+ What size are you?

I wear a size 18w in most brands, but I usually check the size guide as all brands run a little differently. I have a 42in waist and 52in hip. I'm a little under 5'8 and I have a size 10 shoe.

+ How did you become a plus-size model?

My plus size modeling career all started 15 years ago at the Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, NJ. I was walking by a Torrid with my mom and there were dozens of girls packed inside the tiny store. Torrid was hosting a model search with Seventeen Magazine and my mom convinced me to enter the contest. I was so nervous that I tried to convince my mom to let us leave, but we stayed and I ended up winning! I was seventeen years old and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but that day changed everything.

I signed with my first modeling agency when I turned twenty years old. I found an email on their website after simply googling "plus size model agency," and just went for it. The last decade + has been full of ups and downs and it’s taken me a long time and a lot of rejection to truly get my foot in the door.

+ Where are your favorite places to shop online?

Reformation, Asos, Anthropologie, Loft, Warp & Weft, Madewell, Nordstrom, and Eloquii.

+ I'm going to NYC - where should I shop??

First, make sure to stop by the Eloquii store in Soho and while you're down there check out the Veronica Beard store and the Universal Standard showroom as well. You can also check out Lafayette 148. Head uptown and check out Rue 107, Christian Siriano at The Curated NYC, or the Marina Rinaldi store. We also have Loft in Times Square and Anthropologie in Rockefeller center. Our new Nordstrom flagship has some options, as well as Macy's in herald square- go straight to the 7th floor! If you decide you want to venture into the other boroughs you MUST check out Plus Bklyn- thank me later!

+ Did you go to college?

Yes, I did! I studied Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, a tiny liberal arts school in NJ. I wasn't the best student, but I had fun, made some incredible friends, and really found myself. Took me a while to pay back those student loans though, but it was worth it.

+ How do I become a model?

First, everyone's path is different so I can only really share my own journey. The most important thing is you have to realize being a model is a career- it takes time, energy, and investing to see success. It took me nearly 5 years before I could quit my part time job and could live off the money I was making modeling. My suggestion to you is start by taking a simple picture of yourself. This is called a digital. Wear light makeup, jeans, and a fitted top. Shoot it on a simple background and send it to all the local agencies near you. Maybe someone will bite or maybe they won't, but it's up to you to keep pushing forward. Take every opportunity you can to have your photo taken so you're constantly learning. Keep putting yourself out there, network, build your social media and eventually the right eyes will see you and give you a chance. Good luck!

+ How do you become confident?

A big thing that helped me when I was younger was looking at images of women who looked like me. Who had arms like mine, back rolls like mine, boobs like mine. Seeing those pictures made me feel less alone and "different" in my body. Instagram can be incredibly great for our self esteems if we allow it. Fill it with images of people you can relate to. It'll change your world! Sign up for my emails! Every Monday I share women I love following on Instagram just for that reason.

+ Who takes your pictures?

I'm incredibly lucky to have a partner who's a professional photographer. If it's not him it's usually a friend I'm hanging out with. I try to really focus on posting in real time. If it’s not real time or a paid post then it’s most likely just a professional photo from a modeling job.

+ What's your policy on working with brands?

When it comes to brand partnerships for my social media platform- I'm extremely picky. I'd say I take on about 10% of the pitch emails I receive. I am very sensitive to who I work with. It has to make sense for my brand (plus size fashion, grandma aesthetic, comfort > everything) and I also need to genuinely love the product I’m promoting. I mostly work with clothing brands that carry plus sizes or are starting to. If it's not a clothing brand- I think long and hard if it's something I think you'll genuinely be curious about.

+ Do you use affiliate links?

Yes and I try to link everything I feature or talk about. If I've linked something on this page or on my Instagram it is most likely attached to an affiliate link. What does that mean? It means the brand is paying me a very small commission on that item sold. It only works if you check out through the link I provided. Meaning if you open in a new tab- I will lose the commission. Not a big deal though! Just love being able to make it an easy shopping experience for you. The small commission is just a tiny bonus!