Look, Live and Feel Like a Supermodel!

Essential Oils

2011-05-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have learned so much in the past few weeks about essential oils like peppermint, lavender, and thyme! You know that people with oily skin try to avoid products that have oil? That is totally unnecessary because all essential oils are actually antibacterial. That means that they will kill the bad, blemish causing bacteria. Some oils can even dry out the bad oils on your skin while nourishing it with the good oils. I had no idea that oils could be so beneficial!

Recently, I began noticing some skin issues which you can not have in the modeling industry. I ran straight to my skin guru, Susan Ciminelli and she gave my three essential oils to solve all of my skin problems. I felt weird putting oils on my face, scared that they would make my skin greasy but it actually fixed everything in the first week. I use the Susan Ciminelli toning formula with peppermint, rosemary, and thyme oil on my t-zone. The hydrating formula with lavendar, chamomile, and geranium is what I smooth over cheekbones and my forehead. I also use the oil control formula with lemongrass, thyme, and cajeput for spot-treatment in trouble areas. You can purchase any of the same products that I use at www.SusanCiminelli.com.

You don’t have to use designer oils, either. Many are carried at your local health food stores. For fine lines and wrinkles pick up myrrh and frankincense. Both of these oils stimulate cell regrowth. You can even use them together. Trouble with dry, flaky skin? Try sandalwood oil. You can mix it with your regular moisturizer to enrich the skin with emollients, leaving it smooth.

Oily skin or skin with rosacea works well with rose oil. Rose oil is naturally hydrating and oily or red skin is caused by dehydration. Fix the dehydration and you’ll fix the problem. If you suffer from acne or skin irritation try lavender oil to calm skin as well as minimizing spots and redness. Unlike tea tree oil, it won’t dry out your skin.

Essential oils can be used in so many ways. They smell great, they’re all natural, affordable, and antimicrobial. Know what each does before you use it but once you find the right oils for your skin, you won’t want to give them up!

Simple Skin Solutions

2011-05-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

I found these great masks while reading “The Ciminelli Solution”! Susan Ciminelli (the author) is a skin care expert and the specialist that I trust my skin to. These are the two easiest masks to make with the best results!

Oatmeal-Egg White Mask for Oily Skin

This mask helps remove excess oil and helps tighten and refine pores.

3 Tablespoons Oatmeal

1 Egg White

Combine the oatmeal and egg white in a small bowl.Apply the mixture to a clean face and neck. Leave on twenty minutes and rinse with cool water.

Avocado and Lemon Juice Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados are full of oils that help soften skin and make it more radiant.

1 Avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed

2 Tablespoons Raw Organic Honey

2 Tablespoons crushed Bee Pollen

Dash of Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree. Apply the mixture to a clean face and neck. Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Grandma, what long hair you have?

2011-05-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

It is a growing trend for women in Hollywood to keep their locks lengthy after they retire their mini-skirts. The days of needing to crop your coif with added age are over. Starlets like Julia Roberts (age 43), Demi Moore (age 48), and Christie Brinkley (age 57) are perfect examples of gracefully aging beauties that aren’t afraid to show off their many years of hair wisdom.
The most important key to long hair at any age is health. I cannot stress this enough. Split ends and straggly pieces will only age you and make you appear cheap. Trimming every six to eight weeks will keep you safe from dead-ends, but it’s also a good idea to use a deep-conditioner weekly. For a straight and sleek look, focus on shine because all of your hair’s attention will go to its health. Shiny hair will show everyone that you’ve got your locks under control and make your color pop.
As a busybody myself, I prefer tousled waves or curls because it’s made to move, like me. Hair that moves is soft and begging to be touched. As a southern girl who doesn’t have lots of extra time on her hands, I find hot rollers to be the best way to achieve these waves. All you have to do is pop the rollers in, finish some housework and pull them out after 10-15 minutes for some serious body! I also recommend having some long layers cut into your hair. Any layers below the jaw line will draw attention away from fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes, making you appear younger without any effort!
Another recommendation for gracefully aging women is to get some face-framing highlights. Lightening you color can actually make you appear much younger. The trick with color is that you want to stay warm. If you are dark haired, get chocolate or caramel colored highlights. If you are blonde, stay a warm honey color. Cold colors will only make you appear older and frigid, two terms we’re trying to avoid.
Aging is a beautiful, natural process that should be handled with grace and celebration. Each little line tells a story about our journey through life. Instead of erasing our aging, I think that we should embrace it. If you prefer short hair, then have short hair, but don’t let anyone make you do anything that you don’t want to do. Women are remarkably resilient creatures. We just need to start focusing on the positive, things that make us happy.

Eating 101

2011-05-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

   I have no problem indulging myself on spectacular treats. Nevertheless, I also have to keep my health a priority. Fortunately, I have a couple of tricks that allow me to eat whatever I want and not compromise my health.
   The hardest part of being healthy is finding balance. The truth is, once my stomach gets going, it’s hard to stop it. That’s why I never let myself get hungry. Ever been to the grocery store on an empty stomach? I end up walking out with a lot more food then planned and usually start by scarfing down a candy bar right out of the door. That’s why I constantly pack my purse with treats to satisfy hunger while nourishing my body. Having a snack may not fully satisfy you, but it will keep you from getting ravenous and overeating something that isn’t beneficial to your body. Granola bars are easy to pack and they give your body fiber and protein. I personally like to keep oranges with me because they take weeks to spoil with their thick skin and they’re so much more satisfying (especially if I’m craving something sweet), juicy, and flavorful then anything pre-packaged.
  Eating out is a danger zone for many reasons. Restaurants want their food to taste good, even if it means that the food is harmful to your body and mind. Let’s begin with alcohol because one beverage can pack over 600 calories and hold literally no nutritional value at all. Experts recommend following each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water to keep yourself hydrated. If you’re anything like me, you’ll follow that drink with some buffalo wings and tater tots (with ranch!). Now I’ve turned one meal into an artery-clogging, trans-fat infused, wave of weight-gaining calories and sodium. I don’t believe in guilt after eating, so if we have a night like this, it’s fine. Keep moving forward, but let’s try to not make this a regular thing. Instead of a sugary drink, try something citrus based or spicy. A bloody Mary packs only 140 calories and takes longer to drink.
When picking food at a restaurant, try to get something grilled, baked, or steamed. These items are prepared much more healthily. If you are craving something fried in butter, try to pair it with at least two sides of vegetables (mashed potatoes are not a vegetable). Veggies are mostly fat-free, full of good nutrients, and almost calorie-free. Sometimes we have to have things even if they aren’t healthy, but it’s important that we don’t forget to give our bodies the best minerals so that we can still perform at our best. You know that hour after a serious face-stuffing where you lie on the bed and feel like you’re going to vomit? We’re trying to avoid that.
   Remember how Mom would never let you snack before dinner? Well, ditch that mentality and learn how to “spoil your dinner”. Everyone likes to get extremely hungry before a big meal and that is not a good idea. Being hungry makes me a mean person! It also makes me over-order and over-eat. My Mother would say, “Your eyes were bigger than your stomach”. The truth is, it isn’t good for our bodies to starve for hours and then over-stuff our stomachs. The best plan is to have something light before eating. I usually have a cup of Greek yogurt with honey or a fruit parfait with granola. You aren’t trying to fill up, but you don’t want to let your body get on empty. You want to be able to really savor your food. I think that eating can be such a fantastic experience, feeling the textures and flavors roll over your tongue. A good meal is wasted on a ravenous stomach.
   Call me a frugal fashionista, but I have actually started sharing meals when I go out. Restaurants typically serve double our recommended portions (they had better for the price), but that doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to eat everything in front of us. Sharing meals keeps me from eating more than I actually want. It also costs half the price! Another tip is to embrace the doggie bag. I have several friends who “don’t eat leftovers” and I feel bad for them. Filet mignon with mushrooms and asparagus for dinner becomes an amazing omelet the following morning. We have this mentality that it’s all or nothing, but food doesn’t work that way. Several recipes are actually better the following day because the flavors have more time to sink in. Eat as much as you want to eat when you’re out, but know that you don’t HAVE to finish everything on your plate. Once you are full, pack it up and dream up another dish to use it in later that week.

Overall, I believe that people think way to much about food. Try to listen to your body. If your body wants a steak then eat it, don't fight with yourself about the "consequences" and make yourself feel guilty. Life is too short to ever feel guilty about eating what you want. Just be sure that you have healthy options around too because your body will crave those as well. Bon appetite!

Burn, Baby Burn

2011-05-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

Summer is quickly approaching and it’s time for us to get our game plan together for skin protection. It only takes one burn to cause visible damage and we’ve all seen those people who look like leather bags after years of sun exposure even if they “don’t burn”. I’m a Florida girl myself and I love a bronze body, but I also know where to draw the faux-tan line in the sand. Nowadays, you don’t need harmful rays to get that glow, so don’t even use that as an excuse! It’s time for us to pick up the sunscreen and prepare for many long days at the beach.

What most consumers don’t realize is that the SPF number is not as different as it may seem. Think SPF 30 blocks twice as much as SPF 15? Think again. SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which are more closely linked to deeper skin damage. Both UVA and UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer. An SPF 15 blocks about 94% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 45 and higher block about 98% of rays. Anything above SPF 45 is kind of a joke. SPF 70 may sound better but it hardly does any more then SPF 30. Bringing along a wide-brimmed, shady hat, sunglasses with UV protection, or a cute cover-up is a great way to protect yourself from further damage and they’re very stylish right now.

Most people who do wear sunscreen don’t wear enough. You should be using at least a teaspoon on your face and neck. It’s also best to start on the outside of your face and work your way in to avoid missing any areas. Pay extra attention to your nose because it sticks out and tends to receive the most damage. To cover your body, you should use at least a full ounce. Many companies also offer an aerosol SPF product but these have a thinner consistency, so be sure to spritz generously. If you are a jetsetter and can’t get through security with a bottle of SPF, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Powerful Sun Protection Daily Sunscreen Towelettes SPF 30 for $18. There really is no excuse anymore to not carry sunscreen at all times. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, but it’s easy to forget while you’re enjoying the day. That’s why Coppertone created an app called MyUV Alert that tells you when it’s time to reapply and gives you the current UV rating in your area, so you know how harmful the rays are.

For the most success with your sunscreen, be sure to apply it at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. It needs time to absorb into your skin and activate before reaching maximum effectiveness. Also, don’t forget about lips and eyes! These places hold the most sensitive skin on your face and we often leave them completely susceptible to burning rays. Many chap-sticks now provide an SPF and are inexpensive. You don’t want to put normal sunscreen on your lips if you can help it because you might accidentally lick if off and trust me on this one, it doesn’t taste good. You can put your normal sunscreen around your eyes but if you fear that it may irritate, try a stay-put stick like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Targeted Defense Stick SPF 50 for $20.

The most important part is that you respect yourself enough to protect yourself. We are each so special and unique and we have to learn to protect our bodies’ natural resources because once they’re damaged, we can’t get them back.

Fashionably Late?

2011-05-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

   People joke about being fashionably late, but in the fashion industry, there is no such thing. Constantly tardy? Showing up late is completely unprofessional and can tarnish your reputation as well as lose you jobs. The problem is, in a world as hectic as ours, it’s easier to make excuses than it is to make punctuality a priority. I’ve learned some hard lessons in this category and I want to share some useful advice so that you don’t ever have to be late again!
   My father always taught me that being on time is being late. Barely making an appointment makes it appear like you have better things to do. That being said, don’t arrive too early either.Fifteen minutes early shows that you are eager to be a part of something but not desperate. Don’t aim to be on time, aim to be early.
   The best way to arrive at an appointment in a timely manner is to be realistic. Does it take twenty minutes to get to your appointment? Take into account that there may be a wreck, you may spill coffee on yourself while walking out the door, or maybe you have to stop for gas. Little things add up, so giving yourself only enough time is downright dumb. Set an alarm on your phone fifteen minutes earlier then you “need” to leave. This will keep you from losing track of time. It will also allow you some wiggle room in case of a minor setback.
Being on time isn’t only important in business situations. Showing up late to meet a friend conveys disrespect and selfishness. Even if that isn’t your intention, it’s how you come across. Instead of meeting at a certain time, try agreeing on a time for each of you to leave your house. This takes away the pressure and stress of possibly disappointing a friend.
Excessive tardiness has serious consequences. It’s simple to have a professional appearance if you just put in a little effort. Try padding your schedule with extra time between appointments. Give yourself at least an extra 10 minutes to make it to every meeting. Simple preparations like this can save you a lot of wasted time stressing while running late. It will also make people feel like they can depend on you both in and out of the workplace.

Diet Like Me...

2011-05-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Okay. That’s clearly a title to grab your attention. You know that diet is not usually in my vocabulary, but I stumbled upon an article recently and I couldn’t ignore its validity in my life. The truth is, I am a technology addict. I can’t help it. Since winning America’s Next Top Model, I have become an international Supermodel, business owner, jet-setter, candle designer, blogger, etc. Technology is the only thing that keeps me connected to my family, my business, and my agent. Without these things, I would be lost. The truth is that it’s hard to prioritize when your whole life is on one tiny device, which is why I began my diet from technology.

The floating concerns about cell phones causing cancer, arthritis, and an inability to connect naturally to other human beings make me wonder why our use is only growing and growing. According to Daniel Sieburg, author of The Digital Diet, “Constantly checking your Blackberry, Facebook and Twitter can be addictive--when you aren’t online you worry somebody needs you or that fun things are happening without you”. Just ten years ago my cell phone didn’t even have a color-screen. Now I expect it to make me breakfast in the morning.

Technologically speaking, if I could only keep one thing, I think it would be Skype. There is nothing better then coffee with my Mom over the video chat or seeing my 3 year-old nephew make funny faces at me through the screen. Skype keeps me close to the ones I love and I think that this puts things in perspective. Texting and e-mailing are so impersonal. After months of flying every day, I can feel like a robot. I never get to have full conversations, laugh aloud without including a “LOL”, or take a stroll with a friend. These are the things that make us human and keep us from simply going through the motions of life.

I know that you probably can’t go cold turkey, so start with baby steps. When vacationing with loved ones, turn the phone off. Better yet, let it die and forget about it. If you must, designate one hour each morning or night to make calls and do work so you can spend the rest of your time focusing on what’s really important. You don’t want people’s memories of you to be texting. Another baby step would be to try to go a day without “logging in”. It’s also nice to just go a whole day without your cell phone. Surround yourself with people you love and shut it off. Use your phone for necessities only, not fun. You are missing out on life’s little gifts just because you choose to play a stupid game to “pass the time”. People used to pass time by living, now we avoid life with apps. I ask you to take time out for the little things in life. Start small. Find beauty in reality. Find joy in simple things, like a child’s smile. Take the time to feel the sun’s warmth on your face and the wind in your hair. These are the things that we will look back on and wish for more of.

Eat Your Way to Better Beauty!

2011-05-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

We all know that many food products can nourish our bodies, but there are tons of products that make us beautiful on the outside just by eating them! No messy mixes or chunky green masks, just yummy additions to your daily munchies that leave you looking your best!

There is nothing better in this world than chocolate. Well, not many things. People used to blame breakouts on eating chocolate, but studies show that chocolate actually contains high levels of flavonoids, potent antioxidants that actually protect your skin and don’t cause breakouts. Not only does it increase blood flow to your tissues, leaving skin nourished and glowing, it also protects skin from sun damage. Higher levels of cacao contain more antioxidants so look for chocolate that’s at least 70 percent cacao.

