I believe the last event I wrote about on this blog was when I hosted the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky Teen USA competitions. It seems like so much time has passed since then! For a few weeks after the fact, I was working for Brian Atwood as a new line of shoes was being unveiled to various big name department stores and high-end boutique shops. It was a unique experience seeing so much of the business firsthand. I also was able to work with Rachel Roy for her brand new line of shoes that will be hitting stores in August. Her style is very distinct. While Brian Atwood targets more of a sexy woman, Rachel Roy is targeting a powerful, working professional who still seeks feminine appeal. Both are beautiful brands, and I enjoyed working with them. I even got to meet Rachel Roy briefly as she sat in on one of the meetings.

Much of my time recently was spent working with J.Crew for a new suiting store that they’ve opened in Tribeca (50 Hudson). I was fitted with my own suit, and I enjoyed meeting and working with other models from various agencies. It’s always a treat getting to know other women in the industry. I love learning more about what works and what doesn’t work from other professionals. It’s motivating seeing women that I’ve worked alongside with accomplish their goals in the industry. I wish I could adequately put into words what a cool experience it is!

I also have had quite a few other smaller bookings that have kept me busy.. A shoot for a fantasy novel (I can’t wait to see the artist’s rendition), various random photoshoots, and of course lots and lots of castings/auditions.

I’ve spent the last 3 days being the laziest person on the planet. It was amazing. I needed some time to recuperate and just do absolutely nothing. During that time, I spent quite a bit of time on Facebook, Pinterest, watching documentaries, and starting a new book (Harry Potter And the Chamber of Secrets). It was a much needed break. The modeling industry is interesting, because work comes in waves. There are times when you’re so busy you don’t have time to breath.. and that makes you truly appreciate the slow times when you have them.

During my short break, my roommates and I also managed to foster and bring home two little kittens from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). We aren’t in a position to commit long-term to a pet, so we did the next best thing. For the next few weeks, we will be raising the kittens until they are fit to be adopted. Both are only a month old.. they’re getting over little kitten colds and one has an eye infection, so we are administering medication as well as making sure they are fed and given the attention and love that they need. Once they reach 2 pounds, they’ll be ready to be adopted and go to their permanent home. For now, though, I really enjoy being a jungle gym for my new furry friends. I highly recommend fostering to those animal lovers who would love a pet but can’t commit long-term for whatever reason.

So that has been my life for the last few weeks in a nutshell! I’ve had a wonderful break the last few days, but I believe it is now time to get back to work.. My first order of business is to completely update the portfolio so that it is the best representation of my work when I go into castings. Always looking to improve upon myself and evolve my career. I am aware I’m not a “top model” nor do I claim to be.. But I am very happy with the experiences I’ve been awarded, and I’ve been fortunate to make a career of my opportunities. I feel truly blessed.

I apologize for taking so long to update! I’ll try not to wait so long to make my next entry.

Lately, I’ve been watching different documentaries focused on the universe around us. These have included The Pluto Files: Nova and Discovery’s How the Universe Works series. Astronomy has always been incredibly fascinating to me. It’s completely insane to think of how our Earth came to be.

I grew up thinking there were 9 planets rotating the sun.. And like many, I always had a soft spot for little Pluto all the way at the edge of our Solar System. So it makes sense that when the ex-planet’s status was demoted years ago, I questioned the decision. Nova’s documentary did an excellent job of educating me on the matter and presenting both sides of the issue. To be honest, my own opinion on whether or not I’d consider Pluto as a “planet” is still very much up in the air. A lot of that can be attributed to the fact that the definition of the word planet is still under debate. In the end, I decided that in my world it really doesn’t matter at all what verbiage is used to refer to Pluto. It will still exist as a small icy object rotating the sun in the Kuiper Belt at the edge of our Solar System regardless of what classification we give it.

Simply the idea of our Solar System is just inconceivable. It truly reawakens my respect for our own planet and saddens me that so many people continue to take Earth for granted. We just so happen to be living on a mass that happens to be the perfect temperature for our species with all of life’s necessities. Incredible just doesn’t seem to be enough of a word to describe how beautiful life is.

