ICONIQUE MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019 EDITION FEAT ROXXIE WILLIAMS

FASHION MUSIC LIFESTYLE

DEC. 2019 EDITION

WELCOME TO

ICONIQUE MAGAZINE FASHION

MUSIC

2

LIFESTYLE

ICONIQUE MAGAZINE CONTENTS ROXXIE WILLIAMS- 4 NIA FREEMAN - 12

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEC 6TH, 2019 ISSUE ROXXIE WILLIAMS

BRANDI MARIE - 25 STRUT BY TOI - 54 GET IN STYLE - 14 15 WINTER LOOKS - 16 MIZZDOME - 20 MISTLETOE SECRETS - 24 SEX VS GENDER - 28 AVE OF EXORESSION FASHION SHOW - 34 BELL BOTTOM STORIES - 42 ICONIQUEEEATS - 46

GET PUBLISHED TODAY!

ICONIQUEMAGSUBMISSIONS@GMAIL.COM

ICONIQUE MAGAZINE DOES NOT VERIFY ANY CLAIMS OR OTHER INFORMATION APPEARING IN ANY OF THE ADVERTISMENTS OR PHOTOS CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLICATION AND CANNOT TAKE RESPOSIBILITY IN THE PUBLICATION PROVIDED BY AUTHORS, CONTRIBUTORS, WRITERS, MODELS, PHOTOGRAPHERS OR ANYONE THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THIS PUBLICATION IN ANY FORM OR FASHION AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSES OR OTHER DAMAGES INCURED BY READERS IN RELIANCE ON SUCH CONTENT. ICONIQUE MAGAZINE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE-KEEPING OR RETURN OF UNSOLICITED ARTICLES, MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS , ILLUSTRATIONS , VIDEOS OR ANY MATERIALS. ONCE SUBMITTED, ALL CONTENT REMAINS PROPERTY OF ICONIQUE MAGAZINE AND MAY BE USED FOR FUTURE PUBLICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITES. BY SUBMITTING YOUR CONTENT, YOU AGREE AND GIVES ICONIQUE MAGAZINE FULL PERMISSION TO USE AND DISTRIBUTE SUBMITTED CONTENT IN THE MANNER WE CHOOSE. I HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS ICONIQUE FROM ANY REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY OR CONFIDENTIALITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMAGES SPECIFIED ABOVE. FROM ANY FORM OF DAMAGE, UNFORSEEN OR FORSEEN, ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMERCIAL OR ARTISTIC USE OF THESE IMAGES UNLESS IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT SAID REPRODUCTION WAS MALICIIOUSLY CAUSED, PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SUBJECTING ME CONSPICUOUS RIDICULE, SCANDAL, REPROACH, SCORN AND INDIGNITY. I HEREBY RELEASE SECURE ENTERTAINMENT, ITS CONTACTORS, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND ANY THIRD PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE CREATION OR PUBLICATION OF MARKETING MATERIALS, FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS BY ME OR ANY THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION. FOR AN QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL US AT ICONIQUEMAGSUBMISSIONS@GMAIL.COM

3

ROXXIE WILLIAMS Rasheema Lois Williams was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in 1981. She was raised by her mother, Andrea, who was a hard-working single mother of two.

Photographer: Zakiyah Caldwell @kiacaldwellphotography MUA: Corrinn Chishimba @beautyboxstyle

“My mother taught me that a woman’s mind should be the most beautiful part of her. I’d often ask, ‘Mom, What about the rest of me?’ ‘You’ll get there’ She’d say in response.

“From that moment, I began my search to find my Self. But where would a plus size girl like me fit in? Because basically, up until that point in my life, I had often felt as if I didn’t really “fit” into anything.

Even as a little girl I’ve always been chunky, or “thick” as the saying goes. I would always ask so many questions: Why am I so big? Why are my feet so big? Why am I so tall? Why are my cheeks so chubby?

Why am I “the fat girl”... Why me?

“The truth is: you sacrifice a bit of your life, and your peace, attempting to be a part of something Bigger than yourself. But who knew that I would eventually play a significant role in the “Thick Chick Hottie Revolution”?

“I think that we’ve already established that plus size women can do just about anything. Splits and backflips, dance, yoga, wearing sexy clothes, becoming super models, and winning Oscars... but never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would become a model. At one time in my life I wanted to be an actress, but body consciousness and self-doubt kept me from my pursuits. I was always a Nerd (a.k.a. an Intellectual Bad-Ass), even as a popular and celebrated volleyball champ. I was voted “Future Teacher” In my high school yearbook, (go check!), ...But at that point in my life, a Modeling career had never crossed my mind.

“They say that God puts you in the right place at the right time. I was at a job that I loved, my son was graduating high school and joining the army, and my daughters grades were getting progressively better.

I was back in school getting my own degree in early childhood education. Things were just fine to me, especially having had no seizures in two years. I was happy... or at least, I thought I was.

“Something was missing. I knew that I was meant to do something with more purpose, that there was still something that I was meant to do.

