I was recently sent this inspiration and touching email, please read

On January 18, 2010, I traveled to Haiti on behalf of The Walkabout
Foundation. I was struck by the thousands of men, women, and children
that were severely injured by the devastating earthquake, that had
become paralyzed, lost a leg, and in the worst case, two. With no
crutches, let alone wheelchairs, these people were left to lie on the
street, unable to move. If they were fortunate, they were being pushed
around in supermarket carts. I even saw a lady being pushed in a
wheelbarrow.

I made a short film from my experience in Port-au-Prince that I would
love to share with you. I would be grateful for just a few minutes of
your time. http://www.youtube.com/user/WalkaboutFoundation


The Walkabout Foundation will donate 1,000 wheelchairs to Haiti within
the next 8 weeks and is scheduled to deliver the first 500 wheelchairs
in March. To those who urgently need them, a wheelchair is a symbol that
marks a new start, one filled with hope for a better life.

Thank you for letting me share this story with you.

www.thewalkaboutfoundation.org

Should you wish to donate please click on the below link

http://thewalkaboutfoundation.org/donate_wheelchair.html

Aurora!

My friend Bobby that I worked in Tanzania with gave birth to this little angel on the 11th of January. They have named her Aurora Skyla Beau Whiting (after the northern lights), weighing in at 7 pounds four ounces.

Another beautiful girlfriend for my Luca.

Congratulations Bobby!!

ha!

Photo: Courtesy of Good-Nites, Armani

"Korean advertising agency Diamond Ogilvy created ads for Good-Nites modeled after David Beckham's last Armani Underwear campaign. Diamond Ogilvy explains:

“Children who are no longer using diapers can wear Good-Nites to prevent bed wetting. We show Good-Nites being worn as fashionable underwear to show children that Good-Nites aren’t diapers.”

A baby in the diaper phase clearly wouldn't have the coordination and balance required to manage a large rope like that.

Koreans spoof David Beckham’s Giorgio Armani underwear ad to sell Good-Nite nappies[Sassybella]"

I'm thinking of renaming this blog...

I might make it "My love for Christine Teigen" or "I'm so proud of Chrissy!"

check out this link to her live interview this morning...

http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_early_show/

These hearts are for Jenny. Be my valentine?

Starbucks falls in love

prepare to SOB! this is amazing!!!!! Scot is #1

heel hearts!

up close

i die.

a teeny peek at yesterday's shoot

Seriously orgasmic.

the best day of my life

This is by no means an exaggeration. Yesterday was THE. BEST. DAY. OF. MY. LIFE. After having the most phenomenal shoot of my career, I was peacefully sitting watching the super bowl with some of my favorite people, with Luca happily in my arms, when a text came through to my phone, and now the rest is history!

It took Michelle and I 2.2 seconds to hop in a taxi and get our asses to Brooklyn, screaming and crying the whole way there: JACQUI'S GETTING MARRRRRRRIED!!!!!!! I'm still shaking and freaking out. I've never been so happy in all my life. The icing on the (giant, yummy, beautiful) cake was when Jenna walked through the door. It was surreal and so beyond happy. It was like an out of body experience.

Best day ever. EVER.

image by flavia cardoso

Car craze

I don't know what's gotten into me lately but instead of seeing hearts
on my walks around the city, I now notice cars.
I have a major crush on this beautiful black Audi A8. I saw him
speeding by me on 23rd street not too long ago, threw me into a tizzy.
So much so that I went home and googled him for an hour. Stalker.
But then I saw this fine piece of machinery a week ago and nearly
jumped on it. The new porsche panamera. Whoa. Love. Love. Love.
Tonight I took the bear for a long bundled up walk and saw it again. I
considered jumping into the back seat but the light changed and off he
went without even noticing me.
I wonder if I will ever have a car? It's a weird thing to think about
since my whole young life revolved around automobiles. But a city life
doesn't lend itself to car ownership, so it's quite possible I may
never.
Sad cause I'm really growing to appreciate their beauty these days.
And since I'm such a fabulous driver it'd be a shame for my skills to
go to waste.

underwater - i wish i was the model in this...

Wish Report Brazil | Emanuela de Paula by Jacques Dequeker

don't dwell in the past when you have a future that's waiting for you.

Shoot!

Had my first shoot with the bear by my side today. He did really well
art directing. What a guy...
Feels so good to be back at it with my dreamy crew. ahhhhh!!

