Stefanie's Thoughts: A New Model:What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like by Ashley Graham & Rebecca Paley

Ashley is on the leading edge of a new generation of women breaking ground and demolishing stereotypes, transforming our ideals about body image and what is fashionable. A woman who proves that when it comes to beauty, size is just a number, she is the voice for the body positivity movement today and a role model for all women—no matter their individual body type, shape, or weight.
In this collection of insightful, provocative essays illustrated with a dozen photos, Ashley shares her perspective on how ideas around body image are evolving—and how how they aren’t; the fun—and torture—of a career in the fashion world; her life before modeling; and her path to accepting her size without limiting her dreams—defying rigid industry standards and naysayers who told her it couldn’t be done. As she talks about her successes and setbacks, Ashley offers support for every woman coming to terms with who she is, helps her bolster her self-confidence, and motivates her to be her strongest, healthiest, and most beautiful self.

Hi everyone,

I'm about to get real here: I've never been one that's had high self-esteem or really ever been comfortable with myself. It's taken me a couple years now to finally be able to not constantly critique myself. When I heard this book was being published I knew I had to read it.

I'm so happy I did!

This book was beyond excellent. Ashley Graham is not only one of the best role models out there, she faces the harshest critics around. I was actually just talking about this issue with my co-workers about common sense and online haters. Every year there's always someone that posts about being nice to people at the beach and not to hate if someone is wearing a two-piece. The fact that people even need to post this disgusts me; we shouldn't have to post pictures telling people not to shame other people, but then again common sense these days is unfortunately not very common. I can only imagine the haters Ashley Graham has to deal with on a daily basis and publicly too. I can't imagine dealing with all those online trolls when it came to her Sports Illustrated cover and all the hateful words she received from it. She includes some of the comments in this book and I myself, couldn't believe them.

Ashley is one kick-ass bad-ass and I want her as my best friend.

After reading this book I've really taken on a "I don't care what people think of me" attitude; I'm focusing on doing me and not caring about what haters think. Ashley Graham is so good at dealing with the haters and for all the body positivity she's promoting, and I think this book came at just the right time. Not only did I devour it in one sitting, but I loved just how positive Ashley is about her own body. I loved the pictures included and it was really interesting to read about how she met her husband. I loved the Beauty Beyond Size movement because really, beauty has no size. Everyone is beautiful just the way they are.

I realize this review is a bit shorter than normal and less of a review than a soap box moment to promote body positivity and being happy with yourself, but I feel like most people have a moment in their lives where they don't like themselves. I feel like everybody should read this! Honestly, I felt happy while reading this book and couldn't help but smile after finishing it and feeling like I am enough, not matter what people say.

Not in a while have I related to a book so much. While some chapters are on her modeling career and  I couldn't connect with those on a personal level, all her personal tales on life was a breath of fresh air. This one will be on my bookshelf for a long time and will be one I pick up when I need a reminder that I am awesome the way I am- and everyone is awesome the way they are right now in this current moment (that wasn't meant to sound preachy, hope it didn't.).

Solid 5 out of 5 stars.

Let me know if you've had the chance to read this book; I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Until my next review,

Stefanie