yes, it’s true.  in the last 2 ½ years since my youngest was born - i have lost about 400 lbs and counting.  of course, if we ARE counting, then that means i also must admit that i have also gained about 393 lbs, thus leaving me with the same ol’ 7 lbs fluctuating about for the last two plus years.  now, the problem isn’t me (of course not!) – it’s saturdays. you see, monday-friday, i eat healthy, work out, and am so consumed with work, i rarely have time to snack or overindulge.  but then comes friday night.  we usually end up bringing food in, and as a ‘reward’ for my diligence and tough work week, i always get a hearty meal with the intention of saving half for later.  but later never comes…because i never end up saving half my meal!  then i end up going to sleep feeling full and satisfied and next thing you know – hello saturday!  now i don’t know about you, but saturdays in this modern mama’s household is usually full of kids birthday parties, barbeques, and getting together with friends and family – many times, all in the same day!  and of course, all these events revolve around food. good food…but BAD food, if you get my ever-expanding mid-drift!

so what’s a modern mama to do?!?!  sleep all day saturday to avoid overindulging on the weekends?!  works for me!  three day weekends are another double-edged sword as well – but that is a whole new post since right now i need to go grab some menus to see what’s for dinner tonight…after all – it’s friday and i’ve had a tough week…

have you ever wanted to get yourself or your precious offspring into modeling?  now, i am not talking about walking the catwalks in milan or being the next face of estee lauder, what i am talking about is finding reputable representation amongst all the potential scams out there.  these days, you don’t just have to be a perfect size 6 to be a model - legitimate agencies around the world are always looking for commercial, catalog, and print models of all ages, shapes, and ethnic backgrounds – you just need to know where to look, and of course, do your part to help them discover you!

judy goss, fellow fashionista and modern mama, has over twenty years in the modeling industry as a model, casting director, agent, and magazine editor – and she is also the mother of four-year old twin girls. judy recently launched her own book, Break Into Modeling for Under $20, in which shares her own unique four-step process of breaking into the modeling industry.

check out judy’s interview HERE and learn all about her four ‘P’ process that can be applied to anyone looking to break into the business, whether your 50 years old or 5 years old!

good luck in your search – and my personal advice to you is – the most important thing that you should possess when entering this highly-competitive industry, or just for everyday living is - SELF CONFIDENCE! …and if anyone is searching for a sleep-deprived model with bags under her eyes and a little extra junk in her trunk – let me know!

ps: here is a tip from the modern mama – this year, when trying to capture your precious offspring for your annual holiday photo (i know way to well – it’s like herding rabid cats), set your camera on the fast-action sports mode, and instead of telling them to say ‘cheese’, have them say ‘turkey’ instead and as soon as they get to ‘key’ flash away like there is no tomorrow…because there probably isn’t when it comes to kids and holiday photos.

…ok, now that you are back from looking at yourself in the mirror saying ‘turkey’ – when they say ‘cheese’, you end up with no eyes and all teeth – but when they say ‘tur-KEY’, you end up with a nice natural smile…and who can’t help but laugh when saying turkey?!

ok, so every once in a while, something sets me off and i dust off my soap box and let my voice be heard.  recently a ‘parents magazine’ set up shop right here in my hometown and started sending complimentary subscriptions to whomever fell on their demographic list, myself being included.  after receiving the first issue, i knew it would be nothing to waste my precious time or money on since it offered absolutely no differentiators that would set it self apart from other more well-established national magazines.  but what DID catch my eye was the fact that after receiving my third complimentary issue, i realized that this magazine was almost COMPLETELY DEVOID OF ANY SIGNS OF DIVERSITY.  not even a murmur.  just page after page of blond-haired white models.  now don’t get me wrong, i have no problem with white people, or models – or blond hair! – what i do have a problem with is the MAGAZINE and its publisher who actually thinks this is acceptable in this day and age.  so out came my soapbox, and with it i fired off the below email to the publisher: read more

yes, it is true. i don’t cook.  not only do i not cook, but i also do not like to cook.  i can attribute this mostly due to the fact that i have absolutely no patience when it comes to cooking (or anything else).  for instance, “bake at 250 degrees on low for 30 minutes” equals “450 degrees for 10 minutes” in my cookbook!  i am the only one i know who messed up rice krispy treats since i didn’t have enough patience to slowly melt the marshmallows!

so what’s a modern mama to do when it comes to her kids eating healthy each night.  ok, let’s scratch that – so what’s a modern mama to do when it comes to her kids just EATING every night?!  in addtion to fast food (i know, shame-shame), i try to ‘prepare and present’ (translation open box and microwave) a decent meal.  and, occasionally, i just might channel my inner emeril and boil some water and actually use that square thing with the circles on top to make some pasta with my good friend, ragu. read more