Recently in Interviews Category

Even though I exercise on a regular basis and have a relatively healthy diet (I'm not into greasy food and love fruits and veggies, but I have an unshakable addiction to chocolate...and lots and lots of it...err!), and I don't need to loose weight, I've been dying to try a liquid cleanse for months. The weather has been so cold and depressing in NYC I figured there was no better time than now to shake things up and bring up my energy and mood with a cleanse. Stay tuned tomorrow for my take on the iZO Cleanze which is the one I ended-up going with and read on for my interview with iZO founder Tim Martin for his take on why iZO beats Blueprint, the benefits of cleansing, and how (if you must!), you can cheat:-)

Admittedly, as a fashion and style writer, I don't often get the chance to interview beauty experts. But when I heard that Scott "Body Bling" Barnes was releasing About Face - Amazing Transformations Using the Secrets of the Top Celebrity Makeup Artist, a new book 240-page coffee table book featuring 20 dramatic makeovers, I was immediately drawn to check it out. After all, this is the makeup guru--artist's artist is more accurate--that was responsible for Jennifer Lopez's stunning looks in the movie "Maid in Manhattan" and music video "Jenny From the Block," two of my all-time favorite on-screen productions. In advance of the book's official debut next week, when longtime clients Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Mariska Hargitay will host a party in Barnes's honor in New York City, I chatted with the beauty expert on a bevy of topics. Herewith, his thoughts:

-What's your personal makeup resolution for 2010?

"Honestly, I've been really getting into more fantasy stuff. I've always had a love for that but at this point in my career I feel like I can break into it a little bit more, which is fun. I've gotten a lot of people calling me for [work on] videos!"

It's hard not to like a hair stylist who tells you upon meeting that he does not want this to be a one 'cut' stand and that he wants to have a love affair with your hair for a lifetime. It helps that he is utterly sincere and well, really really great at what he does-- which is giving you the best hair cut of your life. I am known for my dedication to my hair; for years I flew home to LA for my cuts until my stylist moved to another continent. I've been playing around with different stylists both in Dallas and New York but it looks like I will be heading home to La La Land for my cuts once again. Kelly went to Neil a few months ago and showed up in NYC for Fashion Week with the best haircut I've seen on her. Not one to miss out, I scheduled a cut myself with Neil in April and interviewed him while he snipped away.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the co-owner of the hottest hair salon in LA (think Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson) so humble and well, nice (uber colorist Amanda George is the other owner, more on her later)!  A veteran hairstylist of 30 years, Neil worked with the top of the industry (including Chris McMillan-- Jen Aniston's hair guru) before launching his salon four years ago.  Neil is also devoted father to two beautiful daughters, re-scheduling our appointment so that he could attend a school function for one them-- he won points with me before we even met!  (Jump for the entire interview!)

We interviewed our favorite mom snobs of the fashion and beauty industries in honor of Mother's Day this weekend; from Bobbi Brown, Anya Hindmarch to Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, you will love reading about these busy moms! Read Mom Snob Features Here.

No bag wardrobe is complete without an Anya Hindmarch bag!  We first interviewed the Queen of Bags three years ago in 2006-- since then we've become addicted to her chic and functional bags, clutches and now ready to wear (I ordered an insanely fabulous fur stole for Fall 2009, complete with hidden pockets!)

Anya designed her first bag at age 6 out of paper-- even at that young age she understood the importance of organization and designed little pockets and slots for everything a little girl needs!  She told us she's been obsessed with bags for a lifetime and plans to continue for at least another 20 years.  In addition to being the ultimate bag snob, Anya is also mum to 5 children!  Read on to find out how she manages it all!

What do you want for Mother's Day? A day off!

What is your most cherished Mommy moment? Having all of my 5 children together at home at once... I cherish our time in Mustique when we can all be together over the holidays.

One of my favorite sites to browse for gifts is Vivre.com, it's an amazing source of inspirational and eclectic items-- handpicked by its founder and owner, the very chic Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti herself (I ran into Eva at a showroom once and she was sitting cross legged on the floor with bags and shoes around her, in fierce concentration).  In Eva's world, the world of Vivre, life is celebrated and one will never fail to discover something new to inspire and delight.  What inspires and delights Eva in return?  Why her handsome hubby and beautiful children of course!   Read on to find out stylish tips from Eva for busy moms!


