Vanessa Minnillo is one chatty chick. I caught up with the bubbly and beautiful brunette at the one-year anniversary of the Tracy Reese flagship store in NYC’s meatpacking district. We talked about everything from fashion to beauty to travel… She even babbled about having babies!

How do you decide on a look for any given night?

If I’m not confident in what I’m wearing, then I can’t carry it on the carpet or rock it, so to speak. But also, I don’t really think everyone realizes that everything gets taken into consideration, from the hair to the makeup to the shoes to the dress. Where as this hair wouldn’t have gone with a - you know - a more form-fitting, sophisticated outfit… So I think just trying to make it flow. And in that respect I have to give credit to my stylist and my hairdresser and my makeup artist, who are also my very, very good friends. I sit in the chair for hours on end. Day in, day out.

How long does the whole getting ready process actually take for you? How long did it take tonight?

Um. An hour in change. At first it was like two hours, and now we can bang it out in 30 minutes, if we wanted. We honestly have fun. We sit in the chair and put music on. Today we were blaring Robin Thick, and getting ready and doing my hair

Say you’re carrying a tiny clutch. What essentials are always in there?

Oh lipstick. Always in the bag! And a little sponge by Make Up For Ever -they have the best, softest sponges in the world - just to kind of clean up under your eyes and around your lips… and just lipgloss!

What’s your secret to beauty?

I think it’s so cliché, but it’s so true: washing off your makeup at the end of every night. I highly recommend the Bioré wipes. If you don’t want to sit in front of a sink and do the whole process, at least take a swipe of your face to get it off. That’s the best secret. Less blackheads, less breakout, less droopy eyes.

How do you stay in shape? Do you have a strict exercise plan?

It’s hard to have any workout plan and have a trainer and what not. So I actually don’t have a trainer… I would love to have that motivation. It’s just about time management and time to fit it in. If I have - you know - two days a week instead of five, then I fit in double… I run with weights on my arms… Try to fit them [cardio and weight] both in one, and it kills you afterwards… but I always feel so accomplished.

How often do you generally work out?

Not as often as I’d like!

You travel a lot… Do you have any travel secrets?

My travel secret is NAP. Blankets and pillows… Go to Brookstone! If you ever take anything out of this evening tonight -  go to Brookstone. And I promise, promise, promise you will not be disappointed. It’s called NAP. N-A-P. Pillows and blankets. That is my saving grace. It’s with me everywhere. It’s in the hotel room with me, in my apt with me - wherever I go, my friends’ house, especially on planes. I saw a special on Dateline where it said that - not all airlines, but some, the blankets aren’t always as sanitary as you’d like to think. So just bringing your own pillow and blankets has been the best release for me. Because on a five hour flight, it’s a nice comfort to take a nap and watch a DVD.

Are you an NYC or an LA girl?

You know what? I’m a New York girl. I really am… I’m New Yorker at heart… But I do love the beach; playing football on the beach, beach volleyball, hanging out with your girlfriends just having a Sunday margarita.

I’m going to try to be bicoastal. You know I’ll have kids one day and I’d see myself pulling my kids with a stroller and trying to hail a cab. Women who do that are heroes to all. I’ve seen it. Shopping and subways and children and bottles… I give credit where credit is due.

Speaking of… You’ve been spotted purchasing baby clothes? Who are you shopping for?

It’s called my friends, nieces and kids’ birthdays. No, I’m not [expecting.]

What’s your secret indulgence?

If I told you, then it wouldn’t be secret.

Your favorite word?

My favorite word? Um Flirt!

xoxo,
Lauren

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