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: spring

Behind the scenes of a spring & summer catalogue

I recently finished shooting the spring and summer catalogues for Ezibuy in Sydney and we managed to find ourselves in some truly beautiful and magical places.

See the location shots below where you gain an insight in to the crews and my days at work.

On location with our own private beach in Sydney

On location with our own private beach in Sydney

One of the fresh spring looks -- I love my stripes!

One of the fresh spring looks — I love my stripes!

The crew hanging out in between shots

The crew hanging out in-between shots

A cover try on the jetty and a white cane chair as a prop

A cover try on the jetty with a white cane chair as my prop

A close-up of the cover on the monitor

A close-up of one of the cover tries on the monitor

A stunning art deco location house in Mosman is our studio for the day

A stunning art deco location house in Mosman is our studio for the day

A 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and bless us with its warmth

It’s a 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and greet us with its warmth

In our RV on Balmoral Beach, Annette McKenzie is creating hair magic

In our RV on Balmoral Beach, Annette McKenzie is creating hair magic

Balmoral Beach at 7am in the middle of winter

Balmoral Beach at 7am

In studio - it's time for evening wear

In studio – it’s time for evening wear and I’m wearing a fabulous black maxi dress

Is there anything you would like to ask about our shoot or any other?

Is there anything as far as spring or summer fashion you are interested in or curious about?

What is your favourite thing about spring and summer?

Till next time…

Be well.

L.
xoxo

The Empire State Building, spring & the Wythe Hotel

NYC - Jack Studios shooting a bra campaign

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

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

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

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

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?

Spring in Sydney

Sydney - Setting up on Coogee Beach

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

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

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

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

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 – Views from The Boathouse Palm Beach

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

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?

Where the ocean meets the sky

Sydney - the studio, quiet and empty before the day starts

Sydney – the studio, quiet and empty before the day starts

 

Sydney - the rack of clothes that need to be shot

Sydney – the racks of clothes that need to be shot


We started shooting the spring and summer catalogues for Sara by Ezibuy last Friday in a studio in Sydney at 8am. Traffic is a part of Sydney life and it took me an hour to get to work (that was with no traffic accidents or incidents). Once inside the studio, Annette McKenzie (genius) starts on hair and make-up. By 10am we were ready, Juli Balla (photographer) and the crew were ready to start shooting the new season looks.


Sydney - hair & make-up done with curlers setting my hair

Sydney – hair & make-up done with pin curls setting my hair

 

Sydney - curlers out, touching up my lips with a hint of colour before getting changed into outfit #1

Sydney – curls out, touching up my lips with a hint of colour before getting changed into outfit #1

 

Scanning the racks of clothes once I was ready to get changed I noticed there were some key pieces that I really liked and simply had to have. The new season clothes were bright, colourful and included skinny jeans that fit me like a glove (one of my all time favs). Stripes are still very much in and still one of my favourite trends. There was a navy and a tea coloured linen jacket that I really liked too. Having basic neutrals in your wardrobe is a must in my opinion. It’s all about variety and versatility.

This routine continues over the next few days in studio. Our days of shooting merge into one as the days go by. At the end of our Sydney stint we head up to Palm Beach (Northern Beaches of Sydney) to get some location shots done. One can’t go any further than Palm Beach and its a 45 min – 1 hour drive north of Sydney (depending on traffic of course).

Palm Beach is somewhat far for the crew to travel and we mumble to ourselves about the distance and 6.45am call time however, once we are there and Andrea Rowe (amazing producer extraordinaire) walks in with delicious coffee and we have a moment to enjoy and take in the breathtaking views, we soon realise how divinely beautiful and blue this part of the world is. What were we saying?

 

Sydney - Palm Beach, view from the house we were shooting in

Sydney – Palm Beach, view from the house we were shooting in

 

Sydney - Palm Beach, our view of where the ocean meets the sky

Sydney – Palm Beach, our view of where the ocean meets the sky

 

Sydney - Palm Beach, the day is done and I am heading home

Sydney – Palm Beach, the day is done and I am heading home

 

Sydney - Palm Beach at ground level

Sydney – Palm Beach at ground level

 

Tomorrow we depart for Noosa, Queensland for the rest of the Sara shoot. Stay tuned.

Where have you been where the ocean meets the sky? What beautiful places do you dream of visiting and experiencing?