Australia | Hold the Glamour

February 27, 2013

Where and what is Bare Island?

On Monday we started shooting Modern Curve for Ezibuy in and around Sydney. Today is day three and it was still dark for our 5.30am call time. It was a beautiful day spent on the foreshores of Sydney – it was warm, sunny and windy.

Our location was Bare Island, La Perouse. It is a small island south-east of Sydney, not far from Botany Bay. The historic military fort and tunnels can be visited by guided tour and the waters around the island are popular with scuba divers. The island was featured in Mission: Impossible II… Who knew? There is also a nudist beach within walking distance to enjoy if that is your thing.

Sydney – Our hair & make-up station in our location van

Our location van stood out like a sore thumb in the parking lot and immediately became our base camp. Abby Valdez and I had our hair and make-up done by Richard Kavanagh and Linda Jefferyes respectively, before we trekked down to the footbridge and waters edge to start shooting for the day.

Sydney – Bare Island, La Perouse

There were many people coming and going, mainly on foot. Occasionally, the islands visitors would stop and take in what the Ezibuy, Modern Curve team were shooting and doing. We saw people from all over the world interested in seeing the old military fort up close.

We went about our business, oblivious mostly to the stares and interest of others. There were scuba divers, fisherman, tourists and cyclists. Bare Island is a busy place it turns out to be.

Bare Island - The walkway bridge that connects the Island to the mainland

Bare Island – The footbridge that connects the Island to the suburb of La Perouse

A couple of my favourite pieces were a blue pair of skinny jeans and a black pair of pants with zipper detail. There is a lot of colour in the Modern Curve Winter catalogue.

Bare Island – The crew in place for the next shot

Have you ever been to Bare Island?

http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/surrounds/attractions/bare-island

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February 20, 2013

Handy travel tips that make life easier

Since my last post, I’ve traveled out of New York a couple of times to Philly and Little Rock again. This time I got stuck in Little Rock, Arkansas. Funny how I can make it home during one of the biggest storms (Blizzard Nemo) in our area in a hundred years however, I can’t get home because of a thunderstorm.

On Monday early evening I was to fly out of Little Rock to New York, via Chicago. A thunderstorm delayed my outbound flight to Chicago and immediately it threatened my connection to New York. I had the choice to risk it and see what happens, end up in a hotel in Chicago or stay put in Little Rock. I decided to stay put.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to work yesterday however, it messed up my plans I had with Mila for the day as well as a bunch of errands I had to run and packing for my next trip.

Yesterday I woke up at 3.30am and caught a 6am flight out of Little Rock to Chicago where I connected for a flight to La Guardia. It was snowing when I arrived in Chicago. I arrived home around 1pm, approximately 14 hours after I was originally due to arrive. This is not the glamourous side to the business.

Little Rock, AK – My 6am sunrise from the plane

Chicago – It’s snowing when we land

You see I’m at JFK airport right now, awaiting my Qantas flight to Sydney, Australia. I start shooting for Ezibuy on Monday for a week and I’ve finally stopped still for what seems like the first time in days.

The endless preparation that goes on before I leave on big trips such as this one is incredible. The kids, house, me and business keep going on and on. Is it like this for all working mother’s? Is it like this for all people who travel a lot for their occupation? The constant juggling and planning never stops.

I wonder sometimes how I get it all done… I know my amazing husband has a lot to do with it. I am thankful and grateful for Steve who is my true partner in life and love. We are a team. I know I could not do this and have the life I/we have without him.

Anyway, I thought I’d share with you some travel tips that I have found to work for me whether I’m on the road for business or pleasure. If you have any ideas or tips you would like to share – please do so. I’m all ears.

Drink plenty of water before, during and after your trip
Eat lightly
Pack healthy snacks like carrots and nuts in case you get hungry
Pack an eye-mask and ear plugs so you can zone out the noise and light and hopefully fall sleep
Pack some reading material especially for take-off and landing (no electronics allowed in use at this time)
Sleep whenever you can
Check and double-check all flight details and your itinerary
Ensure you have all travel documents in one, safe and easy place to access
Pack a scarf and extra clothes like a cardigan so you can layer – it can get very cold on the plane
Wear comfortable clothes

I’m sure I’ll remember other things to add. Stay tuned for more glamourous travel and life moments.

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January 14, 2013

Extremes of anything are dangerous

In the morning, I leave Sydney for New York. I’m flying with Qantas (my airline of choice), so I am looking forward to making my journey safely and comfortably home to the Big Apple. I cannot wait to see my precious family even though it’ll be for less than 24 hours.

