Monday, March 29, 2010

Impromptu Photoshoot

Rainy afternoon photoshoot.

http://www.spencerversustheworld.blogspot.com/

NYC: Pukk Vegetarian Thai

 

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I’ve already visited Pukk Thai twice since coming to NYC. In a city with such a variety of restaurants, that’s a big deal! Vegetarian Thai food that tastes like it’s really made with meat? I’m so there! Plus, the lunch specials are amazing. You get clear soup filled with veggies and mushrooms, a choice of starter, plus a main dish, like a curry or noodles… all for around six bucks.

Left: Pad Thai with “duck”. Right: Spring Rolls and Yellow Curry “chicken” lunch special.

Pukk Thai Restaurant, 71 1st Street, between 4th and 5th

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Best Thing About NYC...

It's full of motivated, creative, hardworking people. Over the past 10 days, I've seen quite an assortment of people I've known over the years, and it's really a great feeling!
For example, after castings Friday, I wandered down to my friend Julian's new studio. We met while we were both walking in the Academy of Art fashion show in San Francisco, and he's been blowing up as a model and photographer ever since. We took a few photos and had a couple of drinks- it was a really good time.
Check out his blog for a quick preview, and I'll be posting more soon!
http://www.throughjuleslens.blogspot.com/

Hanging out in NYC

Doing what I do... modeling WHILE eating. Photo by Chris Heads

Thursday, March 25, 2010

New Agency: NYC

Hi Everyone! My lack of posts lately has been due in large part to the fact that I've made my way back to the good old USA.
For the past week, I've been trekking back and forth across New York City meeting with agencies. Yesterday, I finally sealed the deal (and signed a contract!) with VNY.
I'm so excited to be back in the states- American Coffee! Lara Bars! Not to mention, being able to re-shrink my clothes in driers! I've been eating great food and taking pictures all week, so be on the lookout for some more regular posts!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

On the Lookout: Best Coffee in Milan

Before coming to Milan, I was obsessed with coffee. After being here for six weeks, not much has changed. Well, maybe I am slightly more obsessed.
Italian coffee is amazing. Going to the walk-up bars and ordering "un cafe" is the perfect treat between castings, and a great way to keep you going. Heck, I even like the coffee in the metro here (yeah, that's pretty bad, I know!)
This obsession led me on the search for the best coffee in Milan. I really like the coffee at Nobu; the coffee at Cucci is amazing, too (but maybe it's mainly because I was so excited about my brioche); but the best coffee, hands down, comes from Bastianello.
Their cappucinos are frothy, milky, and taste like heaven in your mouth. The espresso is rich, smooth, and not too bitter. I was trying to catch a peak at what they were roasting, but the bags are marked with the restaurant's emblem! Talk about sneaky! Luckily, they sell the coffee in bean form so you can make it at home!
Bastianello also has gelato, pastries, specialty cakes, and a pretty bad-ass looking spread of aperitivo.

Bastianello, Via Borgogna 5, Milano, Red Line Stop San Babila

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Another Model Who Eats!

When you're a model, you're always on the go. You get to a new place, become friends with your roommates (if you're lucky!), then someone leaves to go to another market. This happened with my roomie, Billie. She's an easygoing girl- always down for some dancing, a caipirinha, or some red meat... so you know we're a match made in heaven!
She left Milan to blow up London for a few weeks, but she's baack! Let the fun begin!
Billie having gelato for the first time. White Chocolate... and, yes, she loved it!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Venice: One Bite at a Time

Last week, my roommate and I took the train to Venice. These toasts with seafood spread (one, fish; the other, shrimp) and a glass of prosecco were the perfect end to a long day of sightseeing and shopping.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

It's Snowing in Milan

And I'm dreaming of warmer and sunnier days... and pizza bread stuffed with rosemary roasted chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Food: The Perfect Snack

My roommate has recently started calling me Cannoli. Cute as it may be, I don't think it's the best nickname for a model. I'm not saying it's not deserved. Admittedly, I've been pointing out cannolis in every shop window we pass and insisted that trying one in Venice for comparison was extremely important.
On the lookout for a new treat, I started thinking about healthy snacks. Healthy and convenient snacks- the stuff you can throw in your bag and take to castings (or school). I know crunchy snacks aren't good for class (hello, evil looks from classmates!), so I've made a couple of notes for the students out there.
After asking some other models what they like to snack on, I realized it's a pretty uniform selection.

Here is a list of what I like to eat on the run. Enjoy!

1. Bags of nuts: I like almonds, but Planter’s has bags of mixed nuts.
2. Raisins or dried cranberries (watch out for added sugar)
3. Sliced fruit: apples, pears (I like to slice them so they are easier to eat on the run, and the slices aren‘t as loud to eat in class)
4. Celery with almond butter (keeps you full, gives a crunch, but if you're at school, substitute the celery for a slice of whole wheat bread)
5. Cereal bars (Special K has great options)
6. DIY Trail Mix: just throw some cereal, a couple of chocolate chips, nuts, and dried fruit into a zip-lock, and you’re good to go.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Italian Lunch


Photos by Chris Heads

Pomodorino, Milano


This grin is due to the fact that I found the best pizza in Milan. Ok, maybe I was shown the best pizza in Milan, but the grin is most definitely warranted.
Photo by Chris Heads

Friday, March 5, 2010

DIY: Edible Arrangement!

 

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Italy Blog Shots 029Italy Blog Shots 047 After cruising the edible arrangements website dreaming of the best gift ever, my roommate and I decided to make our own. A quick trip to the grocery store and about twelve Euros provided us with hours of fun and a tasty, healthy snack.

This also makes a great gift, especially if you can’t afford the full priced baskets (which go upwards of $100). If  you do make this for a friend, make sure to wear gloves- your hands will be all over the fruit!

DIY Edible Arrangement

Look for ingredients that are easy to put on a stick! We got apples, pineapples, grapes, strawberries, and bananas. (Melons and other types of berries are great, too!)

Bamboo sticks are the best, perfect for dipping fruit in chocolate!

We melted milk free, sugar free chocolate for dipping. Even though the chocolate wasn’t sweet at all, the sweetness in the fruit balanced out for wonderful flavor. This was so easy… the hardest part was not eating all of the chocolate dipped fruit before finishing the arrangement!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Street Market: Milan

Italy Blog Shots 009Italy Blog Shots 010Italy Blog Shots 015 After my castings today, I wandered upon a little street market. Carts filled with cheeses, fresh salami, and roasted meats filled the air with yummy smells while colorful fruits and veggies pleased the eye.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Fitness: Best Ab Video

I've been increasingly focused on food, which is hard not to do in Italy! With all of the yummy temptations out here, exercise  is a must.

To be honest, everyone should work out, regardless of what they eat. It keeps your energy level up, helps your immune system, and levels out your moods (I always joke that our brain's release of endorphins and serotonin from exercise are nature's best drugs, and natural rewards!)

With my free gym membership running out (and no Biggest Loser DVDs in sight), finding fun (and free) ways to work out has proven challenging. Not anymore!

Exercise TV has a website where you can buy and download videos, sample some free work outs, and gather information on weight loss.

In honor of this great discovery, I've pledged to do a new workout every day this week.

Today, an old favorite from OnDemand, Cindy Whitmarsh's "6 Pack Abs Calorie Burn."
Back in Berkeley, it was my favorite ab video, and it produces results within weeks.
Check back for reviews on new videos throughout the week!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

New Obsession: Sweet Chili Mexican Spice Tea

At first I thought it would be kind of weird, but one sip, and I was hooked! A little sweet with a hint of spice, it's a delicious way to start your day.