Dress + Tunic layering!

Marni gold tunic dress, Vince cropped orange top, HM scallop wool shorts, HM platform loafer, Proenza schouler PS1 clutch, J Crew triangle earrings, Marni self-tie horn pendant necklace 




Keep your bottom half bare or as simple as possible while you focus on your upper body layerings!! 

Have fun layering!
xoxo Rachel 

Nick Verreos Attends Project Runway Emmy Awards After Party at Lexington Social House

Emmys Project Runway Bash...

Nick Verreos and Marie Claire Fashion Editor Zanna Roberts-Rassi, Project Runway Emmy Awards After Party, Lexington Social House Hollywood

Sunday night were the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards, as we all know. A little ol' show called "Project Runway" was nominated--once again, as it has been since it's creation!--for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. "Amazing Race" won unfortunately.

Last year "Top Chef" had won and broke the "Amazing Race" streak, but...now AR was back! Well, this disappointing loss for the producers of Project Runway didn't mean that they still couldn't PARTY!!! I was invited to the Project Runway Emmy Awards After Party, held at the Lexington Social House, a nightclub-restaurant in the heart of Hollywood. After a day of LIVE Emmy's Red Carpet Fashion Blogging, I threw on my white Dinner Jacket, black tuxedo pants and bow tie, Brooks Brothers pink polka-dot hankie and dragged--kicking and screaming--my NIKOLAKI partner David Paul with me (it's hard to leave our doggie Benny by himself!).

Lexington Social House Hollywood interior

The party began at 8pm right as the awards show ended and we arrived soon afterward.
Early on, I really didn't recognize anyone except a couple of the producers of the show. But soon enough, some editors made their way toward my white dinner jacket, introducing themselves as well as telling me some DISH on this season's designers and that dreaded "Oh, THEY edited me THAT way..." excuse. I LOVE talking to the editors!!

I didn't see any other Project Runway Alumn, except, I did run into Season 8 Designer Michael Costello (above, right) who just finished his stint on the upcoming Project Runway All Stars Season.

Project Runway 2011 Emmy Awards After Party Cocktails

I did see the fabulously chic Zanna Roberts-Rassi Senior Fashion Editor for Marie Claire (and my LA Casting Partner-in-Crime) who showed up with her dashing husband, MILK Studios Founder and Creative Director Mazdack Rassi. INSIDE DISH: Zanna was wearing Alexander Wang and texting/emailing Marie Claire Fashion Director Nina Garcia trying to find out where she was (at the Emmy's Governor's Ball I am sure!). After I embarrassed myself profusely by confessing to her husband my love of Persian Cuisine--and especially Tahdig and Gormeh Zabzi--I made sure to make a beeline to the exit.

The Scene: Project Runway Emmy Awards 2011 After Party Lexington Social House Hollywood

Both David and I had a blast at the Project Runway 2011 Emmy Awards After Party but...it was time to:
A) Get some take-home dinner;
B) Get back to Benny, our son--I mean Doggie--and
C) Go home and actually watch the show--in our comfortable pj's.

Behind the scenes at LFW

The whole of London has been feasting on the buzz of London fashion week so I was really excited to be kindly invited to a couple of shows this season!

Check out my little behind the scenes video at the beautiful Izmaylova show below :).


I was so inspired by the beautiful makeup created by Lan and the breathtakingly glamorous dresses!

Absolutely beautiful!

Did you catch any of the shows this week (in person or online)? What inspired you the most? What trends are you most excited about? xxx

Neon Blushes, Zara Blazer & My New Bag

I never thought I would I would say that neon blushes are great but, here goes....neon blushes rock. 

More specifically, these particular two TopShop blushes rock.  On first sight these powder blushes look positively day-glo and plain scary.  How could they possible look even close to natural on your cheeks? Well somehow they achieve not only that but they brighten even the dullest complexion.

Pop is my favourite of the two shades and could only be described as a neon peach/coral shade.  There is nothing else in my makeup collection that comes close to looking like this blusher.  It seems to look best on fair/medium-medium complexions and looks amazing combined with Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer powder!

Powdered is a really vibrant barbie/candy pink that is surprisingly wearable but I would say that both shades have to be applied lightly to get a natural look.  I only tap the pan ONCE with my blush brush to get the right amount.  If you do go a bit overboard in the all the neon excitement then you can always blend over the top with your powder brush to mute the colour slightly.

I think these blushes are amazing value for only £6.00 each!  I love the petite and sleek packaging because they are quite small and fit neatly into my makeup bag.

Even the swatches look gorgeous!

This is how Pop looks once applied... 

And Powdered...

See! Totally wearable, radiance-enducing and surprisingly natural!  I have been switching between the two all week and love them more every day.  I think Powdered will be a great winter shade!

After going into Zara last week 'just for a look' (which for me usually means accumulating a whole new list of lust have items), I gave in and got the grey blazer I had fallen in love with on first sight.  I ordered it online and had it delivered into my nearest store.  This proved to be a dangerous plan of action because my simple visit to pick it up meant that I started noticing all the new stock they had just put out.  Damn you Zara and your lovely clothes!

I excitedly skipped home with my purchase and got a little giddy when I saw the bright pink tissue paper which nestled around my new blazer...yes, I am THAT sad (and easily pleased it seems!).

This blazer is from their TRF range...not too sure what that stands for?...

The zip detailing really caught my eye as a twist on the classic blazer style.  The fit is super flattering and nips in at all the right places. This style is a snug fit so you have to go one size up from what you normally would be.  I love Zara but sometimes their sizing can be a bit off and I often find myself having to go up a size which is never good for the old ego! (personally it makes my day when I have to get a size down! 'Denial' ain't just a river in Egypt!)

This blazer feels SO expensive and luxe and has real weight to it.

It also comes in black but I opted for the grey shade and it came in at a reasonable £49.99.  Surprisingly good value for a garment which feels like it could be a designer piece.  The tailoring oozes style and brings polish to any outfit.  Here's a linkety poo for anyone who likes it.

Ok, I will hold my hands up...

I have copied Laura over at Buy Now, Blog Later AGAIN.  *Hangs head in shame*

Ever since she posted about the Grey Focco bag over at Ebay I have wanted one of my very own.  For one thing, it further feeds my obsession with anything studded (Holly...you can appreciate this problem I have because you too suffer from the same affliction!).  This bag is basically a faux version of the Alexander Wang Rocco Bag but is priced at a teeny £29.99 (I mean compares to designer price tags!). 

Although the colour seems to vary with every photo taken, the grey shade is almost beigey/almost lilac in real life.  I love the fact it's big enough to fit all my crap but not stupid-ass big.  I mean, you won't get arm strain from carrying this baby!  And it just so happens that it goes perfectly with my new Zara blazer.  I do this all the time.  I justify every purchase with the last and that seems to work for me.ha ha.

The main feature makes me smile.  Ah! Plentiful studs in all their glory...although it did cross my mind that they aren't immediately on show and I may feel the urge to randomly hold the bag on it's side to flash it's gold hardwear goodness to anyone who cares to look.

Oh look...it also comes in black...