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: New York City

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

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

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?

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December 11, 2013

Who and what is Warby Parker?

NYC - Warby Parker

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 – 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

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

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

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?

http://www.warbyparker.com

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October 9, 2013

All in a New York day

Yesterday I went and had my hair highlighted and cut at Cutler salon on 57th Street in New York City with my hair angels, Ben Stewart and Jenny Balding.

Cutler Salon

It feels really good to have your hair done as far as I’m concerned. Hair can make all the difference with one’s appearance — if your hair is fabulous then a lot of other things can be forgiven and go unnoticed.

I also did a little shopping for my lips at MAC Cosmetics (they have good pigments for lips, cheeks and eyes). I needed some new nude/neutral lipsticks so MAC was a good place to start as any.

I purchased three shades of nude in Twig (my sister’s everyday favourite), Modesty and Viva Glam V. I’ve used Twig before and really like it so I’m excited to test out my two new shades.

MAC Cosmetics

After that, I popped in to see my agents to say hello and to discuss the bookings I have coming up around the globe. The office in Chelsea is light and bright. I love the location too – it’s central to all in Manhattan and Chelsea is a fantastic neighbourhood.

Next stop for me this week is Philadelphia and Chicago — homeward bound to pack my bags.

What do you like to wear on your lips — a gloss, lipstick or both at times?

Do you have a favourite brand or colour?

What makes a good ‘lippie’ in your opinion?

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December 11, 2012

Did anyone say ‘Taxi’?

The past week I had a trip out-of-town for work and it was as usual, pleasant and easy as I’ve come to expect with this lovely and regular client in Wisconsin. I took an early morning flight out, get picked-up in a Town Car or similar (with my Starbucks Grande Americano in hand), worked that day then it’s back to the hotel for the night. A shuttle bus takes me and the other models (straight-size, full-figured, men and women from all over the country) from the hotel to the studio and then it’s another day of work and playing it up to the camera.

Once I returned home and arrived at La Guardia Airport, not only was it bitterly cold, every taxi line or queue was also unusually long for this Wednesday night. I tend to walk a few minutes over to the American Airlines taxi rank which is typically the one people know least about and found myself behind approximately 25 people. During my wait, I noticed how many different types of New York City yellow cabs there are now. I counted at least five on this evening. They are all the same colour however, they are different in size, shape, make, model and most importantly, leg room.

Nissan NV200 - 'Taxi Of Tomorrow'

Nissan NV200 – ‘Taxi Of Tomorrow’ – Image courtesy of Nissan

Being the tall chick that I am, I am usually hoping and projecting for one of the Ford Crown Victoria cabs that tend to have more room for my long legs. Then I spot the latest version of the yellow cab model emerging in to the market, approaching the line. It’s called the ‘Taxi Of Tomorrow’ and it was launched in April of this year by Nissan. I wanted it to be mine as I had never been in one to date.

Sure enough, this newcomer was mine. I was excited to experience this new yellow minivan style of cab and was hoping it was more like the London black cabs on the inside. Well, it wasn’t. I did have enough leg room however, the seats were hard and the second row of seating could still only accommodate three passengers. There were no fold out seats to seat more people like the London cabs have. I was disappointed.

NYC - Large Nissan NV200 taxi door

NYC – Large Nissan NV200 taxi door

The doors were really big and there was an enormous amount of overhead space which both the driver and I had no idea as to why, in addition to this very large area for luggage etc. The driver drove fast and I felt like I could tumble out of my seat belt and go bouncing around this big, hard, square box. It was weird and not completely comfortable.

NYC - Inside the 'Taxi Of Tomorrow'

NYC – Inside the ‘Taxi Of Tomorrow’

I did like the large windows so you certainly had a better view of the world around you however, if it can’t carry more passengers and it’s not comfortable then what’s the big deal? What are the benefits if it’s not aesthetics?

Have you experienced one of the new Nissan New York City taxis? If yes, what are your thoughts?

Where do you think the best cabs are in the world? Who does them best?

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October 10, 2012

Steve Northeast plays in the Village

There’s nothing like a mid-week excuse to step out in the city for dinner and drinks with friends, especially when there is great entertainment to experience.

If anyone is in New York City tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 10), my husband Steve Northeast is playing at The Cornelia Street Cafe in the Village at 8.30pm with two members of his band.

Please visit the venues website for further details www.corneliastreetcafe.com

Be sure to come and say ‘hello’ if you do pop in… It’s worth the show!

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