Arabian Regionals

Today I didn't work and was a little depressed that Patrick's flight in Dublin got delayed a day so he wasn't coming home today as planned - I miss him substantially after 12 days :( . My blessed sister Sara told me her kids were out of school (me, too!) and that we ought to check out the Regionals for the Arabian Horse professional competition circuit. It was held this year at The Del Mar Fairgrounds and we went for about 3 hours. Sara and I would have easily stayed longer but her kids eventually tired and she had to get them home.

It was so wonderful for both of us to talk to Olivia and point out so much for her to look for - and for us to reminisce back to our riding and competing days. Those who know me know I still have a huge regret not keeping up with the horses somehow. But what could I have done going to college and being a frugal professional performer my entire adult life?

Picture of me and my Arabian gelding, Torino at the Sunnyside Saddle Club local horse shows in Bonita we competed in for years. I was probably about 13 years old... circa 1987. The horses were truly beautiful. All of it is breathtaking and when the horses cantered and trotted near us in the arena I recognized the feel of those working muscles and legs pumping underneath me - - a powerhouse. The ground shaking...

I was reminded how the only time I competed in the "A" circuit (the highest circuit) was on my Aunt Elaine's Arabian mare, Dawn (I don't remember her full registered name now). I was probably about 11 years old and was elated to spend a week with my horsey Aunt and compete on her chestnut mare. I remember that we didn't have our Torino yet but I was already competing on our trainers' ponies at the local Saddle Club. But this was different - not just much more expensive but the National Circuit. When you compete at the Fairgrounds you actually keep your horse all day in the same track stables as the racehorses that run there during the summer race season. I remember it being very exciting for me as a child and huge fan of the "Black Stallion" Arabian book series to be there - especially doing an early morning warm up on the actual racetrack to get the nerves out of both horse and rider. It was just like the jockeys and Thoroughbreds do. I only placed 5th -- but it all came back to me today walking through the stables and warmup areas - usually unopened to the public.

It was a lovely day...

Runway Fun 12/2011

Idyllwild Cabin - Megan dances

Breakfast in Idyllwild 2012

Idyllwild 2012

Yes - you read the dates right: I have not published on here in months. My life, since the New Year, has been extremely busy. To the point of nary a day off and being exhausted. THAT SAID - - I did take a weekend off (my first since before Xmas) on April Fools weekend to do our annual camping trip with my best friend Di and her family (!) Whew HEW! I was ecstatic for so many reasons: I LOVE our trip together every year, I desperately needed to have some time off, I LOVE roadtrips with my husband and I love Nature! This year we did not camp in Joshua Tree as my dear friend is pregnant with her 2nd child. :) We opted to rent a nice cabin in Idyllwild, California where we could cook indoors and be more comfortable. (P was happy just to have cable!)

I had not been to this quaint town of Idyllwild since my junior year in college when my amazing choir did a weekend musical retreat there. Well, our cabin was cozy, with all amnemities. Warm, big King beds,a downstairs game room with pool table, darts and more. Games and cards. DVD with a bunch of movies (including kid ones). Cable. A stocked kitchen with plenty of things left over from previous renters - I believe we might have finished off some vodka bottle and Jim Bean for the men. he he he It was wonderful! We didn't do too much hiking - just 2 bigger ones and also a lot of window-shopping and walking around the main town (a few minutes' drive from our cabin). It was lovely. Sunny but brisk. Patrick made good, big breakfasts both mornings and John and I collaborated on some other meals. We ate fresh, good food, stayed up late playing card games and I felt relaxed and cheery around such wonderful, loving and funny, special people in my life! We are so blessed to have these times! Who knows next year if we go back to camping with new baby? Di and John did it the first year with Megan so I am sure they won't hesitate with another bambino! Click below for slideshow!

Idyllwild 2012

Model Mayhem

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 Malevanchik, John Schell and Marcus' asst.
Models: Elsa, Courtney, Sarra, Kristina, Gemma, Cierra, Traelee, Emma, Alma, & Sarah.

2011 Highlights!

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, so my travel was limited to our amazing summer road trip beyond the Bay Area into Northern California and then to Yosemite National Park. (See Blog).




2). It was a short 2nd annual camping trip with best friend Diana and her family to Joshua Tree. Tremendously cold and windy April weather made us leave before the Saturday evening cold night came back. You just never know. I have camped there in April where is was perfect, or too hot - but this time was freezing and windy! Friday night was enough of a challenge so we left Saturday afternoon. We shall see what happens this year...