“Two years ago I met a young lady named Ivy who, with one phrase, changed my life forever. ‘You’re beautiful, you should try out to be a model!’ No way in the world, I thought to myself. I’m old, I have stretch marks, I’ve got two kids, and I’m a Grandma (to the Cutest baby in the world, for the official record). And just... “no”. But somehow, some way, she eventually convinced me to go with her to a casting.

ROXXIE WILLIAMS

Photographer: Zakiyah Caldwell @kiacaldwellphotography MUA: Corrinn Chishimba @beautyboxstyle

ROXXIE WILLIAMS

“My first casting experience was the Casting for the “I am Ashley� contest in 2018.

No, I wasn’t chosen, no I wasn’t picked... but after I saw myself on the Ashley Stewart website, chosen out of all the women there walking the runway... to be displayed on the actual web page?? I couldn’t believe my eyes. On that day, I fell deeply in love with being a Plus-Size/Curves Model.� “If you can’t figure out your Purpose, figure out your Passion; For your Passion will lead you to your Purpose�

--( T D Jakes). “The Plus-Size Modeling Industry is one of the fastest growing sectors of the modeling industry. Never before have people been so accepting, loving, and supportive: people are demanding the Girls with the Curves.

We are taking this industry by storm.

Come Hell or high water we will be seen and we will be heard. My Chosen Goal, and maybe even my Purpose, is to be one of the ambassadors of the Curve Industry.

I was once told: “Passion is energy; feel the power that comes from focusing on what Excites youâ€?. When I get in front of the camera, I get excited. That’s when the music in my head starts. All I hear Is Drakes voice: đ&#x;Žśâ€œ You got iT girl, You got it girlâ€?!(No Guidance).đ&#x;Žś “I’m so blessed. I thank God for my family: my two children, my best friend, my new best friend, my beautiful aunts, my uncles, My brother, and my church family. Roxxie Williams: the East Coast Curves Model, Artist, singer, and elementary school teacher whose Family-inherited hips were once thought (by her) to be a curse. Now, those thighs are known as ‘the (T)highways to success’!

--Roxxie loves you baby!

IG: @roxxieplusmodel

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AT LOVE & HIPS TV SHOW

PC: VON DONALD

PC: VON DONALD

12

Get in

Accessories can be real statement pieces and a way to show your personality in an otherwise classic outfit.

Fashion accessories are a great way to spice up any wardrobe, especially one that could use an updating.

Are you interested in updating your appearance, at least in terms of your fashion? If you are, you may not only want to examine the latest in clothing fashion trends, but also the latest trends in fashion accessories. Fashion accessories are rapidly increasing in popularity, particularly in our celebrity-obsessed culture. But many of us still do not know exactly how to use them to our best advantage.

The term “fashion accessories� is very broad and includes a number of products. Just like fashion clothing pieces, accessories come in virtually every size, shape and style under the sun. There are fashion accessories that are designed for children, teens, men, women, petite sized, and plus sized individuals. Below are a few of the major fashion accessory items you might want consider in order to keep your look current and expand your coordination options.

Style

Accessorize

The most well known fashion accessory is of course, jewellery. For teenagers and children, fashion jewelry pieces that are popular often include colourful, oversized pieces, as well as charm necklaces or charm bracelets. For men, a popular piece of jewellery often includes large pendant necklaces, many of which display a cross or another popular or meaningful symbol. As for women, popular pieces of fashion jewelry include watches, earnings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, and so forth.

Another major fashion accessory that you might want to look at is a new handbag. While purses can also be trendy, it is the handbag that has become a real status symbol and major fashion accessory. They come in a huge array of different styles so it is common to own more than one if your budget allows. In fact, many women out there like to match their fashion accessories, including their purses and handbags, with the clothing that they wear. [Continue on Page 24] Updating your handbag every season can be an easy and relatively inexpensive way to update your whole look.

15 Winter Outfit Ideas to Liven Up Your Work Wardrobe This season, add a leather midi skirt to your 9-to-5 wardrobe.

It’ll prove to be a versatile statement piece for the office, working with everything from classic white blouses to blazers and

[1]

[2] Put a twist on your classic suit by styling it with a pair of croc-embossed knee-high boots. Tuck your trousers into the boots to really let your footwear shine

Breathe some fresh life into your favorite knit sweater by styling it with a pair of matching pants for a monochromatic look.

[3]

Channel your inner schoolgirl with a knee-length plaid skirt that’s very of the moment—especially when paired with knee-high boots and a blazer.

[4]

[5] Work a little unexpected leather into your office outfits in the form of a blazer-style leather jacket. The look feels fresh, but still polished when styled with trousers or a skirt.

A long-sleeve maxi dress styled with boots is always an effortlessly chic outfit formula.

[6]

Top off a sweater and skirt with a pair of contrasting knee-high boots that will instantly make your look pop.

[7]

Red is a power color, so why not double up on it at the office with a knit dress and a matching jacket or cardigan?

[8]

[9] [10] To avoid bulky-looking layers, belt a jacket to accentuate your waist.

