfffffffe Seee See Se SSSee tytytytytyltyltytylylylyltylyyy esesesesese |1||1|13|13|1313|13333
Vixen of the Month
Shawntanique
Coleman, 32
Vixen of the Month
De’Jah Blas, contributing writer
Photo by David Patrick, Chief Photographer
MUA Rosalind Matthew
Placed 5th in
Ms. Kurvie Upstate New
York Pageant
“Miss Congeniality”
Sign
Sassy but classy Pisces
Current Career Path
Administrative assistant
Major
Collaborative Teaching
Fun Facts:
Lovely mother of one.
Representing chocolate toned
women.
JJJJanJJJanJanJJanJanJanJanJJJanJanJanJanJanJaJanJaJaJanJaanJanJanJanJaJanJanaJanananannuaruaruaruaruaruaruaruararuaruaruaruauuaruararuaruararuauarararuarauararuauu ry FFFFFFy-FFy-Fy-Fy-Fy-Fy-Fy FFFy-Fy-Fy-y-y-Fy-F-Fy-Fy-Fy-Fy-y-Fy-Fyy-FFyyy F bebrbbbbbbbbbbbrbebrebrbbbbeebrbebrbbebebebebebrebebbrrebebrebrbrebebreebbebe uaruauauaruaruauauaruarraruaruuaarraarrararraara y 2y 22y 2222y 2y 22y 2yy 2y 2yy 2y 22yyy 2y 2y 2y 2y 2y 2yy 2y 2y 2y 22y 2yyy 201001501011515015101515151550 501010150001555555 ||||||||||||| IssIssIssIssIssIssIssssIIssIIssIsIssIsIssIsIssIsIIssssss ueuueueuueueueueueuueueueeeueuueee 1 |1 |1 |1 |1 |11 |1 |1111 |1 ||11 ||1 ||11 ||1 | VoVVVVVoVoVoVoVoVoVoVoVVVoVoVVVoVoVVVVVoVVoVVVoVoVVolupllllupllluplupuplupuppupluplupluluplluplulupluppupuppppptututuotuottutuotuotuotuotuotututtttutt ooousuuususususuuuuussuusussusuu LLLLLLifLifLiffLifLLLLiLifLififfffffffe See Se SSe Se Se SSee Se SSSe Seee Se See Se Sttytyltyltyltylttylyltyltyllllleeeseseseeseeseseseese |13|13|13|13|131313|| 31313|13|13131333
When it’s time to just sit back and relax, Shawn
enjoys reading novels, sipping wine and eating
chocolate. Likes a well groomed man that isn’t
insecure. Shawn is most thankful for a strong
support system.
She is also dedicated to passions that involve
those with special needs and elderly people.
14. 14 | Voluptuous Life Styles | Issue 1 | January-February 2015
Vociferous Life Styles con’t
Adelina L. Gonzalez is a pub-
lished author, contributing
author to two anthologies:
“LIFE, LOVE & LUST 2011”,
contributing author to
“Bombshells and Boi’s: Queer
Poetry & Pin Up”
as well as Editor of the
Vociferous Life Style inside
of VLS.
creator of the slogan U
GOTTA GET TESTED IF U
WANNA GET TASTED® Spread
the message, not the STDs
VLS: How do laws that limit marriage to heterosexuals affect gay and lesbian peo-
ple?
T&T: We feel that if we, as lesbians, couldn’t marry, it would limit important fac-
tors, like health proxy decisions, adding our significant others to our health insur-
ance policies, and other important factors that contribute to day to day living that
heterosexual automatically receive once they are married.
VLS: Why is marriage so important?
T&T: Marriage is so important to us because it’s a sacred bond amongst two people
that love each and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together.
VLS: Do same-sex couples make fit parents?
T&T: Absolutely, we make fit parents. As long as you have morals and standards
and structure, it doesn’t matter if you’re heterosexual or gay.
VLS: Could your story possibly help the “Straight” community understand that
“Love knows no Gender”?
T&T: I don’t think our story will ever be un-
derstood to the heterosexual community. I say
that because the Biblical way states it’s a sin,
but what makes this sin different from having
kids out of wedlock? A sin is a sin, is a sin!
VLS: Do you feel your story can be an inspir-
ing story to the LGBT community?
T&T: I feel our story has inspired a lot of cou-
ples. We receive so much love and respect in
the community. We appreciate it all!
VLS: What would you like our readers to take
from your story?
T&T: We would like for our readers to just be
you! Love whomever you love! Love has no
gender!
15. January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |15January-February 2015 | Issue 1 | Voluptuous Life Styles |15
Dear Ms. V
Dear Ms. V,
Is oral sex considered cheating?
–Angie, Rochester, NY
Hello Angie,
There are so many mixed feelings about this topic. The majority
of opinions I’ve heard believe it is. It’s hard to call the bound-
aries of a relationship that you don’t ultimately have any say
in.
But it’s all about you. If you are in a relationship, you need to
fully understand the difference between lust and love. How-
ever, it comes down to what you and your partner have con-
sidered to be cheating, as far as the relationship is concerned.
Some people will use any excuse he or she can, to justify sex.
The use of guilt trips, mind games,
disrespect, and violence should
never be tolerated in a relation-
ship at any time.
If you are in an unhealthy rela-
tionship and your boundaries are
being pushed too far after being
addressed, then Get Out!
A simple rule to live by is to do
unto others as you would like
done to you.
Ms. V
BrandonGeorgePhotography
If you have a question that you would like
to ask Ms. V send us a message to our
FaceBook inbox and your question could be chosen for our next issue!
Scan ME
