tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126340122012-01-09T22:00:15.108-08:00A Model/Actress/Singer/Europhile who has simply got the Gift to Gab...Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.comBlogger5581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-69310877787774549382012-01-01T23:02:00.000-08:002012-01-09T22:00:15.215-08:00

This was last spring at the first modeling fundraiser for designer Pilar Macchione to get to Couture Fashion Week in New York. Marcus wanted pictures of his amazing hair he did on me, and I am finally getting around to making this fun little ditty for him... Location and Host: Marcus Hanish Salon, Downtown San Diego Makeup: James Overstreet Designer: Pilar Macchione Photography: Leo

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-67314551809014983772012-01-01T22:52:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:34:28.356-08:00

Happy New Year!! I fear that the year has ended without my even having time to blog about some of that which I enjoyed the most throughout the year. By way of my keeping the memories, I post a list here. Some have been blogged about already, others still have yet to be blogged. I present the Highlights of 2011 for me: 1). I decided not to do the Ireland trip this year to see the in-laws,

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-19783032150864825022011-12-31T13:52:00.000-08:002011-12-31T21:04:04.111-08:00

To Elsa - This is a very big year for you on several levels. And not just because you turn 40 this year.;) There is the big career change this year that you have high expectations for. And there has been a lot of soul-searching these past 3 months. With God's help, you will regain the Truth of your upbringing and foundation and move on to healthier pastures in regards to work and the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-83558214837495031962011-12-25T22:47:00.000-08:002011-12-25T22:47:08.369-08:00

Just got home from another wonderful Christmas Day with my family (minus sister Sylvia and company who were with the in-laws out of town). It was Mom's 73rd birthday today and we had a lovely time. Tomorrow P and Ciara head, without me this time, to Ireland to see his folks. It will be just me and the animals. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", they say -- I miss him already. I love my

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-21715649303004367152011-12-24T23:12:00.000-08:002011-12-24T23:12:21.523-08:00

We spent the evening with my wonderful extended family at Aunt Eileen's new house in Lakeside. I am now in food coma while my Patrick watches a movie with his bassett hound on the couch. We had a wonderful treat of a video cousin Leslie put together of the Araizas - from old black and white family photos in Mexico to literally just last week the birth of cousin Noelle and Dan's new baby in San

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-70164235243343128282011-12-13T19:21:00.001-08:002012-01-02T00:00:40.906-08:00

a short finale video shot from the top balcony - - see me lead Pilar's designs in New York Couture Fashion Week September 2011! Here is more footage from Diana Navarro hosting the interview. I wanted to remember for future reference what the backstage was like, the people involved and you can see the talent involved in the show besides the fashion! See me getting my hair straightened at :30

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-26812575388365203522011-12-13T19:15:00.000-08:002011-12-14T16:55:35.565-08:00

To see a more-condensed version of the show watch the link above. You see me from a different angle do my 2nd pass. Check out my demure turns and glances. My students said, "Your walk and posture are sick!" hehehhe Plus a tiny interview with designer Pilar after the show when we were in the Press Room. Our portion is only the first 2 minutes of the video - the 2nd part is for a designer I did

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-1542884062440726422011-12-13T18:58:00.000-08:002011-12-13T19:02:14.185-08:00

This is it. The full show. I open. Fellow San Diego model Rosie is at minute 5. Other fellow San Diego model Emma follows her at 5:30. Designer: Pilar Macchione, Noir Collection 2011. Jewelry: Rachelauren Somers Hair: Joseph Anthony and team

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-88587740687679789822011-12-13T18:36:00.000-08:002011-12-13T18:36:33.926-08:00

Here is a greatly-produced video showcasing Joseph Anthony and ABBA products (thanks for the gift bags, ABBA!!) as they work magic on us models backstage at New York Couture Fashion Week September 2011 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-50604364677460256232011-12-13T18:26:00.000-08:002011-12-13T19:28:50.584-08:00

Saturday was The Day. How exciting! Unfortunately, my 18 year old model friend, Emma, was extremely ill with a fever and really bad sore throat. I ended up having to really take care of her - trying to get her meds, hot tea at Starbucks, soup - things that could make her feel better. It was rough because she really shouldn't have walked but she was the finale dress and had done many fittings

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-10875500064529166882011-12-13T17:33:00.000-08:002011-12-13T17:33:00.487-08:00

Amazingly enough, Pilar did raise the funds to make it to New York and, as thanks to me and another model, Emma, (whose mother had also really helped fundraise) Pilar asked the producer if we could model in her show! The rest of the models were cast from New York, of course, and we had to submit pictures and say what agency we were with before we were cast. It was pretty amazing to think that at

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-58996296058017613142011-12-13T14:58:00.000-08:002011-12-13T14:58:21.089-08:00

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150321847241079 If you have Facebook, I think you can access the video above that I helped conceive for designer Pilar Macchione as she was invited to show her line at New York Couture Fashion Week for Fall 2011. You've seen my fashion blogs on here with me wearing her designs. I barely met her the first time modeling for her last December - a year

