Nick Verreos Hosts Project Style Trendsetter 2010 at South Bay Galleria Redondo Beach California!!!

The Search for South Bay Galleria's Top Fashionista Trendsetter of 2010

Trendsetters Unite: Nick Verreos and the 5 Project Style Trendsetter Finalists, South Bay Galleria

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure and honor of being the emcee of the South Bay Galleria's Project Style Trendsetter for 2010! For the past 5 months, contestants have been applying on Shoptopia.com to be considered, then after FIVE rounds of judging, 5 finalists were chosen. Each were given $200 and a little over 2 hrs to shop at the very expansive South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach and then, on Saturday, got the chance to show their styling expertise--on themselves--at the Finals for Project Style where the Winner would win a $1,000 Galleria Shopping Spree!

I arrived in the shopping center--with my favorite pair of TopMan purple pants of course--and was immediately whisked to a private backroom, where I had a Meet & Greet with about 25 lucky guests of the event, including the 5 Finalists. I talked about how I became a Fashion Designer, how I got started in this crazy industry and of course, my experience on Season 2 of Project Runway, and I also gave them some advice ("Be nice and kind").

Mini Runway: Nick Verreos takes the Runway with his new friend!

There was this 1o year-old girl, who even brought sketches she had been drawing for A LONG TIME (since she was 8!), so as a "bonus" for her, I drew her a very special "Nick V. croquis" (a fashion guide figure) so she could trace over it when she drew her designs. Her big ol' smile told me that she was VERY HAPPY. When it was time to start my emceeing duties, I brought her onstage to do an impromptu catwalk down the runway. And BTW: She was better than me!

Going to LA Fashion Week Outfit: Contestant Camila and Nick Verreos during the Project Style Trendsetter Finals

The event was being held smack dab in the "Center Court" area of the South Bay Galleria. At one point, as I got up on the runway stage, I looked up, and there were four levels with tons of shoppers looking down from the balconies--to see what was happening "down there". Near the stage, lots of friends and family members of the Finalists were positioning themselves to best root for their girl!

I introduced the judges: Warren Chaumont (L) Coordinator and Producer of Style Week Orange County, fashion stylist Jennifer Margolin (R) founder of the fabulous RedSoleDiary.com, and myself.

Contestant Andee describes her look to Nick Verreos, Project Style Trendsetter Finals

For the Finals, each of the 5 contestants got to model the outfit they bought (and personally styled) to music they handpicked. Afterward, I interviewed them on why they picked their individual outfits and explain to the judges--and myself--why they should win. Each finalist's style was very different and had their own individual look and aesthetic, and reason for choosing these outfits.

Contestant Tanya talks about being a "stylish but practical" mommy, Project Style Trendsetter Finals

We had 3 budding stylists from a local high school (2 of them were best friends!), one stylin' mommy and a college student who loves fashion. Styles ranged from Boho Glam, Military to Rocker Chic. Now it was time to pick the next project Style Trendsetter. There was also a separate prize, for the "Fan Favorite" (voted on by texts from the audience).

That prize went to Kristen Cooper, seen above in a red sequin top, cropped bomber jacket and black skinny diagonally-seamed jeans and Rocker-chic boots. Kristen won a $250 Galleria Shopping Spree! But the Grand Prize "Top Trendsetter" Title (and $1000 Galleria Shopping Spree Prize), went to...

And the Winner Is: Nick Verreos announcing Project Style Top Trendsetter

Brianna Elce, a very stylish high-school student who in fact, is the Vice President of her school's "Fashion Club". Brianna's winning outfit was a khaki Military-inspired jacket, a feminine ruffled tunic and some sheer-and-black jersey leggings.

She topped it off with a long necklace, mini-clutch and some Rocker-chic booties. It was a very difficult decision and the votes were VERY CLOSE but she best defined all the trends for Fall '10, and styled them organically and in the end looked "just right". Congrats to the Project Style Trendsetter, Brianna Elce and Thank You South Bay Galleria for such a warm--and fashionable--reception!

Click Below for a Fun Video of the Five Finalists On The Runway Showing their "Trendsetter" outfits:

Upscale Your Wardrobe!!

