Hollywood Hills Photo Shoot

Just started doing some promotional modeling again 

here in L.A and recently had the pleasure of working

with ModelHostess, where we shot these beautiful photos on location.

It was a lot of fun!

I figured I would share my favorite picks with you guys...

Hope you like!

For promotional events/booking inquiries -- get in touch!

rachelyarmosh@yahoo.com

xo

10 Things I Miss About New York!

I'll be honest, I'm in an L.A state of mind these days.

With weather in the mid 80's, sunshine, palm trees, 

 feel good vibes and PLENTY OF TIME on my hands

I'm kind of YOLO'ing 

through my days.

Sure, I've been out of work for almost 2 months

 (give or take) and fundage (I make up my own words, its fine!) 

is low, but when I land a good job,

these days of money worries will be far behind me

and I can say I enjoyed my time off.

And so did the banks I have credit cards with (HA!)

[More on my employment 'adventure' in the next post..

It's St. Patty's Day and I'm a little woozy with boozy

 - so lets save the pity party for another post 

so I can enjoy my beer-infused cocktail in good spirits.

We'll go to the dark side another day.]

However...there are of course things I miss about the East Coast,

some that are specific to New York (my home prior to 3 months ago).

Here are the TOP 10 things I miss about the Motherland:

10. Dairy Barn 

I miss the convenience of driving through to pick up milk or eggs,

and Godiva misses the free milk bones they gave her.

If you've never been through a Dairy Barn on Long Island,

you've missed out on the greatest Iced Tea...ever.

9. Dunkin Donuts

C'mon. You knew coffee was going to be on here somewhere.

Oddly enough -The Dunkin Donuts phenomenon has not made it out here

 to the City of Angels.

I'm shocked as there are tons of coffeehouses out here -

with Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf amongst the top.

These people have not lived until they've had a DD Iced Coffee on a 

hot summers day (which is literally every day in Southern California).

Lucky for me they've recently opened a couple of locations - 

Santa Monica, Hollywood (closest to me, about a 7 minute drive)

North Hollywood, and Downtown 

... hopefully this trend continues.

Join us L.A - after all, America runs on Dunkin.

And P.S While we're on the topic of coffee,

why have drive thru's not spread here yet?

Especially with the lack of parking,

drive thru Starbucks and DD would be so much more convenient!!!

RANT OVER.

Ughhhh!

Ok, RANT REALLY OVER.

8. Bagels

Bagel places line the streets of New York.

I have not seen ANY here, 

however there are a ton of donut shops.

Seems my beloved bagels have been replaced 

by another carb heavy breakfast imposter with a hole.

My heart is a little heavy about this...

but my @$$ thanks you.

We can also add delis to #8 - there aren't any good delis either.
I know we owe many of these places to Jewish shop owners -
but are there no Jewish people out here?

What I would do for an everything bagel

with cream cheese OR
a maple turkey, munster cheese, lettuce, bacon,
and thousand island dressing on a fresh roll
- my classic go-to deli sandwich.
I can't even think about it...
I'm starting to drool.

7. Free Parking

You literally cannot go anywhere without having to 

pay for street parking, a parking garage, or valet.

You want to run into Dunkin Donuts for a coffee? Pay the meter.

You want to run into Marshalls for some home goods? Pay $3 to park in a garage.

You want to eat in a nice restaurant during the weekend? 

Forget street parking -you'll miss your dinner rez.

 Cough up $10 to valet.

Literally, you pay to park pretty much ANYWHERE.

And DON'T YOU DARE neglect to read the parking signs

if and when you do find street parking.

My first 2 weeks here I was blessed with 2 parking tickets.

$63 for parking more than 18" from the curb (what?! Go fight crime!)

and $73 for failing to move my car in time for "street cleaning". 

Thanks for the warm welcome, L.A.

P.S When I complained to friends about this...

they said it was a rights of passage. And to be thankful I didn't get 

towed to the nice tune of $250 to get your car back from the impound.

6. Pizza

Need I say more?

They. Just. Don't. Get. It.

