Sword fish Salad with Blue cheese crumble - Recipe

Sword fish with Blue cheese crumble recipe People often ask about my routine from skin care to working out. I have always been embarrassed to tell them, "Uh Ooo, I don't work out...(and I am magic, jk with the magic part)". Even I began to ponder, "does anyone truly have that great of genes or am I possibly doing one of more things right?" Let's explore this together. Well, by popular demand, I've begun paying better attention to what I actually eat and will now bring to you a new blog: "How to eat like a Horse,but prance like a Filly." My first piece is a simple recipe on how to make a hearty, yummy, yet healthy lunch, that won't leave you hungry and angry! We can never do hungry!

Sword fish with Blue cheese crumble recipe Ingredients: - Left over swordfish steak baked from last night- cut up in small cubes (made sure fish was either as far down the Pacific Coast as possible or even better Atlantic fish...still freaking out about Fukushima oil spill) - Bagged or cut organic Kale - Organic Romaine Hearts - Large tomato - Onion - Blue cheese crumbled - Any kind of dressing...I used poppy seed mixed with your basic Italian dressing (I refuse to ever ruin my salad with diet dressing- yuck...besides olive oil is good fat and good for u) - Ground pepper to taste My salad was actually bigger than the photo narrates...I had eaten a good quarter of it before the photo, cause it was soooo darn good!

How to wear a Pair of Leggings

JANUARY 22, 2011

First, stop thinking of Leggings as anything, but just “bottoms!” They should be viewed as a compliment, just as jewelry might be to an outfit. If you have the right pair, leggings can be the piece that can make an outfit amazing! They can be used to warm your legs and just melt into the background of your outfit, or be the standout piece that makes or breaks your look. Leggings can be like pants or stockings, transparent, solid, thick, thin, be multi-colored, have patterns or interesting textiles. Leggings should be thought of as a staple in one’s wardrobe. It is all in how you wish to create your look or style. The ways they can be worn are endless! Give these looks a try: take a solid colored skirt and blouse and create the WOW factor with a textured pair of leggings, or wear a conservative dress (below the knee) and throw on a pair of funky animal print leggings, or even a traditional blouse with a too sexy micro mini and add a pair of bad boy leather leggings for a bad girl librarian look, or try a

solid natural or nude tone colored tunic/dress and pair it with jewel tone colored leggings. For a futuristic Spring look try a pair leggings: wear a bandeau top with a blazer, a pair of easy/loose fitted capris/collates and a pair of leggings underneath! The many ways to rock leggings is totally endless. I’ve even worn a solid Python textile pair (from SaAm Designs) coupled with a thermal top, turtleneck and fur coat in the snow (I will occasionally add a pair of thick tights/legging underneath for more warmth). Reinvent old dresses, tunics, skirts, and even a pair of collates, all with an interesting pair of leggings. With leggings, you can reinvent any article of clothing you may have previously dreamed of tossing, just by pairing it with great leggings!

How to do Fake Bangs

The most flattering leggings… ever! by Kristi Brooks

Stylist to the Stars: Kristi Brooks, blogs on SaAm Designs

Beef Stew, Hot Pot, Pho Bowl? Recipe

Recently, some individual in my household (not mentioning names for fear of retribution) bought a "GINORMOUS," 10 pound bag of carrots. Ok, so what, that they were organic, who the hell knows what to do with that many carrots??? Crickets, silence...times up, I know - no answers. With the impending storm coming, I was feeling like one of my cozy, curl up by the fireplace favs: Hot Pot/Stew Soup/Pho Bowl Thing. I've called it all that, cause I don't follow any strict directions and tend to make whatever it is, somehow my own...plus, I like to use whatever is readily available in my fridge and pantry. And oh yeah, I will be using A LOT of carrots, by any means necessary. As well, some will say...you are nuts using Filet Mignon for a frig'in stew...but, it's all the beef (outside of ground beef - burgers) that I had available...who cares...someone will eat it and it did not go to waste!

Recipe: Beef Pho Hot Pot - Saamy Style

 

Needed Dry Ingredients:

• Pepper corn (photo key # 4)
• Fennel seeds (photo key #2) - (reminds me of a BAD diet ingredient I tried once, from a "nuts, fruit & birkenstock wearing friend that was vegan)
• Coriander (photo key #3) - mini balls that taste like citrus or lemon/orange zest (zest: skin of that fruit)
• Star anise (photo key #1) - they look like tiny "ninja blade throwing stars" and smell/taste like black licorice
• CARROTS (the 10 lb bag that will never end...)
• Green beans or peas or broccoli or all of the above - as much as you like...gotta add something green
• Onion - preferably large
• Chicken broth, bouillon or paste - to taste...make sure not to over due because of the salt!
• I did not , but you can add bean sprouts and parsley
• Optional" bean sprouts, parsley, mint, scallions as toppers when served

   

Wet ingredients: This requires you to taste the broth periodically, as the water heats up with all the dry ingredients boiling...cause I'm all about how it tastes as you go along in the cooking process!

