I meant to post this photo in the last blog…I took it as we were descending into Paris. We obviously were still quite a distance from the city but it’s definitely France. I’ve always loved how Europe looks from the sky. So different from the US.

Once again I’m sitting outside, yet this time it’s almost dark. The sun went down a while ago as we were eating dinner under the same tree that I wrote from yesterday. I had a great day today. Thankfully my sleep training back home paid off and I didn’t have any jetlag this trip. For those of you unaware, I was waking up at 4am for the few days before leaving for France so that the time change wouldn’t be so hard on me. It’s one thing to have jetlag while traveling…it’s a completely different ballgame to get it when you have to not only be awake, but be on camera looking refreshed as well. Last night I went to bed around 1am and woke up just fine at 8:30am.

Aria shot first. She had her makeup done and then shot a solo set while I got my makeup done. Then we had lunch before I shot my solo. I shot my solo set in a small koi pond in a bright blue and black bikini and daisy duke jean shorts. Then Aria and I shot a set together. You’ll be happy to know that we shot an oil massage photoset and video outside! Pretty hot stuff! Especially the video! Here’s before we shot together…

And here’s what Aria looks like after I was done with her!

So after we shot she took a shower and then I took one…but I barely got done in time for dinner. Denys has a cook at the house so every meal is absolutely amazing! And at every meal we drink wine…Rose to be exact! I’m actually still finishing off my glass as I sit out here along in the dark. It’s so peaceful here. The house was built in the 1400’s…he has completely renovated it, but the house has so much character. And the trees outside are HUGE! You can tell that they’re a couple hundred years old, if not more. It’s funny…most of the time when I travel I want to get out and about and see the area. But I’m perfectly content here. Even though I’m working, it’s almost like a vacation. I’ve been super busy for a long time and I really needed this. So strange to say that because I wasn’t expecting it to be like this…especially since I work a lot during the day. But it’s the truth…I wish all jobs I took were like this!

So to end this post…here’s a photo of Aria and I being silly…it’s what we do best!

Until tomorrow…

xo
j

It’s my first evening in France. I’ve been to almost every country surrounding France but hadn’t had the chance to visit until now. My flight to Paris was horrendous, only because there was a child a few rows back that was literally screaming during the entire flight. I’m not exaggerating. The child was not crying but screaming incessantly. During the five hours in between meals, I attempted to sleep. It was one of those “body is resting but the mind is still conscious” types of sleep. Even with earplugs in I could still hear the screaming. Then on my flight to Marseille, I had an 8 year old girl hitting and kicking the back of my seat. Good times. Thankfully I got here in one piece along with my luggage.

I’m staying in Aix-en-Provence, which is in the south of France. I can’t tell you how beautiful and peaceful it is here. I have yet to visit any place other than the house I’m staying at, so I may change my mind later when I do. But as of right now I’m getting a good feeling about this place. At the moment I’m sitting outside on a rock patio under a huge tree with the roar of cicadas. Some people may find their sound too deafening but I find it quite relaxing. The weather here is absolutely amazing! Quite possibly the most comfortable temperature and humidity I’ve ever experienced. And it is 9:15pm and still light out as the sun is setting. I almost feel as though I’m on vacation and not here working.

In the morning begins my six straight days of shooting. I’ll be working with Denys DeFrancesco who shoots for DDFBusty.com. I’ll be shooting with Aria Giovanni the first three days and then with Eve Angel, I believe. I’m really looking forward to it…should be a lot of fun. Aria got in a couple hours earlier than me so she came along to pick me up from the airport. Once we got to the house she showed me around since she’s shot and stayed here before. We jumped online to check emails and attend to business before going outside and laying out in the sun nude. Yes, we tan nude together…proceed with your dirty thoughts!

