0 Julia Roberts reflects on evil in 'Mirror Mirror'

LOS ANGELES: Julia Roberts has taken time off from Hollywood of late to focus on her three young children - but admits she enjoys being back on the big screen, as a fairytale villain in her latest movie.

Playing the evil Queen in "Mirror Mirror," a new version of Snow White, marks a departure for the US actress, whose career has included everything from campaigning lawyer to high-class call girl and celebrity love interest.

Directed by Indian filmmaker Tarsem Singh - who made last year's "Immortals" - the movie based on the famous Brothers Grimm children's tale opens in the United States on Friday.

Roberts, who at 44 remains one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, made her name in films including 1990's "Pretty Woman" and "Erin Brockovich" in 2000, and said she never thought she would appear in a fairy tale.

"Just the one sentence pitched over the phone: 'Hey, they're doing this Snow White adaptation,' that didn't grab my attention. I didn't have any interest in this one, really, until Tarsem lured me in his lurid way." she told reporters.

"And I looked at the script and realized that there was really something here."

The film tells the story popularized around the world by Disney, but gives it a different, sometimes comic or even absurd twist, creating a visual universe sometimes closer to "Alice in Wonderland" than the Brothers Grimm.

For Roberts, the film is less about making it different from Disney, but more "changing the tone of it, just giving a different relationship" between the Queen and Snow White, played by young British actress Lily Collins.

"I think people like variations on things," Roberts said.

The "Notting Hill" and, more recently, "Eat Pray Love" star said she liked playing the Queen, Snow White's cruel stepmother. (AFP)

0 Florence + The Machine get "Unplugged" for MTV

NEW YORK: Florence + the Machine kick off MTV's new season of "Unplugged" on April 9 with a show that singer Florence Welch called "amazing" as her powerful voice belted out hit songs like "Dog Days Are Over" in a candlelit room.

The soulful British singer and her backing band taped their "Unplugged" concert in New York's oldest synagogue building back in December to become the first of eight episodes airing across MTV and sister networks Vh1 and CMT. The Civil Wars and Dierks Bentley also are slated to perform during the new season.

MTV debuted its Emmy-winning "Unplugged" series in 1989, and it became an instant hit by taking singers and bands typically associated with big sounding pop music and stripping them down to basic, acoustic instruments and vocals. Over the years, the show has featured performances from popular artists including Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, Nirvana and Jay-Z on intimate, often unconventional stages.

Backed by a 10-person choir, The Voices of Rivers, Welch performed fan favorites such as "Drumming Song" from her group's 2009 debut "Lungs," as well as the single "Never Let Me Go" from her most recent record, "Ceremonials."

Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme joined Welch for a cover of "Jackson," most famously sung by Johnny Cash and June Carter. Welch also covered "Try A Little Tenderness." Kanye West, who attended the taping with fellow rapper Q-Tip, sampled Otis Redding's version of the song on "Watch the Throne," his 2011 album with Jay-Z.

Welch said she was in awe of the former synagogue in which she and the Machine played and where the stage was decorated with dozens of candles.

"I had to stop myself after every song," Welch told Reuters. "I would be like, 'Wow.'

"It was so amazing performing the songs stripped back and just really being able to concentrate on the songs and the emotions," said Welch.

During the show, the soft-spoken singer told the live audience: "This is a real moment for me and to be doing an 'Unplugged' session is amazing."

NOT EASY BEING UNPLUGGED

Van Toffler, president of Viacom's Music and Logo Group, said MTV and its networks carefully select the artists they invite to perform, and self-promotion, even by big-name acts, is no guarantee of a spot on the show.

"We get lobbied by a bunch of artists," said Toffler. "We're quite selective about who ultimately gets to do an 'Unplugged.'"

"Unplugged's" striped-down approach suits the hard-to-classify, Grammy-winning folk duo The Civil Wars, who will appear on Vh1's "Unplugged" in May.

"We're kind of tailor-made for that," said the duo's John Paul White.

"We're already unplugged!" laughed his partner Joy Williams, who will be seven months pregnant when she tapes their episode of "Unplugged" slated for May.

