DSW feature: Bags for under $60 that are so hot

I think a handbag is a cheap way to refresh your look or add a conversation piece to your outfit.

These are my favorite bags from DSW.com, a store I usually love for shoes, but I am digging their bags. No I do not model for them, but maybe one day!


Poppie Jones Canvas Pocket Tote
Item Price: $39.95



Urban Expressions Turn Lock Vice Frame Satchel
Item Price: $59.95



Sasha Satin Envelope Clutch
Item Price: $26.95 (So Awesome!)


Lulu Townsend Watercolor Flap Clutch
Item Price: $34.95

Petite Black Models acceptance and marketing

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: ______________
Date: Jan 20, 2009 2:24 PM


Hi, Isobella! I just added you as a friend, and after reading your blogs on modeling, I am inspired to keep pursuing dreams that many think are impossible feats. I have been interested in modeling, but I'm 5'1." I've searched aggressively for companies that would see potential in me, but all I've found are those scuzzy websites that promote petite women as these slutty objects. I really dislike that, and like you, I don't see that as modeling. I have this vision of myself doing meaningful, artistic work, yet it's hard to make that happen when there isn't a large market for petite models. (I live in Houston, by the way.) Despite all that, I believe I'll find the golden opportunity to represent for petite black women, as well as have a poetry book (it'll be my second book) that will defy people's low expectations for poetry and sell, and have success as a recording artist. I really appreciate people like you for representing and standing strong! Take care.



Jan 20, 2009 5:14 PM Subject:
RE: You inspire me!
Body:
Thank you ____,

The power of yes is what I live by. If you want something you have to be willing to make it happen. And you have to expect that it is hard work. The short cut doesn't work in life. It takes will, ambition and the smarts to know how to market yourself in proper ways. I am the shortest model in NYC by far, but yet I have found ways to get great agents by promoting what I do have. Great skin, a proportioned body a diverse look and energy! Even though I am short my legs have been seen on Victoria's Secret. com modeling shoes and also i recently posed for the Easy Spirit shoes ad campaign for spring 09 out in Feb. So with the right mindset, the right marketing, the right professional modeling marketing tools-compcard, headshot, and the right ambition you can make even something that seems distance right in your hand.

Too many girls give up. Settle, accept the 5 second of being "a hot thing," i am so over the hot thing. I don't see the point in the ego boost and I don't get it from a guy commenting on me. Basically if men are the only ones calling you a model then you are not one. And if you have never modeled a product, you are not a model. Ask yourself," What have I modeled?" If the answer is just you then obviously you do not know what it means to work in the modeling business. The business is not on the internet, it is not glamour modeling, it is working with brands, and magazines, and good quality photographer's-people who know the craft of photography not just soem jack ass with a camera at his side to lure in ladies.

As a shorter model I have had to do alot hands on. My own mailings, and alot of them to agencies, production companies, ad agencies, and really build my own portfolio. I have had to chase the work I wanted and be careful about what I do and say yes to. Always thinking of the aftermath or "how will this effect my other goals?"

Alot of girls look for petite modeling agencies or acceptance...when you say black petite models, you should be saying print models, and actually in the current Bazaar magazine out now, Feb issue, there is a black leg and shoe model in it modeling bags and shoes. You should pick it up. SO you might want to consider ALL types of modeling you can do, beauty-close up shots, commercial print-energy shots, personality is needed, and parts modeling.


And remember modeling is many things, from tampon commercials, to hair care, models are all types so start noticing where short girls are used, in print for jewelry, haircare, skincare, and commercial products. Someone has to model that cleaning product, that car, that beer, that handbag and shoe. Notice what you do have. My first modeling job with an agency was shoe modeling. I was a size 6 shoe and that's what is needed to shoe model for showrooms in NYC. I first worked with Lifestride, Hotkiss, Naturalizer, and so many others then I started getting print work, modeled for Marshalls shoes, and it all comes from work. There is no easy road and to model and work with brands and magazines you have to accept what you are not, and grow to what you want to be and still can be.

It's all about what you chase and how you do it, and the work you put in. So many girls just pop their photo online and show their ass 2 times a month on a paid modeling site and the rest of the time you know where they are??? Really no where.

Congrats on your poetry.

Goodluck!
Isobella Jade

Shout out to Smurfette Two Faced Smurfy Collection

Oh yes I am an 80's child and when I see something that speaks of my childhood I jump up and down, especially today. I love to re-create memories I had, right now I want all the old, old disney movies, like Fantasia. That cute broom.


This one blew my mind.

On the Sephora website I discovered that Two Faced makeup is doing a shout out to Smurfette. Oh I love it.

Too Faced So Smurfy Eye Shadow Collection, don't you just become 5 again.

Learn about the start of the Smurfs click here.

Human Garbage over a year with Tim Gaudreau

I do think about how much garbage one single human being creates in their lifetime and over at GreenMuze.com there was this cool aricle on this very topic.

Do you ever think about how much trash you create? Do you recycle enough?

How much consumption of trash do you make?


"Tim Gaudreau, a photographer from New Hampshire, spent a year photographing all his garbage. His project – 365 Days of Trash – is a shocking look at how much waste just one person can create in a year. We caught up with Tim to ask him a few questions about his project and find out if chronicling his consumption for a year lead to any eco-epiphanies."

You can read about his garbage adventure here. Makes one think huh.

(Photo by Tim Gaudreau)

Pineapple pedicure smells nice

Self Magazine sent me an email today about a Pineapple pedicure. Sounds interesting. Will try it.

"Banish winter blues and slough cuticles, too, with this easy treat for feet: Rub a slice of pineapple around nail beds, wait one minute, then wipe off the juice. The tropical fruit contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break up dead skin cells, says Alisha Rimando, a manicurist in NYC for Dashing Diva."

My favorite nail polish color for this time of year is cream, light light pinks, and Essie's Ballet Slipper is on my toes now.

What's too sexy for a Model Compcard? Video

This is an important video for girls wanting to be models. Unlike the glamour modeling websites on the internet a girl should be very careful of what she shows and especially her body shots. Sometimes the wrong body shots can actually turn off a modeling agent. Ask any girl who wants to be a model and she is thinking of ad campaigns, ads, commercials and big things but why doens't she get there? Well it comes down to the way she markets herself, presents herself and when it comes to what is too sexy for a compcard this video will help:

Obama's voice is visual

I like how when Obama speaks his voice is visual, he create a lot of visuals with his words and I am going to print up his speech and put it on my wall.

I didn't grow up thinking of the Web -call waiting days

I didn't grow up thinking we would all love handbags and shoes, I grew up on garage sale clothing and the minimalist lifestyle now inspired by the recession. It is like normal to me. Even when I get paid $1000 for a modeling job I don't go blow it on one handbag. However I do think of the designer a lot and how fashion is artistic. A limited edition handbag might be costly but the day in the life handbag is not something that should cost half my rent. I don't know where this idea came from that girls should spend this much on a truckin' bag. Maybe it was Sex in the City, maybe Tv Shows, but I sure of hell didn't come out of my childhood thinking high fashion would be the language of my neighborhood, but even when I now visit my small hometown, I find that between the fields of trees, farms, and new housing developments, there are Coach bags and the names of designers floating in daily conversation.

