Adventures in NYC, part 4b

Make sure you read Part A. As tired as I am--it's 2:15am in NY--I wanted to write this while it was still fresh.  I have also been asked to post some pics, so here's some!  We weren't allowed to photograph the clothes, so I can't post any of those, but here's some color in this massive black & white post!

Thursday

"No singing, just dancing," and, “I understand why models complain about having such a hard job.”

Since we weren’t getting picked up till 11:30am, we got to sleep in a bit—which knowing now what the day would hold, I’m super thankful for! Bonnie had found the workout room in our hotel, so we weighed in & were confident that we’d fit the clothes they’d picked out for us! Thank goodness NYC is a walking city! They also had a huge bowl of Granny Smith apples in the gym! At a hotel that doesn’t even have complementary coffee this was huge! I grabbed two!  I also find it super funny that this hotel has an iPad that greets you by name in every room & has loaded on it all the hotel & surrounding area info, but doesn't have a microwave or coffee maker in the room!

Joe (the personal assistant to one of the production assistants) picked us & two other girls up. The other two girls were going in for wardrobe fittings. One had spent 8 hours the day before in a salon getting her hair done! (Sad story is that later in the day they bought her a wig to wear instead! Also a funny hair story--Bonnie & I were the only ones who did not have to have our scalp painted or made up--thanks, mom & dad for giving us the worlds thickest hair!)  We were taken to a different studio than on Tuesday. This one was apparently better for filming in & was in Brooklyn. We drove through some neighborhoods that our driver told us had been super ghetto but had become popular hipster neighborhoods where “they go to spend dad’s money.” Litterally minutes after he said that a guy rode by on a super tall bike—I mean the guy was at least 6 or 7 feet off the ground. Joe said, “I’m surprised that guy didn’t ‘accidentally’ run into us or spit on us—he hates SUVs & things like this.” Then two seconds later someone crossed the street in front of us carrying a surfboard. Where the heck are we?  I found this pic of tall bike jousting online--this is apparently what had gone on a few weeks earlier in this area--

We got to the studio & it is hands down the strangest building I have ever been in. When you enter the main door, it’s like you’re walking in an old library, complete with a suit of arms in the corner. Take a turn down the hall to the right & you’re in an old train car with bench seats and street signs on the walls. Keep going & you enter into a hallway that can only be described as a WW2 submarine—the kind where you flatten yourself against the wall when someone walks by. There were even fake life boats hanging from the ceiling. Each of the probably 8 rooms off this hallway were really teeny & themed. Bonnie’s & my dressing room was a tiki hut complete with a covered Jacuzzi in the corner.

 The other dressing rooms were castle themed, Asian themed, Mexican themed, etc. The hair & make up room was like an old stage with bunting painted on the walls. So weird. All us girls doing the commercial shoot had dressing rooms along this hall, as did the wardrobe & seamstress team and the hair & make up team. They all said they were pretty sure this hall & rooms had been used in a porn film & that this was the dirtiest place they’d ever been. I tried really hard not to think about it & tried not to touch more than I absolutely needed to.

The wardrobe/stylist team still had not had one of my outfits approved yet, so in between getting nails done and hair & make up started I would try one different tops, have them photographed & then they’d be emailed to “the client” (WW—who we never once met anyone who worked directly for WW this whole time!). We also filled out all the paperwork for this "job" (W2s, etc)--we got a huge kick out of signing where it said "models sign here" on all the papers! Our shoot got started at 12pm & we were scheduled to begin filming at 6:30pm. The two girls who we met on Tuesday had their call times at 8am and 10am. One was about to begin filming & the other was still getting some wardrobe details tweaked. They’d run thru the hallway area between outfits & say how fun shooting was & how huge the set was.  And how many people were out there!  For a minute I thought that maybe "so many people" was code for "Jennifer Hudson is out there."  But it was not.  There were at least 50 people though--the room was huge--a HUGE green screen that was on the floor & behind us during filming--so that we could be on the white background with the funny little words & cartoons around us.  The print set was a HUGE white wall with all kinds of lights & a fan to make us look good!  

Lunch was set out about 1pm. Not knowing how long the day was going (the schedule had “wrap” at 8:30), we ate lightly—fruit, veggies, some nuts. There was a lot of “hurry up & wait”—trying to get outfits approved, getting various stages of hair/make up done…then sitting while one of the girls who was filming at the time needed something that took priority. Bonnie was dressed about 4pm. My outfit was finalized about 5pm. Since Bonnie was sewn into her first outfit, she wasn’t allowed to sit. My top was silky & so I wasn’t allowed to sit in it since it would wrinkle. Hours of standing in stilettos=hard work.  Our film outfits needed to be "muted & not flashy"--Bonnie's wore a brown ballet neck top, black pencil skirt, brown belt & black pumps.  I ended up being a pair of skinny jeans, a navy blue halter style top & tall tall tall black boots.  They said they were trying to make me as tall as Bonnie was--and she was wearing super tall shoes!

We probably started our shoot about 7pm. Since things were running to behind and we were the last people being filmed, most of the assistants had left. Bonnie & I had the real deal stylists doing touch ups on us as they made the lighting & everything right for our shoot. Amy, the director, would ask us questions off camera & we would answer in complete sentences. All those reality show interviews make sense now. She’d ask, “What was your favorite thing about the mobile app?” And we’d answer, “My favorite thing about the mobile app was….” There were also things that had to be said a certain way--"it's a plan, not a program", "always say Weight Watchers Online", "don't say 'support group'", and don't mention brand names other than iPhone--but not Apple!  At one point Bonnie did reference Oprah & the director had to call "cut!"  She would get us to tell the same story but from someone else's point of view--like I have a story about friends I work with lining up behind me during a staff lunch one day to see what I was eating & I'd texted Bonnie that I was like the Pied Piper of Weight Watchers--Amy had Bonnie tell that story about me.  Or after Bonnie would tell a story about "lightening up a recipe" she'd have me tell it as well.  I cannot wait to see how they turn this hour-hour & a half session into a 30 second commercial!  Things were going well, until about a half hour into our shoot they called a dinner break. Apparently it’s union regulation that food is served every so many hours. My feet were absolutely killing me. I was wearing some super tall leather boots without socks, so my feet were just crammed in the leather. I wasn't allowed to take my shoes off (for fear I wouldn't put them back on) but they did let me sit & put my feet up.  After a little while someone brought me baby powder & little footie nylons & that helped a lot!

