IN Fashion with Beverly McQuaid

I met Beverly McQuaid a few years ago as we sat next to each other in the hair salon, but I never had the opportunity to get into a conversation with her. When she was chosen for this article, I was able to ask her some detailed questions and put a life with the face I had seen so many times.

Beverly is the owner of Planet Kids Academy, a preschool for children ages 1 to 5. As we talked, her passion for children was evident, as was her philosophical approach to beauty, life and parenting.

MD:        As an educator, I know you always want to convey professionalism and set an example. How is your style influenced by what you do?

BMc:        I would describe my style as classic but comfortable. The classic look of a starched white shirt with something as simple as a pair of jeans is always appropriate to me. Of course, I always walk around with a fish hook in my mouth.

MD:        A fish hook?

BMc:        That sounds so funny doesn’t it? I was a local model for some time. You are taught to hold your head up as if a fish hook were pulling you. It just sort of stuck with me, and I do that every day as a practice. It keeps my head up and my shoulders back!

MD:        If you say that, then you must have had a slouchy phase.

BMc:        I did at one point. I think we all do. When I  was in high school, I dressed sort of punk, with short hair, piercings and really baggy clothes. What can I say? It was the ’80s. I didn’t really pay attention to what I wore until after my kids were born because I went through another slouchy phase having babies back to back. I think I was trying not to accent my body, but hide it.

Riller and Font dress, $332; crystal bead necklace, $138; long gold beads, $302; gold chain bracelet, $655; all from Izabella’s Villa. Blue oval topaz ring, $435, Champagne Jewelers. Chinese Laundry shoes, $89, Fleurt. Copyright 2012, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:        At what point did you just “get it” about dressing better?

BMc:        I have to say my mother-in-law deserves a lot of the credit. She showed me how to put things together, and she is an inspiration. Also, I saw friends and the way they dressed. I just started paying more attention.

MD:        Has being 6-feet tall ever hindered your style or made it hard to find clothes? I would imagine you have never had to hem a pair of pants!

BMc:        You’re right. And if something does fall a little short, then it looks like a cropped pant, which is fine with me. Actually, I had a harder time finding a man tall enough for me! Luckily, he is 6-foot-4, so I can still wear high heels.

IN Fashion with Beverly McQuaid. Blouse, $194, and shorts, $198, from Izabella’s Villa. Crystal bead necklace, $138; long gold beads, $302; all from Izabella’s Villa. Pearls, $1,150, with Swarovski enhancer, $175, Champagne Jewelers. Jeweled handbag, $129, Three Divas and a Sugar Daddy. BCBG shoes, $89, Shoefflé. Copyright 2012, Abby Sands Miller, abbyphoto.net.

MD:        Beverly, no one can say you don’t look amazing now. I know you work out very hard.

BMc:        I do, and I credit my gym for helping to reshape my body. I do circuit training three times a week, and I try to run 3 to 4 miles at least twice a week. I do love to exercise—it is sort of my time to myself.

MD:        Earlier, we talked about taking time for yourself and how that influences your life.

BMc:        I am firm believer in finding balance. I am always trying to balance my family, my business and myself. I truly believe that comes out of taking care of yourself first. It is almost counterintuitive to think that, but it is so true. I feel I cannot be better at all the things I do if I have not fueled myself and taken care of me.