Alone also means

available

for

someone

outstanding.

not sleeping has taken on a whole new meaning. instead of tossing and turning in my bed, feeling anxious and annoyed, I now listen to the sound of Luca's breathing and like meditation, I become calm, happy, excited for the dawn to come.

image from here.

"Every single person has at least one secret that would break your heart.

If we could just remember this, I think there would be a lot more compassion and tolerance in the world."

Frank Warren (via iamblessed)

Just a teeny Tiny bit obsessed

My favorite color

Someone asked me once what my favorite color was. I can say with absolute
certainty that the first, and really only thing to come to mind was
the 5pm NYC sky. This picture is a perfect shot of the color. Isn't it
magic?

Thanks GG!

The big bear and I just want to say thanks to GG.
I wish every grandmother in the world was filled with as much love...
Had the best dinner. Thank you!! More pics to come. Xxxxx

happppppppy (belated) birthday!

My dearest Natalie had a birthday yesterday. And in the midst of all the work chaos I totally dropped the ball by not blogging. The girl, as you all know from this blog, is phenomenal. Hilarious, adorable, shockingly generous, the list goes on and on.

I don't know which mental institution I'd be in if I didn't have her in my life, but I can tell you I definitely wouldn't be living straitjacket free without her.

Love you Nat!! Thank you for being so wonderful.

Last night when Bear was sleeping I stood over him, with his dad at my side, watching him. It was surreal. It was beautiful beyond words. Until you are a parent yourself, no one can ever prepare you for what it feels like to just be next to your child. Your flesh and blood. And although Luca looks nothing like me, to see a bit of yourself in this person. It makes your heart beat a whole different way. I love this mini human so intensely that I'm actually proud of myself for allowing my heart and head to feel something this deep.

from here.

"You need to live up life and do crazy things.

Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of Thursdays strung

together."

The Break Up

MISO!

thanks so much to Yvonne for passing this along. LOVE!

I didn't sleep last night. Well I slept but it was only for 3 hours. I'm beat. I have that exhausted groggy am I wake or sleeping thought going on inside my head.

I haven't had caffeine in months, or rather almost a year, but I went for a GIANT cup to jolt me so I could get everything done for my shoot tomorrow and my shoot on Sunday. Now all I can think is poor baby bear is going to eat later and spring in the air from the energy I pass along.

image by flavia cardoso

wow, ikea!

Thanks to reader Melissa for sending these Ikea links to me...they do such a killer job, check out the similar items they do to my dream room/chair that I posted about the other day - they also do it in an Hermes orange...quite good, huh?

And the rattan furniture is killer, so cheap. Love.

some inspiration for us all

I'm casting for an upcoming shoot and just found these pictures of Nicole, a model from Wilhelmina - if this isn't the most glorious inspiration to go out and eat some celery, I don't know what is.

samantha does it again!

check out her blog for more greatness. Love you sammy!

http://sbeuther.blogspot.com/

wow, insane day. it's been nonstop at work, drama, action, stufffff...but oddly enough I feel so calm and in control - I need to give a giant thanks to Luca for that. He's taught me a side to life I didn't see before. So these photos are for him.

Bear, I cannot wait to show you the ocean and explore the world with you by my side. Thanks for showing me so much already - three months and I've grown centuries mentally. Love you.

guess who's in sports illustrated?!!?!?!?!?

click on the video, it makes up for that strange hat on her head in the opening picture.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuitreveal/#/home

If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

Question of the day: If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

I can say with all honesty I would still be doing what I am doing if happiness was the measure for wealth. Only I'd be traveling back and forth to Tanzania more with the money I made so I could be with those precious, happy people and feel more fulfilled than just styling models. And um, perhaps work more freelance, less in the office so I could spend my time with bear man.

That was easy.

from fffffound

does anyone know what these chairs are?

I need them for my (make-believe) sitting room.

image from here

See below for the most beautiful girl in NYC. No, the most beautiful girl in the world. Look at those new locks! She looks amazing!!!!!!!

Makes me want to chop my mane asap.

did you see this on the grammys? i missed it but am dying over it now

Luca turns 13 weeks old!

I'm so obsessed with this kid. He is more angelic and sweet each and every day. It boggles my mind that I gave birth to such a sweet soul. A little gift from heaven. All mine. Forever. Wow.