Even my Mother knows who Kate Spade is, and she knows how to web cam and text.
My mother even met her husband on Match.com!

I didn't expect this technology world growing up. That we would be obsessed over blogs and internet radio would be the tech trend that puts me ahead of the game.

When I first had my photo on the Internet or joined a social site, I was nervous to even tell my friends, before Myspace and Facebook and when AOL Im's were still newer. I think my generation that is in our twenties forget that we didn't plan on this. We grew up with phones stuck to walls, and having call waiting was something that made you look rich.

I want a camera to shoot myself with

I want a camera, a polaroid camera. I really shouldn't by shit right now, but I have this interest with a polaroid camera. I also want to get a film camera, I am just so bored with digital lately. Cheese! I feel that some photographers can manage it, like him, and him, but other than that not many more. Maybe one handful worth.

Digital has kind of ruined the photography experience, for me, as a model I feel digital sucks the life out of it. Or maybe it is all these guys with camera's running the digital industry. Oh jeez hear we go.

New Broadway Show to Use Body-Part Confessional Ads

This video features real women talking about the parts of their body they dislike for a campaign promotion for a New Broadway Show called "Reasons to be Pretty," I think the video is a cool concept to promote the show.

Especially since many women should come to gribs with the good, bad and not so pretty about certain parts of them. We all have flaws.

Ad age did a story on it as well by Hoag Levins Published: January 19, 2009

Which body part do you feel most insecure about?
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Which of your body parts do you dislke the most? That question is the central gimmick of a advertising campaign being prepared for the new Broadway show "Reasons to be Pretty." Orchestrated by the SpotCo ad agency, a call went out for "everyday" people to show up at a Manhattan casting call ready to expose their bodies and confess their insecurities. The eight winners are having their parts photographed for the ads.

Win Tickets to see The Volunteers Jan. 22nd in NYC

The Volunteers play NYC's Highline Ballroom Jan. 22nd. I was featured in their music video Real Man, and I am giving away a pair of tickets to the show and a free CD of their latest called Spectrophilia.

To win tickets Answer:“what drink best accompanies The Volunteers style of rock?” just email me the answer at: isobellajade03@yahoo.com and put The Volunteers in the subject and the most creative winner will be picked.

The Volunteers will be venue hopping, playing 8 cities in all, spreading their sound of Brooklyn Americana and holding all ears hostage. Elbow greased and all, The Volunteers will kick things off on their home turf of New York on Jan. 22nd at The Highline Ballroom(!) and then on their way to conquer new grounds all around the East Coast until late February.

You can download or stream The Volunteers’ – Spectrophilia here:
http://download.themusebox.net/the_volunteers/

Somewhere in Vegas and Isobella Jade Model Talk

I will be chatting about modeling and the highs and lows, good, bad and ugly and my blogs on another radio show called Somewhere in Vegas on Blogtalkradio on Monday the 19th at 8pm EASTERN Time. Tune in or listen to the archived segment here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/somewhereinvegas/2009/01/20/Somewhere-in-Vegas-Money-and-Isobella-Jade

Going to Vegas for Miss America

I am going to Vegas next weekend for Miss America Contest, on the 24th. Should be cool. I am not die-hard-into pagents or anything. I find most of the chicks kinda corny actually but what the hell. My boyfriend got us tickets from a charity auction, and we will kick it and enjoy the weekend. I have been to Vegas a couple times before for the shoe shows, shoe modeling for Hot Kiss who was owned by Brown Shoe. They flew out their shoe models for the show and we stayed at the Mirage, and I didn't get to really enjoy Vegas cause I was working the whole time but it was fun and I saw a little bit. But this time will be more adventurous.

What's your email name?

I have girls emailing me all the time, and most of the time their email is something ubsurb like hot_lips85@yahoo.com.

And I find this interesting.

The thing is, when you are mailing people you want your email to not be a hunt to find. I might not remember which girl was hot lips, but I will remember writing back to Rachel. So I think girls should skip the corny feeling of "I have a cute email."

I used to be babylove or something stupid back in the first AOL days in the 90's.
But I got over it.

I want to be remember for me. My name, not some cheesy thing.

Girls should start to take themselves more seriously. Just your name is fine.
I mean if you send your resume out, or you are putting together a college application, you should have another email.

JohnSmith@yahoo.com

What's so wrong with that?

Being stylish for cheap

I don't believe in paying a ton of money for a trend item. I think that is really stupid. If you see something you like that is a trend item, especially these days, just get it at like H&M. Or Forever 21. Sometimes even Old Navy has some pretty good stuff. I think accessories are perfect for keeping it real during the recession. Earrings, cute clutches, tights, some cute little "driving" gloves, a vintage ring, an awesome scarf. You don't have to go broke to look the way you want to look. Dark jeans always look nice with a blazer,or a cool cap. Right now little details are my thing.

selling virginity online- Please don't sell sex on the Internet Models

Jeez. Oh Jeez. I recently heard of this chick, selling her virginity on the internet. Oh boy, another internet whore. Gosh I hate hearing about this sad stuff. It isn't the first time.

Who knows if she is really a virgin, but the point is she is trying to become a celebrity over her internet whoring. I really think this is very shallow.

If you look at her glamour-ish slutty photos you see that she most likely has, or had modeling ambitions but once again she becomes another girl who doesn't see her real opportunities and just walks down the wrong runway of "doing anything to be called hot." I guess the The Moonlite Bunny Ranch is going to be the place.

Girls who do this really make me sick. I mean honesty, where is your sense of worth, do you want to be only known as the girl who sells sex on the internet? I mean where is that going to get you?

She gets some attention and the void of her "famous for 15 minutes is filled." But jeez what are you really?

I wonder where she will be in 3 years. Most likely no one will care.

If you want to model, please don't end up selling your body on the Internet. The underground business of internet models and internet selling time for photos and cash and sex, is sparked many times by girls who once wanted to be more. Be more in life. They had dreams, they wanted to be more, but instead become the slut of the week.

No wonder men are saying they will pay because these men are shallow too, they want to be the jerk inside of you who will also get his 15 seconds of fame, but really the fame thing for having sex with an internet glamour model who is more into herself and is most likely has a very low self esteem -except when she is infront of the computer looking at herself and online portfolio- is really not fame at all. It is a sad result of a girl seeking attention and being too desperate to really work for something she wants. Selling sex doesn't take much effort. Anyone can do it. Really doing something that is longlasting, makes an impression, or holds a future, takes more than just a hump.

Love Sick Fashion helping the Riley Center

Valentine's day is a perfect time to show your love of fashion and also give back.

Lovesick is a fashion event in San Francisco, with proceeds helping the Riley Center - This foundation helps victims of domestic violence.

Love Sick, will be held on Valentine’s Day, Feb.14, 2009 at Muse Studios located at 224 6th Street, San Francisco CA, 94103. This fashion event will showcase Alexandria von Bromssen’s new collection for her 2009 Hide & Seek lingerie line. Other participating designers include , Ape’ritif Lingerie and Tushe by Simeon Dacumos, Miss Velvet Cream, MIXER, Fluidance,Jasmin Zorlu Millinery & Kaatje Designs.

Check out: www.lovesickfashion.com for more info or purchase tickets here.

