What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love gardening. I have a beautiful backyard in Chelsea which is such a luxury in NYC, and I take full advantage of it planting a great garden every spring. It’s so gratifying to watch the flowers grow, and I really enjoy getting my hands in the dirt. The best perk of having such wonderful outdoor space is getting to entertain often, especially in the summer. It’s a great way to stay connected and treat friends to being outside in nature.

What do you do to find calm during crazy-filled fashion days?

I go to a class called Intensati at Equinox.  It’s super high energy, but I feel great when I leave.  The woman who started the class is Patricia Moreno and she’s a real inspiration.  I also go to the spa.  I love getting a massage and go once a week.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love sweets: cupcakes, chocolate and ice cream.  I can never have too much chocolate.

What was your last indulgence?

I just got back from Istanbul and indulged in many of the local delicacies there. I especially loved the Turkish Delight, dried fruits, nuts and kebabs. I ate whatever I felt like eating and experienced amazing local cuisine. The restaurants were fantastic. Two of my favorite discoveries were Simple Restaurant and Al Jamal. At Al Jamal we had a huge traditional feast while watching belly dancers. They even had male belly dancers! Talk about fun!

I also did a ton of shopping. The Grand Bazaar was amazing. I got all sorts of local goodies like leather floor cushions and mosaic lamps. There was a fabulous jewelry store in the Sapphire Mall where I indulged my love of big statement rings.

What are you doing this weekend?

I’ll be spending it at the gym working off all the Turkish Delight!

For more on Mia, check out our team’s full interview with her.

Though we haven’t quite been able to confirm whether or not the next season of Project Runway will be hitting the screen anytime soon, former contestants are having a blast! The daily beast created a challenge for select former contestants. The challenge: Create a inaugural dress for the first lady! Yes, that;s Mrs. Obama. Seems too easy, right? They thought so also. The catch: All of the contestants could use Laura Bush’s inaugural dress, an American flag, burlap potato sacks and $10 worth of their own trim. The designs weren’t all bad! Though, there are the exceptions of course!

Thanks Jezebel!