Be Yourself; Make Fashion!!

Yu and I had the most fun and efficient shopping spree today!! 

We both realized that we have been so busy w/ kids' school, outside school activities and cooking, minding house chores that we really need a break and go to the city. Just so, we can see what's display behind the windows and to keep up the fashion sense.....(Well, we can't go NYFW freely each season but we certainly still manage to stay on top of the fashion world!!) 

Our day start with the most aromatic Blue Bottle coffee~

(Left bottom on YU: Chanel 11' striped crochet dress)

When I looked back my outfits, I think I had a crash for blue color these days!!  Not only Yu and I both picked navy as main color for our outfit (another make-us-freaking-out coincidence) but we also purchased Chanel 11' navy short full skirts at NM. ....can't wait to wear it! ^^

I definitely am not crazy but simply had the most fun with my outfit today! Strangers liked my sheer socks + Miu Miu platform look and also wondering if my dress is ONE piece. ^^

I can see million ways of wearing this Karen Walker shirt cape/poncho!!
(You know I bought this top in Taipei last year 2010 when traveling back to Taiwan.)


My ODJ.


1. Top:
blue crochet vest (wore as scarf)
RUGBY tiered skirt dress w/ ruffle shoulder
Karen Walker cape shirt (worn as one shouldered top)


2. Bottom:
Dries Van Norton ink-jet print cropped pants


3. Accessory:
Hermes white CDC 
Sheer grey socks
white leather sash as belt


4. Shoes:
Miu Miu platform sandal 2011

We rock SF!!!

Be yourself, and make fashion!!
xoxo Rachel 

Preetma Singh

Nick Verreos Joins TV Guide Network's "Academy Awards Red Carpet " Sunday Feb 27 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific!!

Oscars Red Carpet Gets A Dose of Nick...

Kids, I finally made it...well, made it to the Academy Awards: Just today, I found out that I have been invited to give my Fashion Expertise on Sunday's Biggest Red Carpet Night of The Year: The Academy Awards!

As you may already know, for the last several seasons, I have been part of TV Guide's "Red Carpet Fashion Wrap" giving my "Nick Two Cents" on what the stars wore the night before at all the major award shows. But now, I will be able to give my LIVE commentary as the stars come down the BIGGEST Catwalk in the world for TV Guide Network's "Academy Awards Red Carpet Show" hosted by Chris Harrison.

I will be joined by Tabatha Coffey of "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" and UBER Supermodel Paulina Porizkova! We will then re-group the following day with our hostess, the GORGEOUS Daisy Fuentes, to discuss "The Best" and "Not So Good" from what we saw on "TV Guide's Academy Awards Fashion Wrap" which will air Monday night!

I am so EXCITED!!!! Now, I have to go decide on a Very Important Male Fashion Dilemma: Bow tie or skinny black tie? It will all start at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific as we do a LIVE Academy Awards Red Carpet Countdown Show and then the madness will begin with with the LIVE Red Carpet at 6 Eastern/3pm Pacific.

Click on the image below to check out all the great features on the TV Guide Academy Awards Website including all the information for the Red Carpet Pre-Show on the big night:

13th Annual Costume Designer Guild Awards: Red Carpet

Halle Berry Wows, Kristin Davis' Goes To The Ball and Diane Lane Does the Charleston...

One Word: Wow! Halle Berry in Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2011--Costume Designers Guild Awards 2011

Last night were the 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGA) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It was a star-studded gala as one might expect, especially in the week leading up to this Sunday's Academy Awards. The CDGA honors Outstanding Costume Design in film from the previous year.

There's not one "Best Costume Design in Film of the Year" award but they break it up into categories, which I think is great (especially for us Costume Design-aficionados). Many actors, stylists, costumers, costume designers are invited to this event which has become the Oscars of Costume Design. Costume Design is often an under-appreciated yet essential part of movies and movie-making and now, more and more, in these "Red Carpet and Fashion-Centric" times, they are getting their due--finally!

Host Kristin Davis in...

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 black-and-white polka dotted strapless ball gown

The Gala was hosted by actress Kristin Davis, who looked every vision of her "Sex And The City" character Charlotte York in Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 but the Red Carpet Fashion Star of the night was the GORGEOUS Halle Berry--who was given the first ever "Lacoste Spotlight Award".

Halle Red: Elie Saab Spring 2011 Haute Couture

She wore a Spring 2011 HAUTE COUTURE Gown--fresh off the Paris Runways--from Designer Elie Saab. She looked BREATHTAKING!! Halle + Elie= Can Do NO WRONG! It's so amazing to me that even to a non-televised awards gala such as the fabulous CDGA, the top A-List actresses are still "giving" Haute Couture!!! In the past, these $50,000-$100,000 hand-sewn one-of-a-kind gowns were reserved for Cannes or the Oscars, but no more. Well, when you are Halle Berry, you can borrow the best!

Others present were: Actress Diane Lane, giving a 1920's "Charleston" vibe in this handkerchief hemmed sequined dress and "sensible" strappy heals...