• Any size pot of water (depends on how many will eat or if you desire mega left overs) - As much water as you like
• Too this water add - Onion - add as much onion as you like to taste
• Too this water add - Garlic - in whole form and/or powder form...whatever you have on avail - again to taste
• Too this water add - All dry spices named above - to taste...as it boils and you check the taste, add more of one spice or other

When ALMOST ready to serve/ or right before, strain out any fennel, peppercorn, star anise & coriander seeds. Side note: some people tie it up in cheese cloth for an easier removal. Now, add the Beef & Noddle to the "boiling stew/rue:"

• Add the "Chinese Style Noodles" - Rice Noodles, Egg noodles or basic Italian Noodles (photo key #8) - basically any noodle available goes- to the boiling hot soup!
• Add slithers of filet mignon - sliced against the grain (which is perpendicular to the visible grain line of the meat ) - see photo below -( Ok stop saying that I'm wasting good cuts of beef). Normally people use the following beef cuts: chuck roast, brisket, rib roast, sirloin, etc. ...any beef that is not already GROUND will do! Even Chicken or Fish or ALL OF THE ABOVE or some will DO!
• Optional: garnish with mint, parsley, bean sprouts, scallions

Filet mignon cut on the cross grain to make slithers

How to become a Model and avoid scams - Part II

JANUARY 31, 2013

Now that you have the perfect attitude, mind set and look, it's time to build your portfolio (Model's photo book) . I emphasize "build," because it is important for you to understand that achieving a great portfolio is is not achieved over night! Being photographed and knowing how to pose, knowing your body, knowing your best angles, having the proper clothing, finding great locations and most importantly a good photographer can take time and loads of practice. A portfolio and comp card is a Model’s greatest asset in this business, when it comes to booking jobs or even getting an Agent. If you are in your early teens, a portfolio is not as important when you are just beginning…an Agent will not expect a full portfolio and will help you achieve one. If you are about 19 yrs. old and up, an agency will expect a decent portfolio from you right from the beginning. If you are starting in this field late, you must come already seasoned and ready to work or at least appear that way. Achieving a great portfolio is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do! If it is possible, you can go to a couple of agency "go-sees" (interviews) and ask for a couple of comp cards/zed cards (to take away) that you might use for examples of the type of photos you’ll need. Getting some sample comp cards (or sample zed’s) from an agency may be hard to do, if the agency is absolutely not interested in seeing you again, but DON"T be deterred. You can go online to see established Model’s comp cards such as: “Models.com, elitemodel.com, or http://models.fordmodels.com/models, ” – here you get access to amazing photo shoots, Model Zed cards and the whole works.

 

 

     Shot in a basic suburban yard  

With this knowledge, my best advice is to create a personal homemade binder, I call the “look book.” This book will become your Model Bible and should be broken up in organized categories such as: hair, make-up, location, lighting, clothing/looks and themes. Fill this book with cut outs from catalogues , U.S. Fashion Magazines and European Fashion Magazines. Whether you’ve determined that you are the high fashion type or the commercial type, shoot your portfolio according to the market you fit best. Remember to keep in mind the location of where you live. The West Coast is not considered High Fashion, but rather Commercial, so if you are determined to do High Fashion you will have to be willing to relocate to the East Coast or Europe to truly pursue that. Once you’ve made a look book, it is time to practice being a Model. Choose a “look” from a magazine or your "look book Bible," go to a mirror and practice, practice, practice this look! A Model must know what she looks like to the camera, without a mirror being placed in front of her! This confidence of one’s self, only comes with lots of practice posing in front of your mirror. Another technique is to take a magazine, find different photos and try to immolate exactly, the facial and body pose of the photograph. Now it is time to put the posing to the test, get a friend who may also be starting out in the biz and you can take turns practicing shooting each other. You can also use a tripod and shoot yourself with a timed camera. Develop or scan through your photos (if you have a digital) to see what you look like to the camera (your audience). By doing this regularly, you will become comfortable with being in front of the camera and confident that you know what you look like w/out a mirror telling you. Additional ways to get in some practice, as well as, possibly getting great shots to put in your portfolio is to check out your local Junior Colleges and Art Schools - Photography Department. You’ll be able to find eager students that are always looking to practice their photography skills and will usually negotiate a photo disk for your time called TFP = Time for Prints. The final step is finding a good fashion/commercial/head shot photographer. If you happen to see other Model’s work that you love - never hesitate to ask for a referral. You should always interview any photographer you are considering shooting with. Remember, a photographer will only put their best work in their books. If you are not wowed by their work, move on fast!!! If the Model’s in their book don’t look great, chances are: you won’t either. If the lighting or the styling looks terrible, chances are that you’ll end up unhappy. A test shoot with a professional photographer should only cost approximately $275-$575. The more established, or known the photographer, the more likely they will charge the upward amount. With this, you should receive about 4 to 7 looks (looks: changes of clothing/make up/hair), and about 200 – 600 or so shots. A make-up artist is about an additional $175. She/He should also be interviewed. If you aren’t good at styling or do not have the clothes, hiring a Stylist will again be another $175. Again, they should be interviewed. I believe if you’ve done your look book Bible, you should be able to put together some comparable gear on your own. Tune in to find out “10 ways to take a great Photo!”

