New Closet or New Vanity desk first??

I said that I want to give our tiny wall-in closet a face-lift couple months ago just to organize our clothes, belt, accouterments, .... everything better.

It never happened!!

Why?

Cause' I think a Vanity desk is more of a necessity to me than an well-organized closet when I already had MY WAY of sorting my clothes out. :P

So I decided to get myself a vanity desk first. Besides, I still have that superstitious thoughts in my head that women would save more money when they have a vanity desk w/ the biggest drawer fit underneath of it in her master bedroom. hahah....... I don't know if you believe it but from my observation of my mom and cousins, I choose to believe it!! lol

Here are two I found pretty charming to me. They are quite not serve the purpose of doing make-ups for but I think they'd work as one!!

They are French imported furniture and I would try to work such rustic look into our master bedroom.

This writing desk is about $300 and you can pull out that desk a little more.


This is a chest w/ tri-fold mirrors. $270 (mirror) + $579 (chest)!


I think women all have an affection w/ chandelier for its romantic look!! :)





The look of me when I went for vanity desk hunting!!

1. TOP: Marc by Marc Jacobs
2. BOTTOM: French Connection high waist khaki skirt
3. SHOES: Moschino chip & chic teal w/ ruffle trim boots
4. ACCESSORY:
Chanel 09 Valentine's coral medium flap
Max & Co. taupe belt

I had my IRO pants altered to be a better tapered hem on me. I guess you really can't tell but I just felt my BUTT look smaller in a better proportion. hha........... lol

1. TOP:

• Neil Barrett black sheered blouse
• black vest w/ sheered trim
• Elisabeth & James white blazer w/ ruched sleeves

2. BOTTOM: a better fit IRO pleated trousers
3. SHOES: Jean-Michel Cazabat metallic purple sandal
4. ACCESSORY:

• Chanel matte white reissue 227 09
• Chanel 09 rhinstone pearl necklace

Ok, I know I should have carried a bag which gives better contrast to this outfit...but I guess I am either lazy to switch to other bag or it is because my in-laws are visiting this time and I should keep such charade by not switching bags everyday!!!!!!!

So, if you are married, you would understand the little precaution we do in front of in-laws which could save my day. hahaha....



Good nite!!!!

I really need to find a monologue that suits me!!

Emmys Gifting Suites: Nick Verreos and Jay McCarroll???

Jay McCarroll: Not A Emmys Gifting Suite Virgin Anymore!!! Plaid & Polka Dots: Nick Verreos and Jay McCarroll, Kari Feinstein Emmys Gifting Suite

Last week was Emmy Awards Week, and boy was I busy: Last-minute meetings with stylists, working on my new line, as well as rehearsals for TV Guide Network Emmys Fashion Wrap. Somehow I found the time to attend several gifting suites. For most of these suites, I had a special "partner-in-crime": Jay McCarroll, Season One Winner of Project Runway. He's in town for a "secret project" which at the time I couldn't talk about. But the secret is OUT: Jay McCarroll will be one of the contestants on Vh1's Celebrity Fit Club. I know: SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! According to sources (from the internets), he will be joined by Bobby Brown, Kevin Federline and his ex Shar Jackson, among others. Hope my Jay is getting PAID lots of money!

SLS Hotel and Secret Room "Think Pink" Style Lounge:Nick's New BFF: Jay McCarroll and Brittany Flickinger, Winner of Season One "Paris Hilton's My New BFF"

The SLS Hotel and The Secret Room Events "Think Pink" 2009 Emmy Awards Style Lounge benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Tiger Lily Foundation was our first stop. We both enjoyed an AMAZING facial and posed with elegant watches from Jorg Gray (the one that President Obama wears). I wore one on my TV Guide Fashion Wrap taping. There were skin care products from a French line called Absolution, as well as the Aloe Vera-based Lexli 30-day Starter Kit Skincare.

