Chat Live With Nicole Katherine on Thursday Dec 6, 2011

Hello everyone!
I will be available for a live chat on FACEBOOK Thursday, Dec 6th at 7pm PST until 8pm PST.

To limit the chaos I will be taking chat requests on a first come first serve basis. I will be available for one hour and will spend about 5 minutes with each person answering any questions on my business, the fashion industry, being a career mom, product questions, praises about the line, complaints about the line etc. Or if you had a bad day and need to vent, feel free!!! Please limit your personal inquiries as I'm a very private person and not likely to answer them :)

Looking forward to getting to know some of you!!!

Fun at Mooneyes Xmas Party Dec 10, 2011

Hey ladies!
Nicole Katherine Designs will be partnering up with Valerie's Boulevard (from Whittier, CA) for a little promotion and give away at Mooneyes Xmas Party on December 10, 2011.

So here's how it goes...

We will be giving away 10 goodie bags. 9 of these goodie bags will be full of accessories, candy, a $50 gift certificate toward your purchase at Nicole Katherine Designs and a gift certificate for Valerie's Boulevard. The 10th goodie bag will have all of the goodies above except that $50 gift certificate will be replaced with a gift certificate for ONE FREE DRESS OR PAIR OF JEANS from Nicole Katherine. You can use these gift certificates at the booth, redeem them at Valerie's Boulevard in Whittier or redeem your Nicole Katherine gift certificate online at http://www.nicolekatherine.com.

BUT!!! We will not be giving these gift bags out to just anyone!

In order to qualify for a goodie bag you must wear something pink... either a pink shirt, jacket, skirt, dress, pants/capris, sweater, etc. You get what we're saying. Pink accessories won't count (scarf, hat, flower, socks, shoes, hairbows) It must be a very noticeable article of clothing.

Then, the first 10 ladies to arrive to the booth wearing a pink article of clothing will receive a gift bag!

There's no age limit on this contest. It is open for all you ladies that want to receive some fabulous prizes! Good luck and see you all at Mooneyes!

Cyber Monday Sale! Last sale of the year

We have our last sale of the year going on right now on our new website! You can get there by going to nicolekatherine.com or nicolekatherine.net.

Select items are 50% off. No coupon code needed... Just go to our revamped shop and make your purchases. We have some new delectable items for winter... new jeans, trousers, jackets and blouses.

To make things even better with our revamped site, we've upgraded our shopping cart. If you do not have, nor want, a PayPal account, credit cards are accepted without one :) You can subscribe to updates, follow us on Twitter or Facebook, or register for an online account.

Wrapping Up a Fabulous Year!

This single career mom has so much to give thanks for as this year ends in just over a month!

If you haven't been keeping up with the world of Nicole Katherine on Facebook, I will give you a quick rundown of this year's events...

While the year started off as any other with new customers, stores, typical production drama, etc... I was thrown into a whirlwind of projects starting in February as I prepared for the annual Viva Las Vegas Fashion Show (see my other blogs for videos). Shortly after VLV, I began my new adventure as a costumer for Director Kelly Rigg's pitch trailer for her upcoming film Light Masters featuring Seth Green (see the trailer below). Jumping into the film industry has been a dream come true and opened many new doors for me as a designer.

A few months after helping with the pitch trailer for Light Masters, producer John Papapavlos asked me to assist with wardrobe for his live production/tv trailer "Fairyland." Again, this was another amazing opportunity, and a challenge, as I assisted Wardrobe Supervisor Sarah Wachel with quick actor's costume changes between live sets. Talk about pressure! At one point I found my sewing skills put to the test as I had less than a minute to stitch up a tear in one of Mara Marini's costumes before she had to run back on stage. Although, I'm not certain if I'm gifted as a wardrobe girl, I do love costuming and am proud to report that I will be doing more costume work starting mid-December. An incredible way to end 2011... the independent film will mostly feature pieces from my line, Nicole Katherine Designs.

I would really love to go on and on about my year, and make this blog more eloquent, but the demands of my 3 year old angel is calling me away to the land of Thomas And Friends. Perhaps my biggest challenge is that of balancing my designer career and single mom career... especially as I find myself retyping this article after my little one has driven his train across the keyboard.

Casting Call for Northwest Models

Nicole Katherine Designs has decided to hold the photoshoot for her Holiday line in the Missoula Montana area!

We are currently doing a casting call for northwest based models.

Model compensation will include store credit with Nicole Katherine Designs. If you do not live in the Missoula, Montana area and you want to apply for this opportunity, please note we do not cover travel or boarding expenses. For more details please send an email to bettybuccaneer@yahoo.com to inquire.