Antioxidants called anthocyanins protect you from fine lines and dryness in skin by neutralizing free radicals that age your skin. Anthocyanins are found in blueberries and pomegranates. These fruits also contain high levels of vitamin C, which increases collagen production, keeping your skin smooth and plump.

Beta-carotene is found in orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Your body converts beta-carotene into retinol just by eating these vegetables. Retinol is known to smooth skin and protect it from past and present sun damage. If you’re known to enjoy long days at the beach, be sure to pack your diet full of these powerful protectors!

Lycopene protects skin from environmental damage as well as sun damage. You can get your lycopene from raw tomatoes, but it’s actually highest when tomatoes are cooked. Stewed tomatoes, marinara sauce, simmered, or sliced they guys are your new best friend. They are also most easily absorbed with a little healthy fat, so drizzle over a little olive oil or eat with a slice of avocado for best results.

Want healthier hair, smoother skin, stronger bones, and brighter eyes? Eating just one ounce of walnuts daily will give you your daily amount of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which aid in all of these things. Mix into a salad or eat them on their own! Other nuts with similar healthy benefits include almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts.

I’ve already discussed the importance of calcium in my article “More Than Milk”, but eating just one cup of plain, low-fat yogurt daily includes about 450 milligrams of the nutrient. Calcium is necessary for building strong nails and teeth. Yogurt also contains about 25% of your daily-recommended amount of zinc. Zinc can calm skin inflammation, treat rosacea, and encourage cell regeneration.

Spinach contains an antioxidant called lutein as well as vitamin A (beta-carotene). These help eyes stay healthy and bright and skin supple by speeding up skin cell turnover. Eating spinach also helps your body to create retinol, which makes skin more firm and resilient. It’s also almost calorie free. With one cup weighing in at seven calories, I find ways to sneak it in all the time. I sauté spinach and mix it in with my morning omelette, add it to my salads, and even mix it in with pasta dishes. There’s no reason to not get the benefits from this rich, leafy, green veggie!

Kiwis throw you off because of their fuzzy skins? Get passed it. One kiwi holds nearly all the vitamin C you need in a whole day! This means that eating a kiwi can stimulate collagen synthesis, repair damage to skin-cell DNA, and strengthen blood vessels and hair follicles! That means that adding a few slices to your frozen yogurt, morning cereal, or yummy smoothie can seriously boost your natural beauty!

Antioxidants called catechins have been shown to actually prevent skin cancer and keep you from getting sunburns. Catechins are found in green tea, with the highest concentration in a tea called matcha. Try drinking two cups of green tea daily to get the full benefits. If you don’t like tea, you can purchase a matcha powder at any health-food store, which can be added to any smoothie or yogurt blend for the same results.

Stock up on all of these foods on your next grocery visit to get all of your pretty perks! After all, beauty comes from the inside out in more ways than one. Taking care of your body and its needs will make your body take care of you. A girl who loves herself radiates confidence and self-respect!

Winners!!!!!

2011-05-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

   The winners of the Supermodel giveaway on my blog are Krista Holhbein, Mary, Keri, FindFred.com, and Arishika! Congratulations!!! Please e-mail ShopSupermodel@gmail.com with your shipping address! XoxoX

   Love,
   Whitney

Pretty in Pink

2011-05-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

While hot hues have been grabbing our attention from every makeup counter, there is another trend this spring that is easier to achieve. Nudes and neutrals consistently pop up in spring and summer because of their simplicity and feminine subtlety. This season’s electric notes leaving you feeling overwhelmed? No problem. Focus your attention on soft, pearlescent picks. Essentially, these are the complete opposite of everything else this season!

Think of a soft summer breeze blowing a floral, cotton dress. The warm sun leaving the lightest trace of flushed pink on your cheeks and dewy soft lips. Spring is dripping with girlie fun and we want to embrace the softer side of the season. Keep skin looking fresh and natural by using a cream highlighter like Shimmy by Julie Hewett in Pinkie, which gives off a rose-gold shine ($22) (cart.JulieHewett.net). Smear across your cheekbones, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose to give your effortless looking dewy skin.

Allow your blush to do double-duty this season. Sweep something sweet like Estee Lauder Signature 5-Tone Shimmer Powder in Pink Shimmer ($36) across you lids and over the apples of your cheeks. This will give you a light flush, keeping you youthful looking and brightening your eyes. You’ll want to play up these pinks with a natural looking brown liner and black mascara. Add another spot of your highlighter to the middle of your eyelid to make eyes appear larger.

Trash your lipstick for this look. Anything thick or sticky will only age you. I recommend a gloss like Love That White Smile (www.LoveThatWhiteSmile.com), which smells like peppermint and goes on light and comfortably while tiny sparkling pigments make teeth appear whiter. For more color, start with a lip stain and you will only have to apply gloss throughout the day. That way there is zero chance of smearing or embarrassing color on your teeth.

Essentially, keep things light, airy and easy. If it feels like too much work, it probably is. Soft shimmer, pinks, and pearls are your inspiration!

Coffee Conundrum

2011-04-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

I am a complete coffee freak and I mean that in the best way possible. It started as a comfort thing. My mother always drank black coffee and I began drinking it while filming America’s Next Top Model in New York. It somehow made me feel closer to home and it’s been that way ever since. I don’t drink it for the caffeine, but I can drink a whole pot and then some depending on my mood! Regardless of why you drink it, I have a few helpful tips that I’ve picked up on making it the most satisfying part of your morning!
Many people suffer from a little irritation from their morning coffee. You don’t want your day to begin with tummy troubles, but you also don’t want to cut coffee out of the routine. The good news is that dark-roasted coffee contains a chemical called N-methylpyridium that actually reduces irritating stomach acid. A dark roast can contain twice as much as a light roast so to keep your stomach still, try switching to a French roast or even an espresso. The best choice for irritable tummies is actually a decaffeinated dark-roast, but if you need that caffeine kick, try simply switching to a dark-roast fist.
Now that you have you caffeine consumption under control, you might want to mix it up a little. Like I said, I only drink black coffee, but that doesn’t mean that I want bland coffee. A trick that I have been doing for years is adding a dash of cinnamon to my coffee grounds before brewing them. It really picks up on the rich flavors in any roast. You can also add other fun spices like orange zest or fresh nutmeg. You don’t have to do it every morning, but it will certainly add a little pizzaz to your morning and keep you from getting in a rut with your daily grind.
Everyone has a different take on brewing the best cup. From drip machines to French press, I find it hard to brew a bad cup. Nevertheless, you should still know a thing or two about your grinds. Grinding your own coffee is the best way to get the freshest cup. Grinders are pretty inexpensive, but they do take a little more effort in the morning. You can also control the grind size with your own grinder. I recommend a grinder if you, like me, want to switch up the way you brew sometimes. A French press requires a coarse ground coffee because anything smaller will end up in your cup and that is not a good feeling. Espresso requires a fine grind and drip makers take medium sized grounds.
Despite what you have heard about coffee possibly being bad for you, it is actually packed with the same nutritionally rich compounds that you get from tea, wine, and chocolate. Studies even show a relation in coffee drinking being able to ward off mental decline, certain cancers, and high blood pressure. While I do recommend switching to decaf after lunch, I say raise your cup of Joe in joy and toast to a bold, rich life. Here’s to living like a SuperModel!

Brush it Off!

2011-04-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Some people don’t use makeup brushes at all and some of us buy brushes and have no idea what we’re paying for or why we need them. Brushes have the power to make or break you. Someone with ill-applied makeup will not be well respected. You think you will get a second date with spots of black eyeshadow all over your cheeks? As much as I hate it, makeup matters. It is better to wear none then to wear it the wrong way. You don't need makeup to be beautiful, but if you are going to wear makeup wear it the right way. I want to quickly set the record straight on a couple of misconceptions when it comes to the brushes that hold the power to perfect powder.

Usually when buying a brush, or anything for that matter, we think that real means “better”. You want human hair extensions and Italian leather shoes, but the same is simply not true of makeup brushes. Brushes made with animal hair can actually soak up makeup and waste product. They also require more washing and can actually cause skin irritations as well as costing more money then their cruelty-free counterparts. Synthetic brushes are hypoallergenic and can be made from sustainable materials. Overall, they’re better for the Earth, you skin, and your bank account.

Why use a makeup brush at all? For starters, it’s far more hygienic than fingers alone. You’re hands are covered in germs and bacteria and the last thing you want to do is add any more to your face, possibly causing severe blemishes. Also, makeup brushes allow you to be precise and accurate with your application. This is especially true when it comes to your eyes. There’s nothing worse then someone trying to create a smokey eye with a sponge brush. It typically ends with uneven edges and powdery specks all over. An appropriate brush can also help shape and fill your eyebrows, which you can read the value of in my blog post “The Importance of Eyebrows”.

Once you find your best brushes, (the most important being a powder/blush brush, eyeshadow brush, and liner brush) be sure you know how to clean them. There are many cleaners on the market for you to choose from, but the most important thing is that you do actually clean them. You never know if one of your friends snuck in the bathroom to apply a little extra liner and the last thing you want is to get an infection or share microscopic mites from someone else’s face. Keep your tools fresh and your face will show it!

You don’t need to spend tons on your brushes. Look online for good deals on eco-friendly brushes. I promise that you will notice an immediate difference in the evenness and precision of your applications. You will be able to apply makeup like a professional and the brushes will last you years if you take care of them!

Want to Win a Candle from Supermodel?

2011-04-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

I am doing a Supermodel candle giveaway on May 31st! In order to be eligible you must be "following" my blog. I will choose five names and we do ship internationally, so anyone can participate! Follow now for your chance to win!

The French-Fry Fog

2011-04-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

We’ve all heard that trans fats are bad for our bodies, but a recent study by Spanish researchers found that they can affect our brains too! Trans fats (or trans fatty acids) are mostly man-made in a process that puts hydrogen in vegetable oil and then mixes in zinc and copper to make them more solid. The grey matter that results is then bleached to make it more appealing. This process keeps food from spoiling for longer, but it creates the worst fat for the heart, blood vessels, and the rest of the body according to Harvard University. Trans fats are also called “partially hydrogenated oils" and you can still find them in many foods, unfortunately.

Products like pre-packaged pastries, crackers, french-fries, cookies, and processed foods contain trans-fats. There was a time when 100% of crackers and 95% of prepared cookies contained trans-fats. Many companies have started using alternatives, but it’s still important to check the labels. Surprisingly, margarine, which is low in calories, is one of the worst sources of trans-fats still out there. Even a small amount of these trans fatty acids can immediately fog your brain. Taking any in makes you 48% more likely to experience depression, according to a six-year study. Trans fats have also been linked to a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, they have been shown to adversely affect learning ability, which should make you think twice about children eating French fries in the cafeteria everyday. Finally, eliminating trans-fats altogether would keep 1 in 5 heart attacksfrom ever occurring.

Apparently a longer shelf life for our food means a shorter shelf life for us. There are still many tests being run, but the safest bet at this point is to lay off the trans fats for your body and your mind. Actually, there are many fats that are beneficial to your body. Eating foods like avocados, nuts and olive oil, which contain unsaturated fats, can keep you from feeling depressed and they can help lower bad cholesterol. Life is too precious to risk for a bland treat. I encourage you to eat what you want, but satisfy your cravings at home when you can and read labels carefully when you can’t. You deserve the best in everything and the dollar menu is not “the best” of anything.

Colorful Cosmetics, This Season's Must-Have!

2011-04-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

If you’ve spent any time perusing the makeup counter over the past several weeks, you’ve probably noticed a new trend that involves a lot of neon and ultra-bright pretty products. From pots of gloss to shocking shades of polish, I’ll guide you through using this season’s hottest shades without abusing them!

The good news is that most of these crazy colors only appear to be outrageous in the container. Once smoothed over skin, they make a light splash of color, accentuating your features without taking away from them. Let’s start with cheeks because they don’t need too much attention. You already know to apply your blush right on the apples of your cheeks, but instead of using your usual blush brush, switch to a larger powder brush, sweeping the light, electric pink across your cheeks and nose. This will create the illusion of a natural flush and set the tone for the rest of your face.

I like to do my eyes before my lips because I have a lot of fun playing with the shades and shapes. It’s easy to get creative with your eyes and still look glamorous. Many eye shadows come in palettes, but you only need to use one color at a time on your eye. Bring the shadow from your lash line to your crease and no further. This can make your eyes appear brighter and fresh. If you want to use a bright liner like teal or magenta, try a large swoop across your top lid. You can leave the line thick or smudge it for a softer look. Follow the bright liner with a black liquid liner just along your lash line. You want to see the color coming up from underneath, but you still need a bold color to keep your eyes from looking freaky! Follow with a black mascara or use something like a rich blue to finish the funky theme.

Sheer shine is a constant theme this season. Thick pots of sticky gloss glisten like stolen jewels from department store counters, but they have a secret. Most of these glosses are jelly-based and go on with the slightest hint of color. I refer to the look as “kiss me lips” because the color draws just enough attention without scaring your man. Guys hate thick lipstick and this trend is anything but! These shades will leave your lips looking luscious and irresistible. My favorite gloss is a pot of Camellia Ruby Balm by Julie Hewett. It’s the perfect hint of color, but isn’t sticky at all! It’s also organic, paraben free, $20, and it makes your lips super soft! You can get my favorite gloss at http://cart.JulieHewett.net.

I don’t want any of my SuperModel readers walking around looking like a box of crayons exploded on their faces, so please be careful! If you want wild lips one night, go lighter on the eyes. I think of wearing makeup like wearing an outfit. Make one thing the focal point and try to have the rest accentuate that thing. Showing off your eyes? Then the lips job that night is to help draw attention to the eyes. Showing off your legs? Then the arms should be covered to keep the focal point there. This method will keep you away from the fashion police and right on trend!

More Than Milk

2011-04-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that calcium is important, but sneaking it into your diet can be tricky at times. I recently decided to do a little research on calcium and I learned a lot about its sources as well as some nifty little facts!

Did you know that you actually get more calcium from low-fat dairy? Calcium is not stored in the fat part of milk, so as the fat content lowers, the calcium level rises. Therefore, the best dairy products for delivering your much-needed calcium are going to be low-fat choices. Also, your body can’t absorb too much calcium at once. 500 mg seems to be the cap, so if you take a calcium supplement, it’s best to divide it up throughout the day. Your body will handle the small portions better and be able to take in more calcium. If you do chose to take a supplement, read the label carefully. Most contain other ingredients like carbonate. Be sure to check the exact amount of calcium to be sure you’re giving yourself enough.

In order to actually be able to absorb your calcium, you have to have vitamin D. You need vitamin D because it regulates the calcium going into the small intestine, which maintains the blood levels needed for bone building. There are different ways to get your vitamin D and they’re all pretty simple. You could get thirty minutes of un-protected sun exposure a week, take supplements, or eat foods like fortified milk and sockeye salmon. It isn’t difficult but it is important.

Some people don’t like milk, but there are other foods that are packed with calcium too. I’m sure you’ve seen labels that say they are fortified with calcium. Those are fine substitutes, but you can also eat foods like dark, leafy greens, canned salmon, and dry roasted almonds. It is important for you to check the labels and see how much calcium is actually in each product. The average eight ounce cup of low-fat yogurt has about 400 mg, so you’ll want to try to hit somewhere in that range. You should ideally take 1,000 mg of calcium daily.

Watching what you put in your body can feel like a lot of work, but it is worth it in the long run. Problems that develop from a lack of calcium can result in osteoporosis, unhealthy bone and teeth development, bleeding, nerve damage, and more. Take simple steps to nurture your body now and you will be thanking me later!