Denys is shooting a couple Czech girls right now (sorry for not giving names but I don’t really know who they are) and once they’re done we’re going to have dinner. Which I’m really, really looking forward to because I haven’t really eaten since right before landing in Paris ten hours ago. Since getting here I’ve had a small apple and the last half of an Odwalla bar. Not much of a meal. Looking forward to home cooked food and wine! Btw…not to get off subject, but the two girls are shooting outside on the upper balcony. I can’t see what’s going on but I hear lots of loud moaning and one girl’s arm going back and forth really fast. That’s all I can see…half of a back and an arm moving really fast. My guess is she’s using a toy on the other. Thought you’d like me to share that info!

I’m going to try and write every day that I’m here. I know I’m extremely bad about keeping up with writing on here but I can never find the time. While here in France I should be able to find a little bit of time every day. I’ll update with photos as well! I think they’re done shooting which means it’s time to eat! Yay!

xo
j

I swear it felt like I was without a laptop for the past few years of my life. Honestly it was only a little less than two months, but it still seemed like forever. I will never cease to be amazed at how much we rely on technology these days. Especially when you run an online business…you can’t manage without a computer and an internet connection. Crazy.

Still not sure what happened to my old laptop…just decided to quit on me. I have to try to get it up and running long enough to grab what I need off of it. Luckily there isn’t too much of importance on it, but still a few files I’d like to transfer over. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have my laptop though. Not only having access to my work while I’m out of town and being able to use my own computer for my chats and shows, but it’s a lot faster and better than the old one. When I bought my old one I wasn’t working as intensively on my site as I do now. I also wasn’t doing as many chats and shows. So it wasn’t the best computer out there. The new one is really fast and can handle a lot. I’m super excited and happy! Only downside is now I have to go find another rolling laptop bag before my trip to LA at the end of next week. The new laptop has a 17″ screen and is just a tad too big for my current laptop bag that I just got last year. I’m sure I’ll find something.

I spent all of last night installing all my software and getting it all set up. Tonight will be my first time using it for a chat…I have a Members Only show at 10pm est so come check it out if you can. Here’s to being able to work when I’m out of town and being able to sit on the couch in the evening and work on my computer when I have too much to do!

xo
j

I will be appearing at Glamourcon 46 on May 16th & 17th. If you’re going to be in LA, come by and see me at my table. I’ll be taking photos and signing items…photos, magazines, dvds, etc. Not sure how many more shows I’ll be doing so see me while you can! You can visit http://www.glamourcon.com/gc46.html for more info.

Aria Giovanni and I will also be doing a two hour workshop with famed photographer Mark Daughn on May 16th at 5pm. If you would like the chance to personally shoot the both of us, you can visit http://www.glamourcon.com/workshops/main.mv to sign up!

Hope to see you there!

xo
j

Exciting news! I’m up for Twistys Treat of the Year! You know, that site that I’m on every month where I’m interviewing all those hot models? Yeah that site! I was a treat back in December of 2005 but they never did a Treat of the Year before, so they included all the past Treats that were interested in being a part of the contest. I’m up against 27 smoking hot girls (I would know…I’ve interviewed almost all of them for Twistys!) so I really, really need your help! The winner not only gets crowned as the Treat of the Year, but also gets $10,000 in prize money as well as a custom pink Rolex.

All you have to do is click on the banner above and vote for me! Super easy…they don’t even ask for an email or any other information. And you’re allowed to vote every 24 hours, so please bookmark the page and take 30 seconds out of every day to vote for me. The contest ends May 31st so no one knows how this will turn out. Every vote counts! Thank you so much for your continued love and support!

xo
j

I guess when you travel a lot, you’re bound to get sick. I flew to Phoenix a week ago to shoot for a couple days and then attend a webmaster conference. My second night there I started to get a sore throat. Luckily I was ok during my shoot days, but I was a mess during the conference. Today is the first day that I’ve felt a little back to normal. I think everything finally broke up in my chest last night. I absolutely hate being sick, especially when it interferes with my sleep. Because then not only do I feel like crap, but I’m also exhausted.

