Nick Verreos Macy's Appearance--Irvine Spectrum Center

Next at Macy's : The Nick Verreos Comedy and Fashion Show Hour!
Can't Stop Talking: Nick Verreos with model Lauren Gish at Macy's In-Store Appearance, Irvine Spectrum Center

As part of of the Style Week Orange County calendar, I was invited to do an in-store appearance at Macy's in the Irvine Spectrum. So, last Saturday, a day after my judging duties for the Needle and Thread Competition, I left my INCREDIBLE Pelican Hills Resort Bungalow and packed up 6 of my NIKOLAKI gowns and threw on my Kelly green Levi's Matchstick jeans (gotta bring color to the OC!) and was ready to go!In Store: The scene at Macy's Spectrum Center, Nick Verreos In-Store Appearance

At Macy's , I was excited to meet the lovely models LA Models had provided me for my NIKOLAKI mini-trunk show: The serenely beautiful Lauren Gish and the exotic Jazmine, who was of Persian-Brazilian descent. Side note: Is there any other profession you could be when you have such an exotic mix?! David Paul--my NIKOLAKI co-designer-- came with me and helped set up, steam and make sure our gowns looked their best. I laughed when I saw where I would be speaking: The Michael Kors section. Oh how fun! Michael, Jazmine and Nick: Nick Verreos with model Jazmine at the Michael Kors Department, Macy's Irvine Spectrum Center

It was standing-room-only for my "Nick Macy's Show". I spoke for over an hour about my career as a fashion designer and my 15 years in the industry. I spoke about my early inspirations (Pan Am flight attendants and Miss Venezuela) as well as how I went from studying International Relations at UCLA to graduating Suma Cum Laude from FIDM. Black Column: Model Lauren in NIKOLAKI sequin one shoulder gown

In between , I showed various gowns from my collection, including the gown Dancing With The Stars co-host Samantha Harris wore on the show. I think the audience enjoyed their time because they asked LOTS of questions and looked very interested (was Macy's giving out free Martini's?) I was just happy no one fell asleep! One of the the best moments was when one of the attendees asked if I ever thought of being a comedian? I didn't even know what to say, other than I was flattered and just told her that I didn't mean to be funny. She didn't budge: "No really", she added "you really should do a stand-up show!". Thanks darling, but I'll stick to fashion design--I have enough jobs already to add "Comedian" to my resume. Look at these Sequins: Nick Verreos shows detail of gown to the Macy's audience

Afterward, Macy's gave out some great shopping gift certificates and everyone seemed to be very happy. I also took more photos with everyone who took time out of their Saturday shopping to come and see me--and my NIKOLAKI gowns. All in all, it was a very successful in-store appearance and I was happy to end my Orange County "Fashion Weekend" on such a good note!

Blazer + Leggings!! The Ultimate Two Things for tis' Fall/Winter.

No matter your figures are tall, petite, chubby, muscular, skinny, slender, pear shape, boyish shape, apple shape or curvy shape, ......etc., must you have two up-to-date pieces in your wardrobe for this fall/winter --- blazer and Leggings. Seriously, they are an instant eye-catching outfit and never could go wrong on any type of body figure!!!

I just completed my blazer collection yesterday by adding ONE gray blazer/tuxedo style/jacket in my wardrobe. If you know me way back since last year, you must see my tuxedo style Emporio Armani wool jacket which I wore them to Paris last Nov. 2008. So pick a classic color such as black, gray, white or camel, it will be classic no matter what the style is!! ( I strongly believe that! :) )

I carried my-then-newly-bought Chanel Rodeo Drive large tote 08.

A local market next to the apartment we stayed in Pairs 2008.

Most my ensembles when visiting Pairs are leggings/pants tucked inside boots and that wool jacket. I never thought I had one single boring pic. for that trip!! :)

After you fab. girls vote from yesterday, I decided to wear just blazer and leggings for the rest of this week!!! Oh, can I do that? huh...? Let's see then!!!!!

