Gabz letter from friends...

Last Shoot in Dallas - 8-24-10

I just got home from a LOOONNNGG shoot with Dixie Dixon... it was so amazing.  Every time I shoot, I am reminded of the power this industry has over me.  It is addicting, and euphoric.

SO many looks were cranked out today... modern, high fashion, vintage, slightly fetish, futuristic, creative, lifestyle, commercial, etc... CRAZY DAY!

I started the day with Gabz (she slept on my couch last night) and a flat tire :(  Did that bring my happy mood down - NO!  I was headed to shoot with my very talented comrade, Dixie Dixon - nothing could bring my mood down.  Of course, I arrived late (as I always do) and set up.  The first look was on Gabz and was a romatic themed style mixing in curls and texture.  A sheer beige top and smokey eyes later, the camera was ON FIRE when she started shooting.  As soon as the first images were taken, I was reminded of my admiration for one of the best photographers in dallas, Dixie.   Lighting was breathtaking, angles and cropping were on-point, and the constant "looks great" following every shutter click was music to my ears. Gabz moved as if she was in a slow dance with sunlight and seemed to mesmerize the camera, and me.  Moving on to the next look was the hardest thing for Gabz... I had to brush out her hair (sorry babushka!)  Spray and teasing is oh so pretty when it's up, but brushing it out?  yikes - she was a trooper.  From frizz and fluff to smooth and vintage, Gabz transformed herself to become a stunning modern vintage portrait.

6 bags of hair later, hair clothes were made, a very large up-swept do had been shot, reverse victory rolls, pony tails, twists, braids, etc... then 4 hours later, I was searching for inspiration.

It's difficult being the stylist, hairstylist, and creative director all-in-one, but it's something I LOVE to do!

I realized today... there is only one you.  You are unique in every way.  No matter what you do in life, there will always be someone trying to one-up you, steal your ideas, make you feel unimportant, etc... but the best thing to remember is to know that you are doing what you are doing for a reason, and no one can come in the way of you and your dreams.  You have to keep pushing on, and know that you will succeed and you will grow.  Why dream at all if you don't dream big!  KNOW that it will happen, and it will :)

I'm so tired already, and am going to upload videos... hopefully I don't fall asleep while I am uploading!

To a great shoot, and to my colleagues who have stuck by me and believed in me... good night, and all your dreams will come true.

MWAAAA!!

Shooting With Dixie

So today has been very long, but extremely worth it..

I ended up spending my evening last night and all of today with Dez.

We woke up to coffee and laughter.. then got all of our belongings together for the shoot, awoke to more coffee and dixie's smile.. The day started off amazingly.

We started on hair and make up, and shortly after the other two models showed up to set..

after six-seven hours alone my looks were finished. About three looks per model, this could go on forever if we allowed it to.. In all honesty i would not mind still being able to shoot.I have definatly found my nitch and my meaning of life..

im here to help inspire others, im here to show them nothing is impossible, why else would a small town girl like me be given this chance.. Other then to make a difference..life is sweet, let me tell you.. and its really only the beginning.

here i am still at the shoot after 9 hours and i still feel so alive.

when i worked at chaucers after 4 hours of being there i was sooooo drained i couldnt even think to myself.. but that wasnt even the first half of the shift there, if i was to be at chaucers now, my shift wouldnt end until 3AM. shoooot please put me in modeling until 3AM and i will always have a smile on my face until i lay in bed that night, more then likely even wake up with that smile..

Beauty lies within the eyes of the beholder..

But the passion behind that shines so much brighter.

my journey has only started, a long journey to add to that note. You live the life you lead, so live it right and dont settle for anything less then what you know you can live up to.. nothing is impossible, AND the world will never end, only unless you allow it to.. so why cut yourself short?

with all of my past, i will never regret.. my life happend that way for a reason.. to make me as strong as i am right now, so i can handle whats to be set out in front of me, let me be the reason you can look back and say, "oh well it cant be all that bad," think of the positive if one person can do it... then why cant you? why dont you become that change and be the difference every one is looking for?

never question yourself, your more then capable of doing so... so DO IT!..

Well until next time folks.. im going to let dixie have her laptop back.. <3

==gabz 8-24-10==

An Adventure of a Lifetime

Just the other night I found myself savoring every last moment I had with Gabz and Des in fear that it might be the last time the three of us are together in TX. I have so many thoughts and emotions running through my head, I find myself listening to my brain screaming with excitement, fear, and just overall confusion, and I wonder why I'm so exhausted. I can only imagine how Gaby and Desiree feel and how I will feel when I am 3 days before my flight! I can't help but wish that I too was going to be on the flight this Saturday. To be able to see Des and Gabz face as the flight lands into LGA would be priceless! The thought of purchasing an earlier flight continues to tempt my mind.

