Star Style For Less - Malin Akerman's Crochet Knit Sheath

Do you have a mental Polyvore where you create, update and edit outfits when you see a beautiful piece of clothing? Doing Star Style For Less posts has created one in my mind! I don't like to spend the big bucks for big style and I am always on the hunt for great style on a budget! While browsing through spring styles online, this crochet knit sweater dress on actress Malin Akerman caught my eye. The the simplicity of this outfit is so effortless yet super feminine! It is also one of those day to night outfits.

Photo Credit: Steve Granitz/Wireimage

I can't replicate her hot bod or gorgeous face, but sure could recreate her outfit! Here is how you can get her style for less!

Get Malin's simple and feminine style for less here -

What do you think of this 'star style for less' look?

My Acceptance Speech -IFB Project #36: Your Oscar Moment

I have practiced, time and again, my Oscar/Filmfare Award(google it)/Nobel speech in the shower while waiting for the conditioner to work {longest 2 minutes in anyone's life I guess} - and I have to say by now, I have it all clearly laid out in my mind! So when Independent Fashion Bloggers project asked the IFB members to give an Oscar-esque thanking speech for the "Blogger Of The Year Award", it was the perfect opportunity for me to show you all how I'd play it!  The purpose of practicing my speech is that when the moment comes-

• I'll be Natural - Gee, It's so unexpected! (takes prepared list out of the jacket pocket - yes, I am wearing a Tilda Swinton tux-gown - its all the rage you know!)
• I'll be Gracious - {Sniffles} Thank you IFB for this great honor, even though my blog is not even a year old, but you guys know quality when you see it! I am so humbled by this win, and I am sure all the brands who did not respond back to my business pitch are eating their heart out right now. And to all those who were nominated - I am sure you are happy just to be nominated!
• I'll Thank everybody - My husband, my parents, my fellow bloggers, my neighbor's grandmom who recently learned how to work the internet by me {and so far only thing she has learned how to log on, open my blog and comment on it}, my ex-colleagues who still have their full time stressful jobs, while I blog and sashay in beautiful clothes minting money {Thats what I have told all non-fashion bloggers friends about the 'business' - Image building 101}, my dog, my drycleaners..you get the idea!
• I'll be quick - {Not as quick as Jane Fonda; Best Actress for Klute: "There's a great deal to say, but I'm not going to say it tonight." (1972)} but close enough. Its no fun when the teleprompter says wrap it up and the music in the pit starts to muddle your thoughts!
• I'll be funny - Two fashion bloggers walked in a bar..err, was it a bar or IFB conference? Anyhoo...

"The point is, I just won the biggest blogging award on the planet and I have no fricking idea what to say! All those waiting-for conditioner-to-work moments didn't even prepare me for this. I started blogging to express my style, my opinions and (as the King George VI said) because I have a bloody voice! Writing your blog is like sending the message to the gigantic black hole of internet universe, hoping that there is someone out there who will decode it and get back to you - and you will be connected, be part of a community and may be change the fashion media and if you really are talented, leave a legacy! In our society, fashion and style sometimes still are taken lightly, and except for the established blogs, we largely are viewed as a pink-loving, attention seeking, self-obsessed, online posse-creating, frivolous girls/boys club! And that's about to change - with this big award recognizing talent, influence and the serious business of blogging, we fashion bloggers will have a front row seats not only in the fashion weeks, but in the editorial hallways of big media houses! And they are asking me to wrap it up, Lord! I hear the faint strains of the music! I thank my husband for patiently clicking the pictures in 40 degree weather and putting up with me when I hog the closet space, and to all those bloggers who don't start their post by saying hello dolls!-peace out!" (I did't say I won't be candid!)

And that my friends was my big Oscar-esque spiel! Here is something for you to chuckle about!

                                                        

Michael Kors White Dress - Splurge and Steal

Look what I found on the Internets! this über chic Michael Kors Cotton Blend Stretch dress! The price tag - $1695 only (snicker!). But there is something timeless about a white sheath with a little splash of black in it - and I couldn't stop thinking if this totally-out-of-my-budget dress!

And then smiled the frugal fashion gods and I spotted these two dresses high on a similar Michael Kors style and light on the wallet! {Sometimes I totally impress myself!!}

1. Michael Kors Cotton Blend Dress - $1,695

2. Ralph Lauren Linen Sheath - $160

3.Striped Dress (The Limited) - $89.90 

When you love a designer piece, do you splurge or try to find something similar for less? What makes you buy a designer piece- no matter what price??

 

Celebrity of the week - Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie - exposing her leg in oscar 2012.

The pose that turns millions of eyes away from the oscar 2012. And made sensation with more than 20,000 twitter followers in short period.