A turtleneck serves as the ultimate starting point of any winter work look—and is helpful in toning down those more daring pieces (like a pair of leather pants).

[11]

A reminder that a classic white button-down will never go out of style. This season, make the look feel preppier with a half-tuck into a pleated midi skirt.

A plush faux fur coat instantly makes any outfit glam.

[12]

[14]

[13] A skirt suit serves as a chic alternative to the classic pantsuit look.

Make it work for a cold day by layering a turtleneck underneath and adding boots.

Style an oversized turtleneck over a midi-length skirt and top it off with knee-high leather boots.

[15] A knit turtleneck dress paired with suede knee-high boots is a no-fail look that will feel fresh all season long.

harpersbazaar.com

Model Name: MizzDom Age: 29 Birthplace: New Haven, CT Shoot Location: Dothan, Alabama Height: 5’2 Measurements: 38C-30-41 Email: missdomunique90@gmail.com Facebook page: Model MizzDom FB: Dom Durrette IG: @official_model_mizzdom Twitter: HoneySuckle90 Snapchat: iammizzdom90 Booking contact info: missdomunique90@gmail.com Photographer: Derrick Brown

MIZZDOM

22

MIZZDOM

Think mistletoe is all about holiday romance?

Think again. The festive plant -- which also goes by the name devil’s fuge -- holds some sinister secrets.

1. Mistletoe is a parasite Mistletoe is an evergreen pest that attaches itself to trees, plants and shrubs, stealing their nutrients and water. This can weaken or disfigure the host plant, and eventually even kill it.

“When you get a heavy infestation, it keeps sucking strength away from the plant,” according to Rick Gibson, a plant expert at the University of Arizona. “It’s almost like a cancerous type of growth.”

2. Mistletoe is really hard to get rid of Once it infects a tree, mistletoe is difficult to remove. When its seeds sprout, they grow through the bark of trees and into their tissues, extending up and down within the branches. Even if you cut off the visible portion of the invader, new plants often grow from inside the host. The most effective way to fight it is to remove an infected branch or limb entirely.

3. Mistletoe is poisonous Eating any part of the plant can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness and seizures. The symptoms are caused by a poisonous ingredient called phoratoxin, which is found in all parts of the plant, including the berries, and is especially concentrated in the leaves. Eating the plant raw or drinking it in tea can cause poisoning.

4. But it also has medicinal properties Despite its dangers, mistletoe has a history of medicinal use. The European varieties have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat seizures, headaches, infertility, hypertension and arthritis.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, mistletoe injections are available only in clinical trials in the U.S., but are available by prescription in Europe, where the plant is used as a treatment for cancer.

5. Mistletoe is also a desert plant European mistletoe grows in temperate regions all over the world. There are also several species in America that thrive in the deserts in the Southwest, where they live on palo verde, mesquite, juniper, pine and other trees.

6. Mistletoe comes in different forms Not all mistletoe has the festive holiday look most of us are used to. Some broadleaf mistletoes have green stems with oval-shaped leaves and small, sticky, whitish berries. Dwarf misteltoes are smaller, with scaly yellow or orange leaves. Some have no leaves at all and some look like a dense bundle of twigs stuck in the branches of another tree.

7. And goes by many different names Mistletoe is also known as birdlime, all-heal, golden bough, drudenfuss, iscador and devil’s fuge. cbsnews.com

BRANDI Brandi Marie is a Independent Plus Size Published Model residing in Charlotte NC experienced in print, runway, and branding. More than a model, she’s an entrepreneur offers plus size mentoring workshops. She also is a Designer Fashion Stylist and Owner of Vintage Brats Boutique.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Wink by Hunter FASHION STYLIST: Vintage Brats Boutique

NE-YO’S FIRST HOLIDAY ALBUM, ANOTHER KIND OF CHRISTMAS, IS OUT TODAY GRAMMY®-Winning Artist Celebrates The Season With Five Newly-Penned Songs, Including “Just Ain’t Christmas” Album Also Includes Christmas Standards Made Famous By Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole And Others Collaborators Include Candice Boyd, Satori, Dre Island, And RaVaughn

Today, NE-YO released Another Kind Of Christmas (Motown Records/Compound Entertainment), his first-ever holiday album. The three-time GRAMMY® winner brings his own unique point-of-view to the season with five newly-penned tracks and reimagined versions of thoughtfully-selected Christmas classics – including “Someday At Christmas,” a plea for peace written by Motown songwriters Ron Miller and Bryan Wells for Stevie Wonder during the Vietnam War, and Marvin Gaye’s “I Want To Come Home For Christmas,” inspired by the plight of prisoners of war.

“NE-YO says, of the album “see you this Holiday season and every holiday season after! Think you’re gonna love it that much!”

