A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed for iVillage.com.au for the Mum vs Life parenting section.
Please find my daily run down of what it means to me and my family — being a busy, working mother of two little ones.
Enjoy!
What advice or tips can you offer to simplify life and daily routine for other working parents?
What works for you and your family?
I love my food… Especially healthy, yummy and tasty meals. Most of my friends know me to have some version of this meal I’m about to share with you most days of the week.
Tonight for dinner, I made my simple, quick, healthy and easy meal as can been seen below.
Smoked Salmon Wrap
What do you need I hear you ask?
First, buy a wrap or tortilla base (I usually buy organic and gluten-free whenever I can). Then sprinkle your favourite shredded cheese, then add a decent spread of baby spinach, then add some smoked salmon and finally some red onion for extra flavour if that’s your thing.
Make sure you have a large frypan that’s set on medium heat. Once you place your wrap or tortilla on it with your topping of choice, be sure to cook it on the stove for approximately 10-15 mins (depending on the base and ingredients). You want your meal to be warm and cooked.
I tend to vary the protein on my wrap for example, I add grilled fish, tuna, beans, eggs or a veggie burger. You can add chicken or beef too… The options and variations are endless.
What do you whip up that’s quick, easy and healthy?
What meals can you make in less than 15mins?
With the amount of travel in my life especially on planes, I thought this week I should discuss what snacks I like to pack with me to ensure I stay healthy, full and hydrated.
It takes a bit more effort and planning however, it can be done and it’s certainly worth it. I am not a fan of most airport food at the best of times so when I’m eating on the go, which is all too often, I need to make sure I have enough healthy food snacks to see me through until I can order a salad or something healthy and nutritious.
I always have at least two large bottles of water in my handbag and carry on luggage once I’ve gone through security. You cannot drink enough water to stay hydrated and you never know what delays lay ahead. I always try to be prepared.
Some of my favourite, healthy snacks are:
What do you pack for your ‘on the go’ days?
What foods pack a healthy punch?
What mode of transport do you find yourself on or in the most?
My family and I recently arrived in Sydney, Australia. So far it has been a relaxing time spent with family and friends. It’s been a while since Steve and the kids were here so everyone wants to see them and see how our children have grown.
I start shooting for Sara by Ezibuy in a matter of days so prior to leaving New York, I made sure I purchased a new bottle of my favourite foundation I’ve been using for over six years. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation gives me the coverage I need whilst feeling light and looking smooth and natural on my face.
http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/luminous-silk-foundation/A041,default,pd.html
I have had many different brands and products applied to my face over the course of my career and no foundation in my opinion, comes close to Armani. I buy my own and have the make-up artist apply it for each and every job. Most of them are happy to use my personal foundation, if they don’t already use Armani themselves.
Make sure when you buy any foundation for the first time, you have a consultant assist you. Getting the right shade is very important for a colour match that you want to look natural. A good guide is to apply your foundation on the inside of your arm or wrist. The colour or shade you see the least, is generally the right one for you.
What foundation do you use and love?
Why do you love it so much?
Is price important to you?
You might know me well enough by now to know that I LOVE a great mascara. It opens up and frames your eye beautifully and every women should invest in a great eyelash curler and mascara. That is my humble opinion.
Well, I found myself a new one today. Whilst on a shoot, the hair & make-up artist pulled out a brand new mascara and I loved it! It’s by Maybelline New York and it’s called “The Falsies Volum’ Express”. It’s a purple/magenta colour with light blue writing on it. Please see the link below for more details. It’s not new to Maybelline however, it was new to me. It gives good lash.
What mascara do you love?
Are you loyal to any brand and if so, why?
What in your opinion makes a good mascara?
I approached my dear friend and hair/beauty expert Kelley Quan for this weeks post. I want to share with you some of her favourite products on the market. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed and it should give you an insider’s view of what the professionals are using, loving and why.
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ME (L): Kelley, let’s start at the beginning – what in your opinion is the best primer and why?
Kelley (K): The most AMAZING PRIMER EVER has to be Miracle Blur. It corrects the texture, hides flaws and is also a sunblock so it’s great for outside. It just works so well for everyone especially those with less than perfect complexions.
http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Offers/Samples/Miracle-Blur/Register.aspx
L: You put me onto this product and I love it! I use it most days I’m stepping outside. It’s a personal favourite of mine too and I can highly recommend it.
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L: Now, let’s talk about eyes and how to enhance them best.
K: For an eyeshadow I must have: Smashbox’s Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadows in Stone and Quartz. I love this formula for long wear and clean colour. The two colours are staples in my kit because I can use them on anyone with beautiful results. Really universal colours.
I use them alone for a sheer finish or as an under-base for eyeshadow if I need the shadow to really last like for a red carpet event etc.
http://www.smashbox.com/product/6025/21789/Eyes/LIMITLESS-15-HOUR-WEAR-CREAM-SHADOW/index.tmpl
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L: What about lips Kelley? You have to have some great brands and colours in your kit.
