Thursday, December 18, 2008

RU Cover magazine article..






Above is a magazine article that was written about my participation on Survivor for a bilingual magazine in Houston called, RU. Articles like this are fun and I feel fortunate to have had my experience highlighted like this. All the gruelling time out there has given me many rewards, thankfully, cuz I sure know I didn't do somethin' so crazy and so hard, only to get voted off..ha, ha!

Monday, December 8, 2008

My Brother's SEARS commercial!!


I write this with tears of happiness and pride for what my brother has achieved. The funny thing is, he was ALL that WAY before Project Runway. I will never forget when he called to tell us that he was being considered for the show. That day I got one of those chain emails about making a wish (I know..very a propos for the commercial you just viewed, right?), and I wished for my brother to be chosen for Project Runway. The very next day, while having lunch with our mom, Nick called to give us the good news. I was crying and screaming at a local restaurant, Aldino's, thank God the owner is a good friend. The rest, as they say, is history! A little side note: the sewing machine that my mom gave my brother, belonged to our beloved grandmother, whom we affectionately called "mamayita"...a word that when Nick was a little boy he made up. It is a combination of the word "Mama" and "abuelita." That perfect combination is what our grandmother, Rosina, was to us. Nick, btw, was her absolute favorite so I know she's definitely smiling and, if I know her, had a part in his success as her nickname for him was "Rey" or "King." For the longest time, I thought that was my brother's name..lol.
My brother and I have always stuck together, as a team. I remember dreaming w/him of being the next Versace/Donatella of the fashion world. I'm thrilled that Nick made it all on his own, but he always includes me in his fashion shows and talks about my being one of his "muses," so, if you look closely enough, you'll see me in the commercial..I'm the model to the right of Nick as he takes a quick bow on the runway. See if you can spot me in the full version of the fashion show featured in the commercial, below. Everyone who knows me for the past 20 yrs. know that I ALWAYS wear my brother's gowns. In fact, see the Miss California photos below. The silver gown happens to be a "vintage" gown that was hand sewn by my brother almost 20 years ago!! As you can see, my brother is a genius! The green gown that I modelled in the video below, I wore to the Miss Universe pageant. There's a photo of me in that dress with my brother at the Miss Universe pageant in LA a couple of years ago.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Spokesmodel for KGS bikes


When I first saw the Ads for this bike shop, I was very impressed. The owner of the shop wanted to show/compare the strength/power and elegance of a competetion bicycle, with that of a woman. After a meeting with Kevin Sanders, I was thrilled that he felt I was a "perfect fit" to represent his product. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Kevin. Next, Kevin would like to see if we can do this Ad with myself and Manu Ginobili. Seria maravilloso!

Coaching the Miss California USA 09 Contestants!

We are thrilled with our winners: Carrie Prejean, Miss California 09 and Chelsea Gilligan, Miss Teen California
Mr. Keith Lewis and I met, 5 yrs. ago as co-judges for the Miss Texas USA pageant where the current Miss USA, pictured here with me, was running. She did not win the title of Miss Texas that year, although she was both Keith's and my favorite. After the pageant, we gave her some advice which she has been so kind to recount, that she applied our advice and credits Keith and I, in some way, for helping her ultimately become Miss Texas and then go on to win her current, Miss USA title.

For the 5th year in a row, Mr. Keith Lewis bestowed his faith in my abilities as Walking/Poise Coach for the 2009 Miss California contestants. It was, as it always is for me, an honor and an immense pleasure to work with ALL the girls. I won't elaborate as my dear brother blogged/bragged (:-) about my work: www.nickverrreos.blogspot.com. It was wonderful to meet our new Director, Shana Moakler, who is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. Her whole family, ex-husband, Travis, recovering from the airplane crash burns was there supporting her and helping her with their 3 beautiful children.
It was also a pleasure to meet Chris Judd who was one of our "Teen" Judges. My mother is a HUGE fan of his from his appearance on "I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here," which he won $200,000 for his favorite charity.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Facebook | Rita Verreos

Facebook | Rita Verreos...I can't seem to Add the Video for the below event, so just click here and you can view the photos and video on my Facebook page.:-)

SURVIVOR Dodgeball Tournament 08


Team Aarrgghh!!
For the second year in a row, I was fortunate enough to be invited back to Long Island to participate in one of the BEST SURVIVOR Charity events. Mr. Grant Stanis brings together 50 or so SURVIVORS to help raise money for several charities. Last year, we helped raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes. This year we helped raise funds for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research foundation, in honor of one of our own who is a TRUE Survivor of Breast Cancer, Jennifer Lyons. We had an AMAZING time! A little side note here, as happened to me on the actual SURVIVOR, in real life, for some reason, I am underestimated. Since this is something that I noticed very early on in life, I've learned to use it to my advantage, preferring to work quietly to achieve my goals, whatever they may be...in this case, being the alst person standing on my team...both years in a row!!