My first Mothers Day

On January 28th, 2015 at 9:02 pm I gave birth to my son West Louis and at 9:04 pm my beautiful daughter Lily Sophia. My life has forever changed for the better and I have never known this kind of  love. It took us quite sometime to become pregnant with heart breakes along the way. So now looking at my twins at the tender age of 3 and a half months makes it that much sweeter. I am a mother, guardian, teacher, friend, caregiver and the list goes on and on! It's a great responsibility, to raise two precious lives. I now sleep with one eye open, if I even sleep and my mind moves a mile a minute thinking constantly of my babies! Being a first time mother is a lot, but being a first time mother with twins is like having dessert after an amazing four course meal!

Many people offered unsolicited advice upon hearing the news of our impending twins. Their eyes would widen and they would roar "TWINS?! Oh, you are in for it, two infants crying, two car seats, two of everything. I wish you luck,wowza" Or something along those incredibly asinine words. Now as a mother of twins, my response is just the opposite. It's the best thing in the world! I finally got pregnant, I have two babies and even better a son and daughter. I am in heaven, I don't know anything other than twins. So in a way my naivety works in my favor. As a wise person told me "double the blessings double the love." There is nothing in the world sweeter than my son and daughter exchanging sweet gurgles and coos with each other.

I am more fulfilled in this chapter of my life. In my twenties I earned my degree, achieved success as a model that afforded me world travel and an independent lifestyle. Then I met my husband and we were married within a year. I was able to enjoy three years as a wife, and now my husband and I are parents together, we are a family. It feels so complete. It is a magnificent time for me as a woman, wife and now drum roll please….. Mommy!

Happy Mothers Day.

"I didn't lose myself when I became a Mother I found myself."~

The sky is the limit for my babies! Photo was taken in our LA home twins were 8.5 weeks old.

West and Lily at 25 days old, this was taken in our home in NYC. Lily came home from NICU at day 22, so this was their reunion photo. She literally hugged her brother it was the best moment captured!

I Loved this moment, my son is such a charmer. Photo taken 8 weeks old in LA.

Following in daddy's footsteps, Go Stanford!

Oh Baby, Baby!

I have a black-belt in shopping! However when it comes to everything baby I was overwhelmed to say the least. I am a step-mom to grown middle schoolers. So newborns are completely foreign territory for me. My big sister came to NYC for the weekend and happily led the way for all things baby. My eyes glazed over with fear at Giggles (the "it" baby store) and she quickly trotted me outside for air. We detoured and ended up at Baltazaar for a fabulous lunch. I am lucky to have such an understanding big sister!

Two weeks later after spending days online researching every baby product and necessity for my twins. I set out again, this time with my husband. My husband is already an amazing father, a native New Yorker and a shrewd financier who would have his eye on the clock as a NY Giants game would be on later. Somehow his resume put me at ease much more than my super mom big sisters. If I fumbled his type A efficiency would kick in and I could skate by. But that was not the case at all, who knew a little thing called Mama Bear would finally emerge from inside of me.

I was armed with my manilla folder full of papers on every product under the sun. But we were on a  mission to do the big ticket items. AKA the Twins nursery, we are having a boy and a girl. We designed the room a beautiful cream with white chandelier and cream and gold curtains. I always envisioned my babies nursery to feel like an elegant sanctuary not a Disneyland ride. We arrived at Albee Baby and began shopping for the next 3 hours and never had to go elsewhere!

Photo Credit: Snap Studios this was taken at 8 weeks, for a gender reveal, only turns out I was having twins boy & girl! #fate

Cribs: 2 cream and gold cribs from Newport Cottages, they fit perfectly into our room scheme and are classic yet simple.

Dresser & Changing table: A Newport Cottages dresser matching in gold and cream from with a cream changing table on top.

Bedding: We are ordering custom from Bebe Chic Company, but still deciding on the twins colors!

Glider: A modern glider detailer togo we ordered it in a light beige color, it's chic and comfortable.

Bassinets: We live in NYC & wanted nothing frilly for the house. But we care about design and wanted bassinets that wouldn't be eye sores. We found the gorgeous Monte Ninna Nonna Bassients, these are perfect for any room in our home.

High Chairs: Finding 2 high chairs that were safe, functional and design savvy was a task. We hit the jackpot with the Mima moon it's so well made and multi functional.

Car Seats: We have a large SUV in NYC & just like LA you are in a car a lot. As a new mom my only concern was safety. I didn't care about looks, style, color. All I desired was the "tank" of carseats for my twins. I found it in the Cybex aton Q currently the highest rated carseat.

Strollers: Strollers for twins living in NYC was a chore. It took us one hour of test driving, lifting, folding & pushing these beasts to narrow it down! We decided on the Stokee Crusi double in charcoal color. It's sleek for narrow city sidewalks, safe, functional and yes looks good! It also has an amazing winter add on packages which is key for NY winters. And I found an amazing double stroller from Icandy in London. It's extremely versatile and top of the line and just perfect for twins.

Blush Fashion Magazine Cover

In 2014 I am starting off my year with a fashion bang! On the cover of "Blush" magazine, a high fashion/lifestyle magazine in Panama. Please enjoy the photos & article as well, if you are fluent in my favorite second language Espanol!

