Holidaying in the country, and wrapping Next in Fashion.

I had the most lovely Memorial weekend. We had two days off from shooting Next in Fashion, so Gigi and I decided to rally a couple of friends, and spend the weekend at her home in the Countryside. It was exactly what we needed to decompress after our grueling shoot schedule.

I told her I wanted to cook Indian food for us all. I love to cook a feast for friends. It’s definitely my love language. So, after we had time to settle in, and enjoy some bread and cheeses (oh, and a short nap in front of the TV), I got to cooking. It takes around 3 hours to cook a decent Indian meal, but that doesn’t bother me. The girls sat around the kitchen island, helping chop and prepare stuff whilst I cooked. We chatted and set the world to rights. It was such a lovely time. Then, we sat in front of the fire, in the back yard, and ate and laughed before watching most of Next in Fashion, season 1. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed just having a relaxing day, after burning the candle at both ends, in NYC, all month.

The next morning, we woke early to go horse riding. Its G’s families land, and their horses, and even though I’ve never really ridden a horse before, they set me up with a gorgeous, calm horse who set me right at ease. The weather was stunning, so we decided to go galloping through the woods and across the rivers. I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved it. I felt something I’ve never felt before, and I wanna feel that feeling again, soon. I'm not talking about super sore thighs and pelvis, though very much that too. I was just so excited to be doing something new and outdoorsy.

After the horse ride, we hit up the grocery store to grab stuff to make burgers. We BBQ’d, sang, danced and napped the rest of the day until it was time to head back to the city, that evening. Gigi had suggested we go out to the farm a day early, but I thought I’d get bored there for 2 nights. I couldn’t have been more wrong. We should have gone a day earlier. Next time.

The next day, back in the city, we shot the finale of Next in Fashion. It was bitter/sweet. I was so sad that we were already done shooting the show. Those four and a half weeks flew by, and I knew I was going to miss G so much, but I was also so excited to be able to go home and be with my boys, who I missed like crazy.

Finale days are kind of nuts. Lots of nervous energy, so much to read and shoot, and super long days. We started work at 8:45am and finished at midnight. Holy heck, being show-worthy “Tan France” for over 15 hours ain't easy, lemme tell ya. But, I had such a good day. I love when we see the finalists final collections, and what they could offer to the world, outside of the show. They were fantastic and the designers are so clearly deserving of their spot in the finale, but the winner truly is who we think could be Next in Fashion. I hope you’ll agree.

I also hope we get to do more seasons. G and I had such a beautiful time filming the show. I have honestly never been happier at work. We had the best time, and I pray that’s not the last time I get to do it. It’d make me so sad if that were to be the case.

Now, I'm back home and so happy to be with my boys. My baby, Ismail, is no longer a baby. He seems like a proper little boy. I never want to be away from him for that long, ever again. But, I'm so lucky that I get to be with him now. He’s the best.

That’s it. That was my week. Back on here next week.

xx