OTSMAGAZINE

Figuring out which fashion style suits you best isn’t an easy task. With so many options of colors and designs, it’s easy to get lost. Most people think that it’s enough to simply follow the latest trends, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Finding out which style is most appealing to you means discovering a little more about yourself, discovering who you are and who you want to become. Determining your personal style can also make you realize which decorating style suits you best and help you create a home that perfectly reflects your personality. But, first you need to do some soul searching.

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Set out on a journey of self-discovery

The first thing you need to do is get to know yourself fairly well. Explore your interests and hobbies. Find out what makes you smile, what excites you, and what puts you off. Experiment until you find exactly what you’re looking for. Once you realize what keeps you going, it will be easy to build your personal style according to it.

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Put your best foot forward

It’s important to remember that you are the one that’s in charge of your style. Every one of us knows which aspects of our appearance they want to emphasize and which ones they want to mask. You have a vision of how you want to present yourself to the rest of the world in your mind – you just need to find the right means for achieving it. A good way to show your true colors to the world is to dress with care. This means that you need to find clothes that suits your figure, that highlights your best features and shows everyone (including you) how amazing you are. It can be a dress that emphasizes your curves, or a pair of boots that shows off your slim legs. Highlighting your natural attributes shows that you respect who you are and that you want to show everyone else the best aspects of your personality. You need clothes that make you feel comfortable and good about yourself. You’ll need to put in a lot of effort and try out tons of different outfits, but discovering your unique style is definitely worth your while.

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Scour your wardrobe for home décor ideas

Your personal style can be a tremendous source of help when trying to decide which interior design trends appeal most to you. Take a look at the color palette of your clothes. You probably spend less time thinking about the choice of color when buying a shirt than you do when you think about which color to use for your walls. The decision on the color of the shirt is brought subconsciously to a great extent. It signifies your personal interests and it can be the solution you’re looking for. Of course, you may have a lot of different-colored pieces in your wardrobe, but one color will be prevalent. Take a good look and decide what’s the best choice for you.

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Seek inspiration in nature and memories of the past

When it comes to home décor, nature always hides the best solutions. Bring the natural scenery inside your home to give it a fresh and vibrant look. Floral patterns, natural jute rugs, plants, and green details light up the atmosphere in every home, and if you don’t know what to go for, you can’t make a mistake with natural elements. Another potential source of inspiration is your past. Decorate your home with souvenirs and reminders of a certain period in your life. Try to notice a connection between them and display them in a way that shows this pattern. Each of these objects is in your home for a reason. Treasure their sentimental value and use them to create a unique home décor that reflects who you are.

Your fashion style and home décor are powerful tools for expressing your inner self. Use them wisely.

About author:

Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She's passionate about traveling, fashion and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” Find her on Facebook.

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Photo Credit : Rick D Jones

Liris Crosse is a model/actress & pioneer in the fashion industry for full-figured women & Black women known for pushing curvy women into mainstream culture.

Tell Us More about yourself, and what was life like growing up?

Well I was blessed to grow up in Baltimore County in Maryland in a religious 2 parent household with parents who loved me & expected the best from me. They still do till this day. They allowed me to try all types of creative things under their watch so I could find my way. My dad was in politics & my mom was in social services. So I learned how to stand up for what I believe in & how to have compassion for people. I also have an older sister who I always looked up to who’s so smart & funny!

How did you start Modelling?

I went to an open call for a models convention called Model Search America while in high school. They picked me to come to the regional convention to walk for the agencies. I got call backs from Elite, Zoli, Michelle Pommier & Seventeen Magazine but they all wanted me to lose weight although I was a full-time athlete. I eventually moved to NY to pursue commercial modeling & Model Search America set up a meeting for me at the curves division of Wilhelmina Models in NYC. They offered me a contract that day & my career started. I didn’t even know plus modeling existed but I was just excited to be signed. I’m now signed to Dorothy Combs Models & Hughes Models.

What was your first big break in the Plus size modelling and fashion industry?

It was actually a shoot for Black Elegance Magazine that’s no longer around but after that I would say it was Essence Magazine! They accepted & loved that I had curves! The ball continued to roll & I shot 3 campaigns for Lane Bryant plus walked in their first NYFW runway show! That’s when a star was born! LOL!

If you weren’t modeling, your career choice would be?

It would be owning my own full service salon which can still happen or being a lawyer. I guess I watch too much “Law & Order” haha!

How does it feel to be the First Black Model to Grace “Goddess Lingerie”?

Simply amazing! The best part is I know how it makes other women feel to be represented in the fashion world so I’m glad I can be someone to help shed more model diversity in my industry. But the beautiful thing was Goddess booked me cause I was the best model for the job. I also work with them for their trade shows & they saw the buyers reactions to me so it just made sense I guess. I am honored though cause when I see very few black models for the lingerie brands. Now I need to conquer a swim brand!

Liris Crosse Modeling -Goddess Kayla Bella Coral Lingerie

What advice would you give to aspiring Models and Plus sized models trying to find their Niche in the Modelling and Fashion industry?

Be honest with yourself about your body & your look then find what lane you can create with it whether it’s the type of modeling you do or what kind of clients you pursue. Find the amazing thing about you & make it work!

What are some of your latest and upcoming projects?

Well of course the release of this Goddess campaign! I am headlining the Plus Size Fashion Days runway shows in Hamburg, Germany in October so I’m excited to go there! I just shot the in-store campaign for mid-west American retailer, Maijer Stores for the fall. I also teamed up with Curvysta Magazine for a special project in September so be on the look out for that & PlusNight Out! I’m also gearing up to branch my Life Of a Working Model Bootcamps across the country! You can always find out when future ones are coming up at Facebook.com/LifeOfAWorkingModelBootCamp or LirisC.com/LOAWM

Photo Credit : Rick D Jones

Who or what inspires and motivates you daily?