What is a model Really? The dictionary can help

So many meanings of model. Model Car, Model T, Financial Model,…When I say the word model there is not that lush at the end of it, the “del” part of it. It does not sound like, “maa Dell.” Or “mode Dell” it is simply model. As a word that means “

noun, adjective, verb,

1.a standard or example for imitation or comparison.
2.a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.
3.an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.
4.a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.
5.a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.
6.a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.
7.a style or design of a particular product: His car is last year's model.
8. a pattern or mode of structure or formation.
9. a typical form or style.
10. a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.
11. Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.
–adjective 12. serving as an example or model: a model home open to prospective buyers.
13. worthy to serve as a model; exemplary: a model student.
14. being a small or miniature version of something: He enjoyed building model ships.
–verb (used with object) 15. to form or plan according to a model.
16. to give shape or form to; fashion.
17. to make a miniature model of.
18. to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.
19. to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.
20. to display to other persons or to prospective customers, esp. by wearing: to model dresses.
21. to use or include as an element in a larger construct: to model new data into the forecast.
–verb (used without object) 22. to make models.
23. to produce designs in some plastic material.
24. to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.
25. to serve or be employed as a model.


Not how it did not say a girl on the internet, or a person posing for the pleasure of men?

When I think of a model, I do not picture over-the-top glamour, which television and magazine editorials may make it assume to be like, because that is unrealistic. Modeling is not something that a girl should think is only about “shiny legs, and airbrushing and a fan blowing their hair as everyone crowds around to watch her pose.” That is not a realistic mindset to settle on. Modeling for a girl today, especially a shorter girl, is about the product, the product’s image and personality and you as the model fitting that, to sell it, because why are models needed? Because they are meant to help SELL the product, whether it is a jewelry line, or a tampon.

Look it up in the Dictionary.

That definition of what a model is, is a lot more realistic there. More than any TV show or website can imply.

And if you are shorter, then the word model should mean these things: Close ups, beauty shots, personality, smiles, lifestyle products, energy, and natural.

I would notice the girls on the packaging of haircare boxes smiling, those girls are print models. That is the type of look, headshot and appeal you want to show.

Don't submit to a Modeling job or Acting job if...

It doesn't involve full details. Don't submit to a job for a spec commercial or commercial, or music video or film, that doesn't state in the casting breakdown the director's name, or production company, or info and details you SHOULD and CAN research. Don't go blind into trying to get modeling work, it is work to weed out the crap sometimes but you should do your best to watch your own back and research, use Google and make sure the breakdown,casting, audition, or casting notice is legit and not just an afternoon to show your "incredibly sexy walk/rear" that can make a man's head turn for the tease of it. That is not going to benefit your resume unless it is shot professionally and not in a slut -fashion that won't lead to any other work but porn- becareful.

For newbie's:

Look out for: Indy Film with no pay
Look out for casting notices without info on distribution or what the music video is for, and where it will be seen, Youtube, is not enough to really boost your resume.
Look out for photoshoots that involve glamour modeling. This is not going to lead you into the print world or working with brands or products so make sure you shape and market and create your photos to really benefit you.

Always research the name's, addresses, and production details and if they are not available do not submit. Freelancing and finding your own work is something a model can do and should do in situations of professionalism, but there is alot of crap out there, so becareful and do not trust the web without some research ok!

Was shooting on Ugly Betty

...was shooting on Ugly Betty today and I was told by a DA (director assistant) that a plane crashed into the hudson. Of course we are filming and we can't call anyone, or ask questions, but he soon signaled to me in a creative sign language that everyone was safe aboard, moving his fore finger and middle finger like walking legs.

WOW! That pilot, Mr. "Sully" was amazing.

Hanes makes my real boobs look hot

So if you are all about the bargin you might want to look twice at Hanes. I love this bra I got for ten bucks or so from Hanes, at the outlet in Texas, over the holidays. It makes my real boob look hot and it looks really hot in a gray sweater. Check out the girls on their website, they are very beautiful and all different ethnicities and shapes.

http://www.hanes.com/Hanes/Categories/Women-Hanes/Women_ShopByCategory-Hanes/Women_Bras-Hanes.aspx

I like the bra I have that is nuded colored and has a clasp in the front. I remember this style when I was a teenager in the mid 90's but I don't consider it old school, I really like that is opens in the front and it is simple but sexy at the same time.

I also like the Hanes Body Creations: this is a sexier bra collection.

Very well done Hanes.

A Band you should know: The Volunteers

The Volunteers - "Real Man" Music Video


I am featured in the music video Real Man, (as the Other woman) the chick in the blond wig and awesome sunglasses, cute panties.

And here is an interview on Dr. Blogstein Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DrBlogstein/2009/01/14/Doogie-Howsers-mom-and-The-Volunteers-1

http://www.myspace.com/thevolunteers

The Wrong Modeling Runway

There are two types of runways:

1. The type that fashion models walk upon in beautiful fashions.

2. The Internet modeling underground runway or the stripper pole. It makes me sort of sick at how many sluts call themselves models. Sluts meaning girls who just take off their clothing for no reason other than to feel hot or please someone else. (A man). Makes me want to vomit. Isn't it interesting that if you ask an escort, stripper, or exotic dancer her other goals she says, singer, actress, or model.

Oh'come on. Every time another strip club, massage parlor, escort service, or sex club gets taken down or in trouble, I smile. These places are full of short females who once had dreams to be models but settled for the wrong runway. Ever notice how most strippers without their platforms are like 5’2”? Baby there is more for you than just a pole and those florescent panties with some random guys stains on it.

And those people who are obsessed with sex kinda make me roll my eyes. We all love it, but doing it for a profession doesn't mean you are any better at it then me.

Managing Modeling Bookings

I check my email like 1,000 spastic, did I get a booking, a casting, anything? Nothing?

I even call my mom when I am on the go and have her check my email for me. My agency emails me very often, and doesn't call. I have mentioned in other posts how much the email matters but another thing is "managing bookings."

When you have a booking you should not cancel it. It means you might never hear from the casting director, agency again. And when another agency calls you should say you are booked already. The only way I think you can manage a booking and a casting in the same day is to skip lunch and go to the casting when you can, if it fits within the time frame from your original booking schedule. But sometimes you can't leave. So you miss it. It is hard to be everywhere at once and manage it all. You have to accept that you can't win them all. So do your agents.

If you wait for the phone to ring you miss other oppporunities, if you chase opportunities you might still miss others.

Modeling Job Confessions: Cut out of the Photo

So I love modeling. But I hate some of the bs that goes into it. Like spending all day on a Saturday for a booking your agent urges you to book and working topless and cold in a studio and then only to find out the shot was never used. Instead some photo shopped image was. damn! I hate that. Still you get paid but it is the credibility, the image, the cover, you wanted. Not just the paycheck.

That is a downside of working as a model, even for great job, ad campaigns, and magazine cover shoots, you could be chopped, cut, or not included at all after the final shots are taken. In the end it is up to the editor. In the situation above the shot was considered too sexy, revealing for the magazine cover for this lifestyle magazine and I understood of course in the end when some stock photo was used and photoshopped but my thought was "why couldn't they just have used me, and photoshopped it or something to make it work?"

Around The Clock on 9th street is gone?

My favorite dive near St. Marks is closing! I am pissed and these are my thoughts on finding out about the chance it might close next week!

