Oh Canon, how I have missed thee!!

After a long Birthday weekend I am finding it difficult to get back into the swing of things. If you too feel a little bit down in the dumps this Monday evening here are a few little photos to cheer you up :).

As many of you know I have been without a good camera for over a year since one sunny afternoon my Canon RebelXti decided to give up all hope and die beyond repair. I have been holding out for a new one, and managed to persuade my lovely mama that it was the best gift for my Birthday. So I am once again the proud owner of a beautiful, fat Canon (EOS 550D), and I couldn't be happier. Here are a few of the photos I managed to snap of my photogenic little poser ;).

 Some photos are just perfect little accidents. I was playing with the focus for the flowers, when someone decided to steal the show ;).

"Well hello there..."

I hope you are all having a lovely start to the week! xxx

Nick Verreos Figure Skating Fashion Blog on Universal Sports.com: Skate Canada Edition!!!

Miss Grand Prix Canada Is...

Sequin Trimmed Podium: The Top Three Ladies, Ksenia Makarova (Russia), Alissa Czizny (US, won the Gold), Amelie Lacoste (Canada)

I'm so excited to be back for another week of Figure Skating Fashion Two Cents for this Grand Prix Season. Last week we were in Japan (well, I wasn't unfortunately but they were!), and now...

We cross many, many time zones and arrive in Canada for the Grand Prix: Skate Canada edition. Let the Sequins, Asymmetrical Hemlines and Glue-Gun Begin:

Mandarin Evita: Figure Skaters and especially Russian Figure Skaters love a good asymmetrical costume. And Ksenia Makarova, skating to Evita for her long program, did not disappoint.

While she definitely was on the right track with the deep red color and very Eva Peron hairdo, the asymmetrical Nehru/Mandarin collar made the whole look literally askew--and also not "Country-appropriate" for the Argentine Muse.

Where's My Bayonet: Patrick Chan has decided to go "green" this season and recycle last seasons long program. He once again skated to Phantom of the Opera in this slightly period inspired all black costume.

Chan is one of those skaters that chooses simplicity over drama and although there is nothing wrong with this look, he definitely could have used an update. And he looked like he was doing a bad Civil War Reenactment as opposed to The Phantom!

Retro Chic: Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier were definitely one of my favorite skates across all disciplines. They skated to Eleanor Rigby, and although I must admit I am not a huge Beatles fan (sorry!) I am a huge fan of Christopher Dean. His choreography is breathtaking and always innovative. These costumes were a perfect match for this program. The simplicity and retro vibe they portrayed, allowed the program to speak for itself. They actually got me to like The Beatles...just for 4 minutes.

Cha-Cha 1986: When I first saw Gorshkova and Butikov hit the ice, I said “Oh Dear!”, I should have said “Ay Caramba!”. They skated to a Cha-Cha medley and their costumes, though bold and exuberant, reminded me of a cross between “Blades of Glory” and...

Some tacky dance show review in Reno—circa 1986.

Scheherazade Aerobics: Fumie Suguri of Japan skated to Bagoa's Dance from Alexander...in stretch velvet pants! Now, Fumie was one of the first skaters to bring back pants to women’s skating a few years ago: Several seasons ago she looked sleek in a black pant suit ensemble, but here she is just a hot mess.

She looks like my “kooky” Aunt from Boca Raton going to her Aerobics Class at the Marriott, headband and all.

Ole!: Cynthia Phaneuf was at the top of her game during the short program in this one sleeve gold beaded costume. She looked sleek and modern and I loved her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, very “fashion runway” in fact. Every detail accentuated her Spanish Theme perfectly—and not one Red Rose in sight (take note ladies!).

What did I think of Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein's "Cabaret" costumes above? Click HERE to read my Universal Sports Blog and see what I thought about them and many more of the costumes.

TV Guide Network The Fashion Team: Nick Verreos Red Carpet Naughty Trick Or Treating!!

Trick...or Fashion Treat!

