Hold the Glamour

I am a full-figure model and working mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I am a Leo. I am a first-generation Aussie and mother to two amazing little native New Yorkers. I believe that fashion is important—but so is real life. I believe that all women are beautiful and strong. I believe in working hard and loving harder. I believe in eating delicious food and drink with close friends, in breathing deep the air of new places, in laughing until you cry. I believe that when our bodies and minds are healthy and balanced, anything is possible.

Category: News

January 22, 2015

Body Confidence

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are calmly and slowly easing in to 2015.

This year has been bright and busy for me personally and for that I am most grateful and thankful.

Today, in The Australian Women’s Weekly (AWW is a monthly publication), my Body Confidence editorial came out. I love the six-page story which features four other gorgeous curvy girls and myself naked.

Body Confidence -- as featured in The Australian Women's Weekly

Body Confidence — as featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly

It was the first time I stripped down to my skin for a shoot and it was liberating, thrilling and a little frightening at the same time. My agent assured me AWW wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t beautiful or respectful.

I was so happy and excited to be a part of the Body Issue and the result of our photo series which was inspired by the Renaissance artists speaks for itself.

Get yourself a copy or see it online.

Thank you AWW for understanding, accepting and promoting that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. I am a fan.

L.
xoxo

2 Comments
December 23, 2014

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2015!

With only days left before this year ends and another one begins, I start to marvel at how fast time flies and how much my children have grown, comparing this year’s Santa photo to last year’s.

What a year 2014 has been — the global events that have shaped and changed our world forever and etched themselves into history. There are so many wonderful things to be grateful and thankful for and then for some, unfortunately there isn’t.

During my last week of work for 2014, a man took innocent people hostage in a Sydney cafe — what a time, what an outcome and what an amazing city — it’s just one of so many events that occurred this year, both good and bad.

To all those who are lost, hurt, suffering and mourning at this time, my heart goes out to you.

I have some behind-the-scene shots of the autumn catalogue I shot for Modern Curve which happens to be one of my last shoots for 2014.

Hair and make-up final touches

Hair and make-up final touches by Annette McKenzie

One of my favourite looks on the monitor

One of my favourite looks on the monitor

Little Black Dress alert

Little Black Dress alert

The spectacular Hamptons style location house

The spectacular Hamptons style location house

Waiting for the thumbs up to start shooting

Waiting for the thumbs up to start shooting

The fabulous pool area of our location house

The fabulous pool area of our location house

I love the interiors of our location house

I love the interiors of our location house

What are your plans for the holidays?

What are you looking forward to?

What are you most grateful for?

Who will you be spending this special time with?

I truly wish you and yours all the very best over the holidays and festive season. I look forward to seeing you in 2015!

From my family to yours,

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment
December 9, 2014

Fashion for mums

I know it’s been awhile since my last post however, times have been a little crazy to say the least and I’ve been posting lots of Instagram images so be sure to take a look if you haven’t already — as they say, a pictures worth a thousand words.

One of the many projects I’ve been involved in of late is Dijanna Mulhearn’s second book titled, ‘Wardbrobe 101 for mums’. It’s a fashion book for mums in particular and it’s been selling like hot-cakes since the launch three weeks ago.

There are pictures of real-life mums like myself with their children in an easy to understand format, for time-poor mothers who want to look good easily and quickly.

The image below is featured in Dijanna’s gorgeous book.

My angels and me as featured in 'Wardrobe 101 for mums' book

A candid moment — my angels and I as featured in ‘Wardrobe 101 for mums’

The media have been very kind to Dijanna Mulhearn and so they should be — it’s a beautiful book that teaches women to look fabulous with a few simple steps and a proven ‘style’ formula. Dijanna breaks it all down for us step-by-step.

This Thursday morning on Studio 10 (Channel 10) in Australia, I will be one of the three mums showcasing Dijanna’s style tips — please see below for more details. We expect to be on air at 9.50am EST in Sydney, Australia.

I hope you can tune in — it’ll be worth it!

www.wardrobe101.com.au

Watch Dijanna make sense of fashion for mums live this Thursday

Watch Dijanna Mulhearn make sense of fashion for mums, live this Thursday

Leave a comment
October 23, 2014

Love your curves!