“Last week, we were checking out the last of a record store’s vinyl’s on St. Marks, and I hear someone saying “Around the clock is closing.” And I whisper to one of my favorite photographers “Is it really closing?”

We were about to go there afterward to discuss a shot I wanted to produce that involves wearing an American Apparel gray zippy sweater-and some hot heels. I need shots these days that express my legs, and petite self. We had planned a few other shoots while sipping beer, coffee, munching on omelets, at Around’ the Clock, at 484 9th Street.

You’ know two doors down from Third Avenue, and next to the St. Marks bookstore. Come-on you know it. You can’t miss it. It is an artist R&R paradise.

You can enjoy quality coffee, sit on a porch on a sunny day, and the service is great and they keep pouring and pouring you coffee for no extra charge. It is one of the best places a model can get a good meal, for almost nothing. And a 2 dollar beer during Happy Hours, -yes there are 2 happy hours-4pm-8pm and then it is 11pm-3am.

They say they want to re-do the floors, but why would you do that now? During this economic crisis? And those floors are the personality of the place, so many are assuming the place is gone. I am pretty pissed.

There is not a place like it in the city. Many-a-model have enjoyed drinks there, conversations, and felt at home. I recall clicking my heels on their wood floors and loving their grill cheese, and I have had many long conversations about the industry, the good, the bad and the ugly of being a model, right there, at the bar, or on that porch. It feeds many people in the industry and “Where is 7 on your side?”
Do I have to go back to the dollar menu for a meal?”

Happiness follows work, pursuits and shopping

I am sick of all these editorials based on quick ways to look hot or get fit. You know most things that are worth it take ALOT of work, most people will not drop ten pounds without work and most people can not afford a $500 handbag without their credit card, so in my opinion if you want to get something done, or be sexier, or look better, or have a better sex life, or find opportunities as a model, it all takes work. The short cut in life doesn't bring results. Happiness follows work.

Another handbag, a shoe, a pedicure for a lot of girls is just a quick fix for your image or self esteem, I think there is something to treasure within the things we buy and the things we strive for. Don't expect dreams to come true over night without hard work and when you shop..instead of just buying something random, purchase things you REALLY like, things that make you unique, things that won't just become another "thing" you bought.


I couldn't find crap at Macy's, or that was all I found recently, so I bought these earrings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, I really like that store, check it out sometime.

Hello from the Apple Store

On a sexy iMac playing with Photo booth and Being a little vain at the Apple Store and curling my eyeslashes, I don't care who watches. Only do this if you are an expert.

Modeling mini beauty favorites

I have been using Paul Mitchell's Smoothing Super Skinny Relaxing Balm. And of course Lush's Lemony Flutter, but a few other small items in my bag are:
Essie nail polish. A small comb. A Revlon nail file. St. Ives travel size lotion.

Usually I have all of these on me at all times.

Being available last minute in the industry and for especially body part modeling jobs, when your foot, hand, or any body part is needed at a short notice, I have to keep these tools on me at all times to help me better prepare for castings and bookings.

Stuart Weitzman boots - only because of a sale

These hot Stuart Weitzman boots joined my elite corner of special things this weekend. I'm loving it. And they are flat. Meaning they are not a heeled boot of like 4-5 inches, it will be a little weird walking closer to the ground but they are so hot I think I can manage it.

West Side Story to Broadway

I don't know about you but I am hoping to see West Side Story on Broadway. I read about it in the Wall Street Journal this past weekend and I am glad the show is back.


Maria...maria..I just met a girl named Maria!

Bazaar Magazine The Fight Against Fakes

I recently read in Bazaar magazine an article called "The Fake Against Fakes." I liked it. It made me think of a few friends who have visited me in NYC and wanted so badly to go to Canal Street and buy fake designer bags.

I also have a memory come to mind of seeing a fake Kate Spade handbag on Canal Street for the first time and thinking, "what the heck the real store is only a few blocks away?" I wondered how Kate felt about it, and started to be confused over the hype of having a certain handbag and even if it was fake people would flaunt it just for the sake.

I find this mindset very draining an annoying. I do not want anything that is fake unless it is fur.

Maybe it is because I have a friend who is a handbag designer, and I know how much work she puts into her bags. We spoke about how it would be a compliment if someone wanted to copy her design but we both agree that fakes are a person's fantasy game in their mind to have something that they think defines them a certain status.

I think, " if I can't afford it, then I shouldn't have it. Unless it is a gift."

Wearing a fake wouldn't make me feel any better about myself, infact it makes me feel worse, reminding me if I opened my bag of how stupid I am to think this bag really makes me better than someone or that it passes the test to fit in with the luxury world.

I have a hard time buying things these days without thinking "where did come from?" What is the story of the brand? And do I not only respect the style and design but also the person who made it."

I only have a few higher end luxury items in my shoe salon, and within my handbag corners, but I like them a lot and cherish them.

I can't let myself buy things I can't afford in these trying times, and a credit card is not free money, it is a pain in the ass paying back a credit card and I do not have a Macy's card or credit card anymore because I just don't want the depression.

When it comes to fakes, I think our society is nuts over it. I will admit, I do not even want some people I know to visit because I dread the moment they say "Let's go to Canal Street." I am most likely mailing the article in Bazaar to these friends. They might be pissed at me. But oh well. Buying a fake Louis Vuitton,Givenchy, or Coach bag, to match your Nine West, Steve Madden or Payless shoes could show that you are diverse and like all types of fashion, but not really. It really just says to people, "I am obsessed with fitting in and this handbag defines me."

And that is just not me.

I wear what I can afford, I like Payless, I like DSW, I like outlets, I like Marshalls, Target, and vintage second hand stores for original looks like Beacon's Closet in Brooklyn,-perfect stop after a beer at the Brooklyn Brewery across the street. I get compliments daily on my outfits and accessories.

I wish more people would accept that it is ok if you can't really afford a real Louis Vuitton, and that without the logo on your arm you still are hot, and you still can like yourself.

My day will come, but right now I have 4 pairs of designer shoes and a few designer clutches,-all which I got on sale in retail stores and I am proud of.

We’re shooting a YouTube commercial?

I saw a breakdown that read: "We're shooting a Yourtube commercial.." recently.

I had a moment of "mmmm oh no" in my mind.

I am not submitting to this job obviously. But I do think about how many aspiring, striving curious models might.

It is funny how much the internet has changed the word model and also how internet commercials and ads have become a term in the industry.

However if my agent wanted to book me for a Youtube commercial, I would laugh. And say "what?...tell me more about it." And then I would think to myself:

1. How reputable is this brand and company?
2. What does the commercial involve? What is my role in detail? And am I comfortable with it?
3. How will this role effect other roles I want to get?

Although the internet is hype, I find more credibility in a booking that involves working with a brand that is producing a commercial for TV. And it pays a lot better.

Obviously this compant putting out the Youtube commercial doesn't have a big budget because it also read: "Compensation: $50 for the day, plus food.." but it is interesting that creating this commercial putting it on Youtube and hoping for brand awareness is the goal.

I use Youtube daily and weekly for my modeling tip videos.

Yet as a model I find working with a brand on set shooting a commercial spot that will air on TV gives my worth more credibility than a booking for a Youtube commercial. I think when it comes to anything based on "web exposure" " internet promotion" and etc that is included with a job, you have to be careful. The product and brand needs to have credibility too, so don't be in such a rush to build an acting reel or be a model that you accept jobs without asking questions and details.