I'm still working many part time jobs trying to save every last penny, as I am aware of how expensive NYC is! Gaby couldn't have expressed it better, is the little money earned worth all the hard work, exhaustion, and time that is lost that could be spent with friends, family and/or prepping for the big move? I'm ready for long hours and lack of sleep coming from photo shoots and fashion shows.

It's taken me many years to realize and to accept my dreams and my passions that derive from modeling. I used to question myself, "is modeling really for me, is it what I am supposed to do?" as time, age, and many other factors are not on my side. Everytime I begin to doubt my dreams something pulls me back. I have finally stopped questioning myself, because I realize I am happiest when I am at a photo shoot or in a runwayshow. Sometimes before a show or a shoot my body screams with nerves, but that is the feeling I live for and I am slightly empty without it. I have never felt so blessed because I get to "shoot for the moon" with two amazing girls who have similar dreams and are risking just the same. We will support eachother ever step of the way and push eachother to our extremes. This will be an adventure of a lifetime.

Here We stand.

Counting Down the last few days of residing in Texas.
"It's Real, It's real-er then you think!" said by Ryan.. Yes, Yes indeed this is definatly real. And this is really happening before our eyes.. The count down begins.. 4 day left..
4 of the longest, fast paced, fully packed, days... "The to-do list" seems to repeat itself, and become never ending.. is there enough time in these last 4 days to get what i need to accomplished..
i feel like the routines i come up with to get all of these tasks finished, keep being push aside with more tasks.. can i pull together all of my belongings i need, and can i move aside all of the other objects that i no longer need, all with having those last few moments with my loved ones families and friends..
sooooo much to do in these last four days..

on a better note, my last day of work was yesterday.. No more of the endless hours and sleepless nights of little pay, with no time to myself to be able to focus on what makes me happy let alone have time to have a real life.. the has been paying off though.. Everything has been falling into place very nicely.. The people i meet the pointers and tips i receive, all make the impression they are supposed to.. its almost as if im supposed to be doing this, and also as if this is where i am supposed to be at in this place and time..

thank you seriously for all of those who have been nothing but supportive to me, and accepted my difference as my beauty.. y'all made me realize a lot of who i am and my purpose of being here..

Dez and AshV came by my mothers house to finally meet the reason behind my living and breathing .. my mother became a little at ease when she realized the people whom i was moving into the big city with, The only stress now she is dealing with is hearing from me every night to make sure i made it in nice and safe.

This is how this blog becomes the main help, it will be the way for all of our families and friends to catch up and keep tabs with our progression and stories.. When ever you wonder whats new in life of BTBA (Biting The Big Apple) just remember this blog, you are always one click away, just check in comment and let us know how your feeling, inspiration is always a great help too, being homesick and also having to deal with the dog eat dog world can get extremely hard, and hard to deal with.. so please words of encouragement are always a plus. <3

Well this is one wave that can either wipe me out, or i can strap on these bindings and ride out this wave until the wake washes itself away..
And honestly i feel like this will become a never ending wave..Life has only begun..
So lets see what this story starts to unravel for us, the seems slowly start to fray away as the stories unwind, the tales start to be told...

So much to do in 4 days lets get this done..
-gabriellecristyne ... ॐ ...

6 days away... and counting

I have SO MUCH TO DO!

I made some hairpieces today for the shoot this coming Tuesday... went to 2 stores to find floral tape and couldn't find any.  You would think Michael's has floral tape... Nope!

New York is 6 days away and I'm starting to stress.  I taped my first video log today and posted it up on you tube... our channel is "followbtba" -- friend us, comment, etc - make us feel loved!

Today was also Gabz' last day at her "real" job - I am so excited.  We are supposed to hang out tomorrow and I'm going to meet her mom. yay. :)

Sleep tight peeps -- I'm going to work for a while ;)

Des

Biting the big Apple Begins!

The website is up and running, and the exciting journey has begun!  My bags are in the process of being packed and my portfolio book is being made.  My clothes are everywhere... my apartment is a mess.

The move to New York is 1 week away and I'm starting to get jitters.

This is what Gabz sent me earlier:
"I am so excited for this oppurtunity I have been waiting for this moment to happen for a while, only two days left of work, long strenuous day of no sleep, hardly eating and little appreciation.. One day I will look back on all this and just smile, all of this hard work will pay off.. The worries I once had, become my strongest inspiration.. All will pay off in the end.. the best has yet to com"


I couldn't have said it better :)