#24 -- read 24 books in a year

I FINALLY finished Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness last night. It took so long! I didn't love it, and it felt like she was setting it up for the sequel. There was never any climax. It's really unfortunate..

Oh well! On to the next!

13 down -- 11 to go! eek!

This is what I've been up to...

#24 -- read 24 books in 1 year

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

12 down - 12 to go! Half way there!!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

The Giver by Lois Lowry

11 down - 13 to go!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

Last night, I finished This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. It was a great story of family and struggle.

10 down - 14 to go!

#60 -- Learn to Sew

I have always wanted to learn how to sew, and to use a sewing machine. A good friend of mine was gracious enough to let me borrow his (and I've kind of adopted it as my own).

I still need A LOT of practice.

but not too shabby if I do say so myself. 

xoxo-J

#28 -- Witness a Solar Eclipse

Last night, at 5:24 P.M., California witnessed its first solar eclipse since 1994. I didn't have a pinhole box, but was able to snap a few shots with my iPhone! Stunning!!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

I just finished the "50 Shades" trilogy by E.L James. It was entertaining, to say the least.

9 down -- 15 to go!

Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend"

A few weeks ago, I had the HUGE honor of working on Justin Bieber's latest video "Boyfriend". It was such a great shoot, and I can't think my leads enough for letting me be a part of it! Check out the video here.

And here are some stills of some of our work!

Test Shoot with Sarah & Alaina!

Last week, Sarah, Alaina, and I had a play date with makeup and a camera. Here is a sneak preview of what we did!!

Cedric the Entertainer wants to have "Sex Whichoo"

Last month, I had the wonderful pleasure of working with Cedric the Entertainer on his newest music video. I worked with the dancers, and had a great day! Check it out: Cedric the Entertainer as Boyd "The Voice" Ballentine

 And here are some still shots:

Test shoot with Jenny, Alaina, and Josh!

This is what I do when I'm in a creative rut. What do you do?

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

Finished All There Is by David Isay. It was a lovely book of real life recollections of love lost and found.

7 down -- 17 to go!!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

I just finished 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I thought it to be quite entertaining and pretty well-written.

Now, onto All There Is by David Isay!

6 down -- 18 to go!!

#27 -- Play the lottery

The lottery's MegaMillions Jackpot is up to $640 million today. Although there is a 1 in 176 million chance of winning, I'm feeling lucky!!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

I just finished Damned by Chuck Palahnuik. Entertaining, as most of his work is.

5 down, 19 to go!

#24 -- read 24 books in 1 year

I just bought, read, and LOVED "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. It was a beautifully written story of young love and the trials and triumphs of child cancer. It was stunningly written, and a story that deserved to be told!

4 down, 20 to go!!!

"From Darkness"!! FINALLY!

About a year ago, I had the honor working with an incredible friend of mine who also happens to be a BRILLIANT director! Our first gig together was an original piece of his: From Darkness. It is an inspiring story of a young man who fought against his abusers and rose above his circumstance. I am so proud of this short film, and truly honored to be a part of it.

#30 -- Write a love letter

It's too personal and private to blog about. But it was great! Check!

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer was amazing! It was a beautiful portrayal of a son grieving his father in his own way. An incredible journey of a family  working through struggles that every family can identify with. It was beautifully written!

3 down! 21 to go!!

Today, I'm discouraged

My dad always tells me "Jamie, no one will ever care about your career as much as you do." Not that I think anyone should, but I do feel like I should be respected as a professional. I know that I am in an industry where typical professionalism does not exist, but there is a certain way one should conduct their self while on set and in meetings, and generally, at work. 

I am a very passionate person, especially where my work is concerned. Makeup artistry is my lively hood, my passion, my obsession. I am very fortunate to do what I love and love what I do. I am excited to go to work every day (in a good week). When I am blatantly disrespected as a professional, let alone a HUMAN BEING, not only do my feelings get hurt, but I get really confused. I was raised in such a way that I always treat people the way I would want to be treated. I don't lie; I don't cheat; I don't steal. I give respect to everyone because I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. I don't like being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, it happens in this business more often than I'm sure anyone would like to admit. 

I try to take every situation I go through and learn from it. I try not to repeat my mistakes. I can only hope that others do as well. 

Oh, well! On to the next! 

Hillshire Farm's Kitchen Cook-Off!

Back in October, I had the HUGE privilege to assist an amazing makeup artist, Noa Bolozky, on a web cooking show for Hillshire Farm! It was such a great shoot, and I met some amazing people! Check out the show here! It was such a great time!

The Goldfish

Directed by Mathieu Young, Produced by Wendy Cohen

Last weekend, I worked with a former PowerRanger, a puddle of blood, and a goldfish. Is this really my life? I love my job!

Our lead, Harrold

Imperfect Balance.

And I'm on a roll!

#24 on my bucket list is to read 30 books in a year. So far in 2012, I have read

-A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel &

-The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben

Both were great! I walked away feeling very inspired and ready to take on 2012!

Currently Reading:
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Damned by Chuck Palahnuik

#24 -- Read 24 books in 1 year

Only January 3rd, and I'm off to a great start! Currently reading:
-A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel
-The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben
and - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

I'll keep editing this post as I progress!!

So far, I am making 2012 my bee-otch