Easy Ways to Go Green and Save Green!

2011-04-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

“Going green” is a phrase thrown around a lot today, but what does it mean in your life? You can live in a “green” building, grow your own organic foods, or drive an electric car. There are tons of ways for you to aid in the nurturing of Mother Nature’s recovery from our careless damages over the years. The problem is, sometimes “going green” can feel overwhelming. With so many options out there, where does one start? That’s where I come in. I’ve picked up a few simple tricks to get the eco-friendly ball rolling.

The first tip is so simple that you might feel silly reading it, but turn everything off! That’s right! When you leave the room, turn the lights off. Not only will it save you money on the electric bill, but it can save you up to 10% on your home’s total energy expenditure. You can also save money by plugging everything into a power strip and turning it off each night. Things like your television, DVD player, coffee maker, etc. suck up a lot of energy just by being plugged in all night. Unplug them when they aren’t in use.

I thought that this tip was a little crazy when I first read it, but it is unbelievably simple and it saves you some major money. Low-flow toilets use less water with each flush, but instead of going out and purchasing several fancy new toilets for your own home, try putting a large brick in the back of each toilet. The added weight will keep your toilet from filling up with as much water, which means that each flush will use less water. This is just like those expensive low-flow models, but now you only have to buy a brick!

My next tip may be a harder habit to kick, but it’s worth it. The average person uses 3,000 paper towels each year! This takes up tons of space in landfills and though they’re convenient, they aren’t a necessity. I switched over to organic kitchen towels instead. You will have to keep a few extras under the sink in case of a major mess, but you’ll also save tons of money on ditching the paper and this switch will make a big impact on the environment.

I’m not sure if it’s a girl thing or if it’s just me, but light bulbs have never sparked my interest at all. I have no idea what the difference is in a 60 watt or a 12 watt but I finally decided to look into it and apparently “watts” refers to the amount of power being used. There are many new options on the market that promise to be “more eco-friendly” and with all of those options, it’s kind of hard to go wrong. Many of the “green” light bulbs cost more, but they last longer, so the price evens out. The best options are for you to get compact fluorescent lights or LED lights, which run on about 12 watts of power.

There are tons of eco-friendly cleaners on the market and I highly recommend switching from your normal chemical clad germ busters to something that won’t harm your family or pets. Nevertheless, the easiest way to cut down on cleaning is to drop your shoes at the door. You and your guests track in tons of creepy crawlies just from walking around outside. By taking your shoes off at the door, you will be able to cut the need for floor cleaning in half! Saving money on cleaning supplies as well as time that you deserve to spend doing something more fun!

Little steps make a huge difference. Maybe someday we can all live in houses powered by solar energy and only wear organic fabrics, but for now it is important that we each do as much as we can. The tips are super simple, save you money, and help the environment. For more tips, check out one of the many websites like www.TreeHugger.com or www.go-green.com.

Roma Boots

2011-04-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

You don’t get a lot of use from rain boots in Los Angeles. It almost never rains, but after accidentally meeting the owner of Roma Boots in Dallas, Texas, (Samuel Bistrian) I just had to have a pair of his Roma Rain Boots. Not just any pair, you know. I had to have the glossy plum boots. Purple is one of my favorite colors and the Roma design is truly unique for their appearance as well as their value. Unlike other galoshes that appear to be generic, cheaply made and highly priced, Roma boots send a message. Wearing Roma boots makes you not only a fashion-conscious consumer, but a philanthropist as well.

Samuel Bistrian was born in Central Europe, an extremely impoverished area of the world. He eventually moved to America and began working in fashion, but Samuel wasn’t content allowing others to have the same kind of childhood that he did. Like me, you may ask, “Why rain boots?” Well, the answer is genius. Unlike other philanthropic shoe companies, these boots do much more than just protect the bottom of a child’s foot. Did you know that is it common for children in Central Europe to lose their toes because they freeze off or become infected from the icy, wet conditions? Of course, if you lose toes, you are also susceptible to many other, more devastating diseases. Rain boots protect the child’s foot from all forms of weather and can be worn any time of the year. They are exceptionally durable to protect the entire foot and calf. Not only that, but by purchasing a rain boot for a child in need, you get a pair for yourself!

There is no better advertising for spreading the word about such an amazing cause than proudly sporting a pair of Roma boots. They also make great gifts for friends because it is like making a charitable donation in their name (only they still get a present)! Roma boots come in several colors, that can either be matte or shiny (mine are shiny, of course). You can also get a mid-calf boot. These are extremely well made and I promise you that you will not regret making this purchase!

Get your Roma boots at www.RomaProvisions.com

How to Kick Those Easter Basket Blues!

2011-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

When it comes to dieting and “watching what you eat”, I have found that trying to control my urges is a waste of time. If I want a candy bar, crave it all day, and don’t allow myself to have it, I end up wasting more and more time just thinking about it. I think about the calorie count, if the cheat is “worth it”, and where all that fat is going to go once I finally allow myself to eat it. That move, of course, is followed by ample amounts of guilt and gym time. Can you relate to this feeling? I decided in high school, after crying because I wanted to eat the other half of a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich, that I was not going to operate this way anymore. Quite frankly, life is too short to not have dessert.

There is a forty billion dollar diet industry working against us and trying to make us feel bad for our natural cravings. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing a celebrity who used to be curvy, but finally found “happiness” after dropping however many pounds. Do you believe that? Apparently it resonates in our society. I know lots of angry, skinny girls who try their hardest to stay the weight that society has deemed “beautiful”. I would rather be happy and full then fit into someone else’s idea of beautiful.
I believe that the solution to our weight woes is to stop focusing on what we “shouldn’t” eat and start saying yes to what we should. I don’t ever deprive myself. If I died tomorrow, I would want to have savored that chocolate raspberry souffle and felt nothing but full and content afterwards. Instead of depriving yourself, focus on adding to your meals. For example, I may have a bowl of cereal every morning for breakfast, but I will start adding sliced bananas and strawberries to my cereal because fruits are good for me and they taste great too! I might go to subway for lunch but instead of just getting their sandwich, I am going to add a side of their sliced apples or a small salad. You see where this is going? You can eat everything that you already eat, but try to focus on bringing more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Yes, I am eating a steak and potato with dinner, but I also added a side of broccoli and asparagus. You can have anything that you want. The most important thing is that your body is getting the vital nutrients that it needs.
I don’t want you to think about calorie count at all. If my body is craving steak, I am going to listen to my body and eat it. You’re tummy can only eat so much, so don’t worry about adding calories to your meal. You will probably eat almost the same portions anyway, only some of that will now include fresh fruits and veggies. Also, if you are starving and you eat everything on your plate, that’s fine too. Our focus needs to be listening to our body, not ignoring it.

We live in a society where it is normal to feel guilty for eating. That sickens me. I still eat McDonald’s on occasion and I don’t run extra miles to “make up” for it. Eating is a normal, beautiful thing. We should learn to savor and appreciate our food instead of trying to ignore it and pretend like it isn’t a natural part of living. Food is our friend. Let’s try to make peace with that.

Oh, Honey!

2011-04-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

My Mother is a huge honey lover. I’ve used it here and there to sweeten my tea or pour over hot biscuits, but apparently Momma was onto something because honey can be used in all sorts of ways. You can choose normal honey or opt for raw honey, which has a different, creamier texture and still contains pollen, propolis, honeycomb, and enzymes. All honey is rich with antioxidants, a natural energy booster, packed with vitamins and minerals and easily accessible. With so many uses, there’s no excuse not to have a plethora packed in your pantry.

I am a baking freak and I recently found out that you can substitute honey for sugar when baking! Use 3/4 cup of honey for each 1 cup of sugar. You will need to reduce the other liquid ingredients by 1/4 cup, but the products will actually come out with a lot more moisture. I also like to use flavored honeys to change things up in some of my classic recipes.

Everyone knows that you can eat honey, but have you ever tried it for other purposes? For example, you can add honey to running water for a sweet, relaxing bath. You can also add it to your conditioner for a daily boost of shine or mix with about 3 cups of water and run it through shampooed hair (do not rinse out) for an immediate hair boost! It can also be used as a facemask. Mix 2 tablespoons of milk with 2 tablespoons of honey and massage into your skin to soothe away daily stressors. Rinse it off after 10 minutes for silky, sweet skin.

Taking a dose of local honey daily will reduce reactions to pollen in the air. I’m sure that you already know about the soothing effects of honey on a sore throat. There are several different varieties of honey. You can buy flavors like rosemary, lavender and chile pepper from websites like www.ThistleDewFarm.com. The color of honey actually changes depending on the type of flower the bees use to make their pollen from. You can also get flavors of honey (huckleberry is one of my favorites that I always get in Tennessee) and I’ve never had a honey that I didn’t like.

If you don’t know a good place to get honey, hop online and order a small sample pack to start from a site like www.MarshallsHoney.com or test out raw honey from www.ReallyRawHoney.com. I prefer to buy mine at farmers’ markets, but all honey from any source is sure to sweeten your life a little!

The Importance of Eyebrows

2011-04-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Eyebrows are a complicated subject. We (women and men) wax, pluck, dye, thread (ouch!), shade, and even tattoo them! I’m sure that you, like me have seen many a whack-job on eyebrows as well as a few terrifying uni-brows that kept us clinging to our tweezers for weeks. The truth is, when it comes to eyebrows we have no excuse. They are right there between our forehead and eyeballs and even though you may not have given them much thought, now is the time to step it up on one of your most important features.

Hair removal is a big decision when it comes to your brows. We can choose to pluck, wax, or shave those babies into submission. With all of those options, it’s no wonder that some people get carried away! It is better to have thick, unruly brows than tiny penciled-on memories of where your eyebrows used to be. Think of it this way, your eyebrows frame your face. Now, the most beautiful paintings in the world are not framed by thin, plain frames are they? Absolutely not. You want the frame for your face to be well-groomed, shaped, flattering and clean. When looking for eyebrow inspirations, use models like Crystal Renn and Daria Werbowy who are super models with intentional, thick, shapely eyebrows.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have those whose eyebrows are naturally too thin. Perhaps you just don’t grow a lot of hair on your eyebrows (like me!) or you are a blonde and your hair is too light to see. It’s something that you don’t really think about, but every single photo shoot that I have ever done, the makeup artist has filled in my eyebrows to look thicker. At first, I paid no attention to it. “What difference will thicker eyebrows make?” I thought. I soon realized what a difference they made. If you don’t already have an eyebrow kit, just play around with your makeup for a minute. Take a picture of your face without filled-in brows. Then, dip a q-tip in any dark brown eye shadow and brush it over the natural growth of your eyebrow hair. Continue until they are even and take another picture. It will feel ridiculous to you at first because you won’t be used to seeing yourself like this, but trust me, you look better than ever. However, I do not recommend using this method of application to wear in public. The cheapest way to fill in your brows is to go to the local drug store and pick up an “eyebrow pencil”. If you want to get fancy, “Benefit” makes an amazing eyebrow kit that is perfect for girls on the go!

The moral of the story is that plucking in the middle is a must, but thin, squirmy eyebrows are a bust! Look at the pictures that I included for different shapes. You want to have a soft arch, no evil brows, and if you don’t trust yourself to not screw it up, don’t touch them. Thick brows are fashionable. Brooke Shields is a super model because of her thick, oversized brows which frame her piercing green eyes perfectly. Marilyn Monroe had thick, dark brows that made her face glow with that platinum, blonde hair. Look online for eyebrow inspiration and once you have your look down, you will thank me for it!

Smizing... and all of those other emotions with your eyes too!

2011-04-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Tyra talks about “smizing” all of the time. If you don’t already know, this expression refers to “smiling with your eyes”. It is important for a model to be able to convey emotion. I was just flipping through my photos when I came across these three and thought that they were prime examples of the difference expression can make in your eyes. These pictures are all very similar, the crop, lighting, wardrobe, hair and makeup, but they convey extremely different emotions. Hopefully the biggest difference that you notice is the feeling that I show in each shot.

The first photo is soft. This is a face that I would use if I was shooting for a women’s magazine. The eyes look kind, mouth isn’t too tight (Yes, my mouth is identical in every picture-this is actually really hard to do, but a great trick if you’re stressed and your face shows it! “Relax the mouth!”) and the overall feel is neither intimidating nor is it “forced” or “cheesy”. A look like this is simple to achieve. I find that tilting my head to the side slightly gives me a kinder look. While tilting my head, I look directly at the camera, but not into the camera. Does that make sense? You don’t want it to read as if you’re about to jump through the pages. Keep it light and if you really need to, think about soft things to inspire you. You’re thoughts will show in your eyes until you become a professional at this.

The second photo is very ridged feeling. You immediately feel drawn in by the piercing eyes which convey anger or passion, depending on what the advertisement is for. When trying to be a show-stopping force, you want to remember that the easiest way to grab attention is by having your face straight forward with your eyes directly at the camera, as you see on every magazine cover. In this instance, I would say that you want your eyes to look “into” the camera. Your gaze should go deeper than the nice photographer on the other side. Sometimes for this look I create scenarios in my head to help me achieve sincerity. I will think about a boyfriend cheating on me or something else that personally affects me and forces an emotional response from within. I find that the best modeling, the pieces that really evoke empathy from the viewer, stem from raw, human emotion. Don’t try to fake it. Feel it.

The third picture is somewhere in the middle of the first two. By combining the head angle of the first with the intense stare of the second, we have created a third look, which appears to me to be “longing”. In modeling, it is extremely important to be able to show longing. We are selling products and whether it’s face cream or shoes, you will have to use this look very often. Sometimes when I make this face, I think about staring up at the stars and making a wish for something that I really want. It sounds silly but it works! Just make sure that your eyes don’t go too high (like mine did on my shoot with Tyra for ANTM) because you’ll look insincere and bug-eyed.

Please feel free to ask any questions if you need help with your modeling faces. The best advice that I can give you is to lock yourself in the bathroom and stare at your face in the mirror until you know it better than anyone. Know what you look like while you’re eating. Pretend to have a conversation in the mirror and watch yourself speak. Did you ever think about how you look when you laugh? We do these things every day, but most of us don’t get the chance to watch ourselves. You have to master the angles on your face before you can ever hope to have someone give you a second look. I hope this helps!!!

Super Simple Moisturizing Mask

2011-04-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

This is great after a salty beach day or to soothe dull, winter skin!

What you will Need;

1 Avocado
1 Banana
1 Orange (or Lemon)
1 Tsp Olive Oil

Mush together avocado and banana. Squeeze in orange juice and add olive oil. Mix together thoroughly. Apply to face with fingers. Leave on for fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water to reveal instantly hydrated skin!

Excerpt From My Future Book!

2011-04-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Set in South Beach, year 2005.

I awoke a second time to Jaroslava rummaging through the closet, searching for a bikini. Her and one of her model friends were going to spend the afternoon at the beach. Once I fully awoke, I asked if I could tag along. They spoke the same language ( I assume this girl was Czech as well) and I would obviously be the odd man out but I wanted to explore the city so I could be more independent. I didn’t like having to depend on Eddie. They reluctantly allowed me to join them on the walk to the beach.

The sand was hot. It’s always hot in Florida unless it’s hurricane season. Scorched sand ran into my sandals as we made our way closer to the water and laid our towels down, three in a row. I decided to lay on my stomach first because it was high noon and I would undoubtedly burn my face if I laid on my back. Every Floridian knows that you go to the beach between 10-12 or 2-4 otherwise you will leave looking like a lobster. These girls were not Floridians, but they were the best companions I had at the moment!

