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I’m Miss July! (Mrs. July?)

14 Comments 17 November 2008

Ok, so I know I never did a post about my experience at the Hot Blogger Calendar Photo Shoot. I should be hanging my head in shame, because I certainly meant to do it sooner — it just seemed to be such a daunting task. There were no small amount of words that could describe my experience. To really gush as much as I wanted it would have taken me all day to write and at least half a day for you to read (assuming you’re a quicker reader than I am a writer). So I figured I’d let it sit for a while, let the dust settle, and find some clarity about what was most important to talk about.

That method SOOOOO didn’t work. Now, over a month later, I still just want to gush. So, here we go, a list of gushing, accompanied by the occasional link to a cool person and a couple of pictures.

Gush. Gush. I was lucky enough to meet up with the talented and beautiful Katja Presnal in front of Grand Central Station before the shoot. She hopped in the taxi with me and helped to calm my nerves on our way to the shoot. Thank goodness for that, because I was feeling a bit rattled! We gave the cabbie our address and were on our way. We got out of the cab, checked the address of this unassuming building, and ascended the elevator to Some Studio to feel like stars for the day!

Gush Gush. We walked into the studio to be greeted by hugs and shouts and all sorts of other warm welcomes that made me feel much better. It was more like a homecoming than it was a first meeting. Hot Blogger Calendar co-founders Jane and Sarah were there buzzing around getting things done, and they made me feel right at home, like we had been friends forever! I also got to meet Sharon and Barry, Jane’s parents – who are some of the kindest, most gracious people that I have ever met!

Gush Gush. When we walked in, we literally walked into the middle of Backpacking Dad’s photoshoot. We quickly stepped out of the way and I got to chat with his lovely wife which he finished with his photos. He got to do some really cool stuff, and wait till you see his photos, he totally rocked it. In the meantime, Amy was getting her makeup done by the amazingly talented make-up artist Jillian Villifane, and I am telling you that Amy could rock ANY runway. She looked gorgeous, and she just stood in front of that camera like she owned it (but she totally did!). While she was taking her pictures, I sat down so that Jillian could do my makeup. She totally airbrushed my face, like if you get a temporary tattoo. My skin was flawless!

Gush Gush. When Amy was through, it was my turn in front of the camera! I was so nervous, I forgot to take my hair tie off of my left wrist. You can see it in all of my photos! We had two fantastic photographers — and I had my turn with Meg Wachter first, and she put me right at ease! Since I am a shopping girl at heart – Chic Shopper Chick – she let me grab a shopping bag (a Burberry one, natch) and spin and twirl in circles! It was a blast, though certainly not an easy task in the fabulous heels that I was wearing!

Gush Gush. Then I got to take a turn with Bill Wadman taking my photographs. He had this fantastic idea to make it look like I had been out shopping all day, and when I came home I just couldn’t take anymore so I collapsed in the kitchen, happy but a bit tired, with my purchases. The pictures came out great, and ended up being the ones that we used in the calendar!

Gush Gush. Once my shoot was finished, I got to watch Katja take her photographs! They were fantastic, she had so much fun with them, and her personality really shined through. She was all dolled up in her fantastic ski gear with a button that said “I ski like a girl!” I loved it! Whie I was watching that go on, I noticed this guy sitting in the corner on his laptop. I realized it was none other than the world-famous Busy Dad! He had already taken his photos and I was allowed a sneak peek — talk about GQ! Ladies, back off, because he’s taken! We chatted for a while and agreed to try and have a blogger meet up that night for dinner since I had missed the dinner with everyone the night before. Of course, I couldn’t resist cracking up at the oh-so-personable NYC Watchdog during his photoshoot (it included Fruit Loops!)

