The Neon, the chrochet and about!!

The Neon, I never thought of pairing neon yellow w/ pink together until today. 

As you might notice already, I am BOLD enough to try out trends, play w/ styles, and MELLOW enough to keep my ensemble less provocative! :) 


Finally my ultimate search for a perfect pair of oxford flat has come to a good end. 

The French designer: Anne Valerie Hash.

The color is called terranova pink. In fact, the shoes look very "TAUPE" to my gals friends. I know, they are bias, they would do their best to associate any look-similar color w/ taupe!! ^O^
 

I don't think I need oxford shoes in 10 years...hah....

I met this lady, Soon, in the store while I picked up my shoes. She, at first, is reluctant/shy for me to take her picture....right...who am I???, not Sartorialist, and saying she is not young anymore. After a short chat, she told me that she is also a designer. As a matter of fact, she handpicks the fabric in NYC and draw the pattern of her own clothes afterward. The green hooded top and underneath purple knitting turtleneck is made by her own hand!!! Genius!! 

Her earlier response: I am not young anymore..... made me ponder while driving back home. Well,  life is sweeter if you look into everything in an artistic way!!!!! We all get old eventually, don't we!! :)

I asked my tailor to sew that crochet tube dress for me from some vintage fabric i bought. 

I love the contrast of satin green and cotton green details in the back of this hooded top. 

Her heels is one reason that I want to shoot her. 
Love her taste! 

Somehow I look very stiff in this one.

Today, I found a new Japanese Brand, Toga. I was actually checking out some clothes w/ lace, and petal decor. and then found this interesting design inspired by Ancient Roman Clothing... 

Toga pulla was a dark toga worn strictly in times of mourning.

The toga picta was a special all purple toga embroidered with gold thread worn by a Roman general during a triumphal parade. Julius Caesar later adopted it as part of his regular dress and the emperors followed suit by using this type during many state occasions. The picta was likely adapted from the aptly named toga purpura, an all-purple toga worn by the early kings. 

Those are the basic style!!

Look closer.... the white calf bangles look alike mini shin guards!!! ^O^

In general, I think I like toga picta inspired style better!!

Now I am sure my Givenchy New V tote will arrive next Monday....... patience is all I needed right now!! ^O^

Have a good evening!!

xoxo Rachel

GIVEAWAY!! What is it?? I want it too!! ----- THE WINNER IS>>>>>

*updated*
Finally the announcement of CNS sponsored GIVEAWAY winner. 
It goes to ..........


Betsy C. - Thanks for your supports and comments!! ^O^ You deserve it!!

Girls, I am sure there are more GIVEAWAY like this in the future. And since I am visiting my hometown, Taipei, on 5/June and then Jakarta (my DH's hometown),  I will pick up some unique souvenirs along my trip to giveaway too!! 

Betsy, congratulations again. Please email me w/ your detailed address and CSN promotion team will send you your gift!!!!

 Thank you all for whoever had participated in this GIVEAWAY!!

It has been a while since the last time I had a giveaway for my lucky fellow readers and blogger.  So, after done Cribs hunting and diaper changing, what else do all of us fabulous women need?? ^O^

Ah~ Ha~~

You don't need a sanction to pick any ONE of those lovely gifts. Even I want them all myself!! :P Go check out the link I provided for detail product description.

1. Alessi Il Caffe Alessi Set of Four Coffee Spoons by Miriam Mirri, 2005

 

2. iittala Taika 13.5 Oz. White Mug set of 2
 

3. Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker in Brushed Stainless - WMR-CA
 
4. Cotton Tale Lizzie Pillow Pack



5. Trend Lab Nantucket Blue 2 Piece Frame Set

Here is the ticket to enter!!! 

• Go to the link provided under Cribs.
• Pick up a brand CSN stores carried.
• Leave me a comment here (Be creative w/ the comment after you done searching)!! ^O^
• Send a friend over and if they leave a comment mentioning your name, you two got a bonus entry too.   

Good Luck!!

The giveaway run till next Friday (4/30) and I will pick up a winner the following Mon. (5/3) !!!

"This giveaway is being sponsored by CSN Stores and the product is provided for free by CSN Stores."

HOT Photo Shoot with NIKOLAKI Dresses!!!

Work IT!!!!Beyonce Fan: Model Suwana Perry in NIKOLAKI black matte paillette cowl-backed cocktail dress

Last month, my friend , celebrity stylist Chaz E. Foley came by my NIKOLAKI studio to take some dresses and gowns for a photo shoot he was doing-- Little did I know that they were with one of my favorite Los Angeles models, Bubblegum Princess: Model Suwana Perry in NIKOLAKI fuchsia pink silk duchesse plunging neck box-pleated cocktail dress

Suwana Perry, whom I've known for YEARS--she's modeled in some of my runway shows and also "helps me out" every now and then and has her perfect figure available as my "Fit Model" for my FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Fit Class.
Here are the results---enjoy!
Photos by Ray Christian

FOTD or night :)

Last night was an evening with the girlies. I was very excited to dress up and go for drinks and dancing to celebrate my friend finishing her exams and graduating! Yay!! There are few things I enjoy more than a few cocktails and turning up my ipod speakers to full volume while getting ready for a night out :).