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-72778562114048424932011-12-12T19:00:00.000-08:002011-12-13T13:37:44.863-08:00

You didn't read that wrong - - I am just so backlogged on this darn thing that I am going through pictures and memories and want to put them up even if they are late. This was from Easter at my mom's last year. Egghunt and all! hehehe beating my star soccer-playing nephews at Foosball - - ! as usual, I got cold so I had to change clothes :) Never too old to do the egg/candy hunt!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-47981156711353511582011-12-11T15:52:00.000-08:002011-12-11T15:52:59.220-08:00

Due to the Great Black Out we had in early Fall the huge nation-wide "Fashion Night Out" parties/shows/festivities at local malls had to be cancelled. A month later, Fashion Valley decided to hold a smaller version showcasing Betsey Johnson and Custo Barcelona designer lines. It was held at the very cool, Alice-in-Wonderland-like wine bar downtown, "Vin de Syrah". I had good friends from the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-35003591517768009002011-12-11T15:28:00.000-08:002011-12-11T15:28:29.934-08:00

I did a few jobs this year for Fine Magazine. Starting with runway shows for 3 events: a couple Health and Beauty expos they had as well as the large charity Polo event benefiting Kids Korps. I also shot their July issue editorial which was a real treat when I found out it was for the Del Mar Race Season so we had a racehorse to shoot with. It must have been my lucky day because the race horse

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-13206297439335831752011-12-11T13:39:00.000-08:002011-12-11T13:48:07.348-08:00

Going along with supporting local designers - I did 2 shows in June and October at the amazing house/gallery called The Surreal House of The Future. Ian Ashley and her husband have the most amazing place in a gated community near San Diego State college. And, boy, can they throw a party!! Their house is also an art gallery and it truly is a spectacle. Their parties last all night and they

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-37774023752796833122011-12-11T12:23:00.000-08:002011-12-11T12:23:37.927-08:00

Catching up this weekend on my old blogs since I am really sick and not working today. Late last Spring when model jobs typically slow down for a couple months I made the decision to model and support some choice local designers and get to know more people in the San Diego Fashion community. In June I walked for designer Miss Stacey May. A wonderful, positive spirit and hard-worker - I like

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-69820307695495582562011-12-10T15:31:00.001-08:002011-12-10T15:40:00.046-08:00

Again, thank you to Fine Magazine for the editing and footage of a lovely show! I loved our circular catwalk- like a merry-go-round!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-35428907011389393342011-12-10T15:28:00.000-08:002011-12-10T15:41:52.329-08:00

I blogged about it earlier this year but I found on Fine Magazine's youtube footage of some of our shows late last winter 2010. My favorite part is around 2:30 with the prancing poodles not walking well and overcrowding the stage in their diamond collars! Here is the "Fashion Plates" show!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-44907251738108298412011-12-10T15:21:00.000-08:002011-12-10T15:21:58.084-08:00

In October we did another Dia Del Sol Fashion show benefiting the United Cerebral Palsy kids - those kids have so much working the runway and getting dolled up! Once again, the talented Gordana Gehausen and her GOGA line from Project Runway 6 fitted us to her gowns and her new Ready-to-Wear collection! We also had Nicole Miller, Karen Millen, Lily Pulitzer and Kate Spade. Men wore Hugo Boss. It

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-86844057216646361162011-12-10T14:56:00.000-08:002011-12-10T14:58:08.628-08:00

The other day I once again heard my kitty Jordy growling at the upstairs window. He likes to sit all day at the top windows looking into the yard and canyon. It's like his TV. Sure enough, the bob cat I saw a year ago was back. Actually, this time there were 2. They are so beautiful and they were right on the other side of our fence we erected to keep the coyotes out of our yard. That said, my

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-19281397874021849982011-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:002011-12-10T12:38:53.427-08:00

I got a call a couple weeks ago from my dear model friend, Feben. She told me her friend's magazine lost a model and needed a Middle Eastern/East Indian model for a cover shoot of her Community Magazine. It was the middle of the week but I was free for a couple hours in the evening - so why not? I've done work before as an East Indian model and Feben, herself, is Ethiopian, so I figured we could

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-61242406044405397582011-11-24T23:14:00.000-08:002011-11-24T23:14:58.259-08:00

We had a lovely fall day at Mom's for Turkey Day. I am most appreciative of my family, my husband, my health, our jobs, our home and pets. God Bless us all!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-12908585849113480602011-11-24T22:27:00.000-08:002011-11-24T22:27:37.350-08:00

After shooting photos and walking all over Bodie we had a difficult decision to make. We were absolutely starving having had a big breakfast in Yosemite before doing a large waterfall hike, no lunch, and then exploring all over Bodie. In the middle of nowhere hwe knew it would be some time finding a halfway decent place to eat. Then the question remained: do we get a room for the night and drive

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-58952193104761417082011-11-17T14:02:00.000-08:002011-11-17T14:05:31.770-08:00

Believe it or not, we left Yosemite by 3 to then make the couple hour drive north (some of it by dirt trail - boy, did we wish we had taken our 4-Wheel Drive Honda Element at that moment) to the Official Ghost Town of California - Bodie. The place had a ton of photographers crawling about through the ruins. Of course, my P loved it for that reason as well. I like it because it was in the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-61022954288401893122011-11-17T13:42:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:42:02.316-08:00