I had to roll over after fifteen minutes. It was a hundred degrees outside and my body was still dehydrated from the morning’s marathon. I needed to feel the ocean breeze on my face. I propped myself up on my elbows and tilted my head back. A couple of neck rolls would loosen my shoulders, but everything tensed up again when I opened my eyes. It appeared that my companions were accustomed to topless beaches. Both of them were face up, eyes closed, completely topless.

My first concern was that they would get in trouble. There were people everywhere! There were even children and teenage boys creating memories that were sure to last through puberty. I was grossed out by that thought but the lifeguard was only about fifteen feet away and he didn’t seem to be paying the girls any attention.

My second concern was how a sunburn would feel on nipples. I suppose that this is something that men have to deal with regularly, but I counted myself lucky having bypassed that issue altogether by choosing to keep my top on as long as I could remember. I felt so out of place. These girls were exotic and international. I was just a down-home, teenage girl that wouldn’t have laid out topless if there was money involved. I decided that my time would be best spent in the ocean. I walked down to the little waves lapping on the sand, waded to my knees and sat down.

I’ve always played this game with my imagination where I sit down in shallow water and allow myself to believe that the two foot waves rolling towards me are actually over my head and very powerful. Well, when I sit down they are over my head, but I allow myself to forget that I could stand up and any moment and be safe. It sounds stupid but the ocean is a dangerous place, powerful and unforgiving. All it takes is one bad decision and you’re being swept out to see by a rip-tide or sucked under by an under-tow. Thousands of people enter the ocean and never return. I think that there is something so beautiful about that fact. The ocean with all of its power, magnitude and danger is surely the most beautiful sight to behold. There is nothing like it.

I let all concerns wash out of my head and take a deep breath, holding it in for the wave which is about to smash into me. I instinctively turn my head to the side, though the cool, salt water still manages to sting at my eyes. The sand under me is stirring until I feel the sure pull of the ocean, sucking the water back out to see. The tiny grains underneath me pull out and continue shifting backwards long after the entire wave has rushed back to its mother. I feel focused, like my head has been cleansed of its menial concerns and I am a part of something much bigger. The tied has gone out. I’m feeling better, more focused on my motivation for being here. I move quickly to wash the remaining sand off of my body and out of my hair before jogging back to my towel.

My top is staying on and I don’t care if Jaroslava and her friend think that I’m weird. I would call Lindsay tonight and tell her about this and she would think that they were the weird ones. I wish I had a friend here.

I can feel the salt from the ocean drying in the sun and pulling at my skin. I cover my face with the sun dress that I wore to the beach and hope for the best. I wouldn’t know how to get back home without the girls and I didn’t want to bother them more than I already had, so I waited for them to finish their sun-bathing. I could feel the sun baring down on me, but there was no escape. I made a mental note to pick up sunscreen, something with a high SPF next time I went to the store.

When we finally left the beach I knew that I would be red. Not my face because I had protected it with the sundress, but my shoulders and chest were fried. You can feel a sunburn several hours before it takes full effect. Thankfully, Jaroslava kept aloe in the refrigerator (a great secret for bad sunburns). Come to think of it, it was the only thing that she kept in the refrigerator. Jaroslava started out naturally thin but age brought puberty and puberty brought curves that were not allowed in our industry. She didn’t go to the gym or work-out. Instead she would eat cream of wheat for breakfast and allow herself one alcoholic drink when she went outat night. At least I was surrounding myself with people who could understand my struggle. Her hips were 34 inches. I was 36” and struggling hard just to get to 35. Lucky girl.

I fixed myself the allotted amount of tuna. I don’t mind eating tuna when my Mom makes it at home on cheese toast and smothers it with miracle whip, but eating tuna out of a can with no seasonings, no crackers, no toast or even a drink to help wash it down was really difficult. Fortunately, I was ravenous and it made me think back to something my father always says when the dog is being picky with his food, “if it gets hungry enough, he’ll eat it”. I was hungry enough. I ate it.

A shower was much needed but the water felt like stinging nettles on my burn, so I focused on getting the salt out of my hair and getting the cold aloe back onto my shoulders. When I got out of the shower I received a text from Eddie. He wanted me to go for a run with him this evening around his neighborhood. He would pick me up in an hour.

I did not want to go. The soreness from this morning was already setting in and the hunger pains weren’t helping motivate me. People usually starve themselves to get skinny or they work-out excessively. They don’t do both. It’s physically impossible. You have to eat calories in order to have energy to work-out, but Eddie owned an agency and I was an eighteen year old girl with huge hips. It’s not like I could have turned him down anyways. He would have sent me packing. I dressed for a workout and met eddie outside in his white Range rover.

His house was amazing from the outside. It was a mansion and according to him, his neighbor was Ricky Martin. A real celebrity just living next door! That was cool. We got out of the car and Eddie began to run. I was supposed to keep pace but he was much faster than me. He probably consumed calories today, unlike me.

The sun was beginning to go down but it’s Miami and the nights are almost as sweltering hot as the days. It didn’t help that my shoulders were on fire from the sunburn and I could feel my tank top digging into my crisp skin with every movement. I immediately felt a cramp in my side, but Eddie kept looking back to check on me and shouting things about me being slow. I tried to ignore the cramp, to put my hands over my head and breathe, letting in more air, but my arms were tired and a was dripping sweat from every pore. Apparently we were running towards a dead end and Eddie had reached it because he passed me going the opposite direction. He shouted for me to meet him at his house when I was done.

I waited until he was out of sight before I stopped. I wasn’t going to quit. I just needed to slow down. My head was spinning. I walked until I reached the dead end and decided to try running the way back, but my body wasn’t up for it. I ran/walked the whole way back. My mind was telling me that it was the only way to reach my dreams but my body wasn’t interested.

The garage was open at Eddie’s house and I reluctantly went inside but he wan’t there. The room that I had entered from the garage was the kitchen. Being inside this house at all gave me the creeps. Eddie was really no more than a stranger to me. I immediately had a terrible feeling. Eddie called out for me to come in further but I didn’t. If he was going to try to rape me or kill me, I was close enough to an exit to run. I was also close to his knife collection if I couldn’t run. Being the daughter of a chief of olice might make you a little paranoid but it will also keep you very prepared.

The Easiest Tips and Tricks for Summer Beauty

2011-04-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

Frizzy hair has not been a part of my vocabulary since I moved to Los Angeles, but I am from jacksonville, Florida which is a swamp city and frizzy hair is part of life. I picked up a trick in high school that is so simple, cheap and I’m going to share it with you. If you are a sun goddess, you know how important it is to protect the sensitive skin on your lips. There is nothing sexy about dry, burnt lips. If you don’t already carry a Chapstick with you, run to the store and pick up something with at least an SPF 15. It’s super cheap, protects your lips and now does a third job! Take your chapstick, rub a little between your palms, warming it up and smooth over frizzies and flyaways! Not only does the weight of the Chapstick hold those pesky hairs in place, the SPF will also protect you hair from sun damage! It’s so simple and cheap that you have no excuse not to try this!

Any beach babe knows that all makeup is a potential beach disaster. From racoon eyes to dripping foundation, beach and makeup were not meant to be together. If you want to enjoy your beach time, you are forced to leave your makeup behind. The mission: Looking glamorous at the beach without having a makeup meltdown. I recently discovered a product called, “Suntan Boulevard” by Bath and Body Works. It is an SPF 30 bronze facial sunscreen. I place it strategically over my cheekbones and nose (which happen to be the places that I burn) to get a sexy, bronze glow that hides imperfections and protects my skin. Add a lip stain and you have the easiest, most practical and pretty, beach-friendly makeup!

This one is for the brunettes. I hate seeing brunettes botched with bleached highlights that went orange on them. We want the contrast of color to make our hair appear more voluminous and “sun-kissed” but salons are expensive and can damage already fragile, beach hair. I began using lemon juice to highlight my hair in high school. It’s so simple, almost free and will never turn your hair orange. Cut up a lemon or two and squeeze the juice in to a small bowl. Tie hair into a ponytail. dab lemon juice from your forehead, straight back. Follow this process around your face, framing it with subtle highlights. Take the remaining juice and run through the tips of your ponytail for a surfer-girl look. Then, go outside! Garden, play volleyball, read a book, whatever you want to do as long as it’s in the sun. The sun’s rays will accelerate the lemon juice to give you natural looking, sun-kissed (literally) hair. The more times you repeat this, the more noticeable your highlights will be!

A refreshing way to keep from smelling like summer sweat is to buy a cheap bottle of body mist (like Dove) and put it in your refrigerator door. You don’t want to waste expensive perfumes when you’ll be washing it off in the pool anyways. The cold mist will instantly revitalize your body and lift your spirits as well as cool you down from the sweltering summer temperatures.

Summer time is the perfect season for showing off your skin. There are so many lotions and oils to keep your skin soft and shimmery but my absolute favorite is something that you’ll find in the baking isle at the grocery store. It’s coconut oil! It looks like a solid but it will quickly melt into your skin, it has the perfect summer scent and it will keep the mosquitos off of you. That’s right, coconut oil is a natural bug repellent so slather it all over to accentuate your beautiful summer skin!

My favorite summertime trick is naked nails. A lot of people cover their nails with festive summer colors and that can be fun too, but what’s the point in paying for a mani/pedi when the sand naturally exfoliates your tootsies while the sun will bleach your nail tips bright white! It looks like you have french tips but you don’t have to worry about chipping! Also, sun exposure turns any nail polish color yellow, even clear polish and nobody wants nails that look like they have yellow fungus on them! Plus, whether your swimming at a pool or surfing on a beach, water is not polish-friendly. I avoid it polish whenever I can, so take advantage of being able to bare your toes and fingers in the sunshine. Let them soak up some sun and the only tool you’ll need for nails all summer will be a file!

I hope these tips keep all of you supermodels super glam all summer!

Coconut Sugar Body Scrub

2011-04-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

I’ve been researching do-it-yourself spa recipes and I find that most of them are complicated and extensive. No wonder people still fork over money to just buy these things! I’m creating the easiest, best way for you to get great results without have to buy a bunch of weird potions. I created and love this body scrub. If you don’t already have coconut oil, go buy it in the baking section of your grocery store. You’ll be seeing more of it on here soon!

Simple Body Scrub Recipe:

1/2 Cup of Granulated Sugar

2 Heaping Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

Mix into a thick paste and rub all over!

The sugar removes dead skin while the coconut oil nourishes and leaves skin with a soft shine. Don’t get water into the paste because water will melt the sugar! I make this in small, fresh batches but you can double the recipe for a whole week’s worth of scrubbing!

How to Make the Most of Your Shower!

2011-04-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

We don’t all have tons of extra time to spend on perfecting our skin, hair and feet. I certainly fall into that category. Traveling so frequently leaves me little time to steam my skin and scrubbing my feet isn’t a priority when you’re trying not to pass out from exhaustion. I have created a beauty routine that ensures you will get the most out of your short shower!

If you have ever had a facial, you know that it always begins with steam. Steaming your skin opens your pores and you don’t have to go to a professional to open up those tired pores! You know how your mirror fogs up when you take a hot shower? That’s from the steam. I turn on my shower to it’s hottest setting before getting undressed. This gives the shower a chance to steam up before I get in. Another way to amp up the steam is to soak your wash cloth in the hot water, ring it out and lay it flat over your face. You should feel your skin start to relax and now is the perfect time to shampoo (you’ll need to before the next time) thoroughly and rinse away all of the day’s grime.

Now that your pores are open and your hair is clean, it is the perfect time to apply a gentle face mask! Some companies have even created masks especially designed to work into your shower routine (Clean and Clear In Shower Facial) . You are giving those steamed pores some much-needed love. While leaving that mask on your face, apply a good conditioner to your hair. If you have ever read a conditioner label you know that they almost always suggest to leave it in for several minutes. Since I don’t have time to twiddle my thumbs in the shower, I find this to be the perfect opportunity to shave my legs if need be, or begin exfoliating my body and feet. Soap is vital in a shower but body scrubs can make an immediate transformation in the beauty of your skin and who doesn’t love fast results? Rubbing a body scrub into your shoulders, abdomen and legs sloughs away dead skin, allowing it to appear radiant and young as well as increasing overall circulation and quite frankly, it just feels nice. Body scrubs can be pricey so I will post a recipe tomorrow for one to easily make yourself at home.

It’s pretty easy to scrub your body while standing in the shower but if you’re anything like me, paying your feet the attention they deserve is not at the top of your priority list. Our feet are so important! What would we do without them? I shove mine into stilettos every day. I depend on them tremendously and they don’t get nearly as much attention as my hair and face. What would I do if they started to stink on an airplane? That guy in 14a will undoubtedly give me dirty looks. Embarrassing! The point is that we need to take care of our feet! They aren’t even difficult to maintain, but we give them so little love because they’re easy to cover up and forget about. If you don’t want to purchase a separate foot potion (like me) feel free to use your body scrub on those tootsies! Make sure you focus on the rough parts of your feet but also get in between your toes because that’s where bacteria will build up and cause stinky feet! Supermodels do not have stinky feet! You can also buy a product like “Dr. Scholl’s For Her Liquid Pumice Foot Scrub”, designed specifically to pamper those piggies.

Now I’ve covered you head to toe so rinse out that deep-set conditioner and let that gentle mask reveal supple skin that will match your freshly buffed body! You just made the most out of your shower without adding any time onto it!

Faking it for "Beauty": Your Guide to Hair and Nail Extensions

2011-04-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Seeing advertisements showing women with thick, flowing locks and perfectly manicured nails leads us to believe that the ad is reality and our culture is simply falling short. This feeling of inadequacy apparently resonates throughout our culture because millions of women spend serious time and money on hair and nail extensions. Reportedly, Miley Cyrus spent $24,000 on one set of extensions. And what exactly are we paying for? Some hair-pieces are acrylic while others are human hair (ever wonder who that comes from?) and nail extensions can now be acrylic, gel, fiberglass, etc. With so many options out there just waiting to be bought by your hard earned cash, I thought we should explore the options a little more closely.

I am no stranger to hair extensions. I received my first set for free while filming ANTM. They were “Fusion” extensions, which is a type involving a bonding of the extension to your real hair with an adhesive and heat. These are especially good if you want thicker hair, but the extension is not reusable and once it falls out, it’s gone forever. Acetone is used to remove these from your hair, which is extremely damaging (especially when your hair is already bleached blonde!). Also, these extensions fall out in chunks, which is particularly embarrassing if you are out dancing or really anywhere with other people. Chunks of hair falling out is not cute. One way to avoid this from happening is to instead get “Sew-In” extensions. This is when you have little rows braided into your head onto which the stylist can literally sew tracks of hair. It is time-consuming, but no more so than “fusion” and at least the hair in the braids isn’t getting damaged. Also, the hair used in “sew-in” is reusable (hair can be costly as well). Both of these processes can cost several thousand dollars (typically between $2500 and $3500). I understand better than anyone that waiting for your hair to grow can be such a bummer and though extensions seem like an easy out, paying thousands of dollars a year, risking serious damage to your hair follicles, and never being able to run your fingers through your hair are absolutely not worth it. Your best bet is to wait it out. If you have thin, mousy hair, try a product like Viviscal ($40 for 60 pills) that ensures hair growth and added fullness. If you just want stronger hair take a vitamin like Biotin ($7.00 from any drug store). This will also aid in nail growth, though not as drastically as Viviscal.

