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

October 9, 2013

All in a New York day

Yesterday I went and had my hair highlighted and cut at Cutler salon on 57th Street in New York City with my hair angels, Ben Stewart and Jenny Balding.

Cutler Salon

It feels really good to have your hair done as far as I’m concerned. Hair can make all the difference with one’s appearance — if your hair is fabulous then a lot of other things can be forgiven and go unnoticed.

I also did a little shopping for my lips at MAC Cosmetics (they have good pigments for lips, cheeks and eyes). I needed some new nude/neutral lipsticks so MAC was a good place to start as any.

I purchased three shades of nude in Twig (my sister’s everyday favourite), Modesty and Viva Glam V. I’ve used Twig before and really like it so I’m excited to test out my two new shades.

MAC Cosmetics

After that, I popped in to see my agents to say hello and to discuss the bookings I have coming up around the globe. The office in Chelsea is light and bright. I love the location too – it’s central to all in Manhattan and Chelsea is a fantastic neighbourhood.

Next stop for me this week is Philadelphia and Chicago — homeward bound to pack my bags.

What do you like to wear on your lips — a gloss, lipstick or both at times?

Do you have a favourite brand or colour?

What makes a good ‘lippie’ in your opinion?

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October 5, 2013

What makes a fashion model, a model?

What does a ‘fashion model’ mean to you? What thoughts come to your head? How would you describe one and what separates one from another in your opinion? What age is too young and what age is too old? Please… talk to me!

This week I have had two beautiful yet interesting women called ‘models’ come to my attention in the news and for obvious reasons I was riveted. I wanted to know more.

The first was 85 year-old Daphne Selfe from the UK. The Today Show called her ‘the oldest working supermodel in the world’. I was intrigued. I watched as this beautiful and confident woman in her old age spoke about her life and career which has spanned over 60 years.

What a remarkable woman and talk about the career she has had — who can speak of that? She still looks amazing and makes an effort to look her best with her long greying hair. I simply love the lines on her lived-in face. What a fabulous story it tells and reveals. Like I said… I am intrigued.

http://www.models1.co.uk/details.aspx?modelid=1601&subID=7773&mainsubid=7773&sexid=2

The second woman I knew nothing about until two days ago was Nicole Trunfio. Not only is Nicole a sexy and beautiful Aussie chick — she is so hot right now and has been for ages. What a fabulous career she has had thus far. Nicole has this classic, curvy, sexy beauty that makes you feel appreciative of being a woman. OMG! I love her look.

http://www.nicoletrunfio.net

It really is incredible how many successful people there are in the world. There are so many that standout in the modeling/fashion industry, that I am still meeting so many of them along my amazing life and career journey. It is phenomenal and it still blows my mind.

Tomorrow, I’m hopping on a Qantas flight bound for New York. I have to get packing so stay tuned for more ‘fashion model fun’!

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September 20, 2013

My week in pictures

Sydney - On the Anzac Bridge, on my way to work with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

Sydney – On the Anzac Bridge, on my way to work with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

Sydney - location house in Coogee shooting Sara by Ezibuy

Sydney – location house in Coogee shooting Sara by Ezibuy

Sydney - Coogee location house views

Sydney – Coogee location house views

Sydney - shooting the cover of the Holiday catalogue

Sydney – shooting the cover of the Holiday catalogue

Returning from the USA - Sydney spread below

Returning from the USA – Sydney spread below

Sydney - location house in Bilgola

Sydney – location house in Bilgola

Sydney - The crew setting up for another shot in Bilgola

Sydney – The crew setting up for another shot in Bilgola

Sydney - a beautiful Bilgola bathroom

Sydney – a beautiful Bilgola bathroom

Sydney - the Bilgola bedroom with views to die for

Sydney – the Bilgola bedroom with views to die for

Sydney - It's a wrap says our producer Andrea Rowe

Sydney – It’s a wrap says our producer Andrea Rowe

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September 12, 2013

Stayed tuned…

I’m currently sitting at Sydney international airport, waiting for my flight to Los Angeles and San Francisco. I have a few days of work on the West Coast of the USA which is always fun.

The weather is fabulous this time of year and I look forward to eating at my favourite Japanese restaurant in San Francisco.

I’ve been shooting on location for Ezibuy this past week and will return to Sydney in a few days to finish the Holiday shoot. I wore these great harem-type pants in navy and black that I simply have to get.