Bonnie was allowed to take her shoes off & put on surgeon’s booties over her feet. The stylists & film crew would wear these around the set—I guess they didn’t leave footprints on the green screen we were standing on. We really weren’t allowed to eat in our clothes since we weren’t finished filming yet. They brought us water bottles & diet cokes with straws so as not to spill, drip or mess up our make up. While Bonnie & I were semi-collapsed in our dressing room, the director, Amy, walked by with her plate of food & talked with us—she & her husband, the other director/photographer, are from LA. She’d done WW after having her second child. She was really nice & down to earth. It was good to get to know her a little better & get more comfortable talking with her on camera. After another hair & make up touch up (this happened every few minutes—it was so hot with all the lights on set!) we went back to finish our filming. Since you’re legally not allowed to say how much weight you’ve lost on tv, we were only allowed to say 24 & 47 pounds. Kind of odd, but there was nothing else to do about it. Our film shoot finished & we went to change for our print shoot. We did separate pictures & then some together. This was fun—they’d play music & tell us to dance around. They kept having to remind us not to sing along (they played Black Eyed Peas & Beyonce—not easy to not sing!). One of Bonnie’s dresses was pretty short & every time she’d raise her arms her Spanx would show, so we heard, “Bonnie pull your dress down” a lot! The clothes & shoes we wore for the print shoot were more fun than the film shoot.  For the print shoot I wore a "flirty" purple dress (that's what they kept calling it--it had a ruffle along the neckline--I guess that's flirty in NY!), pair of Fendi sandals (that cost “like a thousand bucks”) and Bonnie wore a red/almost maroon dress as well as a black & navy dress & some YSL sandals & Christian Louboutin pumps. They were some “major” shoes according to Joe the stylist. He told us that we were the only ones he got to shop for without any direction so we got the best stuff! Woohoo! And we learned throughout the day that anything they took the tags off was ours!

The print shoot lasted till about 10:30pm. It was fun because everyone knew they were about to be done for the day so multiple directors, producers & assistants were dancing in the back of the room while we were dancing on camera. One of the people dancing was our "stand in"--a girl whose sole job was to put on an outfit similar to ours & stand in front of the camera so they could adjust the lighting. It was real funny seeing her in the back with the same dress Bonnie had on next to me! They are all scheduled to start at 7am Friday morning! I do not envy them! After our print shoot was done, we were taken to the wardrobe/accessory storage room to film some behind the scenes stuff. They asked us questions about our experience & some questions to be used in the WW Online success stories. It was approaching 11, and we really had not eaten much all day—people would come thru & say goodbye while we were filming this. All that got us thru was thinking about the pizza we were going to eat. As soon as we were released we were told that everything we wore (minus the shoes & jewelry) was our to keep! I came away from this deal with some 7 for all Mankind jeans, great navy top & and an awesome purple dress. Bonnie got 2 great dresses & a top & great pencil skirt. Can’t wait to look up the designers of these clothes! I don’t recognize them, but apparently they are big time. Someone had made us dinner plates—cold tacos. We ate every bite!

We had a car called for us to take us back to the hotel where we quickly dropped off our extra clothes & then walked a couple blocks to a pizza place. We each had huge slices of pizza & split a canoli. Dough filled with icing & chocolate chips—so glad I am not Italian. I’d weigh 1000 pounds.  Best meal ever!

I am about to crash. My feet are killing me. I’m going to wear my chacos all the way home tomorrow! We don’t leave for the airport till 3, so a day of walking around SoHo is the plan for tomorrow. H&M, Bloomingdales & a few other boutiques that caught our eye! We both agree that while this has been the experience of a lifetime, we are not cut out to be models. Way too much work & pressure. And I like flat shoes too much. But it’s been such a fun time! And we still have a few hours of fun left tomorrow! Woohoo!

Adventures in New York, part 4a

A 12 hour day means you only get part A. Our day started when we got picked up at 11:30 for our 12noon shoot in Brooklyn. We left the studio that everyone agreed must have been the set of a porn movie (sorry, Mom, but there were jacuzzis in each one of the themed "dressing rooms") at 11pm. Bonnie & I are sitting in a pizza joint eating the biggest slices of pizza you've ever seen (eat your heart out Antonio's). This is our first real meal of the day. Not kidding.

We're too tired to update you with more than a few good one liners of the day. I'll leave it up to you to imagine the context.

"These shoes are major!"

"Bonnie pull your dress down."

"Beyonce is coming up next."

"We want her hair curly, but not curly. Straight but not straight. More bendy."

"ok break for dinner...did you guys eat?" "no" "we'll make you a plate for later."

"those shoes are like a thousand bucks!"

"models sign here: Holly Nelson"

Goodnight & hope you dream about flat shoes because I know I sure am!

Adventures in NYC, part 3

Wednesday

“If you’d been there…and we were…”

 Because we have great hair, Bonnie & I got the day off (from this super hard job of free makeovers & all expense paid trips) to see the sights!  We slept in & even though the day started cold & rainy, we decided to head downtown to try to see the 9/11 Memorial.  I’d looked online a few days before we left for our trip to try to get passes but the website said they were “sold out” (it’s free, but you do have to reserve a pass) till late October.  With all the super tall buildings in NY, you can be right near something sometimes & not even know it.  We walked downtown & suddenly the One World Trade Center (aka The Freedom Tower) was a block in front of us.  As we got closer we could see all the construction surrounding the building of the north memorial reflecting pool as well as the new trade center buildings.  Lots of construction!  You really can’t see what’s going on behind the fences (where the south reflecting pool & the construction of the north pool is).  All you can see are the mirror-covered buildings.  One map we were looking at called it a reflection of absence.  As we were walking around the construction site we decided to “pull over” and try to find the museum or visitor center on our map.  Well we literally pulled over into the doorway of the 9/11 Tribute Center.  As we were standing in the door, a woman inside opened it and asked if we were there to buy tickets.  I honestly don’t remember much of the conversation because it all happened so fast!  It was a little before noon—the woman asked if we wanted to buy tickets to come in & see the museum or if we wanted the ticket that included the walking tour led by a survivor or family member.  And did we want a pass to go into the memorial—it’s free—included with the walking tour.  “Yes to all of those,” we said! 