My trip went great, though. I shot for Aziani.com again and then shot content with Nikki Nova for both of our sites. I actually stayed at Nikki’s house for the first few days of my trip and it was really nice to see her again and hang out a bit. Nikki is one of my absolute favorite models in the biz and one of the few that I can call a true friend. Unfortunately we were both pretty busy so we didn’t have much down time to do anything together, but it was still nice to chat in the evenings and shoot together. We shot some really hot sets and videos.

I got a lot of business done at the conference. The one I attended is one of the best of the year and I’m happy I was able to push through and still attend my meetings. I have a lot planned for the coming year in terms of my site and career so I’m currently just trying to get everything in order and get a good business plan together. I’m confident that things are going to go well in the coming year.

Not much else is going on right now. I’m actually home for a full week so it’ll give me a chance to get some work done before I have to head to LA next Monday. I’m shooting with Ken Marcus next week as well as interviewing a new Twisty’s Treat of the Month. Then I’m home for a few days again only to fly back to LA the week after that for five days. The traveling never ends! I feel like I’m never home!

That’s it for now…I’ll write more later this week. Have to go make some lunch!

xo
j

Whew! It’s been a while since I’ve written because things have just been crazy. I had been traveling a lot for work up until my trip to Hawaii, which left little time for me. And my laptop died so I was traveling without a laptop. Not easy to do when you have work to do. So I got a little backed up with things…but I’m back and here I am! So much to catch up on.

Getting leid in Hawaii

I’m happy to say that I FINALLY visited Hawaii. I was supposed to go 20 years ago when my uncle lived there but my dad wouldn’t let me out of school for a month to tag along with my grandparents. So here we are 20 years later and I finally made it to the islands. I spent three days in Maui and 8 days in Kauai. I honestly have to say that Hawaii wouldn’t be my first choice in vacations, but I think that’s because it wasn’t really that warm and there were 40 mph wind gusts. Don’t get me wrong…I had a great time and really enjoyed my much needed vacation…but it’s not on the top of my lists.

About to bike down Haleakala

I did quite a bit on this trip. Normally most of my trips are full of time spent by the pool or on the beach if I’m in a warmer, tropical climate. But this trip I made it a point to get out and be a bit more active. In Maui I went on a 35 mile bike ride down Haleakala, which is a 10,023′ volcano. We did it in an hour and a half…the guy at the bike company was pretty impressed. Granted, the majority of it is downhill so you get going at about 30-40 mph. If it wasn’t for the strong winds we were riding against, I’m sure we would have made better time. I also went snorkeling and whale watching while in Maui. The Humpback whales spend their winters in Hawaii where they give birth to their calves and teach them how to breach and do whatever it is that whales need to learn how to do before heading back up to Alaska for the summer to feed. I was pretty impressed…there were TONS of whales everywhere! When you sit on the beach and look out at the ocean you can see spouts of water shooting up everywhere. It was quite the experience.

Helicopter ride over Kauai

I spent my first three days in Kauai down in Poipu Beach at the Hyatt Grand Resort. The Hyatt Grand has to be one of the most beautiful resorts ever. It rests on 52 acres right on the beach. My first day in Kauai we just chilled for the day. The second day we went on a Helicopter tour of the island. I’d never been in a helicopter before so it was pretty awesome to experience my first one over Kauai. They take you through Waimea Canyon, up to the Napali Cost and back across the island to the airport, all the while pointing out all the places that movies have been filmed and taking you right up to waterfalls. The day after that we went ziplining. Ziplining was definitely a lot of fun. It’s quite exhilarating to be soaring through the treetops while attached to a harness and cable. After we were done with the zipline course, we hiked over to a waterfall-fed lagoon. They have a 25 foot rope swing that drops you into the middle of the water, but it was so cold that I wasn’t about to do it. I went into the water and went up to my neck…but that was enough. Didn’t want to get my head wet and freeze my ass of!

