Gawker Nick Verreos Love--And A Note to all Sexy Warsaw Poland Office Workers

OK, so Friday morning rolled around (the day after Project Runway) and as it has become my custom, I have my big cup of coffee, sit down and get on the internets. For all these months, I LOVE reading the crazy Gawker/Defamer "Project Runway Recaps". I also secretly (I know I am coming out of the closet!) read their other recaps for the ridiculous Housewives of (fill in the city) and MTV's The Hills and The City whenever I feel like laughing out loud. I just like to read them to reassure myself that I'm not the ONLY one who thinks my brain cells are depleting when I'm watching those Housewives and MTV shows. But I digress...
This last Friday, I avoided them. I was afraid of the "Nick Verreos is NOOOOO Michael Kors" talk. But to my glee-fulness (is that a word?), someone sent me the link and told me the kind words the Recap said:

"Things We Loved:

• Nick Verreos: What a delightful surprise! Nick was kicked off way too early in season two and was one of the most talented and likeable designers in Runway history, and he filled in for Ms. Kors last night. Rather than a shrill, orange gay in a dumpy outfit, we got a witty, naturally olive gay in a dapper ensemble and it made us weep nostalic tears of joy. We're starting a campaign right now: for the upcoming L.A. seasons, replace Ms. Kors with Mr. Verreos. He's smart, knowledgeable, funny, and he knows exactly what the designers are going through on the show. He may not have the name recognition of Michael Kors, who is well know to all TJ Maxx shoppers the world over, but all the Runway diehards know who he is, and that will go a long way toward making us kinda sorta deal with this Lifetime b*******."

Awwww, I just clutched my pearls! Thank you Gawker Recap Writer. Please send any "We Want Nick To Judge Some More Petitions" to MyLifetime.com--or Gawker.com for that matter :)
To Read their entire Gawker Recap click HERE
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And to my Angry Polish Bretheren: Pencil Pusher: Gordana's Look

I hear that you are a bit miffed at my "She looks like an office Worker from Warsaw Poland" comment regarding Gordana Gelhausen's sad grey suit look. Sorry I wasn't specific enough, I meant to say "From pre-Cold War Communist Warsaw Poland..." You see in TV land, you must be brief with your comments. I Need Your Communist Badge Number please: A Uniform from Eastern Europe

I didn't mean to be disrespectful to office workers in Warsaw Poland--it was a joke kiddies. I am sure that there are A LOT of sexy, glamorous and beautiful office workers in Warsaw Poland--and I am sure I will hear from them! You can go ahead and say that all Greek and Venezuelan office workers look sad and gray--and I won't take it personally.

And as Santino Rice so eloquently put it: "Lighten Up It's Just Fashion!"

Nick Verreos Judges Top Six on Project Runway!

...And the Part of Michael Kors Will Be Played By...Instructor Nick: Nick Verreos sitting with Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia and Kerry Washington

What a whirlwind of a night last night! First, I hosted a fun OUT Magazine Fall Fashion event at the Macy's Men's Store in the Beverly Center from 7-9 PM, grabbed some dinner and then rushed home to watch Project Runway and of course, watch myself as I made a "special appearance" as a Guest Judge. Sitting next to Miss Heidi Klum is daunting enough---but Nina Garcia also?? Then they tell me the gorgeous actress--and L'oreal spokesperson--Kerry Washington was also going to be on hand! Let me tell you, I needed a couple extra tablets of Pepto Bismol to keep my stomach from making noises that even the designers up there on the runway would hear! Since I WAS there and spent nearly FOUR GRUELING hours of judging, from a real "insider's point of view" as well as a viewer,
Here are my Highlights (and lowlights of course!):

Are We Checking into the Plaza Athenee: Millionaire Arm Candy Looks

--Irina's Millionaire Playboy Arm Candy Uptown Look: I swear that's all I could think about when I saw the model Kalyn come down the runway: The Camel-colored woolen and fur sweater wrap, the luxe-looking (even though I agree with Nina, it was a bit Michael Levine's Couch Fabric!) tapestry strapless mini dress, the styling. Yes, it all pointed to a former model from Russia who hooked up with an overweight, not-so-cute, but BILLIONARE Playboy.
--Althea's Winning Jodphurs: We all loved this look. Very now, very fresh. The pants were great and that sweater wrap (yes, ANOTHER sweater wrap) was so cozy! This was the same model as above, BUT with no need to have a Billionaire Magnate on her arm. She has already moved on to own her own Model Agency!

