It’s 4:30pm on September 23 and I’m just wrapping up another long day of an ecommerce photoshoot in Downtown LA. The tedious work of changing 150+ times in the matter of 8 hours, repeatedly shooting two front shots, two side shots and two back shots of each garment to sell it on online shopping stores had my body and especially my feet aching. Rubbing meticulously on my soles, I open up Gmail to find the top email with subject titled “Modeliste Magazine getaway to Punta Mita Sept 28”. Skimming over the first paragraph, I see that I have a deadline to respond by 6pm, only minutes away. A rush of excitement overcomes me as I visualize my feet stepping into the bluish/green waters of Mexico a mere 4 days away, cocktail in hand and salt kissed hair. But reality creeps in when I look at my schedule next week with already confirmed and committed shoots. On a whim, I reach out to my clients and ask them if there’s any possible way we can push the shoots one week further. Within an hour I have positive responses from them, and at 5:31, I push send- “I’m in.”
Stepping off the plane finally in Mexico gives me a huge wave of excitement. I’m not really the type of person who gets butterflies at the thought of traveling before I arrive because anything could happen, especially during a pandemic. After all, I am the same girl who forgot to have the 2 month window on my passport to travel to Europe, and on the last flight to Greece was turned down at the gate to find myself stuck in Philadelphia for 4 days to get a new one. My true excitement doesn’t hit until I am sitting the car on the way to the hotel in a new destination; then, I get butterflies.
I’ve worked with Modeliste Magazine in the past and my favorite part is meeting the girls. They hand pick women who have clear visions on their brand messaging and public influence. Each girl brings a unique set of qualities that sets them apart, so I knew that although we were strangers right now, in a short 5 days we would all become good friends.
This is what makes me admire the editor-in-chief, Amy McCabe, for having this vision and making it come to life. Seeing ambitious leaders come together to one place and collaborate visions, pitch ideas and explore new parts of the world together is exactly why I felt I was a perfect addition to this trip. Modeliste magazine not only embodies travel, culture, art and fashion but also a community of strong women who are ready to leave their imprint on the world. Amy McCabe approaches these trips with flexibility, an open mind and all of the concept freedom given to creators to flourish in what they do best: create.
Lugging my large, overweight luggage in the humid 95 degree weather to the SUV, I smiled inside to observe all the other girls had the same issue. Each one of us had one large checked bag and a carry-on duffel at an absolute minimum- some had two checked bags for the 5 day vacation. Finally inside the A/C, I sat next to a girl named Sophia and we introduced ourselves to eachother, chit-chatting about the fun week ahead.
One hour later, we pulled into the inviting palm tree entrance of Four Seasons Punta Mita to get our feet sanitized, temperature checked twice and hands sanitized. A bell man carried our bags away and quickly shuffled the group of 11 inside where Don Julio pomegranate froses were awaiting along with a panoramic view of the ocean right in front of us. I already had fallen in love with yet another beach getaway and it hasn’t even begun. Laying down after the welcome dinner, I went to sleep with paradise sweeping me off my feet in dreams and reality.
Naturally drawing to Sophia after we had some nerdy book talk and boy parallels in the car ride, I texted her the following morning asking if she wanted to grab some coffee before an activity filled day. Literally slipping from my bed, into slippers and out the door to meet, I spot Sophia at the entrance and couldn’t believe my eyes. This girl had FULL-ON: a slicked bun without a single fly away, brightly colored romper, ballerina style shoes and large Dior (or were they Chanel I can’t remember) sunglasses to match at 9am. Let me remind you- TO GET COFFEE. In a full 180, standing in front of her was a puffy eyed, messy bun, robe half falling-off, and stunned Libs. We both started cackling so hard, curling over and wiping tears from our face. Well, you can tell who the morning person was the whole trip!
The rest of day one’s energy didn’t stop there. It was filled with content shoots, Tiktoks, and other work activities while balancing it out with tequila. We laid poolside and began the bonding process, getting to know each other detail by detail, shot after shot. But I held back *just a little* bit because the big day was tomorrow, the main reason I said yes to Punta Mita, and the part I was most excited about.
The next morning I slid the curtains open, letting the soft morning light pour onto the walls and my unmade bed. The orange sun creeped it’s way over the morning haze and onto my skin. I sipped on an iced mocha with extra chocolate on the ledge, soaking in every quiet minute. To prep for my editorial, I woke up with plenty of time to get a full gua sha routine in, depuffing my face from the minimal sleep and tequila shots from the previous day. Slowly and carefully, I applied minimal eye shadow, mascara, bb cream and finally lip liner before slipping into my Lorna Jane workout set I had received upon arriving. The schedule was set for:
- 8am 45 minute morning yoga,
- 9am shooting sunrise for my 8 page spread in the November issue of Modeliste,
- 3pm lazy river float with boos.
I was excited.
