So, I've been meaning to start a blog, and what better day than today, after appearing in the New York Post in a skinny mini Dolce and Gabbana ("Only Under 40 D&G," that is) dress?! Plus, someone called at the butt crack to tell me about it so now I'm left with some time to kill before making my way into the office. I'm a wee bit embarrassed (but do admit, it's not a bad picture -- whoever said having a BMI above 18 would be a bad thing?!), so I felt like I should explain.
You see, I began working at the Post in November. I left a position of at a major magazine's web site for a position at New York's top tabloid newspaper. My goal: To get back to the root of it all; to write, to edit, to THINK and report ideas, trends and news. And so far, all's been good. This being the year of "You" and all, I was worried that leaving web might be a mistake. After all, that's where everyone is jumping TO. But I'm so glad I followed my instincts. Now I get to work with and learn from a group of amazing writers and editors, report on everything entertainment and pop culture, oh yea, and model haute little black dresses!
OK, so back to that.
It was a regular morning at the Post. I had arrived around 10:30. I read the morning edition, drank my coffee, checked gawker, perez and jossip, then head into my editor's office for a meeting. On the way, Danico Lo (staff writer, faux-lash lovah, wears-black-better-than-anyone-I-know, haute list extraordinaire) stopped me and says, "Oh, you're totally a size 6. Will you try this dress on for me?" I wasn't sure what she was thinking but I had a clue. Since I started, I began seeing familiar faces from the office pop-up in the paper the next day. Stories come up so last minute that they often need someone to model/illustrate them. Since there's a studio in the building, it's THAT easy.
I was reluctant, but I agreed. I mean, after all, she WAS asking me to put on a D&G dress! I felt like Carrie Bradshaw in the episode where she was asked to model in that "real person" fashion show. Only, boy did I HOPE it wouldn't go in the direction of my landing flat on my face in front of important people!
Anyway, like Carrie, I insisted on one thing: hot high heels. Danica obliged and got a pair of black patent leather stilettos that scream pole dance from Aldo. They were a size too big for me, but it's cool, I know she really wanted to keep 'em herself! (Dude, they're HOT!)
I went into the bathroom and tried on the dress. Did it fit like a glove? Not so much. In fact, the straps were a bit loose and it was flattening my otherwise shapely boobs. My J-Lo bootie looked good, but that was it really. Oh, and I was about to get schooled in the art of sucking in. But not before I searched the fashion closet for Spanx. (There were none!)
Then came the photo shoot. It's funny, really. This room on the 10th floor. White walls -- florescent lighting and crap all over the place. Oh, and a printer in the corner. Kinda a mess. But hey, it works! So I stood on the backdrop and took in everything Coach Jay, I mean, Danica, had taught me. After all, anyone who writes and publishes a book called "How to NOT look fat!" has got to know her stuff!
1) Put one foot directly in front of the other. (Even tho the best shot ended up being the one out to the side!)
2) Chin up, neck extended.
3) Hips back. Like really. It flattens your stomach.
4) Hand on waist, not hip. It accentuates your curves.
So there I am, kinda feeling like a giraffe, chin up, butt out, neck elongated, standing in a pair of high-ass shoes that are too big on me -- I nearly fell over a few times! They kept telling me to smile, but I really wanted to give a pout or two. You know, like press my lips together, and just stare a la Angelina. But I mean, who am I? So I just gave 'em my good ole crooked smile (that's for you Mitch!). We tried a few different poses (one hand on waist, two hands, right foot out, left foot out, hair to the side, blah, blah, blah). Luckily, the shot that made it into the paper (and practically life-sized, I might add!!) was the one we all liked best.
Oh, and here's a funny addition to the story. So after the "shoot," I went back and changed. (Kept the fake eyelashes on, 'cause, well, I felt kinda glamorous -- even though I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open) I came back to my desk and after about 10 minutes started checking our photo log/system for the photos. I thought this would be my inaugural entry into the system. But I was wrong! I'm in there already. (PS, this is kinda like googling yourself) Not sure if anyone remembers the first time I appeared in the Post almost 6 years ago now...my sister and I were at the Madonna concert at MSG and posed with the tranny Madiva only to end up on Page Six! Well, there was that pic. So now, when I enter "Sara Lieberman" in the Merlin photo system, up comes Sara Rachael & Madiva, and Sara in D&G! Classic.
OK, so did I get to keep the dress? No. But it's OK because it didn't really fit that well. Plus, the whole thing is silly and makes me feel kinda weird. After all, I want to report, write and edit the news, not be IN it! But everyone at works says it's a right of passage of sorts, so I guess it's OK. Plus, it's kinda funny to get a bunch of random phone calls and IM's from people who just so happened to see it. It makes me feel like it's my birthday!
Anyway, I'm not sure what I plan to do with this blog going forward. I promise it won't be a detailed account of 'a day in my life' as we sure don't need another one of those in the blogosphere. Gimme a shout if you've got any ideas.
xo
Page 66.
PS. People keep asking if I got my hair done, but I didn't! Luckily, it was a "wash day" and I did it myself! Good thing, too. I also happened to have JUST gotten my eyebrows (shoutout to Yasmin at Eve!) and nails (shoutout to Jane at Eve!) done on Sunday. Funny.
