travel | Hold the Glamour

September 20, 2014

Juggling work, travel and family life

I cannot believe how busy I have been these last few months with work, travel and family life. It really is a juggle most of the time as a working mother and a struggle some of the time coordinating all the sectors of my life and career, let alone my husband’s.

My time has been split between the US, Europe and Australia of late. My body has been in so many planes and times zones — I sometimes wake up and am not sure where I am.

My latest shoot in Sydney, Australia for Ezibuy provided some fun and happy behind-the-scene shots I’d like to share with you. Please see below…

Behind-the-scenes of the recent high summer Ezibuy shoot

Did someone say something funny?

At Mondo Studio, Sydney shooting for Ezibuy

Checking the monitor — wearing a maxi dress

A multi-coloured maxi dress ready for high summer fun

A hot pink number on the monitor

Happy days shooting the cover try for High Summer in studio

Happy days shooting the cover try for the catalogue in studio

Juli Balla and Craig Beaglehole on hand to make sure all is in order

The amazing photographer, Juli Balla and I — in-between a cover try or two

Our Rosebay location house

In Sydney city on some amazing balcony

How do you make it work with family, life & career?

What strategies help your family survive and cope with all the juggling?

Be well till next time.

L.
xoxo

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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?

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August 5, 2013

How do you fit in exercise into your day?

I love working out and feeling fit and healthy. I have always been into some kind of sport and workout regime since I started ballet at age three.

Unfortunately for me, these days my exercise time is what gets shifted around and put on the back burner when my days and weeks get full and busy with work, commitments and travel. I wish it weren’t so — I have to find another way to make it work somehow.

It would be so much easier if I was a runner and could simply pack some tights, a tee-shirt and a pair of runners with me on my travels. I could step out of my hotel and run like Forrest Gump — unfortunately, I’m not that athlete.

When I do work out, I love to swim, practice yoga, attend body conditioning and spinning classes. A cardio kickboxing hour definitely reminds me that I’m alive and the class gets my heart pumping faster than anything else I can remember. It’s a great feeling and I love it!

Now that my daughter has started school full-time, I hope I can make more time for me and my fitness. It fortunately doesn’t take me long to get back in to a fitness/exercise routine — then I’m hooked all over again.

How do you balance a hectic, busy, working, family life and your fitness?

What advice can you part with and share?

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Till next time… Be well!

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July 18, 2013

Never take it for granted

I just returned from a shoot in San Francisco. I love this US city and there is something special and different about San Fran from most other places I visit.

San Francisco – Just landed and heading directly to my fitting

You can blindfold me before getting off an aircraft and I just know whether I’m on the east or west coast of America. On the west coast, the skies are bluer and clearer (or so they seem) — there is a feeling of space, clarity and nature. I love the difference between the coasts.

San Francisco – The skies are blue and vast

As my plane was descending and about to land, I looked outside my window and saw the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 that crashed upon landing, lying on the runway, only days before my arrival.

I was shocked to see it, seeing the plane in real life — what made headlines all over the world for days on end was now staring up at me as I flew over it.

It was so surreal and strange as I stared out the window. I was reminded how precious life is and how blessed I feel with the all the traveling I do.

San Francisco Airport

To all those involved and affected by this horrible tragedy, my thoughts and condolences go out to you. I am deeply sorry.

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June 20, 2013

Healthy foods to pack when travelling

With the amount of travel in my life especially on planes, I thought this week I should discuss what snacks I like to pack with me to ensure I stay healthy, full and hydrated.

It takes a bit more effort and planning however, it can be done and it’s certainly worth it. I am not a fan of most airport food at the best of times so when I’m eating on the go, which is all too often, I need to make sure I have enough healthy food snacks to see me through until I can order a salad or something healthy and nutritious.

I always have at least two large bottles of water in my handbag and carry on luggage once I’ve gone through security. You cannot drink enough water to stay hydrated and you never know what delays lay ahead. I always try to be prepared.

Some of my favourite, healthy snacks are:

I make a mixed bag of my own raw nuts that include almonds, walnuts, cashews, brazil nuts, dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds
Cut up veggies that include carrots, celery sticks, cucumber and red capsicum/peppers
Thin rice cakes
An avocado or two (depending on my time away)
Lemon (for my water)

What do you pack for your ‘on the go’ days?

What foods pack a healthy punch?

What mode of transport do you find yourself on or in the most?

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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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February 12, 2013

Blizzard Nemo – How do I get home?

I was on my way to Newark airport on Thursday afternoon when the driver of the Town Car mentioned the blizzard and storm heading our way to the Northeast the following day. He was asking about my trip and when I was due home. I told him the following night. He strongly suggested I check in with my travel agent as flights were being cancelled left, right and center. I had no idea! Where had I been hiding?

I called my booker at Ford and whilst I was on the phone to her, Delta called to inform me that my connecting flight from Atlanta to New York was cancelled on Friday night. It was on… Nature against me!

My travel agent changed my itinerary immediately. I had to get home on Friday night for a number of reasons. One of which, it was my husband’s birthday and we had made plans to celebrate and secondly, I didn’t want to be away from my family when crazy events like this occurred. We had to be together… No matter what.

So before I reached my hotel in Arkansas last Thursday night, a second flight had been cancelled. It was time to scramble. I asked if I could get home to New York via Amtrak (train) and my travel agent changed my itinerary for the third time. Nearly 3000 flights had been cancelled on Friday in the New York area alone. If I couldn’t fly home… I would have to find other means.