I have a new fashion editorial out this week in Australia’s New Idea magazine — it’s a spring fashion spread for women with gorgeous curves. I love it!

I also love the fabulous colours and prints on the pages below and was so excited to wear these beautiful, comfortable, flattering and fashionable outfits.

The photographer, David Gubert and Fashion Director, Julie Russell are simply, a phenomenal team. The very talented Craig Beaglehole had me in the hair and make-up chair, weaving his beauty magic.

Thank you New Idea for the opportunity to showcase fashion for the average-sized woman. I am thrilled curvy women have so many options and choices in fashion, now more than ever.

What are you getting excited for in spring fashion in the Southern Hemisphere and fall fashion in the Northern?

What are your favourite colour palettes this season? What about prints?

How do your feel about your curves and fashion — regardless of your size?

Love your curves ladies!

Be well.

L.

xoxo

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

Love your curves - New Idea magazine

Love your curves – New Idea magazine

2 Comments
September 20, 2014

Juggling work, travel and family life

I cannot believe how busy I have been these last few months with work, travel and family life. It really is a juggle most of the time as a working mother and a struggle some of the time coordinating all the sectors of my life and career, let alone my husband’s.

My time has been split between the US, Europe and Australia of late. My body has been in so many planes and times zones — I sometimes wake up and am not sure where I am.

My latest shoot in Sydney, Australia for Ezibuy provided some fun and happy behind-the-scene shots I’d like to share with you. Please see below…

Sydney - Behind-the-scenes of the recent High Summer Ezibuy shoot

Behind-the-scenes of the recent high summer Ezibuy shoot

Sydney - did someone say something funny?

Did someone say something funny?

At Mondo Studio Sydney shooting Ezibuy

At Mondo Studio, Sydney shooting for Ezibuy

Checking the monitor --wearing a maxi dress

Checking the monitor — wearing a maxi dress

A multi-coloured maxi dress ready for high summer

A multi-coloured maxi dress ready for high summer fun

A hot pink number on the monitor

A hot pink number on the monitor

Happy days shooting the cover try for High Summer in studio

Happy days shooting the cover try for the catalogue in studio

Juli Balla and Craig Beaglehole on hand to make sure all is in order

Juli Balla and Craig Beaglehole on hand to make sure all is in order

The amazing photographer, Juli Balla and I -- in-between a cover try or two

The amazing photographer, Juli Balla and I — in-between a cover try or two

Our Rosebay location house

Our Rosebay location house

In Sydney city on some amazing balcony

In Sydney city on some amazing balcony

How do you make it work with family, life & career?

What strategies help your family survive and cope with all the juggling?

Be well till next time.

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment
August 22, 2014

And the winner is Melbourne — the world’s most livable city!

For the fourth year in a row, Melbourne wins the honour and title of the world’s most livable city. Congratulations Melbourne!

For the past 20 years I have been a frequent traveler and visitor to Melbourne not only for work but for pleasure as well.

My husband was born in Melbourne so we have always seen the family and had great friends to visit.

Melbourne has fashion, food, sport and a fabulous cosmopolitan lifestyle to offer. I simply love it and feel very comfortable in it.

I can certainly see and notice the difference in growth, development and expansion Melbourne has gone though as I’ve recently started working in the city again.

So can someone tell me — what then is with the attitude of some of the cab drivers of the world’s most livable city?

Just the other day, the cab driver who picked me up from my hotel was not impressed I wasn’t travelling far enough than the $10 fare I was going to pay him. He hissed and fussed. I wasn’t happy.

One of the models I work with in Melbourne refuses to use the regular taxi service companies for the same reason and books all her transport through Uber.

What do you think of the Melbourne cab drivers?

Is there another city in the world that has a bad rap for its cab drivers?

What do you think of Uber and similar transport services? Are you a convert? If so, why?

Is Melbourne really the most livable city in your opinion and why?

Now with that out of my system, I’m hopping on a plane heading to Europe. See you at fashion week Melbourne!

Be well.

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment
July 18, 2014

Airline tragedy MH17

My heart goes out to all those who perished in the recent airline disaster and tragedy of MH17, to their family and friends. I cannot even begin to comprehend your reality right now.

