Jan 28th-Feb 1st - Mike's Birthday in Las Vegas!

Monday morning we woke up to go to Las Vegas for Mike's birthday trip and the airline called and said that our flight was canceled and that we would have to wait a day to fly out! Scott and Helen worked hard and were very generous to get us a flight that left that day.

We stayed at the Cosmopolitan and our room was unbelievable! We had walk-in closets, a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom, a huge bathroom and a wrap-around terrace with an incredible view!

Right after we checked in it turned Mike's birthday and we all went for a late night celebration meal at The Henry in the hotel.

(First birthday drink!)

The next morning we met up at a cafe and bar in the hotel that was surrounded by crystal chandeliers that were really pretty and Mike opened up birthday gifts!

Afterwards we went shopping in our hotel and at Caesar's Palace and then went to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant Spago for lunch. I thought it was pretty good and they sent out a birthday dessert for Mike which was nice!

Before heading back to the hotel we stopped in Chrome Hearts and David Yurman where Jon picked out his wedding band that is really nice! Then we all got ready for Mike's birthday dinner! Before we left, Mike's Aunt Arlene and Uncle Harold surprised him by getting champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room! 

Then we headed downstairs to STK for dinner! We hung out in the bar area and then had an incredible meal! First we started with their signature bread covered with cheese and pesto dipping sauce.

I had salad, brussels sprouts, spinach, mashed potatoes, truffle fries and truffle mac and cheese which were all delicious! Then they sent out a plate for Mike with ice cream cones...yum!

After our amazing dinner we played a couple of slots and then headed to Caesar's Palace to go to Pure Nightclub. There was a crowd as far as I could see trying to get in but we had passes which was nice. We hung out for a little while and then Mike wanted to go to our hotel and smoke a cigar with his family.  

It was an incredible day and I am glad that Mike had such a memorable birthday! <3 The next day we went to the shoppes at Caesar's again and then had lunch at a great Italian restaurant in the Venetian. I had eggplant parm that was really good and we were on a balcony with a nice view looking out into the hotel. Afterwards we walked through The Ballagio and looked at the architecture and displays. 

Later we went to a burger restaurant for dinner and when we got back Mike's parents and I ordered him  chocolate cake and cookies!

The next day for lunch we got pizza from this hidden place in our hotel that has authentic New York style pizza and it was so good! Then Mike had a meeting at Odds On Records & Studios and it was nice there. They have the biggest duality console in the United States so it was cool to see that! 

For dinner we went to FireFly and had tappas and finished with a banana-nutella sandwich! After we went to the Hard Rock Cafe and looked around at the memorabilia and then went back to our hotel. We played some slot machines and then went to our room to watch The Bellagio water show from our balcony and then got ready to go out!

We went out to Marquee nightclub in our hotel and we had so much fun!! The music was great and Alex and I tore up the dance floor haha

Afterwards we went to The Bellagio where Mike had a great streak of blackjack and then we looked around before heading back to our hotel to get a late night bite to eat.

February 1st was my Dad's birthday! I was sad that I couldn't be home with him but we celebrated before I left for the West Coast. Dad I know you don't really care about celebrating your birthday but it is a special day to me because you are the Best Dad in the Universe and I love you! 

Then it was our last day in Vegas but it was another great one! For lunch we all went to Todd English P.U.B. in Crystals at City Center. While we were eating Mike found out that the lyric video for The Biggest Mistake Remix that he produced was published on youtube! Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb0KF7rQbEQ

At night we went to Sugar Factory for dinner which I have never been to! While we were there Rev Run, his wife and sons were eating too. I used to watch Run's House and I like his words of wisdom on Twitter so it was neat to see him and his family. Mike, his family and I all enjoyed our last dinner of the trip together. Of course we finished with a yummy dessert of an oreo cheesecake!

Back at the hotel we were in a casino and David Spade and Nick Swardson walked by with a bunch of friends and one of them randomly said "Bandz A Make Her Dance" to Mike and me which was funny. Afterwards we had to pack and get ready to go to Los Angeles the next day!

Scott and Helen, thank you for putting together such an unbelievable trip for Mike's birthday and Alex and Jon's engagement! This was a trip that each of us will always remember!

Jan 15th-Jan 27th - Being Home, Miss New York USA & Liz's Birthday!

Tuesday night Mike's family and I went to Osteria Rocco for dinner and I had their amazing pizza. It is one of the best I have ever tasted and it is fun that you use scissors there to cut it!

The next day while everyone was at work my Dad and I decided to find a pet or bird store to go to just for fun like we used to when I was younger! We found one that had tons of birds and it was really cool to see all of the different kinds!