But there does exist other beauty in this universe, even if it cannot sustain life. For example, are you aware that scientists have found evidence that there exist gigantic mountain ranges on some of Saturn’s rings. Yes, I said rings. That’s mind boggling to me.. All this time, I was under the impression that these rings were just gas rotating around that planet.. or at most fragments of asteroids. But what I’ve found to be the most insane thing ever is that scientists now theorize that at the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way, there exists a black hole slowly sucking in everything around it. So.. we are on a planet rotating around a sun that is rotating around a black hole. Nice.

Fortunately for us, we will be long gone before we’re sucked away to wherever it is that black holes take things to. Our planet will be dead far before then..

While that’s a sad thought, it also is in a way oddly beautiful. It makes you feel like your everyday problems are so insignificant, doesn’t it? At the same time though, I find that it inspires me. I’m inspired to love this planet more.. to realize there are many things greater and that I’m a part of something bigger.. and to also make the most of my limited time here, because I know I’m truly blessed to have been awarded this moment in time.

So I finally decided to make that change on February 29. Since Wednesday, I’ve switched up my exercise each day to include running, jumping jacks, crunches, etc, and I’m happy to report that already I’ve noticed such an increase in my energy levels. I feel like I’m more productive and just happier in general. Hopefully I’ll keep up this good work and develop a habit out of it.

I’ve also started looking into healthier dietary choices. I found this fat chart for various cooking oils. At the moment, I like using olive oil a lot. I also love the taste of sesame oil (and research shows sesame oil is great for reducing blood pressure). But I’d love to hear feedback from some of you. What type of cooking oil do you use and why? Would love to experiment with different tastes, but of course health is the main objective.

I’d also like to address this issue I’ve noticed for a while now.. Anytime a relatively thin person mentions anything to do with exercise or eating healthy, it seems there’s also someone around to tell them they “don’t need to lose any weight”. For some reason, many people seem to equate choosing a healthy lifestyle with people who are primarily trying to lose weight. Health shouldn’t be taking such a backseat in our minds. Regardless of what the number on the scale reads, taking care of your body should be the priority.

Wish me luck on my new venture!

It is our responsibility as consumers in such a society to determine our own needs; we define our own identities. What I find interesting, though, is when a person becomes so engulfed in the idea of what a brand represents that sense of self seems to correlate with possession of that particular good.

I understand it may be easy to become carried away with the idea that owning a particular handbag or heel may somehow elevate a person’s worth. We are after all inundated with impressive images that portray attractive scenarios. To reinforce such a perception of raised status, others may seem to approach you differently. While I completely understand the appreciation of a certain product, I consider it important to always remember to separate your personal identity from that of the object you are consuming.

Determine what it is that truly matters to you in life and base not only your purchasing decisions, but also your entire attitude around that.

Always keep your identity in focus.

It’s funny, because I’ve heard Valentine’s Day described as “Singles Awareness Day” on quite a few different occasions. But in my opinion, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be reduced to just celebrating romantic love. It’s about showing appreciation to all those in your life that you care about. Love is love regardless what type of relationship it’s applied to.

Of course, it’s only realistic to prioritize your sweetie during this holiday. But in deciding on a gift to give him, I wanted something that would bring a smile to his face on any regular day as well. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that is life and to mistakenly take for granted what that other person does for you, so when I saw this on Pinterest I was convinced of what I would make! A gift always means a little more when time is put into it, doesn’t it?

I decided that this gift would be a bit more personalized with a photo framed inside of it, so I got to work on my own little version of it. I started with a photo that I liked, penciled a design onto construction paper, and then cut using an exacto knife. The photo and construction paper were compiled onto a plain white sheet to create the following:

From there, I decided that adding a quote around the photo itself would be a sweet touch. I loved this one:

So many of my smiles begin with you.

I added this quote using a gel pen. In addition to that, I began penciling in “I love you because…“

This gave me a great guide to use when going back over those words with a marker and gel pens.

After completing this step, I penciled in a few artistic touches and went over those using gel pens.

After this step, I decided that I needed a little finishing touch. I didn’t want to do too much, so I decided adding a dotted border along the cut-outs would give it a nice subtle finish.

Upon placing this finished piece of work into a glass frame, I am able to add dry erase messages as I please!

So there you have it! My version of the DIY Dry Erase Frame. I think it makes a great gift, because it keeps giving even after Valentine’s Day. It’s also a great reminder to me to never take all those little things for granted. I can be as cheesy as I want!!

