Location location location

Walton Hall

I haven't had a chance to blog lately so I thought I'd share a little snippet of life whilst working on outside broadcasts on location - which is something I am doing a lot of at the moment! (OB's as they're known, for those of you who don't know, are programs/shows recorded away from the base studio.) They can be anywhere from domestic to international destinations but at the moment for me they are not too far away .. it's not a holiday but some places have quite an appeal.

One such place we were lucky enough to stay recently was the Waterton Park Hotel, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The hotel is on the mainland opposite Walton Hall, a Georgian Mansion on a small island on it's own lake. The setting is idyllic and the views are stunning.  It was grey and overcast on the day we arrived but beautiful none the less.  It was a pity we were only there overnight but one thing you do need when you're away from home is a comfortable bed, specially when you have to work till late at night!  I slept like a log in my garden room and would love to have an opportunity to go back there again sometime.

working with limited light

As for the OB's, they can be quite challenging at times. Make up rooms or even tables are often non existent and you have to be creative in setting up a little area to work. Ever the professional, I tend to carry everything and more than I need .. you never know what people are going to ask for and it's best to be prepared.


My next OB trip away is Tralee in Southern Ireland ... who knows what will happen when the Guinness starts to flow - Irish republican singing, dancing a jig - I am not a big Guinness drinker so I will leave that to the die-hards!!  

I'll just leave you with an Irish quote "There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened." 

Sláinte! (to your health)

A busy summer ahead .. take care of you!

The week ahead

We've had all kinds of weather in the last few weeks .. a taste of real summer a couple of weeks ago (absolutely fabulous) after a seemingly relentless spell of rain and grey skies, the return of the rain again and now a changeable few days ahead again - although not as cold as it has been thankfully!  

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations are now over and what it showed was that the British people carry on regardless of the weather conditions and really know how to enjoy themselves.  Whatever your leanings - republican or royalist - you can't deny that it brought almost everyone together in the spirit of unity and happiness.

Work is going to be crazy busy for me again this summer with all the sporting events that are coming up including the Olympics, so I will try my best to keep the blog going and update you on some new make up and hair products over the next couple of months.

Remember to apply your sun protection even when it looks a bit dull out as those UV rays still manage to get through the clouds and burn you if you're exposed for too long.  As a reminder here is what the elements have done to my garden ornament .. you don't want this to be you!!

Ain't no city like New Orleans

"Ain't no city like New Orleans" so wrote the blues singer Earl King of his hometown. It is a place most of us know because of the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina in 2005.  It is also well known for it's music heritage, noteably the earliest style of jazz.  Louis Armstrong was a native of New Orleans and the international airport is named after him.
This brings me to the primary reason for visiting on this occasion ... (not to mention wanting to sample the delights of the French/Cajun/Creole cuisine) The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival!  "The Festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, so the music encompasses every style associated with the city and the state: blues, R&B, gospel music, Cajun music, zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, folk music, Latin, rock, rap music, country music, bluegrass and everything in between. And of course there is lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional."

With only three days to sample a small slice of the city along with the jazz fest, after a delicious lunch at August, the first afternoon was spent walking along Canal Street to the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. The street is alive with restaurants, bars and strip clubs but relatively quiet during the day. Mardi Gras would be something to see - I think I will need to come back for that! We came across a bar with bras hanging from the ceiling! Apparently if you donate your bra you get a free beer!!  Prior to my trip I was warned by a number of people to be aware of pick pockets but I have to say I never once felt threatened or saw anything of the sort .. the vibe was friendly and inviting.

You cannot leave NO without sampling the beignets and coffee so it was breakfast the next morning from Cafe Du Monde. The Original Cafe Du Monde is a traditional coffee shop. Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk. Beignets are square French-style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar. In 1988 Iced Coffee was introduced to the cafe. Absolutely to die for but if I had those everyday I would be the size of a house!!  Don't expect anything else there .. no eggs and bacon at this cafe!!

Dinners were sampled at Dick and Jenny's .. a fairly casual setting serving Louisiana cuisine .. the corn bread was the best I've ever tasted!!  And Le Foret .. delicious French food in a beautifully renovated building.

The Jazzfest took up the bulk of the weekend and it was a fantastic atmosphere with great local food, culture and music.  Next time I'm coming for both weekends of music and using the days in between to explore NOLA and the surrounding areas more fully!