Afterwards Mike was working with our friend Brian who owns Red Booth Recording studio so my Dad brought me over there and I showed him the studio. Some of Brian's friends and his wife Kim were there so we all hung out. Brian and Kim announced that they are having a baby which is really exciting! 

The next couple of days I worked at Scott Miller Salon & Spa and one night I went to my cousin Amanda's house and met her girlfriend's new doggie! 

On Saturday I went back to Connecticut so that we could help my Grandma with some things and also so that I could go to the Miss New York USA pageant! The drive there was beautiful with the sunset.

The next day I drove to Manhattan and went out to lunch at Hane Japanese restaurant with my roommate Sarah and my friend Marjorie who was staying in my place at the apartment. That was really nice and then Sarah and I headed to Purchase, NY to go to the pageant! This year they combined the Miss New York Teen USA and Miss New York USA shows together so we were able to see both!

Every year it is exciting to see all of the great contestants and two young women have their dreams come true! This year the beautiful Susie Castillo hosted the shows and Nikki Orlando was crowned Miss New York Teen USA and Joanne Nosuchinsky as Miss New York USA! 

(Photo Credit: BeautyPageantNews.com)

In the lobby I met up with my friend Rosalie Almonte who I know from the pageant and it was good to catch. Afterwards, Sarah and I were craving The Cheesecake Factory so we went to the one in Westchester, NY and it was delicious. I knew now this would really be my last time seeing Sarah for a few months so it was sad saying goodbye but I'm glad we got to do something fun before I left for LA! 

I drove back to my Grandma's house and brought them a classic strawberry cheesecake. On Monday we did errands and ate at Christy's like we usually do because it's great and then headed back home the next day. 

Meanwhile I had been going through the FORD contract and had a couple of people look over it. On January 23rd I officially signed the contract to be represented by FORD Models LA!! My parents and I were ecstatic that I finally had this dream come true and all of my loved ones were so supportive! 

The next couple of days I spent time at home since I was going to be leaving in a week! It is always hard to leave my kitty Cookie Dough too so we spent a lot of time cuddling! 

Over the weekend I worked at the salon and Saturday night I went out to dinner with my best friend Liz! We went to Benuccis Ristorante and celebrated her birthday early since I would be out of town. It was so good to see her and celebrate!

Afterwards, I packed and the next day got ready to go by getting my nails done (I absolutely love the color I got: A Butterfly Moment by Mariah Carey for O.P.I.!) at Scott Miller which was really nice of Mike's Mom to treat me to! Later Helen, Alex and I went to Bronze Sunless Tanning to get a spray tan by Terri who we always go to! 

That night I got ready to leave home for seven weeks, it was sad saying goodbye but I was excited for Las Vegas and Los Angeles! 

Jan 1st-Jan 14th - Celebrations, Song Release & FORD Contract!

A new year has begun! On New Year's night I went to dinner with Mike and a bunch of his family to Sakura Home Japanese restaurant. They ordered a special sushi dish with caviar and flakes of gold on top! 

They know my sweet tooth so afterwards they ordered fried ice cream and it was amazing!

For the rest of the week I spent time at home and visiting with my Grandma while she was staying at our house. It was nice to just relax and spend time together. One thing I did in my free time was make a photo album of pictures of my kitties that I've had. Here is one I found of my kitty Cookie Dough and I sleeping together when she was a kitten!

That weekend we drove to Connecticut to bring my Grandma home and my Dad dropped me off in the city but first we ate at Hane Japanese restaurant! The next day I went to a Proctor & Gamble casting that Abrams Artist Agency sent me on and then I visited with my roommates the next few days.

While I was in the city I got a call from Mike's sister Alex saying that Jon proposed to her!! I got to secretly see the ring (which is incredible) before I left but I didn't know he was going to propose so soon! Then before I left the city I spent some time walking around.

The night before I went home Sarah and I went for dessert to Hane Japanese restaurant which was really nice and then it was so sad saying goodbye to my roommates because I knew I might not see them for a long time! I am so lucky to have such good friends as them and I wish that I didn't have to leave but I also wanted to spend time with my family and take on the great career opportunity I was presented with! 

Thursday my Dad and I drove back home and we stopped at a diner on the way which was actually the worst place we have ever eaten at haha I feel bad but this was unbelievable... I guess it was entertaining and was funny after-the-fact! We should have known from the sign not to go there...

The next couple of days I relaxed at home and one day we went to the park by my house which was very peaceful and pretty.

