Still love the Crisp Look Blue + White...

Chanel 08' black bow earrings, J Crew green stone cuff

Pleated blouse, Diesel little flared jeans, Nicolas Kirkwood suede heels, Hermes Rubis Lindy 30cm, Hermes hot-air balloon scarf 

Current Coveted Item: Azzedine Alaia....

 Alaïa Perforated leather tote

$3,160 - net-a-porter.com

Malin Akerman hot pics

Malin Akerman, the Swedish-Canadian hot actress who has starred in movies like the 2011 comedy "Wanderlust" looking hot in lingerie.
Check out Malin Akerman hot pics.
See More Hot Celebrity Photos ===>

Mandy Moore hot pics

The hot female singer and hollywood actress, Mandy Moore who has starred in movies like the 2011 comedy "Love, Wedding, Marriage" looking hot in a tight black dress.
Check out Mandy Moore hot pics.
See More Hot Celebrity Photos ===>

Nick Verreos and NIKOLAKI Collection in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Miami University of Ohio Italy Summer Abroad

Ciao Bellissima!!!

Grazie Firenze: Designers Giulia Bigoli, Althea Harper and Nick Verreos taking their bow, Florence Italy Fashion Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Last month, I was invited--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, to showcase our NIKOLAKI gowns and dresses at the first-ever "Florence Italy Fashion Show at the Miami University of Ohio Summer Program" entitled Tredici 13.

Florentine Boys: Nick Verreos and David Paul, NIKOLAKI designers, in Florence Italy

For the past two years, I have been part of this FAB Study Abroad Program as a "Special Guest Lecturer", for the Journalism students, speaking about fashion, fashion blogging, trends, as well as of course, giving my unique experience and insight to the students. Oh, and yes, DISHING a little bit on the "behind-the-scenes" of being on Project Runway. But this year, the director of the program wanted to "turn it up a couple fashion notches", and have a fabulous fashion show at the program's historic campus location, the Gould Institute a palazzo built in the mid-1600's originally a residence to the noble Florentine family Del Rosso.

Runway Preparations: The Runway at the Gould Institute garden

They also invited fellow Project Runway alumn, NYC-based fashion designer Althea Harper. This was her second time joining me on the Miami University "Summer In Italy" Program so it was a real treat (for us and for the audience) to show our designs in Italy for the FIRST TIME! The fashion show--"Tredici 13"--which was wonderfully produced and organized by Fashion Photographer Jerry Ingram of Foto-Genique also included the punk-rock-inspired designs of POLIMODA 2011 Fashion Designer Graduate, Giulia Bigioli.

Fashion Designer and Project Runway Season 6 Finalist Althea Harper, Fashion Photographer and Producer/Organizer of the event, Jerry Ingram, Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Runway Show (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

The fashion show was amazing--from the location, the gorgeous Florence-based models, the production (the lighting and runway!)--it all led to a fantastic backdrop to feature our fashions. Now, speaking of fashions:



NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos David Paul:

Yellow Princess: Canary yellow silk satin crepe NIKOLAKI gown with pleated draped-front cascade detail (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Florentine Red Carpet: One shoulder canary yellow silk satin crepe dress with shirred side, asymmetrical hemline and shoulder detail (Photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Fuchsia Italia: Models featuring NIKOLAKI dresses in Florence Italy Fashion Show--Silk-wool ziberline strapless side pleated asymmetrical dress (Left) and silk jersey cowl tunic dress with "Croq"-embossed leather shoulder accents (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Floating Marchesa: Model in NIKOLAKI one-shoulder silk chiffon "Watercolor"-printed gown with side slit (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Althea Harper:

Three looks from Althea Harper, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Giulia Bigioli:

Three looks from Giulia Bigioli, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photos courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Below are a few more photos from the event:

Step and Repeat Italia: Nick Verreos, Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute

Beard Boys: Nick Verreos (right) with Designer Domenico Strecapede (left), Miami University of Ohio Florence Italy Fashion Show, Gould Institute (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Molto Baci: Nick Verreos and one of the Florence Fashion Show "Security Detail", Alessandro Marchi (photo courtesy of Gildardo Gallo)

Posing Ladies: Miami University of Ohio Summer In Italy students with Nick Verreos, Gould Institute

Click Below for a great video of the runway show TREDICI 13 in Firenze Italia:

Dr Jart Beauty Balm

I picked up my first beauty balm completely by accident while travelling in Thailand in 2005. I couldn't tell you the name, or even the brand as unfortunately I can't read Thai, but I thought it was such a great product and was disappointed when I couldn't find anything similar back in the UK. Six years later and the beauty world is all a flutter with BB creams, especially with Garnier launching their own version. Beauty Balms/ Blemish Balms or BB aim to combine a skincare regimen in one tube - they moisturise, protect, correct and cover in one step. I love multi-tasking products that can save time in my morning routine, so a cream that acts as my moisturiser, sunscreen, serum and foundation is definitely something to get excited about!