Trashy Threesome: TV Guide Network's The Fashion Team Nick Verreos, Jen Rade and Lawrence Zarian at Trashy Lingerie, West Hollywood

On this week's TV Guide Network's The Fashion Team, we went "naughty" Trick Or Treating...at West Hollywood's iconic Trashy Lingerie store on La Cienega Blvd. For our "Hot or Not" segment, stylist Jen Rade, Lawrence Zarian and I discussed who looked their best on the red carpet and those stars who didn't make our grade.

Pink Fantasy: Trashy Lingerie West Hollywood

I have been living in Los Angeles for over 20 years (I came here when I 5--LOL!) and this was my first time at Trashy Lingerie! Can you believe it? My NIKOLAKI partner David Paul, who worked as a Wardrobe Stylist and Costumer for YEARS, had of course been there many a time but yes, I was a Trashy Lingerie Virgin...until now! It is so "old school" up in there. You need to be a Member first of all, to shop there. And they have everyone on Roll O Dex cards, right at the entrance! That is SO 1993, I love it!

Pleather Apron: Naughty Costumes at Trashy Lingerie West Hollywood

The place is stocked from wall to wall with costumes--from naughty maids, nurses and everything in between, as well as all the accessories you will ever need for your Lingerie Fantasies. There's so much boning, pasties, rick-rack trim and stretch nylon in there that it could make even a Playboy Bunny Centerfold blush with excitement!

Top Hat Diva: Nick Verreos at Trashy Lingerie West Hollywood

Needless to say, I didn't dress up in any costume for my TVGN Fashion Team segment (I said I would!) but I did don a mini feathered top hat--to finish off my TopMan jacket and Etro pocket scarf ensemble.

Our Fashion Team Halloween Segment debuted yesterday--Sunday--Oct 31st on the TV Guide Network at 5PM--You can click HERE for the rest of the airing times.

Hope you all had a Happy (Fashionable) Halloween Kids!

Click BELOW for last week's "Hot Or Not" segment on TV Guide Network's The Fashion Team, with me!!!

What A Halloween-- Modest Dress-up!!

Bobbie Brown newest edition gray eyeshadow w/ sparkles, Shu Uemura fake lashes, Bobbie Brown Apricot blush. 

No, I am not going to do the same "LOOK" as Black Swan/Gray Swan, it bores me already. ^O^


So, what am I? 
A giraffe, I guess, and a sexy female giraffe!!

I never really into Romper but since Renee gifted me that Vena Cava Romper.... I determine to work it into fall. :P

Niel had this Speed Racer costume for 3 years already.  He never even cares what he'd be for Halloween as long as he gets candies!  For that, I am grateful.  

As for Abby, she does care!  I made her Angel costume as both Angel (w/ a halo) and "newly-wed princess" (w/ a tiara) under different occasion such as school performance that Abby never says "NO."  Of course I'd add different accessories each year to make HER look fresh!

Ah, I'd tell ya this kiddo, Ilona, is a tough one. She is hard to please and perpetually angry if something gets in her way!!! 


Today, she is so reluctant to put on both her wing and "Bee antenna" so I insist adding some flowers on her head. Well, you just have to be "outsmart" her all the time!
Being the 3rd child is not easy in a family I assume!


Trick-or-treat at Cole Valley in SF city!

Here we come ~~ candies!!

Hum... I am waiting for this "pumpkin" turning into my "pumpkin ride"!! 




Love the costumes, love the color and love today's beautiful weather in SF city!



What are those two? Lady Gaga?

How do we Chinese call this crowd? 
People Mountain, People sea.....^O^(in Chinese pronunciation.)



Next year, I am going to carve myself one....big pumpkin!



This is the WINNER of today's costume... in my opinion! ^^ 
Love her thigh, go Super-Woman!!!! 

A Halloween Greeting from my friend, Ceci's family, from Canada!!

The lobster family... all hand-crafted costume by Ceci: Lobster (Jacob), Crab (Coco), Chief, and the waitress!! 

My Marni coat looks perfect on Abby!



Dinner time.....everyone pass out when we got home...me too!!


Have a good rest on Monday.... (I mean for ME!)
xoxo Rachel