It’s that time again! I have been using Instagram a lot lately and thought I would give it a try again. I do have school starting up again and of course life is always crazy but its always fun to try. Hopefully you’ll join me!
Blog Challenge – Day 26
An Old Photo
I tried to find an old photo of me with my parents or little brother, but I only have a few scanned into my computer. I thought this photographic would be appropriate considering recent events. This is my cousin Renae and I as kids in our “famous photo”. She is only 3 months older than me and the closest thing I have to a sister. While she is blessed with an older sister, I was not so she became mine. Even though we grew up states away from each other, whenever we were together we were inseparable. We even thought we were twins – only because we would wear matching outfits or underwear (thanks to the regular shopping trips to the Jockey outlet by our mother’s.)
To be honest after writing this, I wish I had another photo to post, the one with both my girl cousins. If I find it at my parent’s house later I will post it, because it shows our childhood perfectly. Michelle “trying” to sleep on the bed, and Renae and I giggling while running around her (it was a queen water bed, you couldn’t jump). Until I find this one, you can laugh at the one below. We even thought about re-creating this for our 18th birthday years ago but the thought of opening a can of Beefaroni and smearing it on our face was a little much for us. I love my cousins and thankful for having them in my life!
Modeling – the new side job?
Recently I was asked by my friend Gino Velardi to help him with a quick photo shoot to get his red carpet gowns to some of the Hollywood stylists in time for the award shows. Now this wasn’t a big production – it was arranged via text and a friend of his offered up her bridal gown store for the shoot. It was exciting and I am so thankful that he chose me! His gowns are absolutely stunning and have the ability to make any woman feel beautiful! You can see some of his other designs at www.GinoVelardi.com or on Facebook.
While I was there, his friend, DeeDee Vicory, who owns D’Lola Couture Bridal Boutique, asked if I would be interested in doing some bridal shots for her as well. While I don’t think she will be calling me anytime soon, it did start me thinking. The last time I modeled was for a bridal gown line at the age of 19. After I stopped dancing, I tried getting in the door while I was young but there was always something that I needed to correct or change, like the gaps in my teeth. I was asked by a woman that my father met while doing a news story (he worked for a local news station) to take some photos to help push their new catalog. I was paid around $300 and was also given all the photos from the shoot! You think that I would have taken that opportunity and built a portfolio … but alas I was in a new relationship and chose to spend every waking moment with a boy instead. (Silly me)
Ever since then, I told myself that I would try getting back into the modeling/acting scene around the age of 40. Long after I have children and would be looking for something more fun to do, even if it was just hand modeling for the newest anti-aging cream. I don’t think I had enough confidence to try getting into the business. It is a very harsh business and at the time, I don’t think I could have handled the criticism. With these recent events it has got me thinking, is this something I could do for a little extra cash? Now, I know that I would have to step up my exercise plan, ok…actually create an exercise plan and follow it, but that’s easy. And I would need some training on what angles my body and jaw line look best in (think Jay Manuel from America’s Next Top Model). Hummm…. It definitely has me thinking about plans for the future and the possibilities that could be! For now I will work on getting my body back into its toner/leaner version (thanks to Luisa for my trial membership to 24 hour fitness) and maybe see what it can lead to! Wish me luck!
On a similar note, I want to thank friends Frank and Wesley for introducing me to Gino and for always considering me their “model friend” (even though I was too chicken to try out for ANTM when they wanted me to!) Love you both!