Run Around Town Like A Model

You wake up in the morning to multiple emails from your agent about castings, castings, and more castings. Get ready for a crazy, busy day! You have to leave your apartment in t minus 30 minutes and you've got to appear like you're ready to conquer the world. Your outfit has to be on point. Your skin must look impeccable. Oh and even if you were out late last night, you'd better look fresh as a daisy. It may sound like Mission:Impossible, but plenty of working models do this on a regular basis and look flawless. Besides being born with great genes, every model has tricks that help her or him keep up appearances throughout the day. Want to know some secrets? Listen up.

Whether I'm New York, Milan, or LA, it's always the same story. I'm criss-crossing the city trying to make it to every casting or audition I possibly can to book a job. When I leave my place in the morning, there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back between appointments. So I have to pack for the day and pack light. I'm like Mary Poppins when it comes to my model bag. I've got a toothbrush and toothpaste, my beauty kit, a little black dress, heels, a bikini, my iPad, the kitchen sink. You never know exactly what you'll need for the day, so you have to take almost everything. Make sure your beauty kit includes makeup wipes, moisturizer, eye cream, concealer, blush, and mascara. It never fails, halfway through my adventure I'll start to look tired. That's when I wipe off all the grime and start anew. Refrain from piling on the makeup. It will only make your face look weighed down. Keep it light by adding a little concealer or eye brightener for your peepers and add a pop of color on your cheeks. You'll go from looking old and haggard to young and fresh.
Another thing you've got to think about before you embark on your day is what are you going to wear? I always check the wardrobe notes on my castings and go for an outfit that's neutral. You want something that shows off your body but nothing that's too sexy. My model uniform is a pair of skinny black jeans, a white or grey tank, and black boots. I always layer with a leather jacket or a button-up shirt or maybe both for cooler days. Stray away from too many accessories and super bright colors unless your agent instructs you otherwise. You don't want to wear anything that will distract clients and take the focus away from your pretty face. Check the mirror before walking out the door. If you're looking more like Gaga and less like Kate Moss, then you need to cut it back.

When you're a working model or actress, every single day is a chance to book a campaign or commercial that could make your career. Don't let your dreams slip away from you because you're tired of the hustle. Go to every casting you can. Seize those opportunities by looking your best and being ready for a challenge. Keep your look simple and polished. Pack whatever tools you need for success. And don't let anything slow you down on your mission. I know it seems like I'm screaming out commands, but I'm so excited for what you actually will achieve. You are a shooting star, and I can't wait to see you take off. Zoom!

Blank Like Bond

Dashing. Charming. Sexy. Three words that I use to describe one man who's style has captured the hearts of moviegoers for 50 years. I'm talking about Bond, James Bond. This British secret agent is who men imagine they could be with his witty one-liners and dangerous escapades. When I was was trying to think of topics for this month's column, I would've ended up writing about being a male model. Well, you can watch Zoolander for that one. So let's take a departure from the usual Blank Like A Model and live like Bond.

Oh James Bond. Your immaculate sex appeal. Your fantastic suits. Your taste for suspense. I just can't get enough of you. Daniel Craig's 007 is truly a complex character that battles many personal demons but still manages to look fly doing it. Besides the fact that his life is constantly at risk, why wouldn't you want to be this dude? After ooing and aahing my way through the new movie Skyfall, I came up with a few simple rules so that you too can be a debonair super agent.

1. Make An Entrance - When James Bond walks into a room people notice. He doesn't have to announce himself, but all eyes are on him. Even if he crashes through a door or a train, he dusts himself off and keeps it moving. Push aside that social anxiety. The key to making an entrance is confidence. Let it breathe through your pores and let everyone catch a whiff.

2. Dress for the Occasion - 007 never looks shabby. For goodness sake, the man wears suits while chasing bad guys. He puts on a tux and ends up dodging fists and bullets. He's not afraid to get his clothes dirty. Daniel Craig's Bond sports menswear that moves with his body. Every thread looks and feels like it was tailored especially for him, and it was. In fact, Bond's suits for Skyfall were designed by none other than Mr. Sexy himself Tom Ford. Swoon. The lesson to be learned here is that if you're wearing anything by Tom Ford, you're always dressed for the occasion.