“Just Ain’t Christmas” candidly captures the pain of a Christmas Eve break-up while the playful double entendres of “Open Mine Tonight” celebrate what goes down after the kids go to bed. “Talk About It” evokes childhood Christmas memories, complete with the inevitable family dramas that unfold – “somebody gon’ fight, somebody gon’ cry, somebody gon’ try to leave/Then they gon’ squash it all right before it’s time to eat.” NE-YO, Satori and Dre Island each take a verse on the reggae-influenced “Christmas Vibez,” which imagines a tropical holiday getaway for two. Other guest artists include Candice Boyd on “Carol Of The Bells” and RaVaughn on “Someday At Christmas.”

NE-YO puts his stamp on such standards as Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby,” originally recorded by Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers, and “The Christmas Song,” which was written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé and first recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio. He recorded Another Kind Of Christmas in Montego Bay, Jamaica with longtime collaborator Curtis “Sauce” Wilson producing many of the tracks.

NE-YO has sold a cumulative 20+ million adjusted albums worldwide. He has won three GRAMMY® awards and been honored with a total of 14 nominations, His first single, 2005’s “So Sick,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified quadruple Platinum. Since then, he has racked up a collection of hit singles – including “Sexy Love,” “Closer,” “Because of You,” “Miss Independent” and “Push Back” featuring Bebe Rexha and Stefflon Don. Three of his albums have entered SoundScan’s Top Current Albums chart at No. 1.

He has proven to be as powerful with his pen as he is in the recording studio and on stage. The Las Vegas native quickly became known as a go-to hitmaker, penning bangers like Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” “Russian Roulette,” and “Take a Bow,” along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem “Irreplaceable” and songs for such artists as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, among others. NE-YO’s film and television credits include “Save the Last Dance,” “World of Dance,” “Battle: Los Angeles,” “Stomp the Yard,” George Lucas’ “Red Tails,” “Empire,” “The Wiz Live!” and “Step Up: High Water.”

Track Listing – Another Kind Of Christmas 1. This Christmas 2. Talk About It 3. Carol Of The Bells feat. Candice Boyd 4. Open Mine Tonight 5. Just Ain’t Christmas 6. Christmas Vibez feat. Satori and Dre Island 7. Merry Christmas Baby 8. I Want To Come Home For Christmas 9. The Christmas Song 10. Someday At Christmas feat. RaVaughn 11. It’s For Everybody

Sex Versus Gender

What’s the Difference Between Sex and Gender?

It isn’t as simple as you might think Most of us have been raised with pretty simplistic ideas about sex and gender. Namely, that there are two sexes, male and female, and that they align with two genders, man and woman.

But with the increased visibility of transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary folks, many people are beginning to understand that the categories of sex and gender are far more complicated.

In this article, we’ll break down the difference between sex and gender to give you a better idea of what each of these terms really mean.

What exactly is sex?

Society typically tells us that there are two sexes: male and female. You may also be familiar with the fact that some people are intersex, or have a difference of sexual development (DSD).

DSD is used to describe chromosomes, anatomy, or sex characteristics that can’t be categorized as exclusively male or female.

As with names and pronouns, it’s important to refer to people in the manner that they prefer. Some people are comfortable with the term “intersex” and use it to describe themselves. Others have moved away from using this term and refer to their condition as a DSD. With some research reporting that as many as 1 in 100Trusted Source people are born with a DSD, more biologistsTrusted Source are acknowledging that sex may be far more complex than what the traditional male-female binary accounts for.

Genitalia Some believe genitals determine sex, with males having penises and females having vaginas.

However, this definition excludes some people with a DSD. It can also invalidate trans people who are non-operative — those who don’t want to have bottom surgery — or pre-operative.

For example, a transgender man — a person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a man — may have a vagina but still identify as male.

Chromosomes We’re typically taught that people with XX chromosomes are female and people with XY chromosomes are male.

This excludes folks with a DSD who may have different chromosomal configurations or other differences in sexual development.

It also doesn’t account for the fact that trans people often have chromosomes that don’t “match” their sex. A transgender woman, for example, can be female but still have XY chromosomes.

Primary sex characteristics We tend to associate a predominance of estrogen with females and a predominance of testosterone with males. It’s important to understand that every person has both of these hormones.

In fact, estradiol, the predominant form of estrogen, is critical to sexual functionTrusted Source for people who were assigned male at birth. Estradiol plays a significant role in sexual arousal, sperm production, and erectile function.

Although hormone replacement therapy is an option for trans and gender non-conforming people, a trans man who isn’t on hormones, for example, isn’t any less male than one who is.

Secondary sex characteristics Many secondary sex characteristics are easily identifiable. This includes facial hair, breast tissue, and vocal range.

Because of this, they’re often used to make quick assessments about sex.

But secondary sex characteristics vary greatly, regardless of whether someone identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Take facial hair, for example. Some people who were assigned female at birth may go on to develop facial hair, and some who were assigned male at birth may not grow any at all.

Sex Versus Gender

What is gender?

Society has traditionally taught us that there are two genders: man and woman. We’re told that those who are assigned male at birth are men and those who are assigned female at birth are women.

Others identify as bigender, meaning they identify as both men and women at varying points, or agender, meaning they don’t identify with any gender.

