CAMILA ALVES MCCONAUGHEY IS TOO SEXY

Now that I'm back in shoot mode, I'm looking through some of my photography and styling work for my portfolio. I came across this:

When I was pregnant with my second child, I felt like my back was going to snap in half, and I felt heavy all-around because I gained somewhere around 70 to 90 lbs on my 5'4" frame. I definitely did not look like this:

Some people are just lucky to be born with the genetics of a Brazilian supermodel who has three kids with Matthew McConaughey. Oh wait, that's Camila. Drat. Check out her cover in the Holiday 2009 issue of BC Magazine. To view our site, please go to bc-mag.com.

Thinking back, I do have an idea as to why Camila is this fit. Let me ponder on my memories a bit more while I finish my The Farm old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie...

Ok, I'm back. Camila arrives on set (The Charlie Hotel in West Hollywood) by herself. She drove their Range Rover, and when asked what she wanted to eat during the shoot, she just had a salad. And seemed full from it, too.  I guess that's what it takes to be in her shoes--eat less, don't be lazy, and don't be a diva. I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad.

Anyway, big congratulations to the gorgeous McConaugheys on their third child, baby boy Livingston! Here are some photos to inspire me to get back in shape. Whatever...

BOBBING WITH ANGIE HARMON AND OUR BABIES

Let me start this by apologizing for my hair. My bangs, particularly. Before I got to the event, I was all primped and polished--cool, teased bangs held high by non-aerosol hairspray--feeling all chic even before lunchtime at a Hollywood event. Yet gravity had its way with my un-colored locks, and there was no time to re-do the 'do throughout the busy day. I'll show you more interviews from this event as we go along.

At this time I still lived in West New York, so we had to fly to LA. This interview was shot in Beverly Hills, while we covered a celebrity family event before the Golden Globes.

Angie Harmon is an American model and actress. You may remember her most from Baywatch Nights and Law & Order (like I do). She currently stars in Rizzoli & Isles as Detective Jane Rizzoli. This Dallas-native is married to NY Giants football player, Jason Sehorn, She is tall, slender, and gorgeous even with little makeup and a casual turtleneck. She is carrying her beautiful daughter, Avery, while we were chatting.

 Angie, with the cast of Law & Order

Angie with co-star, Sasha Alexander, on Rizzoli & Isles

Anyway, two days after the event, we flew back East. I remember it was an early morning flight. I had underestimated the cold weather in California and checked my coat inside my luggage, so I had to wear my husband's really worn-out, on-hand, navy windbreaker to the airport. On him it looked good, but it was ill-fitting on me, and we were very harassed because we almost didn't make the flight. We may have been the last to board, and my husband and I were with the kids, plus our friend-slash-co-worker, while carrying all our bags and equipment--so you can imagine how I looked like. Let's just say I was a beauty queen in this video compared to that morning.

So while we were boarding, all 5 of us naturally had to pass first class to get to our seats in coach, and behold, Angie Harmon shouts to me and says, "Hey! You're from BC, right?" And I go, "Yes!" and she seemed excited for some small talk about how we were on the same plane and all that. Very kind of her to remember me, even sans make-up and clothed in aforementioned windbreaker (come to think of it, how did she recognize me? Haha). Anyway, I never feel bad about flying coach except for this one time. I guess the combo of the windbreaker, morning hair, no make-up, etc., felt to me like I was doing a walk of shame towards the bulkhead seats we made sure to request for in advance. Now, even the "bulkhead" seats--the ones with just a wall in front of you--plus the extra leg room it comes with, does not make me feel better.

The view from our back door in West New York. Only a promenade separated us from the Hudson River. I remember loving taking the 7-minute ferry to the City to get to our office on Lexington 

So anyway, after that incident I NEVER travel without looking like a sane person, and I always wear my own, curated-for-the-weather-and-occasion clothes. There is always a lesson learned in every incident, especially one that involves windbreakers. Plus, let me be caution that non-aerosol, although more environment-friendly, does not ensure maximum hold.

P.S. Speaking of clothes, in case you were interested--my daughter, Maxine (5 months old in this video), was wearing a Jean Bourget jacket (matching with my off-white Mango coat) and a lavender babyGAP skirt (matching with my Isabella Oliver--or was it Japanese Weekend?--plum turtleneck).

ALL YEAR-ROUND GIFT LIST

Happy New Year! Here's the first and second parts of our year-round gift list, which can also be seen in BC Magazine US and Philippines!

PART 1

Featured in this clip are: shopsilaboutique.com, Lassig, makaboo.com, hulabye.com, Carex Bed Buddy Bear, Build-A-Bear, oompa.com, Lakeshore Learning, Kushies, Elegant Baby, Lilikin and Friends, Little Giraffe, Alex Toys

PART 2

Featured in this clip are: Mezzmer, lisaleonardonline.com, Horsefeathers, Isabelle Grace Jewelry, Kleynimals, Simple Wishes, Everly Grey, Daddy Scrubs, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Cake Lingerie, Bravado x Rebecca Minkoff, Revlon, Chanel, Clinique, Kerastase, La Prairie, modern-twist.com, Elegant Baby, Aden + Anais, Swaddle Designs Little Giraffe, Zutano, Baby Blanket Music