Rainy spring in New York City

Central Park

Spring in New York is usually very beautiful - blue skies, fluffy clouds and spring blossoms in the park and beyond.  Well there was a little of that but mostly it was cold and wet on my recent trip to the city.  As you should know by now the weather never gets in the way of fun and entertainment and there wasn't much down time left over with all the places to go and things to see!  Here's a quick overview of all the places we had time to frequent in the 5 days leading up to the trip to New Orleans!  Click on the links for more info!
On the first night we went to see Graham Parker perform at the City Winery situated in Varick Street, Soho .. it's a place created for people who share a passion for wine, food and music.  The next night it was back to Don't Tell Mama in the theater district for the superb Hole-o-matic show with Michael Holland and Karen Mack.  I wrote about them when I visited NY last year .. so much fun and would love to get them over to London and spread their brand of entertainment here.  Next stop was the Music Box theater to see James Corden and the original West End cast in One Man, Two Guvnors.  I wondered how this would translate across the pond but it went down extremely well and was wonderfully funny and entertaining. If all this wasn't enough it was dinner at The Stanton Social on the lower east side the next night .. the sister restaurant of Beauty in Essex and situated just around the corner, it's a hip and trendy place to be and the food is fabulous!

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

The highlight of this whirlwind few days was attending Sleep No More an off Broadway production set in an abandoned warehouse in Chelsea .."a mash-up of Shakespeare's Macbeth and 1930s film noir that combines elements of theater, dance, and haunted fun house for a unique evening that engages all of the senses." (Entertainment Weekly)  You have to check your bag and coat as you will need your hands free to explore the rooms, drawers etc and you will be on your feet for most of the 2-3 hours unless you choose to stay seated in the bar area!  You are required to wear a white mask (provided) which distinguishes you and all the other spectators from the actors and are also requested not to speak.  Also be aware that you can easily be split up from your partner/party but that is part of the appeal.  You have your own unique experience of the show. "There are five floors and nearly 100 rooms, each one decorated better and more elaborately than the next.  Some resemble asylums, with rows of metal beds and cabinets full of medicine and sharp tools while others look like homes and still others taxidermy shops.  Take a turn and you end up in a graveyard, or a bed, or a dark bar in which strobe lights illuminate what turns into a naked rave.  We won’t tell you anything else other than 1) if an actor takes your hand, follow and 2) if you can’t figure out what’s going on start opening drawers, reading notes, and thinking in terms of Macbeth." (Elle.com culture) This truly is a different take on anything you thought theatre would be.

You'll be glad to know that I did have a much needed night off before heading off to New Orleans for the next stage of the trip!

New York and New Orleans .. coming soon!

Bourbon Street

April was a busy month for the Holiday Queen .. all work and not much time to write but give me a day or two and I will fill you on in another of my fabulous trips to New York plus an amazing visit to the City of New Orleans for the Jazz and Heritage Festival way down in the southern state of Louisiana.  It is definitely a contender to be one of my new favorite places to go!!

South of the border, down Mexico way

I think you know by now I just love Mexico and want to continue to visit every year if I can.  The weather is all but guaranteed, the food is fabulous and the people are friendly .. what more could you want for a vacation from your working life?!!

Having been to Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San Jose, we had the opportunity to join friends further south on the West Coast in Nuevo Vallarta which is situated just north of Puerto Vallarta, a thriving tourist town due to it's climate, tropical beaches and mountains and rich cultural history.  It has a rainy season from July through September so I would not recommend you go at this time as it can be very hot and humid!

There is so much to do in this area - horse riding, whale watching, zip lining, sailing, scuba diving - the list is endless.  Or you can just relax on the beach or by the pool and watch the pelicans fly over looking for their fish dinner. 

Las Caletas

The American director John Huston filmed his 1963 film 'The Night of the Iguana' in Mismaloya, a small town just south of Puerto Vallarta.  Situated nearby is the cove of Las Caletas which is accessible only by boat.  Here you can swim, snorkel and kayak, and have a beachside buffet lunch.  At night the cove is transformed into Rhythms of the Night which features a Cirque de Soleil inspired contempory dance performance reflecting stories and folklore of civilizations past.  On our last night in Mexico we boarded a large catamaran at the Maritime terminal at Nuevo Vallarta taking a sunset sail of approximately one hour to the cove which glowed with torches and candles in the darkness as we approached.  On disembarking we could hear the sounds of drums and flutes summoning us through a jungle setting leading to an amphitheatre where the spectacular show took place.  Afterwards we made our way to the beachside candlelit dinner with the backdrop of waves lapping on the rocks and shore. Simply devine!  The food was a buffet style myriad selection of sumptuous dishes which did not disappoint and the service was second to none!  Then at around 11pm we were called back to the boat where the crew put on a show of their own keeping us entertained and plied with rum punches and margaritas!  A fantastic night and one that should not be missed if you venture to this part of Mexico.