I remember being in high school and thinking that acrylic nails were “so chic”, but I was never allowed to have them as a model and I could not understand why. Eventually I was able to get them and I quickly realized that I had been missing out on nothing! Acrylic nails are a lot of work, they feel clunky, smell bad, and covering your real nail with acrylic leaves them susceptible to fungus and bacteria! Some argue that polish stays on acrylic nails longer but I am a huge fan of no polish or "naked nails". As a supermodel, you must arrive with clean, light pink or nude nails. If naked nails are good enough for a supermodel, then they are good enough for my supermodels! There is nothing better then shot-cropped nails with healthy, natural tips. It may be embarrassing for a bit, having to show off freshly stripped nails but they will grow back (take Biotin to help). You need to march down to the nail place ASAP and have those bad-boys removed. You think Giselle has acrylic nails? Absolutely not. No one in fashion does anymore and if you do, then you are allowing others to give you a label that you do not want. I will, however include a disclaimer here that older women (50’s and up) who do not have naturally healthy nails can still get fake nails and not look cheap, but try to go with something a little lighter like a fiberglass nail. The bottom line is that you will not be able to grow strong, healthy nails forever and you want to show them off while you still can!

Remember, you are beautiful just the way you are and there is no reason to spend your time or money trying to look like someone from an advertisement. I can’t think of one model whose hair isn’t completely fried from working. Those models might get photo-shopped to look like they have healthy locks, but in real life, you have got them all beat! Celebrate your features as they are: naturally!

Winning!

2011-04-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Supermodel is doing a gift basket giveaway for

the month of May! All you have to do is "follow" my

blog and I will randomly select 5 follower to get a

SuperModel gift basket! Good luck, Supermodels!

Travel Like a SuperModel

2011-04-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

I am currently cruising at 36,000 feet and I've realized that I've become almost as comfortable on an airplane as I am at home. I know that this is strange, and it didn’t happen naturally, so I thought that I would give a few tips to all of my frequent fliers and soon-to-be supermodels on how to be your best at a mile high.

   I’m a plus-size model so it shouldn’t come as a surprise when I say that traveling without snacks is no way to travel. Airport food is over-priced, bland, and pre-packaged (read: not fresh) so I don’t recommend wasting your money on it. I recently found out that you can now take food with you through security, so I've started bringing food from home whenever I fly. Right now I have a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich on wheat, an orange, pretzel chips, and a hunk of lemonade cake that I wrapped in an old grocery store bag (it keeps my purse from getting messy if something gets squished). I don’t have to worry about spending $10 on a happy meal or trying to find something healthy at an airport (which is nearly impossible). Flying is stressful enough. Bring your own food and your only purchase will be water.

   Sleeping on planes is pretty impossible for me. I have to take a lot of red-eyes (flights through the night) where everyone around me is asleep, and I’ve realized that the best way to be on a plane is comfortable. Essentially, I set up camp in my tiny seat space. I fill my purse (because you never know if your roller-bag will get gate-checked) with my pink Snuggie, ladybug Pillow Pet, and a good book. Trust me, you don’t want to use any blanket or pillow that the airline gives you. Bringing your own is sanitary, lightweight, and so much more comfortable. If I’m not sleeping, the Pillow Pet supports my lower back, and the Snuggie can lay on my lap like a blanket. Personally, I love to read when I fly because it keeps me focused on the book (what else am I going to do?) and my mind isn’t buzzing about meetings, photo shoots, and any other stressful thoughts that I can’t fix while flying. Hurling through the air at 600 mph is stressful enough. Give yourself a mental break.

   Clothing is key when you fly. Personally, I have a reputation to uphold. I don’t want to get recognized in sweatpants but I also refuse to wear stilettos at an airport. Ouch! Clothing needs to be practical (remember that you will have to remove most of it at security and you don’t want to be “that” girl, trying to look all cute but holding up the line) but you still want to look good! I have a couple staple pieces that I consider “travel-wear. One is a black Maxi dress by Ella Moss. It’s so long that it feels like a blanket and I can move in it, but the top has a keyhole opening which makes it uber sexy. Plus, I don’t have to remove anything at security!

You need to remember that planes get very cold and I always bring my C.Z. Falconer cashmere sweater with me. It’s so warm and soft but it’s also a trendy cut with a fashionable zipper, so I don’t feel like an old lady. And, I can use the Snuggie as a blanket for extra warmth.

   Leggings are another absolute must when traveling, but there are some very uncomfortable leggings out there. I don’t want anything that has an elastic waistband, and I also don’t want some cheap fabric that is going to be sheer or slide down while I’m walking to my gate. That’s why I wear AlliStyle leggings made from organic fabric with zero chance of ever being sheer. They fit perfectly every time without stretching out and the organic fabric is always so soft on my skin.

   Fly like a supermodel!

Weighing in on Rebecca Black

2011-04-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Why is this music video controversial...

while this one is "expected"?

A song called, “Friday” featuring a 13 year old girl (Rebecca Black) has been spreading over the internet and across the media for some time now and everyone seems to have an opinion about it. I am not a singer, but I have heard people putting the song down for being auto-tuned. All I know is that “Friday” is less auto-tuned then Kim Kardashian’s “Jam”, though that’s not saying much. While I have no plans of ever purchasing this track, I must admit that it thrills me to hear a 13 year old girl sing about what 13 year old girls should be singing about. With the biggest songs on the radio featuring lyrics like “Let’s go all the way tonight, no regrets” (Katy Perry) and “F**k You” (Cee lo Green), hearing a wholesome song that is actually appropriate for teens is a breath of fresh air. “Friday” reminds me of something that my kids choir would have performed at church. No, the lyrics are not thought provoking or life-changing, but they also aren’t offensive and inappropriate. When our society is making international waves because an artist actually put out a song that wasn’t about sex, drinking , or partying, we need to take a step back and realize that this is sad. Remember when “Slave 4 U” came out and people were freaking out because Brittany Spears was implying sexual acts? Now listening to lyrics like ”Sex in the air, I don’t care I like the smell of it” (Rihanna) is considered the “norm” while lyrics like “yesterday was Thursday, Thursday-Today is Friday” causes chaos! When did wholesome become shock-value? I can’t think of one song that anyone under the age of 18 should be singing along to on the radio. Rebecca Black may not be the next Brittany Spears but I hope that her presence creates a path for other, more talented young girls to follow. Here’s to children being allowed to be children!

Why Start a Company After ANTM?

2011-04-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

People always want to know what prompted me to start my jewelry and candle company, Supermodel. Did modeling not work out? Did I always plan this? So many questions and they are all answered here. Feel free to comment with other questions and I will gladly answer them as well!

I created my jewelry and candle company, Supermodel because I wanted to be in control of something. Modeling is a fun job and I love it, but you don’t get to make any decisions. Someone tells you where to be, what to wear, how to look, what to do, etc. I’m not a control freak or anything but when the biggest decision you make is how you take your coffee, you might want to rethink what you’re doing. I have a good friend that has a jewelry company and she suggested that I start working on something similar. She really pushed me into it, picking out all of the pieces and constantly mailing me samples wherever I was in the country. It didn’t really click until I moved from New York to Los Angeles and that’s when I dove into the company. I added massage candles because I had never seen anything like that before and it was something that I became passionate about. Suddenly I was designing logos, naming new scents, picking out containers, talking to lawyers and creating a real company. It felt good to have something in my life where I could control every aspect while continuing to model in my spare time.

The recession had just hit and I decided that I wanted everything to be made in America. It would cost a lot more money, but it would be worth it for the quality of the company. As a model, you have to put your name on things that you don’t like sometimes. My company would be something that I could be proud of. Everything is handmade in New York City and we ship orders all over the world.

I knew that once SuperModel.com was up and running I would want a way to give back to the reason I had been able to create it. I didn’t win Top Model because I was pretty. I won because I had a message. I wanted people to feel better about themselves. The media has made us believe that “skinny” is the same thing as “healthy”. The average American Woman is a size fourteen, but size six is considered plus size and even some size four is considered too fat to model. With all of these unrealistic expectations swirling around us all of the time it’s no wonder that anorexia kills more people than any other mental illness. I had my father contact the National Eating Disorder Association to tell them that Supermodel would be donating a percentage from all candle proceeds to them. They responded by asking if I would be a spokesperson for them and I, of course was thrilled to accept.

Modeling is still my number one priority. I love traveling to exotic locations and shooting with interesting people, but it’s nice that even when I come home I have SuperModel waiting for me. I love to make people feel more beautiful! I love that I sell good, quality products and that I get to be involved enough to send autographed pictures along with my orders. I look forward to expanding the company to a lingerie line as well as a shoe company and who knows from there? What’s most important to me is helping people look, live and feel like a SuperModel.

Please check out all of our products as well as appearances and what’s new in my life at www.ShopSupermodel.com!

The Importance of Touching Yourself

2011-04-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Beyonce and Reese Witherspoon not letting cellulite slow them down!

Not like that! Get your mind out of the gutter. This is all about cellulite! I worked at a medical spa for a short stint in college and I actually specialized in cellulite reduction. I personally have never obsessed over cellulite, but I know that lots of people do because I see “anti-cellulite” creams making millions and every magazine has some tip or trick to magically make it disappear. The fact is that fat people have it, skinny people have it, guys have it, young people have it, and the only way to escape it seems to be with photoshop. Fortunately, I do know a huge tip that will help!

Do you know why people get cellulite? It’s all about circulation. For example, one of the toughest places to get rid of cellulite is on your tummy. That’s because your abdomen has retro-grade circulation. This means that the blood flows in the opposite direction and it’s easier for fat to build up there, causing lumpy cellulite. There are tons of creams and potions out there promising cellulite reduction, but the common denominator in all of these is that you have to “thoroughly massage” them into skin. Some of these products contain caffeine, which will make your skin temporarily swell. This reduces the appearance of cellulite, but it hasn’t actually gone anywhere and once the caffeine wears off, you’re still left lumpy. In my professional opinion, you could rub butter “thoroughly” into your thighs and see a reduction in cellulite.

Massage can be much more than a stress-reliever. Using the power of massage daily will give the area being massaged a huge increase in circulation and the more blood flowing through any area means that cellulite will have a very hard time building up. You don’t need to go to a professional to do this. You can easily do it yourself or convince an unsuspecting husband to help you. ;-)

Take twenty minutes every day. This will seem like a lot at first, but it will absolutely smooth out your skin. If your thighs are an area of concern, then massage any lotion or oil into each thigh hard (not painful, but enough to feel the lumps of fat that you should be rubbing out) for five minutes. Do this once in the morning (a total of ten minutes) and once at night (another ten). If you want to see results faster, try to work a quick, five minute run in your day. The point of this run is to get your heart rate up and the blood pumping fast in your body. Pairing this with the massage will give you faster results.

Many spas offer treatments with electro-therapy, no-needle meso-therapy, “fat-dissolving” injections (which leave awful bruises), and several other “get thin quick” schemes costing several hundred, if not thousands of dollars. If you are considering these therapies, please at least try my method first. I provided these treatments to women when I worked at the medical spa and not only are they painful and expensive, the results aren’t any more drastic then what you will see by doing it yourself.

And remember, literally everyone has cellulite! People act like they don’t because they can’t see their own butts in the mirror, but anyone over the age of sixteen has it so please try not to focus on it. There are more important things in life then chunky junk in your trunk!

Thinking About Getting Eyelash Extensions? Read About My Experience!

2011-04-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

Are You Thinking About Eyelash Extensions?

Recently I pondered getting eyelash extensions. I had received them before at a gifting suite for free, but they were the “clump lashes” which are bulky and uncomfortable so when those fell out, I decided to hold off on a new set. After the clump extensions fell out I realized how nice it had been to wake up every morning with long, thick lashes. It’s strange that eyelashes can alter your appearance so much but they really made me feel glamorous even after rolling out of bed with no makeup!

I finally decided to get eyelash extensions on my last trip to Jacksonville, Florida but this time I opted for individual lashes. I went to Faythe Mesic and I drug my Mom and sister with me too! The whole process takes a little longer than clump lashes, but the look is supposed to be more natural and comfortable. The process involves your lower lashes being taped down as well as taping above your upper lashes. This makes sense because they don’t want to accidentally glue your eyes shut but it definitely sucks having to keep you eyes closed, even though it’s only for a few minutes. I decided to get long lashes placed on the ends of my lid to accentuate the shape of my eyes. It was actually pretty quick and it does look more natural. My lashes are also more comfortable, though I am still having to work around them when I sleep at night. I mean, you know that they’re there but it’s nothing compared to a strip of fake lashes. Those make me crazy and models have to wear them at 99% of shoots!

I think that I should have gotten these extensions a little thicker because the clump lashes had a lot more hair in each piece, giving me that doe-eyed look all day and next time, I will have Faythe add some shorter pieces to thicken them up, but everything looks great so far! If you are in Jacksonville then feel free to make an appointment with my lash lady (her website is www.FaytheMesic.com) or if you are in another area, do a search for lash boutiques near you. Prices vary from $60 all the way up to $250, but you will be saving serious time by skipping on mascara and still feeling pretty without any eye makeup! I hope this was helpful!

The Measure of a Woman

2011-04-02T02:10:00.000-07:00

Model Math: Normal Model Size < Plus Model Size < Average Woman's Size

There is a lot of confusion about the standards for plus-size models. It may be difficult to grasp the concept of size six being labeled “plus” when the average woman is a size 14, but this is the fashion industry. Yes, I know, this concept is illogical. If plus is greater than a regular model's size, and the average size is greater than plus, something is wrong.

As a regular sized model in high school, I was a size four but I was still considered “too fat” to model. What it boils down to is that some size fours are skinny enough because their hips measure 35 inches, while other size fours are too fat because their hips measure 36 inches. That is the breaking point in the industry. Anything above 35 inches is too big, and goes into plus territory. In the plus world, we use sizes more than measurements. I don’t have the faintest clue what my measurements are now, but as a skinny model I had to measure myself every week.

Now if a size four is the where the split takes place, that means any woman larger than that (a size six) is considered “plus." With that in mind, a majority of plus girls are larger than a size six. Most plus agencies will only accept girls that are size eight or higher. Also, as 5’10” tall model, my weight could not not dip under 160 pounds in order to remain “plus" so some agencies have height/weight requirements. In additon, some agencies will only take size 12 and higher, but I have worked with “plus” models that were tiny and had six-pack abs, so it really varies by agency.

Another issue in distinguishing plus size models, is that no one is the same size in every cut of clothing. For example, I can still wear a size four to six in dresses, but my pants are more of a 10 to 12. What cut of clothing are they talking about when they measure size? Usually a pant size is the best cut to give.

I think that the most important thing that agents search for is proportion. People really like to see symmetry and hourglass shapes. It is important that plus models have a waist line, breasts, and rounded hips (and the face is extremely important as well). Plus models are supposed to be fuller because they represent “sexy” in the industry. Before there were 15 year olds with breast implants, you had curvy girls and you had skinny girls, and the skinny girls were picked on because they “needed meat” on their bones. I’m talking about the Marilyn Monroe’s (who was a size 14) and Sophia Loren’s of the world. We as a culture have always believed that size 10 to 14 was the optimal size. Now we are trying to be a size zero. What is a size zero and why would I ever want my body to be a size zero? Curvy=sexy.

Did you know Tyra was a size six when she modeled for Calvin Klein? Then CK went “heroin chic” or as I like to call it, “gross,” but they are now using actress Eva Mendes as a model now, so perhaps a curvy girl will slip in there soon and the standard will shift again.

