Side Eye Action: What It Do?

Ladies, I know we've all been caught in some... errrr... interesting situations. You feel a little uneasy, but you can't seem to find a way out. What's my solution? A little nervous laughter.

The other models from my agency tried the "just smile" approach. This can sometimes be effective as well, unless the guy is really laying his mack down.

Start watching at 4:07 and then again at 6:55.

Remember to be firm, assertive and still charming when you're stuck in a tight spot. Keep it classy.

P.S. Thanks Macklyn from The What It Do for the really random interview and for being such a good sport.

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Catwalk Confessions: Jen Awad for Concept LA

I definitely looked more goth than anyone else. Let's just call this one "A View To A Kill."

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Catwalk Confessions: Designer Launch Pad

I can sum up this show in one word: FABULOUS! I kicked off the show scantily clad and I refuse to post the photos and video. You don't need to see me showing my @ss, because it's all about the clothes, right?

Thanks to Jeffrey Relf of The Fashion Office and everyone involved behind-the-scenes for making this happen. The videos are courtesy Macala Wright Lee at FashionablyMarketing. Me .

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Catwalk Confessions: Directives West First. LA

So many different thoughts run through my mind before I hit the runway:

"Don't make a funny face."

"I hope my shoe doesn't fly off and hit someone in the face."

"God, please don't let me trip and land on my face."

Ok, so my shoe almost came off as soon as I hit the runway for my last look. No sweat. I still walked it out like a pro. I'm sure I made a slightly funky face in reaction to the minor mishap, but there are no pictures to prove it.

And that's what really counts.... the runway photos. I've gotten caught before with a few funky facial expressions. It all stems from thinking too much when I'm taking that walk. I start reacting to the random things in the crowd like what someone's wearing or if there's a VIP in the front row. Or perhaps my lips are dry because someone applied my makeup 3 hours before and didn't touch me up. System Overload.

I've learned to tune it all out and walk like I don't give a $h*t. It's all in good fun. If you're going to hit the runway, then hit it like you mean it.

Here's a little video of the show courtesy of IFelicious. You'll catch me around 2:09 and 3:39.

Enjoy.

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Eye Only Have Eyes 4 U

Me and Eyesheartopen by Phoks

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It's LA Fashion Week

Well, more like random fashion events. But I am participating in a limited capacity. Stay tuned for pictures and all that good stuff soon.

Xoxo,

Model Liberation

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More than a Blogger: Leila of BGLH

I enjoy getting requests for interviews, but it's even better when I have the opportunity to return the favor. Last month, Leila Noelliste the creator of Black Girl with Long Hair, hit me up for an interview. As a former journalist, it's a challenge to be the one answering the questions instead of asking all them. So, I gave Leila a taste of her own medicine.

First, let me tell you what grabbed my attention about Leila. Her work isn't limited to blogging about natural hair. She is a resonating voice in a community of women that are passionate about self expression, social equality, and embracing who you are.

What makes you tick?

Leila: A TON of things. My family, memories of my childhood/teenhood in Jamaica, my personal faith and music! I love exploring music!! I recently discovered the Cocteau Twins, they're a defunct Scottish band and it's been really cool getting into some of their stuff.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Lelia: A lot of different things. None of which have come true, lol!

What did you major in at Wheaton College?

Leila: Media Studies... My professional life thus far has always involved some level of media.

Do you still consider yourself a journalist?

Leila: Um that's an interesting question. I sometimes view the blog as one huge journalism & community arts project. It's a protracted exploration of the nuances and diversity within the "natural hair community", as well as a collection of information on natural haircare. If you look at my blog I have tabs titled Products, Haircare and Salons, I consider these to be a collection of natural hair "research" that I've collected :)

What is beauty to you?

Leila: Let me first say that I think cosmetic beauty is highly overrated. And very very ironically, that idea becomes clearer the longer I blog. (That's a discussion in and of itself.) I really think that people need to be okay/at peace with the way they look on the outside, whether or not its conventionally "beautiful." So I guess I can't really answer this question. I know what beauty ISN'T to me. It's harder to talk about what it is...

Who are the women you admire?

Leila: My mother, because she has amazing character and great integrity. I also love my little sister to death. She is such a beautiful and strong woman! She runs track at a D1 university, is a Geology major, an honor student and a huge environmentalist. She's going to spend her spring break with my parents in Haiti doing relief work (my father is Haitian) and I think that's amazing. I'm excited to see how her life plays out :)

What words of wisdom do you have for women struggling with low self esteem?

Leila: Control what you're absorbing, whether it be subliminal messages from culture, family or friends. And be deliberate about what you want to communicate to yourself about yourself. Spend time with people who celebrate who you are, and don't be afraid to cut off toxic people if you need to. My mom is a psychologist and she's always telling me "Self talk! Self talk!"

What are you passionate about and what keeps you going?

Leila: I'm passionate about issues of health, sustainability and equality. I believe deeply in the potential of black women and I think that we need more positivity in our community. The ones I love keep me going :)

Although Leila shies away from the spotlight, her beauty is front and center (actually top right) on a Creme of Nature ad. Here's what she has to say about the product.
Creme of Nature's shampoos have always been pretty celebrated in the natural hair community. They do a good job of cleansing the hair without stripping it.

For more on Leila and great tips on working with natural hair, check out Black Girl with Long Hair.

P.S. She also has freckles. =)

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Beauty in the Background

I was there when Darryl "Chill" Mitchell gave his emotional acceptance speech. I was there when Monique won for her performance in Precious. And I was standing right there in the background when Precious took home the biggest honor of the night at the NAACP Image Awards.

Why was I there? Because I was one of the "awards hostesses" also known as a trophy model. My job was to hand off the trophy to the award presenters and then usher them along with the winner off stage. It's kind of nerve-wracking walking out in front of an audience of celebrities, but I kept my cool.

You might think it's not all that glamorous, but it actually is. I went for a fitting to pick out the perfect dress. And the glam squad that dolled me up has worked on the A-list of Black Hollywood. I felt like Cinderella.

Even though my job was to stay in the background, I garnered some well deserved attention. I got kiss on the cheek from Maxwell himself when he won his award for Best Male Artist. I flirted a little with Van Jones. And I even gave an ecstatic Gabby Sidibe a congratulations hug for her win.

Before the show even started, I got to sit in and watch backstage as Wyclef, Keri Hilson, Carlos Santana, Jill Scott, John Legend and The Roots rehearsed. And to see them perform live during the show gave me goosebumps. They are such perfectionists and yet so humble.

Everyone was one big family backstage. There were no egos when one nominee beat out another for an award. How can anyone be full of themselves when Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman are around? And to think, I was right there in the presence of giants.

Here's on of my favorite moments of night. You'll see me around 1:15.

Honorable Mentions:

I almost started crying on stage when Darryl Mitchell gave his acceptance speech.
Jill Scott and Regina King are both sweethearts and so gorgeous.
Carlos Santana gives God praise for everything, and that's awesome.
Questlove is a really cool dude.
Lenny Kravitz is too cool for words.
Van Jones kicks ass. Take that Glenn Beck!
I mustered up the courage to tell Myrlie Evers-Williams that she's my hero, but I'm still too flustered to say one word to Julian Bond. I've had a crush on him since I was a kid.

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A Little Fanfare

I've been trying to wrap my head around writing, but still haven't found the clarity to do so. My take on the NAACP Image Awards and an interview with Leila from BGLH are coming very soon.

In the meantime, I was so excited to find this video created by someone who admires my work. You never know who you'll inspire and why, and that makes it all the more fun. Thanks for this Erykah.

Xoxo,

N

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