Miss Minnesota 2009: Prom Dress Nightmare vs. Christopher's Bed Sheet Gown

--Christopher's Two-For-One Dress: At first glance, I was kinda liking it, as Katie stomped down the runway, but then--like a Caesar Salad that looks nice but then you begin tasting it and it has a bunch of anchovies--his dress made my face turn from "ah, that's nice" to "Oh dear, minor icky-poos". Nina's observation of a be-draggled bed sheet pretty much summed it up. He should have just ended it at the petals. Done.

Judy After Dark: Judy Jetson Halloween Costumes vs. Logan's zippered collar mini tucked-pouf look

--Everyone's Boyfriend Logan Neitzel Gets Space Age-y: Ahhhh, sad sad sad. I am sure that half the population of America will be giving me dirty looks the next time I am spotted at some random airport, for having a 25% responsibility for booting cutie Logan. I feel bad, trust me. I wish he would have done a better outfit. I know that in the past, stepping out of your comfort zone (or going "out there") is rewarded on Project Runway, but this was the wrong "stepping out". To be honest, I REALLY disliked Gordana's and might have even scored her lower than Logan's but in the end, his Judy Jetson meets Background-Dancer-in-a-Cindy-Lauper video look lost.
But I still love me some Logan. He visited me--along with Carol Hannah Whitfield (draw your own conclusions kiddies!)--at my Downtown LA NIKOLAKI studio not to long ago to say "hey!" (see photo above). I gave him a Nick "hey!" hug back. I hear he's moving to New York City! You get 'em Logan!

Click HERE to read my entire recap on myLifetime.com and click HERE for a fun little slide show the good people at Lifetime.com did of some of my designs.

Leather, Lace & Floral

Natalia Bogdanova pulls off an LV speedy with a leather jacket & Iekeline Stange, is wearing one of the cutest outfits. I love LACE tops & am in need of one..

source: altamira nyc

Halloween Hair Accessories

If you are planning to be Cleopatra or Egyptian goddess this coming Halloween, be sure to check out New York Nat's Egyptian inspired hair accessories. They come in fuchsias, emeralds and golds with accents of Swarovski crystals.



See the rest of the collection and prepare to be a head-turner this Halloween!

Lady Gaga Makes The Whole World Gaga In Flair Magazine

Lady Gaga will make the whole world go gaga on November 9 when the December 2009 issue of Flare Magazine hits the news stands. What do you think of her pink wig?

Miranda Kerr and Ana Beatriz Barros Dressed Like Pin-up Girls for V Magazine

Victoria's Secret Angels Miranda Kerr and Ana Beatriz Barros graced the pages of V Magazine's December 2009 Issue. The Angels channeled a pin-up look as they pulled off the greatest Resort collections for the season.


The magazine will hit the newsstands on November 3, 2009.

Have You Met My Husband??

I just want to take a minute to talk about my husband, Mr. Benjamin Soto.

I'm almost 2 years into this blog and I still think of it as just a conversation between my friends and I. I often forget that there are countless strangers passing by, and though I truly consider my readers my friends- I realize that many of you don't know me in "real life".

That being said, you don't know much about my husband and I often just assume that you do.

Those of you who DO know me, feel free to skip this post because I'm sure you're tired of my gushing about Ben by now. ;)

Ben is a ridiculously talented ______. I don't want to say graphic designer or artist or t-shirt designer or inventor or painter... he's all of those things and more. He's currently working at Disney as the art director of a new cartoon show.