"Growing up with the show, it's a strange full circle thing," said White. "We were talking about how big those 'Unplugged' shows were for us, to see our favorite artists in a different, more humanizing light."

Last year "Unplugged" expanded to include CMT, opening the series to country artists. Dierks Bentley, whose single "Home" is nominated for Song of the Year at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards, will follow The Civil Wars, with an episode of "CMT Unplugged" to air this spring.

"I love breaking my songs back down to their original acoustic foundation," said Bentley. "When I write these songs by myself or with friends, we just use acoustic guitars ... so, it's fun to sometimes go back to just the simple groove and idea you had to begin with."

Toffler believes simplicity and rawness are the keys to "Unplugged's" lasting appeal. "Either you've got the chops in talent or you don't, and 'Unplugged' is not going to hide any blemishes in your capabilities," said Toffler. (Reuters)

0 Studio tour opens up rich world of Harry Potter

LONDON: J.K. Rowling has put down her pen, the films and video games have made a fortune and the actors have moved on, but Harry Potter refuses to go quietly - or at least Warner Bros won't let him.

"The Making of Harry Potter", which opens Saturday, is the latest spin-off from the best-selling books about the boy wizard, promising a chance to re-live his adventures with a trip through the set of the blockbuster movies.

Located in 14,000 square metres of hangar space adjoining Leavesden studios outside London, the walking tour takes visitors through Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, and offers a glimpse of how the magic made it onto the big screen.

Warner Bros hopes to entice 5,000 people through the door each day, with tickets costing #83 ($131, 99 euros) for a family of four, presenting it as a unique, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's most popular characters.

The team who worked on the films "really wanted everybody to be able to see these sets, all these treasures, which had so much British craftsmanship going into them," said Sarah Roots, vice president of Warner Bros Studio Tour London.

For the first time, the tour allows Muggles - non-wizards - the chance to walk down Diagon Alley, the bustling street where Harry and his fellow students go to buy their first magic wands, owls and other school equipment.

About 3,000 wands were made for the eight films, many of them broken by Daniel Radcliffe, the actor who played Harry, who used them as drumsticks during down-time on set.

Further along the tour, fans can experience the imposing dining hall at Hogwarts school, the scene of much of the action.

From the soot-blackened chimney, the stone animals on the walls and the benches polished with use, everything is as it was on screen. A closer look also reveals graffiti drawn on the tables by the films' young actors, with the blessing of producers who wanted to make it as authentic as possible. (AFP)

0 The fairytale life of "Mirror Mirror" star Lily Collins

LOS ANGELES: With her dark eyes, dark hair and pale skin, actress Lily Collins certainly fits the bill to play 'the fairest of them all' in the new retelling of classic Snow White tale in the upcoming film, "Mirror Mirror."

The movie, which comes out on Friday, sees an exiled Snow White teaming with seven rebel dwarfs and one prince (Armie Hammer) to defeat an evil Queen (Julia Roberts), take back her kingdom and restore it to its former glory before Snow White's father died.

Yet the 23-year-old Collins, whose previous acting credits include playing Sandra Bullock's daughter in "The Blind Side" and Taylor Lautner's love interest in "Abduction," learned she had a lot more in common with Snow than just looks.

"I feel like Snow and my experience paralleled a lot during the shoot," Collins told Reuters. "At the beginning of the story, she's very wide-eyed, innocent and unsure of what's happening. I started out very wide-eyed and excited, but unsure of what was going on."

As the "Mirror Mirror" story progresses, Snow White learns to stand up to her evil step-mother and fight for her rights when she becomes part of the dwarves' army.

Collins said she also became a fighter, both emotionally and physically, during the shoot and pre-production as she learned about the acting craft and studied fencing and sword fighting.

Snow White blossoms into a young woman who embraces life and love and believes in herself, leading to a deeper understanding of the world around her.

"I too became more open to living life to the fullest and believing that you can put your mind to doing anything and really accomplish it. I left a very inspired young woman based on what I learned as Snow," Collins said.

SINGER, DANCER, JOURNALIST

Not that Collins needed much inspiration -- in the performing arts, anyway -- because showbiz already runs in her veins. Her father is Grammy and Oscar-winning British musician Phil Collins of Genesis fame. Although the younger Collins was born in the U.K., her parents divorced when she was five, and she moved to Los Angeles with her mother, where she grew up.