I had a great time combining different ideas into a craft of my own. I told you I was going to be making the most of Pinterest and that I would be posting my different craft projects, didn’t I? Can’t wait to figure out what project to take on next.

If you decide to take on a variation of this project yourself, I would absolutely love to see the finished product! I love seeing personal touches and new ideas expressed in art.

Of course, no Valentine’s Day post is complete without a photo of my Valentine’s flowers, right? haha. Have a great day!!

Smile!

It’s National Dental Health Month!!! Okay… according to the American Dental Association it’s really National Children’s Dental Health Month, but I think proper oral hygiene is important for all age ranges. I’ve seen next to nothing posted in regards to this month, so I figured I’d be the one to do so. It’s such an important topic that people seem to take for granted. You use your teeth multiple times a day to chew and eat, and ideally you’ll have your natural set of teeth throughout your life. Cavities can cause quite a bit of pain, and dental work can be extremely costly.

I am not a dentist myself. I just happen to have quite a few friends as well as a boyfriend in the field. I hear firsthand how frustrating it can be for a dentist when patients neglect their teeth. When a dentist invests so much time into our oral health, the least we can do is make an effort to maintain it. It’s so easy to develop lazy habits, but I feel that this is something that deserves special attention. So here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way.

We all know that we are supposed to brush twice a day, morning and night. But did you know that brushing your teeth directly after a meal isn’t advisable? Apparently, eating changes the acidity in your mouth and softens the enamel in your teeth. I usually try to wait at least 20-30 minutes to brush after a meal. Flossing is also recommended once a day.

If we’re talking solely about tooth health, flouride found in toothpastes and mouthwash promotes remineralization of the teeth. Xylitol gum also aids in preventing cavities (or caries as they’re called in the dental world).

It’s also important to eat right! What goes in your mouth comes in contact with your teeth. Anything that is going to get stuck in your teeth can promote cavities. Breads, pretzels, chips, french fries, etc. are foods to watch out for. Foods and drinks that contain sugar also can cause decay. Fruit, which is good for you from a dietary standpoint, is bad for your teeth. “Sticky” foods such as bananas or honey love sticking to your teeth. It’s also interesting to note that while snacking and having many small meals is great for metabolism and diet, it really messes with your teeth.

This doesn’t mean all these foods should be avoided. I eat a lot of these things. The point is that we should be more aware of these foods so that the proper steps can be taken afterward to prevent decay. Straws can be a great way to avoid contact between your teeth and sugary liquids. Another great tip I picked up that I use quite often: After a meal, taking a big gulp of water and swishing it around in your mouth a few times can help dislodge foods that were stuck.

So there you have it. Again, I’m no expert in the field of dentistry; it’s just a topic that I think deserves a blog post. Hopefully you were able to pick up some type of knowledge.. And hopefully you’ll celebrate National Dental Health Month by helping to educate others on how to maintain a healthy smile. As always, consult your dentist for any issues/questions/problems that you may have.

Smile!!

]]> http://michellebanzer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=322 20 http://michellebanzer.com/blog/?p=310 http://michellebanzer.com/blog/?p=310#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:06:35 +0000 Michelle Banzer http://michellebanzer.com/blog/?p=310 Continue reading →]]> The New York Giants won the Super Bowl my first winter in the city! I’m not going to lie, I’m not a big sports fan. Until dating my boyfriend, I didn’t even really follow football. I prefer basketball or soccer. But I’ve definitely gained more of an appreciation for the sport. Apparently, New Yorkers appreciate it quite a bit. I was not in attendance due to my booking during the day, but there was a parade today in honor of their Super Bowl win. Judging from photos, the turn out was pretty insane! I guess Giants fans can now find comfort in the idea that if the world is really supposed to end later this year, they’ll be the eternal champions.. haha. I suppose I’m a fan by default since Kentucky does not have an NFL team.

One of my friends made an excellent point, though, when he posted his disappointment in the fact that a Super Bowl parade occurred within 2 days of the win, yet it’s been over 10 years and there’s still no sign of a parade for the first responders and the heroes of 911. It’s wonderful how we all have our priorities in order, isn’t it?? That just makes me sad.

On a lighter note, another status update on Facebook jokingly declared the parade in honor of Jeremy Lin. I found that one pretty humorous.