NIKOLAKI at the Oscars: Actress Ali Landry Wears NIKOLAKI, TV Guide Network's Academy Awards Countdown Show!

Statuesque Gorgeous!!!

Mermaid Chic: Ali Landry--Actress and Host of TV Guide Network's Fashion Wrap" and star of the new show TV Guide Network "Hollywood Girls Night"--wearing NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, TV Guide Network Academy Awards Countdown/Red Carpet Show

The 2012 Academy Awards occurred last Sunday and as you may know--from my last post, I was part of the TV Guide Network Academy Awards Live Countdown/Red Carpet Shows Hosted by Chris Harrison. Along with Tabatha Coffey of "Tabatha Takes Over" and TV hostess Maria Sansone, we gave LIVE hair and fashion commentary from right above the Oscars red carpet.

Best Dressed: Actress Ali Landry in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul gown, and Marc Istook, TV Guide Network Academy Award Countdown/ Red Carpet Show

Joining our team from a nearby "Penthouse" rooftop overlooking the Hollywood & Highland Theater were also the very handsome TV host Marc Istook and the always GORGEOUS, actress Ali Landry. Ali is one of the stars of the new TV Guide Network show "Hollywood Girls Night" and of course, she was our Hostess-with-the-Mostess for our Award Show Fashion Wraps this season.

I was beyond excited that for her Academy Awards TV Guide Network red carpet moment she wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns!!! Amanda Jones, the TV Guide Network Wardrobe Stylist, brought her several gowns for her to wear for the Oscars and the filming, and after she tried my NIKOLAKI gown, I heard that Ali couldn't even see straight she loved it so much! She had no idea that it was one of my creations but when Jones told her, then it was "Done and Done"!

NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 dark raspberry silk ziberline sleeved mermaid-shaped gown

The gown is from our Spring 2011 Collection and is a Mermaid-shaped gown in a dark raspberry color of silk-wool ziberline (about 20 yards of it!)--a Couture fabrication my design partner, David Paul and I get from Italy. It features structured shoulders, cap-shaped mini raglan sleeves, a peek-a-boo cut-out in the front torso, open back and full pleated back train. Oh and yes, there are pockets (you know, to hide your lipstick and award show tickets!).

Raspberry Couture: Actress Ali Landry in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul

Ali looked STUNNING in our gown and like I said, I was so excited that she chose to wear it for such an important event. I heard that when she made her way to film her live segment with Marc up in the TV Guide Network "Oscars Penthouse" location, EVERYONE gasped and literally stopped talking! Afterward, the entire crew--from the grips, p.a.'s to the cameramen--came up to me and remarked how beautiful and fabulous (OK, they didn't say "fabulous", more like HOT!), Ali looked.

Now, you know it's good when BUTCH Straight men who normally could care less what gown an actress wears--are beside themselves saying Couture Compliments! And yes, I agreed 110 % with them. Ali: you looked stunning and made my design come alive! MY Best Dressed at the Oscars!!!

Nick TV Minute: TV Guide Network's Academy Awards Countdown and Red Carpet Shows--My Blog Recap with Photos!!

Academy Awards Balcony Viewing:

Nick Verreos, TV Guide Network Countdown and Red Carpet Show, Hollywood & Highland Center, Academy Awards 2012

Last night as we all know (unless you have been living under a rock!) was the Academy Awards! Not only is it the "Super Bowl" of Film...but also for FASHION!!! I was honored and humbled to be asked back to join the TV Guide Network Academy Awards Coverage Team and be the "Fashion Guy" and give my immediate and LIVE "Nick Two Cents" beginning in the Countdown Show as well as the Red Carpet LIVE show Hosted by Chris Harrison.

Fearsome Threesome: Tabatha Coffey, Nick Verreos and Maria Sansone, TV Guide Network Academy Award Countdown and Red Carpet Show

I was on the "Bridge" about 20 feet above the Academy Awards Red Carpet in the formerly-known-as-the-Kodak Theater with Tabatha Coffey--my Fashion Wrap Sistah!--as well as Maria Sansone. Maria was our "ringleader" and she was absolutely FABULOUS!! Loved her and her gold sequined gown! Speaking of gowns, of course, Miss Tabatha looked stunning in her black silk taffeta strapless Mermaid-shape ensemble. LOVED those pockets Miss Tabatha!! We were positioned next to ABC Local Oscars Coverage Team (with former Supermodel Roshumba Williams!) and Access Hollywood. Also up in the Balcony were EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, and CNN Showbiz Tonight, among others.