After a wonderful sleep and hearty breakfast we headed back to the crowded Yosemite Park. The traffic was atrocious - - there is a main loop, essentially, where cars have to go with pull outs at specific trails. It was slow-going, parking was bad. Yikes. Once we did park we decided to do the popular Vernal Waterfall Trail. I am glad we went at the beginning of the day because there were hundreds

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-85442599885565988792011-11-01T21:57:00.000-07:002011-11-17T13:48:45.993-08:00

After leaving the beautiful northern Cal rugged coastline we headed back south towards San Francisco before heading east to Yosemite Park. What a treat! It was a looong drive that day - - getting into Yosemite around 4pm - just enough time to drive the main loop and do one shorter hike to a waterfall. The best thing, though, was that this was P's first time to Yosemite and it was my pleasure to

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-78919080660514641992011-09-27T22:33:00.000-07:002011-09-27T22:35:13.687-07:00

Driving the tree-lined roads between the coastline and the inner freeway 5 and the wine country. We'd look for deer (see video) and noticed all the random, middle-of-nowhere "No Trespassing" signs and sudden dirt roads leading into the forests. Pot-growing establishments, no doubt. The week we returned we heard someone got shot for trespassing on one of those dirt roads on that 14 highway. hehhe

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-17604434297708453102011-09-27T22:03:00.000-07:002011-09-27T22:03:40.778-07:00

Bright and early on Day 4 we left quaint Mendocino, had breakfast in the not-so-quaint Fort Bragg up north on Highway 1 and then overshot our next stop - the highly recommended Howard Creek Ranch. Upon our first evening in Oakland with cousin Maddy, she spoke of the Ranch and said how unique it was and with animals running around. Well, we found it and luckily during the middle of the week

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-49881154896746543582011-09-27T13:54:00.000-07:002011-09-27T14:00:26.231-07:00

From there we continued onto artsy Mendocino - which we had heard plenty about and was highly recommended. It was a lovely town and we had the best time walking around the main cliffs, around the quaint buildings and shops. Stopping into an organic pizzeria and ice cream parlor I almost lost my mind how good and fresh it was. So much so that P took pics of me enjoying myself!After walking the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-91284986235826190622011-09-27T13:12:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:56:12.601-07:00

After leaving the Bay Area we continued without a plan, itinerary, or reservation anywhere. It was exciting to do a road trip like this! We stayed on the inland freeway passing countless vineyards before cutting across west to the coastline. (No, we drove through but no wine-tasting for us - it's not our thing although the countryside is lovely and I certainly appreciated that!) Patrick loves

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-42299144687354877812011-09-12T22:15:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:15:31.884-07:00

Patrick took a week off work in early July so that we may take a road trip to Northern California. Neither of us had been north of the Bay Area so we were quite anxious to see more of our beautiful Golden State. There wasn't much of a plan outside of the first day driving straight up to the Bay Area where we spent a wonderful evening at the home of my dear cousin, Maddy, her baby boy and her

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-56082272306554802052011-08-31T21:31:00.000-07:002011-08-31T22:06:27.350-07:00

Yup - it's the last day of August and I haven't posted since June. Whew! I have stories, travels, concerts, TONS of modeling to blog about but I guess being a wife, homeowner and stepmom really takes my freetime from blogging. :( I am posting about the concert of one of my top 80s band faves, ABC, that Patrick and I went to The House of Blues on Sunset Strip earlier this summer. I am happy to

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-16769289270353798162011-06-14T22:03:00.000-07:002011-06-14T22:03:40.614-07:00

The cousins did a runway show in the Spring, with my extensions, dresses, makeup, and direction. Unfortunately Patrick could not record upright from his tight position - - one gets the idea :) hehehe they all did amazingly well, like they surely practice... !

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-42820701001340959272011-06-14T21:49:00.000-07:002011-06-14T21:49:00.250-07:00

Late February I had treated P and C to the amazing horse/Cirque du Soleil show, "Cavalia". I had seen this show 4 years previously with my sister Sara and it was so beautiful and well-done that she and I sat and sobbed through all of it. This time it was pretty much the exact same show save for 1 or 2 changed skits. I only sobbed the first few minutes when the horses come running out across the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-49602302010368906162011-06-14T01:55:00.000-07:002011-06-14T01:55:22.548-07:00

My gazillionith time on morning news KUSI over the past 10 years. This time promoting the Fashion Plates show I just blogged about. Leonard Simpson (our runway producer who has hired me now some 11 years) always does a Style Guy segment each weekend and he featured knit designer Sharon Plache. See me model with 17 year old talent Alex Womack who just left San Diego to NYC where she signed with a

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-16938632200279224472011-06-14T01:42:00.000-07:002011-06-14T01:42:42.406-07:00