1. What do you want for Mother's Day? For mother's day this year I would like my children and I to have a cook off, with my daughter, Allegra, leading the charge. She is really becoming a wonderful chef!

2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment? Kissing my children first thing in the morning, as well as now receiving great emails and texts from my daughter.

We love Joy Gryson for her urban chic bags; she was the designer behind many favorite Marc Jacobs bags including the Stella, Sophia, Venetia and Zoe. She currently designs her own bag lines-- Gryson and Olivia Harris (named for her daughter), both of which we absolutely adore. She created an instant hit with the Gryson Skye bag but even with all her success, she is most proud of being mom to Olivia who she had with husband Peter. They are the sweetest couple and are so supportive of each other. Joy and Peter are lifelong residents of New York where they have built their home and bag empire. Read on to find out how Joy manages life as a busy working mom!

1. What do you want for Mother's Day? Something made by Olivia.

2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment? When Olivia tells me that I am her best friend.

3. How do you balance work and family life? Not easily, but I just try to keep things in perspective and try to remember what the truly important things are in life, not sweating the small stuff.

Our Mom Snob of the day is the creator of Kotur bags, a Red Carpet favorite of A-listers and fashionistas alike. Fiona Kotur is not only known as an International icon of style, she is also mom to four adorable boys!  Between her busy schedule in Hong Kong-- (her homebase since 2002) working and raising her young family, she took time out to tell us her favorite Mother's Day memories.

1. What do you want for Mother's Day?
Breakfast in bed with my four! One loves to make boiled eggs and the other pancakes. We will most likely spread it out on the bed - picnic style!

2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment?
I took a class in baby massage and the connection between parent and child is so important. It strengthens the bond and is great family activity.

3. How do you balance work and family life?
That it is the eternal question for every parent, I decided to talk to my kids about what is important to them. They have told me it is important for me to drop them off, put them to bed and help them with their homework - but not necessarily watch their soccer games. Open dialogue is crucial!

Mornings are tough for moms.

All little girls dream of becoming a real Princess one day but what happens after "Happily Ever After"?  Apparently it's a houseful of little ones with a handsome Prince and a wildly popular children's clothing line!  Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece shares her real life fairy tale with us and imparts tips and tricks for tantrum free traveling!

1. What do you want for Mother's Day? Drawings from my kids that I can frame.

2. What is your most cherished Mommy moment? That peaceful time before breakfast when the kids come into the bedroom for a cuddle and there's the seven of us in bed.

3.How do you balance work and family life? With a calm head and a deep breath in the morning.  I'm also very lucky that my office and shops are just around the corner from my house so I'm always back and forth. My father, who was a very busy business man, always came home for lunch with the family. It's the best family bonding time. (Jump for more!)

I don't know anyone who is not totally addicted to US Weekly (I guess all of my friends are gossip obsessed!)-- from the latest celeb gossip to the latest trends in fashion, US Weekly has it all!  The force behind the fashion trends in the mag is none other than Sasha Charnin Morrison.  Best known for her stints at major fashion publications such as Allure and Harper's Bazaar (and daughter of the man who created Broadway sensation "Annie")-- Sasha bolted for US Weekly after giving birth to her twins so she wouldn't have to continue the insane travel schedule.

I caught up with Sasha this week (actually, Sasha and I text or email at least every other day about shoes we crave!) and asked how she manages life as a mom to twins, wife to her hubby of 19 years (high school sweethearts!) and Fashion Editor of the world's most juicy gossip mag. 

1. What do you want for Mother's Day? Something personalized...a mug, a painting something from the kids like that...

2.What is your most cherished Mommy moment? When they guys were born...it was a hellacious labor but when I got them and they were in my arms, it was overwhelming.

3. How do you balance work and family life? We just make it work. We have an incredible support "staff". My husband and I work it out to always be there for the boys, always drop them off together at school, etc. Our nannies and our parents are all wonderfully available and supportive.