Maeve Quinlan’s Holiday Rules

Maeve Quinlan is an Irish-American actress known for starring in over thirty feature films, hundreds of episodes of television, numerous series regular roles in long-running series, and movies of the week. Quinlan has gained critical acclaim for her depth, range and versatility whether drama or comedy, earning her most recently an Indie Series Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In feature films, Quinlan is best known for her stunning performance in Not Easily Broken opposite Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson and Morris Chestnut. She is also known for her impressive roles in other feature films such as Francis Ford Coppola’s The Florentine, Larry Clark’s edgy independent Ken Park, and her chameleon-like performance in Dirty Girl as Tim McGraw’s wife. On the lighter side of her feature film career, she starred opposite singer Michael Buble’ in the romantic comedy Totally Blonde.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Quinlan entered the world of creating, writing and producing. She was one of the first pioneers of streamed content with her huge hit comedy 3Way, which streamed on Hulu and YouTube, and now can be seen exclusively on TelloFilms. Following the success of 3Way, Quinlan created and produced the hit show Beverly Hills Nannies for ABC Family, The Pack for Animal Planet and currently has 5 projects in development with her producing partner, Alexia Melocchi and Little Studio Films.

Before becoming a professional actor, Maeve was ranked in the top 100 in the world in the professional world rankings, playing Wimbledon. She was the #1 Alternate US Olympic Team at the age of 19. Maeve is an advocate for gay rights, ovarian cancer research and awareness (her mother is a survivor), and animal rights. She is also a proud supporter of the US military and has visited troops in war zones like Afghanistan. Maeve Quinlan resides in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Ireland, with her fiance, his three children, and their adopted dog Quinn.

Where are you jetting off to next?

I will be jetting off to Ireland, England, and Glasgow shortly after this initial California getaway. I do this often when I’m in need of some R&R. I drive up along the coastal shores of LA, 90 minutes north to my favourite holiday place in the US-Montecito, California. It’s gotten a lot of media attention recently, which is a shame. It was a lovely, simple, under-the-radar place to escape the busy life of LA for the past 30 years for me. Now, the secret is out with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle residing there. Shortly after some much-needed relaxation, I will finally be jetting off to Ireland for the first time in two years to see my family and meet my new UK agents in London and Scotland. I am a dual citizen of both Ireland and the US, which is why I am adding UK agents to my already amazing Hollywood team. It is exciting to be adding the European market to my career. But, I am most excited about just spending some R&R with my family in Ireland, and the day to day countryside life. My family and the serenity of Ireland means everything to me. With the pandemic, going back wasn’t possible for the past two years, and I normally go several times a year, so I’m so excited to get back and visit my family in County Wicklow, just south of Dublin. I’m also thrilled to announce that my UK agents whom I’ve just signed with are Keddie Scott & Associates. This allows me to work in all of Europe, as well as my great team in the US, so I will also be visiting them at their offices in London and Scotland. I love London and go often. I played at Wimbledon prior to my acting career and I have extremely close friends there, so I’m looking forward to returning. I’m also very much looking forward to my time in Scotland. It will be a great trip.

How will you spend your days?

In Montecito, I love the beach walks and the hikes. I have so many friends there and in Santa Barbara. My dogs have always come with me throughout the decades and I will continue the tradition with our dog Quinn. Montecito is a dog-friendly community which makes it cozy and fun. I love the quaintness of the village, as well as the boutiques and shops. I love eating breakfast at Jeannine’s Bakery and meeting a friend for lunch at their favourite local spot. At night, I love to meet friends for dinner at some of my personal favourites such as Lucky’s, The Stonehouse, and Plow & Angel at the San Ysidro Ranch. I adore coming home to the San Ysidro and enjoying the end of the evenings with a gorgeous glass of wine and a roaring fire in my room. The nights become cooler there which makes it fun, and fall and winter are my favourite times to visit. Montecito is truly a place of calmness and happiness for me, surrounded by great friends who have moved up there, and my cousins live nearby in Santa Barbara so I love that I have family there as well.