There are no direct flights to PV from the UK so we went via Los Angeles stopping over for a couple of days either side to break up the journey.  Flight time from LA is 3 hours.  Other options could be via Mexico City, Chicago or New York and I would suggest a stopover if you can and have the time .. or your could brave it all the way which would take the best part of a day to get there.

Next stop New York and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival .. watch this space!!!

Music and movies to brighten up a rainy day in LA

 

As the song goes, it never rains in California, but man it pours!!  And that's just what it did on my recent trip to Los Angeles, topping and tailing it around a glorious week in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  Almost every trip I've ever done to the city of angels at varying times of the year has always produced sunny days, even in the 'winter', so it was quite a change to see the rain lashing down at a 45 degree angle, flash flooding in the streets and literally torrents of water channeling down the gutters of the roads at a rate of knots.

A great place to visit on such a day is the GRAMMY Museum, located at 800 W. Olympic Blvd. in the LA LIVE district.  'It is an exciting and interactive celebration of the power of music occupying a vibrant new space in downtown Los Angeles. Four floors of cutting edge exhibits, interactive experiences and films provide a one-of-a-kind visitor experience — engaging, educational, celebratory and inspirational.'  Tickets are $12.95 for adults - other prices apply for students, seniors, military etc. and is open seven days a week till 7.30pm. It was a fascinating exhibition and a great way to spend a couple of hours or more if you interested in the music industry.  For more information visit the website http://www.grammymuseum.org/

Costumes from 'The Artist'

Not too far away is the FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) which has its own museum and galleries.  Admission is free and opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.  The current exhibition and one which I highly recommend if you are interested in costume design for film, is the Twentieth anniversary Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition.  It features over one hundred costumes from twenty films released in 2011 and includes a selection from all five Academy Award Nominees for Costume Design and runs till the end of April.  There are also costumes from past classics including those for Rudolph Valentino and Marlene Dietrich amongst others.  It was a special treat to see the costumes from 'The Artist' in full colour as you can only use your imagination as to what they might be in a black and white movie! 

The next exhibition which will run from July 24 through September 22 is 6th Annual Art of Television and Costume Design.

FIDM http://fidmmuseum.org/

Nuts about Brazil

Here is another fabulous travel piece written by my friend Nigel about his recent trip to South America ... enjoy!!! 

I always knew that Brazil was famed for its beautiful sun-kissed beaches, a colourful, lively party-time atmosphere and a rich swirl of samba dancing and bossa-nova music, but I don’t think any preconceived notions of what to expect in the land of carnivals and coffee beans could have prepared me for just how much I have fallen for this incredible country on my recent jaunt there. It was lush, rich, vast, impressive, sexy, heated, bright, beautiful and a thousand other descriptive words which could fill this blog and beyond.

Our journey started, after three flights and 35 hours of travel (not strictly necessary – but always check that your travel agent is booking a direct flight to Rio and not a ‘hidden direct’ which seems to give them free reign to transport you via Siberia should they wish!) at the glorious Iguacu Falls, one of the recently named New Seven Wonders Of Nature. Situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina the Falls make most famous waterfalls look like a leaky tap. Comprising of over 270 Falls including the awesome collection at The Devil’s Throat, it is a destination that I would recommend for anyone who just wants to open their eyes in wonderment, walk into the misty sprays of the Falls and marvel at the sheer magnitude and force of the waterflow. Walkways out into the spray and a bouncy boat trip bumping you into the Falls as near as Mother Nature will safely allow are a must for any visitor – just prepare to get soaked! We spent one day looking at the Falls from Brazil and one day from Argentina and loved every watery minute.

