Can't Get Even Brighter, Orange + Fuchsia!!

My outfit is so bright that I believe even bulls can see me far far far away!! haha...

However, my mood is down down down as I just realized that I might lost my Chloe sunglasses. ..... :( As seen from the modeling pic. of yesterday, I took off my sunnies but I just can't seem to recall where exactly I lost it among those two shops I stopped by yesterday. Well, look from the bright side, I guess I just gave myself a good reason to look for a new pair then!!!!

Long time no see my Another Chloe sunglasses!! hehe..

I almost always wear my new acquisition right away, so here they are again-- Alexander McQueen square toe pump!!

1. TOP:

• Venassa Bruno fuchsia long shirt
• Splendid gray w/ ruched pockets cardigan
• Turquoise vest
  

2. BOTTOM: Levis Coral skinny jeans
3. Shoes: Alexander McQueen square toe black satin pump
4. ACCESSORY:

• Batucada eco plastic black flower decor. bracelet
• Chloe brown w/ gold metal trim sunglasses
• Chanel 08 s/s black rodeo drive large tote

Come on, Ilona!! Take a pic. w/ mommy!! :)




After soccer practice, kids love a sweet treat, frozen yogurt!!

Niel, where do you think my face is!!!??/&^%%$#@


There you go, Niel!!!! Thanks, son!!!

Nick Verreos comments on the Gowns of the Miss Universe Pageant in the Bahamas--Part One!

Pageant Gown TV: It's time for a Fashion Report!!! A la Nick Verreos....Arepas Anyone? Miss Universe 2008, the beautiful Dayana Mendoza, from Venezuela and designer Nick Verreos

Yes, kids, it's that time again: Miss Universe! Pageant fans and fashionistas rejoice! The Miss Universe 2009 Pageant is just starting in the gorgeous island nation of The Bahamas! At the Atlantis Resort no less. As many of you may remember, I was one of the privileged designers to have been invited to show at the first ever Islands of The World Fashion Week last November in the Bahamas. And in fact, I got to stay at the Atlantis (out of control by the way!). Well, I guess, it's "all about the Bahamas", because they are now hosting the Miss Universe Pageant, which will air live on NBC, on August 23rd.That's a Big Microphone: Nick Verreos "Unofficially" reporting from LA on the Miss Universe Pageant Gowns

Of course, it would have been a "pageant ball" for me to have been down there giving my "Nick Fashion Commentary" on the gowns and some of the misses and "messes". But somehow, I missed that phone call (I must have been in Europe in the Amalfi Coast). It would have been fun to give reportage with a former Miss Universe, for example (hello, how about my NIKOLAKI-client, the fabulous Brook Lee?). That would have been fabuloso! But for now, someone missed a great chance. But I will still "hold the pageant gown commenting fashion torch" and do what I can do (it would have SOOOOO much better on camera!) but... Miss Universe Fantasy Fashion Reportage from Los Angeles: Nick Verreos and former Miss Universe, Brook Lee (in NIKOLAKI dress)

