REAL TALK + Cynthia Rowley Show

BLACK BODYSUIT (ABOVE,thick material) I also love this one- BLACK BODYSUIT for $20! It’s a tee-shirt look |

PLAID PANTS by Cynthia Rowley | LEOPARD COAT | CELINE (style 41076) SUNGLASSES, dupe PAIR (under $20) | BLACK CROSSBODY BAG (under$40)

REAL TALK

1.I get asked all the time about what it’s like taking pictures all over the city. People want to know what the process is like – who takes the pictures (is it Dennis?), or do you hire someone? Do I have people follow me around everywhere I go? Do I shoot all at once or do I have a photo shoot daily? Anyways, I get the curiosity. I find myself thinking the same thing about other bloggers that are much bigger than me. How is this all done!?

This is what it’s like and how I do it-

The first time I shot in the city I hired a photographer named Lydia. We have worked together for 3 years now. Our first photo shoot was crazy! Everything went wrong. We were on the lower east side and I had a suitcase full of outfits and products for campaigns I was shooting. I had a quick outfit change (behind Lydia’s coat, I know… not smart!) and right before I buttoned my last button a homeless man ran over to us shouting all sorts of things. Apparently we were taking photos “in his house”. He dropped his pants, yup butt naked (it all gets foggy after that, gulp) and screamed at us to LEAVE the sidewalk. So this was my first experience. I didn’t think I’d ever do it again. NOT GLAM AT ALL! LOL. I was terrified and honestly thought he was going to hurt me. After that experience I got a lot smarter about shooting in NYC. I realized I had my car! I bring the things I’m shooting for the week in my car. I can get dressed in it and have a warm spot during the really cold days. I plan out exactly what I need and get it done over 2-3 days. I also get a hotel room once a month and plan out projects around events and campaigns I’m invited to. This helps so much. It’s also nice for Dennis to skip commuting for a day. (we live about 60 minutes outside the city) My favorite shoots are when I’m headed to an event or doing a specific campaign for a brand and the entire day is purely focused on that. Makes it so much easier.

I have a photographer, Lydia Hudgens and videographer, Ashley Randall. I also have two friends that are bloggers. We trade quite a bit!

2.I can’t believe the response I had about SURROGACY. I even had a few people offer to be mine! Soooo generous and kind. We are not 100% but we are excited to explore this and see how we feel. It’s incredible how many of you have brought your angel babies to your family this way. I read every comment, email and DM. I was so touched. So was Dennis! It could definitely be a journey we take and more than anything I love that it’s an option and such a positive option.

3.It’s a snow day. It’s not even bad outside. Our town cancels school when it rains. We are currently watching THE GRINCH, still in pajamas. I’m headed to the city in a few hours for the Cynthia Rowley show and a friends’ bday.

4.The Comparison Game – There is so much pressure as mothers and women to “have it all”. To be everything and do everything. I struggle with this and it is hard to find balance. Who do you let become your role models? Because these “role models” are the women that you subconsciously compare yourself with. It’s easy to get wrapped up in doing too much. The biggest life lesson I learned last year is that I need to say, No. I don’t need to be at every girls night, lunch date, gym function, school activity, PTA mom, class mom, the list goes on and on. Sometimes it’s okay to say no. Don’t compare yourself to other moms and women. All of us struggle in different ways.

5.Last year (FEB 2018) I met Diane Von Furstenberg at her SoHo store location for the first time. I was getting an outfit for an event she had. I won’t ever forget meeting her for the first time. I had a beanie on top of my head and my hair tucked in my coat. It was a freezing day. Diane was so incredibly kind to me, even picked out a few outfits for me to try on, stood by my dressing room door. I started wondering, “why is she being so overly kind to me.” I then found out she thought I had cancer because my hair was pulled back and up in my beanie! When she found out I didn’t have cancer she sat me down and advised me to never wear a beanie again. She told me they simply made me look like I was having cancer treatment and did nothing for my look! LOL. To this day, whenever I wear a beanie I make sure all my hair is out and visible. I saw her again at her event a few days ago and laughed at the “beanie moment” with her. She’s an amazing icon. I’m thrilled to be able to rub shoulders with her. (once a year, wink)

sorry for grammar-I’m not editing this. I’m running out the door! only had time to type it once.

I linked last week’s real talk post at the bottom.

BLACK BODYSUIT (ABOVE,thick material) I also love this one- BLACK BODYSUIT for $20! It’s a tee-shirt look |

PLAID PANTS by Cynthia Rowley | LEOPARD COAT | CELINE (style 41076) SUNGLASSES, dupe PAIR (under $20) | BLACK CROSSBODY BAG (under$40)