Age ain’t nothing but a number, even for Disney princesses.

In a gorgeous new photo series, costume designer Nephi Garcia and photographer Tony Ross reimagined Disney princesses as powerful, mature Disney queens. And to make the shoot even more magical, the women portraying older versions of the characters are the real-life mothers (or mothers-in-law) of the princesses. 

Here’s younger Snow White as we know her from the movie:

And here she is as a queen, stately and still eating those apples:

Here’s Ariel, fresh out of water: 

And here she is as a queen, fully part of our world: 

Garcia ― whose intricate, Disney-inspired costumes have gone viral in the past ― created these gowns as a Mother’s Day tribute. He told HuffPost that it took a little convincing to get the moms involved, but once they slipped on the dresses, they were sold.

“They were definitely hesitant in the beginning, but as they saw themselves evolve into these amazing iconic queens, they got right into character.” he said.

Scroll down for more photos of your favorite Disney princesses looking even more regal with age:

Watch a video of the cosplay shoot below:

Brooke Shields is no stranger to the highs and lows of parenting.

The actress and her husband, Chris Henchy, have two daughters, 14-year-old Rowan and 11-year-old Grier. Over the years, Shields has been incredibly open about her experiences as a mother ― from her battle with postpartum depression (the subject of her 2005 memoir Down Came the Rain) to her parenting rules to her hopes for her children. 

In honor of her birthday this week, we’ve compiled some of her most honest and touching quotes about parenthood.

“I’m terrified that I’m not really understanding who they are, and that maybe one day they won’t feel like they can come to me ― that I will somehow fail them … I don’t know if you overcome it. The way I try to get through it is by talking to other moms. Either someone will do something that’s seemingly worse, and I’ll think, ‘At least I didn’t do that,’ but then someone will do something better and I think, ‘I’ve gotta learn that, I’ve got to do that instead!’”

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be too hard on yourself. If you think that everybody else has it figured out and you’re the only one that’s going crazy or yelling or feeling like you can’t do it all … you’re not alone.”

“They’re not going to remember Mom was tired. They’re going to remember I did the weather chart or story time at school. So you just do it. And you’re tired … It’s the mundane stuff that is important.”

“If you’re not polite, you can’t come to my house. Manners [represent] respect and kindness. I want people to like my kids, and if they’re bratty, they’ll have a harder time in life.”

“Once you love someone that much, you think, god, why did I do this to myself? It’s so heart-wrenching! And then you realize: It’s so heart-wrenching. That’s why I did it to myself.”

“Because nobody was talking about postpartum depression, and women were suffering all the time. I wanted to educate women who were suffering and families of women who were suffering.”

“You know, the only reason why it seems like it’s more challenging is because it’s in the public eye to a certain extent and it’s scrutinized, but that is such a minor percentage. Really the challenges are just about being a mom. All moms have them, and nobody’s exempt.”

“Every day there’s a new challenge. My new thing is not screaming and not screaming back at them. I would engage in an absolute fight, and my husband would say, ‘What’s wrong with you? Why are you fighting with them?’ … Chris, my husband, calls it FOFO ― Find Out Before You Freak Out. So before I react, I’m now trying to just count to 10.” 

“It took having a child, for me to feel like I belong, that I’m normal.”

“I would have thought that I would have become one of those parents — just because it’s my nature to be such a perfectionist — that anything falling short, I would have seen as a failure. But something has happened to me over the past few years — it’s not Zen, believe me, I’m not at all Zen — but I’m so appreciative of even the chaos. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being engaged.”

“I had a moment where I realized I was spending all of my free time, which is so little, doing events and going to charities. I wasn’t putting my kids to bed at all. When you’re doing theatre it’s almost impossible to put them to bed and it really threw me for a loop. I have to work so when I’m not working, it’s easy to get caught up and say, oh, I’ll do that charity or I’ll do that thing for you. And your kids are with the babysitter and it’s heartbreaking.”

“Being a mom puts the rejection of being an actress in perspective.”

“I get support from other moms and my therapist. It is only as important to connect with mom peers as it gives you comfort. If and when it gets competitive, it becomes toxic.”

