Nicole Ari Parker pose in a strapless Dawn Haynes dress and Azzedine Alaia belt for the February/March cover issue of "Heart and Soul" magazine.

The "Welcome Home Joscoe Jenkins" starlet candidly talked about post-pregnancy fitness, her marriage to actor Boris Kodjoe and going back to her acting career.

Halfway through the interview, Kodjoe gave a few tidbits on his wife who he met on the set of the successful drama series, "Soul Food".

Parker can be seen next in the Eddie Murphy film project, "Nowhereland".

On celebrating her marriage: People think we've been together for a really long time, but we've only been married 2 1/2 years. It's still fresh and new. We're still learning how to be married."

On her post-pregnancy figure: I've lost 65 pounds and no one can believe it because they know me as a slim person. Boris thinks I'm too skinny. I'm going to have to round back out because I don't believe too skinny is cute. I think we need to have a little flesh on us as women.

On her determination to return back to work after having son, Nicolas in 2006: There were people saying, 'Why would you pull yourself out of the game, get married and have kids at the height of everything.' Because I met Boris and realized what kind of partner he would be, I knew I wasn't alone. We were in this together. The minute you say, 'I do' and you mean it, your heart opens. The minute you have a baby, the extra love you need is downloaded. You have space for all these people and the power and energy to do it. That also goes with weight loss.

Kodjoe on his wife's pet peeve: She tries to do too much at the same time. She multitasks until she passes out. It doesn't make sense.

Parker on her husband's pet peeve: My husband is German and African, and sometimes the African King comes out. He's totally the king of his castle. When he says it's time for bed now, he wants everyone in the house to go to bed, and I'm like, "I'm grown!" It's not necessarily a pet peeve but it did take some getting used to".

Boris on what he loves about his wife: What do I love about my wife? Oh my God. Do you have two weeks? I love that she finds happiness in everything. I love that about her. She finds the positive in everything.

Photos: scanned by Urban-Hoopla.com via heartandsoul.com

Labels: Newsstand Snapshots, Nicole Ari Parker