SPILL THE JUICY

Shoptopia.com is having a nationwide competition called Project: Style the Next Trendsetter.

I have been chosen as one of the Round 3 Semi-Finalists!

Here's how it works:

There are 5 rounds in total

2 semi-finalists are picked for each round

The 2 semi-finalists then film a commercial about their look.

In order to vote, you have to sign up as a member of shoptopia.com (it's free), and then you simply watch both of the videos and vote for your favorite look.

The semi-finalist with the most votes after two weeks is then chosen, and will go on to compete in the final runway show in October.

Starting August 2 - August 16 make sure to log on to Shoptopia.com and vote for me - Nicole DiCarlo - you can vote once every day!

WITH LOVE ♥

I've decided to start something fun to keep my readers in anticipation before each issue. I will be writing a poem which sums up what's to come the following month.

Here is the Official Sneak Peak for July!

Are you lost?

Then make sure to check out the JULY ISSUE to find out what all this madness is about!

♥withlove

A short personal reflection I like to call "Why Do I?"

...Wait to wax/tweeze my eyebrows until I look like The Wolfman?

...Grind my teeth all the time?

...Like my room to be freezing cold at night?

...Still have a one-piece denim jumpsuit in my closet from High school...as if my child-bearing hips will ever fit back in them. (Not to mention totally not in style at all).

...Hate to wash my makeup off?

...stub one of my toes on a random piece of furniture every day. And if it's not toes its a thigh or hip bone.

...Buy a tanning package and then NEVER GO?

...Forget what I did last week.

...Hate Justin Beiber & Taylor Swift and everyone else seems to love them?

...DID I have a license plate in High School that said "FABULOZ"  - WTF!

...believe in Bigfoot, Chupacabra, the Yeti, and the Lochness Monster?

..Give myself motivational speeches while showering?

...Sleep with all of these pillows?

That's all for now. I'll be back with more pondering questions I have about my life...

Do any of you share the same  or similar weirdness?

Judy Garland once said, "Be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else." I always try to hold true to this quote. I may say that I love the Kardashians, or Jennifer Lopez, or Eva LP, and so on. But I would never imagine not being me to be them. I simply admire them for the women that they are and what they have accomplished in the industry. In light of the creation of spillthejuicy.com, and "spill it!" I decided to create a small list of a few things that make me unique. These are things that no one really knows about me. I am going to continue to do similar posts like this one. Hope you enjoy!

*I have a birth mark on the side of my face in the shape of California. It used to be much darker and much more noticeable than it is now.

*I have an extremely hard time driving at night. The lights are too bright, they distract me and hurt my eyes.

*If someone gave me 6 bags of Dove Chocolates I would eat them all in one day, and not feel guilty about it. Actually, I have never dieted, nor do I ever plan on doing so.

*My poetic writing is much more different than the magazine/column writing. It is darker, you might say Gothic, but not emo or depressing. More like ghosts and demons, with a religious twist.

*I have a love/hate relationship with sharks. I am so intrigued by them, yet they scare me to death. Probably because I saw JAWS at such a young age, which is to this day one of my favorite movies of all time.

*I can carry on a conversation in Italian.

*I eat pasta (buttered noodles / mac & cheese) every day. No lie, every day. Probably since I was eight or younger.

*My brother is my best friend.

*I LOVE what I do - I live for the fine arts, I always have. Writing, singing, acting, dancing, modeling, performing in general. I've done it all, even read at public readings and exhibited original paintings in art shows. I am a dreamer - a bit dramatic in my sense of reality - but hopeful in making something out of myself nonetheless.

That's all for now. I know it's not much, but as I said before, I will continue to do similar posts like this one. Tell me now, what makes you unique?

The perfectly designed patchwork of snake skin print, shaded by faint color splashes of perry winkle purple, teal and yellow - the form fitted dress molded to the hourglass figure of Salma Hayek Pinault, graced the cover of the June issue of Instyle Magazine. So bold, so beautiful, so bizarre.

I'm no longer seeing leopard and zebras (at least not as much). It seems the prints have gone mad - mixing colors, patterns, futuristic bodices. But that's what we want right? Loud, in-your-face pieces? I know I do, and I'd bet some of my fellow amiche Italiane would say the same. If you're one to follow risky fashion trends, you know, one's that cause a scene just by being worn, try these bold abstract print dresses from Forever 21.