Yup that's me on the zipline!

My seventh day there I went to my friend’s house in Hanalei, which is on the other side of the island. Poipu Beach is on the South Shore and Hanalei is on the North Shore. Aria Giovanni and Heather Vandeven were already there, as well as my good friend and photographer Ellen Stagg. Justine Joli got there later that night after I arrived. We had a lot of fun hanging out at the house and shooting. I shot for a day with Mark Daughn, who is best known for shooting for Mystique. We shot on some private land and a private beach, so all of you that are members of my site will be really excited when that content goes up on the site! I’ve wanted to shoot beach and ocean content for quite some time, but it’s never easy to do in California. So when I found out that I would have the chance to shoot on the beach in Kauai, I didn’t even hesitate! We got some really good stuff and I know you’ll love it!

Working double time...shooting behind the scenes of Aria while I wait for my turn to shoot

I also shot with Ellen on the beach. It was raining a lot the day we shot, as it does in that part of Kauai, but I was game for shooting in the rain. We unfortunately only had time to shoot a couple sets on the beach because Ellen had to fly back to New York that day, but we got some good stuff. Definitely very wet sets! I even shot a Fourth of July set for you guys!
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For those of you that don’t read my message board on my website, here is my Top Ten List for 2008 and what I’m most looking forward to in 2009…

Top Ten List for 2008…

1.  Finding my soul mate in a friend.  Sometimes that someone could have been there all along and neither of you realized it.  As they say, “it’s all in the timing.”  I know that some of you don’t like to hear it, but I’m open and honest and it’s a very important part of my life.  My entire being has never been better and I’d have to say that it was the most important part of my 2008.

2.  Re-launching the members area of the site.  It was long overdue and took half the year from start to finish, but it was definitely worth it!  I’m sure that you’ll agree with me that it was a change for the better.  It’s nice to have a smoothly running website that encompasses everything that I hoped it would.

3.  Finally partially figuring out what is ailing my dog.  Guess it really pays to go to a specialist…in this case an animal dermatologist.  He’s not 100% better but he’s doing so much better than he ever has.  When my dog is happy, I’m happy.

4.  Starting up snowboarding again!  I hadn’t gone since high school and was missing it.  So I started up again in January…got new gear and had a blast.  Can’t wait to go later this month…I’ve got the itch!

5.  Finding software that makes my life so much easier by saving me time.  There are a few programs that I discovered this year that really makes my life easier and helps me to work more efficiently.  All are in regards to running my site and working with my content, but I would have to say that I probably found 6 or 7 new programs that I use on a regular basis and I can’t imagine working without them!

6.  Moving to Northern California.  This was a huge move for me after living practically my entire life in LA.  But I’m happier than ever and am enjoying the slower pace of live and the peace and quiet.  LA can get to you after a while and since I’m down there so much for work still, I don’t really miss it.

7.  Finally finding a place I can call home.  I’ve moved around a lot in my life…20 times exactly.  11 of which occurred during my adult life.  Obviously you move around during college…just happens when you’re almost living in a new place every year.  But since getting out of college I just haven’t been able to stay put in one place for at least two years…it just never feels like home and I get restless and pick up and move.  But I can truly say that I’ve found home.  Don’t think I’ll be moving again for a VERY long time.  And I have a great house to live in right now so, once again, I couldn’t be happier!

8.  Going to Amsterdam and Munich.  I had never been to Amsterdam and had a great time there.  Europe is always fun and exciting.  And I hadn’t been to Munich either…I’ve been practically all over the rest of Germany but since I don’t have family in Bavaria there was never a reason to go.  I went to Oktoberfest a few nights while there and had a blast drinking and eating.  Can’t wait to go back this year!

9.  Making the final payment on one of my cars!  Always feels good to pay something off and not have to spend that money every month anymore!