My ODJ!

1. TOP:

• Tsesay coral wool tulip dress

• Plastic Island long (boyfriend) blazer

2. Bottom: Wilfred riding style leggings
3. Shoes: Givenchy wedge boots
4. Accessory:

• Banana Republic edition gold tassel necklace
• Chanel 09 cruise matte white reissue 227

I always seem to find boots w/ unique leather grain/pattern to it.




Thursday is Ilona's busiest day, she has painting class in the morning and swimming class in the evening.
Considering she is only 2 yrs. old and 2 months. :) Hum...maybe I should sign her up for modeling!!! ha ha ha.. JK!!


I don't know if weather is the #1 culprit for to blame for Ilona's Eczema back in the March, it seems all gone until next year!! (I should keep my finger crossed) :)


A simple feminine coral color dress would really soften the assume-to-be boyish look of blazer and leggings outfit.

Thoughts for your outfit!!!

Do you girls know what's the color would most flatter your skin tone?

I am not talking about eye-shadows. (the colors of best eyeshadow for you are different from clothes you put on and I know neutral color like brown, taupe, camel would flatter most woman's eye)

Why do I ask? I am desperately looking for the answer myself recently because of my acting class. You know, when you can't do whole black outfit or even black n' white outfit for audition, picking a perfect ensemble is a hard task!!!

I can answer what colors I like easily but when I seriously think what colors of outfits would compliment me, I stunned. I would only answer maybe... this or that, but never thought of the differences between colors I like and colors of clothes which compliments me the most!! lol hah... Ok, I think I need to jog down at least 3 colors look best on me in the future!! No black and white!! hehe...

I didn't sleep until almost 3 AM yesterday... geez, look at that black circle underneath eyes... *sigh*.

Products I've been LOVING this week...

I just wanted to do a run down of what I have been using regularly this week and loving to pieces.

1) Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo and Conditioner - Aussie products have always worked with my hair. I also have their Luscious Long range and it's brilliant for giving you super smooth, shiny hair. Since my hair is fine, I struggle to get any volume in it so I have to make sure that my shampoo and conditioner doesn't weigh my hair down. The Aussome volume shampoo and conditioner is great for fine hair, my tresses have been really lightweight but smooth and shiny at the same time. The shampoo gives you that squeaky clean feeling without drying out your hair and the conditioner is just right too. I think Aussie is one of the best pharmacy/drugstore brands that there is on the market.

2) Benefit One Hot Minute - This product is a powder that is designed to give an all over glow to the face, it's super finely milled and a rose gold colour for a "suits all" shade. I love Benefit packaging, it's always so quirky and retro. Although this powder can be applied lightly all over the face for a luminous look, I wanted to tone it down for daytime so I only applied it to the tops of my cheekbones for a really subtle shimmer and I love it! I have even had people asking what I'm wearing, which is always a good sign! It comes with a mini fan brush that is actually perfect for pin pointing areas you want to highlight, rather than being clumsy with a big powder brush. It gives a great finish that's not in any way glittery or shiny. Gorgeous!

Above - Benefit One Hot Minute and below that, Madara Moonkissed Tinting Lip Gloss

3) Madara Moon Kissed Tinting Lip Gloss - This balm contains Baltic Rose Hip, Avocado Oil and natural plant minerals to soften and condition your lips. I have been using this and the By Terry Balm for the last week or so (I don't want to use up my By Terry balm too soon so I have to ration the use!). The lovely thing about this balm is that it keeps your lips soft while also giving them a lovely pink sheen. You can see the gorgeous effect it gives from the swatch below. I took this out at work to apply it and everyone was asking what it was and if they could try some. It's a really quick and easy way to get subtely glossy lips without having to use a mirror. I love products that are natural, good for you and look great too.

