Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI on Model.Live --Vogue.com

Model In A Corner: Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI/Nick Verreos David Paul (photo by Evans Vestal Ward)

Who Knew? Vogue.com has this fabulous web-documentary about models and Miss Amanda Fields makes a cameo--in one of my NIKOLAKI cropped bolero jersey tops. Seen above, Miss Amanda is modeling the rust/wine colored version for my NIKOLAKI Website Look Book. In the Vogue.com documentary, she can be seen wearing the same style , but in a caramel color way. Click HERE--Model.Live Episode 5 and she can be seen right in the middle of the episode, waiting in a model casting line. It's so crazy how most of the models are as tall as her--and darlings, Miss Amanda is tall--she's almost 6 feet!
Kisses,
Nick

Nick Verreos' Guide To LA---Gay.com

Gay and Gayer: Project Runway Model Amanda Fields, Nick Verreos and actor Wilson Cruz

Here is an article published on Gay.com about what my favorite places are to eat, shop and much more....in the City Of Angels. Hope you guys enjoy and get some dish on where I like to shop, eat and drink!

Nick Verreos and Sarah Palin???

I was recently asked by FOXNEWS.com (I know , shut up!) if I would give my "two cents" on Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's fashion style and under a dazed stupor, I actually said "Yes". I think she dresses the part of a "Vice President"---it helps that the RNC gave her $150,000 to spend! I actually like her suits--I think she looks crisp, executive-like and I even went further and said that "she looks like an executive at Estee Lauder Cosmetics"...
Of course, as of late, the scandal has been more about those $150,000 that the RNC spent on her. For someone who is supposed to come off as "one of us/everyday 'Soccer Mom'..." it seems a bit hypocritical to me. I think that's why people were so incensed about it. After all, Ms. Palin had the option to say "You know what...I'm not taking these clothes...it will make me look like a hypocrite...especially since I am just trying to be an 'everyday Main St. Soccer Mom'...." My sister, Rita Verreos, is one of those supposed "Soccer Mom's" and she certainly doesn't have a $150,000 clothing allowance....Just sayin'
Click HERE to read the entire article.

Nick Verreos Previews Marc Jacobs Spring '09!!!

A Nick Chic Peek: Marc Jacobs Spring 2009

Last weekend, my good friend, John Wade, West Coast Manager of Marc Jacobs stores, invited me for an exclusive "preview" of the recently debuted Spring 2009 Collection. Of course, I did a quick "spritz", stopped my 14-hour pattern making and draping of my Spring '09 Collection which I was working on, and headed off to see what almost every fashion editor called "The Best Collection from NY Fashion Week".
Every season , about a month after the runway show, Marc Jacobs sends the collection on a "Tour", with stops at all the major stores. Emails and invitations are sent to all the "preferred clients" to come and view the collection and take "pre-orders". it's a way to see the clients' reaction and "feel" the buying public. These clients will be the first to wear Marc Jacobs Spring 2009---and for the Hollywood "elite"; actresses, agent's, director's and producer's wives and/or girlfriends, this is a must. They want to be first to be seen in the collection and be the supposed envy of their fashionista circles. While I was there, I spotted several.
One of these to get a special preview was a fabulous LA-based jewelry designer and personal psychic (yep, you read that right!), Tori Hartman, who was there with her "girls" (who were showing off Tori's great bracelets and necklaces). We all had a fun time seeing the collection before anyone else. She also scared me when she began talking about my long-deceased grandma (whom I loved immensely and whom my new collection is loosely based on) and proclaiming what colors my new collection had (she was right!). Of course, I was excited to see the clothes up close and personal. I especially wanted to see those snippy little straw hats that were shown with the collection. Straw NOT!! Try metallic sequined-like fabric woven to look like simple straw-like material. One of the gorgeous MJ staff was on hand to "model" pieces and I was glad to photograph them for you guys.
One of my favorite pieces was this bias-cut tweed boucle strapless bustier and Capri-pant look. The strapless top looked just like any other strapless top. Until you get up close and realize there is a whole boned corset built into it, which holds the wearer to a 1/8th of an inch of their well-toned upper torso body! It even had a silk satin yoke attached at the hem that no one would get to see---to prevent the bustier from peeking out of a tucked-in outfit (as in the photo). This was a perfect example of details one would never get to see--and reasons for why a "simple corset"/strapless top can cost over a thousand dollars. This top was shown on the runway with these Capri pants that seemed to be of a shiny brocade fabric. Until you got up close... There were sequined paillettes hand-sewn into the fabric!! Crazy! Again, on the runway, you could not even tell.

