Female Role Models To Inspire Your Daughters

If you want to be successful, just find someone who is already successful at what you want to do, and model them.

Quite a good idea, don't you think?

Except what if you don't yet know what you want to do?

Or maybe you just want to feel inspired and motivated by women who have achieved success, defied the odds, made a difference in the world, stood up and been counted.

I was asked recently who I would choose as a role model for my daughter, if I had one. (daughter, that is!) Without thinking I immediately replied "Amal Clooney". Because she is brilliant, accomplished, multi lingual, and long before marrying the chairman she was making an important mark on the world.

There are so many mixed messages out there for teenage girls today. Success and notoriety get confused - why work hard at building a career when a sex tape can propel you into reality TV shows, millions of dollars, and a spot standing next to Beyonce, who did put in years of hard work to achieve her success?

All women need to have other women to look up to, to be inspired by, to admire.

So today, on the eve of this blog hitting one million, let's look at a varied assortment of

Female Role Models To Inspire Your Daughters.

1. Amal (Alamuddin) Clooney

Amal leaving her hotel in Athens for a meeting with Greece's Minister of Culture

Born in Beirut and raised in England Amal is a lawyer, author and activist specializing in international law, extradition, human rights, and criminal law. She is fluent in English, Arabic and French, and long before marrying Clooney was living her life on the world stage. Frankly, she is fantastic.

It should be noted too that Clooney didn't catch her because he was a movie star, he caught her in spite of being a movie star.

Amal pre-Clooney

2. Malala Yousafzai

As a young girl Malala Yousafzai defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to have an education. In 2008 she gave a speech in Peshawar, Pakistan entitled " How Dare The Taliban Take Away My Basic Right To Education". In 2009 under a pseudonym she began blogging for the BBC about living with the threat of the Taliban denying her education, but was outed in December of that year.

She continued to speak out about education for girls and in 2011 was nominated for The International Children's Peace Prize.

In 2012 a Taliban gunman boarded her bus, asked which girl was Malala, and shot her in the head. 

She has made a full recovery, and in 2014 became the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

This month her biographical documentary He Called Me Malala opens in theaters nationwide.

Order her book, I Am Malala here

3. Danica Patrick.

Apparently no one told Danica Patrick that racing is a man's sport.

Danica made it to the big leagues racing in the Indy Racing League and now in Nascar's Sprint Cup, where as the only female she buckles in each weekend, qualifies and then races against 40+ high testosterone, aggressive men at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Danica had to earn the respect of her fellow racers, and had to earn her way into Nascar's top tier, where skill, strategy and lightening fast reflexes are a pre-requisite. 

4. Angelina Jolie

Yes she is perhaps the most beautiful woman in the world, and yes she is a movie star and now also a movie director, but part of what makes Angelina Jolie so incredibly compelling is her dedication to her work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and now Special Envoy.

Plenty of celebrities lend their names and faces to good causes, but Jolie's commitment to the plight of refugees, her genuine human interest and resolve to help and publicize and advocate for uprooted people is more than inspiring. 

Jolie visiting refugees in Afghanistan

With more than 40 trips to some of the most remote regions of the world to visit and draw attention to the suffering of refugees, Angelina has an incredible understanding of global displacement issues, and is able to represent the High Comissioner at the diplomatic level. 

Most pretty movie stars can't do that.

5. Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller

Leandra Medine on The Coveteur

Blogger Leandra Medine is known for her hilarious blog about serious fashion, which premiered in 2010. Medine has been able to parlay her love of "man repelling" fashion into big business. Forbes named her one of their "Top 30 Under 30", The Man Repeller was one of TIME's Top 25 Blogs of 2012, and Medine also topped Adweek's "Fashion Power 25", even beating Vogue magazine's Anna Wintour.

Leandra Medine's voice is so influential, and so powerful in the fashion industry, her currency is so strong that the 26 year old blogger is now represented by mega agency CAA.  

She is a fantastic example of a girl who has taken a passion and turned it into something massively successful. She wears it her way, and she did it her way.

Leandra Medine wwearing it her way, via Pop Sugar

Want more? Check out the Zoe Report's 15 Inspiring Women To Watch Now and Forbes' 30 Utterly Inspiring Women

3 Makeup Tips For A Blusher Veil ~ Bridal Beauty Tip #25

I have a wedding coming up where the bride is wearing a floor length blusher veil. That is, a veil that will cover her face and drape down to the floor as she walks down the aisle.
Doesn't that just sound fabulous??

I love the idea of that frisson of mystery that everyone will feel the moment the cathedral doors open and she is standing there, all back-lit and enigmatic. I love that she will float down the aisle in a diaphanous mist of glamour, and no one will know quite how she looks until the veil is lifted.