3. Accessorize - Maybe it's a gun that only fires to his touch or even a classic roadster to speed around town. Bond is never without his shiny toys. He finds the right watch or pocket square to complement his look. Bond never over-blings. When you're a secret agent, you can't be too flashy but you've got to fit in with your surroundings. So no huge gold chains or diamond rings. Remember, don't let the accessories wear you. You wear the accessories.

4. Mix Business with Pleasure - James Bond is a ladies' man who works hard and plays hard too. Somehow in his busy schedule (pronounced shhedule), he makes time for the occasional romantic rendevous. Who cares if the chick is working for the enemy. Bond is a player. As long as he doesn't get too emotionally attached, he's good. The trick to this game, as long as there's mutual respect you have nothing to worry about... unless of course someone gets killed.

5. Be Cool - Have you ever seen Bond break under pressure? Sure, he's an emotional guy who's lost the love of his life and even come back from the dead, but you've never really seen him lose his cool. Even with his hands tied behind his back with a gun pointed in his face, 007 keeps it together. How does he do it? This all goes back to confidence. If you act like you've got a lot on the line and something to lose, you will lose. But if you live like tomorrow isn't promised to you and nothing matters but that moment, you'll break out of those ropes a true champion.

Alright, my little secret agents. You've got the rules of engagement. Now go conquer your own adventures.
Style + Risk + Confidence = 007

Blank Like A Model: Essential Beauty

Being a model means that you always have to be camera-ready. Between photo shoots and commercials, there's no room for bad beauty days on my schedule. How do I pull it off? It takes a little dedication, but it's sooo simple. In this edition of Blank Like A Model, I'll give you a few of my essential beauty tips that will keep you glowing all day.

1.Deep clean: Splashing water on your face in the morning to wake you up is just not enough. Faces need a little scrub-a-dub every morning to get rid of the dirt and excess oil that collected during sleep. The same thing goes for a nighttime routine. Make sure to use a makeup remover before you cleanse. I like to scrub with an exfoliant cream every other day and use a facial mask at least once a week. Your face will thank you for taking special care of it.

2. Protect all your skin: Whether it's moisturizing or using sunscreen, it's important to protect all your skin, not just your face. I don't care if you've got skin as soft as a baby's bottom, moisturizing must be a priority. I love cocoa butter infused with vitamin E. It evens out my complexion while also protecting me from the sun. Just stay away from anything too oily or heavy that may clog your pores.

3. Hands off: Every time you bring your hands to your face it spreads germs and dirt that can cause pimples and other irritations. Train yourself to keep your hands off and to use tissues any time you need to dab or wipe something away. This is doubly true if you feel a pimple or blemish creeping up on your face, since the oils from your hand will make it worse. Also: keep your hands out of your hair! It’s a nervous habit for so many people and it just spreads oil and dirt everywhere. If you use your fingers to style your hair, be sure to wash them before and after.

4. Brighten up your eyes: Age and lack of sleep can take a toll on your peepers. Not to worry. Use a calming eye cream or cucumbers to soothe your eyes in the morning and at night. Keep the area underneath your eyes moisturized and dab a little highlighter in the corners to make them sparkle. Finish off with mascara on top and bottom lashes to really open your eyes up.

5. Just blush: I never used to wear color on my cheeks because I thought it looked unrealistic. Then a very cute guy made me blush. Rosy cheeks are a sign of youth and flirtatiousness. Dab a little pink on the apples of your cheeks to keep you looking vibrant.

6. Freshen up: Your face and hair can attract dirt and antioxidants throughout the day. I like to do a mini facial at lunch time that includes using a toner to clean off excess grime and reapplying. You can do the same thing for your hair with Free Your Mane's Reviving Spray. It'll bring life back to your beautiful tresses.

7. Do it with a smile: No matter how you may look on the outside, it's so important to feel good on the inside. When you laugh or smile, your face instantly lights up and you forget your worries at least for a moment. Smiles are infectious, so share that joy with those around you.

You may not be a Hollywood starlet or a catwalk queen, but you are lovely. May all your days be filled with happiness and beauty.

Eat Like A Model

Don't Feed The Models were the words on a shirt my old roommate used to wear. I get it. There's a common misconception that glamazons starve themselves for fashion. That we only eat celery and drink water to prepare for a photo shoot or a fashion show. We never indulge in anything sweet. And that we all have eating disorders. Ha! On the contrary, we do enjoy food. Some of us even like to cook. In this edition of Blank Like A Model, we'll explore the eating habits of those wild creatures on the catwalk.