In Ireland, my days are not too dissimilar to what I love to do in Montecito. Long walks, shopping, great food and cozy fires after a long, relaxing day spent with friends and family. Though I have toured the normal must-see places throughout my lifetime, my normal routine is always the same. I stay in Annamoe, Ireland and hit my favourite pub restaurant in all of Ireland – The Roundwood Inn. I go for their famous goulash soup, oysters, Irish sausages, or smoked salmon accompanied by a great cold pint or a shandy. My brother and sister-in-law’s home is on many acres with horses, sheep, chickens and gorgeous dogs. Interestingly, it is where John Millington Synge wrote Playboy of the Western World. County Wicklow is my slice of heaven. I love to start my days off with a long walk around Roundwood Lake, then off to Dublin to stop by all of my family and cousins in town. I’ll also like to go on a shopping spree at Brown Thomas’, my favourite store on Grafton Street, before having afternoon tea at The Shelbourne Hotel. Having a walk through St. Stephen’s Green would be the finish to my typical best day. My nights in Ireland are mostly all about family back out at my brother’s where we cook a great dinner, dance in the kitchen, enjoy some fab wine, and have a pint in the do it yourself pub they made out of one of their stables. I’ll never leave without enjoying a night out back in the city listening to all the great music in Temple Bar. Although I am far from a golfer, I am trying to learn. My fiancé has been kind enough to take on the job of teaching me. One of my favourites is playing at The Powerscourt Golf Club, where I got my one and only Birdie in my very short and pathetic career. I’m terrible at golf but I am trying. I’ve been known to take a day trip or two, most recently with my fiancé when there. We did a roundtrip recently in a day from one coast of Ireland to the other. We took in the Cliffs of Moher, all the towns on our way there, and the little fishing communities of Clare. One of my favourite places to take in was Galway, where my Dad is from, and seeing the diving board he used to dive off of. The last time I was there, I sprinkled some of his ashes in the sea underneath that board. He was pictured in his early twenties on an Irish postcard that I still have because of his diving. That was a nice moment.

In London, I look forward to staying at one of my favourite hotels, The Rosewood. I enjoy having lovely lunches at some of my favourite lunch spots such as Petersham Nurseries and mouth-watering dinners such as the amazing 34 Mayfair or Sexy Fish. I can’t wait to see my close London friends Tamara Beckwith and Linda Evans who used to live in LA and most importantly my niece, her husband and baby girl who lives in London. It will be a great trip combining business with my new UK agents, great restaurants, and of course London has the best shopping on Oxford Street. As far as Scotland, I’m looking forward to my new UK agents showing me their favourite spots in Glasgow.

What is in your carry-on luggage?

I pack my carry-on as if my luggage will get lost. I keep it basic, yet essential. I can’t forget cute but comfy PJs, travel-sized cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and my Juice Plus veggie tabs. I also pack my outfit for the next day after I arrive, depending upon what I would need to wear per my plans. My flat iron, curling iron, and a wrap that’s not only cozy for the plane but that I can also use during my trip. My favourite oversized large handbag includes my computer, makeup & a book.

Beauty essentials?

I use Rodan + Fields products as my skin-care routine. I have for a long time. I’m also in the beginning stages of developing a few of my own supplemental skin-care products that anyone can use with whatever routine they have. They are just a few things that are lacking across the board in skin-care lines. You can purchase everything I use, including my Rodan + Fields skincare, my Juice Plus veggie pills and my upcoming supplemental face care essentials on my Instagram blog page @maeveintoxicatingbeauty, as well as my personal Instagram page @maevequinlan, where my shop link is in my bio. My #1 golden rule, however, for any skin-care routine is a full block SPF for your face, neck, and hands. I use Rodan + Fields (available through my Instagram) or I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer from the drug store.

What do you like to read?

You’ll always catch me re-reading the classics. My favourite writer is Ernest Hemingway and I can read his work over and over again. My favourite book is The Sun Also Rises, but I love everything he has written. As far as my reading routine on a plane, I always have the same routine. I read the in-flight magazine from cover to cover. I love seeing new destinations and must-hit spots while there. I then get a little work done on my computer or read a script. Then, I bust open classic literature like Hemingway to enjoy the rest of the ride. I love plane rides. I feel like it’s the one place no one can get ahold of me.

Best travel tip?

Pack your carry-on bag as if you already know your bags will be lost or delayed. Put in all the basics you will need when you arrive, as well as toiletries, PJs, and something simple to wear the next day. Best travel tip ever.

