Different Ways before/during Summer Time~~

Certainly the weather changed a lot over the past couple weeks in California!! ^O^ It is just fun to see I wear those clothes in different ways...let's get some inspiration, shall we!!?

BCBG Generation navy/gray sports bra top

(center)
BCBE generation bra top + Chanel 11' Cruise navy skirt


My dearest gal, Yu, wears her Chanel in her unique way!!
On her:
3.1 Phillip Lim top + Chanel 11' Cruise skirt + greenish tights + Bottega Veneta 10' boots

Don't forget to enter

Skin Detox - A Perricone $150 or less Giveaway!

I am waiting for my order to give it a first try!! ^O^

Have fun with your mix-n'-match look!!!
xoxo Rachel

Amazing Olivia P

The radiant Olivia Palermo is no more than a muse in the fashion world as she shines in all her fame and fashion glory. As part of the hit show 'The City', Palermo's personaly came to light, but more importanly her fashion tricks and picks were envied by women everywhere.

We love love love her chic style...

  

Elle Macpherson

Rachel in Who Magazine

Nick Verreos "Puts It All Together" in the Windy Cindy at Macy's State Street Chicago: The Recap!

Chicago Gets Fashionably Windy!!!

Trench Coat Diva: Nick Verreos in front of Macy's on State Street Chicago

Last weekend I had the FABULOUS opportunity--and pleasure--of flying to Chicago to host a Macy's "Putting It All Together" fashion event at the historic--and iconic--Macy's on State Street, the second largest department store IN THE WORLD, in the historic Marshall Fields building!

Flower Display: Nick Verreos poses outside a Macy's State Street Window Display

After checking into the wonderfully chic theWit Downtown Chicago Boutique Hotel, I got some dinner at the hotel's "State and Lake" Restaurant (I had one of the most DELICIOUS Steak Frites I have EVER had btw!), and even met up with a friend in "Boys Town" (naturally) for some "Welcome To Chicago" cocktails. Soon, it was time for me to head back to the hotel and get some rest for my event the following day.

I had been to Chicago many times--to judge several seasons of that city's Castings of Project Runway and even last year, hosted a Macy's in-store event at the Woodfield location in the outskirts of Chicago in Schaumburg...but NEVER had I stepped foot in the AMAZING Macy's on State! And WOW!!! As I walked in and was told to look up, I witnessed the beyond-incredible Tiffany Dome Ceiling which immediately took my breath away.

Tiffany Dome Ceiling, Macy's State Street

The immensity and elegance of it all. The architecture of the building was incredible. It reminded me of a combination between Galleries Lafayette as well as maybe the Paris Opera House! I almost forgot it was a department store. In addition, they were having their annual Macy's Flower Show, which goes on until April 10th so I was excited to be there just in time to see it!

Spring was definitely in BLOOM at the store with gorgeous displays of flowers of all kinds. My favorite was, of course, the soaring "Tower of Flowers" (see photo above) which was ASTOUNDING to see!!! I felt like Alice in Wonderland...at Macy's!

Spring Flowers at the Walnut Room Restaurant, Macy's on State, 7th Floor

I capped off my quick tour by going to the historic Walnut Room on the 7th Floor (just above that aforementioned Tiffany Dome Ceiling). But then, it was time to get ready to host my "Putting It All Together" event. I asked the Special Event Directors and the Store Manager if they'd mind if I did a little "Shout Out and Mention" on the intercom about the event, in order to remind shoppers to come! And for the FIRST TIME EVER--or so they told me--they allowed someone other than their official intercom event announcer to yes, go ahead and speak! And so I did!!! (Love you Macy's on State!).

The Macy's Accessories Table, "Putting It All Together" Event, Macy's State Street Impulse Department

Well, I guess, that helped a little bit, because upon arriving, the entire Macy's Impulse Department was FILLED with shoppers, tourists, lots of Mommies and their daughters--some sons too!--as well as some Project Runway fans (I "Heart" you!). I was SOOOO excited to do my event!

Cinch The Waist Girls: Nick Verreos on stage, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

As you may know, "Putting It Together" is an in-store event/fashion show/contest where I chose people from the audience, they get two minutes to style models--using Macy's Spring fashion & accessories that are on nearby racks and tables--for special "challenges" which I pre-selected; such as "Having brunch with your girlfriends" or "Dressing for a Night Out", etc.

A Night Out Outfit: Model shows off a look styled by one of our contestants, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

The models then change and are brought back out and the audience votes (by hootin' and hollerin') whose outfit was best. The winner gets a $100 Macy's Gift Card while the Runner-Up got a $25 Card. I had such a BLAST doing the event. The entire audience got really into it, which was great!

Who Will I Pick Next? Nick Verreos scans the audience for the next contestant, Macy's State Street "Putting It All Together" event

There were so many cute little girls--all fashion'ed out--that at one point, I called them all up on stage and did an impromptu "Macy's 'Putting It Together' Walk Off"! I think the young ladies--and their mommies--LOVED that! And for a rare moment---I chose A BOY!!! Yes, a boy...to be one of the "contestant/stylists" for one of the challenges. Usually, since the challenges run in the vain of "How would you dress for a Girls Night Out" , (and it's only women's clothing and accessories to chose from) I usually pick women to be the contestants...but I wanted to change it up a bit.

