Isobella Jade quote: Looking good and dressing well isn't enough

"Just because you look good and dress well doesn't mean you don't need a purpose in life...in a world full of stuff to consume to beautify ourselves let's not forget our minds and hearts and our potential inside. There is so much potential if we see it. As we put on our hot heels and mascara let's remember to love and give the same amount of attention to the person we are inside too." ~Isobella

Reading is stylish featuring Joe Fresh skirt

Hey Girls,

You may have noticed my fashion features involving reading recently and I do think fashion and reading can unite and I love reading. It makes me happy to read. I hope you have enjoyed the previous features of my favorite books wearing some of my favorite fashions and stay tuned for more. Because reading is stylish! ~Isobella

P.s: the pics below prove that short chicks can wear longer skirts. Tuck in your shirt and look longer.

Reading is so fashionable skirt by Joe Fresh, $39 http://www.joefresh.com/en/

More Reading is Stylish features:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2011/11/short-and-stylish-wearing-strawberry.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2011/11/lady-in-red-likes-to-read.html

Favorite Little Thing: Dream Water and my tips for sleeping sound

Hey Girls,

Have you heard of Dream Water? It's getting a lot of buzz. It's a liquid suppliment for all natural sleep. It comes in a cute small bottle 2.5 oz shot that comes in two flavors Snoozeberry and Lullaby Lemon.  You can find it at Duane Reade stores, Walgreens, Walmart and many other national wide stores, you can read more about it and how it works here.

http://www.drinkdreamwater.com/

However, I don't think it is a good idea to become dependent on sleeping supplements all the time or every single day, and only suggest taking them if you really are struggling with sleep and can't fall to sleep after trying other helpful ways to snooze, such as:

Take the time to decompress.
Something that helps me fall asleep is reading a a book /ebook before going to bed, it's relaxing and fun to read but it also can tire the mind, having some uncaffeinated hot tea calms me too and helps me relax, doing yoga can ease stress, also I like to write a to-do list for the next day or write down in my journal my goals for the week and things I need to focus on and make a priority so I don't go to bed stressing about all the things in the works. By writing down my goals and the next day's plans I can also release these bullet points from my mind and fall asleep easier when my mind isn't dwelling on everything I need to do all at once.

Take care of your body.
Also be aware of what you eat and drink during the day. Don't drink coffee, soda or energy drinks until 4 pm if you want to get to sleep before midnight! I'm trying to drink less coffee, it's hard, I know, but I'm trying to be aware of how much coffee I drink because actually it makes me more tired mid-day and makes it so hard to sleep. And be aware what you order on nights out with the girls, that Red Bull and Vodka has Red Bull in it! So obviously you won't be able to get to bed soon. Remember also to cut sugars before bed. Fill your body and brain with water and fruit and veggies for energy throughout the day, snack on an apple, yogurt, a granola bar to get a boost during your day, and add some exercise to your day, even walking or for 30 minutes, moving your body can inspire tiredness at the end of the day.

Take care of your mind.
I find that relaxing my mind helps me sleep and involves finding a peaceful thought and being in a calm state of mind. To release all my stress and worry and focus on all I am thankful for and all that I hope and plan to do for others and getting back to the inner me daily, and to help get me to dreamland.

If all else fails, listening to soothing instrumentals music can inspire sleep, or listen to Louis Armstrong sing A Kiss to Build a Dream On!

~Isobella

Supposedly the best job a model can get has nothing to do with height

Hey Girls,

This post on Nymag.com caught my eye. It's about the best jobs a model can get. The answer: Beauty ads, cosmetic campaigns. Supposedly the best job a model can get has nothing to do with height.

Although this is based on fashion models, who says you have to be tall to model cosmetics or health and beauty products?

So get your beauty shots and close-ups, less makeup is better for these types of shots, include a clean beauty shot on your comp card, height isn't everything but market what you've got.

Read the article which includes quotes from Director's at fashion agencies and models on the best jobs a model can get here:
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/11/slideshow_best_model_bookings.html?mid=377846&rid=422648588

So you don't have the height, well focus on what you do have. And your skin and facial features can be great assets in modeling. Think about how many ads and editorials for products of all types involve beauty, health and skincare and haircare. Not just high end beauty products but also lifestyle product ads you see for products for consumers of all types and budgets.

Tips for creating a beauty shot:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/12/working-as-beauty-model-podcast-recap.html

Strive on, aim to beat the odds!
~Isobella

P.s: Today last day for Kendra Scott free shipping, check out her jewelry collection here.
Listen to my interview with Kendra Scott here.

Favorite Little Thing: Urbani black truffle salt at Eataly

Hey Girls,

Today at Eataly I discovered a favorite little thing: Urbani black truffle salt.  I was told it was the best thing in the store and that it might be the best sea salt in the world. :)

Find Urbani on Facebook here.