Little Rock, AK – leaving a beautiful day behind

Mid-flight – Taking off from Little Rock, AK

I ended up flying from Little Rock, AK to Washington, DC. My flight was on time and surprisingly it wasn’t full. I thought heading to the Northeast area would have been a hot mess. I kept checking and asking the airline if everything was on time and OK… Everything went smoothly and without any hiccups. I was so happy! Could this be for real? An impossibility turned into a simple reality?!

When I arrived in Washington, DC, I made my way via taxi to Union Station to catch an Amtrak train to Penn Station. I arrived two hours early and fortunately, managed to get on an earlier train. Two hours make a big difference at that time of night.

Washington, DC – Union Station

On route to New York, the train was packed and there was no evidence of snow, blizzard or storm until I reached Philadelphia (approximately 90 minutes before my final destination). It was incredible seeing and noticing the change in topography. My journey home was almost four hours on the train alone. Fortunately, it went by quickly. I spent a long part of my day traveling to get home.

An anthropologist sat next to me and we chatted most of the way to the Big Apple. She was an interesting woman. I love it when things like that happen so randomly and organically. I really enjoyed meeting Jill and discussing life, technology and family.

On a train going from Washington, DC to New York, NY

Once I arrived at Penn Station, NY, I hopped on the subway and made my way home to Brooklyn. The following two pictures I took whilst trying to walk home. The snow was pelting down and sideways. I could hardly see where I was going. It was 1am and hardly a soul on the street. It was exciting in a crazy way. I was so happy to be home… I was about to see my husband who was waiting up for me and I got to kiss my angels whilst they slept. Nothing else mattered. I was home, miraculously.

Brooklyn, NY – Out of the subway and onto the street

Brooklyn, NY - 1am and the Blizzard Nemo is still in full swing

Brooklyn, NY – 1am and Blizzard Nemo is still in full swing

Have you ever been stranded somewhere because of a natural disaster?

What happened?

What did you do?

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January 29, 2013

10 planes in 8 days

I do laugh when people say I lead a glamourous life! I was a total wreck up until a few days ago and I like many other working mothers and parents still have to keep going, no matter what.

Mid-flight from Sydney to Los Angeles

I returned from Australia almost two weeks ago and for the first few nights was awake most of the evening with jet-lag. Oh how I love jet-lag especially traveling east! It is in my experience, always worse on your body.

The day after I returned home I had to unpack and re-pack my bag for another work trip. I desperately tried to find the time to kiss and hug my family a million times before a six-hour journey to the middle of Arkansas on two different planes. I was asleep before take off both times and I slept most of the way, only to find myself stiff and sore from sleeping upright in an uncomfortable airline chair.

Arkansas - Arriving at a late hour and the airport is empty

Arkansas – Arriving at a late hour and the airport is deserted

This is survival – I arrive an hour late and not only is it below freezing in Arkansas, my ride isn’t at the airport as arranged. I call the hotel and they don’t have me booked in with them this particular night so I go ahead and make a booking myself, catch a yellow cab for a half hour drive out of the city, heading to the woods it seemed. I watch too much Law & Order as my mind was racing – I’ve never been to this part of the world before and it was dark, cold and remote. I was wide awake at this point with my mobile in hand.

I repeat the address to the taxi driver who is approx. 6’3” and is wearing overalls, to make sure he knows where to rightfully take me. See, I told you! All he says is, “Yes, ma’am”. You can’t blame me for being nervous right?

I then wait at the hotel reception for about 15 minutes as their computer system was down and the new kid on the block wasn’t able to kick-start it without help from someone on the phone. I just roll with it – there is no point in doing anything else.

I finally get to my room after midnight and the room is freezing. It takes me about two hours to fall asleep as I kept getting up trying to get warm. I put socks on first, then a blanket over me then another, until I reluctantly turned the heater on. It sounded like I was on an airport runway without earplugs or headphones. Lucky for me, I always travel with earplugs and an eye mask. Tools of the trade.

I wake at 6am for a 7am start. Fortunately, the crew were as eager as I was for a Starbucks run before work. The shoot went smoothly and quickly enough. Jet-lag slapped me in the face again by 2.30pm and I could not wait till my 6pm connecting flight so I could sleep, even if it was for an hour. I didn’t know what time zone my body was in.

Notice the WiFi sign on planes these days – gone are the No Smoking ones

I arrive home a day later at 1am from the airport and find myself awake till 5am, lying in bed trying desperately to zone out. What can I say… I thought of one million things I could have done during this time if it were daylight. I could have been so productive.

The couple of days that followed, I stayed as still as possible and at home with my family before a busy shoot in Manhattan. I rock-n-roll from one city to another!

New York – Finishing touches at the hair and make-up station

New York – Walking to the subway from the midtown studio with The Empire State Building in front

This lovely pattern went on for almost a week, including a second trip to Arkansas. I am happy to say the second trip went smoothly and without any delays. My ride even made contact before I left for New York. Happy days indeed!

I traveled on 10 planes in eight days. It is exhausting and tiring to say the least. I have finally caught up on much-needed sleep and rest. My lips are dry from constantly kissing my angels and husband… Making up for lost time.

Next stop Philadelphia… Stay tuned!

What is the worst jet-lag you have ever experienced?

How long did it take you to recover?

What remedies or methods have you tried to get over jet-lag that worked for you?

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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 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’ – 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

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’

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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Tag: travel