This is hilarious. The song for design knitter, Sharon Plache, increases so quickly that by the time my friends Feben and Saam do their walk after Nadia and I they are practically running. See quick-thinking Saam zigzag behind Feben who opted to do a one and a half on the runway, unbeknownst to Saam. (Young models, take note at how quick-thinking, chemistry and personality can overcome a snafu)

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-83496042144811380302011-06-14T00:53:00.000-07:002011-06-14T00:53:11.616-07:00

In late winter I walked the Fashion Plates runway show benefiting students who take home a backpack of food every weekend from The Food Bank in order to feed them until they get to school where they are fed breakfast and lunch by the State. Oh, yes - - there are starving kids in San Diego. Most of my teens qualify for the free lunches at my district but it was different to see the Caucasian-only

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-19926346715546572172011-06-07T23:21:00.000-07:002011-08-31T22:12:31.294-07:00

Festival of Bride's ~ Temecula from Impressive Creations on Vimeo.I found this of an upscale bridal show I did last year for M Bride. It's called the Festival of Brides and there are about 4 or 5 in Southern California each spring. I do usually 2 of them. This videographer is stupendous at catching all the vendors and the glorious hot day out in wine country Temecula, CA. These shows are so

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-50796796989042079702011-05-25T21:12:00.000-07:002011-05-25T21:12:30.092-07:00

Ahhh - one has to have Facebook to see this link - I think. The socialite who so aptly filmed and edited it on her Flip camera has not posted it on the more accessible YouTube - but only on Facebook. It's fairly well done - so I hope you can watch it. And you can see me dragging that pedigreed French Poodle across the stage ;) https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1645593019275

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-72412645575675120112011-05-25T18:28:00.000-07:002011-05-25T18:28:45.019-07:00

Another Leonard Simpson show this Spring was the wonderful Carrousel de Louvre runway show. Styled by celebrity artists (hair by William Williams and makeup by James Overstreet) - we had a wonderful show including designs by Pilar Macchione, Sisa Designs and opening with Prada suits. Coming from a theater background, I appreciate creative and artistic concepts and I loved our circular stage that

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-14795297431156205692011-05-09T21:50:00.000-07:002011-05-09T21:50:29.162-07:00

Oh, yes, I am way behind again in blogging. It is hard to be a natural story-teller and also have so many pictures to log through - - I want to get it all up but it's hard to. Pardon the tardiness. This was a lovely Saturday afternoon in San Diego for the Beauty Expo on the roof of the Westgate Hotel. I modeled for Q Designs (Qadir Hamidi) whom I have modeled a lot for in 2011, especially. We

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-30617519832400406932011-04-09T22:24:00.000-07:002011-04-10T23:04:10.894-07:00

Back in 1990 at the tender age of 18, about 30 of us from different walks of life entered the UC Irvine freshman dorm of "Lago" with all the excitement and anxiety that one can only feel at that age leaving home to go live at college. I met Di and she is my best friend to this day. God broke the mold after that one - - I could go on for hours about how highly I esteem my friendship with her.

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-87730395138234121752011-04-05T22:58:00.000-07:002011-04-05T23:02:07.210-07:00

Every spring I get to do a few high end bridal shows for MBride boutique. I LOVE these shows because the owner, Michele Martin, is a cool chick with a great sense of humour, a Masters in Creative Writing and rivals me for love of the 80s. But I especially love that we wear couture, high-end gowns the likes of Monique Lhuillier, Elizabeth Fillmore and Ines Di Santo (whom I twice last year

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-17686673185041161352011-04-02T00:08:00.000-07:002011-04-05T19:45:53.227-07:00

One kindred spirit in the designer world that I am most happy to have met just over a year ago is Abdul Qadir Hamidi. Originally from Afghanistan, Qadir now lives in Golden Hills. I feel like his designs are like wearing art - - the ethnic textures he uses and materials are amazing - - one of my favorites is his dress made from a burlap sack - - yes, I have modeled a burlap sack. I am so

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-90201042930584100662011-03-29T18:20:00.000-07:002011-04-05T19:51:36.655-07:00

click on the following link to see the news segment: http://www.kusi.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5700535&flvUri&partnerclipid I modeled on Sunday morning for Pilar Macchione - - whom I think is a wonderful, young talent. The dress I have on is inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" - a favorite dark poet of mine and it also was the dress I modeled for her in the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-90256158874352854862011-03-20T22:04:00.000-07:002011-03-20T22:15:05.435-07:00

I've been modeling a ton the past couple months - - amazing that people hire me but it's a great time with interesting, talented people! Back in February was a show and subsequent photoshoot for Animal Fashions by Jordan - shot by Slade Hammer. I was thrilled to do this as Jordan is a philanthropist and animal activist. Her amazing hand painted animals on hand dyed denim made in the U.S.A. are

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-51473278900711946052011-03-11T17:48:00.000-08:002011-03-11T17:50:05.175-08:00

One of the top 5 places I have always wanted to visit... my prayers are with your country and people - -

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-19557016404635418482011-02-24T13:23:00.000-08:002011-02-24T13:23:40.220-08:00