In at least one way, "Mirror Mirror" proves that Collins is indeed her father's daughter. A Bollywood-style song and dance sequence during the end credits of the film showcases her singing talents.

"I didn't tell my dad I was singing in the movie because I wanted to shock him by playing him the song," said Collins. "He loved it! He made me replay it a couple times because he didn't believe it was me!"

Although Collins enjoys singing, she is not looking to pursue a career in music, saying that at the moment, "my heart and soul is in acting."

But that wasn't always the case. As a teenager, journalism was her passion. She was published in Elle Girl and Seventeen magazines and in 2008, she worked as a journalist for kids network Nickelodeon, covering the U.S. presidential campaign.

She went on to begin studying broadcast journalism and communication at the University of Southern California, but she had to decide between school and acting when she found herself shooting "The Blind Side" in Atlanta and flying back to L.A. for exams. She has since deferred her schooling but plans on returning.

"That was grueling," said Collins, "but it was worth it because I was able to finish the semester. When I do go back, I want to be there fully and not think about what time I need to be at my next audition."

No matter what happens with school, Collins said she'll always be a journalist even as her acting career grows.

"Journalism is something I've always loved and continue to use everyday," she confessed. "I'm a genuinely interested person. I carry a notebook. I ask questions, and I'm social. In learning about character traits for roles, it's the best way to do research. So I'm still going to be a journalist at heart." (Reuters)

0 Katrina Kaif 'game' for action packed ‘Dhoom 3'

MUMBAI: After dabbling in action in the yet-to-release Ek Tha Tiger with Salman Khan, actress Katrina Kaif will prepare for another action innings, and this time it would be for Dhoom 3.

Not an easy task, but Katrina is game for it. The pretty girl will be seen in a role of a gymnast in the film, and to go by the reports, her action scenes in the film are almost at par with that of her co-star Aamir Khan. Being a stickler for perfection, Katrina Kaif is hell-bent to get it right and thus has hired an international fitness instructor to help her train for Dhoom 3.

Currently the trainer is with her in London, where she is shooting for her film with Shahrukh Khan. She reportedly trains for two hours every day to strengthen her core muscles and increase stamina and agility. She will be training for four months, post which Dhoom 3 goes on the floors.

However, when Katrina returns to Mumbai she has more task cut out for her. Kat’s personal trainer Yasmin Karachiwala has planned a new regime for her. She tells a daily, “Kat needs to get flexible and lean, so when she returns from London, we will change her workout routine…She doesn’t need to look thin, but lean.”

For her last few films Katrina Kaif has gone for immense training and workouts, be it flaunting a flab-less belly in Sheila Ki Jawani, or biking in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Kat achieves what she aspires for.

In Dhoom 3 she will be seen in a fatal action avatar for the first time that too opposite Aamir Khan. What else could excite her fans more?

0 Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU 2012 World Championships Nice France--The Ladies Short Program Costumes

Les Dames...

Ashley Wagner USA: Wagner ranked the highest score of the two Americans competing (poor Miss Alissa Czisny--she's SIXTEENTH!!)--The red sequined dress to her "Pollock" Short Program for this 2011-2012 Season is pretty and expensive-looking. On a (slightly) negative note: it's a bit "Figure Skating Costume 101" and not so Fashion-creative.

Speaking of Alissa...Even though she didn't do so well at the 2012 Nice World Championships, I still LOVE her serenely elegant back silver sequined costume--it's a "throw back" to those simple Vera Wang numbers.

Nice France

The ISU 2012 World Figure Skating Championships are occurring in Nice France and in my last posting, I wrote about the Short Dance Costumes of the Latin-Fabuloso Ice Dancers and now, it's the Ladies' turn...They just did their Short Programs. If you've been a fan and a follower of International Figure Skating Competitions (and my blog here), in terms of costumes, there was nothing really new (the costume changes usually happen with the Ice Dancers) but there was still enough color and fashion worthy of some "Nick Two Cents":

Alena Leonova Russia: Skating to "Sirens" and "Pirates of the Caribbean", Leonova's costume reflected her music perfectly. It's rare to see a "pant's-costume" in International Ladies Figure Skating Competition, so I give her 'Nick Points" for going there. I've seen this costume on her so many times now, that I am just DYING to see something different...like add some Swarovski crystals to that vest!!!! Or at least begin with a big ol' Pirate hat and then swoosh it off into the audience when you begin...something!