Love,
Kaki

Credits:
Shandrew PR
GEA Photo
Fadil Berisha, photography
Evelyn Ramirez, Makeup
Andrew Hernandez, Hair
Sherri Hill Gowns
Locations: NYC & LA

Kaki West Cover of Blush Magazine

Kaki West Blush Magazine

Kaki West Blush Magazine

Happy 2014

Happy New Year! Out with old in with the New! Let Go & Let God. My 2013 was filled with love, drama, travel, family, fashion & career highs!
I want to take this moment to say Thank you to all of you lovely Blog readers for your support and or curiosity into my little world. I wish you all the very best for 2014. There is nothing as invigorating as a clean slate, a do- over. Take advantage of this new year and if you must look back, take the time to right the wrongs you may have made. The greatest part of life is that we can always start anew, strive to be better.
Forgive and forget, to forgive is to forget. It's Bull-shit to say I forgive you but I don't forget what you did. That in translation means your still holding onto all that negativity & pain.
Take 2014 to let it all wash away, delete your contacts, close the door and dead bolt it if you have too! Grow as big, bright and beautiful as God intended for you, and don't let anyone dull your shine.
Happy 2014, hold your head high and let this be your YEAR!

Love,
Kaki

In the spirit of New Years Eve, with NYC being my hometown & the ball drop at midnight. Please enjoy my photos from 138 water shoot in Times Square.  Click Here & !Here!

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Times Square 

Kaki West Fashion shoot with Celebrity Photographer John Russo

In August I had the model equivalent of playing in the "Superbowl"!  I was lucky enough to shoot with famed photographer John Russo click here to see his work. John is great friends with my extraordinary publicist and the pieces fell into place for our shoot. John is humble, talented & kind. I remember the entire time thinking in my head just breathe. But my nerves were soon put to rest. As the shoot was filled with such ease and warmth. The high fashion photos have been published in several International magazines. It was a magical day, as we said on set it was "Everything"! 

Watch the Behind the Scenes Video here!

Thank you,

John Russo Photographer

Jerry Shandrew PR

Evelyn- Makeup

GEA- Video

Andy- Hair

Masha- Stylist

Ambiance Mexico Magazine

ParisEmag.com 

INmtk Espanol Magazine

Veux Magazine

MIA Magazine

Kaki West by John Russo

Kaki West By John Russo

Kaki West Ambiance Cover by John Russo

Kaki West By John Russo

With the whole crew that's a warp!

Kaki West photo by John Russo

Kaki West by John Russo

Kaki West by John Russo

Bahama Mama

When I was told my shoot would be in the Bahamas. I gasped. I was practically raised in the Bahamas by my avid spear-fisherman father. Which Bahamas? No not the Nassau "Atlantis" resort room service kind of Bahamas but the Green Turtle Cay rent a house with no television or phone, out on the boat all day snorkeling reef to reef. The eat what you catch kind of Bahamas! When I was in high school I had the worst fish food poisoning of my life in these Islands, afterwards the sight of a red lobster commercial made my stomach churn.
The Bahamas are in my blood. It's not fancy, the people are as warm as the sunshine, the water is crystal, and the sand is powdery white. Its always Island Time, and I am always ready for a Bahama Mama. Don't worry be happy. With all this,  my absolute favorite gift that the Bahamas gives is the answer to everything & anything--  a resounding "Yah Mon".

So off I went in June to the remote Island of Exuma, with photographer Raquel Rischard , hair/makeup maven  Becca Janian & producer Zach . 3 fun filled days of shooting, weather, drama, sand, boats, Island time and Island hopping. We obsessed over the Vine app which as i write this has already been replaced by Instagram video.
See Video click HERE & HERE!

I am blessed to have worked with such a wonderful team. Lately "gratitude" has become a huge mantra of mine.  I am thankful for the triumphs and the missteps in my life, Namaste.

Bahamas Credits:

Grand Isle Resort, Exuma Bahamas
Photographer, Raquel Rischard
MUA, Becca Janian
Producer & Kalik expert, Zack Solof
My SLS- I don't tell you enough, how lucky I am to be your wife.

Photos Published in:
FHM Philippines Click Here
Guyism.com Click Here
CKM Poland  Click Here


"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."

FHM,  The background was so perfect it looks fake!

Guyism.com 

CKM Poland 

Last shot of the entire shoot & its my favorite. Kaki West by Raquel Riscahrd

Beautiful Exuma, Bahamas, Jet Setter,  photographer Raquel Rischard & MUA Becca Janian

Fun in the Sand Behind the scenes shot

Lying down on the mist beautiful sand bar. Kaki West by Raquel Rischard

Collage of some of the Published shots

Kaki West FHM

Entertaim.net Feature

Happy Fall  friends. New article in Entertaim.net.  Thank you to photographer Eric GEA for the great photos. Big kisses to my glamour team of Evelyn & Andy. Enjoy my interview, as I hint of new ventures coming soon.

Love,
Kaki

 Kaki West photo by GEA 9/2013

 Kaki West photo by GEA 9/2013

Photo-Shoot June 2013

 In June I had the pleasure of shooting with talented photographer Ryan Astamendi. I first shot with Ryan in May of 2012 see the blog and photos here.  To contact Ryan click here! 

History repeated itself with the outcome of excellent photos, a laid back atmosphere and a  ton of laughs.  I was fortunate to have my amazing makeup artist Evelyn Ramirez glam me. To contact Evelyn click here! The hairstylist, Andy, gave me soft bouncy hair that I fell in love with immediately. To contact Andy click here! 

I would also like to thank them for participating in my directorial debut of  "YOLO", watch here!  Enjoy the funny video, behind the scenes candids & of course the final photos.

 "The photograph isn't good enough. It's not real enough."

-David Hockney 

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West by Ryan Astamendi 2013

 Kaki West & photographer Ryan Astamendi

 Behind the Scenes Candid