When applying for this opportunity please include the following...

1. Brief biography about yourself
2. Previous modeling experience
3. Measurements including height, bust, waist and hips
4. Availability during the month of October
5. One headshot and one full bodyshot. No nude photos PLEASE!
6. You must be over the age of 18, so please include your age.

Again, please send all information to bettybuccaneer@yahoo.com. Any applicants that do not carefully follow all application requirements will be disregarded.

Thank you!
Nicole Katherine

Nicole Katherine's lovely clearance items

Have you been to http://nicolekatherine.etsy.com recently?

We've posted some fabulous clearance items this past week! These include both standard and plus size items.

Have a look at our plus size tropical dress on clearance for $85.00! What a steal.

Take an additional 20% off of your Nicole Katherine Designs purchase when you enter code SU12NKD at check out.

This is a great opportunity to build up your pinup wardrobe :)

Nicole Katherine's Etsy Boutique

Muddy Roots Music Fest Pinup Contest

Nicole Katherine Designs is a proud sponsor of the Muddy Roots Music Fest!

We will be donating some fabulous prizes to the winner and runners up including apparel, accessories and other amazing goodies.

For more information on the Muddy Roots Music Festival please go to The Muddy Roots Music Festival website.

FMI, Sponsor of Nicole Katherine Designs Featuring the Music of Craic Haus

Missed out on seeing Nicole Katherine Designs in the VLV 14 fashion show? Check out this short video clip of our sponsor Fantastic Musical Instruments, featuring the music of Craic Haus.

Rest in Peace My Friend...

Last Saturday morning, June 18th 2011, I remember hearing Patty crying on the other end of the phone as she told Jorge the devastating news. Omar had passed away that morning. I felt a mix of anger, sadness, confusion and a strange sense of peace knowing that Omar was in a better place with the Lord.

For those of you that don't know about Patty and Omar, let me tell you, they're two of the most giving, loving and supportive people I've ever met in my life. Since I first met these two a few years ago, I've always known them to be attached at the hip. Not only were they a married couple, they're best friends. To have one, you always get the other. Omar always tagged along with Patty and I while running errands for our businesses (they own the accessory company Cherry and Olive), or just with us to go out and have a good time. They both always bring a smile to my face and know how to brighten a person's day.

Omar was a great man, full of smiles and always offering a hand. He had so much love for Patty, his friends and family, and always wanted to do what he could to take care of everyone. I remember staying at their house a few months ago when I moved back to LA. I got a kick out of the way he would dote on me and make certain I was ok, even packing a sack lunch for me one night when I had to go on a freelance job the next day. All I could think of was how lucky Patty was to have such a great man in her life. These two truly get what love is, and have experienced it in it's fullest form.

Not everyone gets to experience the blessing of love on the same level that Patty and Omar have. The reason for this is because not everyone makes the effort to know and experience love like them. They opened my eyes to this. Love isn't something you receive out of luck because you've met your soulmate, love is so much more than an emotion. Love is a decision and an action. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, it always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." To me, Patty and Omar got this, whether knowingly or not. And they are the perfect example for this.

So, here's the reality... we're all going to go someday. It could be years from now, next week, tomorrow or within the next hour. We never know when it's our time or our loved ones. All we can do is be the best we can for each other knowing that we made life as full and beautiful as possible for those we care about in the short time we have on earth. It's not easy, sometimes even those we love the most make us want to scream in frustration, we're all human. But, it's not so much the little moments that matter, but the big picture and what we've done for each other that have an overall impact.

I wish I could articulate myself more eloquently on this subject, and possibly make more sense. But all the thoughts I have racing through my head on this subject are so numerous it would make a novel. This is the best I can do. But, I'd like to add how inspirational of a person Patty has been throughout this whole thing. Her grace and outlook on life as she deals with her loss are incredible. I've grown to love and appreciate her so much more.

Benefit show for Omar "Topo" Cordova

Time: Monday at 9:00pm - Tuesday at 12:00am

Location: Spikes Bar Rosemead Ca 626-674-4665
7813 Garvey Ave.
Rosemead, California

Please join us and help celebrate the life of an amazing person, Omar "Topo" Cordova. Special thanks to the following bands, of caring and giving individuals, who will be donating their time: Pachuco Jose y Los Diamantes, Rhythm Rockets, The Sugar Daddys and Matamoska. Thank you all for your support

In addition to this outstanding musical line up, there will be raffles thru-out the night to help the family with their unexpected expenses. If you can't make the event, Donations of any amounts can also be made to Patty Cordova via paypal (pattyc@cherryandolive.com)

____________________________________________________________________________

Nicole Katherine Designs will be donating our Gwen dress for this cause. All sizes will be available to the winner of this fabulous piece at the time of the event. Please come by and show your support :)

Nicole Katherine Designs "Jivin' Jumper" Super Cute!

