Feb25-Mar8 - Visiting home!

On Saturday Sarah and I went to a Barney's warehouse sale that I saw advertised in a magazine. There were some cute pieces and I was tempted to buy a couple of purses but the sale wasn't really enough for me to buy anything. However since we were in a shopping mood we decided to go to some other stores on the way home :)

The next day Dennise and I went to lunch at a place called Piccolo Cafe for lunch and it was so cute. They had really good food and it was inexpensive. Later I had to work so I missed the Oscar's that night.

Tuesday I worked during the day and found people to cover shifts for me to make a trip home. Last minute I decided to catch a train to go to my Grandma's house in Connecticut to visit before I went to Rochester, New York! I ran to the apartment and packed then ran to Penn Station and hopped on the train! It was so good to see my Grandma and my Dad was there helping her so it was good to spend time with them!

My first day being back home Mike showed me the new awesome music he has been working on in the studio. Then we went to Plum Garden where they have the best Japanese food. Later at night we ate at Friday's and then I hung out in the studio with Mike and our friend Tony while they worked together on a session.

On the 3rd we met up with my Mom to eat at Olive Garden for lunch. Afterwards my Mom and I went to Eastview mall to make an appearance at the Lollypop Farm Humane Society Telethon Fundraiser. Every year I volunteer and help out but this year I did not know beforehand if I would be able to make it home. It was nice to go and make a donation as well as see some of my friends from modeling volunteering and I got to meet some animal friends!

After I left I found out that Mike's Grandma got admitted to the hospital. She was feeling a little short of breath and disoriented so they took her vitals and kept her for a couple of days. I was glad that we could go and be there for her and she was happy to have us there. 

The next day I spent more time at home with my kitty Cookie Dough and I visited with my cousin Amanda. I miss Cookie Dough so much but I know that she would not be happy at the apartment so when I am home I take tons of pictures of her to bring back to the city! 

Later at night Mike and I ate at P.F. Changs and got lettuce wraps mmm We were those people who are the last ones to walk in before close but we couldn't find any other place that was open and we made sure to eat quick. 

The next day I went shopping at the mall with my Mom and got a few cute dresses at Forever 21. All night I spent getting all of my receipts and documents together to meet with my accountant the next day to do my taxes. This year I made more than I ever have from modeling and I had some tricky situations to figure out in terms of claiming foreign income and expenses so I decided to get help from the accountant who does the taxes for the company my Mom owns.

The meeting went well and afterwards I went to Scott Miller Salon to get a manicure :) I had not gotten one in a long time and I wanted to be prepared for if I had another interview coming up. Later we had a nice dinner at Mike's house and we all got together and watched some of Downton Abbey that we have heard people talking about. It was a little slow at parts and we were laughing because the DVD was freezing for some reason but from what we saw it was okay.

The next morning the amazing photographer Carrie Mateosian came over with her equipement to do a photo shoot of Mike's studio The 360.

At the same time that the shoot was going on his Mom had a stylist, Carin Lilja, at the house to go through her closet and create outfits as well as get rid of some clothes and make a list of things to buy. It was so fun watching the ideas that she came up with and I helped take notes of what pieces she was putting together. Helen had a BCBG dress that she was not going to wear anymore and they had me try it on and put a belt with it and I love it!

I did not want to leave the exciting stuff going on at the house but I had an appointment at the salon to get a spray tan since I found out that the booker at FORD had left and there was a chance that they would have me go into the agency again! From the spray tan I went straight to Applebee's to meet Liz for dinner. Liz is one of my best friends and I don't get to see her a lot being in the city so it was so nice to catch up.

Afterwards Mike and Tony were looking to eat so they decided to go to Applebee's haha but a different location than the one I met Liz at so I went and hung out with them and we were amused by people singing karaoke in the restaurant. That night I packed up to get ready to go back to the city the next morning.

On the 8th I flew into JFK and took the subway back to the apartment!