Making Friends With Dolphins!!!

Last week some of my friends and I spent some quality time with a few dolphins at the Aquaventure water park at the Palms Atlantis Resort in Dubai! We all had such a fantastic time and I even got a kiss from one of the dolphins! They really are such friendly, sweet creatures and I hope to do this again sometime soon. This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip!

My mom snapped a few photos of my little rendezvous with the dolphins!

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Posted on November 28, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 29 Comments

Check Out Pics From My Photo Shoot in Dubai!

Hey everyone! So as I mentioned before, I'm in Dubai with my mom for the grand opening of the Atlantis hotel and I am absolutely having the best time! I recently did a photo shoot and I wanted to share a few of the photos with you! Let me know what you think!

Continue reading Check Out Pics From My Photo Shoot in Dubai!

Posted on November 27, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 42 Comments

Thanksgiving Is Just Two Days Away!

Watch this video to hear a little bit about my Thanksgiving traditions.

I would love to hear about all of your family traditions!!!

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Posted on November 25, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 41 Comments

Giving Back: More on Save the Children

Hey guys! So as I mentioned in a previous post, I spent some time in Africa working with a charity called Save the Children.

Watch this video to hear a little more about my experience!

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Posted on November 24, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 34 Comments

My Ultimate Top 10 Favorite Bands

Music plays a huge role in my life and it contributes in large part to my identity and my lifestyle. I'm constantly going to concerts, whether it's to check out a new band, or to see one of my favorites; there's nothing I love more!

Since music is one of my greatest passions, I wanted to share my top 10 favorite bands with you.

Def Leppard (their old stuff)
America
The Band
Fleetwood Mac
The Traveling Wilburys
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Modest Mouse
The Raconteurs
The Redwalls
Oasis

I love being introduced to new music, so if you have any good band suggestions, drop it in a comment!

Continue reading My Ultimate Top 10 Favorite Bands

Posted on November 23, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 125 Comments

The Atlantis Hotel Grand Opening!

Hey guys! I'm in Dubai right now at the grand opening of the Atlantis Hotel. I can't even begin to explain to you how amazing this place is! My mom and I made a quick video before I did an interview for a British television station -- we are surrounded by fish! All of the windows go to an aquarium that is filled with exotic species. Check out that awesome stingray.

I also did a photo shoot with camels. Check it out here.

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Posted on November 21, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 33 Comments

OK! Magazine: Backless Beauties

OK! Magazine recently did a spread of backless dresses and included a photo of me wearing a Matthew Williamson gown while in Cannes. This is honestly one of my favorite dresses I've ever worn; it's not only elegant, but fun as well!

Do you guys like the dress?

Continue reading OK! Magazine: Backless Beauties

Posted on November 21, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 51 Comments

'Homecoming' Trailer

Hey guys! I just wanted to tell you all a little bit about one of my upcoming films, Homecoming. I began filming it in early December of 2007, and wrapped mid-January of 2008. We filmed on location in Pittsburgh and I had the opportunity to work with some really incredible actors, including Jessica Stroup and Matt Long.

I play Shelby, a small-town girl whose high school sweetheart Mike returns home from college with a new girlfriend. When Shelby realizes that Mike has moved on, she loses all sense of reason and sanity, resulting in her decision to take his new girlfriend hostage. I'd tell you more, but I don't want to spoil the ending!

If you want to see more, check out the trailer below!

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Posted on November 20, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 30 Comments

Giving Back: Check Out This Hat I Knitted!

So I just received this photo from Save the Children and I wanted to share it with all of you! I knitted this cap a few weeks ago which was then delivered to Ethiopia and given to an expectant mother who was waiting to give birth in her incredibly primitive home.

The baby was delivered with the help of a birth attendant that had been trained by Save the Children. The birth attendant put the cap on the newborn's head in order to prevent hypothermia, and then snapped this photo.

What do you guys think of my knitting skills?

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Posted on November 20, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 38 Comments

WELCOME TO MY SITE!

Continue reading WELCOME TO MY SITE!

Posted on November 17, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 30 Comments

Photos You Might Have Missed

Hey Guys! I'm so excited to finally have my own site where I can keep you all up to date with everything going on in my life!

I was just going through some of my old photos and I came across all of these shots that have been in different magazines over the past few years. I've done a lot of work overseas with some incredible photographers, so I thought you all might enjoy these!

Just click on the photos below and then scroll through the gallery.

Continue reading Photos You Might Have Missed

Posted on November 17, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 80 Comments

Giving Back: Save the Children

For those of you who don't already know, I'm involved with an organization called Save the Children. Save the Children is committed to helping impoverished children and their families in the United States, as well as all over the world.

So I recently spent some time in South Africa, where I visited a primary school in Soweto. Many of the children there are orphans or are infected with the AIDS virus. The kids and I read together, I helped serve them their lunch, and then after school my boyfriend at the time and I drove one of the little boys home. Just seeing where these children come from and the lives that they lead really opened my eyes to how much there is to be done in the world.

It truly was a life changing experience and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with these children. I have every intention of returning in the near future.

I just wanted to share some of my personal photos with you guys, and hopefully they will inspire you to go out and get involved.

Click here if you are interested in learning more about Save the Children.

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Posted on November 16, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 25 Comments

Fashion: Check Out My Bag Line!

Handbags are my absolute weakness! I love switching up my look and matching a different bag with every outfit. There are just so many unique styles out there for every person's taste, which is why I decided to design an affordable collection of bags for the online retailer ASOS.com to fit my personal sense of style.

I included a few photos of the bags, as well as some ads I did for the collection. Click here if you see something you like!

Which bag is your favorite???

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Posted on November 16, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 30 Comments

For The Record

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Posted on November 15, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 16 Comments

Fashion: My Headband Line

I'm a huge fan of accessorizing, and as you can probably tell, headbands are one of my favorite accessories! I recently partnered up with designer Stacey Lapidus to create my own line of hair accessories.

I'm a huge fan of Stacey's so it really was a privilege getting to work with her! I posted a few of the headbands in the photo gallery, so be sure to check them out and let me know what you think!

Click here if you're interested in shopping for one of your own!

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Posted on November 14, 2008 | Permalink | Email This | 24 Comments

My Trip To South Africa

While I was in South Africa working with the Save the Children organization, my boyfriend at the time and I did some traveling and sightseeingI There's so much to see in Africa that you can't find anywhere in the U.S., or in most places for that matter. It's not everyday that you get to see a lion, or a giraffe standing just a few feet away from you.

It wasn't all play though -- I had to do a few photo shoots while I was there. You can see a few pictures from the shoots in the photo gallery I put up. You'll also find other pictures from my trip in there so be sure to check them out!

It's so rare that you get to be in such a beautifully natural environment; it's an experience you have to embrace and truly appreciate!

I would love to hear about all of your favorite trips! Any suggestions for my next one?