10.  Going to Cabo for the first time.  I’d never been to any of the nicer parts of Mexico…the farthest south was Rosarito.  I had a great time and now understand why everyone that goes wants a vacation home there.

What I’m most looking forward to in 2009…

1.  Going to Hawaii for the first time in my life!  Less than two months to go…I can’t wait!  Don’t worry…you’ll all be there in spirit!

2.  Continuing to move forward with my site.  I still want to add a few features but right now it’s one thing at a time.  I’m going to try to shoot a lot more content this year to get ahead on things even more and I’m also stepping it up on the marketing front.

3.  Getting fit again…but more fit than I’ve ever been.  I’m making a conscious effort to really take my health seriously and get back into shape.  I know I’m not overweight, but I want to strengthen and tone my body and hopefully start taking Yoga again.  I just find it really important to take care of one’s body and I think I lost that for a while.  For the past year I’ve been doing really well with my eating but wasn’t going to the gym or taking Yoga and I decided it was time to get back into it.  I want to be more active.

4.  Obama taking office and the hope of improvement in our economy.  There’s so much going on with our country today and I’m anxious to see what’s in store for the US in 2009.  I’m looking forward to it…but to what that is, I’m not sure yet.

5.  Confessions of a Shopaholic…the movie I’ve been waiting for.  I’m a fan of the book series (weird, I know…because I don’t even like to read much and the characters are so unlike me, but it’s my guilty pleasure) and I’ve been excited to see the film.  Comes out next month and you can believe me when I say that I’m dragging my boyfriend to it!  Hahah!

6.  I’m hoping to go to Paris and London for work this year.  I’ve never been to either country and would love to visit them as well as work for a few photographers over there.  Aria is headed that way and I’m hoping to go with her…we’ll see if it can all work out.

7.  The second season of True Blood.  I got hooked on the show and can’t wait for summer to get here so I can commence viewing pleasure.  And as always, I can’t wait for CSI to start up again.

8.  Our backyard to be finished.  Hopefully by the end of the summer the pool and backyard will be finished and I’ll have a nice quiet outdoor area to relax in.

9.  Learning new things.  I’m constantly learning and wish to continue to do so.  This year I’d love to learn not only educationally but physically…maybe learn a new sport or two.  Just become a better, more rounded person.

10.  For once I want to go somewhere on vacation that is only VACATION…no work involved at all.  I haven’t done that in 3 1/2 years and I think this year will be the year that it finally happens again.  Cross your fingers for me!

xo
j

I’m not a “Heroes” watcher.  I know it’s a great show and a favorite of many, but I don’t like to start watching a series in the middle of either a season or multiple seasons because you have no idea of the backstory and can get lost.  I do plan on renting the DVDs for “Heroes” and catching up on all seasons…same goes for “Lost.”  But my boyfriend is a watcher of the show and sent me the following link from the episode titled “It’s Coming.”

http://heroeswiki.com/Bowl-A-Rama

Why did he do this?  Well…that’s because I was at the same bowling alley back in March for a friend’s birthday in LA .  My friends go to this total dive bowling alley in Eagle Rock (a neighborhood in LA) that’s fully equipped with karaoke and a shitty bar.  It was my first time there, even though my friends go often, and I thought it was absolutely awesome looking.  They informed me that it doesn’t normally look like this…it was just set dressed.  They were told that it was changed up for a commercial and I did recently see the same bowling alley in a commercial…just can’t remember what commercial it was.

Here I am at the Bowl-A-Rama bowling alley!

Just thought all you “Heroes” fans would get a kick out of that!  That’s what living in LA will bring you…sometimes you get to see a little movie magic.  Sorry to break it to you though…it wasn’t really a bowling alley in Tokyo…it was just a little dive bowling alley in Eagle Rock.  I had a great time that night…I bowled my butt off and actually bowled decent there.  Followed by some drinks, flying gummy bears and my friend Tara singing “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar at Karaoke.

xo

j

As cheesy or cliche as it may seem to say, I’m very thankful for everything I have in my life.  I’ve never really taken things for granted in my life because I’ve always been quite aware that things could always be much worse.  There were times in my life when things weren’t easy and I didn’t have a lot.  My life story is a novel in itself…so we won’t even go there…but I was never the spoiled child which caused me to appreciate what I was given.

