I really, really hate having my picture taken, especially if I’m solo..and if I’m sober- forget it. Now, if I’m out with the girls after a few adult beverages- I have no issue if someone goes into Terry Richardson mode and snaps away.

James gets this about me…so we set up a shoot where I’d feel as non-awkward as possible.

That meant a 3am wake up call. YES THREE AM.

We wanted to catch the natural sunrise light down at North Avenue Beach, which happens around 4:30am…so that meant I needed to rise and attempt to shine at the insane early hour. I’m lucky I didn’t burn off my hair while trying to create beachy waves while half asleep.

James showed up right on time and we made our way down to the nearly deserted beach just as the sky went from dark to watercolor. I grabbed a ton of random pieces from my closet and he brought along a watermelon…sounds bizarre but it actually made for some of my favorite photos.

Since people were spilling out of the bars as we headed to the beach, I didn’t feel THAT bad about relaxing with an adult cocktail to loosen up for the skin-baring shots.

Let me explain why I wanted to do a shoot that is borderline “WTF”. See, someday I’ll be trying to remember what it was like to not hate my body and I’ll want to show people proof that I woke up and did crazy early yoga. So trust me, in no way do I think I’m a model or super sexy….I just think embracing who you are is empowering.

As the 600+ shots started coming thru to my email, I wanted to cry- he really knows what he’s doing.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Thinking about doing a photo shoot? Hire this man.

The rain held off, my friends came and did almost EVERY single class and the park was packed.

Lexi, Gable, Policy, Me and E Smith attempting a jump shot. Lex’s Mom was in town from Denver and not only did she take this shot, but she was working out all day along side the ladies like a champ!

I had 0 plans to do the workouts and didn’t even wear a sports bra- but the workouts looked like so much fun that I jumped in and sampled lots of classes. Let me tell you- jumping jacks in a push up are a real blast.

bounce!

Katie Cassidy was not only doing all the workouts, but of course she looked amazing after. Damn celebs always keep it so tight. Plus- she was really nice and open to shoot some fun stuff with us.

Celebs are robots who always look perfect, and I’m cool with dat.

The girls from Skirt PR not only got the event TONS of press beforehand, but they were on point during as well. A great PR team can make or break the experience…and they were on their game from the moment I arrived until they put me into my Uber to go home.

And of course the entire staff at SELF keep me well prepped and made my job easy…and we had some laughs too. Hail to the V!

Six hours of pep, workouts and talking can really drain a person- who knew right? So after I literally sat on my couch for an hour and zoned out in silence.

But that’s the meaning of a great day of work, right? You gave it so much that silence is enough.

Next weekend come hang with me and Katie Cassidy (from Arrow!) and workout with SELF Magazine in Chicago.

This is a fantastic networking event if your looking to get into health and fitness, plus it’s a ton of fun and an actual workout.

Plus, there’s tons of free stuff and it’s only $20 bucks to get in- no excuses!

See you there?

It aired!

This Wednesday they’re coming back to Chicago and Saturday, Jason and I got to shoot our piece.

I tried to pick a variety of places that showed off the different aspects of what we do here in Chicago, and I hope people feel like I rep’ed our city well.

Jason is HILARIOUS. He’s truly one of the funniest and most witty people I’ve ever worked with. We shot from 2:30-11:00pm and he kept me laughing the entire time. Not only that, but he’s professional, humble and kind. He fed the limo driver, always helped the crew carry their gear and was extremely gracious with fans. Plus he’s super down to earth…I got VERY lucky to work with someone so inspiring.

Our crew and producer Josh were also fantastic, and we had some moments that I wish people could see; like when our camera guy was standing out of the sunroof of their SUV shooting our limo on a packed Lincoln Ave.

Our crew after wrapping at Studio Paris

I also conquered my fear of sober (ish) karaoke for the shoot (truth be told I did a shot before singing TWO duets). I HATE singing but Jason made it less painful as he pumped up the crowd.

I can’t wait to see how Josh turns 9 hours into about 3 mins…and I hope you’ll tune in with me on Wednesday!