K: I ADORE NARS Matte Velvet matte lip pencils. The finish is really soft and while matte they never look or feel dry. My favorite colours are: for an orangey red that looks amazing on almost everyone is Red Square and for a blush/nude I love Belle Du Jour and Bettina. The best fresh spring colour is Calliope – it’s the happiest colour for everyone!
http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/lips/~/velvet-matte-lip-pencil
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L: I notice you love to use a cream on cheeks – who do you love?
K: I love this cheek cream: Kevyn Aucoin’s Creamy Moist Glow in Isadore. It’s a beautiful shade that goes on smoothly and yet has enough pigment to be worn alone or layered.
I am also a big fan of the Kevyn Aucoin Skin enhancers. These tiny pots are so concentrated you only need a teeny bit to do a lot. I mix mine with some lotion if I want a sheer finish or if I need some more coverage I can layer it right from the pot. Love the shades and it feels nice on the skin.
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L: I have a serious thing for mascaras and I am always searching for a great one. I am lash obsessed!
K: I am not a beauty snob and sometimes, it is sheer practicality that dictates what products I use often. For example, because I need to throw my mascaras away about every two weeks or so because I just work so much and worry about contamination, even though I am super careful, you just can’t take the chance. I tend to use drug store/pharmacy mascaras on my models. Here are my top three:
1. Voluminous False Fiber Lashes™ Mascara. If I want that full lush lash look and need to bulk up the lashes, I use this mascara. It won’t flake and it’s a nice formula.
L: I too love this mascara! Thanks for reminding me of it – I need to buy a new one come to think of it.
2. Tried and true every time is Voluminous Carbon Black mascara. Works well every time. It’s my go to mascara.
3. If I am splurging I’ll go for TARTE cosmetics: Lights, Camera, Lashes. It’s a really great mascara and it has a great formula that stays put but comes off easy with remover.
http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lights-camera-lashes-mascara
BEAUTY NOTE: With ALL my mascaras, I apply using my Patent pending (not released yet) Mascara Wand which will give an amazingly strong lash line and feathery lashes without bulk or making the lashes look unnatural. It’s my secret weapon for lush lashes!
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L: What about other fabulous products that deserve a Kelley Quan mention?
K: My Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics are –
Lip Tar: I love this super pigmented lip colour because it is vegan and paraben free. No bad stuff in these products. Some of my favorite colours are Pale Tangerine, Narcissus and Annika.
L: I love the vegan and paraben free stuff. I try and use as many of the organic/natural products personally, as I can. With work, I don’t have much of say unfortunately.
http://www.occmakeup.com/lips.html
MAC Cosmetics Paints: I love these little pots of colour. I use them alone or under shadow. I love the shades Bare Canvas, Still Life and Sublime Nature.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/344/Products/Eyes/Shadow/Paints/index.tmpl
L: I have to agree with these little pots of colour. I love them and they last forever.
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Do you have any great make-up products to share?
To ask Kelley or myself about?
Next time, I’ll ask Kelley about hair products that you should know about.
For my last job, I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri for a couple of days. I’ve been there before however, it’s been a long time. I’ve shot in K.C. for a jewelry company and for a magazine shoot or two (editorial). Kansas City is in the middle of American, or so people say.
I arrived the evening before the shoot started and stayed at a lovely and relatively new hotel called the Ambassador Kansas City. The shower and bed were amazing. I had a wonderful night of rest and sleep. Not what I’m always used to at home I’m afraid.
The other two straight-size models and I were picked up and taken to the studio which was nearby. We shot at Rush Wade 2 Studios on Locust Street. It was an impressive studio that was large, beautifully outfitted with all the treats and fun you’d expect in a studio that’s located outside of New York City, where space comes at a premium.
Kansas City – Rush Wade 2 studio
We shot an all American campaign for the denim company. Packaging jobs are fun and you can push the boundaries a lot more than with catalogue. Packaging/campaign shoots are more about the image or feel of a company rather than it being about the garment which is the case with the typical catalogue shoot.
The photographer (whose family own the business and studio) built a skate ramp for some downtime play. See below. I have never seen a skate ramp in a photographic studio ever before in my life. How very cool indeed.
Kansas City – skate ramp in the studio
I discovered an orange Vespa parked in some corner near the hair and make-up table. I’m not sure if it worked or if it was more like a piece you’d find in a museum (for display purposes only). Everything was strategically placed and clean. It was a vintage, hipster, rock ‘n’roll showroom.
Kansas City – 1964 white pick-up in the background
Art, history, technology and inspiration working together. It was a new playground for me to explore. I like new places. I like to learn new things and am curious about life. This shoot allowed me to delve into the lives of others that live in the middle of America.
Have you ever been to Kansas City?
If so, what did you do there?
Did you see Dorothy and her red shoes? I did… At the airport on my way home to New York.
Hold the Glamour 