Since it was raining I didn't want to spend an hour styling my hair for it to turn to frizz as soon as I stepped out of the front door, so instead I clipped in a few love hair extensions in a couple of different colours to add some volume. For the eyes I kept it relativity simple (for me) with MAC crystal avalanche in the inner corner, print all over the lid and a little reflects teal glitter pressed on top. I am also wearing foxy lashes, which I absolutely adore!

Hope you all had a fun Saturday night despite the downpours! xxx

Nick Verreos Hosts "The Style List" at the Macy's Beverly Center: The Recap and Fun Photos!

LA Fashionistas, Expert Fashion Advice and Fashion Rock Stars... Welcome to The Style List: Laurie Pike, Rachel Pally, Daniella Clarke, Nick Verreos and Corey Lynn Calter, Macy's Beverly Center

Last Thursday evening, I had the extreme honor--and pleasure--of hosting The Style List at the Macy's Beverly Center. LA Magazine Style Editor (and LA Fashion Doyenne) Laurie Pike, along with LA Designers Rachel Pally (the "Queen of Jersey"), Daniella Clarke (of Frankie B. low-rise fame) and Corey Lynn Calter (a favorite of celebs such as Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson) were on hand as my "Style List Panel Girls". Estee Lauder Education Expert Rodgers McCowan was also there showing women "tricks of the beauty trade" for the season. Nick Verreos on "The Style List" stage, Macy's Beverly Center (photo courtesy of LookBookLA.com)

As I arrived, the second floor Impulse Department (which carries ALL the hip Contemporary brands and designers) was set for the party! Nikolaki Designing Duo: Designers David Paul and Nick Verreos (photo courtesy of LookBookLA.com)

A fabulous runway stage was set up smack dab in the middle of the floor, the DJ was in place, and of course, Cosmo Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were being passed around as guests mingled and took their seats for The Style List. Speaking of guests, I was so happy to see so many of my good friends come out in support, including: John Wade, Marc Jacobs West Coast "boy wonder" (and my male style muse btw!),the ever-so-gorgeous style expert/correspondent and celebrity interviewin' DIVA (and sister-from-another-mother!!!) Tanika Ray, and Fashion Designer Michael Costello and his "muse", model Suwana Perry (in one of his little cocktail numbers).
Photo Courtesy of LookBookLA.com

I wasn't the only one who brought friends: I spotted the chic Linda Ramone (wearing a white fur-and-leather coat). She was on hand to show some rock-and-roll love to designer Daniella Clarke. Yes, kiddies, Linda Ramone at the Macy's Beverly Center! Who would have thunk it?
The Style List event was a combination of Fashion Runway show and Panel Discussion. We discussed topics such as "Does Hollywood influence fashion?", "Why Jersey Is Good For You?", "How difficult are jeans to fit?", and "The Influence of LA Style to the Rest of the World". In between the interviews there were great fashion show "breaks", showcasing the trends of the season with beautiful girls from LA Models. Photo Courtesy of LookBookLA.com

To "christen" the fashion show portion, of course, I had to do my own little runway STOMP. I think the crowd enjoyed that (thank goodness I didn't fall off my YSL Johnny Boots!).
Nick Verreos poses with models backstage wearing looks from Corey Lynn Calter, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Patterson J. Kincaid, Splendid and Rickie, Macy's Beverly Center

I loved this Rachel Pally "Rosy" pink tube dress, modeled by Houda. Perfect for a Summer Pool Party in the Hollywood Hills.This black ruched Rachel Pally dress on model Lisa P. got some of the loudest applause from the guests. Now THIS is how you get a BIG prenup ladies from that rich Goldman Sachs Sugar Daddy who wants to marry you...or how you get off your private jet in St. Tropez. Take your pick!The Macy's Style List Fashion Show would not be complete without seeing some of those HOT and very sexy Frankie B. jeans on the runway: Here, Houda models the "Alice" style.
Model Heaven: America's Next top Model Cycle 9 Winner Saleisha Stowers and Nick Verreos, Macy's Beverly Center

The event was a SMASHING success: Everyone kept coming up to me telling me how much they enjoyed it, how informative it was, and what a great host I was (that's what they were telling me, I SWEAR!!). Afterward, I spotted many guests shopping and looking for some of the Rachel Pally and Corey Lynn Calter dresses as well as the Frankie B jeans they had just seen on the runway. As a FAB bonus for attending, The Style List guests enjoyed the very special "Macy's Family and Friends" 25% discount throughout the store (until Monday, May 3rd) --including the Impulse Department (which NEVER is part of that discount kiddies!). And don't forget to let Macy's help you create your very own Style List, with their Macy's By Appointment service. It's like having your own Stylist and Fashion expert--for FREE!!! Oh, and finally: Get out there and SHOP SHOP SHOP!!!!