Know ahead of time what the job will involve and especially how naked you will be for it.

Many things on the web, you can not delete. Becareful, and be a smart model and person, when it comes to modeling jobs and acting roles that involve "web promotion" as part of the deal, because once it is out there it is hard to delete.

Shoe modeling castings confessions

This week I had a shoe casting and during it I started thinking about how shoe modeling isn't as easy as one might think.

A shoe modeling castings do not just involve if your foot fits nicely in the shoe but it involves also how quickly you put on the shoe, and how pretty your foot looks while you do it. Don't jam your foot in it. The shoe modeling casting is about fit and also about how danty your foot looks while it slides into the shoe.

The shoe could be a boot, an evening shoe, a heel, a flat, a sneaker.

And although the shoe might not be your personally favorite choice modeling it for sales meetings or showroom shoe modeling can help you pay your rent!

Silk Scarves - it is a perfect winter accessory

I love scarves, silk scarves are hot. I wear them daily. Here are a few I plan to wear out this winter!

Modeling results without effort

It does take work to be a model. And there are opportunities for a shorter girl but she has to be willing to understand her realistic opportunities in the modeling busines and be willing to do the work to claim them.

It is easy to want to be a model, it is a real hustle to be one. You can't go into it dumb and just fumbling with the word.

Results without work and effort just doesn't happen.

Modeling Online Casting Sites

The Internet is fair game. The Internet can be misleading. When it comes to online casting modeling sites and any internet modeling website or agency name or photographer do not trust just a person's resume or a websites crediblity. It is best to do some research on it.

Jagger Kaye runs a casting service which is good for new models and actors to consider. He also has a website called: http://www.castingsnclasses.com/
Where you can find free castings and also affordable acting classes.

Their newly run FACEBOOK page -
http://www.facebook.com/people/ Castings_ N_Classescom/1513298232

He says, "Remember that anybody can post anything on the internet so look
through a lot of the results and make an opinion yourself based on
those findings. Again there are some real & legitimate sites that charge but several
that are not so ethical and have been under investigation (misleading
advertising, difficulty to un-register, over-payment, etc.), my advice
is do your homework & GOOGLE BEFORE SPENDING Please do not ask me to publicly slam someone with more lawyers than I have (lol) but again ... GOOGLE!"

I totally am a google girl, I google every single day and all the time, I am always researching and a smart model should be! - isobella

Is the Modeling agency legit?

If you are curious if the modeling agency is legit, try calling after 6pm, try calling the agency around 9pm. There should be a voicemail if it is a legit casting, not just a constant beeping. There might even be a message from the agent that has another contact number involved since last minute jobs need confirmation and also incase a model gets sick there might be a message about an emergency number.

The internet and internet casting websites and social sites allow for scams so be aware.

New Modeling Compcard for 2009!

I am working on making my new compcard for 2009, I am excited to produce it in about a week and mail it out to my current agencies. I have gotten back in touch with a couple old agents as well, and also planning to mail out the card for commercial work and I would love to model for a haircare ad or jewelry brand or shoe brand, so I am about to be mass mailing.

Since I am at the post office anyways just about every day, sometimes two times or more, nothing really will change with that just will be buying even more stamps.

Some of my health goals for 2009 are:

1. Drink more water
2. Start taking vitamins with iron.
3. Try to only drink one cup of coffee a day, usually it is around 2-ish.

Real Beauty is Jacqui Saburio

She is a fighter, with an amazing spirit. A Beautiful person.

If you have not heard of or googled Jacqui Saburio please do.

The Handbag Obsession of Generation Y

Why are we all obsessed with handbags? I will admit I have a few Kate Spade's I really love, a BCBG clutch that is very trendy and I love my Longchamp so dearly, and these quality bags do stay cleaner and last a long time, they are worth it. But I am not going to live or spend out side my means just to have the latest shit.

I think girls in America should chill out with how much they worry about looking better then everyone else, honestly we really can't afford it. I do not know any one who can afford Gucci bags, or Louboutin shoes.

I shop outlets, I shop DSW, I shop for deals.

Before I moved to NYC, I lived in Syracuse, NY, and I never even heard of Gucci.

I think Sexy in the City has killed the realistic truth that many girls in America should face. I have a dear friend who is a handbag designer, but I will say that girls are way, way, way too obsessed with being fashionable and do not spend enough time being nice,driven, ambitious, and serious about themselves.

I am not saying having nice things means you are a stuipid lazy ass, but I am saying that fashion should not define you.

I like to treasure the items I have, take care of them, and keep them for years, I believe in timeless purchases.

Modeling Scams and Internet Modeling mistakes

Well, I blog a lot of scams and internet mistakes a striving model or actor can skip! Also many girls put their photos on these modeling websites thinking they will be discovered, and these modeling websites are simply scams and misleading: you will not be discovered on the web as a model. And they just end up being a show off girl on the internet, not a model at all.
Here are a few posts on that:

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2009/01/is-this-model-website-amateur-modeling.html

http://petitemodelingtips.blogspot.com/2008/12/internet-modeling-and-why-it-is.html


The old fashion way of getting a headshot, compcard and mailing it to an agency or agent is the best way, the internet is very misleading, and entrapping, but it is not the best way to go about booking legit work.

more than a model and liking who you are.

Right now the hardest question for me to answer is "what do you do." Because daily it changes.

I am more than a model and that means a lot to me, being just one thing and being defined by it is not my happiness.

My think a lot about keeping my happiness, what is happiness to me, and how I can maintain a state of "feeling mostly happy."

We don't expect things to go wrong in life, sometimes our goals can take longer to achieve that we want, and we don't expect or want the bad days, or those dry tough moments of distress, but something that will keep you sane through it, is finding peace within your self, liking yourself, and knowing you are more than that one or two things that might take up a huge part of your days.

When you ask someone, "what do you do," I find the answer to be just about their work, it is liek the "do" part of that question limits the answer to only be about what they do to make money and not enough about who they are as people or what excites them about life. The "do" is about the thing that gives them a title not defines them. I find this really doesn't explain who a person is, and it doesn't let someone get to know them at all. I think a better thing to ask if "what do you do on the weekends, or what do you like besides your work, etc."

I also think people get obsessed over their title, and can lose themselves and their worth.

These are some thoughts that go through my head:

People, especially women do not like themselves enough. To be honest I am not cocky or a bitch but I like myself, I feel lucky I am petite, I like my size (it's just the industry I work in as a model doesn't sometimes.)but I really like who I am. I notice the things that I do like. I take notice to things I know, and I like to inspire people. It is so easy to just try to like something about your self, just something, it could be any part about you, a physical part, but more, I part that makes you feel unique, and different, not the same because I feel our society and my generation is obsessed with having something more trendy, newer, prettier, and better, and it is really bullshit. If you can not mention some things you like about your self you need to work on loving you. Loving you, liking yourself makes you a happier person all around, your mood, the way you handle your goals and life, it is very important.

I make my life many things, not just one thing, I hate routines and I hate the grind, so I mix up my life by not just doing the same thing on the weekends, and not just by having the same atmosphere all the time. Especially since I do alot of pr, writing, and researching I can't handle sitting for long periods of time in the same place. Which is also why an office job isn't for me.

