thevivant.com, October 30, 2013

Camila Alves Shares Her Holiday Decorating Tips

Model, handbag designer, mom to three, and oh yes, the wife of Matthew McConaughey, Camila Alves is one busy woman. One of Alves’ latest projects is as the brand ambassador for INC International Concepts.

Alves told us of why she is excited to be working with the brand: “I thought ‘How can we combine what people already have and do things in a different way without spending a lot of money?’ I like to give people choices that they can wear multiple times throughout the year, not just a one time only item that you can only wear a couple months out of the year.”

We recently sat down with Alves, who gave us the scoop on her favorite holiday traditions, decorating ideas, and gift giving tips. Take notes!

The Vivant: Do you get really into decorating during the holidays? 

Camilla Alves: I love dressing up the house and making sure when people come in the house they can feel it. It’s easy to dress up your couch or your bedroom. Your bed, for instance, is a big piece of real estate that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on to dress up. And it’s fun at the same time because you don’t feel as guilty doing it.

Speaking of the holidays, do you have any decorating tips? 

When going through the things I bought last year I thought “What was I thinking?” Now I realize that I was really in the middle of the mess of hormones and being pregnant. We had Christmas in our home and I was buying a ton of really small things to decorate.  I remember thinking “Oh my gosh the house is becoming a mess!” I couldn’t create the impact I wanted.

The point being that I think it’s better to have bigger statement pieces along with a smaller quantity of accents to compliment them.  This works better than adding clutter with too many tiny things everywhere and overwhelming your house.

I absolutely love setting up tables and creating holiday dinners too. Last year I did a really beautiful table. I go to the flower market and test arrangements, I make them the night before and then I take pictures to see how it’s going to look.

You want something to be pleasant to the eye because that’s where everyone comes in and has that family time. I think it’s important when doing that that you walk out of the house and then walk back in.  You see it as a new person with a fresh look.  It should be appealing and relaxing to the eye. And if you get that warm feeling, you know you did it right.

Do you like to entertain and have big celebrations or keep it small and intimate? 

Oh I’m a big holiday person.  I love decorating the house and coming up with meals for a lot of family and friends. I really love to cook.

Do you have any favorite holiday dishes? 

I learned a lot of great Thanksgiving food down in New Orleans with a friend of ours Miss Katie. Her daughter-in-law makes this amazing rum pecan pie. It is just my favorite pie. I literally wait for it. That has to be one of my favorite things on the menu at Thanksgiving. I would skip the gravy and other salty foods just so I could have extra pie at the end.

Have you shared any of the traditions from your native Brazil with Matthew and the kids?

At Christmas time in Brazil we celebrate on the 24th at midnight. I can’t just skip that. So, we do both days. We do a big dinner on the 24^th, but we keep opening gifts to the 25th.

Do you have any gift giving tips? 

I always say that if you are going to pick something that you’re not sure the receiver is going to love or want, then don’t do it. Give a card or a gift certificate or something like that. Especially during the holiday season you want your gift to mean something. You should give a present you know that person will love.

What is the best gift you’ve ever received? 

I think my favorite gift would have to be something my husband made for me. It was very special.

fashionweekdaily.com 10/31/13

Catching Up With...Camila Alves-McConaughey

 

The lovely and beautiful Camila Alves-McConaughey was recently in Manhattan to show off some hand-picked gift ideas for the holidays from the women's, men's, accessories, and home collection from Macy's I.N.C, where she continues to serve as their brand ambassador. We stopped by the penthouse of the Hudson Hotel to catch up with her and talk about Texas style, hubby Matthew's buzzy new flick, and more. BY EDDIE ROCHE

What are your duties as brand ambassador? 
I'm the person that gets out there to talk about what I.N.C  is doing and the brand's new trends. But my favorite part of being a brand ambassador is going to a lot of store events and speak directly with the consumer. There are so many things that you wouldn’t realize just by walking by a store [window] unless somebody showed you. I also do the photo shoots and ad campaigns.