“However, having my first daughter obliterated me. It took away all my power. All of a sudden I was experiencing something so foreign, which I had no response for. I had no resources to rely on. It was not simply about being the good girl, or being polite, or doing my job. A little human being was involved.”

“What I love most is being able to wake up in the morning with these innocent and truthful little people.”

Forget oiling your pubes ― oiling your boobs could be the next healthy beauty trend, though its health benefits are dubious at best. 

According to a Racked interview with Imelda Burke, the founder of Content Beauty & Wellbeing (and Emma Watson’s newest beauty guru), a product called Boobs’ Essential claims to serve an important purpose. 

“A cross between body oil and a health tracker, the Boobs’ Essential Oil encourages you to massage your breasts daily, which makes you familiar with them so that you can mentally track any changes,” Burke said.

Indeed, the directions for using the oil somewhat mimic the self-exam instructions from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which tell women to massage their breasts in a circular motion while standing or lying down, covering the entire breast to feel for changes. But experts say a self-exam once a month is the best practice for screening yourself.  

Daily screening, on the other hand, might lead people to feeling things that aren’t there and overscreening is a big public health concern. 

“The likelihood of detected lumps is increased when women touch their breasts more frequently. However, this would not depend on whether or not a woman touches her breast while applying this oil,” said Kirsten Moysich, PhD, MS, Distinguished Professor of Oncology in the Departments of Cancer Prevention and Control and Immunology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, adding: “Aggressive exams lead to over detection of breast masses that might never become serious. Daily exams are certainly not necessary.” 

The oil is made from a mix of organic sweet almond oil (which is supposed to make skin softer), frankincense (boswellia serrata), sandalwood and myrrh. It was created by Zoe Lind van’t Hof, who said she started making it with her late mother after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, 

Lind van’t Hof says she intended for the product to be used as a daily or monthly check for lumps or for skin recovery during radiation for cancer treatments. She says the oil has certain health benefits, such as preventing and reversing cysts and the ability to rejuvenate cells and increase immune cell activity. For what it’s worth, Moysich told HuffPost there is no human evidence to support that claim. 

“You can find cell line studies or even animal studies to support biological effects of just about anything,” Moysich said. “However, I am unaware of any studies that have demonstrated that this particular oil has prevented and reversed cysts, rejuvenated cells or improved immune function in actual women. A healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercise are very effective ways to maintain a healthy immune system.” 

If you’re not in the market to drop around $37 on oil for boobs, head here for recommendations for breast cancer screenings.  

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Exactly how much water people need to drink each day to stay hydrated is a subject of debate. You’ve likely heard that you need at least six to eight glasses a day, but the real figure depends on other factors. How much activity you get, the climate you live in and how much water you get from sources like fruits and vegetables all matters.

The good news is that as long as you make water your main beverage, drink when you’re thirsty and consume it with meals, you don’t need to get caught up tallying glasses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But keeping properly hydrated isn’t the only reason to throw back some H2O. The beverage does other amazing things for your body when you consume enough of it. Check out the ways this magical elixir works for you other than its ability to quench your thirst:

Water likely won’t clear up your acne or eczema, but on a cellular level it could make a difference. 

The skin is made up of three layers: The outermost is the epidermis, then the dermis and finally subcutaneous tissue. If the top layer, the epidermis, is not hydrated enough, your skin can lose elasticity and feel rough, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

And some experts say that water’s presence in the body can assist with the production of collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin plump and firm.

A small 2012 study published in the journal Medical Gas Research found that drinking hydrogen-rich water helped decrease pain in people who live with rheumatoid arthritis. For people without the condition, regular water intake can also help with staying healthy and comfortable. The beverage may cushion your joints and keep them lubricated, according to the CDC.

There’s just no way around this one: Water helps with weight loss more than any other beverage. Study after study shows that water helps people consume fewer calories in a day and helps people maintain a lower weight. 

One 2015 study found that participants who “preloaded” meals with a pint of water lost almost 10 more pounds on average during the experiment than participants who did not drink before eating. This could be because your body’s hunger cues may often be misinterpreted as thirst cues.