3). Concerts! P and I love music concerts! This year was a banner year with seeing some of my top fave New Wave bands (ok, I was invited to see "Glee" lipsync 85% of their concert as well, but that wasn't a highlight). First there was ABC again with P at the intimate Sunset Strip House of Blues (see blog).

Then for P's 45 bday I took him to Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music at the gorgeous outdoor Greek Theater also in LA.




Then there was my favorite band in the world - DURAN DURAN - with friends at Harrah's Casino in October - - under the stars on a warm night. A perfect setting!




http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=13736
(Click the link and make sure to watch the video, fans!)
4). In my opinion the best musical ever written for many reasons is "Les Miserables". Over the summer the 25th-Anniversary National Tour played in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theater. I went with siblings and introduced Patrick and Ciara to it. It was questionably restaged (no revolving stage, no massive 2-piece adjoining barricade stage set, Javert's suicide scene no longer had the illusion of him jumping off the bridge.) But with all that said - it still is a tour de force and my family enjoyed it immensely!



4). Keeping in subject with musicals, Les Miz may be the overall best musical to me, but my favorite is still The Phantom of The Opera. It is also in it's 25th anniversary (*unbelievable* - when this show debuted whilst I was in High School it was hugely responsible for my pursuing an opera degree). At the Royal Albert Hall in London they restaged and filmed the anniversary performance to be seen for a short run in movie theaters internationally. With the best Christine I have ever seen and the fine, young, and sexy Ramin Karimloo singing the Phantom role, I still say that nothing will ever compare to the original Phantom: Michael Crawford. No pop star, young singer, super strong/belting/angry singer nor sexy Phantom has since captured the novel's true compassionate or romantic haracter of "Erick" like Michael Crawford. I thank God that we were fortunate-enough to see him 3 times perform the role in Los Angeles back in 1990-1991.

5). My precious orange tabby Gingerbread was a highlight this year as we had rescued him at Thanksgiving in 2010. But it was this year that I saw Gingy's personality establish as well as see him grow from a playful little kitten who made eye contact and stared at us and so wanted to friend grumpy old kitty Jordy (who was downright mean and awful to him for the first 7 months) until his sweetness captured Jordy's heart and they now play together - even if Jordy still isn't as affectionate to him as he is to Jordy. He has turned into a beautiful adult cat with his token half purr/meow that he does everytime he looks for us (me especially) or Jordy. That little vocalization he does is so sweet I can't even stand it. I love my Jordy, of course, he has been through the thick and thin with me and moved all over San Diego when I had to. But Ginger we rescued literally from death, starvation and exposure. It took both P and I to do it - and I raised him from only about a month old so I am proud when I point out how sweet and how unfazed he is. Not skittish like my old bear Jordy but just smart, great with the dogs (he even goes on walks with us down the street) and sweet with people, vets, kids. No scratching. I say a prayer with his adventurous ways that he come back every night to me. He prefers to be outside most of the time, or in the canyon with snakes, bobcats and coyotes but I couldn't or wouldn't stop him. He is happy. Patrick and Ciara think I favor him over all our pets, I don't - but he is just special because I I saved him under insane circumstances and really got to raise him and train him from the beginning. So I get a kick out of that. I tell P often, "He brings me such joy...!" P and Ciara refer to him as 'The Golden Boy' (who can do no wrong). *Editor's Note - it is not lost on me at all, that had I not married I would truly, officially be a Crazy Cat Lady. hehehe

6). Another highlight was the amazing modeling I did this year. I am very proud of myself to be literally holding my own walking and posing with girls this year as young as 11 next to me! I realize how blessed and how hard-working and deserving I am to work professionally and get a paycheck in this bad economy, especially. I am also aware of how many young girls envy my career. But I try to help them out as much as I can with advice. I must point out that I have paid my dues for 15 years modeling. And even longer than that with acting and singing. It takes time to build relationships and make contacts like I have done. None of it has come easy for this short, curvy model. But, as I tell the young girls, "Personality can take you far.."

One of my best jobs this year was shooting with my dear friend Kendra of Kendraweddings.com a few times. But specifically shooting 3 1/2 days in April at the glorious historic Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside. We were put up in gorgeous rooms, fed like kings and modeled many high end bridal gowns for Orange County Bride Magazine. I met wonderfully-talented people and even an America's Next Top Model on that job. Plus all my jobs with Kendra this year remain extra-special for the miracle that she is back in my life after about a 17-year absence. She is a wonderful friend! The fact that she is a fashion photographer and me a model after all these years is kismit! Stay tuned as The Mission Inn blog and pictures are very time-consuming but will be soon posted.