I try to have a backup plan all the time, and comfort the fact that in life even the contracts are not a promise, and also I do not only look on the bright side but I think a lot of the what if's, before I do something, plan something or invest time in something. This doesn't mean I don't do it, I just go into it realistic that if this doesn't work out or happen as fast as I hope, I will be ok.

I let the day go with a book, I have a moment in my day where I seperate me from everything else, and get absorbed in someone elses story. I read biographies, and I think people complain too much about their life without seeing the beauty in just being able to live and enjoy the new day, so I just have a moment at the end of the day that is mine, I read in bed and I go to sleep without only thinking about me, me, me,me, which can keep me up all night if I do.

I also sleep next to a notepad and a pen, it helps if I am stressed to write everything down, get it out of my mind, before I go to sleep.

The Rise and Fall of an Internet Model - Petite Wanna be Model Drama

It is really easy these days to call yourself a model,-just download a photo on one of the modeling social sites that appear after you Google the word model. Although if you are really trying to be in a magazine, get a modeling agent, and book legit and honest modeling work (the type you can tell your mother about) then a modeling social site isn’t always the best spot for you unless: You are smart enough to weed out the crappy wanna -be photographers then you might find a couple that are actually talented. I have met 3 that actually aren’t that bad, but I felt like I found the only diamonds in the rough.

A sign that someone is talented and serious is not that they have a great equipment, instead look at their online portfolio for a magazine tear sheet they have shot or even better for a cover from a magazine you have heard of.

Most of the time on a social site you will end up boosting your confidence and stroking your ego in the wrong way, in a fantasy like way that really is NOT modeling, but more that makes you a tease to a man.

Also unfortunately after shooting with a wanna-be photographer you will not get photos that an agency wants to see, an agency wants to see a fresh face, personality, and honestly, wearing a sweater can get you further than being in a thong. Ask yourself: “ is this picture going to benefit me and my goals? Or is this photo just for this lonely guy who wants to shoot me today in his basement while his wife isn’t home?”

As an internet model you will become an addict for hits and clicks, and you will be consumed with counting your hits and clicks each day. Random wanna- be photographer’s telling you how hot you are because that last shot of you in a white tank top almost showed your nipple. When ever you are around people who know nothing of the modeling business you will appear to be a model to them, but when your in front of a real model or modeling agent you won’t be impressive by only having a page on a social site like Onemodelplace.com or Modelmayhem.com. Instead you will just be another “one of those,” meaning one of those wanna-be models with an obsession with being seen and desired.

I suggest skipping onemodeloneplace.com and modelmayhem.com. It is really just a showcase for amateurs.

I talk about onemodelplace.com in my book called Almost 5'4" due in 2010 through The Friday Project, an imprint of HarperCollins,- and all the trouble it gave me, the embarrassment when my mother discovered me naked on the web, and over time I got smarter about the way I used social sites, more picky about who I worked with.

Years ago I had to pick my self up from my mistakes, I chased real modeling, with the real modeling agencies, and I have found success, but ONLY, and I stress ONLY by hard work and by being smarter about my choices and how I market myself. There is no easy road, quick road or over night road for the shorter girl who wants to be a model. It takes pure determination and pure work. Which is why you don’t see many shorter models because it is very tough. Even print modeling agencies have height requirements, but if you try, give yourself a chance, and you are smart about how you present and market yourself, there is opportunity, I found it.

These modeling websites are very alluring and interesting and they do let anyone call themselves a model by simply downloading your photo, but in all honesty it is an illusion of what it really means to be a model. Most photographers' or so-called photographers on the site are full of crap and egotistical while just wanting to shoot girls naked, and while you take off your shirt in their living room they will squeeze out of the camera the beast cleavage shot they can.

If you really want to model, get in the magazine, get the modeling agency you will actually have a better chance while wearing a sweater and a smile. Honestly look at some ads and editorials in Glamour and Marie Claire or some shoe ads or jewelry ads. Proving you don’t have to be naked to be a model. Look at hair magazines, travel magazines, and beauty magazines.

Those are models. Modeling involving modeling a product. Telling a story through the photo. Doing more than showing their cushion for no reason. It is like saying “I have an ass!-just incase you forgot.”

You might wonder why everyone and your sister is into this “lets call ourselves a model on the internet thing.”

Well, many of the girls on these social sites are less than 5’6” and they have been told ‘No” by modeling agents and think the internet is their only chance to “be a model.” Without knowing that actually they do have chances in the commercial print world.

Why doesn’t the internet model think about the longevity in their modeling pursuits by just keeping their jeans on sometimes?

In the commercial print world a girl who is 5’1” can model, this is a world where cleavage and the curves of your ass aren’t important. It is more about your smile, energy, personality and all the things that these social sites seem to forget to tell you.

Sure it feels good to be called hot and pretty and all that ego boosting language, but if you want to be a model, it takes more than just having a nice ass to be the face of an ad campaign or even the ass of one. You need to know how to market yourself as a model and get an agent.

Another big thing is the lack of quality photographer’s on the site. If photos are what are going to sell you as a model, then you better have good ones; ones that look like ads and editorials. You want to work with photographers who don't just shoot to shoot girls, but shoot because they love photography, and the craft, and they know the craft.

The first week you sign onto a modeling social site, you will get compliments and hits and clicks by almost every photographer in the community, and then the next thing you know you are naked on the Internet. If you want to be a muse, and just feel hot, then these amateur photographers will comfort that, if you want to really model, then you need to stay away from those websites and look elsewhere.

The idea of modeling for a brand, with a product in hand is now clouded with the internet modeling world and titled with the headline of ‘ the more ass you show the more of a model you are.’

The only benefit I see from those sites is that you can look at what other models are doing and don’t do it. I find the girls on those websites want to be models, feel like a model, and turn to the site when they can't get an agency and then get stuck in a rut and rely on their nakedness to make them feel like a model.


Now I think I have a very hot body but I am using my ass in a new way, and I want to model for lingerie catalogs, underwear ads and even Hanes.
To get ahead as a model you need photos. And to get these photos you can look elsewhere than the web. Why not contact a real photographer, someone who does photography full time, someone who doesn’t just hold the camera and click a button with no clue of what a shutter speed is.

This doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money but you might have to do some research. I would stick to the old fashion way, pick up the phone book and look up photography schools. And contact the department or try to meet some students who are interested in shooting models. All types of modeling or approach a professional photographer and ask him/her if you could work something out with the budget you have.

These days “glamour modeling” might have the same appeal as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Paige but in all honesty those girls would never want to be what “glamour modeling is today.”

Tell a real photographer: aka: someone who understands the craft of photography not just some guy with a camera, “Hey I only have $50 bucks but I want a good headshot that will sell me the right way to magazines and commercial brands.” That one shot of your face will get you more work than the perverts on these social sites.

When I plan shoots I have a goal in mind, I have worked with students when I was starting and also got great photos. If you work with people who are passionate you will get results.

Now, I have a great body, and I do body part modeling, I have worked with great brands, but I don't waste my time with some amateur telling me I am hot. I know I am hot; I am not only modeling to be called hot. I am modeling to sell a product or a story and get the tear sheet in the magazine and be the face of the ad campaign.

