Spotted! A pin-up vision in Wynwood.

Everyone that knows me, knows about my "complejo de super modelo". Ive never met a camera I didn't like! I am convinced that if I were a couple of inches taller, I could be strutting my lagartija skinny bones on that runway with the likes of Freja Beja, Arlenis Sosa, and Chanel Iman. But alas, the world is not ready for my jelly, and instead, I opt to channel those fashion frustrations through amateur photo shoots, facebook, and many many loser lonelies in front of a white wall.

No one knows this more than my fabulous husband, Coco, who also feeds to my complejo by taking many of these photos on his fancy Nikon D60. And really, who am I to say "NO" to the artist?! So for my 30th birthday this year, Coco and one of my very good friends Karla (who I like to call Pia. that's another blog down the line!) gifted me with a pin-up photo session at Terribly Girly in Miami. I literally O-M-G died! I had first read about Terribly Girly a couple of years back through Daily Candy and became OBSESSED. I contacted them several times, but never made an appointment bc of my hectic schedule. So when my 30th came around, I thought, 'This is what I want to do." I also didn't think anyone would give it to me. My birthday wish list tends to be endless. I was overjoyed, over the moon, overcome. You get the idea.

So fast forward to April on one of trips down south, and I walk into this little studio in the ghetto chic neighborhood of Wynwood. It's like a small movie set with all different sorts of back drops, sets, props. I was in vintage heaven. The photographer, Janette Valentine, who is absolutely a doll to work with and a super cool chick, gives me the rundown and hands me over to her amazing team of starlets (hair, makeup, wardrobe) to get me all glammed up and looking like I just stepped out of a Prohibition era speakeasy! I only came in for one look BUT I'm getting the sense that one look is just not going to be enough because there are so many looks to pick from. Which just means I will definitely be back for round 2.

With the help of the TG team, we narrowed it down to a sexy boudoir backdrop that involved an old dresser, antique telephone, a mirror and a lipstick. My hair was styled in flowy side swept retro waves with a flower. I was pimping a cropped leopard (my favorite) top and high waisted black underwear. GRRR. Oh, and can't forget the red lip. An hour of prep later, and Voila! Magic was created! Janette made me feel extremely comfortable and not at all out of my element or silly during the photo shoot. I brought the sexy and felt powerful and dominating! My butt was a little sore afterwards from lots of butt poppin' but boy, it made all the difference. Baby got back!

A couple of weeks later I received my proofs and satisfied doesn't even begin to describe all the shots. They were stunning. Gorgeous. I felt as if I was looking at an Old Hollywood film actress in a centerfold. I was giddy. Even though I did this for me, I couldn't wait to show Coco and the girls! Janette blew me away! And a couple of days ago I received my final prints (one of which I posted above) with some re touching and oh-la-la c'est parfait! What a fun and beautiful experience in more ways than one.

Some call it narcissism, which lets be honest, it is, to a certain extent. I like to call it a healthy dose of vanity and confidence minus superficiality. I am very thankful to God that I am an attractive muchachita but I also have to thank my parents (and their genes) more than anything for instilling in me a very positive and exceptionally sturdy dosage of self-esteem. They also taught me to be confident, not to be confused with cocky. And as cliched as it sounds, they taught me that being beautiful on the outside was not going to help me if I was an ugly person inside, bc that will automatically cancel out the pretty. Who you are and how you treat others and yourself is a reflection of your character. And I try to live by that lesson every single day. In the meantime, another photo shoot is calling my name! (Thanks Becs!)

Ciao. Ciao. Double kiss.

Here's to you. Here's to me.

Kathy.