Bridal perfection at Oscar de la Renta

Ah - the drama!

Blusher veils and especially floor length blusher veils require a little extra thought and planning on the part of your beauty team.
Your hairstylist has to factor in the weight of the veil and how it will pull or weigh down the front of your hairstyle. He also has to think about the products he is using. They can't be even slightly sticky in case they grab or adhere to the veil, and shine products can't be too oily or have any residue that can attach to it.

image via DHGate.com

For makeup (my department) there are several considerations to keep in mind as well. Here are 3 of them:

1. Accentuate The Positive.

A blusher veil puts a soft focus diffusion on the face, so the facial features need to be a little more accentuated to make sure they don't completely disappear. This doesn't mean makeup overkill, or even big, dark makeup, instead have your makeup artist gently bring out your eyebrows, shape your cheekbones, and fill out your mouth.

image via veiltrends.blogspot.com

2. Set The Shine.

You want you skin to look luminous and glowing, but you have to stay on top of any excess sheen on your forehead and nose that can come in contact with the veil, leaving a foundation colored smudge to precede you down the aisle. Be sure to use a mattifying primer underneath your foundation through your T Zone, and apply an extra layer of translucent setting powder to your forehead and nose before heading to the church.
If you tend to get oily/shiny across your forehead and nose, use blotting papers before you get out of the car.
I give my brides Tatcha Aburatorigami blotting papers. They are beautiful and luxurious and work brilliantly.

3. Be Aware Of The Lip.

You can glossy-up your lip after the ceremony, but for the time the veil will be over your face stay away from a high sheen lip. Opt instead for something in a matte or soft satin finish that won't grab onto the veil and make a mess both on the veil, and as a consequence, on your mouth. If you've ever dealt with wind whipping strands of your hair onto your lip and then onto your face you will know what I'm talking about! 
As you walk your veil will move and flutter a little, so you need to make sure you wont have a problem if it does touch your mouth as you move.
One lip trick that I love when my bride is wearing a blusher veil is to use a deeper toned stain on the lip. It makes a beautiful statement and looks looks stunning though the veil, and it's safe for him to kiss without worrying that he will end up wearing it.

5 Makeup Mistakes That Age You

image by Kelly Cappelli

Most of us put on makeup because we want to look prettier.
Those of us over the age of 25, maybe apply makeup to help us to look a little younger.
The problem is, maquillage mistakes can make you look much older than you actually are, and not in a flattering way.

Here are 5 common makeup mistakes that make you look older:

1. Too Much Powder

Powder's job is to set foundation and maybe knock down a little excess shine. 
Over powdering your skin can age you 10 years. Instead of looking fresh and glowy and healthy, an over-powdered complexion looks dull, lifeless, dusty and old lady-ish.
Do yourself a favor and only use powder sparingly.

One of my pet makeup peeves is crushed mineral powder foundation. If you have perfect, flawless skin you can maybe get away with it, but for anyone who has even slightly dry skin this type of powdery foundation makes the skin look old, and very dried out, both of which are very aging.

2. Too Much Foundation

We all already know that "less is more",and yet plenty of us pile on the foundation as though it's a mask to hide behind.
Thick foundation settles into the fine lines and wrinkles, making them look bigger, and when foundation starts looking opaque (when you can't see skin through it) your skin looks lifeless and much older.
 The trick is to remember that foundation should look like flawless skin, not like battle paint. Instead of spackling it on thick, find a sheer formula that gives you the coverage you need, and apply the finest coat possible. Let your skin look glowing and fresh and you will look years younger.

3. Abusing Bronzer

I swear bronzer abuse drives me crazy! especially when girls try to contour their cheeks with bronzer.
 Getting the bronzer equation wrong can be super aging too. Some of the culprits are: using a bronzer that is too flat and matte, using a bronzer that is too dark, coloring the face in too much with bronzer, using a bronzer that is too glittery or sparkly.
Remember that bronzer is supposed to make you look like you've been outside in the sunshine. Use it to create a little warmth in the complexion.

Try Laura Mercier Matte Radiance baked Powder Bronzer

4. Eye Makeup Overkill

Too much eye makeup makes you look much, much older than you need to. An overly smoky eye or a heavy eyeliner can really make you look aged and tired.

Opt for softer colors, avoid black liner, sparkly finishes, and heavy eye makeup. You can make your eye look fantastic by defining it with soft, neutral shadows and choosing an espresso brown liner instead of a black one.