5. Complimentary Grocery Bags

Everything is very earth conscious/earth friendly here,

which I'm 100% behind. 

However, I'm still not used to having to bring my

own grocery bags into the store WITH me.

If you want bags, you pay for bags.

I've been a little stubborn with this because I put

some of these reusable bags into my car for this very reason,
but in my haste --

I just always forget to bring them in with me.

So, yup. I'm the jerk juggling (and dropping)

10 items in my arms all the way to my car.
But HA - I cheated the system and saved .30 cents on 3 bags.
Which I'll use towards the parking meter
 for my coffee tomorrow morning! 

4. Pomegranate Seeds

I am kinda obsessed with them

and I purchased them with ease weekly from Best Yet,
a grocery store in New York.

On a sticker attached to said poms - read "Imported from California"

yet they are nowhere to be found here.

I've been looking for weeks, in numerous locations,
leaving no stone unturned. I've come up empty handed.

I am starting to think California ran out

because they literally sent them all to New York.

Cali, PLEASE.

Take care of YO PEOPLE first.

3. New York time DOES NOT EQUAL L.A time

I miss people/companies who say what they mean.

In New York, when I say I'll call you in 5 min...I call you at 4 min and 59 seconds.

In L.A when I say I'll call you - it means I'll email you. Maybe.

 In 3 weeks.

In New York, when an employer says you have the job --

You have the job. They send you the offer in a reasonable timeframe.

You're kept informed and their word is reliable.

In L.A, when an employer says you have the job,

it means they possibly liked you, but were smokin' something good

and forgot about your existence post interview.

 Or that they're not even a real company.

If I didn't know better, I would think there are hidden cameras on me

and I'm being punked.

Stay tuned for a JOB UPDATE Storytime on my YouTube

(Please subscribe while you're there:

 youtube.com/missyarmosh)

2. Gas Prices

When I was traveling from N.Y to L.A, I paid gas prices as low as $1.42 

in good 'ol Alabama - but even in New York they were under $2. 

I am paying almost $1 more per gallon here.

Now I know why everyone walks, runs, and bikes here.

It's too expensive to drive, especially due to the gas guzzling 

nature of the stop and go traffic in Los Angeles.

1. Family

You knew I was going to include at least one sappy/heart warming

reason. But in all seriousness, I miss being able to drive 

5 min away and meet my Mom and sister for coffee at Starbucks.

Or the warm nostalgic feeling I get driving through my cute little Village

on the water, with all its familiar faces and shops.

I miss popping in to visit family across the Island.

Or the short 55 min express train ride into Manhattan

to spend the day & explore.

I miss the 5 hour drive down to Washington D.C

to visit my 2 nephews, brother, and sister in law.

I miss it all.

If you want to make me feel a little closer to home...

I'm now accepting visitors!

Shoot me a text or give me a call...

just because I'm drenched in the California sun all day

doesn't mean I don't love to hear a familiar voice.

Its a little slice of home.

xo 

Risky Business.

It's kind of a weird story.

I find that the best outcomes often

come from these odd or bizarre instances or occurrences

that set people on a trajectory they didn't even see coming.

Here's one such occurrence,
the one that made me decide to move to Los Angeles.

I was leaving dance class on a beautiful September morning last year,

the kind of weather that just makes your heart feel happy

(or maybe it was the endorphins from exercise? Maybe a combo of both? Who knows!)

I always make a b-line for Dunkin Donuts after a particularly hard workout

because I feel like I've earned the half and half, which is how I prefer my coffee.

I order my iced coffee, turn on my radio,

and start driving home. 

I felt like I could conquer the world.

I had my windows down, my hair thrown up in a messy bun, 

these ridiculous teal sunnies on,

some r&b jams, and an iced coffee in hand.

I often like to think about things on the 20 minute ride home, 

and that day was no exception.

I have always dreamed of traveling more

and those days - I was thinking about it more and more.
The need to 'leave' was a constant fixation.
(Which is strange, because I really love New York so much!)

