Why so Serious?

Photo by: Micheal Barton

Indeed.... Why so serious?  Most of my shoots, for whatever reason have a more serious tone ( not to say that we don't have fun, because we do, but the images that come out are more sultry, or serious or sexy  or demure...you get the idea)

I had a shoot yesterday with D&G Studios that was none of that...not really... It was silly. I pulled silly, over the top faces, did silly things , wore silly costumes....( no not clowns- though you will see soon) it was just light hearted all the way around.  It was great!  It was good to just let my self relax and inject more humor into the images them selves ( I inject humor into everything else, why not some shoots?)

This isn't to say that I didn't prepare for the shoot, I did, as usual collect and prepare for it as far as costuming and makeup/ hair were concerned ( first time with liquid liner...I think I did pretty well)   And we knocked out 5 looks in about 2 and a half hours, so we were flying and got about 160 images to sort through.  So "silly" does not mean "not prepared"

I really am quite excited to see the results done ( I have all ready seen the proofs ) It's a really fun set.  ( Think vintage pin-up, along with modern comic pin-up...but remember the silly)
 

Out of Touch

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Sorry I haven't been posting, I was in Las Vegas for a week, and then managed to bring home the great Grandmother of all colds...which I am still fighting ( currently at the hacking up lung pieces stage, it's lovely)

I didn't get any shooting done while in Vegas, as I was hoping, but did have a very nice relaxing time, walking, hanging out in the pool and of course EATING....so much yummy food to experience, keeping to any type of diet was just NOT going to happen.   From Gordon Ramsay's, to Gheridelli chocolate sundae's, sushi, dim-sum, seafood, sweets..... yeah, you can't go to Vegas and not eat ( or at least I can't)

While there, I found a lovely little Buddhist shrine tucked in a corner of the strip, had one totally random guy tell me he loved me, shocked a salesman when I told him how old I was, took first class in the plane and had a total stranger come up and tell me I had a beautiful aura.  Aside from the whole getting sick thing, it was a great trip.

This week I have a nerd pin-up shoot planned as well as a glamour death metal shoot.... I love mixing genres, and pushing boundaries.  Pushing the boundaries of myself, as well as photographers.

But for today, my goal is to take it easy, take my medicine and get better.    

Difficulties

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

It is hard to keep schedules while traveling...Granted some you don't want to keep... like cleaning or working, but workouts and eating should continue, if you want to keep in any kind of shape.  So much good food... and it doesn't help when a hotel ( and yes, I KNOW they need to make money) charge to use their workout room.  Really?  I can use a free workout room at a Red Roof Inn, or any Holiday Inn...but this luxury establishment wants 25 dollars each time I want to work out?  Forgive me if I find it a little ridiculous...I let the lack of free coffee or tea in the room slide, I understand the concept of the mini-bar.  But this is craziness, Caesars...craziness.
Thankfully, I have a laptop, I have yoga routines on it , so I can still work out, I can still use the pool , but this is a disappointment from a high end,beautiful hotel like this...I expected better.  

Disappointment

Photo by: Cadence McCarrell

Have to say that I am a little disappointed.  Hubby and I are going to Las Vegas next week ( Parents are going to watch the kid, cats and house) and I was really hoping to be able to book at least one gig  while we were there.  I got one answer, when I told them when I would be there " we only work with local models" How weird is that ? I tell you when I will be in town,tell you that I will have a car ....anyway, that is a silly way to do business, you would think a chance to work with someone not in your geographical area would be interesting... and it isn't as though you can't e-mail people I have worked with before for references .  Well, I am STILL open for shoots May 20-22, in Vegas....but you have to book soon, otherwise I won't bring my kit with me....though hey, if there are no bookings... more time for me to hangout by the pool!  ( and that isn't a bad thing at all.....as long as I have plenty of sunscreen! )                                                                                                                                                                                    

First Promo

What do you think?  My make-up for my promo gig for Mad Housewife wine.     The theme ...Retro .

Not bad for a quickie hair ( I had an entirely different idea originally,but it just wouldn't work...this was the "Oh My God... I have to do SOMETHING I am running out of time " do.

I think the first  go round selling wine went pretty good too. I will have my numbers tomorrow AM, But I estimate over a case and a half...for 2 hours, and not serving samples on a beer day ( the Hawks are playing tonight- Go HAWKS!)

People want to try a wine, and I get that...but I had fun, laughed and joked with the customers while they were in line, sold some wine, got others to know that Mad Housewife existed....  So did what I set out to do.

Tomorrow I will be actually sampling the wine, so pretty sure there will be more sales from that.
Come see me at the Homewood Walts from 12-3...try the wine, buy the wine, have some fun!  See you there!

Mad Housewife and Promo Modeling

I know many models that also do promo modeling, and I have joined their ranks.   I am now doing tastings and promo's for Mad Housewife wines.  They have a great price point, are quite tasty, and lets face it, have a great label! 
There are 6 kinds and all of them are a wonderful buy! 

I will be in TWO places this week alone.

On Friday ( May 9th) I will be at Woodman's in North Aurora ( 151 Hansen Blvd. North Aurora) 


On Saturday ( May 10th) I will be at the Walt's Finer Foods in Homewood (2345 W. 183rd St. Homewood ) 12-3.  

Both days  I will be offering tastings,have bottles to buy , and there will be give away prizes when you buy three bottles  or more and mail in forms to get great Mad Housewife merchandise if you buy more.  

This is a fun,quirky label,  and I think it will be a fun thing for me to do. ( and lets face it,make a little money) 

So come by, see me,buy some wine ( I'll even autograph it for you if you want LOL) 

Photo by: G&D Studios

Sales

Photo by: Brian Morrison 

I am still at the point where I buy 99.9% of my own clothing, accessories and makeup for shoots.  And one of the things that comes from that is simply one of space.  I have to be pretty ruthless with clothing ...if I think that I will 1. wear it for another shoot ( rarely, since I really try to wear things a maximum of twice in shoots....why do the same thing over and over?) 2. Will wear it in real life ( It happens with somethings, no question) If one of those two conditions are not met it will either get donated, given away or, since I am trying a newish thing...sold.
I have put an album up on my FaceBook page in an effort to sell some things...with pictures of the item itself, then pictures from the shoot.  You can see it... here.  Some shoes, some clothing ( some of my daughters clothing) sizes, prices and condition are there ( everything was rather gently worn, since it was really just for shoots) Take a look- see if anything appeals, and then let me know....you can trust me, I have been a buyer and seller on eBay since 1998, and have 100% positive feedback...I just wanted to try something different, to see how it goes.  Ebay is the next option.  

Another Birthday

Photo by Michael Barton Art 

Well, another birthday is here. ( for the record I am 42... and found out I share a birthday with Paul Sr. of Orange County Choppers lol)

There are many people (  women AND men) that birthdays are scary, or depressing.  Why? because you are a year older? that IS a reason to celebrate! you are a year older! You made it!  Another birthday is certainly better than the alternative!

My hubby made me a wonderful, touching,nerdy card. ( Zazzle.com, you can make your own cards...how cool is that? )
"You are my 42"  " My ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything"  How cool is that? I love him...for reasons like this and so many more !


I have found that so far, my 40's are the best time of my life... I am working at doing something I love ( totally unexpectedly) I feel more secure in myself,my relationship with my husband, with other people. I feel as though I am more fully "myself " than I ever have been.  Not such a bad thing, now is it?

Age is just a number...not a definition. Define YOURSELF.

What did Auntie Mame say? " Life's  a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"   Eat life up! Go where it takes you! LIVE ,  LOVE and never, ever stop Laughing!