America's Next Top Model

It was such a pleasure to work with this season's winner of America's Next Top Model, Nicole Fox. At her home, we worked at improving her catwalk to get her ready for a show later this month. What focus to she had and I am sure she will do well because she was very determined to practice, practice, practice! That's what you need to do to make anything natural looking in modeling and that is to repeat it enough so you fall into the motions without even having to think about it. Just like posing in front of the camera. Practice practice practice posing, moving smoothly from one pose to another and soon it will look very natural.

Another Year Gone By

Isn't it amazing just how quickly one year passes? Pretty soon we will all be writing 2010! There is no time like the present to follow your dreams and reach for your goals---NOW! Don't you feel the same way about going after what you want---NOW! Soon 2010 will be nearly over and you will wake up tomorrow and it will be 2020. What are you working towards?

A World of Opportunity

Driving up a long driveway, our van waits for the ornate iron gates to mysteriously open. We continue slowly driving further towards the waters edge when we see the beautiful and stately mansion of Salutation Road. Once upon a time, salutation labradors were raised there: hence the name of the mansion and road. The grandson of the successful financier of the early 19 hundreds, JP Morgan, built the mansion in 1929. Mr. Morgan had the stones from the New York subway moved up to Glen Cove and had this mansion built out of these stones. The stones give the home a unique look. Hollywood movies have been shot there, such as Sabrina, with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, and The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. (As a side note, I had chosen a book to read on the flight between Denver and New York and I chose F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby to read without knowing we would be shooting on the actual film set of the movie! Quite a coincedence!) Being allowed to shoot in and on the grounds of such magificence totally helps to create the mood for the models to portray in the photos and at the same time is quite a privilege. It was thrilling to think of the history of this place and who had also worked and lived there. Modeling can definately open doors into worlds of opportunity!

Be a RED Shopper

“Everyone shops with an eye toward saving money these days---but it’s just as easy to do so and save lives.” ---Bono

Some of the most awesome companies have signed up with RED to take a piece of their profits from every RED thing you buy, and they use it to buy lifesaving HIV/AIDS medication for those who can’t afford it in Africa. Some of the companies include Target, Gap, Starbucks, Apple, Converse, and Armani, just to name a few.

Like Bono says, these are tough times and hard to talk about shopping when everyone is tightening their belt. But if you find yourselves browsing, be a conscious consumer and choose RED wherever you can. These days it’s about trying your best to do the right thing.

Visit the RED website for more information.

http://www.joinred.com/Home.aspx

Here's a Tip: Look Into Your Own Eyes

John Keats, the great 19th century English poet, wrote a famous poem. Perhaps you have heard of it: Ode on a Grecian Urn. The second to the last line reads: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty." Your true beauty is what is true about you. Your eyes are part of the true you. No one else in the whole world has a pair of eyes like yours. Your eyes are unique. Show them off! Look into your own eyes and see their colors. Adorn yourself with clothes and accessories you wear close to your face that match the colors in your eyes such as earrings, necklaces, scarves, hats, jackets, sweaters, blouses, t-shirts---even eye shadow. Show off your uniqueness by enhancing your true beauty. Remember---beauty is truth, truth beauty.

A Fun Photo Shoot

We had the best time. The photo shoot from one on my students, Taylor, went so well!! Jen applied beautiful makeup, Mark shot some fantastic pix, and Taylor, with the help of her mom, brought a fab wardrobe. The weather was warm and bright so we shot some outside, too. Taylor went away with a whole new portfolio! Who else wants to have a photo shoot with us?!

Great Discovery

The Natural section in Sephora was a great discovery. It sells a handful of international and national brand name creams that are all natural and non-toxic. Believe me, they are effective! Get away from toxic chemicals in your creams and cosmetics. It's easy enough to do because there is a big enough selection out there now to choose from. Do it to keep yourself healthy! Anyone have any favorites? Right now I'm liking Juice Beauty. Yum....!