Quickly becoming a new best seller, the jivin jumper! Made of an airy cotton, this cute little black and white polka dot ensemble is wide leggged, with adjustable straps, and buttons in the back creating a two piece effect from behind llike our Polly playsuit. Affordable, beautiful and a unique piece for your summer wardrobe. Wear it with a blouse in cooler months... so versatile!

Purchase yours from www.nicolekatherine.com

New dates for Women of the Military Contest

If you didn't catch the updates on facebook, here you are...

We've extended the deadline for the Women of the Military blog contest. Tomorrow, June 6th 2011 is your last day to enter your submissions. After that, we'll have all the blogs posted for your commentary. The winner will be announced on June 14th, 2011.

We're very excited to honor one of these lovely women with a new dress and gift bag of donations from our sponsors. We feel that they make such a sacrifice for this country that it's nice to give something back to them.

Happy June everyone! :)

Women of the Military contest... Meet Alysha Anderson!

Hello! My name is Alysha Anderson, And I am a PROUD army wife. My Husbands name is Paul Anderson and he is a Staff Sergeant for the 1-79th Mortars Platoon. He is Currently in the middle of training for a deployment to Afghanistan this summer.
Paul proudly serves our country and love's his job. He joined in 1998, and this will be his 6th deployment. Paul is my whole world, He is the best husband a Girl could ever ask for. I knew he was going to be my husband from the first day we spent together!
I have never met a man like him, he is sooooo giving, Sweet, funny, and can put a smile on anybody's face. Being a military spouse is incredibly difficult already and he hasn't even left the country yet. It doesn't just include not having your soul mate by your side and missing him every minute of everyday...always looking at your phone to make sure you dont miss calls..... or having skype become your best friend. It makes you The man and woman of the house. You have to deal with dreaded questions. I dont worry about my husband not coming home, beacause I know he was a born soldier...and an amazing one at that. What gets us through the time apart is knowing that nothing can ever bring us down after this deployment and we will be incredibly strong together!!! I wouldn't change a thing because my husband is my everything. <3 :)
(P.S. If I happen to win a Nicole Katherine dress i will be picking him up from the airport in it) :)

Women of the Military Contest... Meet Kristal Tangard!

I am on Orange County Army Wife, a mother of 3, and an aspiring Pin Up Model! My husband and I have been serving the United States Army for 6 years. My husband is in the Infantry previously stationed in Fairbanks Alaska for 4 years. He just recently transferred over to Air Traffic Controller. That's re enlistment for another 6 years. He plans on retiring wt the US Army. Being in the military at times can be HARD! My husband has no idea i'm writing about this, he thinks i'm blogging about something silly, possibly something about modeling, little does he know, I'm confessing how much in love, and how much i do support his career he has choose for our family. His jaw will drop to the floor when he reads this, i have never expressed my true feeling like this about our life as a military family. My husband has only been home for 1 of our children's births. The others, he was over seas. It can be terribly difficult to say good bye for 14 months at a time. This years deployments for him is only 6 months. My three little boys DO NOT like saying good bye to their daddy. They know he is a G.I. Joe though, and they think that there is nothing cooler than that. He is their hero. Just as he is all of ours. We all know the army wife puts the H.E.R. in hero though.
The day we all look forward to the most as a family is when he comes home. A grand reunion, a hot shower for him, and a love fest for my 3 little boys and myself! Our time spent at home is as important as our time spent apart. We ensure our relationship as husband and wife is as strong as being a mom and dad. Coming home for an Army Dad is hard. Transitioning to Civilian life after being at war for a year is trying for the whole family. We consider LOVE, and RESPECT, as rules in our home to keep our family strong. Being an army wife is quite possibly the toughest job in the military. When my husband is over seas i have to be strong for both us, and my children, and our families. I have to keep him up to date with current events, the children and of course my new pin up adventures and photos. It can get lonely out there, I take joy in knowing my husband has my photos at his side at all times.
Offering support to soldiers over seas is difficult. The men in the infantry that are out in the field will work 14 hr. days wt 2hr. of sleep. They go weeks wt our showers, and probably would cut some one for a bag of beef jerky. So, when i ask my husband what i can send to him......i know all he wants is sleep, a shower, and the children and i in a box. How do you do that? Its impossible. They all want the same thing. Its just not something you can cram in a box. Being alone when he is over seas is hard and can at times be trying. Fro the time i take my first sip of coffee in the morning, till i lay my head on the pillow at nite. I think of my husband, my best friend, and the father of my children. Its just not a HOME when he's gone. There is always something missing when he is away.
My husband, after re enlisting for six more years does not know where we will live later on down the road. Saying good- bye to our friends and family can be very, very difficult. It is hard to let go of the people you love. My sons 6, 2, and 4 months old, miss their Dad terribly. When he leaves it takes them a few months to get it out of their system. Web cam, and email are the source of our communication. Sometimes we just sit on the phone in silence, but that's o.k., because there is nothing to say sometimes. Its the comfort of knowing we are there for each other, and it melts my heart. My husband loves fighting for his country. He is a solider through and through. I couldn't imagine him ne where else, other than the United States Army! That to me is a joy in its self. Some women may not have the heart to write about this kind of stuff because they feel it can be depressing, or over whelming. Yes, it is both of those things, but this is something he loves, and i will support him as he supports me! Making us a happy healthy family. This year my husband will come home for a four day weekend in july for the Hootenanny. I am competing for Miss Hootenanny at this current time and plan to wear my new Nicole Katherine dress to the event. Weather i wear that crown or not, i will be sporting my new dress like a champ! Just because you don't win things in life, doesn't mean your not winning at life!