The invite said to dress in 20′s garb- which I wasn’t sure if people would actually do. I mean…2 hours and 23 mins in a dress?? But for fear of missing out, I jumped in and Pintrested some Gatsby hair and makeup for the occasion.

I watched a few videos on how to finger wave and basically laughed- it looks major complicated. So instead I broke out that trusty waving iron and used that and a regular curling iron and a ton of bobby pins to complete the look.

Let’s just say, my co workers had a blast laughing at me as I attempted to pin up my long hair into a short bob. It took more than a few tries and some help- but I was pretty happy with the results.

Kept the makeup simple with black liner, lashes and red lips.

The film was on lockdown- we had to turn our phones off completely and got a strict lecture from a pirating security.  Chaz Ebert and Bill Zwecker gave a touching intro to the film and Roger, and then it was time to put on the 3D glasses.

Jay Z’s music added so much to this film for me, he scored it so well. And to be honest- I wouldn’t change a thing. I left feeling like I got everything I wanted and more and I wasn’t bored or restless for one moment.

If anything- we left craving dirty martinis!

This is not the Oscars people, this is a night to be bold, and wild and have fun with style. So chill out, they aren’t supposed to look “pretty”. Let them have a little fun.

This year’s theme was *punk* and I applaud the celebs and models who tricked it out.

Oh and did I mention it’s on my bucket list to attend this one day? A girl can dream..

Anne Hathaway you really silenced those haters. Love the hair.

Madonna- isn’t she the original queen of punk? How can you not love that she went all out!? What- you want her in a boring dress?

The spray tan. The hair. Nicole Richie- you are amazing.

I flipping can’t stand Taylor Swift- but I’ll admit that she werked it and I’m a fan of this look.

Cara Delevigne – everyone wants to hang with her and be her and bang her. Put me one of those categories. She rocks.

This Bitch just knows how to do punk better than anyone else. Rooney Mara is punk for life.

Olivia Wilde really impressed me with this two piece number. And is her dude wearing Nikes?! LOVE.

The King and Queen of the Prom- always.

photos and more People here.

In the past I have avoided SO many decorating tasks because I am not handy- at all.

Enter Task Rabbit.

Task Rabbit is this magical site where you post the task you need done, and then people bid on doing the task. They are background checked, and you can look at their references.

For example, the last bed I ordered took SEVEN HOURS to assemble when my friend and I did it.

As we speak, a Task Rabbit just emailed me a photo of my new bed…ONE HOUR after he arrived to assemble it. He is also hanging a heavy mirror. For $65 dollars.

Now, if I would have even attempted to go out and buy tools, put the wrong hole in the wall, and put the bed together so wrong that I’d have to hire someone to fix it….it would have cost me WHO knows how much.

Instead- I get to go home to these things done properly. I would show you a photo, but no one sees my bedroom without buying dinner first. Just kidding.

LoClean is a cleaning service, that’s “on demand”. You enter where you live, your credit card info and number of rooms and they quote you a price and day they can come. No leaving out cash…no worrying about a last minute cleaning.

They cost $50 bucks for a one bedroom and did a fab job on my apartment.

Now, how do I order someone to come cook dinner every night!?

Clearly you want to look your best, or have your product look as appealing as possible in photos.

Well, when Racked Chicago asked me to be involved in a shoot for Shoe Week…I had 1 day notice. I said yes, not really thinking twice. Then I remembered I had just moved into a new apartment…and my closet was FAR from camera ready. In fact, as I took sample shots…panic set in. Let’s be honest, I have way more than I need…but many women in Chicago have closets 10 times cooler than mine. Mine will eventually have; a coat of Tiffany Blue paint, mini chandelier and shag rug. For now, it’s white on white on blah.

So we got creative. James Atkins, who shot the shoot and I decided to turn off the overhead lights and use candle light to create a soft glow.

We did a series of shots that were artistic and would take the focus off what wasn’t there and feature the cool stuff- the shoes.

I’m BEYOND happy with the way both the article and the photos turned out.

Hands down, my favorite photo.

I also loved this one, but it didn’t make the article.

You can check it here.

Moral of the story- be happy with what you have. Or shoot it in the dark.