~Isobella

Short and Stylish wearing Strawberry skirt and button up shirt

Hey Girls,

Today I'm wearing a skirt and a button up shirt from Strawberry, so cute right! And together were under $30.  Also wearing tights from Wolford and shoes from Nina shoes. As I mentioned in a previous post I am wearing the skirt a size medium, purposely bigger than my usual smalls and xs sizes because I didn't wanted this skirt to be super super tight, and a medium gives this stretch fabric a bit more stretch and tames it down for day time wear. I think wearing the button up shirt (size small) not tucked in gives the look a more casual feel, perfect reading outfit after a long day.

Height isn't everything.

~Isobella

P.s: Below I'm reading 2011 edition of the The World Almanac that I meant to give to my father last year before he passed away, but now I can read and enjoy it, like he would have.

Short and Stylish tip: going up a size for stretch fabrics and tame down a tight skirt sometimes

Hey Girls,

Have you ever seen a cute skirt skirt but thought, that's a bit too sexy to wear every day....
Well I was in Strawberry store the other day outside Grand Central and I found this wicked cute stretch skirt but I ended up getting it in a size medium, even though I could have worn the small, because you know walking around the city I don't need to be harassed more than usual, and the medium fits slightly less tight and it's something I can wear around the city running errands and also to a meeting or dinner with the girlfriends.

Sometimes going up a size for stretch fabrics can work for petites especially if the skirt is tight to begin with to tame down the ROAR in your strut.

Wearing my skrit from Strawberry here in Madison Park today in the city.

More pics in the skirt coming soon.
~Isobella

Petite Lady in red likes to read

Hey Petite's!

If it doesn't come in your size, make it your size: you might remember this Eddie Bauer skirt from Halloween pics below, but I plan to wear more often, I bought it at Housing Works on 23rd Street for $10 (Loved the fabric) and was 4 sizes too big and a lot longer, and had the tailor take it in and hemmed above my knee, and the extra fabric from the length makes for a perfect scarf too :) also today was reading some of Chanel: A Women of her Own (great book) which you can find at BN.com or Amazon.com :)

 :)

~Isobella

Favorite Little Place: Rose Main Reading Room at the NYPL

Well, it's not really that little it's about two city blocks long. Stopped by the New York Public Library Fifth and 42nd today and enjoyed spending time in the Rose Main Reading Room, some times I hang out in the reading room and write notes for my novel/projects.

It's peaceful and like a museum inside.

Check out events here http://www.nypl.org/events

Also, BTW, I noticed over at Figment.com there is aGirls with Grit writing contest going on, you should check it out: http://blog.figment.com/2011/11/01/the-girls-with-grit-contest/

~Isobella

Little Red Riding Hood visits Apple store in SoHo

Hey Girls,

I hope your Halloween was fun!

I turned Little Red Riding Hood a bit more preppy today with an Eddie Bauer skirt red wool skirt.  I recently had the skirt altered down 4 sizes, got it at Shop Housing Works, $10! true, and loved the fabric but was the wrong size, and the extra fabric cut off makes for a cute scarf. (I'll have a video up soon of it in more detail)

Visited the Apple store, the make shift temporary today hehe and later saw some of the parade costumes on 18th and 17th Street! :)  The basket is from Shop Housing Works also.  Also the Hunter's clothing vest and shirt in the pics below are from Shop Housing Works too.

I saw Grandmother on 5th Ave and 17th Street too!

 Similar Eddie Bauer skirt.

Similar red shoes.

~Isobella

Happy Halloween!

Breakign News: Little Red Riding Hood and Hunter Kill the Wolf!

Hey Girls,

Well I didn't plan on meeting the love of my life today but love can sneak up on you like that, because during my journey in the woods to see grandma this afternoon a big scary, hairy wolf approached me and I was too frightened to move, he was getting closer and closer and then a little too close and I started to run.

I’m pretty fast (even in my high heels) but wasn’t fast enough and that nasty wolf grabbed my cape and pounced on me and I was thinking HOLY SHIT, but thankfully a hunky handsome Hunter heard my scream and was there with his axe to help me…he saved my life really. Oh I jabbed that wolf in the face a few times too with the heels of my shoes, but really it was the Hunter who saved me. Even though it’s been freezing, we spent the day walking in the woods together, and we just had our first kiss, it warmed me right up, and he told me it was fate we met and that he wants to spend even more time with me-- and now we are getting ready to have some dinner and celebrate our kill! Poor grandma, she never got her candy today!

While the Hunter cleans off some blood from his face from killin the wolf I'm reading about this chick Snow White she seems cool but is her face really as white as snow? Well I might give her a call next week for some lunch to find out :) hehe

More pics coming soon.

 ♥ Little Red Riding Hood

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

At Lastcall.com saw a wicked cute colorblock faux leather tote to carry modeling portfolio!

Hey Girls,

Finding a good bag to carry your modeling portfolio in can be a challenge, a modeling portfolio is  12.5” Height x 9.5” Width so you need a bag with some height and length.