Within 24 hours of touching down at JFK, I’m stepping on another plane heading to the middle of America for work on my next shoot. Catch-up family time is going to have to wait until the weekend (when I think I’m going to be home).

It has been a hot and fiery summer in Australia with fires burning out of control. Homes have been lost and certainly the lives of the innocent. It is headline news night after night – so sad and tragic to watch and listen to.

Global warming is out of control and we can see, notice and personally experience the impact of what it is doing everywhere in the world, whether in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres.

I know of someone who returned from Germany the other day and he describes his three weeks in Europe as freezing. New York up until recently has been freezing.

The weather patterns around the world seem to be out-of-control. Extremes of weather are dangerous. Extremes of anything are dangerous.

What are we going to do about it?

What are you doing about it?

What suggestions do you have to improve the way of the world?

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January 8, 2013

42 degrees and still shooting

I’m currently in Australia and today I finished my first shoot of the new year. We were shooting the autumn/fall collection for Sara by Ezibuy. It means layers, coats and boots for the cooler months ahead.

It’s hard to imagine however, the fashion industry is always at least six months ahead of the game with design, sourcing the fabric, manufacture to shooting the samples and getting the images ready for advertising. It’s a long lead time.

The weather has been hot, hot, hot and today we battled beauty and fashion in 42 degree celsius heat in Sydney like true professionals (107.6 degrees fahrenheit). The heat wave we are experiencing throughout Australia did not stop us from making and creating fashion magic. We started at 5.30am this morning to ensure we weren’t shooting during the hottest time of the day.

Sydney – call time is at sunrise

Sydney – Juli Balla and the Sara crew hard at work

Sydney – smiling and shooting whilst the temperatures soar

Yesterday we spent on the Northern Beaches shooting in one of my favourite location homes. The property looks like something straight out of Palm Springs, U.S.A. I love it. Unfortunately, jumping in the pool and cooling off after work was not an option for me or the crew. What an incredible view!

Sydney – my dream house on the Northern Beaches

The first couple of days of our shoot, we spent inside the studio. It is certainly easier for all without the elements and humidity wreaking havoc on hair, make-up, equipment and clothes. We turn the air conditioning up, the music goes on and we get down to business. It is calm, controlled and smooth.

Sydney – Annette McKenzie & I (my amazing hair & make-up artist)

Sydney – in studio

Sydney – kisses from the hair & make-up table

Since I started writing this post this afternoon, over a hundred and forty fires have broken out in N.S.W. alone. Other states in Australia are also battling fires in hot, dry and windy conditions that have proven to be devastating and uncontrollable. My best wishes and thoughts go out to all those affected and threatened by the catastrophic temperatures and erratic fire patterns that lie ahead of this evening. I wish you all, well.

What are you going to do to stay cool during these hot summer months? What tips do you have?

What are you looking forward to come autumn/fall as far as fashion goes?

What trends are you noticing and excited about?

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January 1, 2013

2013… Here we come!

Happy New Year! Here’s hoping for a fabulous and glamourous 2013 for all.

I’m sitting at the British Airways club lounge in New York’s JFK airport as I write my first blog of the year. My mum always said, whatever you do on the first day of the year is what will manifest and be for the remainder of the year. Does that mean, I’ll get a sleep in, be frantically packing, organising the household, kissing and hugging my family a hundred times and flying off to far away places for what remains of the year? We shall see won’t we.

I’m leaving my husband and kids for two weeks as I fly to Sydney to shoot the Autumn catalogue of Modern Curve by Ezibuy. It’s a long flight – approximately 27 hours door-to-door. I am looking forward to seeing my family in Sydney and to enjoying the warmer weather that Australia is experiencing right now. I was packing dresses and sandals this morning when Steve commented, “at least you’re heading to the sunshine”. Yes I am and without my family this time.

Wish me well as I journey Down Under.

Last night, my family and I stayed home for NYE and had a delicious meal together before the kids went to bed a little later than their usual time. Steve and I watched a couple of our recorded TV programs before retiring to bed just before midnight, cuddling and talking as the fireworks started to explode outside. We wished each other the best of the best for 2013 and fell asleep in each others arms. A perfect way to welcome a new day and a new year.

I hope your heads &/or hearts aren’t suffering too much after last night.

What did you do for New Year’s Eve?

What was special or meant the most to you about last night?

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December 27, 2012

Happy Holidays to you and yours

I hope your Christmas was fun and festive and your holiday season has been enjoyable and sane to some extent. Steve and I decided to have our Christmas at home in New York this year. Unfortunately, it didn’t snow.