Have you always been outgoing?
Yes! I love people! If I'm driving and see somebody crying, I stop the car and see if they have an emergency or need any help. I want to know where people come from and how their day was.

Sweet! You live in Austin most of the time. How's the style there? 
People in Austin dress for themselves. Sometimes that’s great, sometimes that’s not so great, but it is very specific to that individual. They aren’t trying to be anyone else. They have a strong sense of who they are.
How's motherhood treating you?
Great! I'm not going to lie to you, it's definitely crazy with three kids. All of my girlfriends always ask how it is; I highly recommend it, but it is crazy! It's the best thing though. It's so hard for me to leave them; those few seconds leaving them at the door is heartbreaking, especially with my little guy, who is nine months old now. He is just really full of personality and does something new every day. He's trying to walk, learning how to wave, and learning how to clap. So it's a lot of fun, but a lot of work.

Have you watched Matthew's upcoming movie, Dallas Buyers Club, yet?
Yes! I truly don’t have enough words to describe that movie. I'm so proud of my husband! It's one of those movies that I went to and forgot that I was watching my husband. I always see part of my husband, because I know him better than anyone. The movie is just fantastic; you forget that you are watching [Matthew], and all the sudden you're part of the story. You're laughing, crying, and getting pissed off. It's a kickass, funny, emotional story.

You lived through the transformation of his weight loss for the role. Was it strange to see it in the movie?
No, it wasn't weird. He worked really hard and it was a slow process to get to do that in a healthy way. It's also a slow process getting back. You can’t just put it all back on at once or you'd get sick. At the end of the movie, when his character is at his sickest, from certain angles I had a different man. It was wild! It was a major change, but if he hadn't had done that, it wouldn’t do any justice to his craft.  

Since today is Halloween, what's your fave holiday?
New Years! I love Christmas with my family, but for me it's all about New Year's! I always celebrate it big because in Brazil it's really part of our culture. At midnight, we go to the ocean, jump the waves, make wishes, and put flowers in the ocean. My birthday is January 28^th, so the period from New Year's Eve to my birthday is about going back through the year, balancing everything, and thinking about great and what was not. A lot of people do it at the end of the year, but that's really my period to do it.

http://youtu.be/98ub-mTVvXQ

Since today is Halloween, what's your fave holiday?

New Years! I love Christmas with my family, but for me it's all about New Year's! I always celebrate it big because in Brazil it's really part of our culture. At midnight, we go to the ocean, jump the waves, make wishes, and put flowers in the ocean. My birthday is January 28^th, so the period from New Year's Eve to my birthday is about going back through the year, balancing everything, and thinking about great and what was not. A lot of people do it at the end of the year, but that's really my period to do it.

OK Magazine, 11/7/2013

 

Camila Alves on the Power of Accessories and How She Gets Her Home Cozy for the Holidays

Holiday cheer? That’s up Camila Alves‘ alley. In fact, last year the model and handbag designer, who also happens to be the wife of actor Matthew McConaughey, celebrated Christmas at her house, and her enthusiasm for the event she hosted is still vivid at almost a year after the fact.

“I want to dress up the house. I want everyone that comes over to fill that spirit of holidays the minute they walk in the door,” says Camila.

You’re wishing you were on her invite list, right? We caught up with the stylish star at the holiday preview for Macy’s new INC collection, a brand that she’s extremely fond of, especially around the holiday season. She broke down the importance of accessories, what dressing up a bed can do, the details behind her 30th birthday present, and much more.

OK! Magazine: We love the collection—everything is great. What’s some of your favorite things from the collection?
Camila Alves: Their denim is great. They have boyfriend jeans that I absolutely love. I wear them all the time. It’s a must-have. It’s one of those stretchy materials that hugs your body in the right places.

OK! Magazine: Any other faves?
CA: The metallic sweaters—we’re starting to get into holiday, and it’s something to have.