Agencies are not looking for unhealthy women, just curvy women. There is a huge misconception in the industry that plus-size models are unhealthy or obese. You know what is unhealthy? Smoking cigarettes all day, starving yourself, and snorting cocaine to stay thin. I know many skinny models who do this. I don’t know one plus girl who smokes, does drugs, or has an eating disorder. And, all of my plus friends work out several days a week. We might be larger, but we don’t jiggle! I run to stay in shape as well as fill my meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. I never deprive myself, I just make a point to include healthy foods. Life is about balance. I go to the doctor and I am considered “healthy." I have normal blood pressure, my BMI is where it’s supposed to be. To be honest, I’m a little sick of people thinking that I am injecting my veins with butter. I do not advocate obesity.

To be clear, my message has always been that healthy is beautiful. I believe that beauty is not a size, an age, or a procedure. Everyone’s measure of health is different. What is healthy for you? Remember, there will never be one size that is accepted by everyone as the perfect size so you might as well give it up. Focus on being the best person that you can be, regardless of what the media tells you. Fashion says size six is plus-size right now, but I say wait it out. This too shall pass.

Dying of Starvation, So Hot Right Now

2011-04-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

As you probably already know, I have boycotted Victoria's Secret. Adrianna Lima was thirteen when she started modeling for them! I hate seeing teenage girls who are starving and have had plastic surgery, wearing thongs and trying to sell this to me as "sexy". It isn't sexy. It's child-pornography.
Recently, this picture of VS model, Candice Swanepoel has made some waves because of her skeletal frame. I wouldn't usually comment on this because my stance is clear and I don't want to draw any more attention to the anorexic models already surrounding us, but people always label VS models as "curvy" in our culture and I've been reading from some people that she "looks great" in these photos. Let me make this clear, starving yourself and getting breast implants is not "curvy". Perhaps we should coin a new term for surgically altered models. Let me know if you guys think of anything more appropriate! Curves are real. Anorexia is real. You can't have both. This model is disgusting and so is Victoria's Secret for putting her in a magazine that millions of impressionable women read. Please do not support them until they start using models that look like you.

If you or someone you know if having trouble with an eating disorder then please contact the National Eating Disorders Association for support and help. www.Nationaleatingdisorders.com

What the Ham?!

2011-03-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

I know that I am a little late on seeing this but I really want to know what your opinions are of these pictures. This is a shoot that Crystal Renn (plus size supermodel) shot for French Vogue. It depicts the beautiful girl engorging on fattening foods, literally stuffing her face.

Crystal is always beautiful and I really do like her as a person, but I am sickened by this depiction. If I thought that it was a statement on how ridiculous the industry is for people thinking that plus models do that sort of thing, then I would like it. However, looking at these shots, all I feel is bad for the model. French Vogue is clearly mocking her. I am embarrassed when I look through these. In one shot she has a ham hock between her legs and is chewing on another slab! I know that Crystal is an artist and these pictures are certainly thought-provoking but if French Vogue had asked me to do these pictures, I would have said “no”. I also would have included some expletives because I would be offended to even be asked to make such a statement on my own industry. Sometimes you have to put your foot down for the sake of your dignity. Plus sized models are not fat, unhealthy or obese. I am not gluttonous or repulsive. I am infuriated that my genre has been portrayed like this.

Now tell me, am I missing some sort of message here or do these pictures bother you as well?

Finally, Photo-shop Free!

2011-03-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

At this point most people are aware of the heinous retouching that occurs in every advertisement that we see, and if you aren't, then here's your wake up call. The fashion industry will put a model in a bikini and if her breasts are “too small” they Photoshop some new ones in. If her hips are “too wide,” they Photoshop them out (instant lipo!). Heck, if they couldn’t book the model that they originally wanted, they might even shop on a whole new face. I have been saying for years that these advertising/marketing tricks are mean and unnecessary. How are we supposed to feel about ourselves when the standard is being set at someone else’s definition of perfection?

You don’t even have to be pretty, have good skin or be healthy to be a model anymore. All you need is to fit into the fashion industries’ cookie-cutter mold and they’ll shave down that nose, plump up those lips, erase those rib bones, and place your photo on every magazine cover and leave us “normal people” scratching our heads, wondering why we don’t look like “everyone else." That is why I am so thrilled and refreshed to see the new campaign for Make Up For Ever.

Make Up For Ever’s new advertisement features a close beauty shot of a model with the words “You’re looking at the first unretouched make up ad” next to it. Hell did not freeze over and the ad is still beautiful. The model is gorgeous, the lighting is flattering and the makeup looks really good without looking “fake." I remember seeing my touched CoverGirl advertisement and thinking that I looked like a fish. I wasn’t used to seeing my face without any lines, imperfections and it didn’t look right to me. The model for Make Up For Ever can be proud of her work because it is just that, her own work. There’s nothing worse than doing a shoot and not being able to use the tears, or prints, in your portfolio because they don’t resemble you. Who decided that faces looked better without any flaws? I like the little wrinkles on my forehead. It gives me character, shows that I’m not a child, and that I’ve lived. Perfection is so boring.

I fully support Make Up For Ever in their endeavor to release real, beautiful ads that show their products in action. I hope other make up companies do the same. Can you imagine living in a world where the before and after photos were real? I would love to know how products really work before buying them. I’m so sick of mascara companies claiming that they will “plump your lashes” while flashing the face of a model wearing the biggest set of fake lashes. That isn’t even retouching, it’s just lying.

It’s time that we, as consumers put our money where our mouth is. If you are sick of being lied to every day by badly air-brushed ads, then show your desire for change by purchasing an item from Make Up For Ever. If you don’t have the money then send them an e-mail expressing your support and you will aid in the continuation of these fantastic ads.

Also, make your voice heard by contacting your favorite make up brands and asking them to do an ad campaign like this one. Love CoverGirl? Why not send them an e-mail or letter, or call customer service and tell them that you love their products but will not be able to continue supporting them until they put girls who look like you in their ads. At the end of the day, you are their boss. If you stop buying from companies that Photoshop their models, they will have no choice but to surrender. Please take this seriously. It only takes a couple of minutes and will save thousands of people from self-esteem issues.

Thank you!

So, You Want to be a Model?

2011-03-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

How to become a model while keeping your dollars and sense

People are always asking me advice on how to become a model. There isn’t a lot of information out there on “making it” in the industry and I hate the idea of people getting scammed so I thought that maybe I could give a few pointers on the matter. My rule of thumb is very simple, if anyone asks you for money, it’s a scam. I won’t go through my trials and tribulations but I know this firsthand. I know that they are promising you stardom, a chance to make it big, for your dreams to come true but the modeling industry is full of really good liars who want nothing more than to use your dreams against you and take your money. Do not pay anyone to become a success. Trust me.

The easiest thing that I suggest is very simple and free. Every time you walk into an agency they take “digitals”. This is when the model has to strip down to a bikini wearing very little makeup with hair pulled out of their face, back against a wall while the agent takes a simple digital camera and snaps shots of the model from the front, both sides(profile) and back. One shot smiling, the others with a relaxed face and maybe one up close (the others are full length). These will not be your most flattering pictures. The agent doesn’t want to see what you look like all done up at your best angle, they want to know exactly what the real you looks like before any touch ups or crazy makeup. You can have a friend or family member do this for you.

Now that you have your digitals (and they were free!) you will want to do some research online. Look up the best agencies in the world. Read about them, what the models have said, what work they have recently done, even the bad things. There’s no reason not to know every detail about the agency that you want to be with thanks to Google. Do not settle for an agency that you have never heard of with no reputation.

Do you live near a fashion capital? If you are within driving distance to somewhere like Miami or Chicago then focus your attention on those close cities so that you can slowly work your way into becoming a model and if it doesn’t work out then at least you will have kept your day job. If not, look up cities that you could potentially move to. Modeling may become your life and you need to be realistic. If you are completely available then that’s great too. The world is your oyster! Now go online and find the agencies that you are in love with. Every agency has a “contact us” section on their website. Include you photos with your name, age, height, weight (or measurements) and send it to every agency that you would be proud to work with. Consider it like a college application. Have back-up agencies. It can’t hurt to have too many agencies to choose from. What’s to stop you? It’s completely free and if they aren’t interested then they won’t respond. If the agency is interested then they will contact you and if they aren’t then at least you haven’t lost anything by trying.

Remember, you do not need to spend a penny to become a model. Yes, sometimes agencies charge you for pictures, prints, books etc, but a good agency allows to you “borrow against yourself”. This means that the agency believes that you will work so instead of you paying them upfront, they will take the money out of your first pay check. If they don’t want to to do that then they probably aren’t planning on working you and you should run in the opposite direction. While we’re on that note, do not under any circumstances sign a contract until you or your lawyer has read through the entire thing and understands it completely. Some agencies charge several hundred dollars a month, charge you when they update their website (even if your file wasn’t updated), charge your client an extra 20% on top on the money they are taking from you, etc. I have done jobs for $3,000 and by the time I get a check it will be $150. Seriously, don’t be stupid about this. Drag your feet as long as you need to and feel free to say “no” to parts of the contract that you don’t like. Happy hunting!

So You Want to Be on Top? My tips for auditioning!

2011-03-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Whitney Thompson, Cycle 10 winner ofAmerica's Next Top Model (the first plus-size one ever!) and a model for Wilhelmina, shares advice for aspiring models who want to audition for ANTM.

There's one thing every model wannabe needs to know about getting on America's Next Top Model — there's no secret formula. Girls have been trying to crack the code for years and if you are planning on auditioning then you need to realize that there is nothing you can do to guarantee you'll get selected to be on the show. But while I can't read Tyra’s mind and figure out exactly what she's looking for in a given cycle, I can offer you advice from the perspective of someone who was once standing in your shoes, terrified and hopeful for a chance to make it.

Every cycle seems to have a cast of characters. There’s the southern bumpkin, the hipster, the crazy bitch, etc. These characters make the show interesting and relatable, but you must realize that they develop naturally during the filming of the show. No girl walks into her first audition, acts like a crazy bitch, and gets called back. Tyra doesn’t cast that way. The show would be fake if she did and I promise you that there is no scripting of fake-ness (other than Mr, Jays silver hair) going on off camera. Everything that you see is real. That being said, the most important part of the audition is to be yourself. Why do you root for girls? Because they are real. You relate to them, understand their struggles, feel their pain. By being yourself, you will attract attention.

Also, you need to have a purpose. What sets you apart from every other girl in the world? Thousands of girls audition every cycle. Why are you any different from them? It isn’t about looks. Being pretty is the easy part, but what makes you special? Only you can answer that.

The Top Model staff will ask you to tell them why you are there and I sincerely hope that your answer is not, “Because I really, really want to be a model and I’m tall and people always told me I was pretty." We know all that, honey. Tell them something that isn’t obvious. Think about it for a long time. Write down supporting facts, have a good story to back up your specialness. You can not be too prepared when it comes to selling yourself. Just make sure whatever you say is genuine.

By now you’ve noticed that lots of girls on the show have “sob stories." We all deal with hardships, some more than others, and you have every right to allow that to motivate you, but don’t let it be more interesting than you are. I probably saw a hundred girls cry at my first audition in Orlando because they had been sexually abused, had a family member die, or were struggling with something else, and that is a powerful thing, but do you want Tyra to remember you for your problems alone? Feel free to share your personal story — you will get support from it — but don’t let it be the only thing you have that makes you stand out. What else is going on in your life? Do your problems motivate you to fight harder or help you better understand other people’s struggles? Try to find a positive side.

Remember, beauty resonates from the inside out and you need to find a way to show your inner beauty as well as your outer. I know that my confidence is the only reason I got cast on ANTM and likely played a big part of why I won. I was the only plus-size girl at the audition who was proud of her hips instead of being ashamed. And if you don’t feel confident then you need to learn how to fake it. Modeling is not easy and you need to keep your chin up through thick and thin. Above all, you must learn to love yourself because others will be able to see it and no one can take that away from you.

Break a leg (or stiletto)!

My Favorite Spring Picks!

2011-03-07T19:27:00.001-08:00

Focus on Cheeks
Throw away your eyeliner, it’s all about the cheeks this season. Whether you choose to go neon or nude on the lips, you had better make sure that your skin is bronzed and those cheekbones are peach perfection! I love this trend because it takes the focus off of your eyes. No one wants to lug around eyeliner to the beach and worry about smears. However, that means that you will need to plump up the mascara (I recommend Covergirl Lash Blast) or skip the daily swipe and get yourself some lash extensions. They can be a little pricey but worth the extra glamour and time you’ll save by not having to worry about it. You will thank me when you wake up every morning looking beautiful without a stitch of makeup.

Buy Yourself a Trench
The trench coat is always flattering on every shape. It gives curves to box frames and accentuates waists on an hourglass shape. Also, they keep you dry from those April showers without cramping your style. I love a classic nude or black coat because they match anything but for a little drama, pick a bold color and tie the trench in the back to show off your outfit and accentuate your shape.

Let Your Hair Out
You must love 70s hair. Think about it, these coifs were being created before the advent of the hair straightener! My mom used to roll her hair around cans or use an actual iron to get her style! This means that the natural waves in the front of your hair are no longer something to be snuffed out by aCHI flat iron. Instead, embrace a little wave! it makes the style more authentic. Keep your hair thick and bouncy. You might need it to help balance out my next favorite trend.

Tail Hems Are in Full Swing
If you aren’t familiar with the term, tail hems refers to a dress cut that is a bit longer in back then the front. A good example is my pink Versace dress from the ANTM Cycle 10 finale. The reason that I like this trend is that if you have a little junk in your trunk, you no longer have to worry about a short hem showing off your goodies. You will be fully covered and I find the angled cut around the thighs to make those appear more slim as well which is always a good thing for those of us blessed with “cheerleader” thighs.

Simple Jewelry
With bright, patterned clothes taking the spotlight this season, jewelry is reverting back to simple. I’m not going to lie, the bib necklaces were fun but there is nothing exciting about tying a ten pound bib to my neck and trying to remain upright. Tie your outfit together with a classic staple that you can wear with anything! I recommend something like the “Vintage Star” necklace from my collection, Supermodel. It’s only $35 and can be purchased at my website, ShopSupermodel.com. Also, simple pieces like this can be layered for a boho feel over the summer. Always think ahead!

Cycle 16, episode 2

2011-03-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

"Fiercely Real" contestant Kasia was hardly on Wednesday's episode of ANTM (Cycle 16, Episode 2), but I see that as a good sign — the girls heavily featured in the beginning don’t win. However, I would like to see more of her and her personality because I have a feeling I am going to like it.

I have met Heather Bauer, Tyra's nutritionist who we saw in the episode, backstage at the Tyra Show before. She is really sweet. I think that it’s important for new models to understand what healthy treats truly consist of, but calling them “cheaties” makes it feel like you are cheating on some sort of diet and being “bad." Honey, if I was going to cheat on my diet, it would not be by eating a waffle with peanut butter — it would be triple chocolate cheesecake. I just wish that Tyra would have put more emphasis on having a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, protein and everything in moderation. I did like when one of the girls said that it was “more important to be healthy than skinny." That is exactly what I preach about everyday.

The self-criticism challenge did paint a very intimate portrait of the girls. It was nice to see such beautiful women so exposed. Everyone has a negative little voice inside their head, bringing them down and when you work in an industry where people are paid to say bad things about you, it is important to get a grip on that nasty little voice because it can and will ruin you.

The photo shoot with the bees didn’t “wow” me but I did think that it was nice to strip down the hair and makeup in order for us to actually see the girls, hair pulled back, fresh faced, and vulnerable. I think that Monique was my favorite picture but it’s probably because her make-up had more structure than some of the other girls. Also, Hannah's neck was breathtaking, but she needs to work on building her confidence. I was so hoping that someone would get stung!

