December Rain in Miami: Post-Despierta America Segment

Not Sunny In Miami: David's Wet Birthday Balcony View: A Sunny View from the Mandarin Oriental Miami

This week, while I was in Seattle, I turned on the news and saw that Miami was a chilly 40 Degrees!!! I couldn't believe it. But then David reminded me of the weather injustice we encountered while we went to that city recently. Last month as some of you may remember, I flew to Miami with my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul. I was there to shoot my second Holiday Segment for Despierta America, the Spanish-speaking "Good Morning America". The segment, in which I showcased great gift ideas for the entire family--from electronics for the Dad to perfumes and jewelry for the Mom and of course, fun toys for the kids--went really well. Regalos Para Todos: Nick Verreos, Despierta America Sears Holiday Gifts TV segment

Usually after I film my TV segments or appearances, I depart for the airport right away. However, the day of this segment was also David's Birthday, so we decided to stay a couple of days in Miami--My gift would be two fabulous SUNNY no-work, days in Miami (or so we thought). While doing my Sears segments, the clients had us at the ultra-luxe Downtown Miami-located Mandarin Oriental, which was AMAZING. But we decided to "re-locate" to the Mondrian to be closer to South Beach and all the shopping.

Our Girlfriend During the Storm: The Mondrian "Children of the Corn"

The day we moved was beautiful and sunny but there were some minor clouds creeping in. All we could think of was "Please keep the rain away!" These were the first two days in a LONG time that both David and I had any "break" and all we wanted to do was fall asleep in the pool chairs.

Birthday Boy On His Throne: David Paul enjoying the Mondrian South Beach Pool Love Seat

After checking in, we went straight to the pool and in the evening, we celebrated David's Birthday at one of our favorite Miami restaurants, Red. No sign of rain, Gracias a Dios, as they say. The next morning, we woke up to a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR!! Yep, and it lasted for the entire time we were there. This was supposed to be our "lay out by the pool all day" time but no, the "Weather Gods" had something else planned. We stayed in the hotel room and watched the nonstop rain from our balcony. In fact we later found out, the rain turned into a Hurricane Warning. Nice.

Rainbow Miami: A brief pause in the rain

David was bummed and so was I, but what could we do. After 12 hrs of sitting in our not-so-cheap room, we decided to don our Top Shop blazers, get the umbrellas and have some chimichurri and empanadas at Baires Grill and take in a movie off of Lincoln Road. We saw the very good--but very depressing Precious. This was David's 2-day Not-So-Sunny-In-Miami Birthday "extravaganza". Remind me next time to check the Weather Channel.Click Below for the video I shot of the Torrential Rains in Miami from our Mondrian Hotel Balcony:

Nick Verreos and Chica Orbit Reunite in Miami for Premios Juventud 2009!

Hot & Steamy in Miami!!!Dirty Mouth? Use Orbit Mist...and make sure to wear NIKOLAKI Couture: Nick Verreos and Raquel Jimenez, the Latina Orbit Gum Girl

As I wrote in a previous post, I had barely unpacked my suitcase since returning to Los Angeles from my two-week trip to Europe, when I had to get right back on a plane. This time, the "Sexiest City in the US" was calling my name. I was invited to fly to Miami to dress and style the Latina Orbit Gum Girl, the gorgeous Raquel Jimenez for the Premios Juventud 2009, or for those Spanish-challenged readers, the "Teen Choice Awards". The Premios Juventud is a show, held annually in Miami, giving props to all the currently hot actors, musical groups and singers in the Hispanic world. Orbit Gum Girl meets Nick Verreos: Premios Juventud 2007 "purple" carpet

Two years ago, I was commissioned to create and design a one-of-kind dress for the Latina Orbit Gum Girl for the 2007 Premios Juventud and in fact, also walk the "red carpet" with her. It was a complete success and Raquel looked Retro-Chic in the white with "Orbit Blue" trimmed 1950's inspired number I made for her--Jackie O-inspired pill box hat and all.
Haute Couture Gum: Chica Orbit, Raquel Jimenez--and her favorite accessory (no, not the priceless Vintage Swarovski pin!)

Before I had left for Europe, the clients had asked me again to design a dress for Chica Orbit--but this time they loved a dress from my Spring 2009 Islands of the World Collection and ordered it. They wanted her to look less "costumey" and more red carpet glamorous. The dress they chose was a turquoise "Orbit Mist" blue silk jersey one-shoulder, draped cocktail dress featuring a vintage Swarovski crystal pin. Because of my crazy schedule and time constraints (the Premios Juventud were two days after I arrived back from Europe!), I flew to Miami to physically bring the dress and all the accessories she would wear with it.Mondrian Miami: The view from my Mondrian Miami Hotel Suite balcony!

The clients put me up at the very sexy Mondrian Miami and I was happy to rest my jet-lagged self in such a sumptuous hotel and especially the lovely suite that awaited me. I was actually just happy to be INSIDE an air-conditioned room and away from the stifling hot and humid 94 degree weather (and this was at 10 o'clock at night!).Children of The Corn--Mondrian Miami Style: The crystal-encrusted life-like painting on the wall of my room (I felt as if she was staring at me the whole time--I wondered if there were secret cameras behind those eyes?)

The room had a great balcony which overlooked the Miami skyline and bay, as well as the infamous "Star Island" (where Gloria Estefan, among others reside). I should have brought my binoculars! The following morning after I arrived, we had a fitting and decided on the jewelry, brooches, and shoes to complete her "NIKOLAKI Orbit Gum Girl 2009" red carpet ensemble and she was "done and done"."Orbit Mist" NIKOLAKI Dress: Raquel Jimenez, overlooking the Miami skyline

Earlier in the week, Raquel had filmed a commercial/vignette with up-and-coming Latin heartthrob-pop star, PeeWee (I know, that's his name, don't ask!) and she was going to be his red carpet "date" for the Premios Juventud 2009. After arriving at the awards show, Raquel went straight to her duties on the carpet with PeeWee and I went inside the theater to my "VIP" box seat that the kind people at Univision and the Orbit Gum clients had reserved. The gorgeous and NIKOLAKI-clad "Chica Orbit" and singer PeeWee at Premios Juventud 2009

We watched in delight as the jumbotron screens at the amphitheater broadcast live the "arrivals". There were A LOT of messes, in terms of fashion, on that carpet--you know my Latinas, they love themselves some mini skirts, crazy ruffles and clear Lucite stripper heels! Raquel really stood out in her glamorous, elegant-yet-sexy ensemble --at least for me. But then again, I am biased.Orbit Amigas: Nick Verreos and Raquel Jimenez "Chica Orbit", pose at the VIP Suite Premios Juventud 2009

I had the best time watching the Premios Juventud from the "VIP" suite and especially enjoyed the great performances from Paulina Rubio, Marc Anthony (sans Jennifer Lopez) and the Spanish group La 5ta Estacion, who stole the show with their amazing duet with Marc. It was a great night for sure and I can't wait to come back to Miami.