Kanako Murakami Japan: The top Japanese skater (so far after the Short Program), Murakami skated to "Violin Partita No. 2" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Her swirly lilac sequined costume is OK--nothing too "Japanese Vogue Magazine"-fashion earthshaking...but just OK. I'd like to see something more modern and fashion-forward, especially when skating to such classical music.

Carolina Kostner Italy: in Third Place after the Short Program Results, Miss Kostner wears this neon green and sequined number for her "Allegretto From Trio. No. 2" skate. Love the bright color and asymmetry of the style lines. However, I want to see more Cavalli or Dolce & Gabbana and less Torino Italia Skating Store .

Mao Asada Japan: Skating to "Scheherazade", Asada wore this baby blue costume with tassels, gold trim, embroidery and diamante crystal details...I have to say, that I miss this Pantaloon costume which she wore for the NHK Grand Prix back in November 2011:

I like this costume much better. It's daring. Fits the music, theme, and stands out far more--in a better way--than the baby blue number.

Sarah Hecken of Germany: I'll give you one guess as to what music she is skating to in this red and black with tassels and rose applique costume....If you thought "Carmen" by Bizet, well, you were wrong. It was to "Malaguena" by Ernesto Lecuona. It looks very much like a Spanish mantilla and therefore, I like it!

Ksenia Makarova Russia: To her Short Program of "Maria and the Violin's String", Makarova wore a powder blue costume with delicate crystal beading that is both modern and elegant. I like its simplicity and lack of "Toddlers & Tiara's" details. She gets an "A" in my Figure Skating Costume Book! Although she gets a big deduction for that one nude illusion glove! Maybe she hurt herself and it is a wrist brace and she decided to add some Swarovski Crystals?! If that is the case, then she is back up to an "A"!

Valentina Marchei Italy: Skating to "Johnny's Mambo" , her red-and-silver costume strikes me as something one would see from the Ice Dancers. And this is why I'm a fan! It's both tacky and Fab--at the same time. Love the torso sequin detail and then the skirt is all "Fire-and-Ice" with it's "shredded" fabric. The thing that throws me off is the "look at my crotch" applique in the center front of the skirt... Valentina, we might not want to focus there!!!

0 Figure Skating Fashion Minute: ISU 2012 World Championships of Figure Skating --Ice Dance Highlights!

Bonjour Nice!

Oh Canada: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir in their Short Dance Costumes, 2012 ISU World Figure Skating Championships Nice France

Hello Figure Skating aficionados--as well as KRAZEE Figure Skating Costumes fans: It's time for some more Figure Skating Costumes Fashion Fun...

The ISU 2012 World Figure Skating Championships are happening (March 26-April 1) as I BLOG, in (of all places) sunny and beach-y--and very A-List and expensive--Nice France:

And, before any of y'all think I flew out there to see these Championships and partake in South-of-France Resort vacation....not so mucheyyyy, I am still in LA living vicariously through the costumes clad skaters at these Championships! But you know who is there:

Princess Caroline of Hanover, her daughter Alexandra (in peach-colored skirt and striped blue-black top) and three-time World Championship silver medalist Surya Bonaly--yes, MISS Surya "back-flip" Bonaly (as well as Olympic Champion French-Russian Ice Dancer Marina Anissina with bright orange-red hair). Miss Surya donned a powder-blue suit with a two-sizes too big cropped jacket (why are those sleeves so, umm, big???). Her suit looks very Chanel Vintage 1984--and not in a good Vintage Chanel way. On a good note: very Pan Am Flight Attendant Chic! Naturally Princess Caroline in her navy pea coat, striped dress shirt, and BIG Ol' purse, looked FAB!