We walked thru the museum that had a timeline beginning with the 1993 attack on the WTC.  It had some items from Ground Zero as well as a room with pictures of every person who was murdered in the attack.  Did you know their death certificates list “cause of death” as homicide?  I learned that today.  After the museum, we went to grab lunch quick before our 1:15 memorial tour.  We dined in yet another Irish Pub—it faced where the WTC Towers had stood.  Seeing the businesses and streets that fan out from the WTC site makes it easy to imagine what & where people ran thru as the towers collapsed & the cloud of dust enveloped the area.  The whole memorial “tour” is best described (I think) as arriving at a party early, before the host is ready for guests.  It’s so new there’s very poor signage as to where to go or what to do.  We finally found the entrance, walked right in, waited in line for a few minutes at the security checkpoint before being redirected to walk right in.  We literally were walking in coned & fenced off areas thru this construction site.  The memorial itself was pretty cool—all the names & seeing where the people worked was very moving.  The center of the pool is so deep you cannot see it’s bottom.  And it was very not crowded! They must be limiting the number of people they let in at a time in order to maintain the ambiance of the area.   

After about a half hour, we walked over to where we were to line up for the walking tour.  A teeny little older woman, probably in her late 60s, early 70s (family—think Grandma Betsy as a New Yorker) greeted us & checked our names off the list.  She (along with another tour guide—a gentleman in his mid-60s probably—who brought up the rear of the tour) led a group of 18 of us around the construction site and up into some of the surrounding buildings.  I didn’t know that the WTC was actually a group of like 7 buildings that were connected by walkways over the streets.  Our guide, Chris, was a hoot--she was a fast walker, would bounce when she talked & would make snide remarks at the other tours we saw.  She'd say, "he's making money off this--they'll escort him out of the building soon."  She'd also holler at people on the streets, "Could you guys like move so like we could get through!"  You wanted to stay on her good side!  She liked Bonnie & I & told us she'd never seen real men before seeing some Texas Rangers with their hats & pants that weren't sagging to the ground.  She would stop on different corners or windows overlooking the site & tell us what happened on the morning of 9/11 & show us pictures of what the place we were standing looked like after the attack.  

At the end of the tour, our guides shared their own stories with us.  Frank (the male guide) shared with us about how he worked in one of the buildings surrounding the site and what it was like on the morning of 9/11 knowing something had happened but not know what.  His sister also worked in a surrounding building, but happened to be in the south tower that morning.  After the attacks, all the family members went gave DNA samples hoping to be able to help identify the remains of someone in their family who’d been killed.  He also talked about the process of how hundreds of missing persons reports were done after 9/11 were done.  He said he would go down to the site everyday until one day his sister’s picture was up on the wall—they’d been able to identify some of her remains.  He said he & his family were among the lucky ones—that 39% of families who had a loved one there weren’t able to have proof that their family member had died.  There were 11 people in his sister’s office building who had happened to be in the towers on 9/11 and we were able to see the memorial that building (American Express) set up with his sister’s name on it. 

Chris (the feisty, teeny little woman) told us her story—she had retired from the NYPD in July 2001 and went back to school to get another master’s degree in psychotherapy—basically a mental health responder after a disaster and then began volunteering with the Red Cross.  She told us that she wasn’t able to get to the WTC until September 12^th and spent the next several weeks standing next to first responders and rescue workers making sure they didn’t freak out.  She told us about her PTSD and health conditions she suffers from because she didn’t get a mask to wear over her mouth & nose until the second week she was there.  She also told us how she still deals with anger, not only at the “bad guys” as she kept calling them, but also when people who weren’t there or directly impacted (like all the Tribute Tour Guides are) make decisions about things that affect them—from their health care to which surrounding buildings were allowed to rebuild and which building’s land was morphed into the memorial instead of being allowed to rebuild.  She kept saying, “If you’d been there on 9/11...and we were…”  She didn’t seem to be anti-memorial, but just mostly angry at people trying to make money off of or commercialize a place where so much loss occurred.  It was hands down the best way to spend 4 hours today!  If you’re going to NY, look up the Tribute WTC Center.  You won’t regret it!

After the tour was over we walked about a block further south to Battery Park hoping to see the Statue of Liberty.  Multiple people had recommended taking the free Staten Island Ferry that goes right by the Statue of Liberty & then back again.  We were wiped out from all the walking we’d done, so sitting for a while sounded good!  The ferry was totally worth it!  Takes you away from downtown so you see the skyline & right past the Statue.  Then you get off, get back on & come back & see it all again! 

We walked back to the hotel, Bonnie bought some boots on the way and we decided to have dinner in the hotel restaurant.  We split fish tacos & then decided it was time for a hot shower & bed!  We left about 7:30—just as people were coming in for cocktails before dinner.  Don’t these people know that it’s healthier to eat early?! 

On the agenda for tomorrow:

• Get picked up at 11:30
• Get nails, hair, make up, wardrobe done
• Film a commercial
• EAT PIZZA!

Once again, not editing, just posting.  Goodnight!

Adventures in NYC, part 2

Tuesday

“Those shoes make your legs look short…it's ok, we'll shorten the skirt”…and all that jazz. 