Model Liskula Cohen sues Google - What?

I stress on my blogs, radio show, and videos that it takes confidence to be a model, that is takes a thick skin, it is a business of No's and you will be dissed, doors slammed, and not hear back from modeling jobs you think you got. It is a business of rejection, but did someone forget to tell Liskula Cohen that? In today's Daily News article she threw a legal fit over a blogger talking shit about her?

...."The defamation suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, seeks a court order compelling Google and its Blogger.com service to identify whoever led the vicious Internet assault against Cohen.". So she hired a lawyer and wants to sue the blogger for defamation...or pretty much saying the blogger posted a vicious, uncalled for attack that caused her to lose modeling business, etc. So your going to go to court and say "I'm suing "blogger x" for talking shit about me? (defamation) You have to know the person's name in order to file suit in court. So the model and her lawyer and trying hard to fight Google to release the person's name to them so they can file the defamation suit. If Google releases all blogger names, etc, they would lose people visiting their site since people see the Internet as a "safe" zone and would go to the search engines, etc. that won't release their names....so tricky business to whether your Google, the girl's lawyer, and you're drenched in sweat if you are the blogger hoping Google doesn't release your real name.

Plain and simple bloggers are an opinion. Freedom of speech thing.

I respect that Liskula is around 36 and looks really good and could be an example that modeling does not have an age. Especially for commercial print modeling. But the girl needs an internet wake-up-call. Perhaps a client will Google your name before they hire you, but if they like your look, they like it. That is the modeling business baby. To think a blogger's post could ruin her modeling business? That is kinda weird. I find her thinking really weird.

Sad to say about bloggers, but what they write "it is an opinion thing."

Being bashed on the web is a typical thing these days among those in the spotlight. And as a model you would think she would know this. Instead she wants to sue Google?

Poor Google having to deal with BS like this.

I love Google and many bloggers have written about me and my reply "awesome!" I take Google pretty seriously, I mean I have built a brand around my Google marketing, you might have even found this blog from a google search you did. And although it can be hurtful when someone talks shit about it, that is #1 baby in the rules of being a model: Be able to handle the rejection, the diss, the fact that you will have your ugly days, and that your own beauty can not run your life. I don't take some blogger post or diss so seriously that I am going to have a nervous breakdown.

To work as a model you have to have tough skin, not just supple and soft glowing skin but confidence and being able to brush things off and say "tomorrow is a new day."

It is also not a good idea to only be defined by one thing in life. It only leads you to a bad place. And a lonely place. In your mind you have to love yourself beyond why other people love you, or don't love you.

Louis Vuitton limited edition Stephen Sprouse

I think Daniel Lalonde, the North America president and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton, and his team has their mind in the right place. By not being a narrow minded piss colored handbag collection, and instead being more and more artistic over the years with their handbags and limited editions, and their accessories palette. I personally do not want to have a bag that every other girl is carrying. However, I do like LV’s limited editions and I am intrigued with their latest..

The empire is releasing a limited edition of Stephen Sprouse designs and inspired accessories. Stephen Sprouse died in 2004, and brought sixties-inspired graffiti art to the fashion scene in the 80’s. Proceeds for this limited edition collection will benefit the Free Arts NYC.

The downtown Louis Vuitton store will be screaming Stephen Sprouse and will be decked out with a new identity.- At least for a little while.

The store is suppose to be wrapped in vinyl and spray painted, and inside there will be a six foot instillation of Sprouse’s Rose motif seen on previous bags.

Did you know if you hurry you could get a Louis Vuitton skateboard case to hold your Louis Vuitton board before your ride? Yup, Louis Vuitton has a limited edition of Stephen Sprouse Skateboards and skateboard cases.



Who knows how much that is?
Looks heavy.

Perhaps bringing the skaters and the prom queens together ten years ago would have been a whining mess but when fashion and outdoor action sports like skateboarding come together you know something is happening in the fashion world and also for our society.

You can read more about it over at wwd.com here.

I threw a fit at the post office today

I was at the post office twice today. I threw two fits. The the first time I swore my head off. The second time I slammed my hand on the table, thought about how I am ruining my hand and future hand modeling jobs, (oh damn!) and dug through the trash because I threw out the address I needed thinking it was a piece of tape that didn't stick, but on the way out waved to the postal lady like she was an old friend. Maybe because she is. I visit the post office daily, mailing all types of shit.

Pr kits, my articles to magazines, pitches to screen writers, modeling pics, headshots,compcard, and recently mailing late Xmas gifts to my family.

Usually around noon I am at the post office, after coffee and writing, and right before I am ready to eat and if I don't soon I will really freak out.

Today I stood on line for like an hour, and bought three boxes,- then I was told to tape them and put what I needed inside with the address, and was handed tape and a sticker. So I went to the nearest area that no one was by because I needed a lot of room for this. Then, not really that carefully, -I was over it-I smashed my gifts for my mom, and my sister, and my grandparents into them. But that was the last thing I did. The first thing was tape the Truckin boxes, oh-my-god, -that was-the biggest-hell ever!

Try it. Someday. I promise you will say TRUCK about am million times. Taping boxes kills me. Really truckin kills me. Holding the box still, perfect and with two hands you somehow hold the box and the tape, the whole thing is a mess, the tape gets twisted, you waste tape, and your trying to hold the box, and then people are rushing by asking you like a million and one questions, "where did you get that box," "are you done with that tape." "how much is that box?"

Instead of answering the first questions I answered back with a question, to the lady, "Do you know how Trucking hard this is?"

Then I said, "That lady is such a ITCH, such an ITCH, damnit,damnit, damnit."

I could hear the A**hole behind me, waiting in line, laughing and texting someone, probably something like, "this chick is freaking over tape!"

But I was. It was terrible! Then, you won't believe this shit, I taped the wrong damn tape!

WHAT? I said to the postal lady, your kidding, you gave me that tape??? I tried to be nice, a good patient person, but I wasn't. I was dead pissed.

Not to mention I am sweating my butt off and hungry.

Normally I would be calm, well, normally I hate this type of shit, so I don't know how normal I would ever be in this situation, but this seriously not my day or best moment, maybe it could have been good to record to save for an audition tape of a "girl freaking out that you want to cast in your next horror film."

So I had to retape the whole TRUCKIN thing.

God I hope my package makes it in good form, she kind of just threw it in the pile.

Then after spending like $30 and going nutso I had to do it all over again because I had one more thing to mail. There is only so much I can carry at once. I ran home got that shit and ran back to the post office, and went through that whole thing again. Oh I love it! A perfect excuse to curse in public again.

Petite Models-Before you say you are a Model

It takes more than being in a sexy pose to be a model and yet so many shorter girls think they are models just because they can show clevage and bend over. It is really sad. Here is some of my advice:


Before you say you are a model ask yourself, "what have you modeled,"

Before you say you are a model count the magazines you have been in?

Before you say you are a model ask yourself if you have a modeling agency?

Before you say you are a model it would be best to get some real modeling work.

Before you say you are a model ask yourself if your boss or mother could handle seeing your photos?

It makes me sad seeing shorter girls being so desperate to call themselves models that they end up portraying themselves like sluts.