For someone who travels by air more than most, it deeply concerns me that something like this happened and could happen in the first place. Why? Who is responsible? Who will be held accountable?

There are so many questions that need to be answered — where does one start? The recovery and healing processes going forward are to be immense, exhausting, emotional, political and overwhelming to say the least. Words can hardly describe this criminal act.

The world is in shock and mourning the 298 souls that lost their right to live. Their lives taken without notice or reason. They were attacked without warning or defence.

My sincere condolences to you all. I am truly and deeply sorry.

Let us all be grateful for our everyday and may there be justice in the world.

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment
June 28, 2014

Behind the scenes of a spring & summer catalogue

I recently finished shooting the spring and summer catalogues for Ezibuy in Sydney and we managed to find ourselves in some truly beautiful and magical places.

See the location shots below where you gain an insight in to the crews and my days at work.

On location with our own private beach in Sydney

On location with our own private beach in Sydney

One of the fresh spring looks -- I love my stripes!

One of the fresh spring looks — I love my stripes!

The crew hanging out in between shots

The crew hanging out in-between shots

A cover try on the jetty and a white cane chair as a prop

A cover try on the jetty with a white cane chair as my prop

A close-up of the cover on the monitor

A close-up of one of the cover tries on the monitor

A stunning art deco location house in Mosman is our studio for the day

A stunning art deco location house in Mosman is our studio for the day

A 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and bless us with its warmth

It’s a 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and greet us with its warmth

In our RV on Balmoral Beach, Annette McKenzie is creating hair magic

In our RV on Balmoral Beach, Annette McKenzie is creating hair magic

Balmoral Beach at 7am in the middle of winter

Balmoral Beach at 7am

In studio - it's time for evening wear

In studio – it’s time for evening wear and I’m wearing a fabulous black maxi dress

Is there anything you would like to ask about our shoot or any other?

Is there anything as far as spring or summer fashion you are interested in or curious about?

What is your favourite thing about spring and summer?

Till next time…

Be well.

L.
xoxo

2 Comments
June 3, 2014

What is ‘Sizeable’?

‘Sizeable’ is a new and interesting website that was created by fashion writer Larissa Thorne, 25, from Melbourne, Australia who was herself frustrated by her own online shopping experience.

The website uses six models all of whom are a different size — interesting right? They all model each piece of clothing allowing the online shopper to get an idea if the style and cut of the garment will suit their body shape and size.

The website launched recently and all six models are friends of Ms. Thorne who have their dress size and measurements posted on the website to help frustrated shoppers simplify their online shopping experience. The models come in all shapes and sizes and are regular women you would find on the street.

Once you get on the website you select your model of choice, then start shopping the looks your model is wearing. You get to visualise yourself in the clothes for your body type before purchasing.

I personally think using models in all shapes and sizes is a brilliant idea! I’m surprised no one has done this sooner, that said, kudos to Ms. Thorne for doing it!

Would you use this site to shop online?

What do you love/dislike about this concept for a website?

What do you think of using ‘regular’ women verses ‘models’ that come in all shapes and sizes?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — don’t be shy! Happy shopping in the meantime!

http://www.sizeable.com.au

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment
May 7, 2014

Loving the KOSMEA skin care range

Whilst in Australia recently, a dear friend gave me the KOSMEA radiance 24/7 youth boost as a gift. She too is very much into putting natural/organic products on her skin and highly recommended the product she loved and used on her face.

I use the oil (2-3 drops over a moistened face) most nights and I especially love it when traveling. It smells yummy too which is important to me.

KOSMEA Australia - natural/organic skin care range

KOSMEA Australia – natural/organic skin care range

Since then, my lovely mother-in-law kindly gave me the KOSMEA starter pack as a gift (aren’t I lucky?). I especially love the hydrating rosewater mist, skin clinic and the rescue balm products.

I can’t seem to hydrate my skin enough these days with all the travel I do and the different climates I’m putting my body and skin through in any one month.

You can find out more about KOSMEA and their broad skin care range below… Enjoy!

http://www.kosmea.com.au

What skin care range do you use and why?

What are some standout products you simply can’t live without?

Is organic/natural important to you?

L.
xoxo

2 Comments