Travel + Leisure: Gorges du Verdon by Loïc Lagarde

Location: Gorges du Verdon

Photographer: Loïc Lagarde (@loic.lagarde)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel + Leisure (@travelandleisure)

 

Maria Checa

Acting Appreciation 

When I was a senior in high school, I subscribed to Playboy Magazine. I'm not sure if I sent in a check or if I used my dad's credit card, unbeknownst to him. 

Since I still lived with my parents, I would rush home everyday to check the mail for my magazine. Sometimes I wasn't so luck to grab the mail before mom. I'm sure I lost a few magazines due to her arriving home earlier than me. 

Anyway, there was one month I remember vividly because it featured Carol Shaya on the cover and Maria Checa, a stunning brunette, as centerfold Playmate of the Month. 

Maria Checa was born on July 29, 1970 in Bogotá, Colombia. She moved to Florida with her family as a child. She attended the New World School of Arts, a high school for artistically gifted teens. Around that time, she began a modeling career at the age of 15.  

After graduating high school, she attended Maryland Institute College of Art. Finances forced her to return to Miami, where she became a makeup artist for photo shoots as well as a model. 

At the time, what caught my attention was reading Checa's data sheet. She's an artist. Checa is a self-proclaimed visual artist, with interest in black and white photography, painting, charcoal sketching, sculpting, and mixed media art.   

She was my ideal mate. Her turn-ons and turnoffs matched mine. She liked romantic candlelight dinners overseeing the ocean at sunset, and hated dishonest people and those who are late. Plus, she's petite, 5'2". 

Soon after being featured in the January 1994 Playboy 40th Anniversary edition, she grew in popularity. She posed for several Playboy special edition publications and appeared in many Playboy videos. 

As a model, Checa has appeared in numerous magazines and worked for major fashion brands. She acted in the films Seven Coffees on a Week and From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money. 

by Rodney Ray (@rrayimages)

by Miguel Herrera (@miguelherreraphoto)

By Richard Fegley

Sources:

IMDB

Roll On Colombia, PLAYBOY, August 1994, pg. 94-101

https://www.allmovie.com/artist/maria-checa-p534290

https://www.instagram.com/mariacheca01/

https://www.instagram.com/rrayimages/

https://mypmates.club/1994/Miss-August/Maria-Checa

https://www.morazzia.com/maria-checa-05.html

https://www.playboymagaustralia.com/?p=1130

Freya Mayer

Acting Appreciation

Like many, I found myself alone during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. My evenings were spent surfing certain website like P*rnhub. 

In one of those occasions, I discovered the beautiful and seductive adult film actress Freya Mayer. The 5'5" beauty was born on July 28, 2000 in the Russian Federation. She is best recognized for her blonde hair, stunning blue eyes, and beautiful smile.

Freya is known for her captivating presence and versatile performances starring in over 80 films, posing in over 150 covers and 60 photosets, as of summer 2024.

Sources: 

https://www.babepedia.com/babe/Freya_Mayer

https://pics-x.com/pornstar/65585/freya-mayer

Cosplay is an Art: YETICON 2024

via Justin Pineda Media 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Abercrombie & Fitch | Summer Fall 2024

Abercrombie & Fitch is back. Well, at least that's what was discussed on a recent Vox podcast interview with Fast Company staff writer Elizabeth Segran. 

Back in '99, Abercrombie & Fitch was the go-to brand for cool teens, but things went south fast due to some seriously problematic behavior. They got slammed for being racist and super exclusive, and by 2016, they were dubbed the most hated retailer. Ouch!

But in 2019, Abercrombie started a low-key comeback, rebranding with a fresh focus on inclusivity. They ditched the old hyper-sexualized vibe, brought in diverse models, expanded their sizes, and introduced sleek, everyday styles perfect for young adults. Instead of a big flashy relaunch, they teamed up with social media influencers to spread the word.

And guess what? It worked! Abercrombie turned things around in a huge way. By 2023, they were the top-performing stock on the S&P index. Now, Abercrombie's back in the game, proving that even the most controversial brands can reinvent themselves with the right moves.

Abercrombie & Fitch | Summer Fall 2024 

via Abercrombie & Fitch

 

Sources:

https://www.thecut.com/article/abercrombie-wedding-guest-dresses-bridesmaids.html

https://megaphone.link/VMP9428824883

Justice Howard

Photography Appreciation

Justice Howard, born on July 25, 1960, in San Francisco, California, is a prominent American photographer known for her evocative and bold imagery. 

Justice's career began with a focus on fetish photography, a niche that was widely recognized at the time. Her work quickly gained attention for its unique style and daring subject matter, leading her to expand into other genres, including erotica, pin-up, and celebrity portraits. She cites Helmut Newton, Robert Mapplethorpe and Mark Seliger as major influences on her artistic approach.

Among Justice's most notable works are her final photographs of country musician Waylon Jennings, taken just months before his death in 2002. This shoot was arranged by Sonny Barger, the former president of the Hells Angels, who was a mutual friend of both Howard and Jennings. Another significant project includes her "Lady Ink" calendar, which showcases tattooed women and has been described as having a "downtown edge."

Justice's work has been widely exhibited, including in over 60 gallery shows and multiple museum displays. She once even choreographed a Las Vegas show winning Best Number in Show after opening night review. 

Mi Vida Loca 

Waylon Jennings (2002)

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Howard

https://www.celebsagewiki.com/justice-howard

http://justicehoward.com/

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Bianca Exciana - Dragon Ballz Android 18

@bianca_exciana