Mid-week, I’m shooting a TV commercial in Australia so it’s busy times indeed. I love it.

I have some great pics to share with you and will have plenty more in my next post.

Stay tuned…

xoxo

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September 3, 2013

Who in the world doesn’t love SPANX?

A few days ago I saw an interview with Sara Blakely — what an amazing inventor, creator and godsend to women and men around the world she is. I love her!

Sara Blakely is the woman who founded the mega brand SPANX that can be purchased or sent to most countries around the world.

What celebrity hasn’t worn SPANX? They flash each other and share with us, their SPANX undergarment love affair like it’s a piece of jewelry.

I have them and I love wearing my SPANX under dresses and skirts especially — even for work I get my SPANX on.

SPANX has a huge range of body shapers, bras, panties, leg wear, apparel, swim, active wear and there’s even SPANX for men.

What an incredible story Sara has. See the link below for more details and information.

http://spanx.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=4399478&clickId=topnav_aboutsara_text

What I love most about Sara Blakely is the fact she gives back to women through her own foundation. ‘She signed “The Giving Pledge”, giving half her wealth away to charities that focus on empowering women’.

This is phenomenal in my book. What an inspiring women indeed to share her wealth and knowledge with other women who are struggling and trying to make something of themselves. I love that Sara is giving back — that she is able and willing to do so makes her a superstar in my book. See more below –


https://pages.email.spanx.com/sarablakelyfoundation/

Have you heard about SPANX?

Do you own any pieces from the SPANX brand? If so, which pieces do you swear by?

What women inspire you and in which ways?

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August 21, 2013

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil

I have a wonderful product I’d love to share with you if I haven’t already — Sue Devitt’s Eye Intensifier Pencil. It comes in an array of colours and over the years I have gone mad for most of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Sue-Devitt-Intensifier-Bangalore-1-6-Gram/dp/B000U070U8

A lovely make-up artist in Chicago first put me onto the eye pencil years ago and I haven’t looked back since. It gives a good eyelid line whilst being forgiving of time, experience and effort. How easy right?

Some of my personal favourite hues include Gold Reef, Kenya, Surat, Tanzania, Zaire and Pointe-Noire. Who am I kidding? I wear one of these fabulous shades most days I’m not working, that is, when I’m being me. Otherwise, I go without a scrap of make-up entirely and let my skin breathe and be free of it all.

For an instant pick-me-up, I wear one of Sue’s Eye Intensifier Pencils over the bottom of my eyelid (close to my eyelashes), my favourite mascara at the time and some colour/gloss on my lips. This is my personal signature look.

What is your signature look?

Do you ever change it up?

If so, how?

Is there a product on the market you go nuts over?

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August 16, 2013

Did someone say retail therapy?

There is nothing like some retail therapy to make you feel good. I don’t go shopping often however, when I do I’m in the mood for a few new things.

San Francisco - Union Square

San Francisco – Union Square

I recently returned from San Francisco and after my shoot, I went along to Union Square for some shopping. There were a lot of people from all over the world spending money and taking advantage of one sale or another. Whether it be high-end or mainstream — it was busy!

San Francisco - Saks Fifth Avenue & Tiffany & Co.

San Francisco – Saks Fifth Avenue & Tiffany & Co.

Hotels and retail stores line the Square and the tourists and travelers are everywhere. Did someone say there was an economic crisis going on? You’d never know in San Fran! It was crowded and I persevered — I’m not a huge fan of crowds, ever! As a result, I tend to move through the stores fast. I know what I like and what I’m looking for so off I go.

San Fran - H&M store in Union Square

San Fran – H&M store in Union Square

In H&M I bought a light blue blouse and some clothes for Mila and Levi. A little bit of fun and colour for my babies — coming in to a change of seasons.

H&M store Union Square

H&M store Union Square

At Gap, I bought some basic t-shirts and a navy top — I’m really into blue at the moment and can’t get enough of the colour.

Gap store in Union Square San Fran - Denim America

Gap store in Union Square San Fran – Denim America

At UNIGLO, I bought two pairs of slim, stretchy jeans that I’m loving and wearing right now — they were on sale too!

I’m feeling good about my purchases and I didn’t have to spend a fortune to get a few new pieces I can mix and match with my existing wardrobe.

What have you bought recently that you are loving?

What are some of your favourite retail stores & why?

Do you prefer to shop online or buy directly from the store?