Tear-jerker alert! I sobbed through this whole video. It is one of the best uses of advertising that I have ever seen - akin to those Olympic period Visa commercials that put a sob in my throat. This one beats them out, though - - and, unbelievably, it is for a Taiwanese Bank commercial! The message from the true story it is based on rings loud and clear - - live life to the fullest, follow

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-13942848802666849652011-02-24T13:01:00.000-08:002011-02-24T13:08:55.641-08:00

In the vein of the spectacular series, "Planet Earth" that my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed a few years back, is another series from the BBC this time about humans on Planet Earth. Alas, this is not about the average human and families - but those who live around the world in the most dangerous and extraordinary places. Where every day is a struggle just to survive, to eat, to drink water,

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-67470293235981754842011-02-17T23:50:00.000-08:002011-02-17T23:50:49.869-08:00

No - - it's not my tabby cat, Jordy. What you see here is a story I have been too busy to blog about since moving in to our new home on a canyon last July. One evening I was in the computer room upstairs which has a view of the canyon past our backyard. I heard my cat Jordy growling at the window where he liked to sit perched, looking at everything and nothing. I figured he was growling at the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-28746835413397910332011-02-14T15:43:00.001-08:002011-02-14T15:43:47.582-08:00

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-60370856377627327512011-02-13T12:32:00.000-08:002011-02-13T12:53:30.796-08:00

You saw a couple pics and blog in the Fall here about our 1 year anniversary and wedding reception party that we threw at my parents' home in late September. My photographer friend, Heidi Lee, shot 1300 pics and it understandably took me some time to review such large files. I finally narrowed it down to 200 to put on a flickr website and feature everyone who went there. Again, it was such a

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-56986419712750881512011-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:002011-01-28T14:02:41.378-08:00

...and cleans my home!! I always liked cleaning. My parents instilled a good cleaning, take-care-of-your-things and organization ethic that I am glad to have as an adult, wife, mom#2, and homeowner. We live on a canyon and with a big yard. We also have 4 animals. The dogs, especially, make the floors dirty enough that I truly have to clean every other day. Our Brazilian cheerywood laminate

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-8793734842500747252011-01-28T10:52:00.000-08:002011-01-28T14:06:39.525-08:00

I just got turned onto Groupon - - I never thought I would use it. But early this week a deal came on for a month of unlimited Bikram Yoga sessions in La Jolla for only $39. I immediately jumped on it and told my husband as well. When I first met him he used to be a regular yogi and looked yummy healthy. He got me into it for only about a month before I realized I just can't afford it and

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-89110265693570611872011-01-26T22:09:00.000-08:002011-01-28T10:47:36.307-08:00

Unlike most people, I am not up on using the internet much... only out of necessity. I don't google people for the heck of it or peruse much outside of the news headlines. I hate Facebook but own one mostly for professional contacts and because my 20 year highschool reunion was last year and it made things easier with the organization of it last Fall. I don't care about entertainment gossip

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-69500854497174369942011-01-26T21:53:00.000-08:002011-01-26T22:29:29.654-08:00

A quick video of our rat, I mean, teacup Chihuahua. It's my daughter's dog, but akin to my husband's basset hound - I just seem to be the one who has taken over feeding, walking, vet upkeep, cleaning up after and basically attending to every need of our blessed animals. They are blessed to be in our home - these animals have got it made! :)

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-89476136964318237992011-01-05T22:41:00.000-08:002011-01-05T23:05:53.505-08:00

My eldest niece had asked Patrick and I to help her with taking photos for her senior page in her yearbook. Patrick broke out his expensive Leica M9 and some film cameras and did some really nice commercial and black and white shots. I mostly was helping with styling issues and holding up the reflector light which is a blessing on the skin and radiance no matter how old or young you are. When I

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-8284742378270041502010-12-27T21:34:00.000-08:002010-12-27T22:16:12.515-08:00

As good as my 3 nephews are in Soccer, my husband surprised them by playing a bit with them on Xmas Day. By the way, you see the life-size goal and how my parents' yard has been utterly DESTROYED this year by the grandkids playing soccer there so often? I don't even think the boys knew Patrick could play at all but he remarked, "They didn't grow up kicking a ball around with nothing else to do in

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-38930096926414364952010-12-23T00:15:00.000-08:002010-12-25T08:41:51.466-08:00

Here is a snippet from the show. I must point out that we did not have our normal rehearsal time allotted (since we weren't being paid, it was a lot to expect of us to be there for 8 hours for free so we only went in for 4) to choreograph the shows we normally do. Plus our spacing was different being a staircase and ballroom instead of a normal catwalk - so what you see here are me and the other

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-34566973470364135322010-12-22T23:57:00.001-08:002010-12-25T08:45:33.006-08:00

This show was set up a month ago but with the sad news of an unexpected passing of the only son of 2 of the socialites winning an award it was canceled and then rescheduled and put on a smaller scale last week at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego.It was decided in accordance with the smaller scale festivities and somber news of the death that the models would donate their paychecks to the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-76276946563654907622010-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:002010-12-07T12:20:17.292-08:00

I had to post a picture from last weekend of one of my 4 nieces whose soccer team is in first place in the regionals and still going on to the Finals. The team they played last weekend was HUGE in comparison - - but my niece scored the 2 last winning goals probably because as you see here PUSHING the big girl in the gutt she is so small and quick that she slid underneath, past and between the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-8561826937689498362010-12-06T22:12:00.000-08:002010-12-27T18:59:44.322-08:00

Film: "The Last Conversation" starring Elsa Martinez, Mona Mossayab. Written/directed by Amelia Zandi.