Try The Eye Pencil Primatif in Basic Brown by Kevyn Aucoin

5. Lips Too Dark

I love a big, bold, dark lip.
But dark lip colors are super aging. They compress the lips and make them look thin, pursed and angry.
Deep, dark, heavy lip shades make you look older, and can also make your complexion look drained, so choose soft, medium toned shades instead.
Another super-ager is matte lipstick on an older girl. Opt for a satin finish to your lipstick and let your lips look luscious!

5 Reasons You Should Vacation In Queensland

I am in love with Queensland Australia. Absolutely.

I have been there several times now, and it has become one of my favorite vacation destinations in the world. 

I just spent a week in far northern Queensland at Trinity Beach, which sits slightly north of Cairns. There is so much to do up there, but you can be perfectly satiated just lying around doing approximately nothing.

I can think of 100 reasons that you should vacation in Queensland, but instead I am giving you 5:

The Beaches. 

The beach outside my vacation rental in Trinity Beach, Queensland

They are spectacular. The east coast of Queensland runs along the Coral Sea, which is warm and beautiful. The coastline is comprised of endless golden sand beaches, most of which are unpopulated. The islands off the coast of Queensland, such as the Whitsunday Islands are famous for their pristine, white sand beaches. The water is clean, the swimming is glorious, and the sun always seems to be shining.

The Seafood. 

If you are a seafood lover you just cannot beat Queensland, both for the fish and shellfish that you already know, as well as the rare, sensational, Aussie-only species that you have never heard of before. Queensland is a seafood lover's dream come true.

The Weather.

 Queensland gets two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Their summer (December thru March) is the monsoon or wet season, and is the best time to visit the rain forests and the barrier reef, the rest of the year is dry. Year round the temperature is lovely and warm. 

The Zoos. 

Bindi Irwin and her mother at Australia Zoo
image credit Russell Shakespeare

Queensland zoos are wonderful, especially if you are traveling with children. Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo feels more like a safe haven for creatures than a prison. From the giant kangaroo range, which is more like a huge park where they can roam freely in amongst the wildlife, to the elephant enclosure the animals don't feel caged. One thing I noticed when I was there (several years ago on a different trip) was that every zoo worker seemed really happy. Like they really enjoyed their jobs and loved their animals. More telling was watching the interaction between the animals and their humans. I was particularly fascinated with the elephants and their handlers, and the playful and joyous way they communicated as they meandered from one area to the next. The elephants looked happy and as though they were having fun. It was magical.

The Great Barrier Reef. 

No amount of National Geographic can prepare you for the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef. At 2,300 kilometers (1400 miles) in length the reef can be seen from outer space.  One of the greatest experiences in my life has been snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef. 

5 hours races past like 5 minutes when you are snorkeling on the reef. From the coral structures themselves to the unbelievable marine life swimming amongst them you feel like you are swimming through a visual technicolor explosion. It is almost surreal.  The water is soft, warm and staggeringly clear. My first time snorkeling the reef was on a clear day with a crystal smooth ocean, so visibility was pristine. My second time, which was last week, the sea was rough which made for much harder work physically, but still you could see everything and the colors were so vivid it you could hardly believe they were real.

We used Reef Magic for our day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Read my TripAdvisor review here

Queenslanders are super friendly, happy, smiley folk. In that giant land mass there are only 4.6 million of them, so there is plenty of space to breathe in, to swim in, to stretch out a towel on the sand and get bronzed in. You never feel crushed, the beaches like the skies are wide open and vast. 

There are incredible restaurants and the shopping is wonderful, if that's your pleasure.

You can lose yourself in Queensland, or find yourself, whichever you need, but you will return home relaxed, bronzed and happy.

Where to stay in Trinity Beach, Queensland, vacation rental

Where to stay in Palm Cove, Queensland, hotel

Check out flights to Cairns here

Read about Australia in Bill Bryson's hilarious yet super informative book In A Sunburned Country

Flying The Queensland Coastline

Flying up the coast of Queensland is one of life's truly amazing experiences.

Our Air New Zealand flight flew from Auckland to approximately Brisbane, then flew the entire way up the Queensland coast to Cairns, giving us multiple hours of one of the most beautiful views you can possibly imagine.

iPhone view of the Queensland coast from my Air New Zealand flight

Hours and hours of pristine blue water, golden sand beaches and vast emptiness.

Enormous stretches with no one there. No building, no industry, just pure, spectacular nature.

Great Barrier Reef from the plane

The Great Barrier Reef is 1400 miles long. You can see it so clearly from the plane.

Unpolluted, unspoiled.

You can't quite find the horizon as the infinite blueness of the sea merges with the infinite blue sky.

Find flights to Queensland 

How can something this beautiful even exist?