Over the weekend, the 84 Miss Universe contestants have been arriving in Nassau and "checking in". The first Evening Gown Photos are out and I just HAD to put in my "two cents"--unfortunately, it's a lot of "misses" within our Misses. Pun definitely intended.Case in point: Miss Hungary, Zsuzsa Budai . What fresh out of Hungarian Fashion School design student made this for her for $500 and convinced her--after way too many shots of vodka--to wear it? Is it a Hooker Convention? Or the Miss Universe Contest? Even the pose seems a bit "Hello, would you like me to be your Mistress?" Uhhh. How about "No!". Polyester satin and nylon tulle should NEVER mix. Poor thing. Miss Cayman Islands, Nicosia Lawson, and her strapless gown choice is better suited for a "Housewives of Atlanta" Junior Prom. One of my BIGGEST PAGEANT PEEVES are those damn clear Lucite Stripper Heels. And guess what she's wearing? Yep. And showing them with pride.Miss Guyana, Jenel Cox, is next on my "Chopping Block". Just because your lovely Grandmother made this, does not mean you have to wear it! Pink. Polyester. Satin. Really? Oh wait, there's a purple "peek-a-boo". I'd rather not. I like a deep neckline, however: That neckline is a bit too plunging.Finally (for now), Miss Netherlands. Four letters: DIVA. Silver Sequined Caftan. What fabulous gay man made this happen, is what I have to say? Does she look like Transgender Fierceness Miss Candis Cayne? Yes. Is it too over the top--even for Miss Universe? Maybe. But I am LIVING for it! At least, in these photos, Avalon-Chanel Weyzig, Miss Netherlands Universe is OWNING it!
It's a mess, but in a FIERCE Drag Queen sort of way. If I was doing my Fantasy Miss Universe Pageant Fashion Commentary for Bahamian TV or NBC, me and my fellow fashion co-host Brook Lee, would have DIED over her! I just know it. This is just the beginning...the pageant isn't for another three weeks! I am sure there is a lot more high slits, clear Stripper heels and polyester where this came from! And surely, some fabulous gowns as well. I will be waiting for those images. Check back here. Live ....from Los Angeles. Nick Verreos. Reporting for my "Fantasy Pageant Fashion TV".

More prizes for the Miss World contest!!!

Look! More goodies for the prize swag bag! I've added Purity Anti-ageing moisturiser, facial wash and facial exfoliator, which are all fragrance free and 100% organic. I have also slid in Tommyguns Clever Curls & Waves Texture Spray and Barefaced Beauty Mineral Bronzer in Sunkissed Angel. There's only 3 days left until the contest ends so you gotta get dolled up quick or you'll miss out on the amazing prize! See below for what else will be included in the prize.

Hair: Messy vs. Super Groomed

I would love to be one of those girls who can get their hair big and messy and it looks really bohemian and "just out of bed" cool. Unfortunately, due to my fine hair, if I mess it up, it looks like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Lots of celebs opt for the care-free, mussed up look, like new popstrel on the block, Pixie Lott on the left. I love this Brigitte Bardot inspired look where it seems like she has been frolicking about on a beach all day. Maybe this look takes more effort than first meets the eye but I would guess you just need a good volumising product and maybe a beachy sea salt finishing spray.

I would love to be that carefree with my hair, but unfortunately, I have a little OCD fairy inside me that I have mentioned before and she won't, let me have bits of hair sticking up (how anal is SHE?!). She always wants my hair to be smooth and super shiny, whether I'm rockin the conical wand waves and curls or going for a straight blowdry.

I am definitely in the camp of Kim Kardashian, whereby if my hair is blowdried straight, it's sleek and glossy with a bit of volume. I am a BIG fan of serum! If I decide to wear it wavy or curly, it's still sleek and very tidy. Sometimes I feel like I should try a less "prim and proper" look, go all out and mess the damn thing up. But I know that I would spend all day flattening the sticky up bits down. My hair just isn't thick enough to get away with it and my style is very groomed so it stands to reason that my hair will follow suit.

So, tell me ladies, are you a messed up madam or a sleek siren?

Kos

Last week I had the most amazing holiday with my lovely bf in Kos, Greece. We stayed at the wonderful blue lagoon all-inclusive resort.

If anyone is looking for a relaxing and romantic holiday destination then I highly recommend it! The prices are pretty reasonable for an all inclusive package, because most of the flights on offer (we booked through first choice) have inconvenient times (our flight back was at 4.30 am).

However, in my opinion it was completely worth it as the hotel was luxurious, the staff were friendly, the food was fantastic and the beach was impeccable. I am sure you can all tell I am very excited and have about a million photos to share with you all :)!!

The view from our balcony of one of the many swimming pools :).

