Nick Verreos Will Be at Boston's Emerson College THIS MONDAY April 4th!!

Boston Rolls Out The "Rainbow Colored" Carpet...and the Runway...

Nick Verreos is Catwalking to Boston...on Monday night!!!

Tomorrow--as you may have read HERE, I am flying to Chicago to host a "Putting It All Together" Macy's Event at Macy's State Street on Saturday. And then, I'm off to Boston Massachusetts. Why Boston, you ask? Well, kids, I've been invited by the Fashion Society of Boston's Emerson College to give a very special lecture as part of their "Fashion Week Spring 2011" festivities.

In case you didn't know--The Fashion Society of Emerson College in Boston is celebrating Spring 2011 Fashion Week with several great events--fashion shows, a 'Top Model Contest"-- with ALL PROCEEDS going to The Trevor Project, best known for "It Gets Better" campaign.

As a big supporter of The Trevor Project, LGBT issues, and lover of Fashion...I am honored to be part of the events and on Monday April 4Th, I will be at Emerson College's Bill Bordy Theater for a very special appearance and lecture, entitled (Wait For It!)..."Fashion God: Nick Verreos" (if I can only LIVE up to that!!!). Of course, I'll also pose for Facebook pics afterward--and if you come, you have a good chance you might end up on THIS little ol' BLOG of mine because....YES, I will be posting a FUN Recap of my time in Emerson College! (in other words: DRESS to Impress Emerson College Fashionistas!!)

What: Nick Verreos Lecture on Fashion, Project Runway and LGBT Issues

When: Monday April 4, 2011 Time: 8-10PM

Where: Emerson College Boston, Bill Bordy Theater

*Click HERE for Entire Event Details

*For More Info. and Questions: Email fashionsociety@emerson.edu or ...RSVP on Facebook

Milan Stylewatch, A Purchase & Bathroom Accessories

As I've said before, I love getting fashion inspiration from different cultures and cities of the world.  This time, I'm just taking a quick look at the women captured on film during Milan Fashion Week.  I selected the pics based on accessories I liked or just their overall look and the way it was put together.  One thing though...I don't think I could EVER get away with wearing sunglasses in Aberdeen until at least June!

This look is so simplistic but then you get down to her feet and BAM! Killer shoes all up in your face! Love it.

Especially love the outfit on the left with the multi-coloured patterned skirt teamed with chunky shoes and black accesories.  A great way to wear a bold pattern without feeling conspicuous during the daytime.

I am in love with her studded skinny jeans, they are amazing!  Thinking about it...this would actually be relatively easy to do with a cheap pair.  All you would need is some studs from a habidashery store and some fabric glue.

I would never have teamed black tights with knee high grey socks but it actually works really well.

I love the summery pop of colour teamed with understated black.  I need that bag in my life!

So simple, so stylish, so effortless...love it.

I really like the little serpent clutch bag!

These red accessory accents are gorgeous and look so ladylike!

I'm always checking the Rise Fashion website because they have a great Outlet section where stock is massively reduced.  On Monday, I spotted this Adriana skirt for just £7.50!!!

I just got it in the mail today and it's absolutely gorgeous! It feels heavy and alot more expensive than £7.50 or even the original price of £22.50.  It actually looks very Reiss-esque.  The size is also very true to what it should be.  I got a size 12 and it fits perfectly.  I think there is only size 16 left on the site now...but for that price, it may be worth buying and having altered at a tailor.  That would only cost about £7.00 so all in all, it would be worth it.

This skirt could be worn in the daytime with opaque black tights and shoe boots or at night with some nice platform shoes.  I can't wait to wear it now!

There were also three brochures that came with my Rise Fashion order showcasing their newest ranges.  One particular dress that caught my eye was in the E1 London Spring Collection which is inspired by the art deco movement.  It's called the 'Angelina' Dress and it's only £45.  It's not on the website yet but I assume it will be in the next couple of weeks.  I love the drapey feel to it and the belted waist...

I now have all the finishing touches for the new bathroom.  I got an artifical red orchid plant from Dunhelm Mill for just £20.00 and also a very deep purple vase for just £5.99.  The vase almost looks black so it blends in well.  The room needed a pop of colour and this shade of red was perfect.

I found some really cool, stylish accessories from a Danish Brand called Lene Bjerre.  It's really tough to find their products online but they do trade out of some small independent interiors stores.  They don't actually make this hammered silver range anymore so I was lucky to get hold of a couple of pieces.

