Style: Sarah's first fashion show

It wouldn’t be wrong to say Sarah Rosandick’s style

made a big debut at her first fashion show.

All too often, the fashion industry is criticized for its tiny sizes and toothpick-thin models, which constantly reinforce endless weight and image battles for women of all ages.

But fashion student Sarah, a close friend of mine, was recently presented with an unique opportunity to prove her talent beyond the fashion norms.

It was an annual special fashion show held for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). Sarah won a $1,000 scholarship for the featured student slot. And it was her first fashion show. Ever.

Here are some photos of model Jessica in Sarah's creation on the runway.

The NAAFA competition provided the ideal challenge – designing more than a stylish outfit that would fit a stick-figured woman. The best pieces in the show creatively used layers.

“All women deserve to look and feel beautiful, and express themselves through fashion in a variety of styles to suit their unique personality,” Sarah said as she presented the plus-sized outfit she designed.

Sarah (top left) is finishing up her studies at the Fashion Institute in Design and Marketing (FIDM) in LA.

The Curvy Fashionista Blogger Marie Denee (pictured above in the blue dress) emceed the event. Sarah's model, Jessica (pictured above at far right with Sarah), said she would definitely buy the coat Sarah designed.

Sarah's family (at right) flew from Boise, Idaho to San Francisco for the show.

Bravo, Sarah. The NAAFA is excited to see your career as it blossoms, and so am I.

Travel: Japan favorites

A few favorites from a March Japan trip

Trying to take a jump photo

Tokyo tower

Kyoto steps

Style + Travel: Jump photo evolution #4 - Venice Beach series

On our way to jump photo success

Photos taken at Venice Beach, California. October 2009.

Family + Music: Sammy sings 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'

My brother Sam, who has autism, singing at our grandmother's funeral last April.

Travel: Road Trip #3 - Trail of the Molten Land

Final (and very delayed) post from our Oregon road trip.

Visiting lava lands - the Trail of the Molten Land

Travel: Road Trip #2 - Smith Rock, Oregon

Exploring Smith Rock State Park

July 24, 2010

Hiking up "Misery Ridge" trail. Yep, that's its name.

It's not that long of a hike, but you gain just under 1,000 feet in elevation.

Brutal, but pretty views pay off.

Monkey Face. Three people in our group climbed it.

Apparently it's a relatively easy climb (5.7),

just a little intimidating because it's a 350-foot spire.

But for me, just making it up Misery Ridge without

fainting was enough of an accomplishment.

More shots of Monkey Face.

The below one is the angle where you can actually see the head of a monkey.

When you zoom in, you can see my three friends around the monkey's neck.

Travel: Road Trip #1 - Driving to Oregon

We drove eight hours from Marin to Bend, Oregon.

Thankfully, the trip was well worth it.

Some images from the drive:

Mount Shasta

Approaching a storm.

From here, it didn't look like the kind of storm with

giant stick-to-the-road hail and thick fog.

It was intense.

Mount Shasta as we emerged from the storm.

More photos from the trip to come.