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-19479821046868968272010-12-05T17:38:00.000-08:002010-12-06T13:22:49.526-08:00

Last Spring I was cast in a short film, "The Last Conversation" for a lovely and courageous young director, Amelia Zandi.At the time I was intrigued as it was a very heavy script, based on the true story of an 18 year old Iranian girl who was executed for her beliefs in the Ba'hai religion. Many of you know that in my modeling and acting career I am considered 'ethnically ambiguous' and that I

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-84160697930706942022010-11-24T19:41:00.001-08:002010-11-24T20:04:57.818-08:00

"It's a Good Day for a Guinness"Originally uploaded by elsamartI never did get all my photos up from our quick sojourn to Ireland the first week of October. You saw me put up videos previously on this blog and my youtube channel. The trip was quiet, beautiful weather (sun!) and uneventful but just fine.Click on slideshow below for more pictures - -Ireland 2010

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-24810427863995467892010-11-24T19:01:00.000-08:002010-11-24T19:05:55.045-08:00

The next morning - we find out that it's a girl and P names her "Ginger" - -

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-16969701464313107652010-11-24T17:32:00.000-08:002010-11-24T19:00:09.589-08:00

Do you remember writing papers with that title in grade school? Well, it's been a doozy of a last few days with getting soaked at work in the rain over the weekend, then going to see my friends in a drag show at Bourbon Street on Saturday evening with my husband and my go-to-girl Richele. Will blog on that later when I get a couple photos from Patrick who shot that night. I spent 2 days painting

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-89644207670602302502010-11-21T23:50:00.000-08:002010-11-24T17:31:19.613-08:00

I am on far right in my spectacular red gown that the photographer failed to get a shot of me in on my runway pass :(This show was in August benefiting the St. Madeline Sophie Center. It was lovely to have some of the kids actually sing onstage and strut their stuff - they had a wonderful time. So did we! Click on slideshow below!Haute With Heart Runway show

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-50003047471356429922010-11-14T00:08:00.000-08:002010-11-14T11:04:36.407-08:00

Here I am just getting up pictures of events and modeling shows that I worked earlier this year. It's been a decent year of runway - and here is from August 26, 2010 at FLUXX club downtown where I modeled again for Project Runway alum Gordana Gelhausen. It was for her Goga line, Spring 2011.I first modeled for her in November 2009 (see blog here) and since have had the pleasure of walking in

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-89624358166064245052010-11-13T22:57:00.001-08:002010-11-13T23:06:17.162-08:00

Here is another example of my talented husband's fine photography that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. This is a shot he took from his IPhone, for Pete's sake. We were at Thai dinner and there was a lovely orchid (his favorite flower) at our table and he composed in the low-light this shot without me even knowing he was shooting. (I was undoubtedly looking around observing the scene and

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-51334612927188023592010-11-13T21:17:00.000-08:002010-11-13T21:31:23.662-08:00

I recently found a treasure's chest of photos taken by my husband on his computer. It will be a slow process but there are 4 years' worth of modeling, family, camping and Ireland pics that I need to 'steal' so I can put them on my blog. See...he shoots all the time but I probably see only about 20% of his pictures. He takes months to work on a select few pictures and then posts them on his

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-55316132330095028302010-11-05T13:09:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:30:07.707-07:00

My husband and I spent the day in the sun working on our new fence and yard and then quickly I had to throw a costume together for... HALLOWEEN!I was "Shnarf" from the "Thundercats" cartoon back in the 80s - - and those who know me know that I do the shnarf meow all the time to cats and dogs who shnarf back. I even Shnarf "I love you" to my husband. I am holding a miniscule package of candy-corn

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-62884029190444686962010-11-05T12:52:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:04:28.687-07:00

www.youtube.com/elsamartFor whatever reason, uploading my 2010 Ireland video snippets to my blog somehow makes them very slow and uneven to watch. However, if you go on my actual youtube website above you can watch them easily,in quicker real time.