After plans of moving to Australia the year before fell through

(there were no working visas available at the time that would allow me to secure work)

I began to ponder other, more 'realistic' options. 

Miami? Dallas? Los Angeles?

Was it the right move to just uproot my life at 32 years old?

Could I find work and would I be able to support myself

so far from home with little to no support network?

Would I be able to make new friends?

Would I be happy or was this just a 'phase' 

and once I got "here" (wherever that someplace was)

would I instantly regret it?

There were so many unknowns.

I tossed the idea of travel around so many times 

and the ache to leave home and explore
a new part of the world never really went away.

It was deep, deep, deep.

I knew it wasn't a phase and
 I knew time wasn't going to make it just go away.

But that morning driving home I made my decision.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror in those

ridiculous, over the top 'almost famous' teal sunglasses 

and said to myself: 

'Rachel, you don't belong here.

You belong in L.A.'

And just like that
 -with one glance in the mirror at my reflection
 of blonde messy hair blowing in the rearview, 

I had made up my mind.

I was resolute in my decision.
This. Was. Happening.

When I announced I was moving, of course I was instantly met
with criticism, backlash, and negativity

that filled me with self doubt to the brink. And then some.

Everyone had something to say
(whether I asked for their opinion of not)

Here is the cliff notes version:

Blank stares. 'Why?'

'Such a dumb move. You don't even have a job!'

'You're having a mid-life crisis' (unless I'm dying at 60, I was sure this wasn't the case)

'What are you running from?'

'You just feel this way because you're not married and you're looking to fill a void'

(cause that's NOT insulting!)

'This is really risky. I thought you had a better head on your shoulders'

I could go on and on.

But I don't have time because I'm still working on proving them all wrong.

Fast forward 6 months.

I am living in Los Angeles, California

drinking coffee and looking at blue skies and palm trees outside my balcony.

It's a cooler morning than its been the last few weeks

(we've been experiencing a heat wave)

but I'll still take 72 degrees in March!

The sunglasses that made me decide to move to California!

I'm not going to preach it was easy to get here.

It wasn't. 

It took planning, saving, extreme organization, a lot of coordinating,
 and of course -there were setbacks.

 [That's a WHOLE other blog post - Cross Country Relocating 101.
If anyone is interested, let me know in the comments and I can share some tips!]

But I'm here. I'm happy.

And it's a beautiful sunny day in Los Feliz,

a humble little section of the universe I now call home.

This adventure doesn't end here.

There is much more work to be done
and the risk of relocating and taking a huge chance
 is not all together gone.

I need to find full-time work.

I need to set up my new apartment and buy furniture.

I need to put myself out there and make new friends.

And I need to continue to invest in goals and aspirations.
Check things off my bucket list.

Vision plan. Work hard. Keep dreaming big.

I wanted to share my story in hopes

it inspires or encourages EVEN one person 

on the verge of making a huge decision to follow through.

Take the risk.

I am living proof that all it takes is a teal pair of sunglasses,

an iced coffee, and a particularly beautiful September morning

to set your dreams on fire.

RY

P.S If you're interested in watching my Cross Country trip from N.Y to L.A,
I'll link the video for you!

Cross Country Roadtrip | MissYarmosh by missyarmosh

Happy Dreaming,

Virtual Book Sale - Free While They Last!

Getting rid of some of my most treasured possessions - my books!

Making room for new things in my life

and that means I need more space...

so I am opening up my small library collection 

to anyone who would like them (free of charge)

on a first come, first serve basis.

I no longer have the room to store them,

but they are all in new, like new or gently used condition.

 I thought about selling them online,

but I don't have the time or resources to ship them -

so all I ask is that you pick them up 

and they are all yours! 

I just want them to have a good home.

Please message me which you would like and I will 

put them aside for you in a bag.

