http://www.freesfa.com/feeds/member/carla Honestly? I am sick of seeing boxy baggy shapeless clothes that are not at all flattering on a woman's body. I am all about embracing what good qualities we have. If you have nice legs, show them off with a short skirt. If you have a beautiful shape, flaunt it with a body hugging dress! http://www.freesfa.com/member/carla Where are you located Mrs Brian Reyes Fan? http://www.freesfa.com/member/carla I always buy handbags for style and functionality; not for the label. I don't like to wear conspicuous labels. However, I do take pride in telling others about the fabulous designers I discover in this business. http://www.freesfa.com/member/carla Some of you may have noticed that we have a new blog format. When you click on “blog” at the top of the page, you will see a chronological display of all of our featured posts, by all of our featured editors. If you want to read my posts, click on “CEO Blog” under “categories” on the right hand side of the page. Also check out our hysterical editor, “Boutique Peek” who highlights some of the best boutiques in the country. Finally, we have a new writer who focuses specifically on great fashion websites. This is under “Links we love”. There are more categories to come! Stay tuned! http://www.freesfa.com/member/carla I did a Photo Shoot this week with a professional photographer. I’ve only done about 5 of these in my life. Once when I was 5, when I was 16 and getting into acting, when I was 20, when I was married, and when I was pregnant. This time, it was for business. When I arrived at Kathleen Harrison’s studio I had done my hair and make-up and I was armed with a bunch of outfits (all black and white-classic). I had geared myself up to boldly say: “I want you to make me look like a super-model who is being shot for a lifestyle magazine” Hell, if I am going to be shy about what I want, I won’t get it. Right? Kathleen shows me a few black and white photos of professionals. “No. No, no, no. I don’t want the corporate headshot stuff. It’s not me. I want these shots to be fun and flirty and casual and not too posed. This is fashion. I tried to fit into the corporate image and it just doesn’t work. I have to be me” Kathleen is probably thinking to herself, “Oh boy. I have a live one on my hands.” Realize that I make all of these demands with a big smile on my face while I am running around, digging though bags of clothes and accessories. I am a FUN, demanding bitch. We start the shoot on a white backdrop. I pretend I am a model moving to new poses between clicks. Kathleen encourages me for a while but I soon run out of moves to make. We take a quick look at a few shots on her camera and I my heart sinks. Where are my eyelids? My hair looks frizzy. Ugh, my mouth looks so tight when I try not to smile. Gosh. I am really not the person I think I am when I look in the mirror. Oh well. I look pretty good, FOR MY AGE. What a friggen show stopper that is, isn’t it? FOR MY AGE. What the hell happened to my eyelids? They are hidden beneath the upper brow. God, this is a reality check. So, we take a million more shots. I am having fun with some of them… it’s getting better. Clearly, I have no training in this because when Kathleen tells me to kick my leg up, I turn my ankle in a way that makes me look like I have a fat calf and no foot. We go outside where I can ham it up in natural light. I am embarrassed by the cars, bikes and people going by thinking, “Who does she think SHE is? A Super Model? NOT!” God forbid , I run into someone I know. A young man (boy of 20 something) walks by and then turns around to ask what we are up to. It’s perfect timing because we are having a hard time getting the reflector to stay still. He offers to help. Oh god, now I have an audience. Funny thing is, NOW I am really having fun. There is something about a young man standing there appreciating you that makes you feel… fun and flirty and sexy. These are the best shots of the day. I look at a few and recognize me for who I think I look like. Phew! Kathleen is brilliant. Here is her site http://www.kathleenharrison.com And here are a few shots. <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/brandhabit/shot1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/brandhabit/shot2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/brandhabit/shot7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> http://www.freesfa.com/member/carla &copy; 2007 BrandHabit, Inc. All rights reserved.