Looking for Work in the big city

I know it's been awhile since I blogged, but here we go.

The past few weeks I've spent running around meeting concierges at all the high-end and boutique hotels in New York City to offer my makeup (and grudgingly hair) services to their guests. Everyone has been really nice and it seems that about 95% of these hotels don't have someone on file (and that's probably why they always call MAC Cosmetics).

In fact, my friends from MAC are who gave me the idea to do this. So far, I've gotten one job over Halloween (which was fun, I got to make a guy a ghoul for Halloween night) at one hotel. Another called me last minute and I almost got to do a Saudi Arabian Prince, but his party got canceled. Drat!

I did just do a makeup assist job that was loads of fun and I learned a ton. I did have moments where I was like "Wow, I feel like I don't know anything", but I guess that is what learning is about.....learning to make your craft better.

I hope this all pays off, but I have moments of fear that it won't. I'm behind on a couple of things, and I have to admit, all the bill companies including my building manager have been nice in arranging payment plans.

Now, I just have to take a big breath and keep moving. Next stop, bridal boutiques, I think, but first....I have to get my website up. It's not up yet and I may not be able to do a cool flash site right away, but at least get an html site up for now, (it will be jadeelhaddad.com. ) Hope when it's up you will come and check it out. It's the only way people will take me seriously. Right now I have my work on a modelmayhem account. And I know that probably seems like a joke. So onward and upward and to my website.

Life is rough sometimes, but I guess that's what makes us stronger. At least I hope so.

Garlic and Castles

My friend Scotty is the best. He, our friend Joe and myself did the most fun thing on Saturday. We went to the Garlic Festival up in Saugerties, New York. If you've never been, you must put it on your calendar for next year.

When you first get there, there are lots of booths with homemade items, like pottery, jewelry and soap, etc.. But truth be told, a little pricey and I don't need more crap in my house than I already have.

So onto the food. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. Everything we ate was garlic, garlic garlic and very well seasoned. Excellent.

The first thing we did was take some beano, knowing what we were in for with all the eating....I don't think I have to detail this fact....you all know.

The first food stop was mushrooms sauteed with garlic, herbs (and very little oil). They were awesome. Then on to the garlic bratwurst. And people were soooo nice there. I'm walking along with my little sandwich and this lovely older black woman stops me and says....You must have fried garlic on that sandwich and plops some of her garlic in my sandwich and some in Scotty's sandwich. DELICIOUS. We decided right then and there....Must get our own fried garlic.

Next was a garlic shooter. Yes, I said garlic shooter. Garlic and lemon. Scotty and I clinked our little plastic glasses and shot it back.

We had garlic and potato soup which was more of a chowder in these GIANT bread bowls. The bread they gave us made Au bon Pain's bread bowls look like a tiny roll. Couldn't eat all the bread, but the soup with a little of the bread scooped up and into our mouths...Awesome.

Of course we did get our roasted fried garlic. It was awesome. We also got some fried pickles. Yep, they were good. They didn't have the sauteed artichokes ready so we missed that. Must do that next year. But this cart had the best sign ever. AND I think all establishments should have this sign up and follow through:

"UNATTENDED CHILDREN WILL BE GIVEN AN ESPRESSO AND A PUPPY"

That will teach parents to parent their child and keep an eye on them.

All in all, the kids at the festival were very well behaved. Maybe it's just NYC parents who don't know how to control their kids. I don't know. But we are not here to chat about that. Back to the food.

The Garlic Pizza was awesome. We had coconut shrimp and crab cakes that were awesome and we topped all this off with....wait for it.....Garlic Gelato. It was delicious. Not overwhelmed with garlic, with a slight carmel taste. Gently sweet. Delicious. Really enjoyed.

Now there was also lots of fresh garlic to buy, too. There was garlic in decorative weaves, and things and just plain garlic. I bought some Roja and some Music garlic. I've already made one thing with some. I mixed the two. I fried them out in some grape leave oil with some spinach and spices and then wrapped that in layers of phyllo dough with some brie cheese inside. Delicious. (I made this when I returned on Sunday)

So we stayed overnight in Hudson, New York so we could go to Olana, which is a state historic site that was designed by Frederic Edwin Church in the 19th century. He was an artist who was with the Hudson River School of Art. Mr. Church apparently was originally going to create a home that was more victorian, but after taking his wife to a trip to the Middle East got reinspired and came back and made this home very middle eastern. You must go see it. It's fabulous and there is so much history. And the views from the castle are incredible. Here is the website if you want to know more: www.olana.org.

Anyway, that's all for now. If I can, later I will try to post some pictures.

Have a great day all!

Attention to Detail

So yesterday I was on my way to a gig in Stamford, Connecticut to do hair and makeup for a corporate company for headshots. And wouldn't you know, my agency was given the WRONG DATE by the recruiter (who will remain unnamed, because....they are known screw ups...yes, this is not the first time they haven't known what they were doing). Looking back on the emails telling us the dates it says the event will be on "Monday, September 28".