I loved seeing the jackets from the collection. Marc did these great little jackets with capped shoulder padded sleeves in various fabrications , from tweed, boucle, to metallic striped wool. His dresses were gorgeous , of course as well. I thank John Wade for allowing me to marvel at the clothes up close and see the beauty, workmanship and detail that one would normally not see on a runway video or Style.com fashion photos. I love having these "exclusive previews" , especially when they involve looking at the almost-couture garments of Marc Jacobs!

Here's something I frugally prepared earlier

Like all people I have energetic days and can't give a fig days and today is the latter! I batch cook and have a stash of food in the freezer. Here are two cottage pies and yes they are in old chinese takeaway boxes! So because I'm on half term holiday I'm catching up with coursework marking and not cooking today. However, batch cooking is one of the greatest ways to save money, fill up your oven with about four meals from a kilo of frozen mince. From this I make two lasagnes and two cottage pies and freeze for a 'can't give a fig day'. The 'gravy' is a little tomatoey because I add tinned tomatoes to almost every thing to add flavour and make anything go that little bit further. When I reheat these (for about half an hour in a hot oven) I will only have to switch on my mini-oven (one of those microwaves and ovens in one). Save time and save money.

Frugal Life Long Learning

I am a devotee of reading and learning and today, for the first time since I was a child, I joined the library! I often buy books, admittedly only from charity shops but it still involves the dangerous trip to the cashpoint, which for me is like the trip an alcoholic takes to the bar.....one drink is never enough! So I got a real 'retail' fix!
I browsed for quite a while and came out with a selection! A Crank's cookery book! Brilliant vegetarian recipes. Ethical Living.....would you flaming well believe it...I opened it to the 'cost of cheap food', which is enough to make skint people feel guilty for eating at all!!!!! The rest of the book is to make me feel smug and green when I marvel at the fact that I recycle, compost, live in the bleedin' dark!!! Look at the fancy taking the books out machine!!! Stick in your card! stick all books in a hole and bingo the books are yours for three weeks with a receipt to take away to tell you when the books are due back. I was so impressed, for parents with children there were games, music CDs, films and any parent could amuse their child for next to nothing with the aid of this library! I'm now off to sit in the window with huge mug of tea and peruse my selection

The joys of a simple life!

This is the view from my office window, which so easily distracts me. For many years I had the view of city traffic, and heard the drone of vehicles and never really had any peace. Every time I look out of this window and see the trees, the park and the houses on the hillside I spend just a moment being very grateful for what I have.

Roast dinner for under a fiver!

The joy of my slow cooker. There are appliances in our homes that just eat electricity and our cookers and especially the oven certainly racks up our electricity bill. so here is my recipe for Roast Pork and all the trimming for under a fiver and that includes the cost of cooking. A slow cooker uses the same electricity as a 40w light bulb (not that I have any of those old things any more. So here is the recipe.



Take a look around your supermarket and usually there will be a roasting joint on offer. Here in Morrisons, a shoulder of pork was 3.42. To be honest it's much bigger than we need but we can use of for sandwiches for tomorrow's lunches, or I could actually make the roast pork left into another meal altogether by having it cold with some salad and boiled potatoes.

Recipe - 10 potatoes (small) 10p
8 carrots = 10p, 2 onions = 5p, 6 parsnips = 30p Pork shoulder joint = 3.42 = £3.97

Method - before you go to bed the night before - take pork joint out of the freezer!
Before you go to work - peel veg, slice onion and place in the BOTTOM of the slow cooker (I do this at about 6.15 in the morning whilst I'm waiting for the toast to toast and the kettle to boil)

Take pork out of the packet, rinse under the cold tap, place on top of veg, add half a cup of water in the bottom (I worry needlessly that it will dry out) and place the pork ontop. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the lid on.