I had never heard of the Korean brand Dr Jart prior to their press release landing in my inbox, but after a quick browse through their website I was very much looking forward to sampling some of their products. I was sent two BB creams to try and have been testing them out over the last few months.

Dr Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 (50ml - $32) is made with 50% water to help hydrate the skin and maintain a dewy fresh look throughout the day. The oil-free formula is free of artificial fragrances, colours and is suitable for very sensitive skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid and sea water to increase the moisture content of the skin, as well as aloe and Portulaca Leracea to soothe, calm and banish redness.

The magic really happens when you begin to apply the cream! On first application small droplets of water appear on the surface and then become absorbed as you work the cream into the skin leaving behind a cooling, refreshing sensation. I have never seen a cream that works this way before and was a little perturbed the first time I used it! It does take a little extra effort to blend, but melts into the skin well and sets after a few minutes to leave behind a beautiful glow. It also has great coverage and lasts well on oily skin while still looking natural.

However, my personal favourite of the two is Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 (40ml - $39). This BB comes with advanced brightening and anti-ageing properties in the form of a biopeptide complex that promotes natural collagen production and adenosine to improve elasticity and firm the skin.

I love the high SPF in this cream and used it as my moisturiser, sun protection and foundation every day while I was on holiday. It gives such beautiful, flawless, natural coverage and lasts well on the skin, even through the heat. Usually creams with high SPF can sit very heavily on the skin and have often caused me to break out, but I have had no such problems with this and was happy to see that it protected my skin and kept it hydrated throughout the day without making it oily.

I also really like the packaging with the 'upside down' pump dispenser that helps to get every last drop of product out. Though I only need one pump to cover my whole face, so I envisage the tube lasting for quite some time. This is definitely my must have product for the summer!

Dr Jart is currently available from Sephora as well as the Dr Jart website. Have you tried any Dr Jart products? Are you a fan of BB creams?

BBQ, Estee Lauder & Holiday

As I said in my previous post, I had a BBQ at the weekend to celebrate my 1 year wedding anniversary, my parent's 33rd wedding anniversary and the launch of the new business.  It was stressful getting all the food prepared and cooked on the day but we managed to provide enough food for an army.  It went down really well and we even got a bit of sunshine despite the bad weather reports!  Here's me with Findlay the golden retriever...

He doesn't look too keen on me hugging him...how rude! The dress I am wearing is a maxi from Next and it was the perfect dress for a BBQ...comfortable, flattering and summery.

I wanted to include a great product in this post that I have been using over the past couple of weeks.  It's the Estee Lauder Signature 5 Tone Shimmer Powder in Bronze Shimmer.  I already have the Pink version and love it as a blush and highlighter!

You can either use the shades individually or sweep a powder brush across the whole pan and blend into your cheeks.   This shimmer powder is quite pigmented and is perfect for sunny, summer days or radiant holiday skin.  It just gives your skin that extra polish and luminosity.

Here's how the shades look when swatched individually...

And now all the shades blended together...

This powder has a really finely milled shimmer that makes your cheekbones look sheeny but not glittery.  I love how smooth and buttery this product is and that makes it really easy to blend it into the skin flawlessly.  It goes really well with pink or peach blushes and you can control how intense you want it to be.  It feels like a really summery product and is perfect if you are going for the golden-bronzey sun-kissed look.

I notice they just released a LE Illuminating Powder Gelee which looks really interesting!  Let me know if you have tried it and what your thoughts were.

So it's only 5 days until we jet off to Greece with 7 of our friends and the excitement is building!  I think I have everything I need for the holiday so there won't be any last minute panic attacks.  I have stocked up on lots of tried and trusted holiday products and also some new ones which I intend on reviewing whilst I'm away.  Here's a few I will be reviewing when I get back:

Korres Red Vine Hair Sun Protection Spray

Clarins SOS Sunburn Soother

St Tropez SPF30 with Tan Enhancer

St Tropez AfterSun with Self Tan

So stay tuned for those reviews when I return!