So let's get started on one of my favorite fashion topics: the Ice Dance Costumes--Short Dance Highlights:

Virtue and Moir Canada: Canada's "Golden Dance Couple", Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, did their "thang" during the Short Dance to "Hip Hip Chin Chin", "Temptation" and "Mujer Latina" (it's a Latin Dance Theme this 2011-2012 Season, in case you were out of the loop, kids!). Even though I am NOT a fan of the Ice Dance (and Pairs) Men just wearing an all-black look, Scott does look HOT! Tessa's raspberry-colored and sequined halter and strappy styled dress (which she debuted at Four Continents) is a bit on the "Happy Hands at Home" for me and well, not Latina Sophisticated enough. Just my "Figure Skating Costume" two cents...

Davis and White USA: I've said this before and I'll say it again: LOVE THEM!!! I've discussed these costumes before so I won't take BLOG time here so you'll just have to read my reviews HERE.

Weaver and Poje Canada: I just can't get enough of these two! I don't know what animal prints have to do with their "Historia de un Amor" and "Batacuda" Samba and Rhumba music, but heck...I don't care! Love her fringed zebra black-and-gold printed dress and his asymmetrically bedazzled jumpsuit. These two belong together, and look like a perfectly-costumed Ice Dance team. And that's it!

Pechalat and Bourzat France: Their Short Dance musical theme was "Carnival in Rio". I liked her sequined blue, silver and neon apple green dress, even though, yes, it's a bit on the "Huneeeyyyy, you've had a few too many Cointreau's!" Fabian Bourzat's look is too disheveled. I abhor the un-tucked shirt look (even OUT on the ICE!) and here, he looks like it's 4am and he cannot find his way home from his late-night "Cirque du Soleil" stint.

Hurtado and Diaz Spain: They are currently EIGHTEENTH on the official ISU Results after their Short Dance. For their Short Dance, they skated to Brazilian Sergio Mendes' "Mas que Nada" and "Magalenha" and yes, I have high Costume Hopes for these Spaniards. For one, they are already LATINO!!! And they brought it...in terms of color.

I love the peach and neon apple green colors of Sara Hurtado's crystal-encrusted halter dress. But it is a bit on the "Toddlers & Tiaras" side (the center front bust bandeau piece is SO unnecessary and costume low-rent). I did like that her partner Adrià Diaz, did not do an all-black look but matched her.

Ilinykh and Katsalapov Russia: For their Latin-inspired Short Dance, they skated to "Hip Hip Chin Chin", "Mas que Nada" and "Mujer Latina"--almost the same as Canada's Virtue and Moir. But their costumes couldn't be more opposite.

Elena is Supermodel beautiful and she showed off her flawless body in this black asymmetrical open side-back dress. She looked AMAZING! And love that sleek chignon BTW! Nikita: well, you know what I think of those all-black men's costumes. I'll give him some "Nick Points" for the plunging deep-V neck shirt.

Shibutani and Shibutani USA: Brother and sister Ice Dance team Maia and Alex Shibutani changed their Short Dance Costumes for this season's ISU 2012 World Figure Skating Championships (well, Maia did!). To their "Batucada", "Skip to the Bip" and "Jazz Machine" Short Dance for this Nice World Championship, Maia donned a violet-colored costume featuring a sweetheart neckline with gold coin-and-sequined detail. It was a change from this:

What she wore at the 2012 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships last month in Colorado (above photo). Same color, different style. I like the Nice France version better. Good Costume Change Maia!

Stay tuned for more "Nick Figure Skating Costume Two Cents"!!!

0 Oscar-winning 'Titanic' 3D launched

LONDON: "Titanic" director James Cameron hit the red carpet in London on Tuesday for the launch of the Oscar-winning film's 3D version, as the 100th anniversary of the legendary ship's sinking approaches.

The US filmmaker jetted into the British capital fresh from his seven-mile (11.2 kilometre) submarine dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the ocean's deepest point.

He was joined on the red carpet by the film's British star Kate Winslet and US actor Billy Zane for the premiere at the Royal Albert Hall.

"The 3D enriches all of Titanic's most thrilling moments and its most emotional moments," Cameron said on the red carpet.

"More than ever, you feel you're right there going through all the jeopardy that Jack and Rose go through," he added, referring to the film's two main characters, played by Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Cameron dived the wreck 12 times before filming the original, saying it "had a huge impact" on the end result.