If you just can’t seem to go, consider upping your water intake before rushing for a laxative.

Daily water consumption is important to keep bowel movements regular, according to the CDC. It’s just one of a few core components that support good digestion, including a well-rounded diet with a good amount of fiber and regular exercise. 

Here’s an added benefit of staying hydrated beyond feeling parched: A common reason for a headache is actually dehydration (which could explain why your head might pound after a long night out).

Researchers say that not drinking enough water can cause blood volume to drop. This results in less oxygen and blood flow to the brain and dilated blood vessels, the New York Times reported. The nerves in your brain respond by producing pain signals, almost like a cry for help that you need to hydrate. 

Furthermore, try to drink a few more glasses a day if you are prone to migraines: Research suggests that extra water may help people experience less pain during a severe headache.  

There are causes for the disease that cannot be controlled, such as family history, gender and age. However, a healthy lifestyle can aid in the prevention of certain cancers.

Some research suggests that drinking several cups of water daily can reduce the risk of bladder cancer in men. A 2011 study found that men who drank more than 10 1/2 cups of water day had a 24 percent decreased risk of bladder cancer over a 22-year period. Researchers think that drinking a lot of water helps with flushing out potential cancer-causing agents before they have the opportunity to develop. 

This might make you want to keep a glass of water on your desk: A 2012 study published in British Psychological Society found that undergrad students who brought water with them into an exam scored better than their peers who did not. The researchers believe that sipping on water helps people stay hydrated and focused on the task at hand.

The heart is constantly working to pump blood throughout your vessels and muscles. Keeping your body properly hydrated with water makes it easier for the heart to do this, according to the American Heart Association. 

Water may help improve mood, according to a small 2015 study. Researchers studied 120 women and found that greater water consumption was associated with reported lower levels of tension and depression as well as feeling happier. 

Even a mild case of dehydration, which counts as losing just 1.5 percent of water in the body, can cause irritability and a lower energy level, according to research. 

So drink up! (And keep it interesting. Here are a few fruit-infused water ideas that will change the game.)

It seems every time I turn around, someone is talking about anxiety as if all anxiety is “disordered.” Not all anxiety is disordered, and in fact, a certain amount of anxiety is actually healthy. There is a generalized anxiety we should all have because life is built upon the unpredictable. I have witnessed the people I treat each day, including myself, turn anxiety into their greatest superpower. It comes down to mindset. To follow are nine ways to use anxiety to greatly benefit your benefit.

Pressure is a wonderful thing. It is when we’re under the intensity of high-pressured situations that we are the most alert. Our physiology responds automatically, putting us into the biological experience of fight-or-flight, where it feels like our very survival (reputation, closing a deal, relationship, promotion) may be at stake. Instead of viewing this anxiety as negative, train yourself to see it as fuel; the energy you need to jump into action to save your life. We need pressure to provoke us. Many procrastinators unconsciously lag, to allow for enough pressure to build, until they are forced into performing, or else face harsh consequences.

Life is about risk. Without risk, and the natural anxiety that goes along with it, we would never get outside of our comfort zone long enough to grow in our self-development. Excitement and anxiety are often confused, causing some to falsely interpret the intensity of their excitement as negative. We must train ourselves to embrace the unfamiliar, and what it feels like to be there. Happiness requires pushing through the anxieties of the unknown. The more we do this, the easier it gets, and the more successful, confident and trusting of ourselves we become.

When we’re feeling “anxious,” we could also simply be in touch with our gut instinct. Oftentimes, the right answer grabs our attention by sending us strong doses of intense fear or anxiety. Fear shocks us into paying attention. The best response when experiencing intense emotion, is to slow down and give the negative feeling a moment’s attention. The more we ignore our impulses, the more impulsive we become when making decisions. Trust there is no emergency to act right now. Slow down, and listen to what is underneath the anxiety. This gives us the best opportunity to make the correct decisions.