My friend, Isabel, and I were talking about fashion the other day...... about how to upscale your wardrobe from certain designers w/o looking like you are wearing a uniform.  While she is so crazy about Marni that she'd buy couple pieces from Marni every season to mix up the look to be her own.  Brilliant ideas, isn't it!!

Me? 

I am loving Missoni/or M Missoni and I start looking into more affordable pieces from their collection.  To get me start and at the same time to upscale my wardrobe w/o piling up so many fashionable pieces that I'd want to give away when they become past-season.

Cathy's little son.... so cute....and shy!! ^O^

I don't think I ever come across this fun yet elegant striped wavy design from either M Missoni or any other designer.

 MY ODJ

1. Top:

M Missoni dress 08' 

M Missoni sweater 10'F (found it at Loehmann's ^^ The sweater is a perfect match for the dress...they are even the same colored pattern. )

 2. Accessory:

DKNY knit socks

Chanel 10A orange/rouge 226 reissue

3. Shoes:

Chanel 08' camellia satin heels


The scallop waves on the sweater adds a subtle whimsical feminine look to this M Missoni.

Almost Halloween~ Let's warm up!!

Go upscale your wardrobe!!

I am going to tell you my 20 MUST-HAVE items in the wardrobe soon.

xoxo Rachel

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Kate Lanphear Inspiration

Balancing razor-sharp tailoring with an obsession for anything black, this Elle Style Director is anything but ordinary, confessing that she has a fettish for anything Givenchy or Alaia. Her look, usually consisting of skinny jeans or harem pants, a leather jacket or a splash of denim, a scarf or a studded cuff, a simple tee or a button up shirt, give utter brilliance to the word monochromatic!!!

Neon Lips

 This Spring/ Summer season go beyond the classic red pout with playful shades like blood orange, deep purple, pastel pink or fuchsia. While Marc Jacobs did orange, Jil Sander did pink and Gucci did red, you too can pull off this look.Not only will these bold colours present you as powerful, feminine and classy but they send the message of confidence, the essence of the modern day woman.

Winter Warmer Discount - 20%OFF all coats at New Look!!

It is always the way, isn't it? Whenever you purchase something full price and a week later you see it on sale (sometimes before you have even had a chance to wear it!) your heart sinks a little. As I wouldn't wish you to be a part of my woes I just wanted to let you know that currently New Look are having a sale on their winter coats with a generous 20% OFF (including the new ones). You can view all their styles here.

If you were at all interested in the cape I showed you in my last post (caped crusader) you will be very happy to know that this is now down to £31.99!

You can find it on the NL (same initials as me lol!) website here.

With the freezing temperatures we have recently had in England I think I may well go back and pick up something a little more practical.. it's just a shame they don't do snow suits ;). I believe this offer expires on Sunday the 24th of October, so hurry.

Love and thermal socks,

Natalya xxx

ghd hair curler/flat-ironing!!

 ghd promotion package. Come w/ travel pouch, hair dryer, small flat/curl ironing, hair shampoo, conditioning, thermal spray, and a small messenger bag (didn't show) for $250. 

The small flat ironing alone is about $199.  

I also bought adapters just so I can bring the whole set to Europe w/ me w/o worrying if hotel provides all this in the room.

I try to grow my hair long, at the mean time,  I intended to trim here and there just to make my look fresh to myself.  

I finally bought myself a new flat ironing/curler. My old one is too wide and can't do much about to my bang nor make curl out of it.  My stylist always suggests me to find a smaller/narrower flat-ironing which is great for the small bang as well as curling the hair. You know how people use a scissor to make curl out of a ribbon?!! You pull the ribbon w/ the scissor along and twirl at the end ..... That's the same idea w/ smaller flat-ironing when curling your hair. 

This is the look before, while I still use my wide flat ironing. It does great job to flat the hair but not curve my new bang.....it looks flat instead of fluffy full. I'd say this wide ironing might work better w/ long hair like I am used to be.

Although it is not a bad looking but I'd wish my bang looked more curved!

I am not sure if you can see the edge of smaller ironing is slightly beveled which is great to make smooth curl. 

See the big difference of my old red wide ironing and ghd narrow flat/curl ironing.