At one point, Ondrei suddenly announced that she had lost two brothers and one of them was murdered. I was completely shocked by the introduction of this information and was immediately curious as to why producers even put such a fragile girl on the show. She obviously needed time to grieve over a murder that only happened right before she came on the show and I’m glad that she chose to leave, though I do hope that she would be allowed to come back on a later cycle because she was a beautiful girl and seemed nothing but sweet. I can’t imagine having to deal with such terrible issues at such a young age.

I love the guest judge, Alek Wek. I read her book ages ago and she has such an inspiring story that I encourage everyone to learn more about her struggle to become a supermodel. I am not sure how she tied into the episode this week, though. She wasn’t on set with the girls and she wasn’t promoting a project so it seemed a little strange that a random supermodel would just pop on by to judge the girls. Regardless, I can not wait for makeovers. It looks like there is a lot of blonde going on this season. Can't wait to see how the girls turn out!

New Top Model!

2011-02-24T15:11:00.001-08:00

The newest season of Top Model started out particularly cruel. With every season, forty girls come out but only 13-14 are ever chosen to move into the Top Model House. This cycle, Tyra pulled a mean fake out on the girls. She chose not to show the reactions of the contestants that she has just told were accepted onto the show and then immediately rejected behind closed doors. I realize that this is for television but these girls have real emotions and I don’t think that the fake out was necessary or cool. My heart goes out to all of the ones that didn’t make it even though I think the contestants on the show are fantastic.

I am a little biased as a plus sized Wilhelmina model but I do love Kasia, the “fiercely real” girl. She seems really light-hearted and young even though she’s twenty-six! I would have guessed that she was still a teen and she is absolutely gorgeous. I do think that her walk needs some work and I’m still a little baffled as to why Tyra pulled a girl that was already signed to Wilhelmina and was a successful plus model and stuck her on Top Model, but I’m hoping that Tyra has some secret, good reasoning behind all of that.

Now. let’s get to the bubble runway. Funny enough, I actually saw this done at Full figured Fashion Week in New York City and I thought the same thing then as I do now, it looks dumb. The bubble had a huge gash of silver duct tape rolling around which really takes away from the “look”. It’s a really interesting concept and I think that it could be done well, but not with duct tape across the front, lined with cheap confetti and in the middle of a swimming pool. Once again, I attribute this to the fact that everything on ANTM has to make for good television. Yet, I admit that I watched with horror and delight as each model teeter-tottered down the 12” runway! It got my attention and there are few things more satisfying then watching a model fall on her face and not be able to get back up! Bravo, Tyra for being a genius and please keep the stunts coming for the rest of the season!

I actually got to shoot with Russell James on my cycle of Top Model and he is my absolute favorite photographer! Everything he touches is so full of life. His work is brilliant but for a cycle opener I expected a lot more. The pictures were beautiful but I wanted to see someone on fire, jumping on a trampoline with a message for curing cancer. I think that this was one of the most boring shoots to date. I found myself tweeting while it was going on as well as being confused whether or not that was the “actual” shoot or if there would be another before panel. However, nothing made me giggle more than Nigel describing a girl’s mouth in her photograph as “cat’s bottom mouth”. He continued by showing us the “cat’s bottom” face and Nigel is so handsome that it really was hilarious watching this. I can only hope that he doesn’t say such things about my pictures!

Looking forward to seeing girls stung by bees next Wednesday!

Bad Blogger

2010-12-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

I have decided that i am not very good at blogging. It’s such a commitment! I love it when I actually sit down and do it, but I think that i may be afraid of getting too good at it and having to spend every day in front of a computer. Alas, I am on a flight from Los Angeles to New York at the moment and it is absolutely riveting. There is a guy three rows back literally screaming at a flight attendant because he is “supposed” to be first class and he refuses to fly coach. He obviously has no class. Is there a seat for that? I find it rather convenient that he waited until we were at our cruising altitude to mention it to anybody. My guess is that this guy is a scam artist and not a very good one. The flight attendant held his ground after a full hour of arguments including a try at physically storming the upper cabins. I thought we were actually going to have to land the plane and get him off. I get first class, I get coach and it’s really not that big of a deal on domestic flights. The guy just looks like an ass to everyone in his cabin now. He should be ashamed. Funny though, my flight attendants recognized me and asked if I was “Whitney”. I smiled and said “yes”. Then one proceeded to tel me they were trying to set me up with the American Idol in first! LOL I thought that was really cute, but I’m not interested. Sweet, though. Maybe someone will start a dating airline soon. That’s kind of a great idea. You only have to fly with them and the date is over. I’d call the airline, “Connections”.

I’m flying to New York and driving to New Jersey to speak at a University in Ewing. I will write about this trip because I fly to Jacksonville on the 15th and I always blog when I fly. It makes me feel good to be able to accomplish something while sitting on my butt. I’m also reading a book on autism called, “Now I see the Moon”. My sister works with autistic children and I wanted to learn more about it. The book is written from a mother’s perspective and I am enjoying it very much so far. The author does bypass some juicy details about her own life but i have to remember that the book is not to entertain, it is also to teach. I am working on developing a necklace for my jewelry line that will benefit Autism Awareness. I'll keep you posted!

Holiday Sale!!!

2010-12-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

All of my candles are currently on sale! Make sure you pick some up for the Super Models in your life at www.ShopSupermodel.com. Happy Holidays!!!

Toronto Fashion Week!

2010-10-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

Rainy days always make for a cool view. :-)

Once again, I had an amazing time working with Allistyle in Toronto. Pam (the owner) is like my little Canadian, Jewish mother and it is always such a pleasure to be with her. I ate at so many fantastic restaurants and the fall weather in Toronto is just perfect right now! I also got a much needed facial today at Sweet Grass Spa. I think it’s been a year since my last one and the difference was immediate. I have to remember to start taking care of myself!

Something that I found less satisfactory was Toronto Fashion Week. I realize that a lot of these events are run by interns who are unfamiliar with the industry but this was just a nightmare. I showed up because I was invited to attend the “Attitudes” show as a VIP. The little girl couldn’t find my name on the list, which I understand because I just confirmed the day before, but she proceeded to recognize me as a Top Model winner and still had me standing at the front of the line waiting. Eventually, someone gave me two passes for Pam and myself, but they were not VIP. I walked all around before realizing that I had not been graced with a VIP entrance. I walked back to the front where a gaggle of girls began chatting back and forth furiously. One approached and handed me the VIP passes while apologizing to me for having to deal with this in front of my “mother”. Pam and I look nothing alike. She is a client. I would never bring my Mom to a show that I did not know for a fact would be worth her time. I ask the girl about my seats. I always sit in the front row. It gives the designer free press to have celebrities in the front row and I was the only things close to a celebrity at this show. Once again, the girls began talking and eventually came to the conclusion that they would take me to their leader. The “leader” had Pam and I seated in the second row and once again referred to her as my mother. I corrected her and not gently. Never in my life has any show been so unprofessional. I did end up sitting in the front row only to watch a bunch of emaciated models try to muster the energy to strut down the runway. I already boycotted this crap at New York Fashion week. Obviously the people that invited me were only trying to get a celebrity to watch the show. They surely had no clue what my message was or what I did for a living or even watched my season of Top Model! This industry can be so frustrating at times. Maybe that’s why everyone thinks Toronto Fashion week is a joke... because it is.

I am excited to be back in Los Angeles and eager to participate in Love Your Body Day. I just know that it will be a huge success!

Come Meet Me!

2010-10-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

A lot of interesting things are happening this week. My interview from the Huffington post (listed below) has caused quite a stir all over the world. Generally people agree with what I’m saying, but several blogs have taken just a sentence and written an entire blog on one sentence out of context. that’s the tricky thing about being quoted. I could say, I would never tell Tyra Banks to go on a diet” and all that gets quoted is that Whitney Thompson said, “tell Tyra Banks to go on a diet”. You see how tricky that is? Anyways, The overwhelming majority of people agree that my interview needed to be said. One of the greatest things that came out of this was Italian Vogue posting an article on me in support of my work with “Love Your Body Day”.I saw the google alert come up on my email and thought, “Uh oh! This is it!” assuming that Vogue was releasing a statement against me for saying, “screw Vogue”, but that wasn’t the case at all. It was a really nice article and that made me happy because, of course I think that Vogue should use shapes in every issue, but Vogue is one of many magazines guilty for this. Vogue is just the one that I said. It seems that they understand. I guess we’ll see.

I also went out in downtown Los Angeles last night. Apparently they have an event called, “Art Walk” every month and local artists set up, all of the stores open their doors and there is tons of live music. The setting looks a lot like Little Italy. They hang white lights across the streets and I got to experience a totally different side of downtown LA. It was really fun and I saw some neat things that I hadn’t seen before. For example, there was one artist who played the drums and I’m not sure if he followed the pictures or if they were triggered by his sounds, but every hit came up as an actual explosion on a huge screen to his right. It was totally different and really cool to watch.

I am on a Delta flight to Orlando right now (very turbulent) for work. I will be participating in the Macy’s Girl’s Weekend Out event at the Mall of the Millennia. I will just be signing autographs and announcing the newest trends for fall. It’s weird because I used to shop at this mall when I was younger. It is absolutely huge! I also went to this mall after my first audition for ANTM because I had only brought one outfit and I had callbacks the next day, so my Mom and I had to go buy a new tank top. I wore a black tank top the first day and brown the second day. That was so long ago!

If you’re in the Orlando area then please stop by the Mall of the Millennia this Saturday from 2-4 pm hang out with me, take pictures, and discuss fashion!

To Clarify...

2010-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

My last interview was a little abrasive and I'm not apologizing for that, but I want to make it clear that I do still model full time and I love my job! Modeling is extremely important to me, but the industry does infuriate me. Still, I have hope that the industry will get better. That's why I model. I am trying to make a difference. I wouldn't complain about all the awful things going on if I wasn;t willing to offer solutions.
Also, I wasn't trying t make it sound like Crystal Renn did anything wrong! She is an amazing girl, completely a sweetheart and truly a champion for plus models everywhere. I fully support her, I just don't like Chanel cutting her off at the shoulders in her "plus" add, but that isn't her fault. If you have any other questions, please let me know by posting them on this blog. I am more than happy to answer them! XoxoX

My latest interview. Warning: It is extremely controversial!

2010-10-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

Sunny Gold

Sunny Sea Gold is a magazine editor in New York City and the founder of HealthyGirl.org

Posted: October 11, 2010 11:48 AM

BIOBecome a Fan

Get Email Alerts Bloggers' Index

First Plus-Size 'America's Next Top Model' Winner Speaks Out About Body Image

What's Your Reaction:

Inspiring Enlightening Crazy Scary Helpful Amazing Innovative Important

261views

Get Living Alerts

Whitney Thompson has had big success since being thefirst-ever plus-size winner of "America's Next Top Model" during cycle 10. But that doesn't mean she's a big fan of the business, or of the fashion industry. ("There is no soul in modeling," she told me in an interview on Friday. And: "I applaud Vogue for having a shape issue, but screw Vogue for not having shapes in every issue.")

In fact, Thompson spends most of her time these days speaking to college-aged girls about healthy body image (see her bare all in ads for Love Your Body Day, October 23, 2010). She's even a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association, whose annual conference (held this year in Brooklyn, NY) just finished up Monday. That's how I met up with her -- through my work with young women and binge eating at HealthyGirl.org. I sat down with her a couple of days ago to talk about fashion, sample sizes, body image, eating disorders and her days in a model apartment with chain smoking, Master-Cleansing 16-year-olds. The highlights are here:

Q: First, you've never suffered from an eating disorder, so why be a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association?

Whitney Thompson: I've never dealt with an eating disorder personally; I have friends who have. The reason I went on [Top Model] though, is because I wanted to change the fashion industry. Because it obviously affects people and they way that they view themselves. I mean, when the majority of all 9-year-old girls have been on a diet, we're doing something wrong. And so, even though I haven't been personally affected, it's obvious that the industry is affecting people and it does make women feel bad about themselves, or worse.

And it's totally unrealistic and we're setting people up for failure. And I don't think it's fair for especially children and younger girls to see the airbrushed images and think like, oh that's what I'm supposed to look like, or that's what beautiful is, because that's what the fashion industry tells them.

Q: Sometimes with advocates for any kind of change, there's a lot of venom. They sort of say, "Everyone is evil, look at what they're doing!" rather educating. Where do you fall?

WT: Well, I definitely try to offer solutions. There are companies that I don't agree with like Victoria's Secret and I tell people to boycott them and I tell people to write them letters and express their emotions. The thing is that we let the fashion industry define what beauty is and then we're putting our money into their pockets, and so we are fueling this. It's not all their fault, we are equally as responsible.

So I think it's important that you make it known. If you don't like girls who are size two with breast implants being waved around in front of your daughter and being told to them that that's what's beautiful, then don't support it. Cancel the magazines. Write them letters and say I don't want these girls in the magazine. Tell them if you're not going to put a size six, if you're not going to put a size eight, forget it.

Karl Lagerfeld two years ago was saying the only people who care about plus size are the fat mummies sitting on their couches eating crisps. Now he's shooting the plus issue for V, are you kidding? Really V, you forgot about that? I mean, it was a huge issue. And he has a Chanel line for plus girls and Crystal Renn's in it and it's so fake, it's so phony and people just jump on the bandwagon. So I think it's important to do research and be smart about the companies that you do support.

Q: I've heard model bookers say things that made me cringe about models right in front of them. Do you think some people treat models like they're not people?

WT: Oh yeah, models get treated like crap. Worse than anyone. We get fed last, we don't sleep, they treat you like nothing. When you think about it, everyone thinks modeling is so glamorous, but you don't get to say what you wear, you don't get to say how you look, what your hair color is, what length it is, where you live, what you do -- you have no voice at all. And the bookers -- because I was a straight-size model growing up in high school, and my hips were always one inch too big -- and, yeah, you have 45-year-old men saying, "You're too fat." You're a teenage girl. It's really disgusting. It's an awful industry and, yeah, there is no soul in modeling.

Q: Eating disorders are often genetic, but these are the types of experiences that can trigger them. A comment like that from a grownup who has your career in his hands ... how did that make you feel as a 15-year-old girl?

WT: Awful, I mean that's an awful thing. It was very mentally wearing on me. I vividly remember having a peanut butter and jelly [sandwich] on the seat next to me when I was driving somewhere and I ate half of it with no crusts and I thought I'm really hungry, I want to eat the other half and I remember like, breaking down and crying because it's so frustrating. And I'm going, like, "I don't want to be fat, I don't want my hips to be big, but I'm hungry." And I quit modeling because of it.

I said, you know what, it's not worth it, I want to eat pizza, and I want to be normal, and I just think that life is too short to not have dessert. And so I did, I quit.

Q: You quit for how long--did you quit until you went on "Top Model?"

WT: Yeah, I did. I quit and went to college for a year and I thought I wanted to be a doctor. And then I went on spring break my freshman year to Los Angeles and when I was in the airport flying back home somebody came up to me and said, I work for "America's Next Top Model," do you want to try out? They said I would be considered plus size. Because of my experiences I was like, "Oh yeah, I'd love that." Instead of thinking, "Oh no, I'm plus size," I was thinking, "This is awesome, I could do something with this." And that's what I did. And then I won! [laughs]

Q: We all know that plus in modeling and fashion does not mean what plus means in real life. Do you ever have a problem with that or for you is it just a term, a word?