84th Annual Academy Awards Red Carpet--View from the "Bridge"

We had a PERFECT position atop the red carpet looking down at the entire "show". We were LIVE when Sacha Baron Cohen (as "The Dictator") dumped the "ashes" Ryan Seacrest, as well as having a bird's eye view when all the stars arrived, one after another. I can't even describe the excitement of being there--and especially being right ABOVE them!!! We filmed our Countdown and Live Red Carpet Show and before we could pronounce "Haute Couture"...it was OVER! Well, our filming was, but not our Red Carpet oogling!!

Tabatha Fierce: It was cold up there on our balcony location and soon Miss Tabatha Coffey got her fur mini-cape on! She looked fabulous and chic--and kept herself warm as well! How you say "You Go Girl!" in Australian slang???

Meryl Gold: If you look closely--and focus your eyes--you can see Meryl Streep in there--in her Custom Lanvin by Alber Elbaz draped gold lame gown--as she makes her way toward the theater, finishing her red carpet moment...

Gwenyth Column: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow--one of my Best Dressed of the Night in that Tom Ford silk crepe gown and floor-length cape--poses (with her publicist Stephen Huvane standing by)

Jennifer and Tim: A close-up (from my Balcony Location above the Red Carpet) of Jennifer Lopez--in her plunging, and semi-controversial, Zuhair Murad gown--being interviewed by my former project Runway Mentor, the one-and-only Tim Gunn

Penelope Meet Tim: I even captured a good shot of Spanish actress Penelope Cruz--in an Armani Prive gunmetal gray silk organza ball gown--also being interviewed by Tim Gunn

After we wrapped our TV Guide Network Countdown and LIVE Red Carpet filming--and the Oscars Red Carpet was done--I made my way to our "holding area" and guess who I ran into...

Say OSCAR: Project Runway Season 8 Finalist and Project Runway All Star Contestant Mondo Guerra, my former TV Guide Fashion Wrap host Lawrence Zarian , and Nick Verreos

I had a FABULOUS day doing the Fashion Commentary with my Gals up in the Balcony for TV Guide Network--Tabatha Coffey and Maria Sansone (and Carly Steel and Ali Landry up in the TV Guide "Penthouse")--as well as the Boys: Marc Istook and our Host Chris Harrison. It was yet another very memorable Oscars Sunday for me! Thank you to TV Guide Network and Thank you to EVERYONE who worked on the shows!! Y'all are INCREDIBLE!!! Oh and of course, Thank You to the viewers!! Hope you guys had as much fun watching us as we had getting all the Red Carpet DISH out for you!!

To watch clips of TV Guide Network's 2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Coverage--Click HERE on TV Guide's YouTube Channel

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA News Discussing Academy Awards Fashions--Recap!

Oscars Fashions "Nick's Picks" NBC-LA:

FIDM Spokesperson on TV: Nick Verreos on NBC-LA Channel 4, 5 PM News, discussing Oscars Fashions

As you know this was a busy weekend for me--being that it was the Academy Awards--doing lots of pre-Oscars interviews at the amazing FIDM Museum and all those Oscar-nominated costumes--as well as doing my "Fashion Expert" commentating for the TV Guide Network Countdown and Live Red Carpet Shows yesterday from the Hollywood & Highland Center (Kodak Theater). I also shot a quick "Red Carpet Review" with NBC-LA right after the Oscars Red Carpet which aired on the 11 o'clock News last night (video at the end of this post). That was yesterday and today...well, it's all about MORE Post-Oscars Fashion Talk...

I wrapped filming my TV Guide Academy Awards Fashion Wrap this afternoon and then went to the NBC-LA Studios in Burbank to shoot my LIVE segment for the 5 o'clock News with my two favorite anchors: Colleen Williams and Chuck Henry.

Fashion Talk: NBC-LA Anchors Chuck Henry and Colleen Williams, and Nick Verreos

All Awards Season long, as the Spokesperson for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM--my Alma Mater--I have been appearing on KNBC and giving my "Hits" and "Not-So-Hits" of the Red Carpet with Colleen and Chuck. As usual, I had a great time talking fashion with them! They get very involved (I think it's a nice break from all the other not-so-fashionable news occurring in Southern California). Of course, we discussed Jennifer Lopez in that sequined gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad:

I thought she looked AMAZING--from her "Star Bun" down to that fishtail train of hers! And yes, we even discussed the possible "Wardrobe Malfunction" everyone is talking about around the "Web-o-sphere". Now, let me say my "Nick Two Cents" on this: There was NO You-Know-What shot! Do these people (who think that something might have slipped out) not know a woman's body? Whatever they think that slipped out is about 1 1/2 inches AWAY from the edge of that plunging v-neck neckline of hers. Moving on...

