Good news is the word of the day

Good news is the word of the day!  SFD Couture (which I co-own) made its first significant sale yesterday which means we now have capital coming in to keep ourselves afloat and now we concentrate on really developing and expanding the brand.  I cannot tell you how happy I am because we literally put our hearts and souls, not to mention all our money into this dream; and, to get a sale is like getting an endorsement that yes we ARE good and yes we DO know what we are doing!  It’s a great feeling!

I’d also like to give a shout out to a fellow writer on Examiner.com.  TR Threston has been nominated to several Who’s Who companies by none other than Donna McFarland — a well known and respected editor.  TR Threston also broke into the top 100 influential New Yorkers on wefollow.com.  It is my understanding she also has job offers from two major news companies, and, her KIVA team has met and is now exceeding its 2012 goals.  You go girl!

I’d also like to give a shout out to social media guru Jeff Cotrupe.  Thanks for following me Jeff and please keep in touch!  You find out more about Jeff on his website:  http://www.marketpowerllc.com/

Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to my BFF Elena and her husband Paul.  Both have been under the weather with terrible colds the past few days.  Hope you’re feeling better guys!

Yes, it is a good news day 🙂

It’s the end of the year? ALREADY?!?

Geez, I hate to sound like an 80 year old, but, where did the time go?  This year absolutely flew by — I can’t believe Christmas is this weekend!!  Fortunately, I’m done shopping, my family is flying to NYC to see and my future hubby, and, the only thing I have to do is get the apartment  “Mom Inspection” clean, and, of course, start cooking for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I’m also thrilled that my KIVA team is just $50 of hitting our 2011 goal.  Ok, sure I did aim low this year because I formed the team so late in the year — it was almost July, nonetheless, at least we’re going to make the goal that I set so that is  wonderful all in itself.  It also makes the holiday season matter that much more — for the first time in my life I feel like I’m actually doing something real to help others who just need a helping hand up.  (And, KIVA allows people do just that – it’s a wonderful organization, and, I am proud to be part of it!)  If the giving mood happens to strike you while you’re reading this take a moment to join my team and donate to my team’s goal.  Here is the link:  http://www.kiva.org/team/rosegoodhallteamfashion  and hey that’s kind of neat… I just saw that I have 57 “recommends” for Facebook on my Kiva page — thanks for your support guys!!

As far as wedding news…  Well, I had a bit of a heartbreak today… No, no, it isn’t what you’re probably thinking.  Gary and I are still very much “on”.  No, this heartache is all due a wedding venue that I didn’t know was available until today…

It seems that Cunard is now offering weddings at sea… My heart dropped when I read this article this morning:  http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1YPBrR

If I had only known sooner…

And, so with that my dear friends, family, fans and readers, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season, and, may all your dreams come true for you in 2012.  I thank each and everyone of you for being in my life – I love you all!

Happy Holidays!

 

Give a man a fish…

I’ve been feeling pretty good all day, but, I’m now I’m feeling GREAT!  I just signed into my Kiva.org Team and found out we’re 65% to achieving our fund raising for the year!

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world.

It’s all very cool!  If you’d like to join my Kiva.org team simply click the following link:  http://www.kiva.org/team/rosegoodhallteamfashion

Well… back to work for me…

Rainy Sunday

Yes, I’m here and I’m alive and kicking.  It’s a rainy day on Sunday, August 14, 2011 and I do mean raining!  Some places on Long Island had over 10 inches of rain… Just imagine if it was snow…..

Check out a photo that I took today, this should give you an idea of how wet it is out there…

Rainy Sunday in NYC

Anyhow, lots going on —

I’ve been working non-stop… Modeling that is…

Doing my best to keep up writing for Examiner.com — are you following my column? http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-new-york/rose-goodhall

I’m half-way to my Kiva.org goal which is to raise $500 by the end of the year.  I think we’re going to hit that goal way ahead of schedule.  Join my Kiva Team here:   http://www.kiva.org/team/rosegoodhallteamfashion

And, of course, getting ready for that little thing known as my wedding to Gary in May, 2012.