Favourite travel memory?

I’ve been so blessed in regard to world travel because prior to becoming a professional actress, I was actually a professional tennis player. I have travelled all over the world because of that and it’s hard to pick a favourite travel memory. However, Venice always comes to mind as one of the most magical and romantic places I’ve ever been to. I’ve been about 5 times. My favourite memory there was when I had a film that premiered at the Venice Film Festival. It was a bucket list goal for me to have a film premiere at one of my favourite places in the world and be included on opening night at one of the most respected film festivals in the world. Venice is just so romantic and every time I go I am just in awe of it.

Favourite hotel?

My favourite hotel in the world is the Cipriani in Venice. I feel like I’m living in a dream when I’m there. I have to pinch myself at times because of the beauty and the history. The rooms and courtyards are a magical world of their own. It’s just a dream to stay there. For my upcoming travel, my favourite hotel where I’m travelling to next in Montecito, California has always been the San Ysidro Ranch. Now I split my time when I’m in Montecito between the San Ysidro Ranch and my new favourite hotel in the US, the Rosewood Miramar, with breathtaking views on my favourite beach there. It’s a perfect combination to have the coziness of the San Ysidro Ranch inland and all of the history that encompasses it, and then the beach elegance and beauty of the Rosewood Miramar. In Ireland, I don’t stay at a hotel because I stay at my family’s home, which is how I prefer it. But when I travel, I love staying in an Irish Castle. By far my favourite hotel in Ireland is Dromoland Castle in County Clare. It’s a must.

Your vacation style?

I like my vacation style to look and feel effortless and minimalist, as my backdrop with one piece of wow on me. Meaning, a great pair of large earrings or a signature piece of jewellery, handbag, jacket or wrap. I’ll also bring one very memorable knock-out dress for at least one of the nights that is far from my normal minimalist, classy travel look.

3 packing essentials?

A great pair of jeans that you can dress up or dress down, a classic top that can be casual or dressy, and large gold hoops.

Your packing advice?

I’ve learned this the hard way. Do not bring options. Make your decisions as to what you are wearing each night before you pack. I always used to end up with way more than I need and came home with a huge back full of clothes I never even considered. Put all of your options on your bed, and then painfully make your edits and decisions before you put them in your bag. Always roll your clothes to minimize wrinkling. If you’re up to it, roll them in plastic saved from the dry cleaner.

The one beauty product you can’t live without?

Vaseline petroleum jelly, hands down. I take my eye-makeup off with it. I use it over my nighttime moisturizer to seal in the hydration, and I condition my eyelashes and eyebrows at night with it too. Plus, it serves as a lip gloss with a lip pencil for stains underneath.

What beauty trend will you be rocking this season?

Thicker, bushier, bold eyebrows are so in and I love it. It’s so youthful and nostalgic for me as it feels like a modern throwback to my college days at USC.

How would you define your style?

Even though I grew up outside of Chicago, I have lived in Los Angeles since I was 19. I am definitely a California girl through and through. It’s California Casual for me during the day. Athleisure wear, or leggings by Savvi or Lululemon, is my daily uniform around the house. When I’m running errands it’s a great pair of jeans, a beautifully fitted t-shirt or tank top or a crisp white or striped husband-shirt with a great pair of high heels, wedge or platform. It’s barefoot at home at all times for me. When it comes to nighttime, I go all city look and love to dress up. I usually pair some sort of classic, a vintage designer piece from my wardrobe like Gucci, Chanel, Armani to classically add to something trendy and current. I love to match extremely expensive classic pieces I’ve had forever with something that is super trendy and inexpensive or a great deal. It’s a great trick to keep your wardrobe current, only spend money on classic pieces you can use forever, and buy the trendy stuff for a bargain.

This season’s 3 wardrobe musts?

A pair of baggy jeans is, sadly for me, a must this season. I’m not really a fan of wearing baggy jeans outside of the house but they are here with a vengeance on the runway and are a low-key fashion must-have this season. Also, lavender will be a hot colour and a must-have colour in your wardrobe this season. This season it’s all about platform shoes-with everything.

What swimwear trend is a must this season?

The cut-out one-piece is a must. Or, a classic triangle bikini in bold red.