Actress Claire Danes in a metallic gray cocktail dress

Demi Moore in Vivienne Westwood royal blue silk taffeta gown

New Fashionista In Town: TV Presenter (from E! and MTV's "The City") Louise Roe GIVES it to you!! She is wearing Manish Arora and shoes by Versace. Those shoes-by the way-are RIDICULOUSLY good!!!

And naturally, there was a Costume Designer or two: Above is the fabulous Colleen Atwood (wearing a dress by Roland Mouret), Costume Designer for "Alice In Wonderland" (with her daughter), who won the award for "Excellence in Fantasy Film" Costume Guild Award for 2011.

In case you were wondering--the following costume designers were honored with awards last night--Congratulations!

Excellence in contemporary film Black Swan - Amy Westcott

Excellence in period film The King's Speech - Jenny Beavan

Excellence in fantasy film Alice in Wonderland - Colleen Atwood

Outstanding contemporary television series Glee - Lou Eyrich

Outstanding period/fantasy television series Boardwalk Empire - John Dunn & Lisa Padovani

Outstanding made for television movie or mini series Temple Grandin - Cindy Evans

Excellence in commercial costume design Chanel - Bleu de Chanel - Aude Bronson‐Howard

Browhaus Lashes in Bloom

Lashes! 

As a girl who hasn't been blessed with naturally long, flirty lashes I have always been obsessed with them. False lashes, growth serums, old wives tales of Vaseline, I have tried my fair share! So when I was invited to try Browhaus' new Express Lash in Bloom I decided it was time for me to delve in to the world of eyelash extensions.

So on a Friday night I made my way to Floral Street in Covent Garden to get my lashes pumped up to their fullest. I was given a form to fill out with the usual checks and swiftly lead downstairs for my treatment. Lying back in the cosy chair my therapist Ellie explained the procedure in detail and answered all my questions showing great knowledge (and patience as I was curious about every step).

First she applied tape to my lower lashes to prevent them from sticking to my upper lashes. Although this did feel a little strange at first it wasn't all that uncomfortable and I soon got used to it. As I closed my eyes Ellie applied the dark glue to my lashes and began carefully adding in the clusters one by one. The whole procedure was very comfortable, there was absolutely no poking or pulling, and towards the end of the 40mins I let the soft music relax me and actually fell asleep!

As the glue dried Ellie gently fanned my lashes to speed up drying time. I then slowly started to open my eyes. Now, I have to warn you that my eyes are extremely sensitive. I have a million allergies and my eyes get irritated by the most benign of substances on a daily basis. As I opened my eyes the fumes from the glue did make them water (a lot!) and when I looked in the mirror I could see that they looked sore. The redness and irritation lasted for about half an hour, but as the glue used is an extra strong formulation that insures the lashes stay in tact for three to six weeks, this was to be expected. It was not painful at any point, just annoying as my eyes were watering. Seeing the results was definitely worth it though!

The pictures below were taken as soon as I got home. I am not wearing any eye makeup - no eyeliner, and definitely no mascara, so you can see just how amazing these lashes look!

I was given a booklet of instructions and after care tips to take with me and Ellie made me promise not to tug on my lashes as my natural ones would fall out with them (I would never, ever do that anyway lol)! I was also told that I should be very careful in cleaning them - avoiding any products that contain oils, which would start to dissolve the glue. I also had to be careful not to let them get too hot eg. in a hot shower or bath, and not to flatten them eg. by letting shower water beat down on them.

This all sounded fine until I tried to wash my face that night. I never realised before just how often I rub my eyes! As I normally use my cleanser all over I had to be very careful to keep it away from my eyes when washing my face. I also had to use an oil free makeup remover on a q-tip and sweep it very lightly across my lash line. Though the lashes are a great time saver in the morning, as I no longer have to apply mascara and can quite comfortably skip the eyeliner, at night my cleansing routine is a little more complicated and time consuming.

In the same way in the shower I try to keep my face as dry as possible. So when I (inevitably) get shampoo in my eyes it's very uncomfortable as I can't rub my eyes or rinse them under the shower. Of course this would be the same with any eyelash extensions. In fact I think the whole process has been quite (excuse the pun) 'eye opening' and I am now learning not to touch my eyes so much, and be more delicate when I do, which can only be a good thing!

This is what the lashes look like a week after application. As I write this review a week and a half later I am still sitting here with every cluster perfectly in tact.. yay! I shall update you all further on their longevity when I have them taken out (or need to have infills, I haven't decided yet).

As you can see with just a flick of eyeliner my eyes look complete. I have definitely started wearing less makeup on a day-to-day basis as the lashes look so beautiful on their own, I feel that my eyes don't need a lot of extra definition.

Browhaus are currently having a promotion where their Express Lash In Bloom is just £30 for first time customers! You can find more information about the treatment and how to book here.

Have you ever had lash extensions? What has been your experience? Are you curious about trying them? xxx