Like I said, I’ve been kind of busy, but, I will do my best to blog more regularly again.

Until next time…

 

 

Wedding plans underway

One of my very close friends, Tony, asked me if there are more wedding plans to reveal, and, I told him “yes” but that I won’t reveal them until next week.  I’m a bit superstitious (as silly as it is) about telling anything until I am absolutely certain it is concrete.

I don’t want to say “Hey, we booked such and such for the wedding reception” only to have it fall through because someone booked our date first!  But, yes, things are well under way for the Rose and Gary wedding in 2012.

One of the hardest projects has been selecting bridesmaid dresses.  I know I’ve been in my fair share of weddings, and, I don’t care what the bride thinks — there isn’t anyway I’ll ever wear ANY of the bridesmaids I ever bought.  I’m not as bad as Katherine Heigl in “27 Dresses“, but, I do have a number of dresses that I probably should just pack up and give to Goodwill.  It is something I’ll have to make a point of doing when I get home to Chicago.  My Mom has been after me forever to do that…

Anyhow, getting back to the wedding plans… Here’s what I will tell you so far…

• Since we’re both Roman Catholic, of course, our wedding will be a Roman Catholic ceremony
• For a lot of different reasons including having family all over the world, we’re having the wedding and reception in NYC — specifically Manhattan
• The wedding will be in 2012
• Gary’s best man is his brother John, my maid of honor is my best friend in NYC Elena

And that’s all I’m telling for you, so if you’re interested… You’ll just have to keep reading to find out the rest of the information!  Yes, I know… I’m a stinker!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Two weeks until my Christmas cruise

This year has been a blur, but, a very good blur, and, as I get ready for a much needed and well deserved vacation with my family, I’m taking this time to reflect.  In 2010, I moved to NYC to begin my modeling career.  I made some new absolutely terrific friends who I know will be my friends for a lifetime.  I met and am dating a great guy.  Yep, 2010 has been a very good year!

For those (very) few of you who actual bother to read this blog, and, wait for my next post.  I thank you for your loyalty and your readership.  I’d also like to give a shout out to some friends – some are true friends and others are online friends.  If I miss you, it isn’t intentional – and note I am not using your last names to protect your privacy.  So here we go…

From Facebook…

I’d like to give shouts out to:

• Vernon, Thanks for being so supportive and watching over me!
• Tom, Thank you for being so nice to me!
• David, Thanks for messaging me.  I’ve enjoyed our email chats about films and the entertainment industry!

From Travel Writers Association

• Tina, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Board of Directors.  I wish you the best in 2011, I know 2010 has been a very bad year for you.  You have my continued prayers for your Father’s health.  I am eager to work together in 2011 including our clothing drive for Dress for Success.

From LinkedIn

• Bruce, Thanks for asking me to join your group!  You’re awesome!

From the modeling world

• Valerie, Thank you for pursuing me and convincing me to give modeling a try! (Not mention getting me to move to NYC!!)
• Susan, Thank you for being my mentor!  I value everything you’ve taught me and I hope we remain friends for a lifetime.
• Marilyn, Thank you for helping show me the ropes of the modeling world!
• Jacqueline, Thank you for your kind help!

To my friends:

• Jill, Thanks for reconnecting,  I’ve missed all of you and I’m so glad to have you back in my life.
• Elena, Thank you for becoming my first true friend in NYC and for introducing me to Gary!
• Carrie, Thank you for being so nice and easy going.  You’re terrific and I know one day soon, Mr. Right is going to enter your life.
• Paul, Thank you for inviting me to Australia for yours and Elena’s wedding.  I can’t wait!

To my special someone

• You know who you are and you know why I love you.  I won’t go into details because this is neither the time or place for it, but, I did have to let the world know I have one terrific guy and I am so grateful to have you in my life!

And to everyone else thank  you for your readership, thank you for helping my modeling career take off, thank you for reading my Examiner.com column and thank you for your loyalty.

