This past weekend I was thrilled to make my first visit back to Kentucky in over a month! I was surprised how giddy-silly I was just to be back in the Bluegrass. I couldn’t stop smiling when my cousin came to pick me up at the airport. I knew I would miss home much more after a visit. Thankfully I’m not very home-sick here in Miami because I have my best friend to live with and am having a great time. But… there is simply no place like home!

The day after I landed I was honored to take part in Danville’s first Pech-Kucha event at the community Arts Center. This event was an opportunity for several different speakers to talk about their interests and/or experiences in a very entertaining way. The presentations were displayed through the Pecha-Kucha layout of 20 slides that automatically change every 20 seconds. They requested I spoke about my experience from beginning pageants, becoming Miss Kentucky USA, and then my experiences modeling and acting. I was honored to get the opportunity to inform others of the side of modeling and acting that most people don’t get to see! I also learned a lot from other people’s presentations about organic lifestyles, visiting farmers markets across the country, and even how to make a guitar out of bamboo! The moment that got me the most though was when Charlie Cox introduced me to the crowd before my presentation which was last of the night. He spoke on knowing me from when I was 13 and cheered with his little sister (I have many, many memories at the Cox house!!! ). His nice words almost pushed me to tears. I left feeling extremely humbled and grateful to call the best city in the world ‘home.’

Charlie Cox, me, Amandalin Ryan, and Adam Johnson of the Danville/Boyle-Co Convention and Visitors Bureau Committee

I flew back out Tuesday morning to Milwaukee for a fitting for a commercial I was shooting on Wednesday. This commercial was for the wonderful clothing store that is a common client of mine for print and commercial recording. The company goes by several names depending on what state you are in, but you may know it as Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Carson’s-Scott, Herberger’s, Younker’s, or Elder-Beerman here in KY. The first time I worked for this company was actually for a commercial in Chicago last summer. I always have a great time working for them because the production crew, stylists, hair and makeup artists, and director always make me feel at home! Links to some of the past commercials are under the tab on modeledbymaria titled ‘on film’ and are also included below! Other commercials for this company can be found online, on YouTube, or of course on TV! Actually, when I got back to my hotel Tuesday night I was a little shocked upon turning on the TV and not only immediately seeing one of the past commercials, but seeing my face directly first thing! It gives me the ‘heebie-jeebies’ sometimes when that type of thing happens. I have the hardest time watching myself on film… But it is definitely worth it because I love it! Anyhow, I’m back in Miami now and getting ready to have a shopping day with my roommate Ashley. We just finished a great lunch in our apartment. Check out the recipe for Spicy Black Bean Burgers under the recipe tab above!

On set for a commercial with 2 of my favorite hair/makeup artists! Jullian and Chrisondra!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sZvx-SVnoA (I’m laughing in the red pants and doing the spin at the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=z7ioNAQHvaE (I’m in the red hat waving the taxi, running down the stairs, laughing in the black dress, and in the fur coat at the end!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OR_W6-hwkU&feature=related (I’m walking the dog – which OMG wasn’t easy, sitting in the pink top, and spinning at the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=HQpsiGg9n3w – another shoe commercial (I’m in a green fur coat, on the right during a close up, sitting in a pink top, walking a dog – and yes… some of those feet on the steps are mine!)

Shop amazing brands such as Jessica Simpson, Nine-West, Calvin Klein, Steve Maden, and much more at www.bonton.com or www.bostonstore.com or www.carsons.com

A time-out with the cutest boy on set from my 1st commercial with this company. See the final clipping with this Great Dane in the links above... that shot required many wobbles, laughs,falling, and getting twisted around poles with a dog leash to finally get it! When a dog is that strange, it's not as easy to get pulled in high heels!

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