Switch on - I use the low setting and know the dinner will be ready when I get home at five.

I serve broccoli and peas with this but any veg will do.

To make this go a lot further - make up a packet of cheap stuffing as it says on the packet and cook in the microwave - tasty and spread the meal even further.

Quick, cheap pastry

Here's how the hairy bikers did it! My pastry used to be heavy (I suppose I was heavy handed with it) so now I put the flour, lard and marg in the machine and bish, it comes out as beautiful fine little bread crumbs.....it makes the most incredible crumble mix too, just add a few spoons of sugar and place on top of fruit

Feed a family of four for £1.10 (twice for lunch or once for supper)

TODAY'S LUNCH 55P PER PERSON AND YES THAT IS A DINNER PLATE!!! AND THE PASTY FILLS IT!

I watched Jamie's ministry of food and agreed that people need to learn to cook, but it's not any good having a fabulous programme for people who can't afford fancy food. We need a TV programme that teaches us how to get by on low incomes, minimum wage, only one income or benenfits such as a state pension (even with pension credits they are not going to be buying posh nosh!)

Here is another one of my minimum wage recipes to show tha tyou can really eat yummy nosh on next to nothing.

Savoury bacon pasties. (£1.10 for four lunches or £2.20 for four suppers 55p per person!!)

Ingredients 300g of flour = 9p (I kilo = 30p)
100g margarine - 19p (half pack of stork cooking marg = 38p - Asda)
Pinch of salt.
Blitz together in a food processor (I saw the Hairy Bakers do this!!! I could never make my own pastry before I tried this!!)
In a bowl keep adding drips of ice cold water (put a mug of water in the fridge) until it's pasty
Put in the fridge for a while1.
(Pastry cost - 28p )

Finely slice two large onions - place in frying pan - DO NOT ADD ANY OIL (5p)
Open pack of Asda cooking baccon (680g for £1.57!!) - chop into smaller peices, you sometimes have to pick out larger pieces of fat - but that's rare.
Add to frying pan and gently fry with the onions - try not to burn!
Peel and finely chop 4 small potatoes and two large carrots. (20p)
Add to the frying pan.
Turn off the heat - here I add a good dollop of homemade apple chutney - mine has a spicy ginger taste.
Season to taste - We like

Divide pastry into 8 to make smaller lunch box pasties or 4 for Cornish Man size big supper pasties!!!

roll pasty into circles - dollop filling into the middle - crimp just how you like!

Bake in a medium over (170 if convection) for half an hour max.

I 'do' mine to the side in Cornish style and usually get eight [pasties out of this which will provide packed lunch for everyone for two days) we never mind the same thing two days in a row!

You can waste an egg and 'glaze' your pasties but to be honest our insides just don't care if the food tastes good.

My other eco recipe for the day is good old homemade marmalade
cost
£1.20 for tinned oranges for marmalade making
1.5 bags of sugar £1.00
Total for 8 jars of marmalade £2.20 = 27p per jar!
(any old sterilised jars with lids will do....p.s I boil the marmalade for a bit longer so it sets well)

Frugal Home cooking - Feed a family of four for £1.10!

Recipes this weekend. Homemade chunky vegetable soup and bread rolls.

1. Take reduced price break rolls out of the freezer - 15p for 9 rolls!
2. Set mini oven onto warm, put bowls and bread in.
3. Peel and chop: four carrots (half bag from Asda 18p); four potatoes (1/4 bag from asda 10p); 1 large onion 5p;
4. dissolve 2 vegetable stock cubes in 1 litre of boiling water (10p)
5. Add 1/5 bag of red lentils 10p
6. Add 1/4 bad frozen Asda Broccoli - 18p
7.Add 1 tin of Asda tomatoes 18p.
8. Bring to the boil and then simmer for half an hour.
Family of 4 fed for approx £1 + approx £1 of energy bills. (Save this by using slow cooker and preparing this earlier!