How to become a Model and avoid scams - Part I

So you want to grace the glossy covers of high fashion magazines, stomp the runways, receive worldwide recognition, all, while being paid the big bucks? Who doesn’t? It seems as though these days, everyone wants to be a Model, while thousands more will never have a legitimate opportunity or worse be taken for thousands of dollars! In this multi- series of blogs, I will share my honest advice, experience, and some stories from other Model comrades about how to maneuver through the mean avenues of the sometimes wicked world of Modeling. You’ll learn how to stay smart and not become a victim of a Model Scam! Modeling can be gas money or quite lucrative, it all depends on a million factors, some of which you have absolutely NO control over and some which you do. In this and all forth coming blogs, let’s focus on what you 

can do to make a difference.

  

  Head shot focused on eyes

First, if someone walks up to you at a mall with a business card, check it against the Model/Actors Guild: http://www.sagaftra.org/home-franchised-agents list! This list has a nationwide listing of reputable agencies for all categories of Modeling (even Body/Hand or “Parts” Modeling) and of course Acting. If the agent/agency is not listed, it is quite possible that they are a scam or some overpriced school that is masking themselves as an agency, promising you many jobs if you complete their series of expensive classes/training. If an agent or manager asks for money, RUN!!!! No legitimate agent would ever ask for money as payment to be in their agency. The agency’s income is generated by the job/s you book through them in the form of a commission. This commission fee is usually 20% for print/runway work and 10% for commercial, tv, film or video work. If they want you to get photos for your portfolio, they will offer a list of their approved photographers (you may additionally find reputable photographers from the former website given: www.SAGAFTRA.org), but should still allow you to pick your own. They will show you examples of what kind of looks you need for your portfolio, usually giving you a couple of comp/zed cards of other Models in their agency as a sampling.  A comp or zed card is a photo compilation of a Model's work that is printed on a card that is usually 5"x 7" or so in size and includes his/her measurements and their agency of representation's contact information. Sometimes a faux agent will have a scam going with photographers and try to strong arm you into shooting only with them (then they split the $$$). If they are scarily adamant and/or the price seems very high, that’s a red flag that there could be something up. Later, I will go into detail about how to properly vet a good photographer. 
 

A primary mistake most novice Models and even veteran Models make is not knowing, “who their target market is.” Sometimes Models tend to believe the hype that all it takes is beauty or slimness to succeed and everything will miraculously fall into place. Unfortunately, having a career as a Model is a lot more involved then most will ever imagine. It (the business of Modeling) needs to be treated with the same respect as any other job you’d seek out in the corporate world. You would never show up to an interview without first having researched the company you are seeking a job from! The same goes with Modeling. The more you know about Modeling, a client, an agency, or manager, before attending a go-see, casting, or meeting, the better your chances are of getting into that agency and/or booking the job.
 

Knowing your market takes mindful research and some dedicated work. You must know your personal bright points and where you are deficient. Look at 100′s of magazines and/or catalogues, attend fashion shows, watch the Style Channel, read any books about the business of Modeling/Fashion, anything you can to gain knowledge. Check out these websites that allow you to see professional Model's work from around the world: www.Models.com, http://www.artandcommerce.com, http://www.corridor40.com. Find a particular Model that seems to mirror your body and/or face or hair style, thus, a Model that has your look. Be realistic, don’t choose a Model that you wish you looked like. See what kind of jobs, campaigns or commercials this Model tends to get. More than likely, you’ll fit the same type of categories and thus the Client’s tastes. This should be the look you go for in your portfolio shots, as well as, how you should dress when seeking out an agency to represent you. 

Today with the internet (Model blogs, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), Life style mags, tabloid news, as a juicy source of knowledge, it is easy to research and even track a particular Model to see how she or he may dress on an every day outing and how they style themselves. Putting on a “Model’s face or persona” into your daily routine, further enhances your chance of becoming one. Live/act the part at all time, become the Model. Lady Gaga, although not a Model is a great example of a dedicated performer who is an interesting character whenever she is out in public. Naomi Campbell, who is a High Fashion Model, makes it a point to look like a Model whenever she ventures out as well. Both Ladies are perfect examples of someone that is “being in character” at all times.  

Tune in for the next installment: Part II