Our day began by walking down the block to Starbucks (for as swankified as this hotel is there’s no coffee maker in the room!  How odd is that?) and then back to wait outside the hotel in a nice little outdoor seating area for the production assistant/our contact’s PA (yes, the assistant has a personal assistant), Joe, to come pick us up.  He took us from our hotel in SoHo to a building in the meat packing district (who knew the place where meat is packed is also where commercials are shot?).  The floor we went to was full of little rooms with computers/temporary offices and a big room with 5-6 racks full of clothes a HUGE table with all kinds of high heels and accessories (belts, jewelry, etc).  There was two vanity tables for hair & make up.  We were introduced to a lot of people—the directors, stylists, seamstress, producer, & assistants galore.   Throughout the day we found out that the directors have done all the WW commercials in the last 5 years, as well as eHarmony.  The seamstress used to work for Victoria’s Secret (she knows Heidi Klum, among others I am sure!).  She also wrinkled her nose & made a face when we mentioned Project Runway.  “It’s scripted,” she says.  Heidi tried to get her to go on it & she declined.  The guy who seemed like the head stylist, Joe (not the same PA/driver Joe—lot’s of Joes in NY) has worked with Jennifer Lopez.  We also found out that Jennifer Hudson comes with her own stylists & hair/make up people.   I guess J-Hud is a bigger deal than us.  (Not for long—look out J-Hud, the Nelson girls are on their way!)  They were a funny.  They told us they would pick out about 5 different outfits for each of us, take pictures & show “the client” (WW) who has the final say. 

While I started with the hair stylist, Bonnie went with the wardrobe team to start picking out outfits.  I could see the top of her head moving around behind the clothing racks—when she finally came out to be photographed I saw why—SUPER high stilettos.  She was about 6’3”.  I kept seeing her walk by in the mirror I was sitting in front of—looking good!  One of my biggest fears in this whole thing has been that they were going to drastically cut my hair or give me bangs—thank goodness the hair stylist is pro-long hair an anti-bangs!  She blew my hair out straight and I said I wanted to take her home with me so my hair could look that good every day!  The make up girl warned me that she’d be putting a lot of make up on for it to look good on camera.  I’ve never seen so many layers of what looked like the same color! 

After a while I went to wardrobe.  The first dress I put on I could barely get on.   I said, “I don’t think this fits.”  To which the stylist, Joe, said back, “oh yeah it does, and you’re not even wearing Spanx yet—that’ll take you down a size at least!”  Well ok, bring on the Spanx—that’s when I saw another whole clothing rack devoted to every imaginable cut & size of Spanx available.  

Here’s what we heard a lot from the stylists & seamstress:

• Pin it.
• Make it smaller.
• Let’s make it shorter.

Bonnie & I both concurred while walking around the city afterwards that we were looking at people & their clothing differently—who’s wearing Spanx, who’s jacket needs to be pinned, whose dress needs to be shorter.  We may be turning into fashionistas—look out Tejas!

Here’s how many pair of $700+ pairs of shoes I wore today: 5 (have you ever worn Christian Louboutins?  Yeah, I didn’t think so!)

My wardrobe fitting took a little longer since Bonnie & I will be filmed together they have to find options of outfits that work together.  We both tried on some fabulous outfits!  Maybe they’ll give us what ever they alter for us!  Here’s hoping!  While we were there we met two other girls who were going to be in commercials as well.  One was 28 & the other 26.  One had lost 61lbs & the other 30lbs.  (Yes, that is the standard question you ask when you meet someone at a WW commercial shoot.  After asking their name you ask, “How much did you lose?”  And then everybody congratulates everybody & everybody feels good about themselves.  This is also the group that you want to try on clothes for—everyone is super encouraging about how great everyone looks!)   Based on all the people we’ve talked to in the last few days, I really think WW is trying to remarket to younger people who don’t have a ton to lose. 

OK I’m tired & losing my train of thought.  We were finished with all that about 3:30.  Since neither of us need a major haircut or color, we have the day off tomorrow!  When we got back to the hotel, I started looking up Broadway times & ticket availability for Wesnesday then decided why not try to make it to a show tonight?  I called Bonnie’s room & asked, “Want to see Chicago tonight?”  “YES!” she replied.   We decided to walk the 3 miles uptown to Times Square.  With only one stop to try on some boots along the way (Bonnie, not me!) we got to the ticket office about 6pm.  They had two tickets on row D in the orchestra section—awesome seats!  We bought them, then headed to dinner.  There was a little Irish pub across the street that looked good & not crowded.  It was nice & quiet (remember, New Yorkers don’t eat dinner till 8 or 9!) & good food!  I had fish & chips & Bon had a veggie sandwich.  We decided we’d earned all the French fries after a 3-mile walk!  We walked around Times Square—went in the Disney Store, Toys R Us, M&M Store, Hershey’s Store & maybe one or two others.  I felt like we’d adequately experienced the madness that is Times Square.  We wanted to get back to the theater by 7:30 & good thing we did!  Long line to get in, but super fun to walk in & walk straight to the orchestra section—ROW D!   The show was awesome. Kara DioGuardi (American Idol judge) stars as Roxie Hart & was great!  Bonnie has decided her next career move is Broadway. 

We decided to walk back to the hotel after the show—think of all you can eat when you walk 6 miles!  J   Our plan tomorrow is to walk down to the 9-11 Memorial area & see what we can see.  We’re hoping to work a Gray’s Papaya hotdog in tomorrow & we already have our pizza place scouted out for Thursday night after the shoot.  Great day 2, looking forward to sleep & then day 3!

I’m neither spell nor grammar checking this before posting it—too tired.  