"We shot the real wreck -- we didn't just build models of it," he explained.

He said he had told set-builders: "It's got to be exactly like you went back in a time machine and you were on the deck of the Titanic."

The director of smash-hit sci-fi adventure "Avatar" completed his dive of the Mariana Trench, about 200 miles southwest of the Pacific island of Guam, on Sunday morning local time, and revealed it had given him fresh inspiration.

In "Titanic", Winslet played socialite Rose DeWitt Bukater alongside DiCaprio as male lead Jack Dawson, in a dramatisation of the real-life maritime disaster that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

The biggest, most ambitious ship of the age hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Southampton to New York, sinking on April 15, 1912.

The new release comes 15 years after the original. The film entered into movie history when it picked up 11 Oscars.

"It is a long time ago and it also feels like yesterday," Winslet told. "It completely changed my life and it gave me the opportunity to make creative choices.

"It's really great to celebrate it all over again. It's a very different experience, you really do feel as though you're on the boat, the water rushing round you," she added.

The Oscar-winning actress admitted that viewing her younger self would be "weird".

"It is like being forced to go through a photo album of your former self for three and a half hours solidly.

"I haven't seen the whole film in a very long time, I've seen little pieces of it, but it's a whole different me and we look much younger and our acting was different, hopefully not as good as now."

DiCaprio had been unable to attend the event because of work commitments, Winslet said. (AFP)

0 'Titanic' director dives to Pacific's deepest point

WASHINGTON: "Titanic" director James Cameron has safely returned to the ocean surface after a solo submarine dive to the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, expedition organizers said Monday.

"Jim Cameron has surfaced! Congrats to him on his historic solo dive to the ocean's deepest point," said a Twitter message from Deep Sea Challenge, which organized the dive.

Cameron is the first person to make a solo dive to the Pacific Ocean valley known as the Challenger Deep, southwest of Guam. And the last dive of any kind there was a relatively brief two-person team back in 1960.

After a faster-than-expected, roughly 70-minute ascent, Cameron's sub, bobbing in the open ocean, was spotted by helicopter and was expected to soon be plucked from the Pacific by a research ship's crane, organizers said.

Mission partner the National Geographic said Cameron had reached a depth of 35,756 feet (10,898 meters) at 7:52 am Monday (2152 GMT Sunday) in the Mariana Trench in his specially designed submersible.

Because of its extreme depth, the Mariana Trench is cloaked in perpetual darkness and the temperature is just a few degrees above freezing, according to members of the team.

The water pressure at the bottom of the trench is a crushing eight tons per square inch -- or about a thousand times the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level.

Pressure increases with depth.

Cameron spent several hours on the Pacific Ocean sea floor, collecting samples for scientific research and taking still photographs and moving images.

His goal was to bring back data and specimens from the unexplored territory. He is expected to announce the results of the experiment later.

The tools taken by the explorer to the ocean floor included a sediment sampler, a robotic claw, a "slurp gun" for sucking up small sea creatures for study at the surface, and temperature, salinity, and pressure gauges.

Now "the science team is getting ready for the returned samples," expedition astrobiologist Kevin Hand from NASA said in an email.

Upon touchdown, Cameron's first target was a phone booth-like unmanned "lander" dropped into the trench hours before his dive.

The submersible that Cameron designed, a "vertical torpedo" of sorts, had already successfully completed an unpiloted dive on Friday.

In 1960, a two-person crew aboard the US Navy submersible Trieste -- the only humans to have reached Challenger Deep -- spent just 20 minutes on the bottom, but their view was obscured by silt stirred up when they landed.

Retired US Navy Captain Don Walsh, who descended to Challenger Deep in 1960, said he was pleased to hear that Cameron had reached the underwater valley safely.

"That was a grand moment, to welcome him to the club," Walsh said in a statement from the support ship.

Cameron, 57, has been running several miles a day, practicing yoga to increase his flexibility for the dive in the sub's cramped quarters and studying deep-ocean science, expedition physician Joe MacInnis told National Geographic News.