Well the fact that I know I am put here on Earth by God for a purpose. If I stop pursing my dreams then I would be failing me & many others. I gain inspiration from my parents, sister, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Oprah. They are all enterprising, found their lanes & do it at their highest levels possible.

What do you enjoy most about modelling?

I love runway the most although there aren’t many shows for plus sizes but it’s the ultimate adrenaline rush! All eyes are on YOU!

In regards to the plus-sized industry, what are the aspects you love about it?

What are some aspects that you don’t about the industry? I love how supportive we can be at times & how its a sisterly love in some ways with most of the models since it feels like us against the world. I also love the body confidence movement because we all can’t be skinny. I don’t like when we size shame each other within the plus fashion community, like comparing if someone is “plus enough”. I also dislike when brands don’t show diversity with race as far as the models they use. A great model will sell the clothes regardless of color, just book us!

Recently I have observed that the plus-sized fashion industry is booming. Why do you think it’s taken so long for women of bigger sizes to really be seen?

Well the social consciousness of the world is changing & individuality is being more accepted. People are making their voices heard more now than ever. We definitely have to thank social media for that cause their so many ways to shine more light on the plus fashion community & to build power within it

If you could change anything about the Fashion and Modeling industry, what would it be and why?

I would have plus models on the same status as the straight size models so we are able to be up for high-end designer campaigns & CONSISTENTLY rip the runway for major designers for New York Fashion Week & the others around the world.

Many models feel the pressure to fit a ‘sample’ size for their work. As a plus size model, do you feel pressure to look a certain way physically?

Well you have to fit the samples. If you can’t fit the samples, the product can’t get shot. People forget that modeling can be fun but it’s a business. Brands want the clothes to look neat & want as least work to do in post. The bottom line is the dollar cause if it doesn’t make dollars than it doesn’t make sense. Like any job there are requirements & the same goes for modeling. I can’t expect to be an executive assistant for a CEO if it requires me to know Microsoft Office & how to type but I can’t do either one. Most samples in the plus industry have a range so it does help for some size diversity though.

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Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people, Your positive action combined with your positive Mindset yields Positive results, Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you. STAYING POSITIVE does not mean that things will turn out okay. Rather it is knowing that YOU will be okay no matter how things turn out,A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do,You cannot change reality, but you can control the manner in which you look at things. Your attitude is under your own control. Weed out the negative and focus on the positive!

No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things,Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient, and the best things come to those who don't give up,The mind is everything; what you think, you become, Watch The Clock🕛 , But Do What it does and keep Moving, Don't give up on your dreams, start from where you are , focus on the good not the bad, stop competing with others and focus on your strength, the sky is big enough for the birds, Butterflies 🦋 and Mosquito to spread their wings , Be Yourself and be positive, remove negative people from your life and surround yourself with positive things and people.

The season of dry, itchy skin is finally gone, and we’ve welcomed spring with arms wide open. Snow and extremely low temperatures call for a deep nourishing skincare in order to ensure enough elasticity, moisture and volume. However, since the warmer weather is finally here, you can forget all about layering serums, balms, and oils and switch to much lighter products that will give your skin a perfect glow.

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Moisturize

Even though we’re not facing freezing weather and harsh wind anymore, you should still take care of your skin and moisturize it regularly. Just as you switch from warmer to lighter wardrobe, you should also switch to lighter skincare products. Skin retains more water in the warmer months, so if you continue to use the moisturizers you applied during the winter, your skin will only be too greasy. Rejuvenating creams and serums are a great solution for fine lines that may develop due to the previously cold weather. Water-based formula is the best choice for those with oily skin. However, no matter how oily your skin is, don’t skip the moisturizer as a part of your skincare routine. The more your skin needs moisture, the more prone to breakouts it will be.

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Exfoliate

While moisturizing is paramount for glowing skin, you’ll have to prepare it for hydration first. After the months of cold winter are gone, the residual dead skin cells need to be removed. Therefore, make sure you exfoliate it regularly, with chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid. Scrubs are a great alternative if you prefer non-abrasive products. After the skin is exfoliated, it’ll be able to absorb moisture and any other facial products 20 percent faster.

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Use lightweight foundation

Not only should you switch to lighter moisturizer formula, but also consider applying a lightweight foundation. The skin tends to become oilier in the spring, so don’t clog the pores with too heavy makeup, or you’ll end up with terrible acne problem. Therefore, take a break from the heavy foundation and go for mineral BB creams that will offer you a radiant skin and great SPF as well. Thanks to the mineral-based formula, the BB cream will nourish the complexion and protect the skin from UV rays and free radical damage.

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Foot care

Winter tends to leave you with dry feet and rough skin on your heels. We often wear boots during the cold weather, and if they’re not as comfortable as they should be, calluses and thick skin on the heels can be a big problem. Therefore, it’s necessary that you take good care of your feet and ensure they’re ready for lighter footwear and sandals. Schedule an appointment at the pedicure salon and dedicate some time to pampering your feet. However, if you can’t make time for the salon, be your own pedicurist and have a treatment at your home. With the help of a foot file, you can remove dead skin cells and prepare them for a nourishing moisturizer. After your DIY pedicure, wrap the feet up with a plastic wrap and spend the night with a pair of cotton socks on the feet. Your feet will be smooth, gentle and ready to show it off in sandals the next morning.

As the seasons change, so should your skincare routine. The rich and heavy formulas you used in the cold months, won’t work during the warm weather, so it’s time to invest in more suitable products. Use lightweight moisturizers and makeup, don’t forget to exfoliate the skin, and take care of your feet for the best-looking skin.

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