Two Weeks and Counting: Islands Of the World Fashion Week Update!

In Two Weeks: Nick Verreos Will Debut ''09 Spring Collection at Islands of The World Fashion Week--The Bahamas
Nick Verreos and David Paul, designers of NIKOLAKI, at W San Diego Fashion Show, Spring 2008

Less than two weeks (and counting) and I will be flying to The Bahamas to debut my Spring NIKOLAKI 2009 Collection, along with my partner, David Paul at the first ever Islands Of the World Fashion Week. The once-in-a-lifetime-event will showcase the designs of 39 designers from all over the world, including fellow Los Angeles designer Kevan Hall. The event will also honor Kenneth Cole, for his amazing contribution to the fashion world as well as to all that he has done for AIDS awareness. I will also be judging, so I am getting my Michael Kors/Nina Garcia judging cap on!Next week, I will divulge the Theme and Inspiration, but for now, I will just give you a "peek" via a sketch (see above) . Don't worry, there will be more where that came from...Heidi Klum in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos, David Paul

Actress Marlee Matlin in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos, David Paul, 2008 Academy Awards

I have dressed women as diverse as Supermodel Heidi Klum, Academy Award Winning Actress Marlee Matlin, and Kathy Griffin, so it would come as no surprise that my collection might have a "little bit" of "Red Carpet" in it, in terms of DIVA style.Comedianne Kathy Griffin in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos, Bravo A-List Awards

For the last 5 months, we have been working OVERTIME on creating an amazing collection: First, David and I spent weeks working on the designs of the collection and edited it down to the amount we wanted to show. Subsequently, after we decided on the designs, I draped EVERY SINGLE PIECE and did the patterns for it (not many designers can say that!), David had his executive "touch" on every muslin and every fitting and then our unbelievable seamstresses did their "magic"!
We have had 14 hour days of madness for the last three months especially--ordering fabric from India, Italy and Japan that has been late in arrival--or still has not arrived at all!! But that's "business as usual" for any designer. As Tim Gunn famously states: You have to "Make It Work". Let's just say we haven't slept much lately...
Stay tuned.
Click HERE for a video from the President of the Islands Of the World Fashion Week.

Post Project Runway Finale Brunch and Wrap Party-New York

Hours After being Crowned the Winner: Leanne and Nick Verreos at Official Wrap party (I did not know she had won of course!)

Finale Wrap-Ups....Since last week was the final episode of Season 5 Project Runway, I thought it would be fitting to do some "Season 5 Wrap Ups". During my trip to New York City last month to attend the Bryant Park Show, I was lucky enough to have been invited (along with David, of course) to a Post Finale Brunch as well as to the Wrap Party that occurred the same day of the Finale Show, and hours after the last "And the Winner Is'" episode was shot. I saved these fun photos and my recap of the day (and night) until now....Hope you enjoy!

Bloody Mary or Mimosa?Brunch Dishing: Saturn's Lisa Gilpin, Nick Verreos, and friend Taylor Schultz

Every season, after the Project Runway Finale Bryant Park Show, it has been the tradition for Bravo to throw a fabulous "Post-Show Brunch" at Bryant Park Grill next to the tents. It was a great way for clients, producers and former Project Runway alum, to mingle, dish on the show and grab some delicious omelets and Mimosas...However, for some reason, this season, this Bryant Park Grill Brunch was not occurring. David and I were ready to head back to our hotel and have our own intimate post-show dishing brunch---until my good friend, Lisa Gilpin, of Saturn (and my Front Row seat-mate at the show), invited us to a "hush-hush" brunch at the stylish Royalton Hotel, being thrown for clients and sponsors of the show, including L'Oreal, Tre Semme, Bravo and of course, Saturn. David and I also brought our NY friend, Taylor Schultz, who attended the finale show with us (he was tickled of course!)Royalton Post Show Brunch: David Paul, Laura K, and Molly, smiling after a couple of Mimosas

Once there, we were so happy to see the entire Blogging Project Runway "crew", Miss Laura K., "TBone" and "The Scarlett". Between all of us, we set up our own Project Runway booth at the restaurant and proceeded to have a delicious brunch and one too many Mimosas and Bloody Mary's. We discussed who our favorites were, who we thought should win, whose collection was the best (and the worst) and so on. It may not have been like the traditional Bryant Park Grille Brunch, but we had a great time nonetheless.

