I Do, But I Don't Get It

What a statement! I may be a little late to this, but an anti-anorexia campaign has been making its rounds and has a lot of people buzzing. With a tagline that reads "You are not a sketch. Say no to anorexia," the ads go for shock and awe to draw attention to the fashion industry's love affair for super skinny. But even with compelling imagery it seems like the message is lost in the fine print.

Spearheaded by Star Models out of Brazil, the campaign features real models digitally altered to look like their matching fashion figures. The result is an incredibly thin, anorexic woman that is meant to cause alarm. Meanwhile, the fashion figures appear completely normal and elegant because that's just what we're used to seeing from those drawings.

Ok, so I get it. The industry's constant use of thin models almost encourages eating disorders or skinny by means necessary. Our fashion world is a little jacked up sometimes. I mean, scouts going to a Swedish eating disorder clinic to recruit new talent just shows you how hypocritical we can be. We all know this is an issue, right? So why isn't the tagline much bigger? Yeah, I don't get it.

Sound off: Do you think this ad campaign is effective or does it miss the point?

Back To Basics with Levi's®

Happy Earth Day, butterflies! We often take for granted what this planet has given us. We can be very wasteful and negligent. We've got to do better and become more socially and ecologically responsible if we expect for this world to survive for generations to come. Sustainibility is the word.

Last year, I had the pleasure of working with director Michele Atkins for an AFI/ Levi's film competition called "Show Us The Way". Shot around Southern California, Michele's entry "Back to Basics" focuses on people living off the land that we cultivate. In the piece, I play a hip, urban farmer who gardens in my Levi's. It's beautifully done. Just watch...

This film won the competition, and you can see why. It reminds us of the importance of taking care of what we have. No matter if you're in the rolling hills of the countryside or the rooftop of a city apartment, protect what you have and nourish it. If you want life to be green, then let it grow. Remember, we are one with the land.

Hot Mama: Metro Red Easy Dress

Show off your best assets this season. It's so easy to look perfectly put together in a pretty spring dress. If the weather's great and you've got a figure you want to flaunt, then I've found the right one for you. Cuteness!

I'm usually more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, but then I remember how great dresses are. When you're in a rush and have a meeting to go to, just slip on a dress. Got a client you want to impress but you don't want to look like you're trying too hard, throw on a dress. This red darling from Levi's will do the trick. A funky pattern with a cute silhouette, it's a great attention grabber. And the cowl detail in the back will definitely turn heads. This dress also just went on super sale at just under $50, so you'd better get it while you can. You know what to do...

CLICK HERE TO SHOP

All Eyes on Me

You already know I'm a fan of funky nail art. As a working model, I can't always rock fun designs. Clients want to see clean, natural nails. So when my friend painted these eyes on my fingertips for a shoot, I was ecstatic. I call this my evil eye protective manicure. Bam!


This may not be the traditional evil eye artwork, but it's still working. The blue in the eye is supposed to protect and against anyone who wants to do you harm. I believe that this ring with the huge light blue stone will do just the same. Bad spirits, be gone.


Creating this manicure was actually pretty easy. Just a dab of white. Then add a light blue dot. This nail color duo from Revlon is great for that. Next use a black nail art pen or a small, thin brush to add the iris, liner, and the lashes. To seal the art, we used a a multifunctional base coat and top coat also by Revlon. With nail art, everything doesn't have to be perfect... as long as it looks cool that's what matters.


Trying to find an outfit that matches this manicure was easy. I look for colors that complement the light blue. I immediately thought Rendezvous orange lips and blue turban. The latter is sort of an homage to the Middle Eastern influences of the evil eye. And what goes with orange better than a peachy-orange sherbet shirt. It's all very sweet and springy, but still chic. I'm loving this entire look so much that you'll probably see me sporting a variation on the mani and outfit a lot in the near future.

xoxo

"You Are More Beautiful Than You Think"

Let's try an exercise together. Go into your bathroom and look into the mirror. Don't start frowning or picking at your face, just look. What do you see? Do you instantly notice blemishes, wrinkles, and faults? Many of us do. We only see what's wrong with ourselves and not what's beautiful.

