Nature, beauty and being raw.

The tranquality of Mereno Valley was unexpected. It was an hour and half outside of Los Angeles and I was having a hard time understanding why we were going to shoot there till of I saw the beauty of the mountains and the uncharted territory that Los Angeles hasn't tainted, yet. 

I arrived to shoot with a very talented and amazing photographer named Ray Guitterez. I shot with the plants and rock formations as my back drop and props and I became a part of the beauty and rawness that was around me. 

I have a hard time expressing emotion verbally at times but when I finally got to shoot the pain, happiness, joy and even my anxiety from my life transended into my images. I finally felt at peace especially with everything happening in my life I knew I needed exactly this shoot to make me feel like myself again. No studio, no makeup artist. Just me, nature and the photographer. 

 

When life becomes too much, especially in this city, I encourage everyone to reconnect with nature, even for a few hours it will recharge your soul and make you realize the importance of being connected with the world outside technology. No cellphone service made it easy to forget the bullshit that lerked back in LA and I finally had my therapy session, not as a model but truly as an artist. 

 

It wasn't till the drive back and hitting five o'clock traffic did reality hit me. I am excited to share these photos with you and I hope they inspire you to explore your backyard and truly listen and connect with the world around us. 

Everything worn is vintage of course, even my boots-- 

90's grunge mixed with country boho. I felt like I could lay in the fields for days...

count your blessings. Thankfully we have facebook to remind us of them

I've just had one of those days where if you looked at me the wrong way or even the right way I could and would bite your head off. 

 

I wish I didn't have to feel like this but there are just those time that girl needs to be alone. To recharge, reflect and just not have to listen or talk to anyone. Yet of course there was the sense of guilt of not doing a thing that I needed to be doing. Unfortunately when you work in a creative field you can't just force yourself to be creative when all you want to do is sit in your closet (my safe place). Before I made it to the closet I started looking back at all my old photos on Facebook, I mean years and years back. Basically watching my eyes (and youth) flash before my eyes. So I wanted to show you guys in chronological order my life in the last 5 or 6 years of Facebook photos, these are not all Jeff photos nor modeling photos but it shows how much growing a person can do, not just physically but where you were in your life 5 years may feel like a lifetime ago. Pretty amazing. I suggest you go back and do this yourself, just once. It's a pretty trippy ride.

I am inviting you into my life, new friends. This is a very rare occasion... 

We start with 2009--

/

'10

11'

'12

 

and this year so far has been the best yet. I have my beautiful daughter, a better perspective on life, relationships and my career and my future. Posting and looking through my life and remembering all the accomplishments I have achieved and have yet to achieve make me excited for life. Life is good.

 

walk of shame at midnight.

So, I didn't think anyone would really notice if I took the shopping cart. 

Anytime I see one of these things near my house and being perfectly aware that there isn't a grocery or pharmacy MILES from my house I am always just flabbergasted of all the endless stories and possibilities of how in the hell this thing got here.
I'm sure the actual reason is nowhere as interesting, BUT it makes a great prop. Especially when you make it look like you are walking the runway with your shopping cart. This just proves the fact..


"It doesn't matter what you wear it, its how you wear it".

My dear best friend and professional badass and singer., Katie Waissel from the band Red velvet told me the other night (as her and I sipped our 20 dollar drinks at the Chateau Marmot). 

Our drinks and dinner cost at 10 times the prices of my ensemble that evening but I can promise you. I felt like like a million.

 BTW ENTIRE OUTFIT THRIFTED EXCEPT SHOES!

 

The amazing photography by Jeff Linett. Where he knows how to shoot me with a cart, no matter what. Thanks Jeff. 

Californiarocknroll.

Open your heart and your back.  

Bodysuits, especially the 80s swimsuits make the most amazing piece to wear underneath highwaisted (anything).
My staple has definitely become my boots and I refuse to apologize for wearing them constantly because once you find that one thing it becomes who you are. These boots are more than just a piece of clothing or an accessory. They tell a story of who you are. I know that may sound silly but they make me feel confident when I wear them and I think if anyone can find that one thing that brings out their inner tiger, rock them. Rock them as much as you want. Gangster Style

Photography by Jeff Linett

LA Fashion Week?

I will be the first to admit I am no the most social person and I can proudly say I have few friends but that is because when I call you my friend; I truly love you, care for you and my walls will never be up around you. That being said, coming to an industry event such as Style Fashion Week LA on one of the biggest nights (last two nights are the considered to the creme de le creme) Isn't always filled with pure 100% excitement beforehand. Usually, I am already planning to make my way through the crowd. Step repeat, get several photographs taken and find my post in the back with Jeff to start doing my favorite two things of people watching and smoking a cigarette with my new best friend who just lend me their lighter. Silently taking apart and examining everyone's choice of wardrobe for this particular occasion. Everyone here is wearing the best of what they think is the best. If you're going to find true style, its going to be here. 

Except this year, I was greeted by all my girlfriends who I had no idea were even going to be there. Having assigned seating I was psyched to be able to have sat with everyone during the second show. So not only was I able to work I got have a much needed girls night even if it was just for a few hours. 

Here are just a few shots before and between shows. 

I am currently writing about the amazing shows I've seen so far and of course tonights finale will be included. I am not going to anymore shows this weekend because this mama needs a break and rest. I apologize for the gap of postings but after this week I'll be writing about some amazing new designers that I am have discovered. I am genuinely so impressed and proud to be a part of this industry. Los Angeles has come so far even in the last few years in the talent we are producing. We have real artists here and they are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Not many things give me chills but when it comes to true art it has an affect over my soul. I feel the emotion the love the detail of each garment that the designer put into it. Their masterpiece is a true piece of art, if you truly understand and feel it its beautiful.

"I'm bangin' for the Westside- this is in my heart, this is how I feel."

We walk around it, covering our eyes with imposter designer sunglasses. Our last week's paycheck up our nose, and are floating above the city. I have lived in Los Angeles for the last ten years and in these ten years I have learned that this town is like no other. I have learned that everyone is someone very important and very special, yet no one in this town works or ever does anything important or special. To be successful in this town is to be something more than the combination of your talents and your skills—it takes a particular kind of person to live here, it takes a particularly particular kind of person to make this place a home. I didn't move here to become important or special. I was moved here. My family has moved more times in my life than I care to remember. But all these wanderings have given me a gypsy heart that makes it possible for me to conform to any place, any situation, and (almost) any group of people. I’ve learned that in order to truly love Los Angeles, you must see it exactly for what it is, and appreciate it for nothing more. Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills—these places breathe magic, whisper sweet nothings in your ear. Such proximity to fame and fortune will draw you in and make you promises—fashion complex fantasies and delusions of grandeur. And even if you are one of the lucky few that get to nibble on the sweet ear lobe of this whore town, you may find yourself empty, forgetting your integrity, losing your moral compass.

Now, you have no idea where North is and the 405 is at a standstill. Imagine how amazing traffic would be if every person that poisons this town with the stench of desperation and their shallow, hollow personalities, would just go back home to Kansas, or Iowa, or Ohio, or Minnesota… It would be 10 minutes to the valley from downtown. That’s how amazing.  

 Not an ounce of makeup just a lot of disgruntle pain. Shot 2010 by Jeff Linett