Self-Pity Party and a hair ramble

I have been feeling guilty all week for not putting up any videos, especially as I have all these great ideas in my head, but no time to do them. Come Friday I was ready to rectify this and was all set to dedicate a good proportion of my weekend to filming.

However, my body did not agree, and decided to punish me for the lack of care I have been taking recently. With 5 hours of sleep a night, rubbish food (I see it= I eat it) and lack of exercise I don't think it likes me very much at the moment. So on Saturday morning I woke up with a horrible swollen red eye, which not only looks disgusting, but sends needles of pain through my face every time I blink. All in all, I have spent most of the weekend in bed feeling sorry for myself and probably taking it out on the bf more than I should be :(.

So next week I need to cheer myself up! I have noticed that my hair is looking quite lackluster at the moment, with far too any split ends, so the time has come for the dreaded biannual hair cut. Yes, I always put it off as long as I can because I have a rather love/ hate relationship with hairdressers. I have never found one I can really trust with my long hair. I can just see their eyes light up at the thought of slicing it all off. It fills me with fear every time I murmur "Just a trim please", knowing that I am about to lose 4 inches of beloved hair. It takes me weeks to get used to a cut and, though I am ultimately happy that even though my hair is shorter it looks healthier, I still dread it.

However, the time has come. I think the last time I had it cut was in October! Since I'm so bored of it I have just given up and have been wearing it in the same styles for far too long.

For work I usually just blow dry it quickly, then pin back the front section as it's too short to stay back by itself, but too long to be a side fringe and just irritates me all day.

Or if I have an extra 10 minutes in the morning I use large barrel curling tongs to add some waves and body to the hair. Even though after a gruelling tube ride these usually fall out and I arrive at the office looking frazzled and sleepy.

For nights out I just use the babyliss conical wand to create loose curls and pull the front back with a head band.

So before I book my appointment I want to ask you guys for help :). What kind of style I should go for and what do you think would look good, while being easy to manage? I want to keep the length and add some more layers, but sort out the front portion, as at the moment it just doesn't blend in with the rest.

If you have some inspirational pictures I'd love to see them!! I trust your opinions much more than any hairdresser and I think I would feel a lot better about the whole experience if I could specify exactly what I wanted and maybe bring a picture :). xxx

Review of Revlon Photoready Foundation

I have wanted to try this foundation for ages, given that I'm a steadfast fan of Colorstay...not everyone's cup of tea but in my eyes, it's my go-to foundation for a flawless, long lasting finish. There has been a big buzz around this new foundation in the blogging world which basically is said to deliver the same effect as MUFE HD. The first thing that caught my eye was that Revlon have finally decided to come to their senses and have included a pump dispenser for this product. Hurrah! This now means that there's less mess and less wastage of product.

I chose the Cool Beige shade which is a good match for my skin when I have a slight tan. The consistency of this foundation is a touch lighter than Colorstay and this transfers well to the skin...it feels very natural once applied so when you touch your face, it doesn't feel like you're wearing any foundation at all!

Now I know that alot of people have been put off by the 'shimmer' in this foundation (this is what actually creates the soft focus effect when you are being photographed hence the name of the product). I'm guessing it works by blurring any fine lines/blemishes.

I was a bit worried when I heard people mention the 'Cullen' effect! I really didn't want to look overly shimmery in the harsh light of day...but I was pleasantly surprised that the so-called shimmer wasn't that noticeable. Sure if you look REALLY closely in the mirror then you can kind of see it, but it doesn't look ridiculous. If you stand just a few inches away from a mirror in natural light then you don't even see it.

I took this picture wearing the foundation with just a slight dusting of MAC MSF Natural. I took the pic with a flash to try and demonstrate how the foundation photographs in different conditions....

I was REALLY happy with the medium coverage it gave me and how light it felt, whilst giving my skin a flawless finish. It lasts all day and as long as you set it with a good powder then you shouldn't get too shiny. I often get a very shiny T-Zone which is always a pain but I was delighted with how natural my skin looked. It also gave my skin a nice, healthy radiance. This foundation is definitely easier to apply and blend than Colorstay.

I took the next pic in direct sunlight...

So in conclusion, I really like this foundation and I think I now prefer it to Colorstay! I will be using this as my everyday foundation from now on. I know that some people would hate the shimmer in this as some people prefer a fully matte look. So ultimately, this foundation is like the makeup equivalent of marmite...you're either going to love it or hate it! I personally think it's a fantastic drugstore/pharmacy foundation that's affordable, enjoyable to use and it makes my skin look great. It also offers a cheaper alternative to the likes of Nars Sheer Glow.

Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010: Alexander McQueen and Chanel, Photos and Runway Video!!

Paris Fall 2010-11 Fashion Week: A Solemn End and Chanel Bears...Byzantine Cocktails: Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2010

Paris 2010-11 Fall/Winter Fashion Week came to a close with two amazing presentations. First, Alexander McQueen's final collection. His design team payed him great honors by showing this 16-piece collection. Grand Entrance: Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2010

It is said that 80% of these pieces were done by the time of his unfortunate passing. The clothes were remarkable to say the least. Couture-like quality, Costume Drama, the Dark Ages, Byzantine overtures and Sad Romanticism were all present. Lady-In-Waiting: Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2010

To me, they they were a reminder of the work he did when he took the helm at the House of Givenchy back in 1997. I LOVED that collection but most of the critics did not--and neither did McQueen himself.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2010-11 Collection "video":


Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld:Endangered Fashion: Chanel Fall/Winter 2010

For Fall 2010-11, Karl Lagerfeld went to the Arctic Frozen Tundra and brought back some ice--literally--he actually had a chunk of a frozen iceberg shipped in from Scandinavia--all for the House of Chanel. Lady Who Lunches Ice: Chanel Fall/Winter 2010

The ice was the backdrop and the runway for this season's EXTRAVAGANZA. Yep, it must be nice to have over $1 million to spend on a show. And you think there's an economic depression/recession in the world! Not for Chanel kids. Russian River Bear Weekend in Paris: The Chanel "Bears", Chanel Fall/Winter 2010

The show began with HOT Chanel Bears, clad in fur, and continued in the "Chic Nanook of The North" theme with fur-trimmed suitings and ice-white cocktail dresses. The end featured Lagerfeld's favorite model/muse Freja Beha Erichsen (who also opened the show) in... "La Robe de Mariee Arctique"--the wedding dress

Chanel Fall 2010-11 Runway Show:

The Rave of Digital Print .... in High Fashion!!

I bought Digital printed modal short sleeve oversized T-Shirt dress from Michael Angel. All of his design is so wearable!! 

This is the T-shirt dress I bought. Emily print 18. 

MODTV Michael Angel Spring 2010

You know what Digital Print is?? 

Ans: Digital printing is very similar to the laser printer that we all use at home.  But it is faster n' cheaper than screen print which use patterns to do layer by layer printing. Digital printing also gives the designers more freedom.  They are able to come up with a lot more patterns and designs because it is so cheap and easy to do. 

Digital printing is one of Roberto Cavalli's new invention. There are a lot of designers who uses digital print technique the past couple years such as Stella McCartney, Basso and Brooke..just to name a few here.


The result look on clothes: The colors, even on a single dress, were so varied as to defy description. The more closely one looked, the more gradations one saw. The contrasting patterns and colors gave each piece a unique feel, and the patterns seemed to undulate as the models walked...(complete article: The Independent:Fashion)


Today, I wore that gifted tank from Michael Angel!!! ^O^
SIDE NOTE: I had a difficulty placing my order online couple weeks ago but their customer service did an awesome job.  They surprises me by sending me another digital print t-shirt as a gift along with my original order!!! Happy...happy... me... happy as a cow ~~  hee....

My ODJ.

1. Top: 

• white tank underneath
• Michael Angel digital print tank 
• Helmut Lang cropped asymmetrical leather jacket

2. Bottom:

BCBG leather skirt

3. Accessory:

Diesel white w/ mesh suspender

Chanel two tone tights

A. Wang rococo duffel bag

Hermes white CDC, nomad watch w/ orange belt

4. Shoes: Givenchy wedge booties w/ chain 09'

Thanks to Cathy who took pictures for me at her house....where the only un-cluttered spot is "the front entrance"...hahahahahaha... Sorry, Cathy!! :P

You can tell the color is so saturated...so vibrant!!

Then I play w/ that t-shirt dress I bought....as a scarf... I think it is very pretty!! ^O^

Ah..hope it is sunny n' clear tomorrow so we can go up to SF city!! keep finger crossed!!

Have a nice Day...xoxo Rachel

 



 

Hello New Jersey: Nick Verreos Warms Up Snowy Brookdale College!!