Aside from my bookings that have kept me very busy the last few weeks, I’ve discovered the wonderful world of Pinterest. I’m addicted. It seems every time I log onto it, there’s a new idea or project just calling my name. While I doubt anyone has the time to do it all, it’s a wonderful way to keep track of good ideas for future use. I love it! I also believe it will be a great way to motivate me to make the most of my free time. So as a fair warning, I will be attempting to take on more of these projects and will most likely try to document my attempts on my blog when I do so. Consider it a new era in my blog.. If I ever get the chance to get around to it. haha

I’d also like to say that I’ve been putting a lot of thought into my website lately. I had so much of it built last year only to have my computer crash on me.. All of the work I had put in was lost, and I haven’t had the time to regroup since. My original goal was to build it myself exactly how I envisioned it, but it seems with more and more going on in my life that option is getting less realistic. I’ve gone far too long without a legitimate site up, so I’m considering designing it and having someone else build it for me. I haven’t decided on doing so for certain, because it’s really hard for me to want to agree to hand that part over to someone else… I’m a perfectionist, and I’m not sure that another person would meet the ridiculously high expectations I have for it. haha.. But I guess I can’t do it all. That would be physically impossible. I’ll try to figure out what to do with that within the next few weeks

Anyway, I have another booking super early tomorrow and a big meeting tomorrow afternoon. It is time for bed. I hope all of you are doing well!! Will update again soon.

I remember being absolutely petrified as a child to do the simplest tasks.. even ordering food at a restaurant was difficult. I hated speaking to strangers. It scared me. I always wanted to take part in extracurricular activities, and I tried putting myself out there to overcome this fear. In Middle School, I joined my Quick Recall team. For those unfamiliar, it’s basically a competition based on trivia knowledge where participants buzz in to answer a question. I actually knew the material.. I actually knew the answers, but I pretty much NEVER buzzed in. I couldn’t handle the idea that I might be wrong and cost points for the team.

In High School, I was part of my Drama Club. I remember working in the club to put on different productions, but I didn’t dare try out for any of the roles in our plays. I stayed content helping out with equipment and lighting behind the scenes. The idea of being in front of any crowd petrified me. I was in the Beta Club, Spanish Club, Chess Club, and Cheerleading Squad at varying points even holding different leadership roles, and I still was absurdly shy.

It wasn’t until I decided to enter the pageant and modelling world that I finally began to conquer my fear. It didn’t happen overnight.. each event would bring with it new struggles. I was so afraid of saying something ridiculous due to jumbled nerves. I was afraid of tripping or making myself look like a complete idiot. I was worried about what people were going to say about me behind my back.

But with each new job or competition came a small victory. I became more secure in myself. And with the Internet came even more freedom to express myself to others through writing. It finally hit me one day that it didn’t matter what anyone else had to say. I was making the most of my experiences, and I loved every moment of it. And along the way, I made my fair share of blunders. I said plenty of stupid things, tripped quite a few times, and there have been plenty of not-so-nice things said about me. But I learned to laugh them off. It wasn’t the end of the world. It made me stronger as a person, and I learned not to judge others.

I am still the person I was. I am still very reserved. There are times when I’d much rather be alone at home than in a large crowd. But now, I have no issues approaching a stranger and starting conversation. Sure, there will always be awkward moments.. It’s just not my personality to be that outgoing at times, and people will often misread that as arrogance or take it the wrong way. I’ve tried to be more mindful of this. I try to relate to each person I interact with in some form. Every person has an interesting story to tell, and there is something to learn from every relationship.

So I’d like to take a moment to apologize to any of my friends if I’ve ever offended you for being such a hermit! haha. I hope you know that my heart is in a good place. I am always inspired by positive people who are able to motivate me. I go through my phases of being a loner focused on work. That does not mean I’m angry or judging or anything of the sort. If I’m upset with someone, they pretty much know it.

But most of all, I want more people to be aware that there are plenty of people out there who have struggled with shyness. It’s actually pretty common. Never assume things about others. Every person in this world has their own issues, and it is not your place to judge them. Alright.. back to hermit mode for me. Have a wonderful day.

Miss Kentucky USA headshot

At the time of writing this, I’m pretty exhausted. I was seriously debating taking a nap, but I decided I should capitalize on this free moment to put my thoughts about this weekend into words. As you may know, I am now in Bowling Green, Kentucky as a co-host for the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky USA 2012 pageants. I flew into Louisville Friday evening from New York, and I made the two hour drive down to the Western Kentucky University campus for this weekend’s event.