4) Benefit Something About Sophia perfume - I loved the B-Spot perfume I got free with my last Benefit purchases so I've been curious to check out what their other fragrances were like. This perfume is described as an "oriental-floral fragrance which features notes of mango, freesia, lily, jasmine, peony, white caramel, musk and vanilla". The box the perfume comes in is so cute...it's like a little doll's house and when you lift the roof and flip down the front, it's like you're looking into Sophia's little house. The bottle is even more gorgeous, it's like a little art deco cocktail shaker. Benefit are so spot on with their packaging and the perfume is lovely, I have been wearing it every day this week and can still smell it when I get home from work (but in a good way). It's smells quite strong when you first put it on, but then it settles and you start to get the lovely hints of vanilla and musk through...yum!

5) Korres Olive and Rye Eye Cream - Although I love Korres makeup, I sometimes have problems with their skincare as my skin is very sensitive so I have to be really careful what I use or I can breakout. I have, however, found a product which is just a star buy in my opinion. As you know, I get really dark circles under my eyes which are the bain of my life sometimes. I have been alternating this past week between applying the NUDE Advanced Eye Complex at night and then this cream in the daytime. I thought it might be too thick for the undereye area at first as the consistency feels quite heavy at first (I have posted a swatch above to give you an idea of how thick it is). However, this cream has really been working for me, I've actually noticed a big difference in the puffiness and darkness around my eyes this week. I've also noticed that my foundation and concealer 'stick' better when I use this beforehand. I just look alot more fresh and awake and I think the combination of the two products above are working wonders.

What products have you been LOVING this week?

Loreal Double Extension Mascara

As you know, I picked up the Loreal Double Extension Mascara in Black, which is a double ended mascara, one end has the lash serum and cils booster and the other end is the mascara also containing the conditioning lash serum. I had heard good things about this from other bloggers and I am always on the hunt for a good mascara that will boost the length and volume of my lashes. I applied the serum (just one coat) and then applied two coats of the mascara whilst the serum/cils booster was still wet, as I find this has the best results. Here's what the mascara looks like once applied:

As you can see, it definitely adds alot of length to the lashes (not a whole lot of volume but then the product doesn't claim to add volume). I would say that the lash serum/cils booster is better than the Lancome Cils Booster I normally use (and it's alot cheaper to buy it alone or in this double ended mascara). The only thing you have to be careful of is not too apply too thick a layer on your lashes as this can lead to the dreaded spidery effect, which has happened a couple of times when I have been a bit over generous with the serum/cils booster. I like to not have to take much care in applying my mascara so it does bother me a little that I have to pay close attention to make sure I don't end up looking like I have tarantula lashes.

The mascara lasted really well throughout the day and didn't smudge or flake at all. I really hate it when mascaras tend to smudge at the outer corners of the eye (Loreal Voluminous can do this sometimes which bugs me because I really like everything else about it).

I have noticed the serum has a definite effect on the condition of your lashes, mine have become really soft after just three days use. I do like this mascara and it delivers on the lengthening front BUT I don't think it's my HG (holy grail) mascara. That title still goes to my YSL Faux Cils. I think this mascara is good and I may actually use the serum/cils booster with my YSL mascara to test how it works with that. The Loreal mascara is a reliable everyday product that won't end up halfway down your face, but it still doesn't make me go "wow". I want my lashes to be really long, glossy and full of volume and only YSL has managed to achieve that holy trinity.

So, in my opinion, this mascara is worth a look and the serum does what it's supposed to. However, if you're after volume, then this mascara won't do much in that department. In the near future I will be testing the Korres Volumising Mascara to see how this compares so keep your eyes peeled for that. I really want to try the Chanel Exceptionnel one after reading Bubblegarm's review and the Lancome Hypnose that everyone keeps raving about.

What's your current HG mascara???

UPDATE (2nd October 2009) - I tried the serum with YSL Faux Cils and they work better together...I had full on bambi lashes when I used this duo!