Adventures in NYC, part 1

Preface (in bullets points):

•         My sister Bonnie joined Weight Watchers in October 2010.
•         I joined in January 2011.
•         I reached my goal of losing 25 pounds in July 2011.
•         Bonnie reached her goal of losing 50 pounds in August 2011.
•         Throughout our time doing Weight Watchers Online we’ve had a collective total of 10 friends join as well because they’ve seen how easy it is to be successful.
•         In late August/early September we submitted our success stories to Weight Watchers—thinking we could totally be a commercial for them.
•         In mid-September we were both called to do a video audition.
•         We had a callback audition in late September.  They told us they’d been looking for sisters for a long time.  They thought we were “adorable” and “hilarious.”
•         On October 5^th we got calls saying they had selected us to come to New York to shoot a commercial but they made no guarantees it would be used. 
•         On Oct 6^th they told us they dates for our trip would be Oct 10-14.  They got our sizes, clothing preferences, gave us a very not specific schedule for the week.
•         Oct 7-9: we go crazy trying to get ready for this crazy trip! 

Sunday Night

“If you’d told me who you were, I would have let you in.”

 I arrived to Houston a little before 6pm & head straight to Rice Village for some last minute shopping.  The first store I go in is a quick success but when I leave the doors are locked—it’s like 6:02.  An employee comes to let me out & I bolt for the Gap where I am hoping I can find a pair of skinny jeans to go with my new boots.  One door is unlocked & I race towards the jeans, searching frantically hoping I can find some before they close & make me leave!  On his way to lock the doors, a male employee sees me & says, “Oh hello, I didn’t know anyone was here!”   I say, “I know you’re about to close but I’m going to New York in the morning & I just need a pair of jeans!”  He says, “Why are you going to New York?” 

“I’m actually going to be in a commercial!” 

“Oh for what?”

“Weight Watchers”

“Your sister was in here yesterday!  How much weight did you lose?”

“Twenty five pounds!”

“Congratulations!  What size do you need now?”

We find the right size, I run to the dressing room, try them on—they’re perfect—I change back, & run to pay.  The guy who I’d talked to earlier is at the register with another employee & they tell me how my sister has been in earlier & they’d helped her find some new clothes.  I tell them how this is such a funny thing that we’re doing—weird to tell people, “Oh yeah, I’m going to New York to be in a Weight Watchers commercial,” but that we’re flying first class, staying in what looks like an awesome hotel & it’s all expense paid, so it’s hard to NOT tell people!  They ask how we got chosen.  I tell them that when we reached our goal weights we’d sent in our success story—how we felt like people have a misconception about Weight Watchers—that it’s for older people, or only for people seriously obese.  At that, the sales clerk says, “oh yeah I dated a guy who did Weight Watchers for men—he said it was just learning how to eat healthy.”  “I know!” I say, “it’s taught me about portion sizes & healthy eating habits—I haven’t had to give up any foods, I’ve just learned how much to eat.”  They congratulate me again & as he walks me out of the store I thank them for staying open, how I didn’t know they closed at 6.  He says, “Oh if you’d told me who you were I would have let you in!”  I like the sound of that!  J  Celebrity is starting to set in.

Monday

“I knew you were models.” 

According to our itinerary, a limo will be picking us up from Bonnie’s apartment to take us to the airport.  When the driver arrives we realized it must be a day limo (I think I learned that from watching Real Housewives of New York City)—it’s a Lincoln Town Car.  Not the limo we were hoping for but still very nice.  On the way to the airport, our driver tells us about all the people he’s driven & how he knows the streets & alternative routes of Houston like the back of his hand.  We tell him we’re flying 1^st class & he tells us about the people who’ve told him about 1^st class on Singapore Air (oh, we know about that!).  He asks us if we’re into fashion & we say we’re into fashion in Texas, but will probably be was underdressed in New York—we tell him what we’re doing, how it’s our first time flying 1^st class & we’re trying to look like it’s not.  He says, “Oh I knew you were models!”  He tells us how his wife did Weight Watchers & how he gets her to fix his plates before meals & how that’s helped him lose a few pounds too.  We arrive at the airport & make our way to the ticket counter—confirm we are in first class—seats 1C & 2A—and go to the gate. 

Here’s what I like so far about flying 1^st class:

•        Boarding the plane first—everyone sees you’re in 1^st class.
•      Big seats where you get both arm rests without having to share one with the person next to you. 
•       While the peons in coach are getting their miniscule complementary beverage, you are enjoying a grilled chicken salad, breadsticks, fruit cup & blonde brownie.
•        All the complementary drinks you want. 
•        The stewardess comes & refills your drink when you get up to use the bathroom.
•        You are THE FIRST one off the plane!

Monday Evening

“I don’t know how else to ask this, but were you fat?” 

We were met at baggage claim by a driver with a sign for “Holly & Bonnie Nelson.”  Bags arrived quickly; we then got into a Lincoln Navigator to be transported to our hotel.   Since it was almost rush hour, our driver gave us the option of going slow on the high way or going slow through the streets of Queens & Brooklyn.  We chose Queens & Brooklyn.  We saw where we are thankful we do not live and are not visiting.  But a lot of Jay Z’s songs made sense.  We were met at the Mondrian SoHo by a production assistant who gave us a gift bag of Burt’s Bees, water, map of the city and an entertainment guide met us at the hotel.  The hotel is awesome.  (Family—think an American version of the IP Boutique in Seoul—dark, tiny, quiet.)  When the door man brought my suitcase to my room, he asked if the girl I checked in with was my sister.  I said yes.  He asked why we were in separate rooms.  I said, “When they offer you each your own room, you say ‘yes!’”  He asked what we were in NY for & I told him a Weight Watchers commercial.  He’s standing across the room from me (he’s kind of a small-ish guy), looks at me & says, “I don’t know how else to ask this, but were you fat?”  I said, no, but I did lose 25 pounds!  Then he gave me the password to access the free wifi (I guess they only give it to people they ask if they were previously fat!).  As he left to go up to Bonnie’s room, she called my room & I told her about the doorman (named Stefan (accent on the second syllable) asking me if I was fat.  So when he arrived at her room the first thing she said to him was, “Holly already told me you asked her if she was fat!” 