7). Another major highlight? Modeling in New York City. This is big. To model in NYC for any model is the biggest you can do in the USA. For me to do it at my age is almost inconceivable. For me to do it in a big show - New York Couture Fashion Week is even better. AND I got the honor of opening the show for my designer. Not. Too. Shabby.

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 :40 and walking at 2:30. It is nice they feature a lot of my designer Pilar Macchione!

8). Lastly, this year was the year (about March) where I had a big goal of getting my health and chronic back, hip and knee pain back in order. I told my sister just today how others may forget but not me nor my husband that just 2 years ago I was limping, and at times, bent over and crooked - in utter pain. Plus there was a several month period of no gym whatsoever that was very hard for me to do - not exercise. For me to be where I am today - past my goal weight after the Holidays of 117 (I hadn't been in about 6.4 years this thin), in shape and turning 40 this coming spring - well, shucks: I worked hard. I also thank my Spine Zone therapists. Our health is so important to us. I will never take it for granted. I haven't felt this good since before meeting Patrick. I am so pleased for this long road of recovery to have reached the light at the end of the tunnel in 2011.

Namaste! Adieu, 2011!

Letter and Promise to myself for 2012

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 couple things that have always brought you Happiness (travel, music, Nature, foreign languages, foreign lands, horses, helping people).

Continue to be thankful for everything: family, husband, pets, home, Health, and God.

Your sensitive heart doesn't always belong in this current world, but you know that you are special and loving to those around you.

May God Bless us all and Happy New Year!-

love, E

Christmas Day 2011

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 family and am lucky to have my own little one, as well.

Merry Christmas! God Bless us all!

Christmas Eve

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 Francisco. Meanwhile cousins Matt and Heather are expecting any second their first boy. Plus we have the newly-engaged cousins Erin and Joey. The blessings keep coming... ! I love my familia.

click on slideshow below for some pics I snapped:

Araiza Christmas Eve 2011

Finale only - balcony view plus Backstage Interview with the Crew

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 and walking at 2:40. It is nice they feature a lot of Pilar!

Short Version/Interview - New York Couture Fashion Week 9/2011

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 not walk for.

NY Couture Fashion Week: Pilar Macchione Noir Collection 2011

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

Hair Backstage and Onstage

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.

New York Couture Fashion Week 2011

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 with Pilar so she was not going to cancel.

It got to the point where I needed to leave to the show and she was really hurting so I called Pilar and asked if she could come late to hair and makeup. Pilar didn't know she was sick so of course she said that was fine. Emma painfully got through the show but we had to leave right afterwards - no after parties for me :( I ended up taking her to ER early morning and not getting to do the last bit of sight-seeing I had wanted before leaving Sunday evening - but I am glad I was able to help her. I know her parents were thankful I was there, too.

Here is video of me walking up Lexington Avenue from my hotel to the Waldorf Hotel to do hair and makeup.


It turned out that another San Diego model friend, Rosie (also in many of my blogs) was in town working for another job and so we got her in to our show that week as well. It was pretty cool that there were 3 generations of San Diego models in the show - Emma at 18, Rosie at 29 and me at 39! It also made it special to do it with people I know - the girls and Joseph Anthony doing hair.

New York Couture Fashion Week was held at the historic and beautiful Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Park Boulevard. Walking into the lobby I longed to have a drink with Rosie after the show at the bar where we could look for "Mad Men" TV types hehehhe.
Backstage was mayhem as usual but we got through it all. I only then found out that Pilar was having me open the show - - I almost cried. To open or close a show is considered an honor. I know it was her way of saying thanks for my support and time all throughout the spring and summer.

The show was 3 days long with a late morning, afternoon and evening set of 3 designers each. We had a coveted time slot of 8pm on Saturday night. Once backstage Pilar was trying to instruct us on the walk she wanted. No offense, but it wasn't coming off too clearly and it was starting to stress some girls out. We didn't even know what the music was that we were walking to. Pilar had said it was classical music. I finally just stepped aside from the madness backstage and thought to myself, "You are opening this show and you will hear the first few notes of music and know what kind of walk you are supposed to do." My only plan was to keep my hands on hips as she wanted and let my trained musical ear and sense of theatrics get me through it and do Pilar proud...

Show time!
Click on link below:

NY Couture Fashion Week - backstage!

