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.

Tag: layers

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

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

Chicago - It's snowing when we land

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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November 13, 2012

Winter madness & holiday glamour

As my new monthly magazine subscriptions of VOGUE, GLAMOUR, Cosmopolitan, REDBOOK and Harper’s BAZAAR start filling up in my mailbox with December issues of holiday fun, glamour and fashion, I begin to notice lots of colour, glitz and glamour everywhere. Red lips and nail polish of every hue and intensity seem to go hand-in-hand with the festivities of the holidays. Big, chunky pieces of jewelry make a bold statement and the ever fabulous clutch is so hot right now.

It is hard to imagine that summer has come and gone, fall/autumn is here and we’ve already had snow in New York (thanks to the Nor’Easter last Wednesday). We’re a little concerned I must say with the winter that lays ahead – is it a sign that it’s going to be brutal? I certainly hope not.

New York - First snow of the season Nov 2012

New York – The first snow of the season Nov 2012

New York - First snow melting for the season

New York – The first snow melts Nov 2012

It’s hard enough getting a family of four out the door at any given time let alone as the temperatures continue to drop. Putting on the layers in a warm and toasty apartment whilst working up a sweat is not fun (for anyone). Our kids are becoming more independent however, it can very frustrating and stressful for all of us to be ready at the same time. Let’s not forget they are four and two years old.

What about the retail stores and restaurants (basically anything inside) and how hot they get? When its freezing outside you weigh up whether its worth bundling up because as soon as you get indoors, its time to peel all the layers off. Then you ask yourself, where do all these layers go? Over your chair? Over your arm? Hardly. It is a challenge no matter how many years one has spent in New York or a similar cold climate. Add a couple of kids in the mix and there you have it! Winter madness.

Teasing us with warmer weather and less layers, these same glossy magazines are predicting the emerging trends for spring 2013. I am so excited by the prints, colour options and sexy sheerness of what lays ahead. I am looking forward to it.

In the meantime, bring on the holidays! I love this time of year and let’s not forget the magic and splendor of Christmas in New York City. There really is nothing like it. The department store Christmas windows, lights, decorations, Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree, music, ice-skating and the chance of snow on Christmas Day make it festive, fun, beautiful and impressive, let alone memorable and celebrated. This year, my family and I have decided to play in the Big Apple for the holidays. Now that Mila and Levi are a little older and aware, we plan to live it up New York style.

What holiday fun and glamour are you looking forward to?

What do the holidays mean to you?

What will you be wearing to the party?

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