By Georgie Parker
My job requires a lot of travel. Throughout my 30-year acting career, I’ve learned how to create a home away from home and how to make the most out of my time at home too. Here are a few things that mean home to me and can help me maximise my time with my family.
Pictures of my family: I love to bring photos of my family, so that they’re always with me, even when I’m away. I’m so proud of them, and I love showing them to the people around me.
My father’s furniture: There’s nothing that makes me feel more at home than a piece of my father’s furniture. My father Tony took over Parker Furniture from his father in 1949. Each piece has so much character, just like my father. They’re also incredibly versatile and durable and have remained in fashion throughout the years.
My clean-up companion: I admit it – I really hate vacuuming. But with LG’s Roboking Square, I get all the satisfaction of doing the job by merely pushing a button and emptying its bin when finished. It’s great to switch on and set the time when I’m away, or if I’m at home, we turn to it as a source of entertainment and have even named it!
Books: Books are the cheapest way to travel — they open you up to other worlds, perspectives and people. Whether I’m home or on the road, you’ll always find me with a book.
Music: When I’m not at home, music can instantly transform my mood. If I’m feeling low while away from home, I put some Earth, Wind and Fire or Rickie Lee Jones on, and I feel much better.
Dinner time: This is where our family really comes together. We try to do home-cooked meals as much as possible – it’s the best way to eat healthy, understand where your food is coming from and to take the time to ask each other about our days, our goals and bond as a family. While my husband is usually the chef, when I cook, I love to use the Door-in-Door function of LG’s Five Door Door-in-Door refrigerator. It allows easy access to all my most-used food items, which is perfect for me because I feel like I’m always in a hurry.
Candles: After a long day on shoot, lighting a few candles is a simple, easy way to relax. They bring life, not to mention a great smell, to any room.
My LG SmartWasher: I take care of the washing in my family, and I’ve found that since I started using LG’s newest SmartWasher, my routine has been transformed. I know most mums can relate to this, but so often clothes that aren’t really dirty end up in the laundry basket. In this case, I use LG’s Steam Refresh Cycle, which uses TrueSteam technology to remove odours and wrinkles in just 20 minutes with steam alone (and no water or detergent).
Movies: As a kid, I thought going to the movies was so exciting, and I still feel that excitement now when I go.
Walks: We’re so fortunate in Australia with such beautiful landscapes at our doorstep. I try to make the most of this by going for walks whenever I can. I also believe that a stroll is the best way to get to know an unknown place. If I’m shooting on location, I love to go for walks and stumble upon something that might not be listed in the guidebook.
– Georgie Parker is a two-time Gold Logie award-winning Australian television actress, who plays Ruth Stewart on Home and Away, and a brand ambassador for LG.