Jersey Boy!Bundled Up: Nick Verreos lands at the Pier Village, Long Branch New Jersey

If you've been keeping up with my blog, you know I get around--two weeks ago, I embarked on a 5-city stop in a period of seven days! Yes, kiddies, I've been racking up the frequent flyer miles--and "schooling about fashion" one student fashionista at a time! This time it is all about the JERSEY SHORE--well almost! I was invited to speak to New Jersey's Brookdale Community College located in Lincroft.
But first: NYC:Old School: The Eero Saarinen-designed TWA Terminal, JFK

I flew from my Suffolk University Boston appearance into NYC and landed at JFK, where the first sight greeting me outside was the iconic TWA terminal designed by architect Eero Saarinen. I had an "overnighter" in NYC where I spent a fab evening with my very good friends Taylor and Louie. We had drinks at the ULTRA EXCLUSIVE Andre Balazs-designed The Boom Boom Room located on the 18Th floor of the new Standard Hotel. The view up there was INSANE (and so were the prices at over $20 A DRINK!!!!). If you go, YOU MUST check out the bathrooms: They also come with a floor-to-ceiling view of the Manhattan skyline (see above), that's the Empire State Building on the right! Incredible.

But the best part for me were the fabulous cocktail waitresses and hostess. They are simply the MOST STYLISH ones on this planet, dressed in their Rubin Chapelle-designed "uniforms", if you could even call them Uniforms. Cadillac Margarita Anyone? The Boom Room Room Cocktail Waitresses

I asked our cocktail girl if she was happy with her sexy ivory cascade back-pleated angel-winged mini-dress, and before I could finish, she remarked "Heck Yeah!!!". This is not the bar at your local Marriott Suites kids! BTW: The Boom Boom Room shuts down to the "regular working folk" after 8:30pm and becomes "private". So unless you're Madonna and Marc Jacobs (or a multi-millionaire Goldman Sachs broker) don't even think about showing up after that time!
Afterward, we window shopped the Meatpacking District, where I spotted this gorgeous Victorian-inspired gown at the Charles Nolan Boutique, so of course, I had to get a photo (see above). Dinner and a good-night's rest followed for my next day's New Jersey appearance.
The View From My Room: Beach view from the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch New Jersey

About an hour-and-a-half's drive from Manhattan, I arrived in the Jersey Shore. Well, Long Branch to be exact, where I checked into the sumptuous beachfront Ocean Place Resort and Spa (thank you Brookdale College!). It was very cold (about 30 degrees) and there was still snow on the ground so the thought of donning my Speedo and Havaianas were far from my mind! I may have to return during the Summer; I hear it's AMAZING.Well-stocked: Inside the Jenna & Molly Boutique, Pier Village, Long Branch NJ

I did walk around the nearby Pier Village--in my very warm Marc Jacobs fur-lined Parka--where I checked out the shops. My favorite being Jenna & Molly. I don't know who Jenna and Molly are but they have a great eye for buying fashion for their store! Loved EVERY SINGLE PIECE in there! It's Forever 21, H & M and Intermix all rolled up into one.
Stage Fright: Nick Verreos on stage, Brookdale College Appearance

Now it was time to get ready and go to my Brookdale Community College appearance. After driving through some of the most BEAUTIFUL and stately mansions I have ever seen passing through Tinton Falls and Colts Neck (who knew New Jersey was this UPPER CLASS? Well, now I do!), I finally arrived. The Real Jersey Shore Kids: Nick Verreos is greeted by Brookdale College Fashion Society students

After a very warm greeting from the Brookdale Fashion Society, I entertained, lectured and gave some "Fashion Insider Tips" to the Brookdale College audience--and from the reaction afterward, I think they enjoyed it! Say Snooki: Brookdale College Group Shot with Nick Verreos

I, of course, had a fun time speaking with all the students and telling them dish about Project Runway and how I fell in love with fashion! I was also happy to see some instructors in the audience as well.
Barbie Fan: Nick Verreos poses with "his" Project Runway Barbie

One of my evening's highlights was seeing a guest who had arrived "armed": With the Barbie Doll I designed when I won the "My Scene Barbie Challenge" back in my season. Of course, I just about pushed everyone to get to her! I couldn't believe it! Naturally, I signed it and gave it's owner a big hug and a kiss! Did I tell you how much I love New Jersey and Brookdale Community College???