OK!: How would you pair the metallic sweaters for a more casual holiday occasion?
CA:  With the boyfriend jeans! It’s getting chilly right now, so you can wear them with boots. Do that with a simple pump. If you had a party, you can wear that same outfit and put on some sparkly earrings—a nice accessory and you’re good to go!

OK!: What are some things that you should make sure you have in your closet for holiday dressing?
CA: I think accessories are a big thing. You want to have a few outfits that you can play with. Get items that are basics that you can mix and match with stuff that you already have in your closet, and then accessories because that’s going to make the difference. You can make a whole outfit look completely different with accessories.

OK!: Do you have a hidden beauty secret for holiday dressing or in general?
CA: Everybody thinks to bring out the sparkles or, you know, dramatic looks here or there. I like to see the glow on people’s faces. It’s a happy time. I don’t want to see people looking mad.

OK!: What are some tips for home decorating?
CA: Dressing up a bed—that’s a big part of it. Last year, I had Christmas at my house in Texas. I was running around buying sheets—how can I make this feel cozy and welcoming and warm? It’s great with the INC Collection because everything is so affordable. Somebody once told me that the biggest piece of real estate in your house in terms of furniture is your bed. It’s an investment kind of thing. Dress it up, make it fun, and spice it up without spending as much.

OK!: What’s the best holiday gift you’ve ever received?
CA: I think the best holiday gift that I got would be something that my husband did for me. He personally made it for me. I was pregnant with Vida during that holiday. I remembering crying—being emotional and pregnant. It was a very simple thing. It didn’t cost much money. It took time and work to do it, and that was very valuable to me.

OK!: That’s what matters.
CA: To me, if you’re not going to give me something that means something, don’t give me more stuff. Give me a card and write something nice with it. When I turned 30 this year, instead of asking for gifts, I put a website. I said, ‘You know what guys? I’m turning 30. I never ask for gifts. People ask me [what I want] every year. This year I am turning 30. I’m answering your question that I’ve never answered before. I am asking you to donate.’ I called it the $1 campaign for the J.K. Livin Foundation and for Haiti. The website is still up!

housebeautiful.com

Camila video interview

http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/decorating-trends/camila-alves-holiday-tips

 

 
 

Justjared.com

 

Matthew McConaughey is the man of the hour while attending the 2013 GQ Men of the Year Party held at the Ebell Club on Tuesday (November 12) in Los Angeles. The 44-year-old actor, whose new movie Dallas Buyers Club is currently in theaters, was joined at the event by his lovely wife Camila Alves, as well as fellow honoree Will Ferrell.

 

 

 

 

CAmila @ 0:08 and 0:040

 

Camila co-hosted on The View on 11/14/13

http://watchabc.go.com/the-view/SH559080/VDKA0_mwy1utjc/the-view-1114

E ONLINE 11/22/13

Camila Alves Gushes Over Her Kids, Reveals Family Christmas Traditions

Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey are getting ready for the holidays.
And that means helping their kids Levi, 5, and daughter, Vida, who will be three in January, write letters to Santa Claus.
"It was so cute because Levi was so specific about everything," Alves said yesterday when she stopped by E! to shoot an appearance for tonight's Fashion Police (airing at 9/8C). "One of the things he needed to put was the size. He was like, 'We need to tell Santa Claus the size because he's not going to know the right size.'"
Alves recently took Vida to buy toys for less fortunate kids. "She was so sweet," Alves said. "She's over there picking going, 'A little girl would really like this and a little boy would like that.' She couldn't wait to get home and show everybody. She laid them all out in the garage and she sorted them by boys and girls."

The holidays will also mark baby Livingston's one-year birthday on Dec. 28.

"We try to lead a very simple life as much as we can in the aspect of how big our life is," Alves said. "So we're hands on, we're very, very hands on. Tonight's my third night with no sleep because the kids have been sick."

And this also means Alves doesn't worry about getting dolled up every day, even though the paparazzi may snap an unflattering shot or two.