Writing this as I stuff my face with chicken and asparagus

Food is an essential part of life. It nourishes us, gives us energy, and tastes good. There's this myth that models don't eat. Sometimes you'll see a photo of a model gnawing on carrots and chugging water backstage at a fashion, and you think "Is that all she eats?!" The truth is, we like food. It's just difficult to grab a healthy bite to eat when you're running around from shoot to shoot. We'd rather put things into our bodies that are going to give us the vitamins we need to sparkle than greasy fast food.

With all that said, we do still have our guilty pleasures. British supermodel Jourdan Dunn loves McDonald's. Sessilee Lopez tweets about her brownies ganache. And I throughly enjoy overdosing on Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream. Eating these things isn't something we can do everyday. We've learned to enjoy the finer foods in reasonable amounts. Maybe once a week, I'll order pizza. But you can guarantee that the very next day I'll be exercising off all that cheese and pepperoni.

So here are my model food rules to live by:

1. Start your day with something in your belly - You need fuel for your fire, so eat a little something for breakfast.

2. Eat your greens - I'm not talking about just a boring salad. Pack your daily diet full of kale, spinach, and other leafy greens. They pack plenty of vitamins like A and C, and can also help protect you from heart disease and diabetes. Some leafy greens even have calcium to build strong bones.

3. Get your protein - According to WebMD, the right amount of lean protein can help manage your weight while also keeping your tummy full. Go for meats without a lot of fat, egg whites, and even soybeans.

4. Say yes to fresh - Put things into your body that are still living or organic. Go for foods that are free of chemicals, aren't canned, overcooked, or frozen. I know these things are convenient, but are they really giving you the nourishment you need? Probably not.

5. Scale back on foods that are going to make you bloated - That means certain beans, dairy, and anything that's already bubbly. Cheeseburgers, bean and cheese burritos, Frappucinos with extra caramel and whipped cream are all on that list. Steer clear of salty foods because these help your body retain water weight.

6. Everything in moderation - You can't avoid everything, but you shouldn't have too much of anything. Go light on sauces, dairy, sweets, and processed food. Don't pile too much food on your plate either. Keep your portions reasonable.

These are just my personal guidelines, and by no means am I a nutritionist. This along with regular exercise is what's worked for me. You have to find what works for you. Be realistic and make the extra effort to treat yourself to the good,healthy food. Remember, if you are what you eat then make sure you're a plate of grilled veggies and brown rice and not the #1 with special sauce add a Coke.

Vacation Like A Model

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2012

St. Tropez or the French Riviera? I think I'll go to my summer home in The Hamptons. If only we all had the means to vacation like a supermodel. I've got friends that really live it up when they go on holiday. Their vacation photos look like an Elle editorial. And they did it all without breaking the bank. The truth is, you can do it too. You just need to know how to play your cards right.

The first rule of vacationing like a model is making sure you travel in good company. Your friends should have great energy and style. It doesn't matter if they are guys or gals, as long as they add to the atmosphere. Surrounding yourself with cool people means that no matter where you are, you're having a fun time.

The next rule is make sure you pack light, but smart. Please don't bring your entire collection of stilettos if you're taking a cross-country road trip. I say pack two bikinis, a simple but chic dress, one blazer or jacket for chilly nights, an assortment of tops, some cutoffs and jeans, sandals of course, and one killer pair of shoes. Don't forget sunglasses, a hat, and some statement jewelry. All of this should fit into one overnight bag or jet set perfect carry-on.

Louis Vuitton Cruise 2012

Next step, pick a destination that you can afford but still live like a queen. You may have to book a room at an inexpensive place, and that's ok. This just means you have more money to eat well and play hard. Here's a trick I picked up from my girls: find the posh hotel nearby and crash it. Say your spot doesn't have the amenities you want, well that swanky place down the street probably does. No one will question you if you look and act like you belong there. Who knows, sipping cocktails around the pool at the Four Seasons could lead to yacht party later.

Finally, enjoy yourself like it's the last trip you'll ever take. Do the tourist thing and see as much as you can if you're in a city you've never visited before. Try out the local cuisine even if it looks funny. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I actually ate squid with the ink still included. It was an adventure, and one that I'll never forget. Oh, and take lots of lots of pictures of your holiday. You and your pals will be able to look back and remember those awesome moments forever. Enjoy your summer... YOLO!

Chime in: How do you enjoy your vacation while still on a budget?