I was going to post this on December 24 however, Christmas festivities took me away from reality. Better late than never…
Germany – Nuremberg Christmas Market
I just returned home from a marathon work trip literally around the world. My last stop was Nuremberg, Germany. I thought New York was the place to be pre-Christmas! Those Germans know how to celebrate and decorate for the festive season — I was so impressed.
Nuremberg – ginger bread hearts and candy galore
When one of my agents told me I would be working in Nuremberg, the next thing she mentioned was that I would have to go to one of Germany’s most famous Christmas markets held in the same city… And I did.
Nuremberg – Christmas ornaments so beautiful and fragile
The Christmas Market was packed and it was a tight squeeze from one aisle to another. I heard accents from all corners of the world.
Nuremberg – I have never seen so many gorgeous Christmas ornaments
I bought my angels some handmade Christmas decorations and toys from the open air market. It had to be light and compact as my suitcase was already bursting with Christmas gifts purchased during my travels.
Nuremberg – There were sausages, sauerkraut and Gluehwein everywhere (German Hot Wine Punch)
Everyone was so civilised and calm considering the crowd. Most of the market stalls were food and ornament filled.
Nuremberg – Kai (stylist), me and Timo (hair & make-up) at the end of our fun shoot
Hope you had a great Christmas with those you love and cherish.
May the New Year be full of all the divine things that a New Year can and will bring into our lives.
I’m on holidays in Victoria, Australia with my family at the moment. We are loving our time in the sun. Hope you are too — where ever you are in this precious world.
Here’s to 2014!!!
xoxo
NYC – Warby Parker
Over the weekend, my dear and gorgeous friend Wendy Brooks and I visited a store called Warby Parker for the first time. The store is located in the Meatpacking District of New York City.
Warby Parker – a vast selection of frames
Warby Parker sells prescription eyewear and prescription sunglasses and it offers appointments with a board qualified optometrist on site, all at unbelievable prices and with a lot of style.
Warby Parker – vintage-inspired frames
The vintage-inspired prescription eyewear starts at $95 for most of the frames catering to both men and women.
An eye test costs $50 and the wait time for an appointment is about 4 – 7 days to see the eye doc.
Warby Parker – Wall to wall stylish frames
The glasses take approximately 10 business days to be sent anywhere in the USA. They don’t unfortunately ship outside of the States at the moment.
The gorgeous Wendy Brooks & I in ‘Crosby’ frames
Wendy and I had so much fun trying on all the different frames. We both ended up in the style called ‘Crosby’ — me in the black pair and Wendy in the burgundy/dark red pair. It was a hoot trying on all the styles and the colours the frames came in.
Have you ever been to Warby Parker? If so, what was your experience like?
What frame style did you like most?
If you wear prescription eyewear, what do you pay for a new pair on average?
Salvation Army Wishing Tree
A couple of days ago, a bunch of celebrities (including myself), kick-started the Salvation Army Wishing Tree Appeal at Kmart Broadway, Sydney.
Kmart Broadway, Sydney
Some of the celebrities I shared a stage with included Buddy Franklin, Didier Cohen, Timomatic, Sarah De Bono, Rob Mills, Gretel Scarlett and Xanthe Mallett to name a few. We all donated our time to help spread the message of giving to those less fortunate and to show how easy it is.
Some famous faces share center stage at Broadway Shopping Center
Now in its 26th year, the cause is a wonderful opportunity to donate a gift (whether made or purchased), assisting families and people in need at a time of giving and sharing.
Timomatic gets his groove on
Gretel Scarlett and Rob Mills sing a Christmas carol
The Salvation Army is hoping to receive 500,000 gifts this Christmas season. Gifts can be placed under the Wishing Tree located in Kmart stores throughout Australia and there is the option of making a cash contribution.
Rob Mills & Gretel Scarlett place their gifts under the Wishing Tree
For more information, please visit –
http://www.wishingtree.kmart.com.au
Media and the general public were present — even Santa Claus made an appearance.
Santa Claus and I spreading some Christmas cheer
Xanthe Mallet & I placing our gifts under the Wishing Tree
What will you do this holiday season to help those less fortunate and in times of need?
What cause or charity do you like to ‘give’ to?
Why do you think it’s so important to ‘give’ or ‘donate’?
Why are airline club lounges more crowded than the general airport? I’m currently sitting in the Air New Zealand lounge in Sydney awaiting my flight to the US and there are people everywhere. It is bursting with activity. I head to the farthest end and find a seat looking out at the tarmac.
There are travelers from all over the world and the lounge is busy with phone calls, laptops, conversations regarding business and the well-deserved holiday.
Generally, to gain entry into one of these lounges you either have to pay for an annual membership (where applicable) or travel enough like I do that you automatically get access because of your status with the airline or group.
The passengers descend upon the complimentary food and beverages like it’s the last meal on earth. It doesn’t appear very attractive or civilised really. I laugh when I see the notion of ‘free’ or ‘complimentary’ enter the human psyche. It’s like a feeding frenzy!
The lounges generally provide the comfort and services the airport doesn’t. From nice sofas/chairs and furnishings, to free Wi-Fi and power points/plugs everywhere to name a few (so travelers can charge their electronic devices whilst using them). I personally have two devices that need power top-ups when I travel like this.