On Christmas Eve, the four of us went along to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (everyone else in New York had the same idea). We got a good look at the city all lit up and full of bright lights and colour that went as far as the eye could see. It was truly magical and in the spirit of the holidays. We were surprised however, at the size of the tree. Although it was BIG, Steve and I thought it would be bigger!

NYC – Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

NYC – Angels at Rockefeller Center

We then walked (or should I say shuffled) along Fifth Ave towards uptown and saw the window displays of the department stores – Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Ave, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. The kids went nuts and it was difficult to say which one was better. What imagination these people have to create such art with an individual and unique vision and interpretation of Christmas. WOW!

The crowds were scary and police were everywhere. They were on foot, horseback and in patrol cars. After our afternoon and early evening in the city, we couldn’t wait to get home to the peace, calm, warmth and quiet of our home. We had to prepare for Santa’s arrival and for the big day itself.

Christmas morning was as exciting as it gets for the kids. Santa was generous and so was mummy and daddy. We had a lazy morning opening gifts then a delicious brunch. In the afternoon we had friends come over who were visiting from Australia. We had a lovely time eating and drinking and we were all so pleased we could spend such a special day together. Before we knew it, it was time to crawl into bed and put this day behind us for another year.

Our day was relaxed and special to us however, we missed our family back in Australia with whom we usually spend the holidays with. Christmas is about family and there’s nothing like celebrating Christmas with each other.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

What did you get up to this year?

What traditions does your family participate in?

What makes Christmas special and magical for you?

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Link | September 14, 2012

Qantas interview

When I was in Australia this June, I was interviewed by Julie McCrossin from Up & Away with Qantas.

My interview is airing for the month of September so feel free to have a listen to some of my global travels and experiences.

Happy listening!

Qantas – inflight interview September 2012 (scroll down to Up & Away with Julie McCrossin)

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Tomorrow I return to New York where my family is eagerly awaiting my arrival. I cannot wait to see them and as always, am bursting to see their smiling faces – hugging and kissing them all over for hours. I have to make up for the time away from them.

September is my favourite month in New York. The coziness of fall is around the corner. It’s a romantic time that leads into winter and the holidays we celebrate at the end of every year.

School has started for the kids and the lazy, hot, humid days of summer are behind us. It’s back to life as we know it!

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September 11, 2012

Spring in Sydney

Sydney – Setting up on Coogee Beach

Since arriving in Sydney, Australia a week ago the fabulous spring weather has been nothing but delightful. I love it here at this time of year. The days are sunny and bright, the evenings still crisp and cool. I can smell and feel the change of season and there’s an excitement in the air. The time has come to shed your winter layers and get moving, going. A rebirth is around the corner.

Sydney – My change room on Coogee Beach

Our shoot for Ezibuy goes well and we have great weather to prove it. We shoot in various suburbs in Sydney which include Coogee Beach, Seaforth, Dover Heights and the studio in Waterloo.

Sydney – Hello sunshine! Views from Dover Heights

Our mornings start at 6.30am for hair and make-up, so that means my alarm goes off at 5am to ensure I’m at work on time. By lunchtime we are well and truly in to our day and by 9pm I fall into my bed exhausted, more than ready to rest and be still.

Sydney – Studio day with a hair & make-up change

Location days are generally more difficult than shooting in the studio. You have weather, sun, reflection, equipment to maneuver and light to consider and work around. In the studio, it’s a controlled environment. You can change the background and adjust the lighting depending on whether you are shooting full length, waist-up or waist-down. I like mixing up my days in studio and on location.

Sydney – Time to bring on the glamour

I manage to have some down time with a dear friend of mine and her family on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and we have brunch at The Boathouse Palm Beach (my first time). The views are spectacular, the food is delicious (fresh Australian cuisine) and the atmosphere is beachside and truly relaxed. It is a must on your Sydney agenda and worth the 45 min drive north.

Sydney – Views from The Boathouse Palm Beach

Sydney – Lying on the grass soaking up the sun after our brunch at The Boathouse

Now, I return to my annual tax return, filing, opening of mail and general office work. It’s the other side to my, ‘oh so glamourous’ life. Ha!

What are some of your favourite Sydney spots to live or visit?

Where is the best ‘brunch’ served in your opinion?

What makes or defines the best brunch?

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August 15, 2012

Goodbye Olympics, hello double standards

What do we do now that the London 2012 Olympics are finished? What are you doing? Did you watch any or all of it? Can you wait for the next games held in Rio? Are you a sports junkie? Are you over it?