As my best friend now lives in Brazil, our next venture was a flight to Sao Paulo to meet up and then pack up the car to head off on our Brazilian road trip. First port of call was the idyllic coastal village of Paraty, located on the Costa Verde (Green Coast). Famed for its historic buildings, colourful streets and jaw-dropping mountainous surroundings, it’s a place I could happily live out my days. And the food on offer is a dream, especially if you love the tenderest sea bass that is ever likely to swim your way.

Next up we headed to the place that has to be the number one hot-spot for most party-goers heading to Brazil – the wonderful Rio De Janeiro. I squealed with glee as we caught our first microscopic glimpse of Christ The Redeemer (another of the New Seven Wonders Of The World) perched high above the city and I will relive and re-love the expedition to see the amazing statue close up until the day I pack away my Havaiana flip-flops for good. Whether you’re religious or not, the total thrill of seeing this huge statue perched protectively on a hill above Rio’s bay is just out of this world. The only thing that capped standing underneath it was a helicopter ride we took from Sugarloaf Mountain around the Redeemer itself. You literally look into the face of Jesus. I adored it.

Other must-do’s in Rio are watching the sunset as you knock back delicious caipirinhas (Brazil’s national cocktail) on Sugarloaf Mountain and a trip to Ipanema Beach where the beautiful people reside. I defy any UK tourist not to pull in their belly and puff out their chest as you watch a flotilla of perfectly curved ladies and and pec-powered guys sexily sauntering across Ipanema’s wondrous sands. We consoled our out-of-shape selves by ordering grilled cheese on a stick and more cocktails from a passing beach vendor.

Keen to avoid the madness of Rio in full carnival-swing we headed to the countryside for our celebrations to spend five days in the Minas Gerais region at the picturesque village of Tiradentes. By day it was time for relaxation around the pousada (your best choice for good accommodation) pool or marvelling at the multi-hued objects literally hanging out of every shop – it is a souvenir buyer’s dream – but by night…bring on the Carnival! Held to celebrate the end of Summer, the Carnival is five days when the whole of Brazil goes loco. Feasting on the fiesta away from the major tourist spots was a definite winner in my book. As the costumes are fitted, the wigs go on and the make-up gets applied, you can really get closer to the happy hysteria and watch the never-ending processions go by. For five days the whole population of Brazil seems to swap sleeping for dancing. It’s a great way to live…even if your eyebags and hangovers tell you otherwise.

Our final destination was back to Sao Paulo for a look at one of the largest cities in the world. Beautiful it may not be but capitivating and impressive it certainly is. The endless traffic is horrendous but buses and the underground system (soon to be mercifully expanded to cover more of the city) allow you to visit delights like Ibirapuera Park and the dynamically decadent Hotel Unique with its divine rooftop bar.

Brazil shocked me – in the most wonderful way. The people were smiley and happy, the scenery was some of the lushest and healthiest I’ve ever seen and everywhere was a riot of colour. Even the flash thunder storms were warm, wet and wondrous. Our heartfelt obrigados (thank yous) to the Brazilian ‘Crew’ – Mikey (for itinerary and merriment as always), Marcellino (for driving above and beyond the call of duty) and to the fabulous Myles and John for sharing their Dynasty-esque home with us. We loved it, we loved you, we loved Brazil…now we just need to book our next trip!

Thanks for letting me share this on my blog Nigel!! xx 

Nigel's blog http://www.nigelmay.net/blog

Beautiful Feet for your Destination Beach Wedding and Beyond

During the winter and colder months our beauty regimes change and it is easy to become lax in the areas that don’t see sunlight due to the cold weather.  I am guilty of this, especially my feet who have been snuggled away in soft socks and tights, sheltered from the elements and out of the lime light.  But if you have booked your holiday or destination beach wedding, how do you make sure that you feet are picture perfect and will dazzle on the yellow sandy carpet?

The answer is simple - your feet need to have their own beauty routine and then to make sure they are not left out on the big day, add some beautiful foot jewellery. (Written by Monique from French Wedding Style Blog - my sentiments exactly! .. thank you!!)

French Wedding Style Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012

Carey (Carey Hawkins Make up) has been working with brides for over 8 years and lets us in on her exclusive tips to achieving beach beautiful feet and her favourite products and colours for 2012.