The bridge going over the pool had such lovely views and in the background you can see the dome which featured the nightly entertainment including dancers, singers, fire eaters, stunt men.. and most importantly as many cocktails as you like!!The hotel complex was absolutely huge and we were even driven around in golf buggies, as some areas were a bit of a walk in the heat (45oC!!). This is a photo of our block, which had its own pool and piano bar.
Here we are relaxing after dinner with a couple of blue lagoon cocktails :).
The main pool was amazing, and even staying in the shade I managed to get quite tanned!On our night out in town I chose to wear this tulip dress from Oasis. I love it when you find things in your wardrobe from years ago that you forgot you had... and they still fit :).We found a cocktail bar by the sea and relaxed with a few cocktails before dinner :).
Running around on the beach a la Baywatch :).
I even adopted a little kitteh while I was there :).We also spent a day at Paradise beach :).On our last night we watched the sunset on the beach, which was the perfect way to end our romantic holiday :).Teeheee ;).
Hope you guys enjoyed this post :).
xxx

My Top 5 Exfoliating Products

I have been obsessed with exfoliating for years now and it still astonishes me how many people skip this vital step of skincare. It's really important to exfoliate regularly if you want smooth, evenly toned skin, as you probably already know (I'm preaching to the converted here but believe me, some people don't exfoliate!). I always make sure that I lightly exfoliate my face every day and my body every second or third day. There are loads of brilliant products out there that can transform the texture of your skin and I'm about to list my top 5 favouritesThe Sanctuary Exfoliating Gloves - I only started using these about a month ago and I don't know why I didn't start sooner! I had heard of them before but never got round to buying them. I got these from Boots, they are 100% nylon and it's kind of like using a soft loofah on you're body, only it's much easier because they're in glove form. I use them every second day in the shower, I dampen them first, squirt some shower cream or oil on them (current favourites are Dove Silk Shower Cream or L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil) then exfoliate in circular motions starting at my feet and working upwards. These gloves prevent any bumps appearing on your legs caused by shaving and if you exfoliate just before shaving, it creates a much smoother result. They are also perfect for using to prepare the skin for self tanning. I've found that with regular use, it's made the little bumps I had on the backs of my arms disappear (I hate those things, they are so annoying!).

Origins Incredible Spreadable Scrub Ginger Body Smoother - wow that's a mouthful! What a great product though. I normally buy this as a treat for myself because at £21.00 for 250ml, it's not the cheapest product on the block! The one saving grace is that you don't have to use alot of it with each application. It contains white and brown sugars, dead sea salt, olive oil and the gorgeous scent of Ginger. It's super hydrating and leaves my skin so soft but I would only use this as a weekly or two weekly treat and definitely not before self tanning as the oils that linger on the skin would cause an uneven tan.

St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub - Ahhh my old favourite! This stuff always delivers and I will always repurchase it because it does a really good job of smoothing and softening the skin on my face. It's gentle enough to use everyday and I always get a super smooth makeup application after using it. I generally use it when I want a really good deep exfoliation. I prefer the invigorating one as opposed to the gentle or blackhead preventing one as they are too gentle for my skin and don't make alot of difference. The kernels in this scrub slough away any dry skin and don't strip your skin of moisture like some other exfoliating products.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish - Ok, I know I harp on about this product all the time and you're probably sick of seeing it on my blog for the umpteenth time but I still know loads of people who have never heard of it or have never used it. I can't stress enough how good this product has been for my skin. The thick 100% organic cleanser smells so lovely and makes my skin really really soft. The muslin cloths are the vital part of the process as they exfoliate the skin in such a gentle way. The cloths are woven so that they really refine the texture of your skin with regular use. This cleansing system really does keep my skin clear and smooth and for that reason, it will always be part of my daily routine. I apply it every single night and it has really helped my Psoriasis on my face and I now have no dry bits on my face whatsoever. I have to be careful not to use products that will be too harsh or strip the natural oils from my face but this product is just perfection. My face feels so fresh and clean after using it and my fiance now even uses the men's version and he is normally strictly against any girly grooming practices.ha ha. One thing to remember when using them is that you should always wash your face first, then remove any make-up with gentle wipes. That way, you don't have to wash them as often (just rinse them thoroughly after each use) and you can avoid getting dirt and bacteria on the cloths, which could cause a breakout.

So girlies, what are your favourite exfoliating products to zap dry skin?