This is the very subject of a new campaign by Dove called "Real Beauty Sketches". A group of women are asked to describe themselves to a professional sketch artist. Each one seems to focus on her shortcomings. Once the artist has finished the first sketch and the subject has left the room, someone else who is familiar with the woman comes in and gives his or her description of the same person. The end result is amazing. Just watch.

It's so wonderful that it made me tear up a bit, and then smile. I've struggled with self perception my whole life. My freckles, my hair, my nose, the bags under my eyes. You would think that being a model would make me a little less critical of myself, but it doesn't. When I'm passed up for a job, it's often because of my appearance. Somehow the way I look doesn't fit into the clients' perception of how the product should be represented. It's difficult not to take that rejection personally. I am a work in progress, but aren't we all. Everyday we must look past our reflections, past our crows feet and tired eyes and see what other people see. We must see beyond those self-critical shortcomings and tell the mirror image that we are pretty no matter what. Let's embrace our beauty. Let's embrace ourselves.

Chime in: Are there things that you don't like about your appearance that no one else sees? Do you think that you are beautiful?

Click Click Flash

Well hello Modelwire Network! It seems like I'm always getting love from these guys. It's been nearly two years since our relationship began, and the honeymoon period just keeps on going. A little bit ago we joined forces with super photographer Allen Henson for this retro themed shoot. What we created is just timeless.

Here's me and fellow models Connor, Rey, and Kaet being interviewed after the shoot. We are all members of Modelwire Network where fashion creatives connect for really great projects. Ever since working with these ladies and gent, I've run into them at castings and seen them in print. They are all uniquely talented people.

The styling on this shoot was impeccable. Everything looked tailored and iconic much like an old Hollywood film. As soon as I slipped on this red dress, I felt like a sexy screen siren. And when I put on the white jacket, you couldn't tell me nothing!

In between takes, I definitely hammed it up with photographer Allen Henson. It was very difficult to keep a straight face with that guy behind the camera. But just look what we did. So awesome. Big hugs and kisses to the glam squad and the whole MWN crew. Can't wait until we do it again!

Desert Flower

Do you know what weekend it is? Let's all say it together. COACHELLA! I'm still debating on if I should jump in the ol' Jeep and drive there. No, I don't have a ticket. But crashing a few parties and hiding from the intense desert sun sounds like fun. Just in case I do decide to go...


Here's exactly what I'd wear. My Jungle Gurl bikini, my favorite cutoffs, bright mesh sweater, sunnies, this Rag & Bone floppy hat, printed scarf by Haryln and maybe a poncho for when it gets cool. Obviously I love mixing prints and different textures. It fits with the spirit of Coachella.

For all of those who are braving the traffic on the way to the desert, here's some driving music courtesy of DJ Lady Sha and Lust Covet Desire. Oh, and if you want to win some cool festival gear from Lust Covet Desire, CLICK HERE.

Have a great weekend, lovelies!

The Audition

Ever been to a casting or an audition? Some of them can be super quick and easy, while others can be long and frustrating. Every actor or model has a horror story about his or her worst audition ever. From personal experience, some of my absolute worst auditions have been jobs that I've really wanted to book. The ones where you go above and beyond to do what the director asks so that he'll know you're a go-getter. Oh what an embarrassment that can be.

I've literally been at a few callbacks where clearly the director was bored, because there's no way in a normal situation he or she would have asked us to do some of the things that we did. I've tap danced, done crazy suicide exercises, and witnessed a full-on strip tease dance-off at a casting session. When things like this happen, you'd like to think it's an isolated incident. But it's really not. We all deal with it in different ways: I blog about it, others suppress their feelings, and some like filmmaker Celia Rowlson-Hall make a video about it. Genius!
I was at the South By Southwest festival when I saw this film. Afterwards, I wanted to give Celia high fives, fist pumps, and awkwardly long hugs of encouragement. "The Audition" completely nailed that over-the-top casting experience. I wish I could say this may never happen to you, but if it does at least you'll be prepared. Sometimes wanting something bad enough will only make you act like an idiot. Take note, kids, and good luck.

Beauty Blast: Pure Fiji Body Oil

Silky smooth. Keeping your body moisturized during warmer weather should be one of your top priorities. Believe you me, no one wants ashy elbows, arms, or legs. One of my fave products that keeps my skin glowing with moisture is this Nourishing Exotic Oil. Ooo la la.