Now I ask you, after seeing that date on your email several times as the date of the gig, what would you think the date of the gig is. That's right, Monday, September 28. Not Tuesday, September 29, right? IF the Monday part wasn't there, I'd say, okay....typo. But the Monday part of the date was clearly typed.

So I traveled out to Stamford (which is a 2 hour trek give or take) only to find out, that not only was the gig not on "Monday, September 28", but now, they are rescheduling the date they booked according to the corporate company (who shall remain unnamed) of Tuesday, September 29 and they will have to let me know.

Needless to say, my agency was furious, and quite frankly, I wasn't thrilled either. But they now have to pay me for their folly. 4 hours and my travel. So, I ask you this, HOW does someone who doesn't pay attention to the small details, keep their job? How do they get these jobs? I'm just saying. I wouldn't mind, but it's the same recruiter who screwed me a couple of years ago.

Well, live and learn, right. And get on to other things, I say.

So we'll see what happens. They may reschedule for Thursday. Hmmmm. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile.....I must go post about the Garlic Festival. Yummmy!

Crazy Life

Well, here we are, a new week. Tuesday and I'm tired already. But sometimes tired is good.

Today I finally went to a couple of hotels on 57th Street and spoke to the concierges and told them I was a makeup artist. Everyone was very open to my offer of my makeup artist services...so fingers crossed.

Now, you will laugh...I'm at The Four Seasons, and some old man decides to follow me out of the hotel and asking me where I was going. Honestly...do I look like a hooker man. I think not.

The rest of the day was crazy, but glad it's over. Now I can just sit relax and get some sleep. But first I have some tv to catch up on. Oh what was life without a DVR. I don't even know anymore.

What to do when bored

So today, as yesterday, I'm hanging out while work is being done on the apartment. Thank goodness for the internet, huh? I can watch Netflix instant views, work on finding a stylist for a photoshoot, look for makeup gigs, etc.

What else can one do? Take a nap, eat a snack. Daydream.....

More later.

Tuesday Gone

Another Tuesday is gone. It was a long day. No cooking today. But last night I admittedly watched the season premier of Gossip Girl. I sooooo didn't want to like that show or get hooked on it. But alas, I'm hooked.

I am trying to keep the t.v. to a minimum. Don't want to get hooked into too many new shows. It is exhausting watching so many shows, but I am looking forward to 30 Rock on October 15.

And I am hooked on Glee already. I knew I would be. Yes, crazily enough, my ring tone is "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, but I have to admit that the cast of Glee's rendition is FANTASTIC. Actually inspired me to write a new song....let's see how it goes.

Anyway, not much to share today. Too tired. Let's see what Wednesday brings.

Baked Cucumber, etc.

So I finally have cracked open my Mastering the Art of French Cooking (admittedly, inspired by Julie Powell's book "Julia and Julia") and made two recipes.

Last night I made Foie De Veau A La Moutarde (Calves Liver with Mustard, Herbs and Bread Crumbs). Now don't go yech. I happen to like calves liver and I know my friend Scotty, NEVER thought he would eat anything like liver or Veal Kidneys, but the first time I served him Veal Kidneys and every time thereafter he has LOVED them.

Well, Julie Powell is right. It is a wonderful dish. And very easy to make. Really delicious. I will definitely make it again. And this dish made me a little less afraid of my broiler. Since I don't have a Garland Stove like Julia or a Viking or anything of that stature, I have a sucky broiler at the bottom of my stove that you need to watch so it doesn't catch fire. WHY they ever put the broiler down there with NO room for adjustment between the fire and the food, I will never know. Some day, I dream of a real stove. I bet it would change my cooking life.

Today, I tried my hand at Concombres au Beurre (baked Cucumbers) Persilles (parsley). I loved the Julia's "preliminary sorjourn" in salt, sugar and wine vinegar. They even taste good just after the cucumbers have stood in this mixture for an hour. And the liquid that you get after you drain would make a great vinaigrette if you add a little olive oil and fresh herbs. Yum.

Now, I think I need to definitely get a oven thermometer. And I need to pay attention to more accurate measurements of cutting the cucumbers. I may have made them a little too thin, after looking at a ruler later. Julia tells you to cut then into lengthwise strips of about 3/8 inch wide. Between that and perhaps a too hot oven, they may have cooked a bit too much. She says that they should have "a suggestion of crispness and texture. They will barely color during cooking." Mine browned a bit. Still good, but I think would have been better if I was sure of the oven temp and the size of the strips. Well, next time will be better. AND of course, I will report back.

Hmmm....what will the next recipe be.

Maybe one of David Lebowitz' recipes from My Sweet Life In Paris. I loved that book and he has great recipes in there. I've already made my own creme fraiche. It was a beautiful thing. But I think the trick is to make sure that buttermilk is very fresh. The first time it was PERFECT. The 2nd time, not as perfect. I also find that depending on what the temp in the house is, you have to leave it longer than 12 hours. Well...trial and error.

Life is all about trial and error. I just hope I keep learning from my mistakes.

Well, off to other adventures.

Have a good night!