MacInnis is a member of the DeepSea Challenge project, a partnership with the National Geographic Society and Rolex.

Cameron already has 72 dives under his belt, including 12 to film the blockbuster "Titanic."

The Mariana Trench is located in the western Pacific east of the Philippines and some 124 miles (200 kilometers) east of the Mariana Islands.

The crescent-shaped scar in the Earth's crust measures more than 1,500 miles (2,550 kilometers) long and 43 miles (69 kilometers) wide on average. (AFP)

0 Nick Appearance Minute: Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's Fashion Challenge at Miami International Mall in Miami THIS Saturday!

Miami Fabulosas!!!

Nick Stylista: Nick Verreos to host Macy's "Find Your Magic: Fashion Challenge" Event at Miami International Mall

I'm so excited to announce that I will be flying to one of my MOST FAVORITE CITIES in the U.S.A., Miami, to host one of my fun-and-fabulous Macy's events. For several years now, I've been happy--and very humbled--to be asked by Macy's to host these great in-store Fashion events. Almost two years ago, I had such a BLAST hosting a Macy's Fashion's Night Out event in Miami. So yes Miami....I am BAAACK!!!!

This coming Saturday--March 31st--I am hosting a fun "Find Your Magic: Fashion Challenge" event at Miami's International Mall located in Miami (naturalmente) and only 7 miles from the Miami International Airport.

I will pick select customers from the audience for a Fashion Face-Off!! Those audience members will then be styling models for different scenarios (like "What to Wear for a Job Interview" or "What to Wear for a Girls-Night-Out"). Then, the audience will help in choosing the winning Stylista. The lucky winner will win a $100 Macy's Gift Card!!!

During the event, I will also share my fashion "Nick Do’s and Dont's" and tips for Spring 2012 fashion. And Si kids, I will be doing it en español for my Latino audience (well, I might sprinkle some English here and there of course!!). There will also be makeup artists from Estee Lauder on hand giving free consultations.

So...if you live in the Miami area...you better come out and see me, get some "Nick Style Tips", have a chance to win some Macy's Gift Cards, and yes, I am bringing my Camera, so...you will also have chance to end up on my "Nick Blog Recap" here next week!!!

WHAT: Nick Verreos Hosts Macy's "Find Your Magic: Fashion Challenge"

WHERE: Macy's , Miami International Mall West Dade,
1455 NW 107th Avenue Miami, FL 33172

WHEN: Saturday March 31, 2012 , 3 p.m.

RSVP:You can RSVP HERE or just come!! For More Information, call 305-594-6300

0 Nick Appearance Minute: Nick Verreos "Healthy U" Appearance--The Blog Recap!

Northwest Indiana Style Love...

Hello Fabulous: Nick Verreos poses with attendees of "Healthy U " Merrillville Indiana The Avalon Manor

This past weekend, I flew to Northwest Indiana for an appearance at the Creative Solutionz First Annual Healthy U in Merrillville Indiana. In addition to my appearance, I was giving a lecture entitled "Me, My Shape & I", a presentation about how to dress for different body types and what shapes, styles and fashions work best. To get there from Los Angeles--my home--well, I had to fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

I knew it was going to be a good flight when, at LAX, I saw that my Virgin America aircraft was titled "Runway Angel"---Love it!

VIP Pick Up: Nick Verreos, the stretch white limo...and Owen Johnson, Five Star Limousine Service driver

I finally arrived--the night before my event--and a fabulously long white stretch limousine from Five Star Limousine Service picked me up and then took me to Merrillville Indiana, about an hour and half from Chicago. I felt very VIP!! Owen, my driver was so much fun and made the ride feel like it was only 15 minutes--The Best!!

Upon arriving at the Radisson Hotel at the Star Plaza in Merrillville, I walked in and saw this AMAZING indoor pool (with waterfall!) and kids swimming in it (it must have been 10PM!) and I made a mental note: next time BRING a SWIMSUIT!!!!

The following day I was ready for my appearance and Style Seminar!! I arrived at the Avalon Manor--site of the First Annual Healthy U Expo--and I was immediately greeted by "Nick fans" (didn't realize I had any!) and the entire staff...