In our household, we had the games on most of the time over the 16 day event. Even Mila and Levi became educated in the sports of water polo, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and diving. We are not ‘quiet’ spectators and if we weren’t going for Australia, we were behind the USA, Croatia, Serbia or Montenegro (splintered pieces from the former Yugoslavia). It was a treat for them to have the TV on for a period longer than one of their ‘programs’. After a while, they forgot about it and the novelty wore off – thank goodness!

One of the sports we didn’t get to see unfortunately were the female weightlifters. There was a lot of talk around the Olympics regarding Holley Mangold for team USA, and Zoe Smith from Great Britain. Lots of people talking about how they are perceived by men and in media for being “big girls”… Really now?! Are you kidding me?!

Getty Images – A world-class Holley Mangold doing her thing

Camera Press – James Veysey (Zoe Smith showing us some of her red carpet curves)

I was firstly amazed at how brilliant these two young athletes are and what does it have to do with their weight, clothing size, body shape? They come across as grounded, funny, quick-witted, feminine women who love their sport and are very good at it. What does it have to do with men (predominately) sitting at home eating potato chips and what they think a world-class athlete should be and should look like? Who made up the rules by the way?

I have done a little research and am horrified that not only do some men feel this way however, there are some young women who do also. What is with that? How far have we come in the weight debate, size debate, sex debate? Now, we are talking about athletes and their skills and accomplishments. Who gives anyone the right to judge and more importantly, publicly comment on a world-class athletes size and weight rather than their ability and ranking?

Do we dissect and discuss a male weightlifters size, weight, shape or appearance (or any world-class athlete for that matter)? Clearly not! So why is it hot news when two chicks get on stage and lift some metal? Clearly, it’s double standards.

What are your thoughts and sentiments?

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July 3, 2012

Noosa, Qantas & ‘Mornings’

We arrived in Noosa, Queensland to finish the Sara by Ezibuy shoot after a mere one-and-a-half hour flight. We settled in to our accommodation, bought some breakfast foods for our mornings, unpacked and got to bed by 9pm for our very early start the next day. The weather was fine the first day however, the remainder of the trip was a wash-out. It actually rained when the forecast made no mention of bad, grey, cool and wet weather. It was not good.

The Australian Brushturkey could not have been more unaffected by the weather or our shoot schedule. They were roaming freely, staring at me with my pin curls in the van waiting for the crew to set up on the beach.

Noosa – Australian Brushturkey

Noosa – did someone say we were ready to start shooting?

Our last day we were huddled in a tent on the beach, trying to stay warm and dry. Thank goodness I have learnt to take my very warm Ugg boots and coat with me whenever I shoot on location. Once bitten, twice shy as they say? No one likes being cold – or do you?

Noosa – The Sara crew and I waiting it out on the beach for the rain to stop and the blue skies to appear

Once back in Sydney, whilst the crew continued the shoot in studio, I had a day of media booked through my agent Harry M. Miller. My first interview was with Qantas’ – Up & Away with Julie McCrossin. The interview will air in September on the Qantas inflight entertainment radio channel. I’ll most likely get to hear myself on radio as I’ll be returning to Australia in September. How bizarre indeed!

Sydney – ‘Mornings’ TV program on channel 9

Next up, I appeared on the channel 9 morning television program called appropriately, ‘Mornings’ with hosts Sonia Kruger & David Campbell. It was my first time on this particular show and meeting both Sonia and David. They were as friendly and lovely as they appear on air. We spoke about my life as a full-figure model, travels and what life is like being away from home and my family.

Sydney – My appearance on ‘Mornings’ on channel 9

Sydney – With hosts Sonia Kruger & David Campbell

And finally on my Sydney agenda was my last studio day for Sara. The crew and I went at it hard and fast all day long. It was a 12-hour day finishing at 7pm. Needless to say, my 5.30am start was finally catching up with me. I drove to my parent’s home with my family all waiting to have a delicious meal cooked by my amazing mother – it was time to say farewell to this Australian trip.

Sydney – Abby Valdez and I working hard and fast on our final day of the Sara shoot

Did I mention, how much I missed my husband and two kids? I was so ready to go home to New York and see their beautiful, smiling faces – waiting for me on the street as my car pulled up to our apartment building. It will remain as one of my favourite snapshots of my memory to date. I was ready to inhale them all.

What are some of your favourite memory snapshots?

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Tag: Australia

Link | September 14, 2012