Many non-Western cultures have a long history of welcoming third-gender, non-gendered, and transgender people in society. This includes the Two-Spirit folks from Indigenous American cultures and Hijra in South Asian cultures.

What’s the relationship between gender and sex?

Gender and sex can be related for some.

The expectation that if you’re assigned male at birth, you’re a man, and that if you’re assigned female at birth, you’re a woman, lines up for people who are cisgender.

But for people who are trans and gender non-conforming, the sex they’re assigned at birth may not align with the gender they know themselves to be. They may identify with a different sex than what they were assigned at birth.

Ultimately, the concepts of gender and sex are socially constructed. This means that we as a society assign sex and gender to people based on socially agreed-upon characteristics.

This doesn’t mean that body parts and functions are “made up” — it just means that the way we categorize and define each of these things could actually be different.

People often like to separate gender and sex by saying things like “gender is in the brain” and “sex is in the pants.” Although accepting someone as their correct gender is a good first step, beliefs like these can actually be harmful to trans people.

When trans people are understood to be the sex they were assigned at birth — and not the sex they truly are — it can have a significant impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health.

For example, this can make it difficult to obtain fundamental rights, such as healthcare, and even access to basic necessities, such as public bathrooms.

What is gender identity?

Gender identity is your own personal understanding of your gender and how you want the world to see you.

For many cisgender people, gender identity is automatically respected.

When most people encounter a normative cisgender man, they treat him as a man. This means acknowledging his autonomy and using the correct pronouns — he/him/his — when addressing him.

It’s important to treat everyone with this level of respect.

Instead of making assumptions about how a person identifies, check in with the people you meet about their gender identity. Offer up your pronouns and ask what pronouns they use — and then use them.

Someone who is nonbinary, for example, may want you to use gender neutral pronouns like they/them/ theirs and avoid gendered language like pretty or handsome.

What is gender expression?

We all have something known as a gender expression. Many people associate women with having a feminine gender expression and men with having a masculine gender expression.

But as with gender identity, gender expression is a spectrum. Femininity and masculinity may be the bookmarks, but there are countless points in between — and they’re open to anyone.

In Western cultures, stereotypically feminine traits include nurturing or caring for others, emotional vulnerability, and an overall docile demeanor.

Stereotypically masculine traits include the need to act as a protector, engaging in competitive or aggressive behavior, and a high libido.

Most of us possess both masculine and feminine traits. This means that someone who considers themself to have a fairly normative gender identity can still fall closer towards the middle in terms of gender expression.

For example, a cisgender woman can have a more masculine gender expression but still identify as a woman.

Gender is different than sexual orientation Sexual orientation has very little to do with your gender identity. It’s solely about who you’re attracted to.

People of all gender identities may identify as straight or as somewhere on the LGBQ+ spectrum.

Popular misconceptions While many folks mistakenly believe that trans people transition in order to have more normative, heterosexual relationships, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, according to the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality, only 15 percent of respondents identified as heterosexual.

It may be true that there is a prevalence of people who are gay, lesbian, queer, or bisexual and are also gender non-conforming, but there’s no direct correlation.

PC: Von Donald Although there are thriving butch and femme cultures in queer communities, the gender identity and expression of butch or femme individuals is about their gender — not who they’re attracted to.

PC: DAVID PRICE

Historical basis Before the term “transgender” gained momentum in the 1970s, many folks had to make sense of their gender identity through the only concept that was available: sexual orientation.

Although we now know and understand that a person’s gender is independent of their sexual orientation, the language distinguishing between sex, gender, and sexual orientation has to be learned in order to be used.

For example, before I knew that transgender men existed, I thought I was a lesbian. I was attracted to women, and I was told by society that I was a woman, so this made sense to me.

It wasn’t until I realized that I was transgender that I was able to separate my gender from my sexual orientation. When I did, I found that my sexual orientation was actually much more fluid.

Today, I’m a feminine nonbinary person who identifies as queer.

The bottom line As we’ve seen here, sex and gender are far more complicated than many of us were raised to believe.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s up to each individual to determine their gender, and indeed, sex.

The best thing you can do is respect the sex and gender identity of the people you encounter and treat each individual you meet with sensitivity and care.

- healthline.com

BELL BOTTOMS STORY Bell-bottoms, pants with legs that become wider below the knee, were an extremely popular fashion during the 1960s and 1970s. The belled or flared legs on bell-bottom pants were originally a functional design, worn by those who worked on boats since the seventeenth century.

The large legs allowed the pants to be easily rolled up out of the way for such messy jobs as washing the decks. In addition, if a sailor fell overboard, bell-bottom pants could be pulled off over boots or shoes and the wide legs inflated with air for use as a life preserver.

During the 1960s those who did not wish to conform to the strict, conservative clothing rules of the 1950s developed a new fashion. The clothing of this new fashion was inexpensive and extremely casual. Young people at the time rejected items from expensive clothing stores and shopped at secondhand stores and military surplus stores. Surplus navy bell-bottoms became one of the most popular items of dress.