-he's such a baby giant. A gentle baby giant though. He's super strong now, but is always so careful with his hands and feet. He'll kick his toys with all his might but when he kicks at me he's so super sensitive as if he's aware that he might hurt me.

-he talks nonstop. I say "hel-lo" and "luuu-caaa" and he tries so hard to imitate it. He goes on and on in this baby babble and laughs hysterically at himself when he does it. The excitement and smile makes my heart melt.

-at his last unofficial weigh in he was over 16 pounds. All the other babies around him are 6 months old and are his size or a big smaller. I don't know how he's growing so big but it makes me happy because I know he's healthy. But makes me sad because before I know it he'll be bigger than me! I need to take more picture of the two of us. Full length ones where you can see how big he is in my arms. I don't have any like that.

-he loves to sit up like a big kid. his head still isn't totally stable but it's close. so when I prop him up he just chills out but suddenly he'll start to slowly tip over. You can see in his facial expression that he's thinking "oooooooooh nooooooooo, someone! anyone!"

-he loves to stare at himself in the mirror (like his papa sir and like his dad)

-his eyebrows and eyes are so full of expression. he is so thoughtful and aware of the world around him. I feel like I'm looking into the eyes of an old man at times. he just comes off as so wise and at ease with the world around him. I guess that's why he likes everything - he's not afraid or bothered by anything. He's just cool with whatever comes his way.

-he giggles and his whole face and shoulders scrunch up

-his eyes are a deep blue, like the ocean. his hair is this blonde peach fuzz that gets thicker and thicker each day.

-the control he now has over his hands and feet is so dramatically greater than it was even last week. he seems to be totally aware of what his movements achieve.

-he's such a cuddle bear. nothing makes him happier than being in someone's arms or on their chest. he just wants to be loved and warmed up by your body. it's the best thing in the world. ever.

-nothing puts him to sleep like the train. he could be fully awake and then suddenly he's out cold in 2.2 seconds

-we made it through our first work week apart. it wasn't nearly as bad as the anticipation of it all but it was painful nonetheless. truth is I don't think he even noticed I was gone. He has so many loving hands around him

-he only cries when he wants to eat. otherwise the only noise he makes is to giggle and talk.

-I know I shouldn't do this but if he's near the tv he becomes intoxicated with it. just staring at it in totally awe.

It's so strange being without him during the day. I feel like a part of me is missing as I go about my day without him. I miss him so much it kills my heart. But I know he's in good hands and I know he's happy. That's all that matters...

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

My daily question today is really tough. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? hmm...

One thing only? Damn.

I'm going with the environment and the dramatic effects of climate change. I wouldn't be able to sum up why better than one.org does here but below is a brief bit taken from that article:

The Challenge The impact of climate change presents a new hurdle in the fight against extreme poverty and disease. Experts predict that in many sub-Saharan African countries, climate change could mean more frequent drought and floods, water scarcity, and increased health challenges such as under-nutrition. These new challenges will not only make achieving the Millennium Development Goals more difficult, but could also threaten some of the progress already made in fighting extreme poverty and disease. The Opportunity Global climate negotiations in 2009 offer international leaders a unique opportunity to address the impact climate change is having on the world's poor. This will require action on two fronts: adaptation to help poor countries cope with the impact of climate change, and mitigation to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and avoid future emissions in developing countries.In partnering with poor countries towards a global climate deal, it is important that world leaders view sub-Saharan Africa not as another problem to be solved, but as an opportunity for solutions. Preserving sub-Saharan Africa's vast rainforests, for example, could help offset global emissions, and down the road Africa's potential for solar, geothermal and even biomass could provide new resources for clean energy.

check out this old yet very inspiring apple commercial that asked that exact question:

onion hearts

image by flavia cardoso

flavia

If you've seen me within the past month then you've seen my AMAZING "Luca" necklace. It is my most prized possession and I have yet to take it off since Flavia made it for me. It was if she read my mind when she gifted me with it. Which is quite possible, because truthfully this girl is good at everything and being a psychic on top of everything else would make complete sense.

This girl is so wildly talented, she blows me away with everything she does: stills styling to painting to jewelry making. I am constantly in awe and left wishing I was even half as talented as this sweet, generous soul.

Check out her website here or go to http://flaviacardoso.com/ to see all her magical work.