The Fanny Pack Is Back: Nick Verreos sports his new leather hip belt with designer/creator Tali Morrison

Last but not least, Tali Morrison, designer/creator of Beltali let me have a HOT leather hip-belt. At this suite, Jay and I ran into Brittany Flickinger, Season One Winner of Paris Hilton's My New BFF (I don't think she had ANY idea who we were!).

Debbie Durkin's Eco Emmys Green Gifting:

Rock Icon Boys: Nick Verreos and designer/creator Ryan Trujillo with Rock Icon T-shirt

The following day, I headed to the Eco Emmys Celebrity Green Gifting and Wellness Chateau at a private estate in LA. This suite benefited several charities including GreenWish, SPCA, Free the Slaves and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It's organizer, Debbie Durkin is always so wonderful so I had to come and support! I saw some cool graphic t-shirts (made of 100% bamboo) from the line Rock Icon. It's creator/designer is a graduate of FIDM. Launch My SINGLE Line: Nick Verreos with Single Designer Galina Sobolev

I also ran into one of my favorite LA designers, the ever-so-sexy Galina Sobolev , founder and designer of the line Single, who had a booth set up at this Suite. JLo and a bunch of other celebs wear her breezy printed dresses and tunics. She's also caught the "reality show bug" and will be a contestant on Bravo's Launch My Line.

Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge What Do You Think Of Season 6? Nick Verreos answers questions for the media

Next up was the "A-List" Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge at Zune L.A. Lots of the vendors here were obviously big fans of Project Runway because they were all very excited to see Jay and I. When we arrived, Maya was there, as well as "Entourage" actor Kevin Connolly and I said "Hello" to Samantha Harris, co-host of "Dancing With The Stars", who has worn my NIKOLAKI gowns. Vintage Havana gave me a great plaid shirt and I got fun socks from Modern Amusement. I heard they were "giving away" T-Mobile Sidekicks at this suite, but I guess both Jay and I were too "D-list" to get them (yes there's a "Gifting Suite Caste System"!). I was excited when I saw the teeth whitening system, Opalescence and even more excited when the Ultradent people were kind enough to gift me with some.

The London Hotel: Madison & Mulholland Gifting Suite: Suite Threesome: Jay McCarroll, Rex Lee and Nick Verreos, Madison & Mulholland Charitable Suite

To round out my Emmys 2009 Tour of Gifting Suites, I drove to the London Hotel in West Hollywood for the Madison & Mulholland Charitable Suite. This event was special in that celebs (I use the term VERY LOOSELY for myself!) went from vendor to vendor collecting products which we then put into a gift bag for public auction with proceeds benefiting a charity of our choice. The auction is live on CharityBuzz from September 23 to October 13. I even brought an autographed photo and a very special fashion illustration to include in my bag (hopefully, they are still in there!).

All Stars Who: Korto Momulu, Nick Verreos, Jay McCarrol and Jerell Scott

Here I ran into Korto Momolu and Jerell Scott from Season 5 Project Runway. I guess this was the unofficial "Project Runway Gifting Suite". I also said "Hello" to another client of mine, actress Brenda Strong of "Desperate Housewives" and one of my "boyfriends", the always so sweet, actor Rex Lee from "Entourage". There were some great items here, including S.T. Dupont luxury lighters, pens and leather goods, Lacoste Eyewear, SmartMouth Mouthwash, and Johnny Vincent Swimwear.

Click BELOW for a video of Jay McCarroll at the SLS Hotel Emmys Gifting Suite (Be warned: Jay is being a potty mouth, of course!)

Style Week Orange County Begins: Nick Verreos Judges Needle and Thread Competition

Good Day OC: Style Week Orange County Begins!!!!Good Day OC: Nick Verreos and Suzanne Marques, Good Day LA Fox 11 Reporter, at the Irvine Spectrum Center

Thursday September 24Th begins "Style Week Orange County", a celebration of fashion, style and FABULOUSNESS, at the Irvine Spectrum Center. It will run through Saturday night, September 26Th. You will get to see the best of OC brands and emerging designers at five fashion shows attracting the likes of special guests Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Joffrey Lupul of the Anaheim Ducks; Trevor Ariza of the Houston Rockets; Big Black from MTV; the entire LRG Skate Team and ME!!!!