The new two weeks are going to be a bit crazy for me as I wrap up the year, but, I will try to post one or two more times before I leave on vacation.  If I am not able to post – I wish each of you reading this post a very happy and healthy holiday season and I wish the very best for each and everyone one of you in 2011.

Happy Holidays!

Starting the holidays off with a kick…

It’s date night, and, I’m ready a bit early so I have time to write a bit.  We’re starting off the holidays a little early and with a kick… Have you figured out where we’re heading tonight?

If you guessed Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular, you’d be right!

Radio City Christmas Show 2010

And this is just one of the many reasons the guy I started dating a few weeks ago is so perfect for me.  Like me, he’s a big kid at heart, and, he doesn’t feel silly or awkward taking me to the show.

We are cramming as much as we can into this weekend, because, I’m heading home to Chicago next weekend, and, unfortunately my boyfriend has commitments to his family in NYC.  Christmas will be another tough holiday to get through – I’m going on a holiday cruise with my family that we had booked for awhile now.  However, I am confident this isn’t going to shake our relationship nor do I believe either of us will lose any interest over this time.

It has been a refreshing change to date a normal guy who is confident in himself, AND, who actually trusts me.  It often boggles my mind why guys ALWAYS seem to think girls are cheating on them.  In my personal experience, it’s been the other way around.

But, I digress… I am looking forward to tonight.  We’re going to dinner after the show, and, I’m looking forward to that as well…  Kind of wish I knew where we’re going – it’s a surprise, but, it makes it hard to know how to dress.  So I’m going with a classic black dress and simple jewelry, no matter where we end up, I should be fine.

I’d also like to send a show out to Tina Smith – Happy Birthday Tina! 🙂  And many more to come!  Looking forward to working with you on the clothing drive in January, 2011.

Have a great Saturday evening everyone!

Guess where I am…

Imagine beautiful rolling hills, houses (or I should say mansions) so large they look like hotels, and, lawns that are perfectly groomed as if each blade was hand cut with scissors.

Check out this house, and, yes it is a house, NOT a hotel!

Or if that one isn’t exactly your taste, check out this one…

And the price on the house above?  If you have a spare $3.1 million it’s yours!

Ok, now I’m going to start to give you some hints to where I am today.  I’m in an area that is close to New York City.  No, I’m not on Long Island.  Guess again…

Here’s a hint.  This “modest” little home once belonged to the King of Morroco and is now owned by Sir Richard Branson.

 

This home was once owned by the King of Morroco, and, is now owned by Sir Richard Branson

Still don’t know where I am?  Ok, one last hint, and, this is a BIG hint.  I’m NOT in Connecticut, and, I am blogging live from the Far Hills Races.

 

Far Hills Races

Give up?  I’m in New Jersey!  Yes, really!

Like many of you, I was shocked to find out just how beautiful New Jersey is – and how in the world an area so beautiful got such a rotten reputation is beyond me!  Let’s face it, every state has it’s not so pretty areas – including my home state of Illinois.  And, I’m no hayseed either, I grew up in one of the most affluent areas of  suburban Chicago!  But, this area known as “The Somerset Hills” is taking my breath away.

Beautiful mountains, estates with horses lazily grazing in the pastures, it feels like a throw back to the Gilded Age.  In fact, the area is actually steeped in history.  George Washington was all through this area during the Revolutionary War, and, I was able to see some soldiers huts that were used in Jockey Hollow National Park today.   I also learned that Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown, NJ are close to where I am today, but, unfortunately I wasn’t able to see it.

**Note to self – make a point to go to Morristown, NJ.

And, to top it off, I am finishing off my work day by attending one of “the” social events of the year.  The Far Hills Races.  This race has a long history, and, the best part is that the money earned today goes to the local hospital.

It’s been quite a day, and, not only did I work, I learned a lot about New Jersey, and, found a new respect for this state, its history, and, its residents.

Yep.  Today has been a very good day indeed 🙂

Off to the races – literally!