Wearing bits of old military uniforms had an added appeal for the largely antiwar counterculture youth of the late 1960s and early 1970s (those who were not in favor of the United States’s involvement in the Vietnam War [1954–75]).

Flowers embroidered on an old army jacket and colorful peace symbols applied to worn and faded navy bell-bottoms made a very personal antiwar statement.

Bell-bottoms also fit in with the new unisex style, as both men and women wore them.

At first, viewing the new fashion as the dress of dangerous radicals, clothing manufacturers did not sell bell-bottoms. Those who could not find them at a local surplus store often made their straight leg jeans into fashionable bells by cutting the outside leg seam and sewing in a triangle of fabric to widen the leg.

By the 1970s, however, designers had begun to market trendy bell-bottoms made out of a wide variety of materials. Entertainers from husband and wife team Sonny (1935–1998) and Cher (1946–) to singers James Brown (c. 1928–) and Pat Boone (1934–) wore “bells,” which were often worn skin tight to the knee, then flared out in a wide, soft drape. Some pants were so wide that they were nicknamed “elephant bells.”

PC: VON DONALD Bell-bottoms, both wide and just slightly flared, made from denim, bright cotton, and satin polyester, were so popular that they became a symbol of the outlandish and colorful style of the 1970s, and when the decade ended many hoped that bell-bottoms were gone for good.

Like many of the items of clothing strongly identified with the 1970s, bell-bottoms became a symbol of old-fashioned bad taste. However, the flared pants returned to style in the 1990s as part of a trend toward baggy clothing. fashionencyclopedia.com

PC: VON DONALD LOCATION: NASHVILLE TN

ARTWORK BY VALENCIAART PURCHASE AT https://www.etsy. com/shop/Valenciaart

JT of City Girls New Single

GET PUBLISHED TODAY BLULIGHTMAGAZINE

46

MILK AND HONEY

5 4 9 5 C a s c a d e R d Sw, At l a nt a , G e or g i a 3 0 3 3 1 LOCATION

Milk and Honey is located on the West Side of Atlanta on Cascade Rd SW. Milk and Honey offers southern cuisine with contemporary styles to create some of Atlantas most delightful, mouth-watering and visually appealing dishes around.

It is a must that you visit this awesome restaurant. Nik was my Host for that day and he made sure that I was well taken care of.

He introduced me to my waitress Alexia and she made sure that my experience was very memerable and she said that I would leave very satisfied. I told her that I was looking for something with fish and she recommended the following:

DEEP FRIED SALMON HASH

My order first started with complementary buttermilk biscuits with pure honey. They was light fluffy and cooked to perfection. A perfect start to my main dish.

You all know that I am a big lover of salmon. So I had to try the deep fried salmon hash.

This is so delicious. The cream spinach has a smooth and nutty flavor. The hash browns give me that south comfort-food feel I’d expect when I’m eating southern style dishes, plus you also know I love potatoes on everything, so having hash browns on this was a added treat to my taste buds. The creamy Cajun sauce has this subtle heat to it which really complement the crunchy deep fried salmon. The Salmon was not over cooked and was tender and delightful.

I really love visually appealing foods such as this.

With one of the highest prices on the menu, I must say that it is well worth it.

Milk and Honey is located on the west side of Atlanta where you don’t typically get an opportunity to enjoy fine cuisine like this. Milk and Honey I believe will be the “go to” for restaurants cuisines like this.

Great customer service Janelle and Anthony (The MOD’s) made me feel warm and welcome. I am pleasantly satisfied and full.

You can’t forget the music. Their playlist reminds me of a backyard bbq definitely contributes to a family reunion, down home type feel. - V.Donald

WHY WE NEVER TALK ABOUT BLACK ON BLACK CRIME

48

You’ve heard it before. It is the most frequent response to any accusation of police brutality. It is the repeated sleight of hand used to distract and drown out the voices of Black Lives Matter. It is an oft-used “alt-right” refrain and a sincere query from curious white questioners. It is the weapon of choice for the black practitioners of respectability politics and the favorite follow-up for people who frame their arguments with the preamble, “Not all white people ... ” Why don’t black people ever talk about black-on-black crime?

Instead of rejecting the entire notion as a method of deflection and privilege, we will attempt to formally dismiss the conversation forever by laying out the facts about why white America never hears us talk about black-on-black crime.

It’s not a thing.

According to the FBI’s uniform crime-reporting data for 2016, 90.1 percent of black victims of homicide were killed by other blacks, while 83.5 percent of whites were killed by other whites.

While no life is inconsequential, the statistical evidence shows that—just as for blacks when it comes to black-on-black crime—whites are mostly victimized by other whites, with the vast majority of white murders committed by whites. This is because most victims of crime personally know their assailants. And while this is a truth across racial boundaries, no one ever talks about “whiteon-white crime.”

Furthermore, the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ arrest data analysis tool shows that less than 1 percent of blacks overall (about 2 percent of black men) commit a violent crime in any given year. This means, factoring in interracial violent offenses, 99 percent of black men do not commit black-onblack crime.

It has nothing to do with what we are talking about.