ANYWAY-

My Benjamin does things like this, just for fun:

He is so silly! I was in NY when he sent this little doodle over and it just made me so happy!

Then- he does things like this:

Yep. He takes pictures of his outfits every day. (hopefully he forgives me for showing this!)

He doesn't do it for blogging purposes, he just does it. I had no idea he was doing it until I heard the timer beeping on the camera one morning (he leaves the house super early while I'm sleeping) and went to investigate. BUSTED! He has tons of them too. Amazing.

Check out his website! www.benjaminsoto.com You'll probably be surprised at how much he's done that you'll recognize.

Just wanted to give a little shout out to my baby. Here are some of my favorite pictures of us...

Skeleton Arm and a Leg

OMG. When I blogged about that amazing piece yesterday I had NO idea it could ever cost so much!

Thanks to reader Amanda for sending me the link to this:

First of all- It's even more beautiful than I originally thought. It's amazing! But still, at an almost $30,000 I can't even imagine ever owning it.

It does however, make this amazing (100% more wearable) skull and bone themed necklace by Wendy Brandes seem much more attainable!

I WILL own this someday. I will I will...

~~~~~~~~~~ ♥ ~~~~~~~~~~

Oh wait... what's that you say? Import fees and shipping are INCLUDED in the price???

Well then, that's a different story! How kind of you Luisaviaroma!! I'll take two!

What's the most you've ever paid for an amazing piece of jewelry??

Heath Ledger's Darlings

Michelle Williams & Matilda Ledger always have the cutest pictures together. If this picture doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will..

source: celebrity-gossip.net

Nick Verreos Films Kmart Ad!

Layaway Anyone?


Earlier this month, I shot a fun little ad campaign for Kmart and Kmart Layaway. Kmart contacted me and because of the success of the great Sears 2008 Holiday Grant A Wish Commercial I did last year (along with Ty Pennington, LL Cool J and Vanessa Hudgens), they asked if I would want to be a part of Kmart's Holiday Layaway Campaign. Did you know that Kmart is the ONLY mass discount US retailer to have Layaway Online! I know, shut up!Two weeks ago was National Layaway Week (who knew?) and this is when the ads "rolled out" (yes, I am using a lot of Ad Terminology, try to keep up with me). I shot one in Spanish and in English. Yes, kiddies, I'm BI-lingual. The Spanish one was titled a Breve Informativo, or Brief Infomercial. I know, I should work at Berlitz! (not!). We shot it all at the Kmart in Burbank and I had a lot of fun with the sales associates (they were so patient and lovely!) and with the wonderful manager of the store, Lloyd (see above photo). All in all , I was honored to be representing Kmart and to have filmed a Breve Informativo for one of my favorite (yes, I like deals too!!!) stores.
Click HERE for an interview I just did regarding KMART LAYAWAY for the California Apparel News.

A Russian Meat Fashion Show by Goodman Steak House

I was shocked when I saw the photos of a fashion show where models strutted the runway with outfits made from raw meat. The fashion show was organized by Goodman Steak House of Russia. During the show, models paraded a beef skirt, a filet mignon purse, a necklace of ribs and other meat clothes and accessories.










I suddenly remembered last year's episode of America's Next Top Model when models wore meat underwear.

What would PETA say about this gross event? Personally, I felt sad that some people chose to waste the life of those poor animals. Obviously, they are not contented with eating meat, they also want to wear them. Such a barbaric act! Any reactions?

Source

Halloween Costumes From The Runways

Are you ready to treat or trick? Since we have only 3 days left before Halloween, here are more Halloween costume ideas straight from the runways of Spring 2010 and Fall 2009. Choose your Halloween look that ranges from corpse brides to wacky clowns.

Zombies/Corpse Bride from John Galliano, Anne Sofie Back, and Vivienne Westwood.


Evil Witches from Yohji Yamamoto, Gareth Pugh and Margiela.


Hot Vampires from Rick Owens, Elise Øverland and Sharon Wauchob.


Wacky Clowns from Alexandre Herchcovitch, Comme des Garçons and Chris Benz.


Source