Friday, November 30, 2007

Birthday Shout Out: Yolanda

 

Ay, Chihuhua! It's the last one before another Big One! Felicidades to my wonderful friend, Yolanda Martinez on today her birthday! Yolanda and I met a couple years back modeling in bridal shows and since then have become closer through the trials and tribulations of being a 30-something Latina powerhouse. Your strength, inner beauty and friendship are greatly appreciated, Mujer! Echale ganas :)
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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I consider myself the type of gal who takes nothing for granted and is truly appreciative of everything that I have. After spending a lovely early morning tea with my 2 dear friends from college - Diana and Beverly - I am reminded once again how much I love the few close people in my life.

Whatever my true opinion of ol' Chris Columbus coming over and raising havoc amongst the native American Indians - I still take this day as an extra-special day of giving thanks and reflection for my relatives, my health, my Faith in God and in myself, my close friends, my sense of humour, my compassion for others, my kitty Jordy, my country home I am renting, my music and my Merritt family.

May God Bless us all and have a safe and wonderful time with our loved ones! 

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving-eatingTips


Thanksgiving and the Holidays parties are in full swing and because I am always so aware and proactive about my health I wanted to put out Elsamart's Tips for Eating during The Holidays.

It is said that the average American gains 7-10 extra pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. Seven to ten, ya'll!!! You are talking to a 35-year-old woman who is in better shape and a size 4 compared to my college early 20s when I was, at my curviest, a size 10. I changed my eating habits, cut out red meats and upped my workouts from just jogging to yoga, pilates, weights, kickboxing and more. When the holidays approach I feel like I am one of the few who don't dread gaining weight, or ever worse: trying to lose it. It's all about knowledge and discipline. And respect for your health and body :)

Avoid: Cured meats laden with salt and desserts containing large quantities of white flour and sugar are just the type of holiday favorites no one needs. They’re the foods that give us a sense of heaviness and drowsiness after we’ve consumed them. If you feel like falling asleep after you’ve eaten, that’s a very good barometer that you ate the bad, over processed food. Some people call it the 'food coma'. I have to say that I have NEVER felt this way after the holidays. I might be tired due to other reasons, but certainly not wanting to pass out from eating too much.

Balance: As usual, moderation is the key. Go for more fresh foods, such as vegetables, and less highly processed foods, such as a supermarket pie. Which is not to say you can’t eat a piece of pie. It is said that if you have good veggies and protein on the table and there’s not a lot of cream and butter on them then yes, have a dessert, it’s not going to tip you over the edge. If you have three desserts in one day, that’s going to tip you over the edge. (editor's note - I am DEFINITELY having about 3 different, if small portions, of desserts tomorrow. Maybe even ... -gasp- 4!!)

Control: It’s not unusual for people to eat a whopping 2,000 calories in one sitting over the holidays, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving meals. Experts say there’s just no excuse for consuming that much food. Take the skin off your turkey, skip the gravy and stuffing, forget the butter on your mashed potatoes, and show a little respect for yourself! Especially when it comes to that other holiday indulgence – alcohol. If you are going to drink - try red wine (which is healthy for the heart, at least, and watch out for those high calorie fru-fru drinks!) Or even better - be the designated driver and limit yourself to one drink only!

Knowledge is power! Be thankful for your health and body! Drink lots of water before eating to fill you up and try to take a walk that evening to help your food settle.
Best Wishes to my readers...

Monday, November 19, 2007

Hot Mamacitas walk the Runway for Mama's Kitchen

 I have one thing to say: "Chanel! Chanel! Chanel!" whew! This Fall I did a show benefiting the organization Mama's Kitchen (which delivers meals to those affected by AIDS). Staged by the superb fashion guru, Leonard Simpson it was held on a hot, but gorgeous day on the rooftop of the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.  As usual, Leonard got us top of the line designer clothes to wear, as well as great accessories, hats, giant poodles and another breed of dog I can't even pronounce. There was even a trio of ballet dancers from California ballet company. Lots of fun and fabulous - it's hard not to feel great in his shows and benefiting yet another local cause. "Work it out!"
Mama's Kitchen Charity Runway show
Click above on photo album for more photos AND click on link below for a short video clip of the show - - go to "what's Hot playlist", scroll down and click on "Mama's Kitchen" and then click on 'Glimpse of the Fashions' Icon. Can you guess which one is me in black? Hint: the hips, ya'll dem Messican child-bearing hips are a giveaway...
http://www.letsplaydowntown.com/LPD_front_page/Navigation/Link_Nav_San_Diego_frameset.html

Thursday, November 15, 2007

"Pretty in Pink"- Runway for a Cause..

Been working a lot of Fall runway shows lately. In September I was hired again this year (see blog from last year here) to do the Charity Runway show for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer/La Jolla MD Spa gala. Held again at the lovely La Jolla hotel, La Estancia, we again showcased Danish designer, Isabell Kristensen based in Monaco.Unlike last year - she wanted us to also do a bathing suit and lingerie (eek!) portion of the show. Well, after much hub-bub and me trying not to eat carbs for a week (I already barely eat carbs), I was chosen to only have to wear 1 bathing suit and no lingerie... the rest were regulated to the younger models from ages 17-24.
Even better - the day of the show, they took me out of my 1 bathing suit and gave it to an African American model with better.... um..assets.Plenty of money was rasied for a great cause and I wish I could have seen the look on all the umm, mainly Caucasian older affluent crowd, when the show started and some girls with thongs came out. Whew!

Click below to see yours truly "work it out" and open the gown segment of the show :)
http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=157252
AND to see some more footage including some familiar faces from elsamart's blog and some of the bathing suits and lingerie please click on link below and click on each icon box to view the short video clips.
http://www.letsplaydowntown.com/SanDiego/SDFashion/PrettyinPink/media_Frameset_PrettyinPink.html

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Es Asi -





Es asi que me considero:

Sonriente, Fuerte y sobre todo - Apasionada...

What do you get when...

,...you take a mansion, some friends, some work, a million dollar+ budget, Chris Issak and a bunch of talented theatrical people during All Hallow's Eve?
A kickass Halloween modeling job in an elaborate costume with some of your best modeling friends!
Fallen Angels
Click on slideshow above!