He did give us directions to the restaurant we wanted to go for dinner.  Balthazar’s—it’s super close & was featured on the Food Network’s “Don’t Miss in NYC” and “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”—they have Bobby Flay’s favorite French fries.  As we walked out of the hotel Stefan says to us, “where are ya’ll going?”  We say “dinner!” He said, “it’s only 6 o’clock!”  Yeah Stefan, in Texas we like to eat dinner at 6!  On our way to dinner we say this super cute boutique, Calypso.  We tried on lots, Bonnie bought one dress & I bought two.  Then we went to dinner.  Ordered a glass of champagne (oh did I mention they gave us a LOT of food money!?), and an appetizer of French fries before our meal.   When we sat down & ordered our drinks, the waitress asked, “oh are you here for dinner?”  Yes, New Yorkers, we eat dinner before 9pm!  I had salmon, Bonnie had a veggie salad—both super good! 

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Bloomingdale’s & picked out everything we wanted to buy if we kept getting this much food money each day!  I might have to buy another suitcase. 

We’re getting picked up tomorrow morning at 9:30 to be at our fitting at 10!  This is going to be a fun week! 

The last of the summer crafts.

Fall ministries kicked off this week and boy am I glad I finished all my projects last weekend!  There's been zero down time this week!  We took 47 volunteer youth leaders on our fall semester leadership retreat this weekend--the Lord has provided an incredible group of young men & women to lead and love the junior high & high school students of College Station!  I'm so humbled & excited that God has chosen to use me in this place!  So onto the less important things--the non-eternal but more easily photographed things in my life!  :)  

First...I made this t-shirt & onsie for some friends as a gift on the birth of their second child (a boy) and a big sis gift for their first kid.  This is the last 3-6mos onsie I'm sewing!  Too teeny!  I really liked doing the 24mos t-shirt--much more surface area!  

Next...the dining room is (finally!) complete!  I've never owned a dining room table (and still don't actually)--my roommate Erin bought this table from World Market & we decided we wanted to do mix-matched chairs like Monica & Rachel's apartment on Friends.  

Not the best pic, but the only one I could find!  Isn't her mix-matched table & chairs fun & funky?  I wanted a similar look so decided to buy old or unfinished chairs & re-do them.  I looked at a few antique stores around town, but then found some new chairs on sale at an unfinished furniture store (where my distressed book shelf came from).  Two chairs were stained different shades already but two were totally unfinished.  I painted one red & one turquoise, distressed them & and I love them!  

Don't you just want to sit here & eat?  And don't they look great with my new painting by my friend Janise?  I love it & love how great it looks in here!

This one's my favorite--I love how the turquoise turned out over the dark brown base color I did.  

Well, my free time is gone for a while, so I don't foresee any crafting time in the near future.  I am loving the somewhat cooler temperatures right now (well it was 101 today, but a few weeks ago it was 112!).  And I am super loving the fact that Starbucks is serving fall drinks!  I love me a pumpkin spice latte!  

Happy fall!

College T-Shirt Quilt!

Ta-da!  College t-shirt quilt: done & done!

If you're a serious quilter or just a knit-picker, you may now navigate away from this blog.  This was my first attempt quilting, I have NO quilting supplies, I didn't follow a pattern & I had to move my furniture to make room on the floor to be able to spread this whole thing out (I seriously considered asking the fabric cutting ladies at Joann's Fabric down the street if I could rent some fabric cutting table time).  From a distance it looks great & I'm pretty pleased with it considering all my (very legitimate I think) excuses listed above.  :)  I totally understand why these cost $100s to have made & I have no desire to ever do another one of these--for myself or anyone else.  But I am glad I finally did it!  Considering I acquired the first shirt 10 years ago...it's about time, huh!  It's a little bigger than a twin size & a little smaller than a full/queen size.  I think it's a perfect layering size!  :)  

Here's some of the sites I drew inspiration from:

I liked the way this place lays out the shirts: http://www.toocooltshirtquilts.com/

This site had some helpful numbers & instructions: http://www.goosetracks.com/T-Shirt%20Quilt%20Instructions.html

Just call me Miss Crafty McGee

Whew after redoing my living room life got super crazy!  With kids being on summer break we've doing youth events out the wazoo & I've been out of town with my family or had friends come visit on the weekends...been super fun but also busy!  Well there's 12 days until the fall semester at church starts so I've been a busy busy bee trying to get things done before things get hectic again.  Behold I give you the August Craft Collection!

First is a corsage/hair clip combo I made for a baby shower honoree.  I kind of followed this tutorial to make the flower.  I starched the fabric before cutting, gathering & sewing the petals together to give it a little more stability.  I then hot glued a baby hair clip to the back.  I found this great feather hat pin at Hobby Lobby & fixed it so the flower clip attaches to the feather base (and added some feathers to the side to give it some more pizazz).  The mom can wear it as a corsage at the shower & then unclip the flower & put it in the baby's hair!  I think it's brilliant!  :)  I also made a little mini clip since I had left over fabric.  

Can you see how the flower is clipped to the feather base?

Another view--how cool are those polka dot feathers?  

Next, I made/decorated some onsies to give as baby gifts!  I've been wanting to try this for a while & finally got the nerve to buy all the supplies & am really pleased with how they turned out!  I used this stuff called Heat & Bond on the back of the fabric appliques & then hand sewed them on.  Probably could have machine sewed but these are 3-6mos onsies & let me tell you they are weeny teeny!  I did sew ruffles to the back.  What's not cute about a ruffle bottom onsie?!  Love them!  

Gig'em Aggies!  Got to have your game day outfit!  

Who doesn't love flowers & cupcakes?

This is for the baby who's mom is getting the corsage.  Matches the big (and little) flower clip.

Then I made a new wreath for the front door.

The flowers match the pillows on my couch!  

They are also so big that they get squished between the door & screen door.  But I still love them.  

I also made these clothes pins for my desk at work--my desk borders a metal file cabinet & I wanted some cute magnets to be able to hang things--voila!  I modpodged scrap book paper to these clothes pins & hot glued a magnet on the back--perfect!