New York, New York!

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 my age I was going to walk in a New York runway show! To walk or work in New York for any model is top-notch so I was pretty pleased to have this opportunity.

Of course going to New York also meant I got to briefly visit some old friends. After taking the red eye on a Tuesday night I settled into the very cosy Fitzpatrick-Gerald hotel in Uptown Manhattan. It was pricey but a great location only 4 blocks from the show. Plus it was Irish with a sister-hotel in Dublin. I couldn't believe how many Irish nationals were actually staying at the hotel - - what a kick in the pants!

My dear friend, Joseph Anthony, from The Hair Lab, in San Diego also flew out separately to do hair for Pilar's show. He had thrown her her final fundraiser back in San Diego and helped her with a sizeable final check to help get her to NY. Joseph was such a sweetheart and did my hair in the hotel whenever I went out to meet friends. He didn't have to but he is so generous like that. I felt like what the celebs must feel like having their own hair person entourage travel with them. :)

The first night I met for early dinner my old friend, Duke - who was kind enough to drive a couple hours down from CT. He does a lot of business in the City and of course had us hooked up at the swanky rooftop hotel lounge bar that we went to. He also likes to see me eat and kept feeding me - dang it!! It was lovely to see him and he always makes me laugh heartily. His humor and style is so East-Coast- it just amuses the heck out of me.

After dinner I returned to my hotel where my old actor friend, Jimmy, met me after his work at the lobby bar for a couple drinks. Jimmy was one of my best buddies from the "Selena" musical national tour 10 years ago. I pretty much see him every year in San Diego as he is a total Comic Con nerd and has a big podcast about the industry. I've evidently met many VIP industry people through him when we go out in San Diego but I never know who they are and how important they are! (I know they like that about me, by the way).

The next day I had lunch at a very trendy hotel at the Meat-Packing District with my best gay friend in the world - Jose. I met "Fina" when she was only 18 - fresh out of graduating from the High School of Performing Arts. We both got our professional start in theater together in San Diego and did several shows together, also including the national tour of "Selena". When that ended Fina first moved to Chicago and then New York and got some more work around the world before retiring (as dancers must) and ended up by God's Grace as an agent for Ford and Wilhelmina Modeling agencies. It is amazing and I am so proud! We had a short but delicious lunch as Fina was going to Milan for some bookings. What a life!

That evening, young model Emma from San Diego (she is in many of my fashion blogs on here) took the train from Brown University in Boston where she just started school 2 weeks prior. Joseph Anthony, his friend Russell, and I met up with her and did free dinner thanks to Duke at a client restaurant and walked around shortly before hitting the hay for our busy next day!

Click on slideshow below:

New York Trip Sep. 2011

The Road to New York Couture Fashion Week

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 ago and I can't believe how things took off for this talented young lady!

She asked for my help a bit knowing I was a professional model but she was a struggling up-and-coming designer and couldn't pay. I decided to waive some paychecks and model for her throughout the spring because I believed in her talent so much. Next thing we knew she was invited to show in New York Couture Fashion Week and needed to raise some serious mula to get there. In lieu of donating money that I don't have to her campaign I just modeled for free, helped with directing a publicity video (think of me as her on-screen coach) and helped out on some fashion show fund-raisers. I wore one particular dress so much the last few months that she actually started calling it the "Elsa Dress".

Many people (models, photographers, stylists and more) donated their time and money to help Pilar get to New York. It was stressful and we weren't sure if it was going to happen at times but it was a wonderful community effort to get a local gal from Solana Beach to New York. Here are some pictures of modeling on some the news and fundraiser shows on the Road to New York Couture Fashion Week. Click on slideshow below:

On the Road to New York Couture Fashion Week

Easter 2011

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!

Custo Barcelona/Betsey Johnson show

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 agency modeling with me: especially my best model friend, Allison. Thanks to Fashion Valley, the Syrah staff and Pam Wilson for hiring us and holding the show!

watch me throw my favorite flower - the large sunflower to a lucky guest at the very end of the video! I am glad I didn't poke his eye out with my impromptu gesture!

Fine Magazine

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 turned out to be my favorite breed - an Arabian (like what I had growing up!). I was so enthusiastic and enjoyed myself so much that I didn't even care that although they had originally wanted me to have the cover riding the horse - they switched on-location to my blonde co-model Amber - her honey-colored hair definitely popped better anyway! :)

Below is video from the Polo event:


Click on slideshow below for more pics of all events:

Fine Magazine events