Lady in Red: Model in NIKOLAKI Gown on Good Day LA

To promote the start of Style Week OC, on Tuesday morning, I shot a very fun segment for Good Day LA, the Number One Morning News Talk Show in Southern California. The STUNNING Suzanne Marques was on hand to interview me and show highlights from the Style Week OC 2009 fashion shows. I even brought one of my NIKOLAKI gowns! It was all so quick and trust me kiddies, Live TV is CRAZY!!!!

On Friday, I will be at the Ezekiel Fashion Show and to introduce and actually judge (along with the other celeb judges) the "Needle And Thread Competition". Six FIDM grads (the creme de la creme of course), were chosen to design original looks inspired by the Ezekiel Spring 2010 Collection. It will be like a mini Project Runway...in the OC!!!!
Nick Makes an Appearance at Macys Saturday at 1 PM--don't miss it!

I will also be at Macy's in the Irvine Spectrum Center on Saturday at 1 PM; I will be giving a "mini-lecture" on how I got started in fashion, talk about Project Runway and even bring some of my red carpet NIKOLAKI gowns for all to see! Don't miss it!!!!

Information on the Fashion Show Schedules can be found here: StyleweekOC.com And in case you didn't know, VIP Tickets can be purchased for ONLY $10 !!!!!! (I know, shut up!)

Click BELOW for the fun video of the segment:

Colourglide Lipstick

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the recent Bodyshop event and was very much lemming everyone's goodie bags. I was therefore super excited when the lovely Natalie from Headstream kindly sent me some samples to test out and review for you. I have yet to try everything, but the product that has so far really stood out are the Colourglide lipsticks.

For me the most important factors in a lipstick are the colour pay off, staying power and the way it feels on my lips. These tick all the boxes as the formula is lovely, they last pretty well, and are super moisturising. They contain gorgeous ingredients such as marula oil, sesame oil, organic beeswax, Vitamin E, jojoba, rosehip seed and lanolin oil as well as vanilla fruit extract, which gives them a pleasant subtle scent. There is also a great range of colours to chose from (37 on the website) including subtle nudes, hot brights and deep, sultry shades.

It is also interesting to see how wearable some of the shades are compared to the way they look in the tube. I would definitely recommend checking these out in person before purchasing.

For example, shade 62 Velvet Wine looks like a rich dark brown in the tube, but on the lips it is actually a stunning, deep berry red.

To be perfectly honest I would have never even swatched this lipstick if I saw it on display as it looks far too dark for my skin tone. However, I think this colour is a great alternative to the classic red lip and is perfect for autumn. Even my bf commented that it was a really flattering statement lip colour, and given that he normally has absolutely zero opinion on makeup, this can only be a good thing!

As intense as this lipstick is used with a lipliner it did not budge or bleed and lasted a good 6 hours without any touch ups. When I was eating I also noticed that it didn't fade just in the centre, creating that horrible rim of colour you can sometimes get with dark lipsticks, but it left behind an even stain on the lips.

Overall, I have to say I am really impressed with these lipsticks and can't wait to try more colours especially as these are currently on sale on the bodyshop website for £6!!The only problem is I can't chose which ones to get as there is too much choice.

Look out MAC cremesheens, I have a new love ;).

Have you tried any of these lipsticks? Also, if you want me to do a post or video showing swatches of all the colours I have please let me know.