Lastly, my unfinished project!  I guess you could say I've been working on this quilt for years.  I started back when I lived in Midland (2 years ago).   I collected, washed & began cutting up my t-shirts from college.  Then they all went in some bags until this past month.  I pulled them out, googled some instructions, found a picture I liked & figured out how to do it without buying the how-to book!  In the process I learned why people charge like $400 to make one of these!  I actually have sewed the whole front & now just haven't decided yet how I want to do the back.  My goal (and posting it online is supposed to help keep me accountable to it) is to finish in the next 12 days.  We'll see!  Here's how it looked when it was all laid out right before I started sewing.  It'll be a full/queen size quilt.  I'm actually really pleased with how it has turned out so far!  

12 more days & a few more projects!  Happy first day of school eve to everyone else!  :) 

Living Room Makeover!

After two years I have finally arranged & decorated my living room!

The 1st season of The OC & I did a marathon 4 days of painting, sewing & moving furniture!  I repainted the living room/dining room in Urban Sunrise from Lowe's.  It's what I did my guest room in & I love it!  I washed the white curtains that were left in my house by the previous owners & added tan linen ruffles inspired by Jones Design Company.  The idea for this ruffle pillow also came from there--

My couch is red check with denim trim & belonged to my Aunt Jennifer.  I inherited it when I moved into my house almost two years ago & LOVE how big it is & the sweet memories associated with it, but since it's a little more "country" than the rest of my house, I recovered all the throw pillows in red floral, damasks & toile.  Somehow I think they all work together.  I hope.  If you don't think so, don't tell me.  :)

I got the artwork behind the couch from the Renegade Craft Fair that I went to last weekend with my friend Lynn.  These prints were one of the first things I saw & I knew immediately that they were exactly what I'd been unable to picture for my living room for so long!  The artist is Kate Thomas & her Etsy store is Little Things Studio.  All three prints have verses from hymns & I love them!

I also added a few things in my kitchen!  I recently found a stool that was the perfect fit for a little spot in my kitchen & so this weekend I recovered the seat in toile (same as the couch pillows & also the ruffle wreath that hangs in the kitchen too!) & I love it!  I also hung some cool pictures I got at the Renegade Craft Fair--drawings of pots, pans, knives & coffee pots on old book pages.  The artist is Sara at Girls Can Tell.  

(Sidenote: I think my favorite thing about the art in the living room & kitchen is that I bought them straight from the artist at the craft fair!  It was really a cool place!  Lynn & I went, not knowing what to expect at all & were so pleasantly surprised by how many vendors there were & all the awesome stuff we saw there!  The only downside was that they longer we were there, the less & less crafty we felt.  I mean these people were seriously crafty!  They were also uber hipster.  We were even asked if it was our first time there, we stuck out so much.  But we loved it.  The gal who did the prints in my living room was very lovely & kind and I'm so glad that every time I see her work it reminds me of her & the fun day with Lynn!)

I'm very pleased with how it all turned out.  But unfortunately my Memorial Day Weekend "to-do" list isn't quite finished yet.  Off to mow the yard & clean my room.  Notice my two least favorite things got pushed to the end of the list.  I did all the fun things first!  :)  

Yo quiero delicioso!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I want to share my new favorite recipe from the Pioneer Woman...

Migas!

You can click on the link on her name above for the original recipe.  I had them a few weeks ago & let me tell you they were delicious!  But when I looked at the recipe I was SHOCKED at how unhealthy it was (12 WW points!).  So I lightened it up & made them about a week later & let me tell you I didn't miss the fat!  Here's my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 corn tortillas 
• 1 jalapeno (diced & seeds removed)
• 4 roma tomatoes (roughly chopped)
• 1 green bell pepper (roughly chopped)
• 1 red bell pepper (roughly chopped)
• 1 red onion (chopped)
• 6 large eggs*
• 1 1/2 cups egg whites*
• 1 cup reduced fat grated monterey jack cheese
• 1/4 cup skim milk

*The original recipe called for 12 large eggs.  I've tried it with 3 C. egg whites (3 points per serving) as well as 6 eggs & 1 1/2 C. egg whites (5 points per serving) & I like the later best (1/4 C. egg white = 1 egg). 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, egg white & milk.  Salt & pepper eggs, then set aside.
2. In a small skillet "fry" tortillas (one at a time) until crisp.  I just sprayed the skillet with spray olive oil & got them crispy.  After they're all "fried" chop & set aside.
3. In a large skillet (over medium-high) cook onions, bell peppers, & jalapenos.   I seasoned these with fajita seasoning.
4. Once the peppers & onions are brown/black add tomatoes & tortilla pieces & stir.
5. Reduce heat to medium & add egg mixture to skillet.  Stir gently till they cook.
6. Add in grated cheese.  (Add chopped cilantro if you like it--I don't, so I don't!)

Makes 6+ servings.  I've made these twice in the last week & I love them!  Hope you disfrutar de them as much as I do!  :)  Ole!

Korea, part 1

I've been in South Korea this past week with my family (12 of us!) for my cousin Adam's wedding.  We've been in Seoul and Incheon and have eaten more, seen more, laughed more than I could have imagined!  I've taken hundreds of pictures & put a few on facebook, but I want to describe & elaborate on some things here.  We leave for the airport soon to start our journey home, so I can't do much right now, but stay tuned!  Here's a pic of my (immediate) family at the wedding last night--

It's really been a fabulous trip!  Housekeeping is knocking on my door to let me know it's time for me to check out!  More to come...

My new fav cookie!

I needed two oatmeal boxes for a costume I was making & so have been looking for recipes to use up all the oatmeal I'd emptied out.  Well I found a good one!  These are my new favorite cookies & are half as much fat/calories as my other favorite chocolate chip cookies & I don't feel like I'm missing anything!!  And if you're counting your points, they're 2 each!  :)  Best non-weenie cookies I've found with such a low point value!

They're from the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook but I'll share the recipe incase you don't have it (it's a good one, I highly recommend it!).