The first time I used Pure Fiji oil, I fell in love. Infused with coconut, the smell made me feel like I was on vacation on a remote island in the Pacific. Unlike other oils, there's no greasy buildup and quickly absorbs into your skin. I put it on immediately after showering to seal the moisture. I use this oil for everything: on my hair or when I'm on set and need an emergency instant manicure... this oil makes my hands look impeccable. It's like my miracle potion.

Sometimes I have a tendency to obsess over certain products. Don't we all. But I knew this oil was a hit when my beau kept complimenting me on my soft legs. And you can use it as a massage oil too... Dangerous! So, I'm officially addicted to Pure Fiji.

Chime in: What's your go-to body oil?

Where's My Hairline?

Oh my gracious! Let me start by saying that I think Zoe Saldana is so pretty. When I heard that she would be gracing the cover of InStyle Hair, I was beyond ecstatic. Her tresses are always superbly perfect. But when I actually got a glimpse of the magazine, I was speechless. What in the world happened to Zoe's hairline?! Seriously, we need to discuss.

Just like a head full of gorgeous locks, a woman's hairline is so important. For black women especially, we are hairline experts. We often judge other women by those precious baby hairs alone. You wonder if some celebrity is wearing a wig, check her edges. Want to know if Ms. So-and-So is wearing extensions. Check the texture of her hairline compared to the rest of her mane. I would say that 80 percent of the time, black women, hair stylists, and anybody's mother notice hair before we notice anything else. Want proof that Zoe has a great hairline? Check out the behind-the-scenes video of her InStyle Hair shoot.

Whoever edited and then approved this cover should have taken a second look. The retouching makes it look like Zoe has a receeding hairline and that is not ok. If you're going to make a special hair edition for a popular magazine, you'd better make sure that every hairstyle on those pages is the business. Zoe's hair looks great, but this cover with those missing edges just isn't cutting it.

Chime in: What do you think of Zoe Saldana's Instyle Hair cover? Hit or Miss?

Tastemakers Garden Party

Me, Jae Joseph, and Taye Hansberry. Photo courtesy of Guest of a Guest

Back at it again. The usual suspects just doing what we do. On a lovely spring afternoon, my most fashionable friends and I got together just for the sake of hanging out, but we made an event of it. Give us any excuse to sip mimosas, socialize, and look cute, right?!



The Tastemakers of LA Garden Party was officially hosted by Jae Joseph, Taye Hansberry, Reinaldo Irizarry, Andres Matsen, Leanna Lewis, and Judy Chang but the guest list was full of other stylish bloggers and glitterati. The crowd couldn't be better. I mean, just look at how adorable model Devin and PR superstar Tashah are. And then there's the ever gorgeous Taye Hansberry and the handsome Andres Matsen. When I asked Andres how he decided he'd sport that crisp ivory jacket, he said "It's a garden party, so I figured I can wear white."

Reinaldo, Me and friend. Photo courtesy of Guest of a Guest

The day was just divine, but I was multitasking terribly. It's a lot to try and take pictures, network, and consume as many cupcakes as possible.  Talking to people with a mouthful of sweets comes off a little rude. I also had to pleasure of meeting one of my Instagram followers who is just fabulous in his own right. Oh, and I have to say that Donna Karan's Urban Zen is just heavenly. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Let's do it again very soon, lovelies.

XOXO

That's The Spirit!

Life isn't a Sunday bike ride in the park. One day you're struggling to make it through castings, but then maybe the next day you're working nonstop. It's feast or famine. In the process of waiting for your big break, sometimes you can lose track of why you're doing this at all.

I've had my fair share of clouds and sunshine. At the beginning of the year, I was optimistic that I'd be working like crazy. I went out for auditions, and I got callbacks, but actually booking something was proving to be a challenge. Then my personal life started weighing down on my spirit. It felt as if no matter how many steps forward I'd make, I'd get knocked back so far... Like being first and goal, but not being able to convert that into a touchdown.

But even in the fog, you can see a silver lining. Even in the face of disappointment, there's always a little voice saying "You are unique. You are beautiful. You are talented." Finally the rough waves I'd been experiencing are starting to dissipate. Maybe it's the change in season, but I feel refreshed and ready to do this again. I just keep telling myself that no matter what hardships I'm dealing with, never stop trying. Never stop dreaming. You're going to make it, baby!