The Official Wrap Party:
White Pants After Labor Day? John Wade and Nick Verreos Break the Rules, New York City, September '08
After the wonderful Royalton Hotel Brunch, David and I returned back to our hotel, The Hudson, to grab a "Disco Nap" so we would be ready for what the evening had in store for us. Well, because of the early morning "call time" for the Finale Bryant Park Show, our supposed brief nap, turned into a full-blown 4 HOUR SIESTA!!!! Once up, I checked my Blackberry and got messages, inviting me to the Official Wrap Party being given by the producers of the show. On our way out of the hotel, guess who we ran into? Season 2 Designer and Marc Jacobs West Coast Manager, John Wade! He was in New York to attend his boss' New York Fashion Week Spring '09 Collection, as well as for the Marc Jacobs "Buys"-- when all the stores' managers survey the collection and decide what they will order for their boutiques. By coincidence, he happened to be staying at The Hudson and was returning after a 14-hour workday. I begged him to come with us to the Wrap Party, but he could barely keep his eyes open. He did just for the two seconds it took to take a photo(see above).Wrap Party Sandwich: Saturn's Lisa Gilpin, Nick Verreos and Season 5 Finalist, Korto (looking REALLY HAPPY!)

Once at the Wrap Party, I was happy to say "Hi" to all the Season 5 Designers and "feel out" the ones who showed at Bryant Park (to see if I could take a good guess who had been crowned the winner of Season 5). I immediately greeted Leanne Marshall, and met her boyfriend and friends, who came out from Portland. I assumed she had won, since I thought her collection was the best. I even congratulated her (even though, of course, I did not know who had really won) but her and friends had major "poker faces" on: Her demeanor seemed solemn, sad and to be honest, not one of a "winner". Maybe she was just so tired from it all, which is totally understandable. I then made a bee-line to Korto. Maybe I could see if she was acting like a "winner". She was. If she could have, she would have been dancing on top of the bar's tables! She was dancing, singing, having a Gay Ol' time! So, that left me thinking: Did Korto win? Because she sure was acting like it.
Leanne's Muse: Nick Verreos with Leanne Marshall's model, Tia, at Season 5 Wrap Party, New York City, September '08

I also recognized some of Season 5 Models, including Leanne's (Tia), as well as Korto's, the Latinalicious (my tribute to Blayne!), Katrina Munez. Of course, I also made a point to say Hello to the great Magical Elves producers, cameramen, and sound guys present. I tried to get something out of them, in terms of who won. But no one was telling. I left the party thinking that Korto had won, BUT with a little bit of doubt on my mind...Little did I know!!
Make Me A Project Runway Supermodel: Nick Verreos hangs out with Season 5 Models at the Season 5 Wrap Party in New York City, September '08

Free, which means we can be generous!

Free - the best price of all!!!!

10:43 AM, 19/10/2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Mum in law's gas fire had a switch on and off mechanism that was too difficult for her to operate so we've given her a new fire easy to turn on and off! How could we afford to do that? Years ago a friend of mine won an electirc fire that looked like a wood burner and had no use of it. She gave it to me! I used it intermittently and because of that it is still like new. Our new house is modern and has a newish built into the wall, which we also use on high days and holy days! So not often!! The fire (keep up....the one given to me years ago....still like new!!) has been delivered to her house and Mike got to spend time with Mum into the bargain. by all accounts it looks fantasitc!

More free!!! Today we have been given sausages and duck egg! Well along with some mash that will be lunch! A good day all round.....cost today a tank of petrol to get to see mum and back!!