It makes you realize how immense the universe really is and how small you really are.

The images in this post were taken with my iPhone as we flew the coastline.

Amal Clooney And Sideshow George ~ One Year And Counting

On yesterday's flight home from Australia I was reading 
Grazia Magazine's article about Amal and her 'arm candy' George. 
All the newsstands had pictures of her killing it in a green Versace dress this week, and there was also mention of their one year wedding anniversary.
I can imagine these two going the distance. He always seems both in absolute awe of her, and as though he is endlessly chasing her to keep her interested in him.

I just love Amal. Quite apart from the fact that she is brilliant and accomplished and is at the top of her international game in a non show biz career, she has a flawless sense of style. Personally I think she is already becoming iconic.

I also love that George (The Chairman) is so completely eclipsed by her. In any photo of the two of them your eye is immediately drawn to her. Every time I see them I think "it's Amal and Sideshow George". 
But don't you just love how proud he looks? One year on and he still looks as though he can't quite believe he actually got her. 


Interestingly she also manages to steal the spotlight from Cindy Crawford in any photograph, even though Cindy has spent 30+ years training our eyes to land directly on her.
The Gerbers and the Clooneys spend so much time together - do you ever wonder what Cindy and Amal talk about? Amal is fashion. I can't imagine her being overly interested in talking about it endlessly. Who knows, maybe Cindy can talk human rights and international politics?

Anyway, here is a quick look at what Amal has been wearing this week.

At the O Brother Where Art Thou 15th Anniversary, in Versace.
(photo credit Splash News / Pop Sugar)

Where does your eye go? Straight to Amal

 Amal in New York wearing red Dolce and Gabbana

photo credit Felipe Ramales/Splash News 

Amal and George leaving a restaurant on Portobello Road, she is wearing Dolce and Gabbana.

photo credit Splashnews

All images in this post were taken from Amal Clooney Style, a fabulous blog devoted to what the divine Mrs Clooney wears. For a complete breakdown on Amal's outfits and accessories, check out Amal Clooney Style here 

Read the Grazia Magazine article here

What Is Squinching???

Have you ever noticed how celebs always look perfect in photos?
Especially red carpet photos. 
They are no different than you or me, they have the same insecurities, the same life stresses that we all have, and yet they manage to look picture perfect and super confident in every photo.
And their eyes draw you in and engage you.

There is actually a trick to it, called squinching.

Check out this article from Marie Claire:

Is "Squinching" the Celebrity Secret to Looking Perfect in Photos?

All signs point to yes.

Do candid photos even exist anymore? In an age when #flawless selfies are among the hottest of commodities, any technique that promises a photogenic upgrade—from classic posing hacks like the skinny arm or the Olsens-coined Prune face, to makeup tricks likeblurring and extreme contouring—is going to garner interest.

The latest advancement in strategic, like-amassing picture taking is squinching, which is narrowing the eyes by tightening your lower eyelid and letting the top one drop down just a bit. This definition comes by way of portrait photographer and squinching pioneer Peter Hurley via Who What Wear, who recently decided to reexamine the trend, after its initial heyday in 2013, by having their editors test it out. Hurley believes that squinching is the easiest, most effective way to convey confidence and add definition to the face—almost like a more sultry alternative to smizing.

Hurley insists that it's a technique executed by supermodels and celebrities alike, and  after scrolling through our Instagram feeds, we can't help but agree. Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch.

Before and After: Karlie Kloss Edition

Now, let us preface this by stating the obvious: Kloss is very blessed in the bone structure department, thus by nature has very defined features. This said, her more candid, wide-eyed expression doesn't quite convey her natural, killer confidence.

Striking a more calculated pose, Kloss squinches her eyes, which aids in further carving out her high cheekbones and defining her jawline. Overall, her look is more striking and really screams, "All eyes on me!" (But in the most subtle of ways, of course.)

But Does It Cause Wrinkles?!

For those fearful that squinching could result in wrinkles, as "squinting" is known to lead to and/or exacerbate crow's feet, fear not. When we asked dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., at Schweiger Dermatology Group, she explained that it's essentially a non-issue.

"Since it's an alternative to classic 'squinting', squinching seems to create less overall muscle contraction, and actually might spare you the etched in-lines that come from repetitive muscle movements like squinting," she explains. "The trend calls for partial muscle relaxation. So, if anything, you'll only form half the lines you would normally."

We're going to look at this as glass half full.

To Squinch or Not to Squinch?

Since squinching poses minimal threat to premature aging, and as seen above, clearly yields many benefits for nailing a frame-worthy picture, going forward we'll be squinching before we so much as say, "cheese!"