We also discussed Angelina Jolie. I was not a fan of the Atelier Versace velvet gown--I thought the fabrication looked heavy on her. I would have loved to have seen her in something sequined, fitted and yes, maybe with no slit. Now speaking of that slit and her now infamous Angelina Jolie Stick-The-Leg-Out Pose:

Angelina Jolie-ing: Colleen Williams, Nick Verreos and Cary Berglund, NBC-LA Studios Burbank

Colleen Williams, myself and NBC-LA reporter (and my FIDM Museum Partner-in-Oscars -Fashions-and-Costumes Fabulousness) Cary Berglund...well, we decided to do the "Angelina Jolie" (or try) following my segment! Above is the incriminating photo! Thank you FIDM and Thank you NBC-LA for a fun 2011-2012 Awards Season.

Click Below to Watch my Oscars Fashions Segment on NBC-LA 11 o'clock News last night with reporter Angie Crouch:

View more videos at: http://nbclosangeles.com.

Nick TV Minute: Nick Verreos, Tabatha Coffey, Camille Grammer on TV Guide 84th Annual Academy Awards Fashion Wrap hosted by Ali Landry 8PM TONIGHT!

The Superbowl of ALL Fashion Wraps!!

Fashion Wrap FAB: Tabatha Coffey, Nick Verreos and Camille Grammer and Ali Landry: TV Guide Network 2012 Academy Awards Fashion Wrap set

After an absolutely AMAZING Night reporting LIVE about the Fashion from the 84th Annual Academy Awards, we were up and at it again today! No rest for the weary as we had work to do! It was time for our Academy Awards Fashion Wrap and after we had digested all the delicious Gowns from last night, it was time to give our opinions on our HITS and MISSES from the Superbowl of all Awards Shows!

So who did we LOVE and who did we think missed the mark?! Here is a little Teaser to get y'all ready!

Tune in TONIGHT to find out! Check out all the details below:

WHAT: TV GUIDE 2012 Academy Awards Fashion Wrap

WHEN: TONIGHT, February 27, 2012

TIME: premiere airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. Central--Click HERE for all the times.

WHERE: TV GUIDE Network, check your local TV/Cable Listings

** It will also repeat at 10:30pm and again on Tuesday Morning at 10am!!

Red Carpet Report: 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party: Part One!

It's Party Time!!

Lily Collins in Monique Lhuillier: Not your typical ballgown and definitely A LOT of dress for an Oscar Party, but somehow it works on Lily and definitely creates a "brand" for her big movie set to premiere.

Kate Hudson in Atelier Versace: Great color and a fun dress, but somehow Kate makes it look too casual, like she is heading to a beach party. I think it is the hair that kills it for me.

Julie Bowen in Halston: She seems to always make odd dress choices and this is no exception.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad: JLo, of course, had to do an outfit change and continued her "Bombshell" look with a 2nd Zuhair Murad Gown. It's a beautiful color, but not quite as strong a look as what she wore at the Oscars. Maybe she would have done best to switch it up a bit.

Venus and Serena Williams in Christiane King: Christiane is a fellow Project Runway Alum so kudos to her for dresses the sisters, but unfortunately I'm not a big fan of either dress. They look a bit "Happy Hands at Home".

Elizabeth Banks in Chadwick Bell: It's quite a dress and although most will hate it, there is something about the whole look that I actually like. It is unusual and she makes it work. She seems to be a big fan of Polka Dots!

Claire Danes in Valentino: While I love Valentino and love a bright color on the Red Carpet, this entire look is a bit much for me. The color with that very "prom-like" silhouette just is not working.

Cameron Diaz in Victoria Beckham: I wish she would have worn this color to the Oscars! While this might not have been dressy enough for the Academy Awards, if she had picked a custom gown by Calvin Klein in one of these bright neon colors, she would have been one of my best dressed. So glad she changed for the party!

Amy Adams in Vivienne Westwood: Amy usually never goes this sexpot route so this is quite a departure for her. I love the dress, I just don't think it is quite right for her.

Let me know what you think!!

Sheer Magic Of The Evening Sun!

There are certain joys in life that are so irrational. Just like the time when you wake up to find there is still 1 more hour before the alarm goes off or the time when you realize the favorite jeans you had discard months ago magically fit again!!! I found the same joy when I saw this long lost sheer blouse that I had totally forgotten about (dubious thanks to the sometimes scattered brain!) Although it was still cold yesterday, but sunny enough to do justice to this sheer beauty! I don't know if February is still considered "After Labor Day", but I broke out my white cropped pants!! And while I am at it, there is one more rule I am breaking - I am posting more than 3 pictures in my OOTD post! *is it bad to be in-love-with-oneself?*

Blouse - Gift from India

Cropped Pants - LOFT

Shoes - Ann Taylor

Earrings, Bracelet - Forever21

Have a happy Monday everybody!