Gush Gush. Katja and I hung out for a couple of hours (ok, I may have wanted to walk which forced her to drag her suitcase around NYC. In hindsight I should have listened and agreed to take a taxi. I just wanted to see the Upper East side, what can I say? Sorry Katja. :( Next time I promise we can take a cab!) until we finally headed to Del Frisco’s Steakhouse in Times Square to have an absolutely delicious dinner at the upstairs bar. (Thanks to my amazing sister in law who works there — otherwise I would have never known to go there! If you visit and want to eat there, please ask for Noelle – and leave a good tip!!) Backpacking Dad (aka Shawn) and his lovely wife Emily came to meet up with us, as did Busy Dad (aka Jim – I can’t keep calling people by their blog names) and his friend Julia. I was really excited to get to meet Jill Notkin from Alex Casey Baby, who came just in time to share the most decadent Chocolate Souffle I have ever had.

Gush Gush. We left Del Frisco’s (ok, we practically closed the place down) and my sister-in-law Noelle brought us to a place called Tonic to sing karaoke. These pictures (aka blackmail) are most certainly of your favorite male bloggers singing karaoke (and they are stolen from Backpacking Dad’s post – which you should read anyway because it’s hilarious.) Let’s see — Shawn sang some Journey, Jim sang a little Toby Keith, and Emily sang Ace of Base. Overall I was very impressed. Bloggers can SING y’all. Moi? I didn’t sing. Karaoke and I just sounded like a recipe for disaster!

I just have to say that this was one amazing experience. Though I loved the photoshoot, the best part was, hands down, spending time with friends who quickly felt like family! We all had so much fun together, and I can only hope that we will all have a HBC reunion sometime soon! Thank you so much to Jane and Sarah, and all of the fantastic friends who were so nice to lil ole me!

(Pictures by Katja, Poppy, Amy, and Shawn. Thank you!)

Oh, and did I mention that you can now purchase a Hot Blogger Calendar? Talk about the best stocking stuffer ever! For every calendar purchased on my site, $2 (my share of the sale) will go towards buying Christmas gifts for families in need this Holiday Season. I am not making any profit off of these, and by buying one through me, you are helping a worthy cause! The calendars at $12 each (and include so much hotness that you might need sunglasses!) and can be purchased through the links below!

Buy the 2009 Hot Blogger Calendar: The Men

Buy the 2009 Hot Blogger Calendar: The Women

Your Comments

14 Comments so far

  1. FUN! Sounds like a great time!

  2. You are ADORABLE. Not to mention a total joy to work with – It was lovely having you in my chair! I can’t wait to see the final images in the calendar! xoxo

  3. I miss you so much… :(
    It was a perfect day, I had so much fun with you and I didn’t mind carrying my ski gear in my suitcase around the city, I’d do that with you any day. I am so lucky to have you as a friend, and can’t wait to see you again.

    HBC Calendar reunion? I’m in!

    Love ya!

  4. So Cool & Wow… Very Chic Shopper Chick! Thanks for sharing!

  5. I’m with BusyDad: I loved being able to relive this now that it’s all in the distant past :}

  6. Jennifer says:

    Congratulations! It looks as though it was a lot of fun. )

  7. That’s SO awesome! Way to go you! You look FAB!:)

  8. Dddiva says:

    Sounds like a wonderful time, WOOHOO Ms. July.

  9. sweetnana01 says:

    Congratulations Miss July!

  10. BusyDad says:

    Great recap! And it’s actually good that you waited so long. It enabled me to re-live my 15 minutes all over again. And I just like to introduce myself as “World Famous.” It hasn’t been verified by any independent third party. Because they would laugh at me.

  11. Elizabeth says:

    Wow, you had an exciting time! Thanks for sharing, and I really enjoyed reading about your adventure!

  12. Sarah says:

    It all sounds wonderful! Way to go Miss July!!

  13. Kristin says:

    Awe Erika sounds like a blast. I was actually going to buy my copy just cause you are in it. Oh and Katja too! :)

    Sounds fabulous!!

  14. Sky says:

    Sounds like it was SOOOO much fun!!! Thanks for sharing!


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