Project Runway Season 5 Finale Nick Verreos Recap!!

And The Winner Is.....
Front Row and Center:As I previously wrote, I was lucky enough to have attended the actual Project Runway Finale Fashion Show at the Bryant Park tents. I even got to sit front row--almost directly across from Nina, Heidi, Michael and Season 4 Winner Miss Christian Siriano! It was a mixed blessing, to say the least: I was so excited--beyond belief--that I was sitting at such a prime spot, but then when the fashions came down the runway, the Instructor Nick in me could spot every loose thread, every last-minute made-up dart, every not-so-well sewn zipper. I was struck by the fact that there was no "Oh My God, I LOVE THAT!" moment or as a lot of people at the show were saying: There was no Christian Moment or Rami Moment or Jay McCarroll Moment, where you know there was a "Star".
I know from experience that TV makes everything look prettier than it really is (I love that--especially in my season and with a lot of the designs I did!) , and therefore was excited to see how the epsiode would pan out...

Pre-Show:
After Jerell got eliminated, it was down to an All-Girl Season 5 Finale. I figured as much because the other designers (lucky them!) who got to show at Bryant Park (as "decoys") weren't so stellar. So it was not a surprise to see Cut-and Cry Kenley, Korto and Leanne in the Finale Three. They were the best who showed that morning in New York. They had their requisite model casting (no drama there), and met with the L'Oreal and Tre Semme Make-Up and Hair experts to give their vision for their final collections.

Workroom:
In their new make-shift workroom, the designers made some good use of their limited time: Korto worked on new pieces that she felt she needed to add to her collection while Kenley looked on with disdain and some bitchy jealousy. While "Geeks Unite Empress", Leanne, just focused on her fittings (and making sure model Tia's doggie wouldn't poop on her wondrous dresses!)

The Final Show:
Kenley:Kenley's designs were nice, but not winning. The fit was good but what struck me, was a sense of "all over the place" from her. There were great fitting Edwardian sleeve dresses in fabulous prints or silk jacquards and I LOVED a black high-neck fitted dress (that model seriously must have had THE LONGEST center front neck to waist measurement I have EVER seen!) but then there were some misses. The bustier with a graphic overskirt screamed 80's back-up dancer for Toni Basil---and that's not a good thing! And the too-short Bridesmaid Dress seem to come from nowhere. Why all of a sudden, Miss I-Love-Vintage Kenley wants to do a dress I can find in David's Bridal is beyond me.
The judges thought the collection was a bit too "knock off" of Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. Therefore she was eliminated.

Korto:
As I said in my recap of the Bryant Park Show, I LOVED Korto's "Sexy Girl In Liberia" vibe--my favorite looks from her were an ivory silk shantung ruffled top and wide-legged pants ensemble. I hope Korto kissed and thanked that model who wore the outfit because she WORKED IT overtime!!! I also loved the emerald green jeweled silk shantung halter gown her model, Katrina, wore. But during that final show, right as she passed the judges---and me--she flashed her g-string underwear, and I thought I had seen to San Juan Puerto Rico and back! But of course, this didn't make it into the final episode (like I said, I love TV!). Korto's collection was good but had some flaws. As I waited for Leanne's, I was still looking forward to that "Christian" or "Rami" moment of fashion epiphany.

Leanne:
As soon as the first couple of looks exited, I knew Leanne should be the winner: Her collection looked mature, sleek, cohesive and well-executed. Yes, the petal-theme was a bit redundant. But, of all the collections, it was, to me, the best. I especially loved the off-white organza top and powder-blue petal skirt ensemble, as well as her winning Wedding Gown. My only critique would be those wedge heels that were prominently featured. They were not cute. And didn't belong with the collection--or especially that gown. It was a bit of unfortunate styling. They were especially evident in that wedding dress, since the gown seemed a bit too short for the model. But other than that, I thought that Leanne's was the winning collection---and so did the Finale Judges.
Congratulations Leanne Marshall--a FIDM San Francisco Graduate residing in Portland, Oregon. Hope to see you at a FIDM event sometime soon!!!