Immediately, I was thrust back into pageant world. I entered the auditorium to a crowd of excited contestants as they listened to the state director give them information concerning the game plan for the weekend. It really doesn’t seem that long ago that I was in the same position as each of these women. That all changed 5 years ago, in 2007, when I was awarded the prestigious title on my 4th try at the crown. I really can’t believe how quickly the time has flown.

And seeing all of these beautiful, anxious faces brings back wonderful memories of competing. I’ve been asked whether I miss competing, and that’s been a difficult question to answer. On one hand, I miss the camaraderie I shared with many of my peers. I miss the anticipation of what was to come, and I miss the thrill of knowing that I’ve pushed myself to the best of my ability and the possibility of being rewarded for doing so. On the other hand, I don’t miss any of the stress that being in competition would bring. I don’t miss the valleys that would come with the roller coasters of emotions felt throughout such an event.

And although I am no longer competing, I see these women and I’m excited for them. I know what wonderful opportunities they potentially have waiting for them, and I can’t wait to see what the next winner will bring to the table. That’s one thing that is important to recognize.. that each winner is different. There is no one “mold” from which all past titleholders have come. Each woman wearing the crown has been unique in her own right. The new winner does not become Miss Kentucky USA, but rather she defines what Miss Kentucky USA will mean for that year of her reign. And while the title does not define the woman, it teaches that young woman so much about herself that would be impossible to fully describe in one simple blog entry.

The possibilities are endless. But it doesn’t stop at just the woman crowned. I believe benefits are to be had for all contestants involved. Unfortunately, not every woman on that stage will experience the opportunity to represent her state. That is simply the sad reality. However, it is completely up to each of the girls competing what it is that she takes from her experience. I am hopeful that each contestant in this year’s group gains from it. After all, any woman who is brave enough to face her fears and walk across that stage in front of hundreds of people in a swimsuit and high heels will hopefully learn that she is able to put her mind to conquering other new experiences. Not to mention, the friendships forged during the competition, win or lose, are simply invaluable.

While I could ramble on forever about how excited I am for these women, I must get myself ready for the Final competition where we will be announcing a new Miss Kentucky USA winner.

By the time most of you will have read this, the new winner will have already been announced. To her I say: take everything you can from your year. Make the title your own. And for years beyond 2012, you will always be a member of the Miss Kentucky USA family; regardless of what path you decide to choose in life, you have been rewarded with a title that many have competed for but few have won.

I wish for all the best for all the ladies involved.

In the midst of this solitude while in bed last night, my mind produced a few lines that I felt compelled to post as a status on Facebook:

They’re not the most mind-blowing, earth-shattering words in the world. It’s not even a unique thought. But that’s what I was inspired to do in that moment.. to speak to the countless people who for whatever reason feel inadequate. I wanted to reach the people who lose sight of what a miraculous gift life truly is. But most of all, I wanted to reach the narcissists who cannot think of anyone but themselves.

Despite some of the input received from those who messaged me afterward, I was not referring to myself. I was not calling myself a “work of art”, nor was I implying that I am “one out of a billion”.. I was referring to each individual person, and I was speaking generally. My intention was to reach many of the people I know who are hurting and need some kind words. I suppose some people have been conditioned to believe in the negative, though, and that’s fine. That’s part of the beauty that is having freedom to think our own thoughts and to voice our own opinions. Some people will always form opinions of another person and pass judgment, and I’m completely fine with that. It says more about the person passing the judgment than it does the person being judged. I’m just happy that I have this venue to set the record straight, and I can clear the air regarding my intentions and thoughts.

A part of me would like to think that such a status brought a glimmer of hope to someone who needed it. I would love to imagine that it was a reminder to someone out there, or perhaps that it was a reality check to someone who was getting lost in a world full of self. Of course, the reality is probably that it was a random status update on Facebook to be glanced over before moving on to other, more important things. But hopefully, if only for an instant, maybe it caused someone to smile and appreciate another person. Either way, there’s only so much one person can do, and any positive thought is a step ahead. Take from it what you will.

Hopefully you have a beautiful day. Never forget how blessed you are to be alive, and don’t take those around you for granted.