Fiction: 

Fifty Shades of Grey . F.L James

Fifty Shades Darker . FL James

Jane Eyre . Charlotte Bronte 

Lady Chatterley's Lover . D.H Lawrence

One Day. David Nicholls

Oscar Season . Mary McNamara

Somebody Everybody Listens To . Suzanne Supplee 

The Five People You Meet in Heaven . Mitch Albom

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane .  Katherine Howe

Non Fiction:

90 Minutes in Heaven . Don Piper

Bereft: A Sister's Story . Jane Bernstein

Doctor Dealer . Mark Bowden

Savage Grace . Natalie Robins

The Longest Trip Home . John Grogan

Lifestyle:

Be the Pack Leader . Cesar Millan

Boy Meets Girl. Joshua Harris

How to Get Rich . Donald Trump

The Bartenders Guide 

The Total Money Makeover.  Dave Ramsey

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke

The Cocktail Dress . Laird Borrelli - Persson

Spiritual:

Every Day Deserves a Chance . Max Lucado

Further Still . Beth Moore

Good Tidings & Great Joy. Sarah Palin

Now that You Are His. David Shibley

Redeeming Love. Francine Rivers

Business:

Get a Freelance Life .   Margit Feury Ragland

How to Sell Without Being a Jerk! .  John Klymshyn
Your World is Exploding . Chistopher G. Dessi

Educational:

Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism .  Jenny McCarthy

Leading Change in Your School .   Douglas B. Reeves

How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader . John G. Gabriel

Helping the Child With Learning Disabilities Find Social Success.  Richard LaVoie

Teach Like Your Hair is On Fire . Rate Esquith

Instead of individually posting photos of books, 

I did a short video of each cover here...

again, you must be local (Long Island) to collect these books.

xo,

Rach

current obsessions: march edition

As some of you know, I just returned from a 

exotic and extremely lavish 16-day trip to Thailand,

so please excuse me while I play catch up.

So much to tell you about my trip though,

for those of you who haven't already stalked out

my trip photos and videos via Facebook. :)

More on my trip later, but...

In no particular order,
here are some of my latest infatuations & fixations
for the month of March.

1. Thai iced teas. They call them "thai tea to go" in Thailand and they come in plastic baggies for the road! I think I had one just about every other day, but no - I'm still not sick of them, just in case you were wondering. 

2. Recently discovered an adorable little boutique on Main Street in Farmingdale called Solo Fashion New York. They were featured in a recent 80's fashion show at Monsoon - the staff is stylish and friendly, the clothes are really trendy and cute, and the boutique is adorable (think Ooh La La). If you are local and haven't checked them out, I suggest you stop in for a look around - ask for Anna the owner, she has a great eye for fashion!

3. This coconut coffee ice cream recipe. Yes, this is happening. New ice cream maker is begging to be used, so this is in the bag!

4. Piggybacking off the success of their line "Baby Lips" (which I'm in love with- I have almost every color) Maybelline has released a line "Baby Skin" which is a pore corrector and is getting some good feedback. Apparently the "magic" ingredient is cherry extract, which is renowned for its antioxidant properties. I'm digging it... What do you think? 

5. We're all aware of my obsession with rompers, right? Need this one for spring, A.S.A.P.

While we're on the topic of florals, I wouldn't mind this lace teddy either. 

6. Loving this scent for spring/summer - its on my must-have list. Its on the sweet side, so I'm going to be a walking invitation to mosquitos, but some things are worth it. Smelling amazing is one of them.

"Summer is for fun, enjoying life, and taking in the fresh air. This elegant fragrance conjures the experience of riding a bicycle through the French countryside. The warm air and sweet fragrance of cherry orchards overwhelm with happiness like the breathtaking feeling of falling in love. Discover the sweet scent of summer again and again with Cherry in the Air. "

7. In adoration 'Soap & Glory's' line of products, which you can check out here. And no...It's not just because the line of products is pink! What kind of a girl do you think I am that I would fall prey to such genuius marketing? ...ok, fine - maybe a little!

8.  How gorgeous are these camera straps? Now I just need a camera. Check out Bloom Theory Straps here.

These are faves. 

9. Just had the most amazing wine over the weekend called Raspberry Ripple by Ice Cream Cellars. To. Die. For! Check out the list of flavors here.

