Imagine my excitement when Suzanne Broughton, and Marcy Massura, founders of  OC BlogCrush asked me to participate at Style Week Orange County and blog about the event.

Photo of the selected OC BlogCrush team of bloggers, (I’m top row, second from the right, Marcy is next to me with reddish/brown hair, and Suzanne Broughton is next to Marcy Massura.)

Suzanne Broughton and Marcy Massura started OCBlogCrush in 2009 and here they are with the host Nick Verreos

Suzanne, Nick, Marcy

This was my first event and all of us enjoyed a fabulous fashion show with the latest fall fashions and beautiful models with Nick Verreos, former contestant from Project Runway as our host.

Here’s a video of Nick demonstrating the catwalk to one brave guy who tried it out.

In going with the theme of my blog, I could not resist asking Nick,

“What are the  “top 3″ most Gutsy things he’s ever done?”

Below are Nick’s responses, which he took the time to write over the weekend.

1) First on my “Top 3” Most Gutsy things I’ve ever done: After years of studying and getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science/International Relations, from UCLA and even after taking the Foreign Service Exam to go into the State Department’s Foreign Service–I decided to secretly apply to all the top Fashion Colleges and see if I would get accepted (based only on my sketching ability) and they ALL accepted–and that’s when my life took a new turn and I decided “No Should’ve Would’ve Could’ve” and went on to follow my real dream of studying fashion and becoming a Fashion Designer.

(I told Nick that famous photographer Alissa Everett,  whom I hope to interview when she returns from her trip abroad, also turned her passion for photography into her job.)

2) Second on my list of Gutsy Things–was after 10+ years of working for many, many fashion companies and many, many designers–as an Assistant Designer, Pattern Maker, Designer–you name it, I did it–I decided to start my own label NIKOLAKI--along with my partner David Paul, in 2001. Giving up a stable job to start my own company and all the MADNESS and stress that comes along with that–was definitely Gutsy. It could have failed but here we are ten years layer!

 (I told Nick about Chris Guillebeau whom I met at Book Soup in LA, wrote the book, The Art of Non-Conformity, which appeals to all those who are looking to quit their 9-5 “cubicle” job and follow their passion.)

3) Doing Project Runway back in 2005. This followed on my “No Should’ve Would’ve Could’ve” mantra—I already had a successful NIKOLAKI line, had been teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for several years and so why would I want to do Project Runway? Why not? I wanted to reach a wider market and have my gowns and dresses be seen by a larger demographic. And also I just wanted to shut my friends up, who kept insisting “You should TOTALLY do this!”. I never expected to be on the show. I just wanted to say “Look, I did it, I went to the casting…I tried…” Well, the rest is, I guess, “history”. But also a lesson in Being Gutsy!

 Love your mantra Nick, “No Should’ve Would’ve Could’ve”

I’ll add a Fourth for good measure: Buying a House!! All on my own, with my own money–without “mommy and daddy’s help” thank you very much! That was probably one of the GUTSIEST things I’ve ever done! I cannot remember the last time I had such stomach aches and headaches. I think during that time, I lived permanently on Mylanta, Pepto Bismol and Imodium AD! ( I know, sorry, T.M.I.). I would definitely put it as one of the Top Most Gutsiest Things I’ve done in my life so far.

“Congratulations Nick. Look forward to when my own three sons can afford their own houses.“

I apologize for the lack of “I Bungee Jumped from the tallest building in the World!” or “I dived off the rocks in Acapulco”, or “I traveled through Afghanistan and Nepal without my Gucci Loafers”–I’m sure compared to other people’s “Most Gutsiest” things, mine are oh-so boring…but they were Gutsy to me 🙂

Best–

Nick Verreos

The models were gorgeous and with our own VIP lounge,

and the gracious hosting of  StyleWeek OC, with generous gift cards (yes, I was lucky to win one), tons of goodies, a wonderful meal served in a shoe box from NordStrom’s Cafe Bistro.

 Here are more photos of the Nick Verreos, the models, the bloggers and the whole Syle OC Event.

Hope you enjoy the photos of the fashion show and I’ll post a short video of the models and the show on my FB Gutsy Living page.