WT: I'd love to introduce myself to people as a model, [but] if I do that, they look me up and down and goReally? And so I have to say I'm a plus size model. But, truthfully, size six is considered plus size and some size fours are too fat to be models. My BMI is where it's supposed to be and I workout and I eat right -- I mean most of the time. It's all about balance.

Q: Plus modeling seems to be having a real moment.

WT: Yeah, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, but as plus girls we've been ignored for so long that it's like you know they throw us a cookie and we're thrilled about it. We are thrilled and we have to be thrilled cause we've never had anything, but at the same time I think we have to be smart about it: Great, I applaudVogue for having a shape issue, but screw Vogue for not having shapes in every issue. It's B.S. It's frustrating. It's infuriating because we have to be excited, we have to be thrilled that there's one issue that has girls who eat. Great! But it should be in every issue. So I think we have to keep fighting. We have to celebrate and pat ourselves on the back for what we've done, but we have to do more.

Q: A lot of what we hear from straight size models is "I'm naturally thin, don't get on my case about it." True?

WT: The majority of girls who do runway shows are 16 and under. Agencies and designers look for girls who haven't hit puberty yet and so we ship these girls in from Russia and Brazil and they're 14 and they don't speak English and these are the girls that I go to castings with. That's fine, they're all great and young and "naturally skinny," when they're 14 -- most people are. But then once they hit puberty, 16 and 17, they have to do drugs, they're doing cocaine, they're smoking cigarettes all day every day, they're doing the lemonade cleanse because if they don't then they get shipped back to wherever they came from, and that's just how the industry works.

A lot of girls get depressed, some girls commit suicide, some girls starve to death, literally, and we kind of just don't pay attention to it in the industry. We don't really talk about it, but it's very common.

I lived in a model apartment with all straight [size] models. One of the girls was on the lemonade cleanse for, I think, three weeks and her skin broke out all over in boils. But she was working in Paris every weekend and that's all that mattered to her. And does the agency say anything? They're not worried she's too skinny, they're worried she looks nasty because she has boils.

But if you were going back to a country where you had nothing, and you were one of many brothers and sisters, and you lived in New York for a few years and they were going to just ship you back -- of course you would do what you had to do. It's not necessarily the girls' fault, it's not going anywhere good for them, either. There's no happy ending to any of the stories.

Q: I've heard fashion editors at magazines complaining about how hard it is to find high-fashion clothes for bigger models. Why are samples so tiny?

WT: The samples are tiny to save money. Because when you make a sample, say there's a Versace gown and it's hand-beaded and it costs Donatella $40,000 to do. And she makes it for a size six, OK a model's going wear it on the runway and it probably will never get worn again. Well, wouldn't it be smarter for her to make it in a double 0? Because she's saving all this fabric, which means she's saving beading, she's saving work on the dress and it's cheaper. She's saving a lot of money by doing it at that size. And that's I think where it started and basically where it stayed. It goes back to models having no rights or say in the industry and instead of fitting the dress to the model, they fit the model to the dress.

Q. At the Council of Fashion Designers of America's "Beauty is Health" talk in 2008, I heard Michael Kors say that if designers would change their sample sizes it would help regular women because the actresses they look up to wouldn't have to starve themselves to fit into them on the red carpet.

WT: When I did the Versace runway show for "Top Model" I had to go through like 25 dresses to find anything that would even close. It all goes back to the consumer. There needs to be an actress who says, "Yeah, I'm not losing the weight, give me a dress that's my size, bottom line." And there need to be people out there who say I'm not going to wear your clothes anymore because every model I see in your ads looks sick and I don't support that. People just need to be more verbal. It's quite easy to just write a letter. There's no excuse to not make your voice heard.

Q: Do you think that things are changing at all?

WT: Yeah, definitely. Comparatively speaking. I mean, five years ago things were not nearly close to where they are today. I think it is definitely changing with people like Tyra Banks who is so outspoken, and me, Crystal Renn -- there are a lot of girls out there who are making a difference. It just takes time, it's frustrating.

Q: Do you ever worry that your chosen profession is just not good for people?

WT: Definitely. Modeling is a terrible job. It's not so much for me anymore because I got stubborn with it and I've kind of made my own decisions. I am a "bad" model if you will. [laugh] I went back to being brunette and I live where I want to live and I work with who I want to work with and that's kind of what I do because I got tired of being told what to do which is not what models are supposed to do. But I get to my shoots on time and I get through everything early. And that's all I care about. So as long as I'm doing that, I'm happy with myself. But the majority of models are certainly not in that situation and I don't think that they think past where this picture is going and it's paycheck to paycheck in the industry. And agencies feed you a lot of whatever you want to hear: "Oh yeah, I know you're really hungry but Dolce and Gabbana called today and they're looking at your pictures, so make sure you don't get those hips up."

Q: Do you think that you being this outspoken has made things hard for you?

WT: No. [laughs] People always say, "Oh you're so outspoken!" I mean, maybe in a way. I won't work for you if I don't agree with you. When I first entered the plus world, the plus world wasn't that supportive, we need somebody bigger. And then after a time they were like, you know you might be a little thin, but you are by far the most outspoken and involved plus size model. And I'd rather be outspoken than the Chanel girl, you know? And have people listen to what I say and be allowed to say something. Because most models aren't.

Q: You spend a lot of your time speaking on college campuses.

WT: I do work things around speaking. That's what I book first, that's what fills up my calendar and then I kind of fill it in with modeling. Because modeling is great too and it's important that I keep up my modeling career or else I won't be a role model. So I still do that all the time, I've been working a lot. But I love to speak.

Q: Did you ever in a million years think that when you went on the show to launch your modeling career that you'd be launching a speaking career?

WT: No, definitely not. If anything I'd hoped to, you know, leave the country and model in Germany and Spain and probably settle down eventually. But it's been the complete opposite. Starting my own companyhas been a lot of work, but good and I'm kind of building an empire now more than anything and setting myself up for more work. But that's fine. I'm 23, it could be worse. [laughs]

Follow Sunny Gold on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HlthyGrl

In the city that never sleeps, neither did I

2010-10-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

This has been a crazy week! I flew into NYC to participate in the NEDA walk last Sunday. The walk was fantastic and really inspiring! I met some amazing people and heard some really intense stories, but those stories remind me why I do what I do every single day. It’s just sad that people actually starve themselves to death and that there is very little out there in terms of treatment for people with eating disorders.

The following day I had to take one of my best friends/gay boyfriend to the emergency room and I basically spent the rest of my week at the hospital with him or at his place walking him adorable dogs. They still don’t know what’s wrong with him and it’s a total nightmare. He’s in so much pain and things that I wanted to do this week had to take a back seat. I did manage to have a few meetings yesterday with Redbook, MTV and a women’s organization who’s interested in me speaking in NYC December 16. I also attended the kick off event for the NEDA last night and I spoke briefly there.

I’m flying back to Los Angeles now. I was so exhausted that I slept through my alarm clock and missed my car and my flight! But Continental took good care of me and I didn’t have to pay extra or anything. I just got on a later flight.

I should be in Los Angeles for about a week before going to Orlando for an event with Macy’s and then Toronto for fashion week, then back to LA for Love Your Body Day and Full Figured Fashion Week! Please pray for my sick friend! I know he’ll be okay, but I love him dearly and I have a lot of trouble moving forward when someone in my life needs me.

Texas

2010-10-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that blogging has totally been the last thing on my mind! I spoke at Texas Tech (a university in Lubbock, Texas) September 29th. That was really fun. It was extremely professional and the audience was very responsive so I made sure to take pictures and sign autographs for everyone afterwards. It takes more time then I’m scheduled for, but I think it’s important to keep in touch with my fans and get feedback. I also went to the Texas State Fair in Dallas which I’ve been wanting to do for some time.

People in Texas are very proud of their fair! I had tons of fun, but it was basically the same as every other fair that I’ve been to except for the food. The Texas State Fair is known for their crazy concoctions and I ventured far enough in to try fried beer, chicken fried bacon, fried butter, fried Oreos, a fried margarita and a corn dog (because corn dogs are what you’re supposed to eat at fairs)! This day would take about 800 miles of running to make up for the calorie count, but life is about balance and I don’t eat like that usually, so it’s no big deal.

Other foods that I did not try include fried guacamole, fried coke, fried latte, fried moon pies, fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc. Basically, if you can fry it, they did. The fried beer was my least favorite! It was basically pieces of ravioli stuffed with Guinness, It didn’t seem very “fried” to me. It tasted like a cold, wet noodle that exploded luke warm beer into your mouth. I only had one. The fried butter was just a step up. essentially, it’s a pad of butter dipped in batter and deep fried with a nice crunchy outside. The issue is that they don’t use just a pad of butter, they use about a quarter of a stick and when you bite into it, there is nothing but a flood of pure butter filling your mouth. It was gross as well, but certainly not as gross as fried beer.

The fried margarita was probably my favorite. It was just pieces of funnel cake in a plastic margarita glass, drizzled with tequila and lime, top with whipped cream. It wasn’t life-changingly good, but it really wasn’t bad.

There were discussions about hitting up the Texas Star which is currently the largest ferris wheel in America, but I really don’t like ferris wheels, so I just watched it from the ground. It’s not quite as impressive as the London eye and apparently Pepsi is building a bigger one this year in New Jersey. I usually like to go on rides, but I’m getting older and my friends weren’t really into the crazy rides that I like. It really made me want to go to Disney World! We did watch a dog show that was pretty exciting and I attended a little event on milking cows. The speaker was hysterical! He definitely said some inappropriate things, telling people that milk was the best thing on the planet for your body and that there is no difference between organic and regular. My friends had a good laugh, but it was sweet how much the guy loved his job. If I’m in Texas around this time next year, I will certainly go to the fair again!

I had so much fun exploring Texas and I’m glad that I had the time to do it. One other thing I did was go to this restaurant that I saw on Man vs Food (I love that show for some reason) called The Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas. Now, this barbecue was life changing. They have an open pit and if you ever get the chance, then I highly recommend going there, though it is off the beaten path. I tried a combo plater with pork ribs, sausage and brisket and this brisket is by far the best that I have ever had. It was like prime rib! Of course, I have a thing for barbecue. I’ve never met a pork rib that I didn’t like. If anyone else is going to Texas and wants ideas on things to do, let me know. I got a lot of god, old fashioned exploring done, now off to New York City!

Gypsy and Co. Pics

2010-09-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

These are just a few picture from the photo shoot that I did in Ft. Worth, Texas for Gypsy and Co.! I'll post more soon.

Mom's Salsa

2010-09-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Mom’s Salsa

I make this all the time and I always ask my Mom to make it when I’m home. It’s super fresh and really good for you. I like mine extra spicy, but you can remove peppers from the recipe and it’s totally tame. It’s also great to add on omelets and baked potatoes for a healthy topping with lots of flavor!

What You Will Need:

1 Can of Black Beans

1 Can of Rotel

1 Bushel of Cilantro

3 large tomatoes

1 Small Green Pepper

1 Small Red Pepper

1 Large Purple Onion

Jalapenos Peppers to Taste

2 Large Limes

1 teaspoon of White Vinegar

Tortilla Chips!

Rinse Black beans well before placing in a large bowl. Add Can of Rotel and finely chopped cilantro (I like to use a lot in this salsa).

Chop the tomatoes, peppers and onion into small chunks (not too small!) and add to mixture.

Add the vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate!

Salsa is ready immediately but I find it best after a day or two! The flavors will really mix together overnight.

NOH8

2010-09-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Fuller Woman's Expo, Detroit

2010-09-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Fuller Woman’s Expo was amazing! It was so empowering. I felt like I went to church! I am definitely going to get more involved in events like that, as long as my schedule will allot it. Everything that I did this week has made me really proud to be a part of the plus industry.

Kim Coles (from the TV show, Living Single) spoke for an hour and it was fantastic! She is so funny and relatable. I really got a lot out of her speech. It was on Gifts, but gifts is an acronym for gratitude, intention, forgiveness, triumphs, and self love. I could really relate to a lot of the things she said and she is a great public speaker, which is rare nowadays. I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation and it doesn’t hurt that she’s just as kind as she is adorable!

I also got to sell my SuperModel candles directly to consumers, which I’ve never done before and it was so much fun (they are also sold on line at www.ShopSupermodel.com)! I really just wanted to show people the candles and how they work but everyone loved them so much that I sold out of them! It makes me really proud when people like my candles because I designed them, picked out the scents, named them, etc. They’re like my babies and I was so happy that everyone responded well to them. I think that I will start doing this more often. It really gave me a chance to connect with people. I like getting to know my fans and customers. I also gave a candle to Kim Coles and she really liked them. Everyone loves the candles once they try them, but everyone starts out a little confused because they are more than just a candle. It feels unnatural sticking your hand into wax, but my wax doesn’t get hot enough to burn. They are totally natural and you just rub the melted wax right into your skin! It’s so simple, but no one really understands until they try it.

Now I’m flying to Texas. I will be speaking on healthy body image September 29 at Texas Tech. My birthday is September 26, but I’m not really doing anything for it. It will be my first birthday away from my family and that makes me sad, but I will be with them over Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it’s not the end of the world.

Also, I totally locked myself in the airplane bathroom and the lock jammed and I was stuck! So scary!!! And I had just helped an old couple put their luggage into the bins, so karma really screwed me on that one. LOL It’s okay, though. A flight attendant helped me pretty quickly. It’s good to know that they can fix that stuff from the other side. Alright, I’m going to munch on some Biscoff cookies (the best!) and hydrate. I think I’m getting sick.

Finally...a satisfying fashion week.

2010-09-16T01:20:00.000-07:00

Dress by Adrianna Papell

I was completely blown away by todays show! It is by far the greatest runway show that I have seen thus far in the plus industry. All of the runway models were from Wilhelmina (the agency that I’m with) and they were phenomenal. Of course, the clothes were fantastic too. There were a lot of sheers and layering that brought out dimension. If I had to change one thing, it would be that the heels weren’t high enough. I expected the girls to be in platforms but the shoes were about 3 and a half inches high, which I think is low, but everything else was gorgeous.

Caroline from The Real Housewives of New Jersey was there and I got to speak with her for a couple minutes. She was really lovely and sweet. I wish I could have spoken to her more, but people were pulling me in all directions. One person was taking me to the green room while another was trying to get shots of me with Gabby Sidibe and then another was dragging me to my seat. I did get some shots with Emme, though and I just adore her. She had on a beautiful pale green dress and resembled a modern statue of liberty. It was nice to see so many people turn out for the first plus size show to ever run at New York Fashion Week. Everyone was so supportive and it really made me proud to be plus sized.

One thing that I did notice is that most of the celebrities in the front row were plus sized, but they were actually larger than a size fourteen (the national average) whereas, on the runway the models were plus sized, but they were more like my size which is an eight to ten. I wish that the modeling world was more like the TV/Film world where you can be a little bit bigger without being labeled as such and you can be over average and then be considered plus. I’m not sure if I’m making any sense with this. There are lots of women on TV who are tiny too but take Patricia Heaton (the wife on Everybody Loves Raymond), she is totally normal and healthy and her character on the show is the same way, but in fashion, she is plus sized. I don’t know. It doesn’t add up. All I’m saying is that anything size fourteen and under is not plus sized and that’s that.

Oh, yeah! And while I was at JFK I was shopping for a new book to read and I saw Nigel Barker’s new book “Beauty Equation” and he had two pictures of me in it! I thought that was really cool because it was totally unexpected to see that book at all and now I know that my face is in Hudson Bookstores all over (though I’m definitely not on the cover or anything...it’s still pretty neat).