Ralph Lauren 4D Light Show

This is quite amazing. And I am ever so BUMMED I didn't go see this spectacular light show that took place at the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Ave.

Video from CHIC.TV


Pretty awesome, right?!

You Should Know Darryl Jagga

If you don't know Darryl Jagga, you will. And you should! Aside from the fact that I will continue talking about him (and shamelessly promoting myself in his beautiful dresses on this blog), his talent has been recently spotted on celebrities and the fashion world is taking note.

And its no wonder. His dresses are designed for everyday wear, but with a chic and sophisticated style. I wear his dresses on the streets of New York  and never have I once spent a day or evening without receiving several compliments about how gorgeous my dress is and how wonderfully it fits me.  Thank you Darryl Jagga...

Here is a behind the scenes compilation of a recent photo shoot I did with another lovely model for his 43.46 Aggaj line: 

 Later that day on my way home, I stopped to browse at a popular store in Manhattan and spotted one of his dresses. I was SO excited to see them on the rack that I texted him a photo (as if he didn't already know!)

And here's a flashback of me wearing his dresses in his fall 2010 runway show:

And just the other night I went to see my friend and fashionista Lauren Reeves, hostess of the popular Chic.tv, perform at an improv show at the Magnet Theater.  She was wearing Darryl Jagga. She had no idea she was wearing the dress of the designer I always tell her about.  She simply discovered the dress at the same popular store where I had seen it displayed earlier that week. And this makes me happy! And doesn't she look lovely in that fantastic purple dress?

Its awesome to see a designer you admire, not only as a talent, but as a truly good-hearted human being, start to rise to the top.  And its especially awesome when you are one of his models :) 

Why I Love New York City

Back in the city that I love.

 Where there are toilets instead of holes in the ground and driving laws to follow. Where I can order my vegetarian meal without wondering if it will come mixed with ground beef.  A place where clients don’t gasp in horror when they see I have short hair and where I  can walk down the runway and not hear the Star Wars theme song (this happened in 2 different shows!!)

But this isn’t a post about the oddities of China. I’ll leave that for later. As I return to NYC on Sept 11^th, I want to take this time to tell you why I heart NYC. 

1. When life overwhelms me I can get lost in the midst of the crowd and the noise and the lights and the hustle and bustle of city life and feel completely at peace.

2. It’s a place where I have gotten  yelled at by the person at the take-out counter for taking too long to order a sandwich (and there was no one waiting behind me!) only to finish our transaction with laughter. No lingering decisions. Gotta make’em snappy! 

3. Its  a city where I can get decked out  in my sexy black dress and heels  at any time of the day and not look out of place. 

4. Its a life where there is always something fun and interesting going on, a VIP event to go to and free drinks and dinners to be had. 

5. This city screams success. I’ve never met more amazing people anywhere else that go after what they want with such determination, And then get it.

6. It’s the race. It’s the adrenaline. It’s the fear of being left behind that keeps me determined to not give up.

7. Its so easy to meet people and have amazing conversations with just about anyone 

8. I run into people that I know constantly. It makes Manhattan feel small. So don't go burning any bridges here. You'll more than likely find yourself suddenly sitting right next to someone you know on the subway.

9. It’s a rollercoaster. I’ll be on such a high one day and have everything crashing down on me the next. It makes me want to keep coming back for more. (Wow now that sounds like a dysfunctional, codependent relationship... )

10. Because my dreams here really are, slowly but surely, coming true.  And the possibilities seem endless.

And if you love NYC as much as I do, make sure you check out these following blog entries from some of my favorite bloggers.

Only in New York - Lacey in the City

New York State of Mind - by Kid in the Front Row

Hey Amber Rae

 

Photo Credit 

From LA to NY, it was the best decision I ever made!

The Invisible Dog walk

I spent Sunday afternoon taking a leisurely walk in Brooklyn with my invisible dog. About 2000 people did the same. (This number seems a bit exaggerated to me, but that's what the other sites are saying...) Nonetheless, a whole bunch of us walked the streets with harnesses attached to leashes, sipping on coffee, having lunch at pet friendly cafes and visiting pet stores to purchase doggie treats for our canine friends.