Do you try the clothes on before you buy (when you can)?

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August 5, 2013

How do you fit in exercise into your day?

I love working out and feeling fit and healthy. I have always been into some kind of sport and workout regime since I started ballet at age three.

Unfortunately for me, these days my exercise time is what gets shifted around and put on the back burner when my days and weeks get full and busy with work, commitments and travel. I wish it weren’t so — I have to find another way to make it work somehow.

It would be so much easier if I was a runner and could simply pack some tights, a tee-shirt and a pair of runners with me on my travels. I could step out of my hotel and run like Forrest Gump — unfortunately, I’m not that athlete.

When I do work out, I love to swim, practice yoga, attend body conditioning and spinning classes. A cardio kickboxing hour definitely reminds me that I’m alive and the class gets my heart pumping faster than anything else I can remember. It’s a great feeling and I love it!

Now that my daughter has started school full-time, I hope I can make more time for me and my fitness. It fortunately doesn’t take me long to get back in to a fitness/exercise routine — then I’m hooked all over again.

How do you balance a hectic, busy, working, family life and your fitness?

What advice can you part with and share?

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Till next time… Be well!

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August 1, 2013

Going green for Spring/Summer

My friend, stylist and colleague, Liz Polden attended The Fashion Institute of Technology studying Accessories Design. After graduating, she had the opportunity to work as an Assistant Accessories Editor at InStyle Magazine.

Moving on to become Assistant Fashion Editor at Fitness Magazine, Liz discovered an affinity for styling. She now works independently as a Fashion Stylist with a love for sustainable fashion.

Some of her favorite like-minded clients include Vaute Couture and Laika Magazine along with her guest contributions to AGreenBeauty.com. She hopes the future of mainstream fashion will include gratitude and compassion for all living beings and our beautiful Earth.

Below are some of Liz’s hot Spring/Summer picks:

http://www.shopethica.com/clothing/samantha-pleet-scout-dress

http://www.melissaaustralia.com.au/index.php/retail_store/flatties/sandles-flatties/jason-wu-artemis.html

http://fashioningchange.com/store/products/kimberly-stud-earrings

http://ericaweiner.com/collections/rings-view-all/products/infinity-ring#.Ufn0wxaH_19

https://baggu.com/shop/duckbag/sailorstripe

http://vautecouture.com/collections/dresses/products/the-kristina-dress-blossom

http://www.roozt.com/LOVE-IS-MIGHTY/p3769/VAJRA/product_info.html

http://www.shopethica.com/jewelry/sidra-gold-ring

http://www.shopethica.com/accessories/neon-crossbody

http://www.shopethica.com/jewelry/bib-necklace

http://fashioningchange.com/store/products/twist-halter-one-piece

http://www.shopethica.com/clothing/valentine-gauthier-organic-cotton-kilim-shorts

http://fashioningchange.com/store/products/better-than-parker-tortoise-sunglasses

http://www.roozt.com/Live-Worldly/Women&%2339s-Bags/c2_33/p5712/Ipanema-Beach-Bag/product_info.html

What are you seeing for Spring/Summer that you love?

Would you buy something that is considered ‘green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ for your closet?

Are you already a fan and supporter?

What sites/designer’s do you love and buy from?

http://www.lizpolden.com
http://www.goinggreenster.com

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July 18, 2013

Never take it for granted

I just returned from a shoot in San Francisco. I love this US city and there is something special and different about San Fran from most other places I visit.

San Francisco - Just landed and heading directly to my fitting

San Francisco – Just landed and heading directly to my fitting

You can blindfold me before getting off an aircraft and I just know whether I’m on the east or west coast of America. On the west coast, the skies are bluer and clearer (or so they seem) — there is a feeling of space, clarity and nature. I love the difference between the coasts.

San Francisco - The skies are blue and vast

San Francisco – The skies are blue and vast

As my plane was descending and about to land, I looked outside my window and saw the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 that crashed upon landing, lying on the runway, only days before my arrival.

I was shocked to see it, seeing the plane in real life — what made headlines all over the world for days on end was now staring up at me as I flew over it.

It was so surreal and strange as I stared out the window. I was reminded how precious life is and how blessed I feel with the all the traveling I do.

San Francisco Airport

San Francisco Airport

To all those involved and affected by this horrible tragedy, my thoughts and condolences go out to you. I am deeply sorry.

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