TV Guide Emmy Awards Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba and Nick Verreos

Jazz Hands....with Carrie Ann Inaba!
Awesome Foursome: Jennifer Rade, Nick Verreos, Carrie Ann Inaba and Lawrence Zarian

Monday night was the premiere of TV Guide Network's Emmy Awards Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba. I was invited back to be part of the panel of experts, including Angelina Jolie's stylist Jennifer Rade. She was in a silky Gucci jersey dress and stacked gold Gucci pumps (love her!). We also had a special guest, the UBER fabulous Kim Vo, colorist to the Stars! This was the debut of Carrie Ann Inaba as the new host and she did an AMAZING job! We filmed Sunday night ONLY HOURS after the Emmys red carpet took place! It was CRAZY! We usually tape the following morning but Miss Carrie Ann had Dancing With The Stars to tape on Monday so no can do...In her honor, we got all "jazz hands" on her during several of our segments. Trust me, I would loved to have done some high kicks, but my pants were too tight and you might have heard a rip!Bling Bling: Nick Verreos wears a beautiful Platinum and Diamond Pin from the Singer Collection on TV Guide's Emmy Awards Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba

I was lucky enough to have been invited to the Platinum Guild International Suite at the Four Seasons earlier in the week where they let me borrow a STUNNING pin, made of platinum and diamonds, from the prestigious Singer Collection (not the sewing machine family, in case you were wondering!). Well, naturally, I wore it to my TV appearance on the Emmys Fashion Wrap. Butch It Up: Nick Verreos and his TV Guide Boys, the crew of TV Guide Network Fashion Wrap

As always, I had the best time filming these and we all meshed very seamlessly together--it was as if we all had been doing it for years with Miss Carrie Ann. I especially love the CREW---I call them "My Boys"; they are all very "Butch" and they still love me---each time I show up to the set, they try and teach me the Straight Guy Walk. I try and do it for them, but the big red leather man-purse I carry in my arm ALWAYS ruins the effect! Love my TV Guide Boys.

Now speaking of our red carpet commentary, I loved getting "down and dirty" with what we liked--and didn't like--on the red carpet. And being that I am a fashion designer as well as an Instructor of fashion design at FIDM, I always try to insert a little bit of "schooling" regarding the fashion terminology we are using so the audience isn't left in the dark.
My faves: Well, January Jones in Atleier Versace, Heidi Klum (of course) in Marchesa, and Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhullier. All three were GA-GA-Gorgeous!

Now if you want to know who we picked for "not so good", you can click BELOW and watch the ENTIRE TV Guide Emmys Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba...and me!

Barefacedbeauty promotional price reductions

Barefacedbeauty.co.uk (which I have previously reviewed) are having fantastic price reductions at the moment, so if you are a mineral lover I would definitely take a look!!

For a limited time-

FOUNDATION  £10	SETTING POWDER £10	BLUSH £6
BRONZER £6	SHIMMER £6	EYE SHADOW £5

Have you guys ever tried this brand?

Blog Poll: Do You Wear Full Face Makeup To Work?

Hi Beauties!

I want to hear from you!

Do You Wear Full Face Makeup To Work?

For me, I wear my face every day. I don't feel like myself if I don't. On Late days, I forgo the eyeshadow and keep it basic with some Mascara on the eyes.

XOXO,

Awilda

Illamasqua Splurge

I decided to have a little Friday splurge last week and I had seen a few Illamasqua products that have been raved about and had caught my magpie eye.Here's what I thought of each product...

1) Thalia Powdered Metal - I had seen Belle Du Jour raving about this product a while ago. Anything that's multi purpose, creates a glow and is metallic - I'm there in a flash! This gorgeous glistening powder didn't disappoint me at all. It would be amazing on the cheekbones as a bronzey highlight or even used wet as an eyeshadow. It's so smooth to apply and has an amazing sheen to it. The packaging means it is a bit messy to work with and I kinda wish they had adopted the same packaging for this as they did for the pigments (which features a stopper in the lid...genius). 2) Static Pigment - I saw Tali's rave about this on YouTube and also her post on her blog. As she had said, it's really hard to pick up the gorgeous iridescence of this product on camera but I did my best. It has hints of lilac and pink and has so many facets when the light hits it...it could be dusted over another eyeshadow to create a unique effect or applied wet to the lid for an intense effect that changes colour as you move. I love this and can't wait to play with it! Illamasqua have come up with a really different product here and that's what defines the brand.