"You know what," Alves said. "I used to be a little concerned about that before, but I'm not now. I think the only time that I worry about looking good is on the red carpet."

With McConaughey an awards season favorite for his work in Dallas Buyers Club and Mud, expect to see a lot of Alves on the carpet in the next few months.

And on buses and billboards. Her friends have been sending her photos they've taken of her outdoor ads for Macy's I.N.C. International Concepts. Alves was named the face of the brand in July 2012.

"I like to be very conscious every time I do a partnership with anybody. I don't like to do things for money or anything like that," she said. "What I love about this brand is that they have all kinds of things. My favorite thing about the brand is that they include every type of woman, from petite to plus size. It doesn't matter what sense of fashion you have, you're going to find something in the brand. Every woman should be able to find something. And it's kind of my philosophy on everything that I do, I want to include all women. And it's very affordable, the quality is great, and they're very fashion-forward. It was a good match."

Yahoo 11/26/13

Camila Alves Loves to Talk Turkey and Deck the Halls

Jingle bells are certainly ringing at Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey's household!

The 30-year-old model and I.N.C. brand ambassador dished to omg! that she absolutely adores the holidays and since marrying her "Dallas Buyers Club" sweetie in June 2012, they've melded their holiday traditions.

"It is always a joke. We have to do Thanksgiving now and we're inviting a few friends of ours and they always ask, 'Are you going to do Brazilian-style again?'" she joked during our interview at an I.N.C event. "So I said, how about this? 'We keep the meal American, but will do the dessert Brazilian.'"

That sounds like a pretty good compromise, especially with Turkey Day only one week away. But the Brazilian-born babe and her Texas-bred hubby, who are parents to Levi, 5, Vida, 3, and Livingston, 10 months, says Thanksgiving is just the start to her favorite time of year.

"I am a big holiday person," the brunette stunner shared. "I am going to dress up the house. I want the whole thing. I am big on it."

We can't say were surprised that she enjoys the joyous season, since just two short years ago McConaughy asked her to marry him on Christmas Day.

The former "Shear Genius" host says she starts prepping her house for the season, starting with the bedrooms. "When we talk about dressing up the house, the bed is a big piece of that. What I have learned about a bedding collection is that you can have fun with it without feeling guilty because you're not spending thousands of dollars," she explained, adding that she likes the new I.N.C bedroom collection. "You can have an animal print Christmas or you can go to the classic bold red or the classic whites. Also, decorative pillows are great to dress up your couch, dress up your bed, and change up a whole room."

But if she does end up walking out the door in one of her trusty sweaters, she suggests just adding a little holiday glitz. "Look for something with sparkles or shimmer and it automatically dresses it up."

Is it just us or does Alves seem just as prepared as Santa Clause himself to take on this festive time of year?

Los Angeles Times 11/23/13

Camila Alves McConaughey shares her on-the-go beauty secrets

Camila Alves McConaughey, wife of actor Matthew, keeps her beauty routine simple for her on-the-go lifestyle. A hair tip? Avocado. Camila Alves McConaughey says one of her beauty secrets is to stay away from too much stress.
With her signature cascade of long, curly hair and beachy style, 30-year-old Brazilian bombshell Camila Alves McConaughey — wife of actor Matthew McConaughey, mother of three, model, handbag designer and brand ambassador for Macy's INC. — radiates a seemingly effortless beauty. Alves has a demanding career and homes in Austin, Texas, and Malibu, so she's constantly on the road. We recently talked with her about how she stays so pulled together — something we're especially interested in as the harried holiday travel season begins.

At the recent Macallan Masters of Photography event at Leica Gallery, your style was pretty and put together but laid back. Did you bring your beachy approach to beauty and style from Brazil or cultivate it in California?
You know, it's a combination of Brazil, New York and L.A. Also, fashion is a translation of what the person's personality is. I try not to stress over too much stuff, so I guess that's why my style is like that [laughing]. A lot of influence is the bohemian. That's with everything I do. Even with my Muxo couture handbags. I grew up in an environment of artists. My mom, she's been an artist for over 30 years. I also have aunts who are artists.