Looks a little like a Jackson Pollock exhibit, right? Very innovative, very pop culture indeed.

I came across this company after Kim Kardashian tweeted a pic of her newest blinged-out cell phone cover.

Being the gaudy body that I am, I want everything to sparkle - yes, even the baby wipe travel case (and yes, there is a site for that!)

I was blown away by the unusual and remarkable embellishments done on cell phones, ipods, PSP's, and compact mirrors.

But the flash that really caught my eye was the crystalized tools by UK makeup artist Michael Ashton. The brushes are wrapped in black crystals, and accented with red and silver charms. OMG - GOTTA HAVE THOSE! I think it's such a cool concept that the utencils used to make us beautiful, are infact, glitzy also!

Yeah, they're pretty pricey, but I can guarantee you if I had the cash, they'd be mine. Until then, maybe i'll drop by JoAnn's and experiment some crafting of my own.

My mom and I were shopping in Macy's today and walked past a vending machine for Apple Ipod's & accessories. Cool right? You just swipe your card, choose your purchase, and bam, out comes a high-tech gadget!

I've seen similar things like this in international airports. But wouldn't it be cool if there were vending machines for makeup? Sure, there are times when one is caught saying "man, I really could use a good tune right now!" [sarcasm] and then luckily stumbles across the Ipod vending machine. But I think an even more common dilemma is one for makeup mishaps or quick fixes.

Let's say you have an important interview at the new store in the mall, or you were running late for your flight to LA and forgot your lipgloss. Well, wouldn't a Makeup Vending Machine be "pretty" convenient?

Yes there are other stores & boutiques providing the same products, but not at the ease of inserting a credit card and pushing a button. There would be no lines or unnecessary chitchat.

Just thought it might be a cool, yet functional invention, just like the Rollasoles.

I was browsing the internet, doing a little online "window" shopping. Bad idea #1.

I stumbled upon Bakersshoes.com - my go to shoe heaven. Bad idea #2.

And be still my little heart I could not contain myself! I have a serious shoe addiction and I'm in need of some desperate rehab!

I couldn't contain my excitement seeing all the peep-toed pumps & wedges. Let's first establish that no, I DON'T have the funds to properly feed my raging crave to it's fullest. And even if I did, I still wouldn't have enough closet space!

As I've mentioned before, I always "keep my heels on high!" I can't help it. I Always wear heels...even to baseball games. Yeah, I'm that girl.

I wear them while I hold my baby in his Over-the-Shoulder-Baby-Holder sling. Women say things to me like, "I can't even wear those heels by myself, let alone carrying a baby!" That's just me, I always opt for style over comfort.I even got myself into a bit of trouble 8 months pregnant in the mall - yeah, a huge belly, knee-high black boots & carpet DON'T MIX! Neither does trying to laugh when tears of embarrassment are streaming down your face.

Anyways, since I can't afford these at the moment, I'll steal them and keep them safe here! Hehe. That is if someone wants to help out a girl in withdrawal...donations anyone??

The Rollasoles, an clever invention by Matt Horan of Bristol, debuted in the US in February, 2010.

The Rollasoles - a "rolled-up" pair of shoes conveniently located in vending machines outside of clubs - was Horan's brainchild after carrying his girl home from a club one night. It wasn't because she was wasted...her feet just hurt! How thoughtful!

The $9.95 after-clubbin feet-savers became a hit in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Ibiza, and now the United States.

I've heard of genie in a bottle, but genie-looking shoes in a box?

Strange or not, I think they're a fabulous idea! Have any of you tried them?

Refinery 29 confirms that on July 8, Alice + Olivia will be launching a limited edition collection of products with M.A.C. Designer Stacey Bendet has taken the chic yet girly looks of A+O and compiled a look totally inspired by bright lights & fabric swatch packaging.

The line consists of pigments in silvery turquoise, brilliant white, and vividly intense, deep purple shades.  She's even added complementary turquoise and purple nail polish, her own version of Dazzleglass Crème gloss in fuchsia, yellow, and pale cotton-candy pink.