10. Loving the Destinations collection from Bath & Body Works, so get out and get your new spring/summer scents to fill up your homes! I promise it will make Spring settle in faster...

Til April's edition...

xo,

current #obsessions: february edition

Ahhh, February -
the month of love in the air. 
And lots and lots of pink...
so you KNOW it's going to be good!

In no particular order,

here are some of my latest infatuations & fixations

for the month of February.

1. This teal leather jacket by Black Swan. Don't worry - it's "vegan"! 

2. So digging this cereal right now. In fact, I'm eating a bowl right now. As if it doesn't taste good enough, The Chew featured a recipe where you can turn it into vanilla chex brittle.  Is this stuff even healthy? It can't be...it tastes too good! It's my new fave.

3. I have a love of baseball, but even stronger is my love for the New York Yankees as evident by my post here. Hey look, my boys even made it to Broadway! Can't wait to check out the new play 'Bronx Bombers'. For tix, visit here. 

4. I recently raised 3K+ for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society via Team in Training by throwing a Fundraiser Fashion Show at Monsoon in Babylon. It was a great night filled with fashion + cocktails + delicious cuisine + a lot of people coming out to support a great cause. I am so grateful to the Bohlsens for letting me use their beautiful restaurant for the night, the amazing vendors who volunteered - Omnibus Boutique, The Studio: New York (Babylon Village, NY), Lola's Lookbook (Massapequa, NY) and De La Mer Salon & Spa (Bellmore, NY) the models who donated their time, and all the people who came out to support me - actually something much larger than me, cancer research. Special thanks to Karen for letting me rock this amazing Sherri Hill dress - so obsessed with it, that I think I need to have it. Say yes to the dress.

5. Loving Dunkin' Donuts new 'Brown Sugar Cinnamon' - it's amazing iced (I haven't tried it hot!) and very reminiscent of Starbucks 'Cinnamon Dolce Latte'. I think I drank one almost every day in January when they were offering any sized iced coffee for just 99 cents. But, all good things must come to end. The good news however, is that while my sale on coffee hoarding has ended, the flavor is still around. Check it out!

6. Just discovered Dollymoo, a great little line of homemade products. Haven't tried them yet, but this lavender body oil and this muscle butter are both on my list! The lavender oil looks super relaxing and the muscle butter would be perfect for my achy muscles post running. 

7.  Have I mentioned my love of macarons lately? I recently stopped into Kiss my Cake in Huntington and literally died and went to heaven with the flavors I walked out with - that place is unreal. #heaven

8. Recently read The Book Thief (cried like a baby at the end) and currently reading 'And the Mountains Echoed' by Khaled Hosseini, beloved author of The Kite Runner. Both are excellent. What are you reading? 

9. I know I've featured Lush Cosmetics bath bombs on my list previously, but I just bought new ones recently and they are so fun. Butterball, HoneyBee, Phoenix Rising, & Pink Bath Bomb make my top picks on a recent trip!  Check out the limited edition Valentine's Day collection here. Bath time is ME time. At $5-7 a bomb- they aren't cheap, but after a long work week it's nice to treat yourself to a long, luxurious bath. Wine delivery by Mom free of charge. :)

10. Stumbled on Madonna Inn, a landmark resort hotel on the California Coast. At some point in my life, I am going to make it here. Adorable! 

11. Love these cutesy little Sweetheart Cake Pops. 

12. Yes to paper flowers. And yes to this gorgeous dinner party. 

13. Just found this blog and its putting my inner domestic goddess in a tizzy. It's a keeper!

14. Forget Valentine's Day - February 14th is Bombshells Day at Victoria Secret. Visit the collection here. Can't wait to check out the latest scent, Glamour.

15. Disney inspired cocktails for your inner Disney princess. Now this I can get behind. Check it out here.

What are you loving this month?

Until March's addictions surface...

xo,

Sweet or Savory: My 2 Dream Wedding Proposals

To my future husband,

if you're reading my blog right now,

please take notes! 