I’ve spotted many a celebrity or personality at an airline lounge. The last was Ivanka Trump in New York recently. She was eating olives and sipping white wine. I wonder who I’ll see next?
What is the best airline lounge experience you’ve had?
What made it a great experience?
What can you recommend to the airlines to improve their service or experience?
A few days ago my very talented, creative and dynamic sister-in-law, Deb Mascia and her husband Eric were awarded the honour at the Governor’s Ball in Hawaii, for the best ‘Boutique Retailer of the Year’. Way to go Deb and Eric!
You see, she and husband Eric and son Zac have lived there for almost 11 years. Deb and Eric started up this Muumuu Heaven business almost eight years ago and they haven’t looked back since. They hit the ground running.
Muumuu Heaven is a friend to many celebrities including Eva Mendes, Cameron Diaz, Jackson Browne and Jack Johnson. They are fans of my sister-in-law and of her work for the environment and vintage fashion. Her A-list fans continue to grow.
In the years I’ve known Deb, she has had an eye for fashion and has always been creative. Deb has talent and is able to create magic so effortlessly.
The following pictures are from the evening. Fortunately, my husband Steve Northeast was in attendance and was able to support his sister and brother-in-law for all their work and effort.
Congratulations Muumuu Heaven! I love you.
Hawaii – Governor’s Fashion Awards 2013
Hawaii – Deb Mascia wins the category for ‘Boutique Retailer of the Year 2013’ for Muumuu Heaven
Hawaii – Muumuu Heaven wins
Hawaii – Deb’s short however, humble acceptance speech
Hawaii – Deb Mascia with her award
Muumuu Heaven is a destination located in Kailua, Oahu. Make sure you stop by and see for yourself the amazing products Deb creates and sells in her unique, boutique store.
Products range from dresses, skirts, jewelry, furniture and furnishings. All products are from the island of Hawaii and are eco-friendly. You won’t be disappointed.
You can find out more by visiting the following sites:
http://www.muumuuheaven.com/home/index.php
http://www.nonstophonolulu.com/blogs/governors-fashion-awards/
Aloha!
On Wednesday night I was invited to Juli Balla’s photographic opening of her exhibition titled, ‘Persona Non Grata’ (as you know). It was an excuse to dress up — I had fun.
Juli created characters from around the world and gave them life through copy and accessories. The pieces are a good size and she is only selling five copies of each photograph. See below for more details.
The invitation
Sydney – On my way to the opening
Sydney – The opening is a go
Sydney – Juli Balla and guest
Sydney – Dijana Mulhearn (Fashion writer and author of Wardrobe 101) and I
Sydney – one of Juli’s best pieces of the evening
Sydney – The opening in full swing
Sydney – The opening in full swing
Sydney – One of Juli’s male pieces that made me laugh
Sydney – Geoffrey Boccalatte and I admiring the show
This evening I’m heading to an opening of Juli Balla’s collection of photographs titled, ‘Persona Non Grata’ in Darlinghurst, Sydney.
No doubt the fashion photographer I work with regularly and friend will attract an exciting crowd of fashionistas and colourful personalities.
I’m looking forward to seeing her work that she has exhausted herself over these last few months.
Stay tuned for some pics of my night…
I recently had a chat with my friend and longtime hair and make-up artist Annette McKenzie about great hair and how to achieve it. She shared some great tips with me and I simply had to pass the information on to you. Annette gets my hair looking fabulous, each and every time. She is a genius.
LM: 1. How long have you been doing hair and make-up?
AM: I’ve been doing my job for 27 (mostly) enjoyable years.
LM: 2. What is challenging about hair?
AM: There are no guarantees with hair. You can do the same thing two days running and get slightly different results. It’s always a work in progress.
LM: 3. What do you consider good hair to work with?
AM: Good hair is healthy, mid-length and lots of it, with some colour treatment (this gives good body and control). Hair that is uncoloured, or ‘virgin’ hair can be harder to work with as it doesn’t hold styles as well.
LM: 4. What five must-have products do you have in your kit?
AM: Five must-haves: A good blow dryer, a mid-sized round brush, hair spray, conditioning cream and clip in hair pieces.
LM: 5. What three must-have products should everyone reading this blog have at home?
AM: Three must-haves at home: A blow dryer, one styling product (to either curl or de-frizz or give body or straighten, depending on your hair type) and a good quality brush.
LM: 6. What hair brands if any, have been consistent over the years? Are you brand loyal?
AM: Elnet hair spray is a product I have used my entire career. I do use other hair sprays but I always use Elnet every day I work. I would be lost without it. I would be brand loyal if products stayed on the market. When I find something is working for me I’m happy to stay with it, but often they change the formulae or tweak the ingredients and rebrand it. Nothing is around for long anymore.
LM: 7. If you could create or come up with your own perfect hair product, what would it be and why?
AM: To get the best results with styling hair you have to layer products. A particular look might require volumising products to get body, gloss or conditioning cream for a healthy look and hair spray for hold. It would be great if one product did all. Imagine all those bottles you could throw away! One product would be liberating. However, I don’t think it’s that easy to do as many companies have tried unsuccessfully to market ‘all-in-one’ products… Hey, I can dream.
What hair secrets do you have that work for you?
What would you love to have help with when it comes to your hair?
What is your favourite hair product and why?
What can’t you live without?
Annette McKenzie and I at a shoot in Sydney
Hold the Glamour 