The more anxious we are, the more responsible we tend to be with our time, and as a side benefit, the more respectful we naturally are of other people’s time. When we’re anxious, it is largely because we want to make a good impression and give our best work. We desire to be seen as valuable, at the top of our game and essential to the continuity of the whole. Feelings of anxiety create the discomfort we need to get things done, acting much like an internal alarm clock; making us great managers of time.

Anxiety is a powerful tool when it comes to sensing and observing our environment and the people in it. It makes us more sensitive and perceptive to the subtleties in people, what their character may be, and if we can or cannot trust them. It operates much like a Morse Code. This is a true gift when trying to assess or predict the behavioral patterns of others. This hyper-awareness aids us in making better decisions in partners, in how we communicate, who we communicate with, and who we choose to bring in, or keep out of our lives.

The more anxiety we have, the more our thoughts bounce from one topic to the next. The more thoughts we entertain, the more innovative we have the potential of being. For this reason, it would be wise for us to carry a pen and paper at all times to release our thoughts onto the paper without judgment. Once onto paper, these thoughts become separate things from us; allowing us to view them with more clarity. Writing helps us decipher the relevant from the irrelevant, and to move on the ideas that are the most beneficial to us.

Nervous energy can be incredibly productive when channeled correctly. We can use this active energy to broaden our focus, and to take on more than one task at a time. Happiness and fulfillment require consistent attention, and a focus that is open, flexible and fast-moving. If we mess up in the moment, we must be able to keep going. Active energy is attractive and contagious. For this reason, we must channel our energy to be as productive as possible, as this will inspire others to pick up their own pace.

When we feel anxious, it brings us face-to-face with our self-doubt. It takes time and effort to work through our fears and doubts. There is no stronger a force than anxiety to get us in touch with our inner coach. If we’re experiencing a tremendous amount of anxiety, our self-talk will get us to, at the very least, take the next step in our process. Once we make it to that next step, feel released from some of the pressure, we can better talk ourselves into the taking the next step. This is how we succeed; one-step-at-a-time.

Anxiety is 100 percent necessary. It’s healthy and consuming enough to drive us towards wanting more from of ourselves, our lives, business and other people. We would do well to avoid using natural, healthy anxiety as an excuse to underperform, or to avoid the pressures of our responsibilities. We must be careful when throwing the word anxiety around, as it may initially get us some empathy and more time to get our things done, but eventually this excuse will wear thin, and we will no longer be taken seriously.

Editor’s note: Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life is a public awareness campaign developed by McLean Hospital to spark conversation not only about behavioral and mental health but also about the stigma that surrounds it. The campaign features compelling stories from people across the United States who have been affected by mental illness, including Clare’s story below.

By Clare C.

It has been more than six months since I’ve woken up in a psychiatric hospital, my longest separation from inpatient treatment since 2012. Over the years, the overwhelming pressure I placed on myself to be a good student, a good friend, and a good daughter led me to suicidal thoughts.

I’m constantly over-thinking things: Am I weird? Am I okay? Do they like being my friend? I feel like I am one hair trigger away from being rejected, and that’s the worst pain.

Making matters worse was the sense that not everyone felt my illness—borderline personality disorder—was legitimate. I got that sense among, most surprisingly, those I sought help from: members of law enforcement, EMTs, and hospital staff who acted as if my illness was a nuisance.

I also noticed the topic was an unwelcome one among family members and friends.

We have the ice bucket challenge for ALS and breast cancer awareness and the diabetes walk. You can post about those on social media, but if you say you’re mentally ill, people are like, “What’s wrong with you?”

Despite my insecurity, I feel remarkably at home and confident on stage. In front of the microphone, I belt out songs from the ‘60s at local pubs.

Sometimes I’m so focused on hitting notes that I just feel free.

I continue to see a psychiatrist and a therapist regularly. I hope to get my master’s degree in healthcare informatics, a specialty that may sound nerdy, but it’s fast changing and challenging.

Mental illness can make you feel unstable. I want to find a career that I love. I want some sense of stability.

Clare is a 28-year-old singer from Massachusetts. To read more about Deconstructing Stigma and to meet more people like her, visit DeconstructingStigma.org.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1.800.273.8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.