Imagine the head of Homeland Security walking up to the microphone to hold a press conference after a horrific terrorist attack, but when reporters start asking him about stopping terrorism and catching the culprits, he begins talking about texting and driving.

Sounds stupid, right?

But distracted driving kills more Americans each year than terrorism (and black-on-black crime), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so, according to the advocates of conversations about black-on-black crime, we should be discussing this first.

at the vast majority of black murders are committed by black men, and we should do something hat statistic (we will get to that later, I promise), but that fact has nothing to do with state vion anyone interrupts a discussion about Black Lives Matter by bringing up black-on-black crime, stupid as if a doctor addressed a cancerous brain tumor by asking about domestic violence, or if ighest-ranking government official addressed white supremacist Nazi-palooza by talking about d alt-left and the “very fine” tiki-torch carriers.

uld ever be that stupid. do talk about it ... all the time.

y understandable why white America assumes that black people don’t talk about black-on-black ever, the reason they make this assumption dates to a quote found in recently uncovered papers named woman archaeological and historical researchers refer to as “Grandmama”:

e of their damn business.”

federal poverty in high-income violent victimiz

Knowing this, t can easily be ex Maybe the ques large percentag

As a matter of f lives to talk abo tions we should

Why is the rate whites? Why do redlining and s

s, in neighborhoods and cities across America, there are countless organizations, activists and dedicated to curbing violence in black communities. The number of “Stop the Violence” marches demonstrations against police brutality. Unity rallies and peace picnics happen every day. Scared grams for at-risk youths, gang counseling, neighborhood watches, intervention specialists, youth and too many other people and groups to name all lead the charge against crime and

If we are going by blacks, shou murdered, rape conversation in rested, incarcer whites for comm

fforts don’t make acious as people they serve the . Besides, ld know flecting actually od to dress the

Are you willing schools with lar though they ha time to talk abo

the evening news because they blocking traffic and protestpreconceived white confirthere’s no way white about this unless they with trite questions went into a minority selflessly join the problems plaguing ...

n stop

laughing now.

All of these fact So if you want t black-on-black careful, because conversations a end up back in

k about

black-on-black crime.

White suprema

ogists and crimme is a complex on. Generally speake commit the most ustice Statistics, gh 2012, at

inologists agree that socioeconomic ing, research shows that crime: According to the during the period from “persons in poor or below the

50

*A previous ver article said that murders were c ted by whites. Th statistic referred that claim is on in homicides by gle victim and a offender.

- Michael Harr

y level (FPL) (39.8 per 1,000) had more than double the rate of violent victimization as persons e households (16.9 per 1,000) ... The overall pattern of poor persons having the highest rates of zation was consistent for both whites and blacks.�

the small difference in crime rates xplained by income disparity. stion should be why are such a ge of black people poor?

fact, if we are going to derail a conversation about black out black-on-black crime, there are a few other quesd answer first:

e of violence actually higher among poor, urban on’t we ever discuss the economic impact of segregation on rates of violence?

to discuss the number of black people killed uld we discuss the number of white people ed and assaulted by fellow whites? Will this nclude a debate about how blacks are arrated and sentenced for longer periods than mitting the same crimes?

g to detour into a brief explanation of why rge percentages of blacks are underfunded even ave the same tax base and incomes? Do you have out the wage gap? Unemployment disparities?

tors contribute to crime rates. to have a conversation about k crime, you should be e, like most about race, it will the same place:

acy.

rsion of this t most commitThe FBI d to by nly true y a sina single

riot

51 PC: VON DONALD

Cold brew coffee is popping up everywhere, poised to be a top food trend in the new year. You may have seen it on the menu of your favorite coffeehouse or in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store, but what exactly is cold brew coffee, and why are people raving about it?

Cold brew 101 Cold brew coffee is commonly confused with iced coffee, but the name comes from how it’s brewed rather than how it’s served. Cold brew coffee is slowly steeped in cold water using coarsely ground coffee beans. While you can brew a pot of traditional hot coffee in a few minutes, cold brew takes hours - 12 or more - to achieve the signature result.

When you taste a high-quality cup of cold brew coffee, the difference is apparent. Coffee made using the cold brew method has a smoother, naturally sweeter result that tastes less acidic than traditional hot-brewed coffee. The reason for this is

52at higher brewing temperatures. The organic acids (like the solubility of the organic acids inherent in coffee are extracted

quite the task, but that doesn’t mean you must choose between expensive coffeehouse cold brew and the messy, time-consuming process of cold brewing at home. The solution: Java House(R) Authentic Cold Brew Coffee Dual-Use Liquid Pods can be enjoyed hot or cold at home.

Recipe

To enjoy hot, place a pod into a single-serve brewer with the tab facing up for a rich yet smooth cup of coffee. To enjoy cold, slowly peel open the pod, pour over ice and add water. For best results, use 8 oz. of water, whether

Hot Salted Caramel Coffee

enjoying hot or cold.