I participated in Improv Everywhere's most recent mission.

My friend Lauren Reeves invited me to come to the "top secret" shoot. All I knew about this particular improv group is that they are known for going pants-less on the subway. So I was very relieved when people started walking out of the "secret" building with their invisible dogs and no missing clothes.

Watch one of their most famous stunts that took place in Grand Central Station. Its pretty awesome.




My favorite moments of the day were all the children who were so joyfully excited to be petting my invisible dog. One little girl who was participating insisted that she was walking an invisible Iguana. For me, well, I decided to walk the spirit of my childhood dog, Sparky.

I Need A Vacation!!!! But I Had A Perfect Birthday :)

Can I tell you how utterly uninspired I have been for the past several weeks? So much so that I cannot motivate myself to get on to my computer and write out a blog entry. I need a vacation. BADLY. I have found that people living in NYC need to get away more often. Everything is so intense- the work, the night life, and never having "alone time" away from crowds that are within 10 feet of you constantly.  I feel like I need lots of little breaks to keep myself refreshed but I feel I haven't been able to get away. And no, going to LA is NOT a vacation. I want to take a cruise near the Mediterranean or Asia. Or perhaps a trip to Brazil or Costa Rica or... I could go on and on. I'm looking to get away end of December or January. I figure that is perfect because I rarely book much work at that time. 

And now, I write this blog entry because I get free wi-fi on my flight to San Francisco  (how awesome is that?) So I figure I'll make the most of my in- flight wi-fi experience and force myself to write. I'm feeling better already!

I blame some of my lack of enthusiasm on my recent birthday. Every year it seems I get unmotivated and overly critical of myself. Its like I get depressed because another year has gone by and I still don't feel a sense of accomplishment. I guess that's what happens when I want and expect, well, EVERYTHING! And nothing has turned out perfectly the way I want it to. I suppose that's just the Virgo in me...

So its a good thing I have good friends that don't let me stay in my room and mope on my birthday and don't go along with my "I don't care if I do anything on my birthday this year..." attitude. 

I have friends who came to support me in my first Improv show at The PIT. I took a class and we had our graduating performance on my birthday. 

Here is a photo of me in class practicing improvisation

And then, I spent the remainder of my birthday on a rooftop with my closest friends in NYC. Look at this view! Amazing. Its just another reminder of how much I appreciate this city. And it inspired me a bit too :) 

A performance and a rooftop celebration. Just another typical day in NYC. And for me it was the perfect birthday. 

Castings And Exploding Cabs

I went to a casting the other day for runway. I was measured to make sure I met the requirement of being exactly 5' 9 1/2". (I always thought I was 5'10" until I moved to New York. They always bring out the measuring tape. There is no lying about your sizes here!)

Then, a woman who I assume was the designer,  asked for my comp card, flipped open my portfolio to the first page, and as she was turning to the second, abrubtly closed it shut and said, "Thank you!" 

And this is why I appreciate New York.

In Los Angeles, I received constant flattery and ego boosts.  "You're gorgeous. Your photos are beautiful. Your walk is perfect. We will definitely be booking you. Blah blah blah." 

Pure bullshit.

I always knew when they started talking like that I stood no chance. In New York, if I'm not what they're looking for, they usually at least give me the courtesy of flipping through my portfolio without saying a word, hand it back and say, "Thanks." Every single agency I walked into, except for the one who signed me and the others that were interested, did exactly that. Some gave me some helpful critiques. Others looked as if their day was being wasted on a bunch of wanna be hopeful models. 

This may sound harsh to some, but I am thankful for it. And when I do get a compliment it actually means something to me. Or when they do express interest in booking me, it seems like they usually do, even if it is for a different job several months later. Another designer recently took the time to tell me I was leaning to the right when I walked (must be from carrying my heavy bag all around the city!) I would never have caught that myself. In fact, he told me since he liked my look so much, to adjust it, come to his next casting and he would book me. So we'll see. 

And as I'm leaving my casting, I see a cab with smoke coming out of the windows. Then suddenly it burst into flames! And that was my excitement for the day.