Carey: There is nothing prettier than the sight of your tanned and perfectly polished toes peeking out of your favourite strappy sandals or sparkling on the beach.  Spring is nearly upon us and if you are one of the lucky ladies who are getting married this year, it is time for a girl to turn her mind to all things ‘beauty’ ready for the big day.  But ‘quelle horreur!’.  If your feet are in need of some serious attention – here are some top tips to get those tootsies into shape……

• Start from the ‘inside out’.  Eat lots of Omega 3 rich food (oily fish, flax seed) or take a good supplement.  This will benefit the skin not only on your feet but on your whole body!

• In the run up to the wedding treat yourself to some professional pedicures which will give you a great start to maintain the health of your feet.  If you have any serious foot complaints (corns, bunions etc) see a Chiropodist who will help you back into your ‘Choos’. 
• Maintain daily with regular filing and buffing.  Invest in a good foot file (the cheese grater style ones are fab!) but go gently!  Less is more and you can even use an old nail file to gently buff away the hard skin from the day.
• Take some time out to get to know your feet through massage – not once a week but every evening before bed.  Slather on a rich cream Weleda concentrating on the heels and drier areas.  Not only will your feet love you for it, but your body will benefit from your own reflexology.  For the ‘green’ girl – the  foot balm is fabulous.  Then pop on some socks and awake to soft, fresh feet.

• Have fun with polish on your toes.  For Brides there are so many beautiful pastel shades this year – or you may wish to be a little more daring! Just don’t forget to use a clear base coat to avoid staining the nails.  Some of my favourites for 2012 are:
• Becca – Bright Sunset Coral – perfect for tanned toes
• Butter London – Slapper – bright teal green
• Chanel – June – gorgeous shade of apricot
• OPI – Thanks a Wind Million – duck egg blue and Pedal Faster Suzie – a pretty pale rose

So your feet are looking beautiful but now to make them sparkle ready for your beach wedding.

Celebrity jewellery designer Allie has a sparkly practical solution with her Swarovski Crystal barefoot sandals.  Women have always known that there is something essentially feminine about decorating their feet.  The Crystal Barefoot Sandals are a glamorous and very beautiful way to finish your Bridal Attire.

What is so special about Barefoot Sandals?  The Sandals do not have a sole on them and they sit on the top of the foot securely.  These Barefoot Sandals are perfect for walking on the beach in the sand for a wedding.  Not only for weddings but honeymoons, cruises or even pool side!

The Sandals themselves are made with Swarovski Crystals and Freshwater Pearls.  There is a little loop that fits on to the second toe and then they do up at the back of the ankle.  The finished look is stunning, almost like the Crystals are dancing on the feet in the sunlight!

If you have Bridesmaids, why not treat them to a pair of these Sandals as a gift to say thank you!  You could have them designed in whatever Crystal colour you wish that goes with your wedding theme.

There is something very alluring and exquisite about wearing these beautiful handmade Sandals on your wedding day!  The Swarovski Crystal barefoot sandals and Allie’s other jewellery can be seen at http://www.alliehandmadeoriginaljewellery.co.uk/

Many thanks (merci beaucoup) to Monique and Carey for allowing me to share this on my blog!!

Of course you don't need the excuse of a wedding to have beautiful feet.  I will definitely be using Carey's tips to get my feet into tip top shape for my vacation to Mexico next month!!!

Dreams to Reality

January can sometimes be a miserable month .. even though technically the days are getting longer it's usually dark, dismal and cold.  So far this year that arctic weather we've been promised for so long has not yet materialized so apart from the fact that the holidays are over there's much to look forward to in the coming year ... now is the time to think about it.

As soon as the new year kicked in I was online booking my next holiday.  Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is the next destination in mid March, only 9 weeks away!  Flights to Los Angeles are coming in very cheap at the moment so they're all booked!  I find it's good to chill for a couple of days in LA before flying down to Mexico a mere 3 hours away .. and the same on the way back.  So vacation number 1 is in the bag and the flip flops are itching to get out of the closet again!  

Trip number 2 will be a little jaunt over to New York to meet with friends before flying down to New Orleans for the Jazz and Heritage Festival at the end of April.  It has a fantastic line up this year including a Beach Boys reunion! I can't wait to sample the delights of NOLA - the food, culture and people.  Another long time dream coming true. 

In the meanwhile, I am enjoying little trips around the UK with work, nowhere too exciting but good to get out of London and experience another part of the country ... Ill let you know if there's anything of interest along the way!!  

Cheers and Happy New Year 2012 ... may it be your best ever!!