Every girl dreams of how they will be proposed to one day.

And while that usually falls under

the creative imagination of the proposer...

I'm sure guys reading this wouldn't mind 

a little inspiration when it comes to this sort of thing.

After all, they are hoping for a win.

And so speaking of winning, I give you my first dream proposal.

1) A proposal in Yankee Stadium.

What better place to start your lives together

than a stadium where dreams come true, 

legends are made,

and magic seems to materialize before your very eyes.

Besides, what's one more ring to add to 27?!

Ladies, am I right?

And if I can't have savory, then I'll settle for sweet.

If you know me well, you know I am obsessed with macarons. 

No, not the coconut and chocolate clusters,

those are macaroons!

Macarons are colorfully decorated, light little French pastries

made with almond flour and filled with a variety of flavored cremes.

Please tell me what is not to love about 

these gorgeous little cookies?

I am obsessed with them,

stopping into my favorite Long Island spot 

for them in Huntington, 'Kiss my Cake' 

whenever I feel I've worked out hard enough 

that week to treat myself.

And so - if macarons were to be dreamed up into a proposal

it would look something like this...

Now, if you'll excuse me...

I'm going to go pretend this guy exists.

And if he does,

what the hell is taking so long?

Curious to know how YOU dream about being proposed to -

do you have a favorite romantic spot?

a place where you made a special memory?

or just a way you see it going down?

Please SHARE!

Feel free to leave your own fantasy proposals in the comments.

I would love to hear from you.

xo,

Bucketlist 2014: 25 Things to Do in '15

Here we are...

a new year with new adventures.

My 2015 Bucketlist:

1. Visit the book signing of a favorite author for an autographed copy. [Emily Giffin, The One & Only, Book Revue, Huntington]

2. Run a marathon.

3. Go skydiving.

4. Take a cooking class.

5. Host "Glamazon Weekend" - basically a glamorous sleepover party.

6. Visit the Mall of America.

7. Run at least 6 half marathons. [Update: 4/6 completed: NYC Half, More Women's Half, Nike Women's Half Marathon DC, Brooklyn Half Marathon]

8. Travel to a new continent: Thailand: March 2014

9. Take a photography class.

10. Read 10 new books - including at least one non-fiction, one biography/autobiography, and one classic. [Update: 7/10 completed: Time Traveler's Wife, And the Mountains Echoed, Mockingjay, The Other Bolelyn Girl (biography), The New Rules of Marketing & PR (non-fiction) The Life of Queen Elizabeth I, The One & Only]

11. Pack a picnic and eat in Central Park.

12. Pay off my credit card.

13. See a musical.

14. Go to a concert.

15. Undertake 3 apartment improvements. 

16. Attend a Christian Women's Conference

17. Stay at a cozy/sweet Bed & Breakfast.

18. Discover the man of my dreams - where are you?!

19. Go on a hike.

20. Host a Victoria Secret themed party.

21. Attend a sporting event of a beloved New York team.

22. Have a spa day with my girlfriends.

23. Try a fab new restaurant in NYC.

24. Have a "cultural" day someplace new.

Rollover from 2014:

• Write 5 poems.
• Tackle 10 new recipes (5 meals, 5 desserts) Update: MEALS 5/5 meals completed 1. Short Ribs in Wine and Cream Sauce 2. Red Wine Pasta  3. Goat Cheese Arugula Pizza 4. Homemade Kale Pesto 5. Apple Cinnamon Porkchops DESSERTS 3/5 completed: 1. melting snowman cookies 3. scones  4. Cherry Lemonade Donuts)

I am incredibly blessed and cognizant of the fact I am
just an ordinary girl leading a pretty extraordinary life.

Don't waste life with petty gossip, wanting what others have,
being hateful or wanting to avenge those who have wronged you.
Move forward, forgive, and just keep moving.
Life is so short and we only graze the surface
down here on earth.

Make your days count.
Don't waste one single one...

I look forward to writing and sharing more
adventures with you throughout 2015.
God Bless You...

xo,