January 14th was an exciting day, first Mike found out that a song he produced for Akon, The Secret State, and B.o.B. was released and available on iTunes!! A little secret... I'm playing the tambourine in the chorus! Mike played all of the instruments and made everything for the song but he taught me how play the tambourine so that I could do that! The song is incredible and I am so proud of him. Everyone should check it out!

Click the photo to open the song in iTunes!
(If it takes you to iTunes Preview you can click view in iTunes)

Later at night we had a party at Mike's house to celebrate the engagement of Alex and Jon! :) We are all so happy and excited for them and it was so nice to celebrate together! 

During the celebration I got an e-mail from my Mother Agent saying that Ford Models LA wanted me to send some digitals of how I look right now. I got really nervous that I was being resubmitted to FORD and that even though they said that they wanted me that they were going to reevaluate! I erased the negative thoughts from my mind and took some digitals and sent them!

Later that night I got an e-mail saying that they were just making sure that I didn't change and that they would love to have me for the LA market!! Yippeeeee!!! By the next day I had the FORD Models contract in my inbox!! Words cannot express the feeling of joy I have from finally having this opportunity! I am beyond thankful. 

Dec 11th-Dec 31st - Christmas Celebrations & New Year's!

The next couple of days I hung out in Manhattan, went for a run and went shopping. Wednesday was 12/12/12 which was interesting because that was the last repetitive date we will see in our lifetime! Thursday night my roommates and I had a Christmas party at our apartment and it was so much fun! There were decorations, snacks, and some of us decorated ice cream cones like Christmas trees!

(Me, Sarah and Julie!)

It was so nice to celebrate the holiday season with friends. After everyone left my roomies Sarah and I exchanged gifts with Dennise since I wouldn't see her again before Christmas. 

(Love my roomies!)

The next morning Sarah and I flew back home to Rochester for me to stay and her to visit for the holidays. As soon as I got home we went to go look for a Christmas tree since it was a couple of weeks away. We found one and started decorating right away! Later, Sarah and I celebrated Christmas together at my house with dinner and presents and it was a really nice night! 

December 14th was the day that Sandy Hook Elementary School experienced such a shocking tragedy. It makes me so sad to even bring it up but it was one of the most devastating events and I continue to pray for the loved one who were affected. 

On Saturday we had a holiday party at Mike's house with some friends from the salon where we baked cookies and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" which was fun!

(Alex, Olivia and Angela baking cookies with morsels haha)

The 19th was Mike's parents 30 year anniversary! They took a trip to Manhattan and Alex, Jon, Mike and I bought them champagne to be delivered to their room :) <3 That night was the Miss Universe 2012 pageant which was a great show like always! USA's very own Olivia Culpo won! She achieved my dream and I am so happy for her! 

(photo credit: cbsnews.com)

That weekend was Tuba Christmas which is a concert where people who play brass instruments perform Christmas songs while the audience sings along. It is cute to see the instruments decorated and people playing of all ages.

At night we had a holiday party at Mike's house with some friends that was really fun!

The next day was my Grandma's birthday and my Dad brought her to our house from Connecticut to spend the holidays with us! On Christmas Eve my Mom made little candy Christmas mice that we saw on Pinterest! At night I went to Amanda's house to celebrate like we do every Christmas Eve! It's always nice to hang out and catch up. <3

Then my baby Cookie Dough and I went to bed so that Santa could come! :)

I woke up and put a little Christmas sweater on Cookie Dough (that didn't last long) and then to apologize we gave her presents and she loved them! 

(Action shot!)

It was such a great day relaxing, celebrating Christmas with my Grandma, my Parents and Mike's family! 

A couple of days later I started training at Scott Miller Salon & Spa so that I could help out while I am home. I trained the next few days and I enjoyed it so much! That Saturday there was a concert at Water Street Music Hall and Mike was mixing the music for the band Pretty in Pink which went well! 

The other bands Young Blood and Kopps put on a good show too and then the main act The Hoodies was awesome to see because it was a reunion show for them. We are friends with the band but not being biased they are so talented and it was such a cool feeling to be in the crowd with everyone singing the songs together!

The next day I went on some errands with my family for my Grandma and relaxed at home. On New Years Eve I worked during the day and then went to Red Booth Recording studio afterwards because Mike was working with our friend Brian who owns the studio. We left there and headed to downtown Rochester to eat with friends at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on the water.

We were all eating and then the fireworks started so a few of us ran outside and watched the show! It is impressive how many fireworks Rochester lights off! 

At the end we all cheered and then went inside to finish eating while a bluesy jazz band played and it was fun! Then we went to Mike's house where his family was watching all the artists perform for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. 

Then 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1