While on Neiman Marcus Lastcall.com recently I saw this wicked cute colorblock faux leather tote and it's perfect for a portfolio with a size of 15.75"Height x 12.5"Width x 5.5"Diameter with an 8" handle drop.  It will hold your portfolio and your life!

@LastCallNM

Height isn't everything but it's nice when your handbag has some height! :)

Isobella

More on modeling portfolios and compcards:
http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/08/scoop-on-modeling-marketing-tools-comp.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2009/09/do-you-have-model-compcard-you-should.html

I'm rocking Vince Camuto's Bette pump, it's hot!

Hey Girls,

It's been rainy in NYC and the sun is out finally, yeah yeah! I'm rocking the Bette pump in dusk from Vince Camuto. I picked these up from the Grand Central Store, check out the video and also see my BCBG dress alteration.

Follow @VC_stylist

Stive on!

~Isobella

Find my books about striving as a shorter model in NYC here: www.isobelladreams.com

Great Chevy commercial during the World Series game last night by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners

Hey Girls,

BTW LOVED this Chevy commercial during the World Series game last night by Ad Agency – Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, check it out, love how they used photographs then and now to share Chevy's 100 year journey. Ray Charles singing...perfect really. I like the little girl and her red shoes and the kissin couple...(also that 'hand' is a male hand model in action)...come on Texas get it back! ~Isobella

My adventures at Joe Fresh today and petite perspective

Hey Girls,

I stopped by Joe Fresh's Pop Up store on Madison Avenue yesterday. The man behind Club Monaco, Joseph Mimran, is taking over NYC. And you will see Joe Fresh stores coming in November on Fifth Avenue and also at 34th Street.

The staff was so attentive and kind (and consisted of petite/short chicks!) and one sweet lady snapped some pics of me in the dressing room with my iPhone :) The dress  below is $39 and shoes are also Joe Fresh. There is a nice collection of shoes in the store too. I'm wearing an XS (little big) could be me though, but petite chicks can find something for sure inside this store, I think the fit is similar to an Express store or an H&M. Joe Fresh has a nice amount of range preppy to casual and sporty, basic shirts to vests and dresses,  skirts, coats and a great amount of jeans too, there's a lot of product, even gloves and scarfs, a lot more product than I thought. Big dressing rooms.

I loved the camel colors I saw and grays and the store has a preppy, mature, classy look, it's not wild or 'loud clothing' and the styles don't scream but they are attention grabbing still, so depending on your style I think you'd find something you could wear often.

Some pics from my adventures in Joe Fresh so far:

A video wearing this skirt $49:

Aim high no matter your height,
~Isobella

Maybe Molly Sims' Project Accessory show can inspire shorter models of all sizes

Hey Girls,

Tonight! premieres Project Accessory Oct 27 10:30 pm et/pt and I think you should tune in.

The Scoop:

Model and actress Molly Sims (Sports Illustrated, CoverGirl) will host Lifetime's new show 'Project Accessory.' A new show where designers design accessories and this got me thinking about you, and how much I hate most reality TV, but I am intrigued with this concept and it's like, "Hello, there you are! Well duh an accessories show already, where have you been!"

I plan to check out a couple episodes to see if it might be something for you to learn something from--for a modeling angle.

Yes reality TV has the drama and crying but I'd like the viewer to take inspiration away from these shows. I mean you spend an hour watching it, you might as well go away with something that makes you think and inspires you. I'm not into fluff TV, She stole my hair brush! Who really gives a F. 

Anyways, Sims has her own accessories line and I hope the show will involve models of all sizes, not just griaffes, because in modeling accessories is an area girls of all sizes can find work. Sims also has her own own accessory line and coming soon is MollySims.com, which will be a lifestyle site with tips on design and insight on her ventures.

I love accessories, and modeling shoes, handbags and jewelry were some of my first modeling jobs and here are some of my tips for modeling accessories (which can also fall into parts modeling):

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/01/five-modeling-jobs-where-height-doesnt.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/11/sample-parts-modeling-photos.html

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2010/04/short-is-short-but-short-modes-should.html

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isobellajade/2010/01/21/five-modeling-jobs-for-all-heights-and-models-in-t

Who say's you have to be giraffe tall to model that handbag, that jewelry, or those gloves and silk scarf, so put on that hat and model that shoe girl, height isn't everything!

~Isobella

Yum my foot at Macy's.

Did you know: Shoe models are typically a size 6 shoe for mass retail brands and most girls who are a size 6 shoe are not giraffes, they are short, like you and me, which is why I've done a lot of shoe modeling. If you are a size 6 -7 shoe and live in the NYC area and interested in shoe modeling, email me at petitepride@yahoo.com with your shoe size and a pic of yourself feet and a headshot.

illustrations by Jazmin Ruotolo from my graphic novel Model Life