3) Sheer Lipgloss in Soul - I have wanted to try this lipgloss for ages ever since it was released in the Illamasqua Sirens collection. I finally got my hands on it and I really love the colour, which is a really nice sheer gold. This put together with the Korres Golden Bronze eyeshadow in my last post would be a match made in heaven! I did find the applicator gets a bit messy but I can forgive that for such a nice gloss. It's thick enough to stay put but not too sticky.

4) Sheer Lipgloss in Electrify - This gloss looks pretty bright in the tube but when applied it comes out as a really nice bubblegum pink with a slight metallic sheen to it. As before the formula is good and stays put for a reasonable amount of time. I tried it over YSL Rouge Volupte in Lingerie Pink and it looked so pretty!

5) Intense Lipgloss in Galactic - Now this is the one that has been a bit controversial in the blog world...I think you either love it or hate it to be honest. And I can say that I...LOVE IT! It looks really weird and scary in the tube coz let's be honest, it's like liquid foil. But when you apply it in a light layer over lipstick, it transforms the colour by giving it a metallic effect. I know it's not for everyone but I personally love this...it's what makes Illamasqua more daring than other makeup brands and you have to salute them for that. They should have named it Ga Ga after the lady herself coz it reminds me of her.

I plan on buying some more products come payday so keep your eyes peeled for that.

I have done a swatch below of the Electrify and Galactic glosses mixed together...see, not scary at all.

Have you tried any of these products?

ELF Studio

Korres Blushes and Shimmering Eyeshadows

Hi Girlies! I was so so so excited to receive some Korres goodies in the post yesterday! They have kindly sent me two of their blushes and 4 of their shimmering eyeshadows. As you know, I have been involved in a passionate love affair with Korres ever since I bought their Monoi Oil Bronzer a few weeks ago. I love thier products and I love the fact that they are all natural. As much as I like elaborate, colourful packaging, I really like that Korres have kept it simple and practical. The product inside these compacts doesn't need any kind of fancy packaging because the products speak for themselves.

Look at these amazing blushes! I was sent Pink and Peach and as you will see from the pics above, the Pink one has a matte look to it, whereas the Peach has a slight shimmer. Note that there isn't even a tiny sign of 'glitter'...just the finest of shimmer...love it! I had seen Tali talking about Korres blushes and I can see why she loved them so much.

The pigmentation is perfect for my skin colouring. The Peach is just stunning with teeny tiny gold reflects that give a gleam to the skin. The Pink on the other hand gives a more subtle matte effect to achieve a healthy glow. I am just starting to get really into Blush as a product and these shades are perfect for what I want to achieve...a subtle hint of fresh colour on my cheeks.

I was sent their shimmering eyeshadows in Gold, Light Purple, Golden Bronze and White and here's what I thought:

1) Gold - the palest gold shade with gorgeous super fine shimmer that would be absolutely perfect as an all over lid colour, a highlight on the browbone or as an amazing highlight on the cheekbones!

2) Light Purple - This is the most subtle of all the colours I was sent. I have been looking for a very cool toned light lilac for ages as this shade is brilliant for opening and brightening the eyes...I think I may have now found my HG for that category!

3) Golden Bronze - I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw this colour...it's truly amazing and soooo mega pigmented...I can't explain how gorgeous it is!If you love bronze eyeshadows then you HAVE to get this. It's super smooth, super shimmery and metallic and blends like a dream...just look at the swatch below to see what I mean...
4)White - This eyeshadow despite the name, isn't white, it's a very pale silver and I love it. It is also highly pigmented and just plain gorgeous. I can imagine using it everywhere, from a light dusting on the cheekbones for a lovely gleam, to a base or highlight to a smokey eye...

I never would have looked to a natural brand for amazing eyeshadows but Korres has just blown me away. My favourite of the eyeshadows has to be the Golden Bronze one...Tali, you would LOVE this if you don't already have it! In fact, you would love all of them. Everyone needs these kind of quality eyeshadows that are soft, smooth and shimmery as hell. The camera doesn't even do these justice...you have to see them with your own eyes.