Servings: 1

The smooth, rich taste of cold brew can be savored by itself all year long. The caramel and chocolate notes

Ingredients:

extracted are characteristic features of cold brew and not something you’ll naturally find using other coffee brewing

4 fluid ounces water

methods.

2 Java House(R) Cold Brew Liquid Pods

Become a Home Barista Feeling creative? You don’t need professional barista expe-

4 tablespoons whole milk

rience to craft a satisfying coffee creation. While delicious without anything added, Java House(R) Cold Brew is also

1 and 1/2 tablespoons salted caramel syrup

a great base for many coffee recipes, whether you want to create something rich, sweet or a little bit spicy. For example, this recipe for Hot Salted Caramel Coffee will warm

1 tablespoon vanilla syrup

you up, no matter how low the temperatures dip outside.

Whipped topping

Directions:

Caramel sauce to drizzle

In a large mug, combine water, cold brew liquid pods, milk and both syrups. Stir well and microwave for 30 to

Coarse sea salt to sprinkle

40 seconds. (Or combine in a saucepan over medium low heat for 4 to 8 minutes and pour into a large mug.) Top with whipped topping. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Sprinkle with sea salt.

citric, malic, formic, quinic and acetic) are a signature aspect of hot-brewed coffee’s flavor and aroma yet only dissolve in hot water. The cold brew method doesn’t extract the bright flavors associated with these acids but extracts the rich chocolate and caramel notes that result in the rich and smooth beverage with a difference that you can taste.

Cold brew at home Cold brewing from scratch at home can be

You can substitute almond milk or low-fat evaporated milk and low-fat whipped topping for the whole milk and whipped topping for a healthier alternative.

To serve cold: In a tall glass, combine water, cold brew liquid pods, milk and both syrups. Stir well. Top with ice. Top with whipped topping. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Sprinkle with sea salt.

LinToi Bailey’s (S.T.R.U.T. Clothing) Model/designer Bio I am LinToi Bailey, aka “Toi Cheree”, plus-size model and fashion designer/owner of S.T.R.U.T clothing and Apparel. My journey to fashion design simply started with my love of “getting dressed”. I have always had a love for putting clothing together to make a statement and presenting myself as a package. Through that I developed a love for fashion. I began modeling others designs (runway “my strong suit” and commercial), but always making every outfit my “own”. I have done fashion shows in NT fashion week, Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, IL., NC, TN, KY, OH, and AL. through this, I started to notice that others would often come to me for fashion/styling advice. This led to my true passion of styling and designing clothes for other people. I am all about making people look and feel their best in their own style.

I was questioned by a fellow designer/friend, that if I were to start my own brand, “what would it be called”? I immediately came up with the mane STRUT because of my love for the runway, nut just as my clothing I wanted to give it meaning. So, I turned S.T.R.U.T. into an acronym that means STRENGHT. TALENT. REFINED. UNIQUE. TENACITY. These are characteristics that I try to display daily and that I believe every woman should aim to embody. I started the brand with the goal of making affordable, fashionable, readyto-wear clothing to suit women of all different sizes, ages, and styles, with specific interest in plus-size fashion forward clothing. Fashion to me goes way beyond outward appearance, it is about empowering women to look and feel their best in all aspects of their lives. I am a mom, nurse, fashion designer/stylist, entrepreneur and networker to the heart. I never meet a “stranger”. On this journey, I have met so many influential people in the fashion industry that have inspired me to0 go after my passion for fashion. As I continue to grow my brand, S.T.R.U.T., I will continue to look to others for inspiration and I look forward to the relationships I will build along the way.

Check out the STRUT Models in this edition of iconique magazine from page 12 to 48. All the clothes in this shoot was provided by CDenim & STRUT Brands.

I can be contacted on social media sites: Facebook- Toi Cheree, FB page- https:// www.facebook.com/modellintoicheree, Instagram- @S.T.R.U.T.byToi, and check out my website to purchase items at www.strutbytoi.com .

TOI CHEREE

WE ALL HAVE TO DO BETTER, WE ALL HAVE TO DO BETTER. WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHERS EVEN IF WE HAVE NEVER VISITED. WE PLAY A ROLE IN OUR DEMISE. EVEN MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS PLAYS A PART BECAUSE THE CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE MEANS THAT YOU AGREE. SO LETS SPEAK UP AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD.

56

SUPPORT NOW! PAYPAL: LOVEANDHIPSTV@YAHOO.COM

ICONIQUE MAGAZINE CONTENT CREDITS EDITOR & CHIEF - B. NICOLE SALES - VON DONALD

THE TWISTED POET WORD PLAY EVENT LOVE & HIPS TV

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PUBLICATION GO TO

SECURE ENT PHOTOS

WWW.ICONIQUEMAGAZINE.COM

GET PUBLISHED TODAY!

Advertise With Us GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.ICONIQUEMAG.COM OR EMAIL US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLACING AN AD OR GETTING PUBLISHED IN OUR MAGAZINE

ICONIQUEMAGSUBMISSIONS@GMAIL.COM

58

59

WELCOME TO

ICONIQUE MAGAZINE FASHION

MUSIC

60

LIFESTYLE