I love the contemporary design of the soap dispenser and it fits in so well with the luxurious feel of the bathroom.

I couldn't get the tumbler in the silver but I think the black works just as well and stops everything from looking too matchy-matchy.  Sometimes it's best not to match everything or it begins to look a bit twee.

I also picked up these four metallic bowls on a wooden tray from a small interiors shop for just £25.00.  I have put candles the ones on each end and keep cotton pads and cue tips in the two in the middle.  I was going to buy some pebbles to scatter in the wooden tray but then I thought...there's a beach down the road...why don't I just collect some small ones from there??? I'm not sure you're supposed to collect stones from the beach (a bit like picking wild flowers) but hey ho.  What can I say...I'm a rebel!ha ha.

Ok, I promise that's an end to bathroom stuff now so you can breathe a sigh of relief.  I realise that it's not the most riveting topic in the world but since a few people had asked me to show what accessories I had bought, I just wanted to mention it in a post.

Chanel Maxi 2011 !!!

Chanel Maxi Dress
Chanel pearl necklace as belt
Chanel maroon tote 
HM lace cropped jacket (10')

Missoni lace up Espadrille 

xoxo Rachel 

Skin Detox - A Perricone $150 or less Giveaway!

Didn't I just tell you that we are going to have another fun, and exciting GIVEAWAY!!  Well, here it is!!
(The GIVEAWAY is sponsored by the 3rd party and I am not affiliate with this GETSUPER company.) 

Not only did I personally love to read about the newest skin care research/product that are available in the market but also I update myself constantly of the anti-aging facts with my dermatologist. Ever since I did Sclerotherapy (a procedure used to treat blood vessels or blood vessel malformations) under her supervision on my left thigh, I worship my dermatologist very much for her professionalism. ^O^

Now, I consult her very often about the ideas of all the anti-aging theories and also clear the cloud of misconception about collagen supplement.  

Here I found two products from GETSUPER which draw my attention. I am doing Yoga religiously as you already know.  One of my yoga instructors says that "twisting" is great for our body as it also detox our stress and waste from our body but he didn't mention about how to detox our face and make it glow.  ^^

Watercress is an interesting leaf vegetables that you normally would want to eat them tossed with other vegetable as salad or inside sandwiches. But now you know how great it works as an stimulant, try this watercress enriched, amazing, and soothing DETOX ELIXIR !!! ^O^

skin detox

Do you know that I quench frequently coconut water during my session of doing Zumba? 

Why?

Cause' I don't like plain water nor sugar-loaded energy drinks. Besides, the potassium content in Coconut Water is close to twice the amount in a banana. ( I bet you don't know this before!)  A healthy balance of electrolytes is so important for the optimal health of our muscular, cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems, so drink it up!!

What about use Coconut Oil as an anti-aging skin aid?

Coconut Water contains these cytokinins and lauric acid which can minimize the aging of skin cells, balance PH levels, and keep the connective tissues strong and hydrated!! I found that not only can you apply this LUSH LIPS balm on your lips, but also great to apply it on affected skin areas such as acne, wrinkles, stretch marks.... etc. 

  coconut oil skin

Now, do you want to try those make-you-look-good products from Dr. Perricone? 

Here is Entry Rule: (U.S. and Canada only)

1. Please comment in this post and share which Perricone product valued at $150 or less that you'd love to try and why!!

2. Add yourself as a follower on my blog.

3. It's just that easy, the winner will be randomly drawn. 

(Ends at 4/10, 12 a.m. pacific time)

Have fun and good luck!

xoxo Rachel 

Illamasqua Toxic Nature & Small Reiss Haul

Just before I went to Berlin, I received a lovely gift from the team at Illamasqua because I wasn't able to make the Toxic Nature launch event in London.  I'm always gutted when I can't make these events but it's just so expensive for me to get down to London and get a hotel etc.  I'm hoping that more brands start having events in Edinburgh or Glasgow so at least I could go along to some.  I'm dying to meet up with some other beauty bloggers!

Illamasqua sent me the Cream Pigment in Emerge (matte pastel peach), Precision Ink in Glister (opalescent nude) and a Nail Varnish in Stagnate (grey mauve).  The product I was most excited about was definitely the Cream Pigment in Emerge because I think it will make the PERFECT base for Mac Pigment in Melon, which I bought recently.  I will have to try it out and show you guys in a FOTD!  I think I will try out the Precision Ink product on the inner corners of my eyes to open them up. 