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-2358257890730242422010-10-29T23:02:00.000-07:002010-10-29T23:18:28.613-07:00

Medieval Town of Carlingford - P actually admitted if we moved back to Northern Ireland that he'd prefer to live here than in County Down (!) Shocker to me...Visiting the famous 3000BC (that is before the Pyramids, ya'll...) prehistoric burial chamber (not good for those of us who get a little claustrophobic - -walking around a lovely, sunny day in Dublin - -

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-92033129953135558092010-10-29T22:46:00.000-07:002010-10-29T22:59:22.840-07:00

So after our whirlwind summer of fixing up the condo, buying a new house, starting work on it as well, planning and having our wedding reception celebration/1 year anniversary - - we then immediately left for Northern Ireland to see P's parents.Unfortunately, my mother-in-law had a difficult summer with 2 strokes and we felt an extra push to get there to see her.It was a quick trip - I was there

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-57604665157835325272010-10-20T21:10:00.001-07:002010-10-20T21:27:30.566-07:00

A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to "The Field" - the Irish bar downtown which seemed to be the only bar showing the All-Ireland Gaelic football champion game. It was 7am, early, on a Sunday but we weren't the only ones there braving the $20 entry (ouch!) and drinking Guinness and eating a traditional Irish breakfast "fry". The big deal was that P's County Down made the finals for the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-73065612265468916392010-10-20T20:06:00.000-07:002010-10-20T21:05:00.029-07:00

We came in from Ireland last week to have me home just in time for my 20-year high school reunion on Saturday. I was jet-lagged and my back hurt from an earlier day of modeling runway (my lower back hurts more and more from wearing uber high-heels). But I took off all my crazy runway makeup and brushed out my hair and took a quick nap so that I could somehow get through the evening without

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-45076309802255485222010-10-04T00:54:00.001-07:002010-10-04T01:05:56.293-07:00

Did I get your attention??? This was a very colorful Under-The-Sea-themed runway show for a big charity party benefitting the San Diego Blood Bank back in June at a mansion in Torrey Pines. All photos courtesy of Gates Photography - gracias! Feel free to click on the slideshow below for more -SD Bloodbank Runway show

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-32926631104652024212010-10-03T18:52:00.000-07:002010-10-03T19:06:21.512-07:00

I am now a step-mom, wife and home-owner - - too busy for blogging as my readers can see! This summer has been full of moving to our new home, working on our condo, and planning for our First Anniversary/wedding reception bash last weekend.September 21 marked my First Anniversary with my loved husband. Since we eloped last year we felt that we would throw a reception so that family and close

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-76043301728469672112010-09-12T23:41:00.000-07:002010-09-12T23:51:42.308-07:00

My blessed best friend was one of my 3 college roomies and 3 closest cousins who had babies this year. It's all a miracle to me!  Here we were at an impromptu dinner at an Irish pub last week with our husbands. As usual my husband always has a camera and shoots (this is just the Hipstomatic app on his Iphone but he still takes an amazing photo) - - I am so happy for these times!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-11927320634833397272010-09-11T19:02:00.001-07:002010-09-12T20:03:22.637-07:00

I am sure everyone remembers where they were on 9-11 of 2001.I remember clearly I was in-between apartments at that time and was staying at my parents' house. I was up early getting ready for teaching when the phone rang. I heard my mother answer it and say in a concerned voice I rarely have heard uttered from her, "Ohhhhhh..okay, okay we will turn it on. It will be okay, Sweetheart." I knew it

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-72194708478167051822010-09-05T21:45:00.000-07:002010-09-05T21:50:45.009-07:00

Some video taken at the weekend with the Familia -Here I am BUSTED! I was supposed to be watching the baby and she is so quick that while filming her she gets into mischief!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-52694701234602690792010-09-05T21:10:00.000-07:002010-09-05T21:44:52.852-07:00

I had the good fortune to visit some extended family in the Bay Area a couple weeks ago. I stayed with my Aunt Nora and Uncle David at their garden villa in Oakland - - just l-o-v-e-l-y and so relaxing. They became grandparents (insert angel chorus “ahhhhh” here) this year when both their children became first-time parents with their spouses.In addition to wanting to see all of them and their

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-8603447685391198912010-09-02T09:22:00.000-07:002010-09-02T11:32:09.327-07:00

I love to work out to the limit that my injuries allow. In fact, I wish I could work out harder but the body ain’t willing.So I was reading a “Shape” magazine on a Bay Area flight home and one of the things I saw was a free application for the Iphone of the daily burn. Have you ever wondered, like me, just how many calories you really consume each day? Or what is your protein ratio to carbs?

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-86891571800904012542010-08-30T15:15:00.000-07:002010-08-30T15:19:22.280-07:00

We have had a very mild summer here. But that didn't stop us from taking out 2, yes: 2 sailboats to fit some of the Martinez in July. My brother-in-law now has his own boat and my brother is a member of the Yacht club and can rent one. It was very fun to be in contact via walkie-talkies and eventually meet up under the Coronado Bridge. From there we tethered the 2 boats, dropped anchor and had a

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-46940726746370573672010-08-30T15:10:00.000-07:002010-08-30T15:13:49.302-07:00

My brother is always entertaining the kids! Awesome Tio GM!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-11042221940206487152010-08-30T14:41:00.000-07:002010-08-30T14:48:39.603-07:00

It takes a while for me to upload videos onto youtube. Here is one from last November when my stepdaughter did a cheercamp at SDSU. The kids got to perform with the cheerleaders at halftime at a San Diego State football game. P and I were freezing (look how bundled up I am) but Ciara diligently practiced the whole first half of the game and therefore stayed warm in just a tshirt and shorts. I

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-15088405004575932872010-08-19T20:42:00.000-07:002010-08-22T22:54:35.582-07:00