Yoga was peaceful and passed quickly. Prepared as usual, I had each editorial outfit laid out specifically with jewelry and ironed to a crisp. My vision was already clear: a bright pink bikini for a classic Sports Illustrated style shot lying on a rock, a bright orange casual dress with a sunhat to pair with a martini, a green polka dot skirt set with a bun and a yellow bikini to sit in front of the classic island palms. I wanted my spread to be a collection of me- my effortless style, personalty of different moods and versatility of looks. Each one came to life and ended up better than I’d imagined. The issue can’t come out fast enough and I look forward to seeing each of my specific visions come to fruition! (click here to see me in the magazine!)
Staying in my yellow bikini, I grab some SPF50 SuperGoop sunscreen and head to the lazy river at the far end of the hotel to meet the girls. Upon arriving, work priorities finished, I convinced them it was time to take a shot with me and get the party started. Funny part about being a group of 11 models- anywhere you go, all eyes are on you. So whether we were taking shots, shooting a picture, racing eachother to the closest inner tube or simply laying out, you could feel the eyes. Half the time people just want to know who you are and assume you’re a celebrity, which we laugh off and explain we are just models, or, the other half is judgmental eyes gawking at the fun we’re having. Nonetheless, we act like we don’t notice and smile if eye contact is made.
As soon as the waiter brings our tray of 11 shots, all 11 girls erupt in either “Woooo” or “Here we gos”. Choking down my Hendricks shot, I grab a cucumber mint mojito with no sugar added and head for my tube. Surrounded by the girls, we float our way down, laughing, joking and soaking up every last ray of sun until our cheeks turn rosey. The girls are chanting the Liberty Mutual commercial “Liberty Liberty Liiiiiberty” and as much as I hate it, I smile.
Our week was filled with so much good energy that I wish we could’ve stayed longer. Approaching the last day, the end of the trip is scheduled to have a celebratory private beach piñata party and a 5-course candlelit dinner on the top of a ledge, overlooking the stunning beach views.
Slipping into my green polka dot set and uploading one last “Outfit of the Night” on Instagram stories, I make my way down to turn up one last time. Every girl looked stunning, glowing from a sun kissed week and a touch of Mexico humidity. The beach is littered with palm trees, brightly colored flags, hotel workers in white button downs and smack in the center is a large piñata shaped like a spikey ball. I climbed into the day bed with a clear view and watched as each girl took a turn swinging the multicolored baton into the piñata. We laugh when the man holding it pulls slightly up so when you swing, you miss. it’s my turn and I take my shot, hoping for candy to spill out all over the white sand. I throw a good one and one of the spikes rip off and flies through the air. A good shot, but not enough to break it open. Finally fed up, one of the girls goes to rip it open with her bare hands, exposing the inside and flinging the candy in the air. I pluck a pineapple sucker up, happy with my reward, and make my way to the top of a hill where our dinner will be held.
When I say photos don’t do a justice, I’m not exaggerating. My jaw literally dropped when I made my way up the uneven steps to expose candles on each side, leading my eyes up to a cute tiki style personal bar with workers politely standing behind, and finally a stunning white wooden table placed perfectly overlooking the beach. The table was set with glassware that reflected the setting sun. Each of us looking at eachther with wide eyes, mutually agreeing at it’s picturesque beauty. Finally seated, wine is poured, food is served and many speeches left us giddy. You could feel the gratitude around the table, lucky to be in a perfect place with such amazing women. We went around the table one-by-one to highlight our favorite part of the trip, reminiscing already on memories that have developed and friendships that have flourished.
As soon as the sun disappeared and all that was left was the music playing and ocean waves in the distance, more tequila was poured and the tipsy settled in. We began to dance with eachother, rolling on the floor when “WAP” began to play. Some girls danced on the chairs while others queued their favorite song.
At 10:30, the workers kindly asked if we could take the party to the restaurant so they could tear down. We drunkly slid our heels on and found ourselves downstairs with another round of shots at a high top. Directly in front of us was a live band, singing a mix of American classics and Spanish salsa songs. We couldn’t help but chassé to the front and swing our hips to each strum, twirling eachother between our arms and cha-chaing side-to-side.
Again, we felt the eyes. But nobody cared as we were having the time of our lives, beaming at each song we recognized. Too soon, the time came when the band had to go home, so we did too. But the party didn’t stop there! Cramming ourselves in one room, we turned on music and switched the cha-cha to twerking. We were lucky nobody was sleeping on either side of us because we learned later that the boss could hear us two floors up on the other side of the hotel. Slipping off our heels for the cozy bathrobes and slippers, the night continued with more drinks, chicken tenders and cheese quesadillas. I don’t remember the time we ended up finally going to bed, all I knew was my heart and belly were full.
It’s 7am. I sleepily pack up my suitcase, a little sad it’s over all too soon. Slipping into a black bikini one last time, I make my way to the ocean as a tradition to take a sunrise dip before jetting home. The beach was vacant and peaceful. I took a deep breath in and felt present. Plunging headfirst into the warm salty water, I let the calmness surround me. I feel clear, inspired and happy. This moment reminded me that this opportunity had come within days. I didn’t imagine myself here in this moment or expect it- but it felt right.
The most beautiful things will always come unexpected, unplanned and spontaneous. It’s up to you to take the opportunity and see where life takes you.