And he WON! (Our male contestant/fashionista above with me) Yeayyyyy for the Boys!!!! We all had a fun time and yes, I can't wait to come back to Chicago and Macy's State Street and "Put It All Together" once again!!!

Bye Windy City...for now!

Click HERE for a fun video and clips for the entire event from Chicago3Media.com

FOTN, OOTN & a Review

I hope everyone had a great weekend and made the most of the lovely weather...I couldn't believe what a beautiful day it was on Sunday!   The sun most definitely had his hat on! 

I had a girl's night out on Saturday and wanted to have glam makeup and to contrast that, more relaxed hair.  So here's my Face Of The Night and the products I used...

Face: Loreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer

Estee Lauder Double Wear (Fresco & Shell Beige mixed together)

Bobbi Brown Corrector (Light to Medium Bisque)

Origins Quick Hide! Concealer (light/medium)

YSL Poudre Sur Mesure (Amber)

Dior Matte Sunshine Bronzer (Honey Matte)

Sleek Contour Kit (Light)

Blusher from New CID Cosmetics Eyes, Lips, Face Palette (shown on bottom right of pic)

Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer from French and Fabulous Palette (as highlighter)

Eyes: Benefit RSVP Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow (as a base)

Dior 5 Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow Palette in Earth Reflections (shown below)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero Smudge Liquid Eyeliner in Black (only along top lashline)

Ardell Fashion Lash 109 Black (used Revlon lash glue)

Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara (to gently blend my own lashes with false ones)

Benefit High Brow pencil (on waterline)

Benefit Brows A Go-Go Palette

Lips: Estee Lauder Double Wear Lipliner in Pink (lined and filled in lips)

Revlon Cherries In The Snow lipstick (applied with lip brush, blotted, then applied again)

When it came to my hair, I didn't want anything too structured so I just put some Nicky Clarke Great Body Mousse in my hair when it was damp, then blow dried my hair upside down to create maximum volume.  I scrunched my hair in my hands as I dried it to envourage a natural wave.  Then when my hair was fully dry, I took my Babyliss Conical Wand and just took random sections of hair and lightly curled them just at the ends.  A tiny bit of back combing on the layers underneath and a spritz of hairspray and that was it really.

As for what I wore...well I just couldn't wait to wear my new skirt from Rise for only £7.50 that I blogged about just recently.  There's something about getting a bargain that makes it all the sweeter!  I'm in love with this skirt...so much so that I bought two just in case one gets damaged at any point.  Obsessed much?!

I decided to just wear a plain white slouchy vest with the skirt since it's so 'bling'.  I wore my Aldo platforms, my French Connection stripey clutch bag and I wore Mavala's 'Nightclub' on my both my nails and toenails (it's basically a hot pink shade that has a real red tone to it).  Gorgeous!  I just threw on my trusty and much loved black Warehouse waterfall collar blazer.  I wish I had bought two of those now because I wear it constantly and it's starting to show signs of wear! 

I kept the jewellery simple and just wore a gold coloured double trinket necklace from H&M.  I wanted to make the most of my legs since they were well and truly on show so I applied a teensy bit of St Tropez Wash Off tan, together with some Mac Face & Body Foundation and some Mac Strobe Cream.  It gives an airbrushed look to your legs and covers up any scars/visible veins/uneven skintone.  It also makes your legs look slimmer!

Remember I blogged about Purse Angels Foldable Handbag Hooks?  Well they saw my post and very kindly sent me one to try out!  It was a lovely surprise and I know it will definitely come in VERY handy the next time I go for a meal and need somewhere to keep my bag.

I got the cute little cupcake design.  I wasn't sure how strong this little gadget would be but after testing it out, it actually holds alot of weight for such a small piece of apparatus!  I love girly gadgets!

I have been using some exfoliating products recently that have really impressed me with regards to their effect on the smoothness of my skin.  The Sanctuary Professional Micro Dermabrasion Body Renewal is a fantastic product to use prior to using fake tan because it doesn't leave any oily residue behind.  It's gentle enough to use 3 or 4 times a week without irritating your skin or being too scratchy.  It does say to use the product BEFORE getting into the shower on dry skin.  However, I find it works better for me when I use it with my exfoliating gloves and a small amount of shower gel (I use the original Dove one).  It leaves my skin incredibly soft, smooth and it has vastly reduced the little red bumps I have on the tops of my arms.  The best thing is that it's one of the more affordable exfoliators out there and also easy to get hold of from Boots.

I have also found the The Sanctuary Professional Ultra Refining Hand Polish SO good for when my hands are feeling particularly dry.  The skin on my hands can dry out quite quickly because of cold weather or even just using harsh hand soap.  One use of this hand scrub and my hands looked and felt completely different and so much healthier.  I now use this 3 or 4 times a week and keep it by the bathroom sink and my hands now look so much better.  They always say you can judge the age of a woman by her hands so you gotta take care of them!

love