I rarely have a Saturday off – but, as in years past, I made things work out that I could attend the first part of the day in July at the Pride Parade in Hillcrest. My partners-in-crime were the usual suspects: Richele and Shannon. We do the same every year: walk around a bit to people watch, watch about an hour of the long, colorful parade and then head over for our splurge of Nachos and a

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-79171335254527796342010-08-19T20:33:00.000-07:002010-08-22T23:04:26.141-07:00

This summer has been so busy that I am really back-(b)logged. Not only did we recently buy and move into our new home but what with all the flip-it and home decor shows we used to watch a couple years back, Patrick and I gave our North Park condo a complete overhaul that at times kept us there after work until late night and all day on weekends. What we thought would take 2 weeks stretched out to

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-71561292937631264392010-08-15T23:19:00.001-07:002010-08-16T11:49:40.647-07:00

I miss it when I don't have the time to reflect, review, and revive by writing my goings-on. I did forewarn on here a few weeks ago that things were going to get very busy this summer. I think I can almost say that things became even busier than I imagined - and that is saying a lot!But here we are now, after a lot of hard work, blessed to be in our new home. I simply love it here. Surrounded by

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-51600375873020671772010-08-05T22:41:00.000-07:002010-08-15T22:19:30.546-07:00

In this year of major transition in my life I am so utterly grateful for having my newlywed husband in my life as my partner.We've many adventures, trials and tribulations ahead, my Sweet - I love you and am proud to be your wife. Happy Birthday, P.

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-29144813912269377212010-06-25T13:15:00.000-07:002010-06-25T22:42:42.919-07:00

Nevermind the fact 2 months ago I was called in to audition for Shakira's World Cup anthem music video - - the World Cup is one of the few sports events I get into. (And, for the record: I liked Shakira better when she was plump, with her raven-hair and only sang in Spanish). In fact, La Copa Mundial runs a very close 2nd to my favorite: the Summer Olympics - which says a lot. Having to wait 4

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-28501422545070460202010-06-15T22:19:00.000-07:002010-06-15T22:22:02.889-07:00

..guess why I am so busy and MIA lately??? ;)

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-86538098266929030732010-06-09T12:38:00.001-07:002010-06-09T12:40:51.615-07:00

AIR spec video from Noah Smith on Vimeo.You all remember this blog here -- the final cut was sent out yesterday of our "Air" video shoot...enjoy!

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-6260732460860285552010-06-02T22:56:00.000-07:002010-11-14T11:05:39.876-08:00

 Are you a fan of Project Runway? You don't have to be a fashionista or model to appreciate the talent (and stress) that make up each episode.  That said, although I only watched the first 2 seasons' in entirety before dropping cable, I have had the pleasure to model this year for 2 participants that are based in our own little San Diego. "Goga" by Gordana and Jesus Estrada's "Haus of Estrada"

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-39128700604447669622010-05-20T23:53:00.000-07:002010-05-21T00:06:55.831-07:00

  (Sigh). I am sure going to miss our North Park neighborhood ;)Besides being centrally located in town and right off the freeway - we are a block or 2 away from the urban and bustling night life as well as wonderful street festivals throughout the year.This past Sunday we walked down our alley and 2 blocks over to the North Park Arts Festival. We didn't stay too long as we had much to do, but,

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-6316282867725044252010-05-16T23:22:00.000-07:002010-05-17T10:23:06.872-07:00

  Have you noticed some of mine or Patrick's pictures against the same backdrop over the years? Well, it is our reddish/wine-colored living room wall. My husband and I have had many impromptu photoshoots against it.Included are some headshots photos we shot last Fall. Always learning and fooling around with lighting and poses there have been countless times I came home from a shoot or show with

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-54174484553980081622010-05-16T23:07:00.000-07:002010-05-17T10:25:15.932-07:00

 okay, folks - I have a ton of things to blog about, and videos and pictures to post but I cannot lie to you: right now I am very busy. P and I have some major things on the horizon and I feel incredibly stressed, although excited.Please accept this as an explanation for the few new blogs posted, or photography posted on my flickr website for the next couple months. I love writing and doing the

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-81356967009557603282010-05-08T21:00:00.000-07:002010-05-08T21:09:36.284-07:00

  Mid-April proved to be a perfect weekend with not-too-hot days or too-cold eves for our camping trip to one of my favorite nature locales - Joshua Tree National Park. Even more special this year was the fact that my best friend, Diana and husband John accompanied us with their new baby Megan! Oh yeah - - Di and John are my types of parents - starting the baby off quickly with exposing her (

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634012.post-68121835872462359752010-05-03T21:25:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:27:53.438-07:00

ay yi yi - Today is my 38th Cumpleanos - - and I spent it accordingly at my fave Hillcrest gay bar - Baja Bettys - with a few friends and my husband. I arrived first with Richele = who is my #1 Baja Betty Buddy. True to her own Gift-to-Gab within 15 seconds of arriving she had already chatted up the bartender and 2 neighboring young boys that it was my bday and next thing I knew I had a free

Elsa Martinez-Merritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03830071027394517131noreply@blogger.com0