NIKOLAKI in Genlux Magazine: The Hollywood Stars Issue

Hollywood NIKOLAKI Starlets...

Actress Camilla Belle on the cover of the new Genlux Magazine "Spring 2011 Hollywood Stars" Issue

Check out the new Genlux Magazine, on newsstands NOW! Why? To begin with IT'S Genlux and the gorgeous actress Camilla Belle, star of "From Prada To Nada" is on the cover--beautifully styled by Jessica Paster. Secondly, it's the Spring 2011 "Hollywood Stars" Issue, so it's chock full of Hollywood Fashion Starlets. And lastly, well, it features dresses from my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Collection! (Hello! That's the BEST reason to get the magazine!).

I got some images/tear sheets from the magazine to share with you: Above is actress Pippa Black from NBC's "Outsourced" wearing one of our NIKOLAKI ivory silk jersey cowl-draped cocktail dresses with hand-beaded epaulets, photographed by Bonnie Holland and styled by Angel Terrazas in a photo essay titled "Star Watch"...


And here's a photo of model Stephanie Loba, styled by Kelvin Seah in a photo editorial titled "In My Dreams" shot by Erik Almås, wearing NIKOLAKI creme silk chiffon paillette-and-caviar hand-beaded tunic dress with padded shoulder capelet.

You can go to our website HERE and check out what the dresses look like in our Look Book.

FIDM Debut 2011 Fashion Show Gala--The Nick Verreos Recap!!! Photos Galore!!!

Fashionable Gala!

Last Saturday night was the much-awaited Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM Debut 2011 Gala. In case you didn't know, "Debut" is the only show like it on the West Coast-- it annually attracts more than 8,000 people over 3 days and features design by graduating students in FIDM’s Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Advanced Study Programs as well as work from the Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Textile Design Students.

FIDM Debut 2011 Trophy Girls: Fashion Designer Nick Verreos and his NIKOLAKI gown-clad models, Amara (Left) and Brianna Barnes (Right)

The Saturday Night Gala is a black-tie event for VIP sponsors, donors and Fashion Industry Leaders such as editors, designers, clothing company owners and the like. It is held at the Santa Monica Barker Hanger with well-appointed tables and chairs, full three-course dinner, cocktails and of course, the fashion! I was invited to assist in handing out the Scholarship Winners for next year's Debut 2012--along with Barbara Bundy, Vice President of Education at FIDM. As a bonus, I was asked to bring two of my NIKOLAKI gowns so we would have our very own "FIDM Tropy Girls" wearing NIKOLAKI Couture on stage as we handed out the Scholarships. One of them--Brianna Barnes had a Project Runway Connection:

She had modeled in BOTH Kara Janx's Season 2 Bryant Park Project Runway Finale Runway Show as well as...

Season 3 Winner Jeffrey Sebelia's Collection

The Gala was FABULOUS with a Capital "F" for sure. I, of course, donned my White Dinner Jacket, black bow tie and braces (that's "suspenders" darlings), naturally (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dishing Fashion: Nick Verreos and Kelley Nelson, FIDM Debut 2011 (photo courtesy of Alex J. Berlin/ABImages)

Bow Tie Heaven: Nick Verreos with Jim Holmes and Peter Helenek from Mattel (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

The Advanced Fashion Design Graduates' Debut 2011 Collections ranged from chic Parisian Audrey Hepburn-inspired separates, "Upscale American Apparel" Sporty-Spice, colorful and very innovative knitwear, menswear, FABULOUSLY tailored Little Boy's wear, to exaggerated ruffled red carpet gowns.

Here are some photo highlights:

Pretty in Stripes: A navy-blue silk skirt and striped top by Hannah Childs (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Let's Get Physical: Knit off-the-shoulder top, sheer and PVC leggings, Kristine Flanigan (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Debut 2011 Graduate Pamhidzai Mbanga and her Africa-inspired "boys" (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Best Dressed 1st Grade Plaid: Plaid double-breasted jacket, denim pants ensemble by Kamelia Stojanikova (Photo by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ready to Rumble: Denim overalls and sweater combo from Kamela Stojanikova (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

I'm On The List: Strapless jumpsuit with inter-woven detail from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

She-Bop: Strapless printed dress from Ethan Bartlett (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

St. Petersburg Queens: Three knitwear looks from Adelle Louise Burda's Russian-inspired collection (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Edwardian Foxtail Boy: Asymmetrical coat, mustard pants, and rust-colored cardigan from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

London Calling: Blue leather side-zip front jacket, brown skinny pants with inseam patches and mustard-colored hoodie, from Alexandra Paulus (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Brunch at MOCA: Red pocketed tunic with wood (yes, WOOD!) "collar", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Dinner at Nobu: Felt and chiffon ensemble with knitted "Ankle Warmers", from Airi Isoda (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Leopard Who Lunches: Black-and-white Cheetah print top with "coned" sleeves and black ankle-length high-waisted trousers, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Ruffled Diva: Black organza one-shouldered cocktail dress, from Paul Hernandez (Photo Courtesy of Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