Mainly it makes me sad because a shorter girl can find modeling opportunities but it is a choice how you chase it and if you do. A girl who calls herself a model before she has actually gone to castings, worked with agencies and worked with brands or magazine editors is not a model, the main concern is that she is being unrealistic with herself by calling herself a model and using the title just to sooth her lack of confidence, and to gain an ego. If you want to model you should remind yourself that modeling involves modeling something. Not just looking sexy or hot, or having men like you. If a guy is the only one calling you a model you are most likely NOT one.

Struggles of a Petite Model

A shorter girl will find struggles in the business similar to a Plus size model, trying to find her way, market herself, find the right agents and being realistic with herself. My approach to working as a model has always been very hands on, very much NOT about what an agent can only do for me, but what I can do for my own pursuits, and how I can craft the right photos and presentation which can help me get ahead as a model despite my height. But there is no short cut, easy answer, or road. Marketing yourself in ways that will lead you to print ads and working with brands is very important.

Recently on Myspace a girl asked me bluntly in a message "How can I be a model?"

That's all she put.

And it was a bit shocking because there is no real one answer considering all the work it takes, but the one thing that doesn't change is the perception that a girl needs to have of "what a model is." If a girl only focuses on fashion, glamour modeling and has an unrealistic modeling mindset then she will struggle at getting an agent, getting the photos she needs, and instead of treating herself and goals seriously she will just end up, another girl waiting to get scammed, and fooled by her own lack of hard work and just searching for the easy way to call herself a model, but not being one at all.

The struggle of being a model for a shorter girl comes when she does not understand what she can DO, and instead just sees all she can't and then settles for the thrill of giving herself the title of model by those who are either clueless to what a real model is, or amateur to the business.

So there is no petite model market- it's called Print

I had an interesting email sent to me from a Plus Size modeling agent who exclaimed to me,"...there is no Petite Model Market, just people trying to make money from people who will never be models."

Duhhh.

Well, I agree, there are a lot of scams, but there is work for a petite or shorter model in the legit modeling business if she is smart about it, however her comment sort of hit a nerve, my response was

"
Your right, It is not called the petite model market, it is called print modeling, and that is what I advocate daily, most fashion models are not that attractive, just tall and fit the sample size, yet today the word model does not just mean fashion especially in our growing commercial world and advertising world, which makes modeling about modeling a product, and many products, brands and services, use models of all heights and sizes with personality. It is also about proportions. Just like in plus size, the girl needs to be proportioned, ambitious, available and personable. I am one of the shortest girls in NYC and I have used my legs to model for brands such as Victoria's Secret, Marshalls and recently for the Spring 09 Easy Spirit campaign, and many other campaigns, editorials, and commercial work. I am also the author of a book called Almost 5'4" -hence my height, which an imprint of HarperCollins is bringing out in Jan 2010 and you are right there is no petite model market but as a petite model I have found my way and I advocate about the modeling business from a shorter model perspective because from my experiences there is a market for a petite female in the modeling business,- it is found within commercial print modeling and you see these models modeling for shoes, skincare, haircare, and lifestyle products in print ads and commercials. From Cunningham Escott, to Gilla Roos, Parts Models, and many others work with shorter models for bookings that are not for a fashion consumer. Yes there are scams out there, of course, the Internet has allowed many of them, but if a girl is shorter (not fashion height) and wants to find work in the modeling business she doesn't have to be scammed, she can market herself in proper ways, to the right agencies and find legit modeling work with top brands and magazines. She will not be jet set, or a fashion model, or be treated like one and pampered, but she can find modeling opportunities within print. And yes of course she has to be realistic with herself. I am sure in the coming years there will be more plus size, and even shorter females, modeling for ads and commercials because the the advertising and consumerized world is growing.

isobella
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If a girl targets herself to the commercial print modeling area of modeling, she can find opportunities, she will need to craft the right photos, and market herself in proper ways but if she does there is opportunity, not to be a supermodel, but to find honest modeling work you can tell your mother about and bookings that will allow you to be paid by a top brand or service for your time working as a print model for their campaign or marketing needs.

China and Ugly Betty and Models and Beauty- WSJ

Imagine girls in America not caring about the models in ads, not being jealous, not thinking oh they are too skinny or pretty, but actually feeling like they could reach that beauty and aim too? " Sound nuts?"

Backwards?

Well, that is the Chinese woman's mindset.

I recently read in the Wall Street Journal an article by Geoffrey A Fowler called
"Unilever launched 'Ugly Wudi' as a vehicle to pitch Dove products in China"

Where I read an interesting headway "HONG KONG -- Unilever PLC is turning to a remake of the TV show "Ugly Betty" to help solve its Chinese beauty problem.

Its Campaign for Real Beauty, which markets Dove-brand soap by attacking unattainable images of female beauty in ads, has built buzz for Unilever and won kudos from feminist and advertising groups in the U.S. and Europe since it launched in 2004. But in China, "real beauty" was a flop. Here, women aren't so bothered by the stunning models used in most beauty ads and aren't driven to buy products promoted with so-called real faces."


It is interesting that it is a flop. And that in China women aim to be as beautiful as the girls in the ads and are not offended by it. And they want to see beauty, not a girl that is "plain," or "boring" looking. Could women in the US ever see models this way? Or could more brands do advertising this way? Mmm... I am not against it, but I think not.

We are a country that wants to be soothed by the comfort of reality tv, and watching a girl slam her handbag to the ground or slam a girl in the face with it. We want something to make us feel better about ourselves.

Well I don't. But a lot of girls do. I think women should find the value in themselves beyond their material items, mascara, handbags, hair dye, and shoes.

Condolences to the Travolta family

After one round of recession drinks with my boyfriend we head home to a quiet night at home, then I hear, "Oh nooo."

He tells me John Travolta's son has died.

I was about to dive into a pile of dishes at the sink but not any more.

My Condolences to the Travolta family.

"Jett was the oldest child of Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, who also have an 8-year-old daughter. The family arrived on a private plane Tuesday and had been vacationing at their home in the Old Bahama Bay resort community."

Why I don't want to be a Fashion Model

Know one knows your name just the name of the clothing you are modeling.

I have an opinion and I like expressing it.

I have more to say than "umm."

I don't want to know I got the job ONLY because of my measurements.

I'd be bored as hell talking to the other models in the room.

Being a rag doll hurts.

I have more to offer than just being a human hanger.

I like to smile too much.

I have too much energy to only walk up and down a runway.

Laughing in the New Year 2009

For the New Year I went to the Gotham Comedy Club, it was so fun to laugh in the New Year.

My Modeling Agent Emails Me more than Calls

The email has become a major tool with my modeling gigs during this past year, I notice it more and more among my modeling agents. They do not call. They email me casting locations, booking information, confirming times and dates. I hardly speak to them.

I lost my Blackberry at LGA airport this past fall. So I have a phone that doesn't get amazing Internet connections.

Which can be a bad thing because the agents are relying on your email reply.

Before Xmas I missed an opportunities for a booking with a major retail store, because I didn't check my email soon enough. It was 3 hours later.
It had already been booked since it was a last minute job.

And while I do not suggest a model email an agency to make the first contact, I suggest mailing photos to the agency office, with a stamp is best, but once you have representation your email might actually become the ONLY way of communication between your agent and you.

Happy New Years Petite Models

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

May you aim high, dream big, and gain more purpose for the life you choose to live.