Healthy U Welcome: Nick Verreos and the "Healthy U" staff

Including Lourdes Castellanos, President and Organizer of the event as well as her daughter and son, Amanda and Nicolas Martinez...even her Mommie was there to say "Welcome!". Before my lecture, I had some time for some special photo-op's with those aforementioned "Nick Fans":

Indiana Cute: Nick Verreos at First Annual Healthy U Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor with Kathleen Quilligan (right) and Rachel Lieske (left)

Indiana Fashionistas: Nick Verreos with Jenn Denny and Autumn Bird-Dexter, First Annual Healthy U Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor

Fab Potions: Nick Verreos at the Freda's Potions section--Healthy U Expo, Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor

Besides all the various vendors present (and there were many!), I was so excited when I saw Freda's Potions -- I just love their Sea Salt Scrubs! There's nothing more that I LOVE than a good Body Scrub huney! (OK, maybe that and some Vuitton luggage and Gucci boots). But soon, it was time for me to be onstage and do my Lecturin' and Power Point duties:

Nick Verreos on stage, First Annual Healthy U Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor

I gave an hour+ long lecture entitled "Me, My Shape & I" about fashion and styles for different body types and essentially what works best for both the ladies--and men! I am not just tootin' my own horn but...the audience LOVED it!!! (or so they told me later!). I could just see--as my seminar was happening how the audience's faces were having those Style "Ah Ha" moments.

Right after my seminar, I asked if the attendees would pose with me...and then I got on top of a chair and posed--See photo above...

Nick Verreos and Healthy U attendee (with his own custom-designed vest!) First Annual Healthy U Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor

Cinch It Huney: Nick Verreos Meet-and-Greet Post-Lecture, First Annual Healthy U Merrillville Indiana, Avalon Manor

Red Carpet Goodbye--Indiana Style: Nick Verreos and Owen Johnson of Five Star Limousine Service

I had an absolute blast doing my lecture and educating the audience on style, fashion and what
styles would work best for their body types. The special meet-and-greet afterward was especially wonderful because I was able to give one-on-one advice to the attendees. Soon, it was time for me to catch my "VIP" ride back to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport and head back home to Los Angeles...A special Thank You to Eddie Castellanos, my "handler" (he he!) and photographer--but more importantly...
Thank You Northwest Indiana and thank you Healthy U for having me!!! Until next time, Stay Fabulous and Fashionable!!

0 Red Carpet Minute: Actress Tracey Gold wears NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul to 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards NYC

Actress Tracey Gold in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, 2012 GLAAD Media Awards NYC

Last night, the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards kicked off in New York City with a gala event hosted by "Glee" stars Naya Rivera and Corey Monteith at the New York Marriott Marquis. The GLAAD Media Awards celebrate and recognize the best of the best in LGBT-inclusive journalism, film, music, television, and more.

Awards were handed out in a number of categories including Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage, won by The Advocate/Out, Outstanding Music Artist, won by Lady Gaga for her album "Born This Way" and Outstanding Talk Show Episode, won by "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for the episode "Coming Out on the Oprah Show: 25 Years of Unforgettable Guests."

Sexy Back: Actress Tracey Gold in NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul, 2012 GLAAD Media Awards NYC

NIKOLAKI Spring 2012 bias-cut sequined cowl-back dress

I was so excited top find out that actress Tracey Gold (who of course we all know from the hit sitcom "Growing Pains") wore one of my NIKOLAKI Collection designs to attend and present at last night's 2012 GLAAD Awards NYC. Last week, she came by my Atelier/Studio and tried on several dresses and well, we all decided on this one for it's shiny-shiny "Disco-Fab" effect. I just thought it was ideal for an event like the GLAAD Media Awards. It's a silver-and-gold sequined bias-cut dress featuring three-quarter sleeves, a high bateau neckline and sexy deep cowl back. I think she looked hot, hot, hot!!!

Tracey Gold presented along with Carson Kressley (both seen above)--who accepted the "Outstanding Reality Program" award for winner "Dancing With The Stars" at last night's GLAAD Media Awards NYC. Gold, made the news not too long ago, after opposing her "Growing Pains" co-star Kirk Cameron's anti-gay comments. You Go Girl!!