After I tried out smaller ironing on my bang, I like the way that now it looks slightly curved (like a dome) ^^ on top of my fore-head.

I will see you later~~

xoxo Rachel

Weekend Update And A Review

Wow...what a busy (predominantly alcohol-fuelled) weekend! It's not big or clever kids! Myself, Chris and some friends went out on Friday night for some 'quiet' drinks...but somehow we got back to the flat at around 3am...not sure how that happened?! Then on Saturday night we went out for dinner with 3 other couples to a new Brazilian Steakhouse called Tropeiro in Aberdeen.  It was my first time trying Brazilian food and I have to say that it was delicious! The whole concept of the restaurant is that there is a big salad bar with rice, potatoes, exotic coleslaws, amazing spicy sauces etc and then the waiters come around the tables with chicken, beef, lamb and pork on skewers and carve it for you.  All the meats were SO tasty, So flavour-some and really tender.  It's a really laid back place so it's a great place to go with a group of friends. 

After the meal, we intended to call it a night since we had been out the night before BUT in usual style, someone who will remain nameless, suggested we go for cocktails at a lovely place called Mim.  It's a contemporary fusion restaurant/bar and they do the most AMAZING cocktails I've ever had.  I particularly like the french and strawberry daiquiris! Yum!  After alot of laughs, alot of chat and quite a few cocktails, we headed home and needless to say we were all suffering on Sunday morning!  A walk on Aberdeen beach sorted that out though!...yes Aberdeen actually has a beach!

And guess what??? The wedding DVD arrived!!! I was so excited when it dropped through the letterbox yesterday morning and it looks so professional! I had to wait ALL day to watch it because I promised Chris I wouldn't watch it until he got home.  It was torture!  The dvd is amazing and I love how it turned out...it is totally worth the money because having a film like that of our special day is priceless! 

Although I would love to share it with you guys, I have made the decision not to post clips on my blog because I'm sure you can understand that it's a very personal piece of film which features my loved ones and I just can't open them up to the public domain.  I don't want just anyone watching it and by that, I don't mean my regular subscribers/readers.  What I mean is that I don't want horrible anonymous comments that have been doing the rounds on blogs lately.  It would break my heart to have someone criticising something that is so close to my heart so I decided to just post clips of it on my Facebook page instead. 

As soon as I got the dvd's, I phoned my mum and she drove all the way into town just to pick up her copy.  I also posted a copy to Chris' mum because I know she's dying to see it too.  Mum turned up at the flat with a present for me too! She bought me a gorgeous dusky pink longline blouse from Next that is in a smock style, gathered under the bust with a babydoll feel to it.  Basically it's fitted at the bust and then becomes kind of floaty.  I love it!  It will be perfect with my new black jeggings. So thank you mum!

I picked up the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara from Boots on Sunday because I wanted to try a new mascara for every day use.  Something that's quick and easy to apply with minimal faffing around and maximum impact.  I have heard some good things about this mascara so expectations were reasonably high. 

First off, the rubber wand is probably the fattest one I have come across with very short spikes.  I wasn't sure how that would work as a mascara wand but I was willing to keep an open mind.  The wand is a bit awkward to use in my opinion and on more than one occasion, I ended up touching my face or lid with it and getting transfer of the product.  I'm always really careful with my mascara because I'm a bit of a perfectionist but this one is tricky.  I guess you just have to be extra careful with this wand so it's definitely not a mascara for anyone who speeds through their makeup every morning. 

Once applied, the mascara gives reasonably good length and a bit of volume too but I would prefer if it gave me more volume at the root of the lashes.  Once the mascara has dried it doesn't budge and there no flaking or smudging which is a plus.  This mascara only costs £7.99 so when you put it up against the YSL or Lancome ones then yes, it is good value for money because it does perform quite well.  But something about this mascara just doesn't do it for me.  I like to get more volume in my lashes and this kind of made them look too sparse when they are anything but at the moment (I have been using my Revitlash and Loreal Renewal Sreum religiously!).  I would probably give this mascara 6 out of 10 but I don't think I will be repurchasing.  I actually prefer the result you get from their cult product 2000 Calorie...that mascara allows you to build really dramatic lashes!

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