Fashion Security: Nick Verreos poses with the FIDM Debut 2011 Security Team

All in all, it was a fabulous Debut 2011 Show. It's always great to see what the "Designers-of-Tomorrow" are doing and of course, as a former FIDM Debut Graduate myself (don't even THINK of looking up what year!!!) it's always nostalgic seeing these shows for sure, as well as the young talent up there on the runway. Naturally, I had to get a final photo with the very hard-working security team at the Debut 2011/Santa Monica Barker Hanger. They were AMAZING and so sweet and respectful to me--especially "my guy" Rick Young, who at the very least, made me look as if I was actually someone important...

Until Debut 2012...

Our New Bathroom!

We FINALLY got our new bathroom after about 10 days of living in dust, mess and general havoc!  The bathroom was completely atrocious beforehand and I couldn't wait to get rid of it.  I hated it so much it wasn't even funny.  So after many weeks of counting down the days, the workmen arrived, ripped out everything (at which point I did a silly celebratory dance) and then started creating our new contemporary bathroom (which should now be called a shower room as we no longer have a bath!).  I will only show you one 'before and after' pic because, to be quite frank, the other before pics are just plain horrible and too embarassing to show...

The difference now is massive and the whole room just looks more spacious, modern and luxurious.  We have loads more storage space in the units under the mirror so that's where all my crap will be going from now on (and I have alot of it!).  I want to keep the surfaces as clear as possible and clutter free...sometimes easier said than done when you're a girl who likes her beauty products!

So as you can see in the next pic, we decided to get a mirror along most of the wall facing the door to add more dimension and make the space appear bigger.  The wall tiles are spanish, matte and a pale beige colour and they contrast beautifully with the Italian floor tiles which have an almost bronzey, metallic look to them.  You can see flecks of goldy-bronze when the spot lights shine down on them...gorgeous!

We decided on a shower cubicle because neither of us are overly bothered about having baths and it seemed like the best use of the space we had.  We now have underfloor heating too and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to step out of the shower onto that on a cold morning!  It's the simple things in life that make me happy!ha ha.

Now all that's left to do is pick up some new towels (I was thinking a cherry red shade to add a pop of colour to the neutral colour palette already there) and get some finishing touches added.  I want to get an artifical orchid plant to put in the far corner under the mirror.  I've also got some mirrored bowls to put on the shelf above the toilet which I plan on putting candles in.  I've picked up some gorgeous Danish accessories to finish everything off so I will take some more pics when I have added these things.

(floor tiles)

(new wooden slated ceiling with spotlights)

Sorry if this post is a bit boring or just unrelated to beauty/fashion etc but I was just so excited to have a brand new bathroom!  I love spending time chilling at home so it means alot to me to make the living space as comfortable as possible.

I also wanted to let you guys know that I won't be posting until Monday because I have a wedding on Saturday to attend (one of my best friends) so everything is still hectic at the moment.  Chris will be going offshore again on Monday so I want to spend as much time with him as I can before he goes.

Sorry I have neglected the blog a little recently but things have just been so busy.  Don't worry though, I have loads of good posts coming up and I will be back with a vengeance on Monday so watch out!

Mother's Day Soap & Gory Beauty Bundle

Whenever I see a Soap & Glory Bundle I have to have it! They are always packed with amazing treats! The one I purchased at Christmas did not disapoint, and has introduced me to a number of products I absolutely love and now repurchase - namely their yummy shower gel and breakfast scrub, that both smell good enough to eat. I adore the retro packaging and catchy names, but instead of being gimmicky their products really do deliver.

This season's offering is just as tempting and includes:

• Wash Almighty Body Cleansing Gel 500 ml 

• Clean Mary Cleansing Milk 180 ml 

• Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel 200 ml (The Firminator) 

• Slimwear Peptide Balm 190 ml

• No Clogs Allowed 50 ml

• The Fab Pore Facial Peel 50ml

• Mighty Mouth Gorgeous Lips Kit 2 x 4g, 9 ml

• Marvelips Colour, Shine & Shaping Crayon 4.5g

• Wizard of Flaws Line Filling Luminizer & Concealer 7 ml

• Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Gloss in Plum 7 ml

With products worth over £70 this bundle will set you back £40 in a Boots store. However, you can save £5 with the code BUNDLE5, and bag yourself this amazing bundle for just £35!!!

This set would make a perfect Mother's Day gift, or an indulgent treat to get your skin prepped for the new season!

Are you a fan of S&G? Have you ever purchased any of their special offer bundles? What are your favourite products from the range?