I remember being in school as a child and when Thanksgiving came along, it never failed that everyone was required to write a paper on what they were thankful for.  I guess when you’re younger you only view material things as those things that you “have.”  But then as you get older your perception on life and the world changes and you start to value things that don’t have material value.  I know that now as an adult, I’m thankful for things that I wasn’t thankful for in the past because my view was different.

First and foremost, I’m extremely thankful for my health and physical attributes.  Health is something that I believe many take for granted, which shouldn’t be taken for granted at all.  There are so many things that can go wrong with the human body and I’m lucky that asthma and allergies are the only health problems I have to deal with.  Saying that I’m thankful for my physical attributes may sound shallow to some, but I’m not stating it in the context those might take it in.  If it wasn’t for my physical attributes, I wouldn’t be able to model, which has been my full-time job for almost 6 years.  There are many things that people can change about themselves to aspire to look a certain way, but I didn’t have to do anything.  I have never had any plastic surgery of any kind…I was lucky enough to get my parents’ genetics, which seem to have meshed well together.

I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am to have adopted the most amazing dog on the face of the planet.  I don’t think I could survive without him!  Since age 14 I had always wanted a Mastiff.  Finally three years ago, at age 24, I found the perfect dog.  It was seriously fate that brought us together.  His owners gave him up due to severe allergies…they couldn’t afford his medications anymore.  They were told to put him down and that no one would take such a big dog with health problems like his.  But they didn’t put him down and waited it out until they found a rescue that would take him.  A week after being at the rescue, I was the first person to see him.  I didn’t go there specifically for him…I just went to get a Mastiff.  I looked at all the Mastiffs that they had and he was the last one I was introduced to.  They almost didn’t bring him out because they didn’t feel that he was ready but figured he had to start meeting people at some point.  The two of us immediately hit it off and they allowed me to take him home that night.  We’ve been inseparable ever since.  He’s my shadow, my sidekick, my sunshine.  Nothing can melt my heart like my dog can.  He’s amazing and so well behaved.  All he needed was someone to be patient with his health problems and take good care of him.  I don’t think he could have picked a better owner…everyone will tell you how he’s a child to me.  I put him before everything else.  And it’s been a long road trying to get his health in prime condition, but he’s almost like a normal dog now.  We’ve come a long way together…he’s always been there for me and I will always be there for him.  I enjoy every moment with him and am so thankful to have the opportunity to experience unconditional love.

The one other thing I’m very thankful for is my boyfriend.  Not everyone is given the opportunity to experience true love which makes me ever so grateful for having it in my life.  It’s one thing to find someone you have commonalities with and you enjoy being around.  It’s another thing to find that one person that “gets it.”  Someone who can finish your sentences, who is on the same page, who understands where you’re coming from.  Someone who you can tell anything to, who you trust with all your secrets and who trusts you with theirs.  Someone who makes you laugh out of control, who brightens your day just by being themselves and who you can be yourself around.  Someone you can learn from, that will tell you how it is (even if you don’t want to hear it), that you can enjoy a comfortable silence with.  That one person who is your best friend, lover and partner in life all rolled into one…who makes you feel like no on else in the world can.  I’ve found that one person and I will never take him for granted and will ALWAYS be thankful for him.

There are obviously other things in life that I’m truly thankful for and reflect upon often, not just during the holidays.  My family, my friends, my house, being a US citizen, my intelligence and having an education, etc.  So I ask you to think about what you’re thankful for and to never take those things for granted.  Enjoy every aspect of life and try to live it to the fullest.  Find what makes you happy and hold onto it.

xo

j