Big Apple | Hold the Glamour

February 13, 2014

Not another snow storm in NYC!

Yesterday I returned to New York after being on the road traveling and working in rainy San Francisco and cloudy Europe this last week or so. I feel so lucky I made it back to the Big Apple in time.

Today is another story — up to 9.5 inches of snow, sleet and ice has accumulated in Central Park since midnight. The sixth snow storm pounds the area for the season and late tonight the experts are predicting an additional 2-4 inches — really?

NYC – the snow keeps coming

New York City has almost doubled its average in snow totals this winter and it’s not over yet. The average accumulations in Central Park are approximately 25 inches and as of yesterday the city has had 45.5 inches of snow dumped since December.

This winter is going down as one of the top 10 worst in history. Weather like this affects so many people and businesses nationally.

Some 50,000 flights have been cancelled or rescheduled this year alone due to winter weather snow storms, not to forget mass transportation — buses, trains and the NYC subway are also affected today. It’s incredible.

NYC – snow totals 9.5 inches today

For someone who travels around the world for my business and career relying on trains, planes, airports and schedules to be on time and operating, it can be crippling, frustrating, stressful and dangerous to say the least.

I just managed to escape being stranded this time as I’ve fortunately done so many other times (delays are-a-plenty). Thousands today aren’t so lucky — I truly feel for them.

It’s cold, you don’t have a bed to sleep in, the hotels are all booked out, your competing with others simply to get home, stranded for days in most cases and there are no answers and solutions to help you make sense of Mother Nature.

This harsh winter has simply been brutal — New Yorker’s are over it and for the 3300 flight cancellations simply today, spring can’t come soon enough. Bring on the sunshine and above freezing temperatures. New York is ready for it.

Have you been stranded at an airport or city due to weather cancellations before? If so, do tell.

What’s the worst story you’ve heard?

What did you do to make it through?

April 9, 2013

The Empire State Building, spring & the Wythe Hotel

NYC – Jack Studios shooting a bra campaign

What a busy day to end the week. I had a shoot at Jack Studios for a bra campaign that I recently went on a casting for. When I arrived, after saying hello to the many people who represent the company and the crew, I took off my clothes except for my knickers and put on a white fluffy robe. One can’t have bra lines or clothing marks on your body when shooting lingerie.

Outside, it was a beautiful spring day that was bursting with sunlight. You see, spring has finally come to New York. I am so excited!

The view from our 12th floor studio was of the Empire State Building. A prominent feature of the Big Apple’s skyline. The views are breathtakingly beautiful. I love this city.

NYC – The view of the Empire State Building outside our studio on the 12th floor

After spending two hours in the hair & make-up chair, I sat around on the comfy lounge waiting for my turn to ‘turn it on’ in front of the camera. The schedule was packed and with three models, there was no opportunity for me to sit down and eat lunch. I was up on set just before and we continued the shoot throughout. It was grab and go for me – I managed a quick bite or two of salad and shrimp/prawns when there was a set change.

NYC – Leaving the shoot with the sun behind me

After being inside all day, I was thrilled to be in the spring time weather of the city. It is a fabulous time of year. The trees are budding and the signs of warmer weather is apparent everywhere you look. Everyone seems happier in New York when the weather is like this.

I spend an hour or so at home with my family before Steve and I get in a cab and head over to the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.

Brooklyn - Steve and I on our way to the Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg

Brooklyn – Steve and I on our way to Williamsburg

We were attending a friend’s birthday bash that started at the Wythe for cocktails. The views of Manhattan at sunset are amazing and some of the best of the west side of the city. See for yourself.

The roof bar was full when we arrived so we had to wait about 10 mins before we went upstairs. It was a well-oiled machine. Obviously, sunset is a favourite time for many to experience the city views.

Brooklyn – Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg

I haven’t been to Williamsburg in a while and when Steve and I arrived, I was reminded how cool, edgy, groovy and chic it is. There is so much going on and it’s the place to be if you’re young, single, creative, cute, good-looking, interesting and hip!

Brooklyn – the view from the roof of the Wythe Hotel at sunset

Our night ended with dinner at the Rosarito Fish Shack. It was packed and even with our reservation for 10 people, had to wait for 30 mins or so for our table. Whilst waiting near the entry, I bumped into two gorgeous blondes from my board at Ford – Inga and Danielle Redman. Life is funny and so random isn’t it? New York really isn’t that big.

Have you been to the Wythe Hotel?

Have you been to Williamsburg?

What do you like or love about it?

Any great places to share?

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?