Pose for the Camera Now Click!

 

I had no idea that little Miss Bossy was off from school on Friday for Veteran’s Day, so when Honey brought her tutu wearing, grinning from ear-to-ear self back home I cringed.  Huh?  What is she doing here?  I have a photo shoot today! Luckily my mother was visiting from Philly and was all to happy to play school and watch Olivia with my little Miss, while I dashed off for a manicure to start my Hollywood day.  It was only my second time at this nail salon and I didn’t think to make an appointment.  This coupled by the fact that it was a holiday further screwed my cause, because every mother and daughter within a five-block radius rushed through the doors as the salon opened, shoving past me and into an appointed chair.  My stomach was telling me that I had no time to wait, but what was the alternative?  I couldn’t possibly pose with my jacked french manicure from two weeks ago, so I texted my make-up artist and pushed back powdering my face from 10:30 to 11:00.  He was cool, and I took a few deep breaths and lost myself in my electronic reader until my hands were done.

Lenny Hamilton, make-up artist to the stars was recommended to me by a friend.  When I entered his basement studio not far from my house he was too please to show off pictures of his clients: Eva (from America’s Next Top Model), Justine (Rev Run’s wife) and Denene Millner author of http://www.mybrownbaby.com/.  So with confidence I snuggled into my stool and let him work his magic.  I could tell from his first dab that I was in good hands.  An hour later (and he informed me that he could work my face for two), he glued on my lovely lashes, dabbed my lips with On the Scene gloss by Mac and sent me on my way, tucking a little extra in a piece of foil in case I needed to retouch.  The lashes took a little while to get use to but every time I stopped at a traffic light, I peaked at myself in the rearview mirror, feeling like a television star. 

So by now you should know the fabulous Mary Brown, the designer of my website and the cover of LOVE IN A CARRY-ON BAG.  Well she is also an acclaimed photographer, available for most occasions http://www.marybphotography.com.  She arranged for us to do the photo shoot at Pooka Pure & Simple in Orange, NJ.  If you are not familiar with Pooka then you need to get familiar, http://www.pookapureandsimple.com/homepage because the products are like butta baby.  Before Friday’s encounter I heard of the line, and read about their hair care products in Essence, but this was my first elbow rub.  When I dashed into the shop Queen Latifah’s Dana Owen’s album was croning, candles were burning, and it was love at first sight.  I’m a sucker for exposed brick walls.  In fact, Honey knows that if I walk into a house that happens to be for sale with hardwood floors and exposed brick walls then he better be prepared to write a check, because I’m moving in. 

Pooka’s boutique was open and airy with willowy white sheers blowing from the type of big bay windows that a writer like me could get lost daydreaming about characters in.  Dawn Fitch, founder and creator was just the cutest, smiling thing and made me feel so comfortable in her sanctuary.  She even invited me to do a book signing at the store in March—and I am totally holding her to it!  So plan on supporting.

Mary had her lighting set up and after I slipped into my purple scoop necked top, and ran my fingers through my wind-blown hair we got to work.  I felt a bit shy at first, smiling and trying to make my eyes look sexy for the camera.  Models really do have their work cut out for them, I learned very quickly, but after about thirty shots I loosened up.  That was, until the power went out!  Yes, Mary’s equipment was too much for the circuit so cute Dawn sashayed her way to the cellar with a flash light to find the source of our problem, and then we were good to go.  We went through three outfit changes and I’m curious to see which look will make the final cut.  For the last shot Mary Brown had me stand up and dance.  Now they were pumping Mary J. Blige and I wiggled and giggled my way through the song giving all the personality I could muster.

“Don’t pause for the camera, just keep moving,” Mary Brown kept saying.  So I shook what my mama gave me realizing that my hips were a little tight and my knees rusty.  I must get back to those Zumba classes, I thought when we ended.  Mary fired off over three hundred shots of little old me before calling it a wrap.  I packed up my things, and did what any girl would do.  I shopped!  Honey has been so good to me, taking the lead on the production side of 12th Street Press so I had to find him something.  Pooka has a line called Caliente Man, and when I lifted it to my nose it gave me the tingles.  So, ahem, ladies, if you are trying to spice things up at home, Caliente Man is going to provide you with all you need.  That’s all I’m saying. 

I bought a few things for me, waved to the staff and was out the door by three.  Starving, and without guilt I went through the drive thru at Checkers for some fun fast food feeling like a job well done.  Though that wasn’t the end of my day, but I’ll spare you the details of being stuck in an hours worth of traffic trying to get my Middle Diva to gymnastics, Mr. ESPN to karate (even though I forgot his gee pants and had to beg him to wear his gym pants this once), and then little Miss Bossy to a playdate.  Yes, I’ll spare you my overtime job details…..but I will remind you that anything is possible, and that you can truly live to your highest potential.  Just believe!

Love, Light and Laughter!