3/4 C. butter or margarine
1 C. packed brown sugar
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 C. flour
2 C. oats
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bake at 375 on an ungreased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 55 super delicious cookies.

I've made them twice this week--once for a meeting & tonight's batch for travel snacks for my family's trip to South Korea for my cousin Adam's wedding!  We leave Saturday morning & I am SUPER excited!  Stay tuned for more on that!  :)  Happy baking!

Tough 'lil carrots

I worked in my yard today for the first time this spring & look what I found growing in my garden!  Tough little carrots who survived the winter!  Yes, the biggest is about the size of my thumb but they're carrots!  I thought they were duds when nothing grew from the seeds I planted last fall.  Apparently these carrots don't want to be rushed.  I can identify with that.  They'll grow when they want to grow--when they're good & ready.  I haven't eaten them yet, so hopefully they taste good.  :)  

I was feeling a bit disheartened about planting this spring since my garden hadn't been too successful last year but now I'm inspired again.  Way to go, 'lil carrots!  :)

I'm on my way to Colorado this evening for our high school ski trip.  No skiing for me, just hanging in the lodge, sipping hot chocolate & reading some good books.  Sounds like a pretty awesome week huh? I'm pumped about it!  Happy Spring Break!  

It's Spring!

This weekend I decided it was spring & so it was time to wake my yard up & give it some color!  The bushes along the front of my house had all died over the last year & a half (part my fault, part climate...) so I'd been planning to re-do the front beds this spring.   I started with some red Knockout Roses and put Gerbera Daisies in the pot on my front porch.  It makes me so happy to drive up & see my pretty yard!  I have a couple more places to put things...one is to replace a climbing vine that died.  I want something colorful, but haven't decided yet.   The weather was so pretty this weekend, and I love working outside when it's nice!  Hopefully it'll stay like this for a while---100+ temps you just stay away!

I also bought a food processor & have become a salsa making factory!  I made basic tomato salsa this weekend and also mango salsa!  I haven't perfected my ratios of ingredients yet, but I'll share my recipe when I do.   Mmm...I do love salsa!  Anyone have a good recipe they will share?  I'd love to try!  Off to water my roses!   :)  Happy end of winter!

Yum-O Dessert!

This weekend I hosted a Red, White & Pink party with some girlfriends and made this awesome tart!  Please take note that my clothes & dessert are the appropriate color theme.  :)

Recipe can be found here.  It's many-a-step but worth it!!  

Flower Power

I made this felt flower yesterday during one of our cold spells we've been having here.  When it's below freezing all I want to do it stay home & do crafts!  :)

Cute huh?  And super easy!  Took like 10 minutes to make!  Makes for a fun accessory on a cold day.  :)

There & Back Again

It's 2/2/11!  Holy cow how did it get to be February already?!  As I am writing this it is currently 32 degrees outside & almost 5pm--this is the warmest it's been all day!  We are in day 2 of a 3-day freezing storm that has taken over Texas and the rest of the country!  I'm so glad this is the coldest it's been this winter & that it won't last long!  The warm temperatures are one of the many reasons I love living in Texas!    Brrrrr rabbit it's cold outside!

A couple weeks ago I went to Washington for a dear friend's wedding.  One of the things I loved most about my time with Worldview Academy was making friends all over the country & getting to keep up with them while traveling around doing camps.  Some of my favorite people were from the Seattle area & so it was such a fun blessing to get to spend the weekend with them!

The Bride--Mrs Sarah Gifford  :)

The Gering Girls

The Sims Family

Sarah & I were on staff together at Worldview my first or second summer (2002 or 2003?) and then got to serve on leadership together for a few years.  The Gering girls & I also served on staff & leadership together--all of which were some of the best summers I've ever had!   Just for fun--here's some throwbacks to some fun times we all had--

Jana & I with the Fremont Troll (c. 2004?)

Sarah & I in New Hampshire (c. 2006) 

Jana & I about to longboard in skirts...'nuff said (c. 2004?)

Twinkies!  Jessi, Jana & I in San Diego I think (c. 2004)

Jana & I made cupcakes with only a ziplock bag, our hands & some aluminum muffin tins.  We were Pioneer Women before The Pioneer Woman was popular.  Wish I had a pic of both of us doing this!

So thankful for these sweet friends!  And so so so thankful that this weekend it will be close to 70 degrees here!  :)  Puxatony Phil says winter is almost over & I am pumped!!   

Ruffle Wreath

Isn't it cute?  When my former college roommie Ashley was here we watched (almost) the complete first season of Glee & made crafts inspired by this website, Jones Design Company.  I'd hung a Christmas wreath on this door in my house between my kitchen & "back room" that leads to the garage & I loved being able to enjoy seeing it every time I was in the kitchen.  After Christmas I missed seeing it & was super excited when I found a tutorial on how to make this one!  And I loved these fabrics for flowers  that go so well in my kitchen!

They just make me happy!  :)  And since I don't love to cook, I need anything & everything to make my time in the kitchen more happy!  :)  

Extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain.

That would be the definition of distress.  And no, I am not distressed...but my newly redesigned guest room is!  :)  Over the last few weeks, I've been painting and scraping & furnishing my guest room & it's been hard work, but now that it's mostly done, it's been so worth it!  Unfortunately I don't have many "before" pictures.  The room had teal walls & the dresser I re-did had been my cousins & then mine as a baby.  I painted it red & blue in high school & so was faced with the task of scraping off all the old paint before my sweet friend Lynn came in to town to teach me how to distress it!  Inspired by this website, I painted it brown, then Del Coronado Tequila (off white-ish), took a sanding block to it & then added some knobs from World Market...and I love the result!  I did the same with an unfinished bookshelf I bought.  I painted the room Urban Gravity (gray), put together a bed, got my grandfather's rocking chair recovered, moved in my grandmother's sea chest & voila!  A guest room!

Don't you just want to come visit me so you can stay in my guest room?  My friend Ashley is in town this weekend & we've been crafting it up!  More on that later!  Stay tuned!  :)