What is a Brazilian beauty secret Americans may not know about?
Brazilian women really like to take care of themselves and go to the salon every week.... There are places that are cheap and really good.... We also usually use a lot of natural resources, so a lot of oils and seeds.... I grew up using Natura Seve body oil. It's the most amazing oil for your skin. For hair, we usually do an avocado mask where you basically smash an avocado and rub it in your hair and put on a shower cap and just sit in the sunshine and get your tan while you're in the backyard. It's a big thing.

How do you look beautiful juggling a busy lifestyle?
Try to keep it simple. I can't use too much stuff on my skin.... I use Cetaphil soap. I use a moisturizer from Dr. [Harold] Lancer that has SPF or a product I absolutely love that's great for travel [Nude Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil]. I apply it on my hands and face before getting on the airplane because your skin gets so dry.

When traveling, if you could use only three or four makeup products, what would they be?
A good concealer to even out skin tone on different parts of your face. [she uses Three Custom Color Specialists concealers No. 6 and No.7]. A bronzer, I mix a bronzier color and a blush tone.... It gives a healthy look without trying too hard.... I'm still searching for an optimum lip moisturizer, because I travel so much my lips are always dry. I like two right now: Christian Dior, it gives a nice pigmentation. The other one is just a cocoa butter stick you can get at Whole Foods or a pharmacy. Also, black eye pencil.... I'm not a big mascara person. And drink as much water as possible on the plane to help reduce puffiness.

What's your secret to having such thick, glossy, curly hair?
Giving it a break. I have very curly hair. I used all of these chemicals and straighteners. My hair was just not happy.... It was hard for me to accept my hair for a very long time. My brother used to make fun of my really big, curly hair, and I always wanted it straight, straight, straight … but it got to a point I couldn't do it anymore. My hair wasn't healthy. It took years to get the relaxer out of my hair. Now my hair is healthy, happy and alive. I am actually walking around with big, curly hair and people are like, 'Oh, my gosh, your hair is so beautiful.' I'm like, 'Oh you make me so happy to say that, because I worked hard on it!.' "

paraisoweb.com.br 12/2/13

ego.globo.com

 

www.forumgwiazd.com 12/1/13

*EXCLUSIVE* Calabasas, CA - Camila Alves joined her mother-in-law Kay McCabe and her kids Levi, Livingston and Vida for burgers and shakes at Johnny Rockets over Thanksgiving weekend. The mother-of-three was dressed casual in a T-shirt with a blue leather jacket and cuffed jeans but it looks like either Camila ate a little too much during lunch or perhaps she and Matthew McConaughey have a fourth child on the way? Although Camila wore a loose-fitted shirt, it appears that she is showing early signs of a baby bump.

www.toryburch.com December 5, 2013

Camila Alves on: Brazil's Holiday Traditions

We just launched a special all-white holiday collection for our customers in Brazil and Bal Harbour. Why is it white? Here, Camila Alves McConaughey explains all.

On New Year’s, I will…

Dance until the sun comes up.

The New Year’s Eve traditions in Brazil are…

Different based on the locality. The most popular nationwide is to wear all white… with a twist. The color of your intimates reflects your New Year’s wish. On New Year’s Eve we go to the ocean, say our thank-yous and resolutions, then jump over three waves before throwing flowers into the water.

And my favorite one is…

I love throwing flowers into the ocean — it’s beautiful!

I accessorize my all-white look…

With gold jewelry, especially bangles and bracelets.

Here I’m wearing…

The Venus tunic from Tory’s new White Collection for Brazil, with her Vanessa jacket and Connor bangles.

My favorite New Year’s eats…

I love chicken stroganoff, Brazilian style.

And drink of choice…

A caipiroska made with condensed milk.

For 2014, my resolutions will include…

Find more time for Camila solo time.

What’s next for me in 2014…

Only God knows.

DailyMail UK 12/6/13