So I’ve been in NYC for the past five weeks now, time has gone so quickly! I feel like there’s so much more to do here. Things to see, people to meet, shoots to create.. there’s not enough time!

I have completed a fair few shoots in my time here, including a shoot for LUSH magazine in collaboration with photographer Hannah Khymych, a 50′s inspired shoot for Content Mode (by amazing stylist Deborah Ferguson) as well as a number of tests to add to my retouching list! I am also shooting a dark beauty story for Masquerade Magazine on Thursday – I have an amazing team involved so it should turn out great. I also have plans for more personal projects and more editorial tests while I’m out here. I have met so many amazing creative contacts during my time I want to make sure I get to work with them at least twice. I celebrated my twenty first birthday out here out at Juliet’s and partied till the early morning.. here’s some pictoral evidence.

My personal time here has also unfolded nicely – meeting a special new person in my life and friends that are there for me no matter what including the wonderfully amazing Ros (“Ros’ll fix it”) – I love you! I am going to miss you all when I eventually leave but I know for sure I will be back soon. Below is me and my boy James, he’s going to hate me for posting these..

I was also in Florida recently – mainly for a court trial most of you will probably be familiar with. If you want to read up on what happened during the trial please see here: http://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2010/07/27/update-lara-jade-coton-gets-her-day-in-court/ The whole situation is still far from over but it was a step in the right direction.

Florida wasn’t all about trials though – I stayed with the wonderful Kugler family (Brad & Gina and their kids) in Palm Harbour – they are so welcoming and I had a great time with them. I also met a few people during my stay here which ended up folding out into shoots and regular trips to the local drive thru starbucks (which I thought was a fantastic idea since we don’t have them in the UK!). I also went to a Warped Tour over in St Petersburg – great to meet a few familar faces including the talented Mr Gage Young despite the rainstorm that day!

So my trip isn’t over JUST yet. I have to fly back to London on Thursday to shoot a pitch for an ad campaign (can’t disclose details just yet!) and then I fly back to NYC Sunday before jetting off to Charlottetown, Canada to shoot a wedding for a client on Monday. Yes, you could say I’m pretty busy but hey – what is life if it isn’t worth living for?