As I type, I am in my hotel room in Orlando, Florida for my second stop of my Windsor Fashions Appearance mini tour. I will be at The Florida Mall Windsor Store making an appearance from noon-2 PM today , March 17Th. If you happen to be in the "neighborhood", please stop by , say "Hi" and take a look at my dresses!Last weekend, I began my "Prom Dress Tour of the United States" for my just-released "Nick Verreos for Windsor Fashions" mini prom dress line. First stop was Chicago. I made two appearances in the "Windy City", one at the Chicago Ridge Mall, the other at the Windsor's Lombard location. This was my third time in Chicago (I was there for "Project Runway Season 3" casting/judging and for an ALMA Fashion Show Fundraiser Event) and I was excited to return and enjoy the sights and tastes of this fabulous city.
Three things I noticed about Chicago this time around:
1) Lots of Toll freeways!!(we spent over $10 in 2 days!);
2) Lots of condos, and
3) Some of the most expensive parking lots in the US!
On our way to the first location, David and I got lost and ended up in some forest with a frozen lake! I am not even kidding. After calling Mayra, the lovely--and helpful--manager of the Chicago Ridge store, we were re-routed to the correct destination (Note to self: Get the GPS Navigator option whenever renting a car!) Mayra had warned me to "hurry up" because of the line of people that had been waiting to meet me for over an hour! I hugged and greeted many moms and their daughters who had come to the Windsor store, to check out the line, plus to get a hug from "Uncle Nick". One mom even brought her "Project Runway My Scene Barbie" for me to sign. There was a raffle in which we gave away a free "Nick Verreos Windsor dress", which was won by the beautiful (and perfect size 3) Molly , shown here wearing one of the most popular styles, "The Justina". The gorgeous crew of the "Windsor gals" at the Chicago Ridge Mall store were the BEST! Not only were they all "working it" with their outfits, but they were the sweetest, most professional, most accommodating bunch of young ladies. Mayra and her girls ROCK!!!!
The next appearance at the Lombard location was just as fun. Not so many people came out but the ones who did got 110 % of me!!! There was a St. Patrick's Day Parade occurring that Sunday, which was where most people were. Nevertheless, I was just happy to see anyone who stopped by and wanted a photo, an autograph, and hopefully try on one of my dresses! Again, the Windsor gals at this store also were "working" their ensembles, with matching necklaces and earrings and shoes!
While in Chicago, we had one of the best dinners at WILDFIRE Restaurant , in the Oakbrook Center. Casey, the restaurant's manager,is my new BOYFRIEND!!!! I know that if he reads this ,he will be so teased by his buddies , the staff of the restaurant, plus half of Chicago population who might know him BUT, Casey and his staff were extraordinarily gracious, helpful and treated us like Chicago royalty! He even brought us a delicious lunch THE NEXT DAY, at my second appearance! That's when I almost proposed to have him move in with me!Subsequently, I ended my weekend in Chicago hanging out with my friend Drew, a stylist, who took us to several places on Halstead Street, plus the JBar at the stylish James Hotel in Downtown Chicago. Thanks Drew!