The Cream Pigment is a gorgeous summery shade that could possibly be used very lightly as a blush as well...I will also try that out and let you guys know.  I'm interested to see whether it could work as a lip colour too with some clear gloss over the top.  It seems to be very much a multi-use product so I'm looking forward to having a play with it.  Whilst swatching it, it felt very smooth to apply to the skin and the pigmentation is VERY impressive, as with all Illamasqua products. 

I love the Precision Ink in Alchemy (the gold sparkly one) and I'm wearing it in the photo in my blog header.  So, I'm interested to see what I can do with this new shade!

I never used to like all the grey nail polish shades that flooded the market a while back but I have slowly warmed up to them.  Don't knock it until you have tried it because these neutral shades can look very chic and sophisticated.  I remember a time when I would only wear nudes or pinks on my fingernails, but over time, I've started experimenting with new hues and I have to say that I now revel in painting on something a bit different.  I am yet to try full on black nail polish though!

There's something about receiving a Reiss package that gets me all giddy and that's because everything is always packaged up so beautifully.  You know you are buying from a quality brand and it makes you feel like you are giving yourself a gift!

I can never resist the Reiss sale on their website because, quite frankly, there's ALWAYS a sale on there.  Quite alot of the items are half price so there's always an opportunity to pick up a bargain!  I love buying decorative belts because it's an easy way to update a plain dress and add a bit of interest, whilst nipping in your waist and making the most of your curves.

This 'Shelby' Grey Leather and Chain Belt with enamel inlay detail was down from £59.00 to just £17.00!!!  I know you can pick up belts in New Look or H&M for hardly anything but Reiss accessories are SO high quality and always look so stylish that it's totally worth investing that extra bit of cash for something that will really last.  They also do this belt in cream too.

I love the clasp at the front and all the little details around the back that really make this belt look expensive.  The great thing is that it's not too trend driven and has a classical feel so it will last for years if I take care of it.

I'm a sucker for glam stuff so when I saw this Dace Black Stretch Sequin Skirt down from £79.00 to £30.00, I just couldn't help myself.  It's from the 1971 Reiss range and will be perfect with a plain white slightly oversized vest top and long pendant.  I think when you wear a skirt as glitzy as this, you generally need to tone it down with something that looks more casual on the top half.  Otherwise, you run the risk of looking overdone.

I love how there's black panels on either side so the sequin strips down the front make it very slimming...something that can't often be said about bodycon sequin skirts!

I already have this next item in another colour (beige) but the colour drew me in straight away.  This Dana Crystal Embellished Tank  in Dark Fuschia was marked down from £49.00 to just £14.00 which is an amazing bargain because the quality of Reiss jersey tops is second to none.  They wash so incredibly well and they last for ages without losing their shape or fading.  So whenever I see tank tops I like on the site, I snap them up!  Love this colour...

And now for a couple of motown-inspired songs which have been on repeat on my iPod of late.  The first one is by the 15 year old god daughter of Amy Winehouse, Dionne Bromfield.  Let's hope she doesn't follow in her godmother's footsteps in regards to lifestyle choices!  I love soul and motown as a genre of music...Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding...the list goes on.  So anything that is inspired by that era of music will generally appeal to me.  I think the video for this song could have been better...it's a bit bland.  I like to see a bit more creativity when it comes to music videos because overall, you want the video to echo what the song is trying to say, whether it be literally or metaphorically.  I just like the concept behind the song too.  You know in your gut when you are just being messed around by someone and you find yourself making all these excuses for them.  Eventually you have to accept that they're just not that into you.

I have posted vids from Plan B before and I really like most of the songs from his most recent album because they all have a soul/motown sound to them.  I just love the paradox between the way he looks and the way he sounds.  He often looks like he should be hanging around street corners in a hoody! Once again, it's not a happy ever after kind of story behind the song, but it speaks of that time in a relationship when you know that things are going to end soon.  I know that alot of people don't like listening to sad love songs or songs about people breaking up.  But I never understand why, because if it's a good piece of music then why does it matter if the sentiment is happy or sad? We are all human and we all go through a range of emotions so it's natural that some songs ain't gonna be all sunshine and rainbows!  I love that music is so emotive and makes you feel.  It's an art of expression afterall. 

Best of the Olsen's