I was so thrilled to be asked by Country Weekly about my two days of beauty with Lady Antebellum. [Thanks CW!]

The insert image of Hillary is not from when I worked with her - you can see my days with them here.

My mother scanned this for me from Canada - she was annoyed that they cropped into my headshot. LOL "Mom: it's ok. It's not about me." xo

This is the cover for this issue. Note: I had nothing to do with the cover so please don't think I dolled up these peeps - although they do look fab!

International Women's Day. March 8. [Please 'LIKE' my CozyCot profile here.]

What does that mean to you? Politcal? Family? Historical female accomplishments?

So many women internationally have done so much for us, the kinder sex. But we are far from the weaker. Not anymore.

Celebrate International Women's Day for what it means to you. What do you think about?

I think of my mother and all that she has taught me. For standing by me. For raising me with integrity. For the unconditional love.

I think of my Grandmothers.

 My grandma Jean, whom I think of often and miss terribly. Who taught me joy and catching bees with honey aka 'If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.'

My Farmor (Danish) Inger, who has taught me laughter can be the best medicine.

I think of my daughters - the women of the future. Who have taught me patience :) , and love in a whole new level. And forgiveness [I learn forgiveness daily with my teenagers]

I think of my sisters who have taught me to be yourself.

My aunts who have taught me the importance and closeness of family no matter how far away you live.

I think of my close girlfriends who have taught me trust.

I think of those women who are my peers and mentors.

All of these traits inspiring us to be better people, better women.

Recently I was invited to participate in CozyCot's search for 100 Most Inspiring Real Women.  An email popped into my inbox. I hesitated.

Well - I am a successful hair & makeup artist who was a single mother with 2 children in Canada. I have starred on TV shows, led teams for Fashion Week, Canadian Idol, magazine shoots, celebrities for red carpet etc etc - all while being a single mother.

 I think - correction... I do inspire.

For all those single mothers who think they can't be a mother and...(insert desire here). Yes, you can. And yes, I am re-married to a fabulous man who has whisked my girls and I to a wonderful lifestyle in Singapore as 'expats' - but. I got to where I am on my own; with drive, determination, love, integrity and my chin up high. (not too high, I'm not stuck up or anything)

[This image is two years old]

 My children have always come first.

[Back in my single mother days, I took my girls for a cottage vacation. My agent called mid-week. Could I come home to shoot a Good Charlotte video. My girls were pleading in the background 'No mommy. We want to stay. Please say 'no' mommy!'

I said no.*

My agent 'But, Andrea, it's Good Charlotte and you have been requested to do their video' ]

My children come first. Integrity and family. Two traits that are very important to me.

Sure life is a little easier now. But no matter where you are in life, you will always be faced with challenges. It's how you deal with and overcome those challenges.

I am proud and honoured to have been selected as one of  CozyCot's 100 Most Inspiring Real Women.

Thank you CozyCot! 

*My girls now know who Good Charlotte is and tell me that I should have never listened to them and worked with the band. But, karma has payback. Last year I had the pleasure of working with Lady Antebellum. It was an honour to work with them and they are ridiculously charming and sweeter than honey.

 PS: My agent, Judy Inc was my agent then and still is. A supportive agent who has listened to my tears and frustrations over the years but also my happiness and joy. For that, I am grateful. Smooches to Charles, David and Tracy! (Mitchell too, but you haven't had to listen to the frustrations... yet)

 Recently I had the pleasure of  flying from Austin,Texas to Toronto, Ontario to do hair and makeup for Lady Antebellum. The only challenge I had was I arrived in Toronto and my luggage didn't! Thankfully I had 24 hours before I had to be on set with Lady A. (A gazillion phone calls (zero name dropping) to the airline got me my luggage at 6:30 pm the night before I needed to be at the band's hotel at 5:00 am!)

I don't even know where to begin! The days were long but the company always remained fabulous! (I think I overuse the exclamation mark but, I believe in this post, it's worth it!)

While I can say country music does not monopolize my music collection I do own some Dixie Chicks, I do turn up the radio when Shania is on and I am now a proud owner of a Lady Antebellum cd! I guess you can say I am a fan of the cross-over country music.

While listening to Lady A answer many interviewers' questions a few answers stuck in my mind, one being: Like music for the music, not the genre. Well said and so true. Charles, Hillary and Dave were troopers going from station to station, performing, q & a's etc - and in-between while we were driving around they were still sweet as pie ... err... honey, of the American kind, just see for yourself:

This photo borrowed from MuchMusic, At Home with Trevor Boris. This was my last day with Lady A. I loved Hillary's dress!

 It was a great two days, I was thrilled to be a part of the energy. A HUGE congratulations to Lady Antebellum and their success.

In this photo Lady Antebellum with my assistant Earl. Good for him jumping in for a photo. Truth be told, I always want to snap a pic with the people I work with but I always think their time with me should be solitude and relaxation, not another photo-op. I may change my mind on this... :)

Curious as to the beauty products being splashed around?

Sure - I'll share!

Over the 2 days I used various products on Hillary, here are a chosen few to list:

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm to die for eye cream that I use on everyone

FACEatelier #3 foundation

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

Kevyn Aucoin Prime Creme Eye Shadow in Pristine

NARS Eye Shadow in China Blue

Cargo Eye Lighter (my new tearduct love!)

L'Oreal Voluminous mascara

Stila Lip Glaze in Blackberry and Marmalade

Hair, again various products, namely Bed Head Hard Head hairspray, trust me a little goes a LONG way!

The guys appreciated my Clean And Clear Blotting Sheets, oil absorbing film that has ZERO makeup, they're a conversation starter too. 'What's that??' is often heard as you press them on someone's face. I tend to forget not everyone knows all about makeup.

 What did I learn in my 2 days with Lady Antebellum? I do like country music (check out track 8 Stars Tonight on the Need You Now cd - awesome song) AND I will never check my makeup kit on the way to a booking! (will be purchasing a Zuca Pro carryon for future travels!)  

** A BIG thanks to Borman, EMI, The Green Room and of course to Lady Antebellum for a great day!

 **Look for Hillary in an upcoming InStyle magazine shoot! Curious if they let her keep her gold metallic Minx nails I put on for her**