The Trend ~ Kitten Heels!

Hence ~

Pick something you like, not the one advertised by media. ^^

That's it for today~
xoxo Rachel 

Nick Verreos Season 8 Mylifetime.com Recaps: High Fashion or Miss Guatemala??

High Fashion Messes, More Kooky Looks from Mondo, and One Angry Central American Nation...On last night's Project Runway Episode 9--the Sponsor Tie-in L'Oreal Make-Up Challenge--the designers got to create a "High Fashion" look worthy of Paris Couture Week (can't wait to see that!!) and an accompanying more "mass market" version (this was yet another Season 8 "Twist" kiddies). There were no "Michael C-can't-sew" hissyfits, Gretchen kept her "Critique Corner" on the D.L., and two of the boys got to move in with designers Andy and Michael, making Andy happy since I guess he also cannot stand being in the same room with Michael (along with the rest of the cast). The show was packed with lots of visual candy--some bad and some good. Here were my highlights:

Mondo's New Look of The Day: Chain-Smoking Slot-Machine Playing "Crazy" Grandma from Boca

Oh Mondo, I have a burning question: How, on Earth, did you pack SOOOO many Looks into your one allotted suitcase? I think when I was on the show, I packed two jeans, one pair of pants, a couple t-shirts and a jacket or too. But huney, these kids now arrive STYLED!!!!! They are far more "TV Ready" than I ever was back in the day! Just sayin'.

For this episode, that kooky top, plus the hot pants plus that headband: He looked like a Grandma Madge getting ready to hit Caesars Palace in Vegas!

Michael Costello's Train Can't Be Stopped

I mean, really...LOOK at the other designer's faces!! There should be "Pop Up bubbles", and if there were, they would say "What the H***??" There was NO POINT for the train to be THAT long! There never is. But it is a sign of younger fresh-out-of-design school designers to always wanna go over the top to prove a point. Point taken, but it didn't work.

A Peak at Nina Garcia's Judging Card for Michael Costello...

Love that! This is for you doubters who think that the judges don't have photos or don't have any info on those cards. I, for one, can tell you, that when I was a Guest Judge back in Season 6, we did!

Now, onto Miss Guatemala...

I actually did not hate Valerie's white one shoulder gown-as much as Miss Nina Garcia. When I saw the "Coming Up" clip of her saying "She looks like Miss Guatemala", I though she was talking about this...

Mondo's cheap-poly satin concoction which actually won! Now, back in Season 6, when I was a Guest Judge, I said a minor little comment about contestant Gordana's outfit, looking like "a Pre-Cold War secretary in Warsaw Poland" and I got LOTS of HATE emails from just about anyone of Polish descent (they're very sensitive!). I am wondering if the ENTIRE country of Guatemala is doing the same to Nina. And just in case you are wondering what an actual Miss Guatemala looks like in a gown, I give you...

Exhibit A:

Miss Guatemala 2009, Lourdes Figueroa at the Miss Universe 2009 Pageant

And Exhibit B:

Miss Guatemala 2010, Jessica Scheel, from the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant

But the lowest in the bunch was Ivy Higa's dresses, both very bright turquoise and both very prom-meets-pageant (was that a theme?). That gown of hers did remind me of...

a Pinata! I wonder if there was Candy under that gown! I guess we'll never know...Bye Ivy.

Here is a Sneak Peak of my mylifetime.com Recap:

Paris High Fashion or the Miss Guatemala Pageant?

OK, let me just get this out of the way: I am still NOT over those nasty pants from I'm-the-new-Alexander-Wang Andy South's "Jackie Kennedy American Sportswear" ensemble. I actually had draping nightmares over it. Before last Thursday, I remembered Jackie O as an oversized-sunglasses-and-Oleg Cassini-wearing DIVA who loved the Greek Isles (and a few other things, thanks to my fellow recap blogger Laura Bennett!). Now, I can only think of BAD-pants-Jackie O: from Camelot to Cameltoe in one hot minute. Darn you, Miss Andy! Oh well, let's progress to nicer thoughts: A New Roommate Situation (no, not that loser with two left feet from "Dancing with the Stars"!) and a New Challenge....

To read my entire mylifetime.com recap click HERE.

Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Fashion Challenge at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL TOMORROW Saturday Sept 25Th!!

Guess Who's Coming Back to The Chicago Area???

Well, kids, I am ON THE ROAD again! Today, My David and I just finished our first Model Fittings (they went really well, Thank You-Know-Who) for our Nikolaki Spring 2011 Collection to be debuted at Orange County Style Week next Friday--and now, I am getting ready to fly to Chicago!! As you know, I have been traveling a lot across the US--and the Caribbbean--for Macy's, hosting many different fashion events...

And tomorrow, I am excited to be flying to Chicago to host the Macy's Fashion Challenge at the Macy's in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Illinois--about 30 miles Northwest of downtown Chicago. The event begins at 2PM. Audience members will get to take the "Macy's Fashion Challenge" and style models for "special occasions" on themes I picked myself! And the winners of each challenge will receive $100 Macy's Gift Certificates! I'll also be showing all the Fall 2010 Trends so make sure to bring a notepad to take notes! And don't forget your camera or Flip 'cause I may just show Schaumburg how to "Give Runway"!

Here are the Details:
What: Nick Verreos Hosts the Macy's Fashion Challenge
Where: Macy's at Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg Illinois
When: 2PM
RSVP: Nope, just show up! See you tomorrow!!!

Asos Outlet Sale Lust Haves

I got an email through about the sale currently on at ASOS Outlet and these are the things that caught my little eye and may (accidentally on purpose) end up falling into the virtual basket and being purchased.

One Teaspoon Free Love Dress £20.00 - This would be perfect with skinny jeans or with leggings/tights.  You could dress it up by adding a statement belt to cinch you in at the waist.

Jarlo Aphrodite Dress £22.00 - I love the one shoulder detail on this dress!

Steve Madden Shoe Boot £45.00 - I have a thing about grey at the moment...it just goes with everything!

Claudia Canova Grab Bag £25.00 - This khaki-grey bag is a perfect everyday casual essential!

Have you seen anything in the sale?  

Peace, Love & Juicy Couture

In early September I was kindly invited to Fashion's Night Out to celebrate the launch of Juicy Couture's new fragrance Peace, Love & Juicy Couture in their flagship London store.

I have always been a huge fan of Juicy Couture. Though I never quite understood the 'velour' hype I have purchased quite a few pieces of their more formal wear (even a very cute suit soon to be featured in one of my Work It Out posts) as well as t-shirts and jewelry. I have also loved all their fragrances. In fact, if I had to pick my signature scent it would probably be a tie between Juicy Couture Original and Miss Dior Cherie. Therefore, I was especially excited to try Juicy's new fragrance!

The packaging of this perfume is very similar to the original, though a little bolder with a larger Juicy crest on the front. I also think that the little turquoise bracelet it comes with is a sweet touch. I was very much surprised by the scent as it is very different from all the previous JC fragrances, which are all quintessentially girlie - floral and sweet. Peace, Love and Juicy Couture is still feminine, but a much lighter and fresher fragrance perfect for the Summer (which strikes me as a little strange as it is released in September). I am no perfume expert, but for me the most prevalent notes are the meyer lemon tree blossom, sweet apple accord and jasmine. It wears well on the skin and fades into a slightly warmer scent throughout the day. I have definitely enjoyed wearing it these past few weeks, but I would say that the original JC is still my favourite ;).

The event itself was really fun, and it was great to meet so many lovely beauty bloggers (though I was feeling a little frumpy having come straight from work and slipping off early to bed lol). It was definitely a star studded night!

We met Sophie-Ellis Bexter who was DJing with her husband and manged to get a photo with the gorgeous Pixie Lott!

If you are interested in trying out this new fragrance Peace, Love and Juicy is available from Juicy Couture stores, online here and in Selfridges.

At the end of the night we also popped into Chanel for a few cocktails and to get some snaps in their amazing wind machine equipped photo booths. I wish all passport photos could be as glamorous as these - Chanel accessories and instant air brushing. Which reminds me... I have to dig my passport out soon as I am off to Spain for a week to catch the last Summer rays. I couldn't be more excited and looking forward to a break!!

Honestly when I started my YouTube channel, and subsequently my blog, I never imagined that I would be given the opportunity to attend all these fabulous events. So I just wanted to take a minute to say a massive thank you to you, my readers, for your continuing support as it is all because of you! I really appreciate all the time you take to read my silly little ramblings and express your opinions. Of course events and such are fun, but to me your continued interest in this blog is what means the most. I am truly grateful and thankful for all of you :)! 

Love lots, 

Natalya xxx

Abbey Lee