Nicole Katherine Designs Women of the Military Contest: Meet Amanda Hess!

I am an Army Wife. I am proud of the life I have chosen. I have a deep sense of duty and loyalty, to my country and my husband. I wait, in the early morning light, as he packs up his gear. He has to make two trips, always two trips to the truck. I’ll wait, in the slider door with the kitchen light behind me. Our dog will sit at my feet. She’s waiting too….
Always waiting, for a soldier to come home from where ever they decide to send him. Usually he heads to Battle Creek, Mi. for Battle Assembly (BA) once a month for a couple days, give or take a couple more days. This year his Annual Tour (AT) will be in Ft. McCoy, WI. He will be gone the entire month of August.
I’m a lucky one, a grateful one. My Private First Class (PFC) is a Reservist. Ready if needed. I like to pretend he will never deploy but I’m also not a naïve little girl anymore. It seems silly to think he could get orders for deployment any moment of any day. While it may seem unlikely, it is possible. And that is what I live every day, with grace and love in my heart.
I occupy myself while he’s gone. I’m a hair stylist, photographer and model. I love to take vintage themed pin-up photos for my soldier and he sure does love taking them with him on long field training exercises. Nicole Katherine Designs offers the perfect look to keep my husbands heart racing from the perfect fit of each custom garment. He’s jealous the dresses get to hug my curves while he’s away. If I were to win a dress, I’d have to orchestrate an elaborate photo shoot with my soldier in full uniform. That would leave me tickled pink for days, maybe even years to come.


Amanda Hess
626 Lafayette Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Women of the Military contest... Meet Brittany Allen!

Being a Female in the military can be tough. I know my cute little ass belongs in the kitchen but sometimes life just doesn't follow a recipe. Currently I am living in a maintenance squadron where there are approximately 500 men and 50 women. It is safe to say we are a bit out numbered. I can't count how many times I have been told that I am a weak female or that I don't belong here. To be honest.... It just motivates me more. To see the look on that tough guys face when I knock out just as many push ups as him or when I can troubleshoot a malfunction and repair the aircraft faster and more efficiently than any of the men in my class... well, it makes me smile. My goal isn't necessarily to be better than them or to put them down but to use all of my potential to it's fullest.
In the Air Force we have three core values... Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. Unfortunately I have met many that don't care about excellence or have little to no integrity but all of us have had to sacrifice something to be here. Many of us have to go long periods of time away from our family and loved ones. Whether it is state side or overseas, it is still hard to say goodbye. In other aspects, certain life aspirations have to be postponed. Schooling and civilian careers are put on the back burner when our nation needs our help. In today's economy many of us, including myself, need the military in order to achieve these goals. I can honestly say that without the Air Force I have no idea what kind of disaster I would be in.
The military may be a man's world but women still play an important roll. Throughout history men have gone off to war and women had to put up their oven mitts to attend to the factories and farms while still raising their families. In today's world we go off to war also. I have not yet been deployed, but I'm sure someday my time will come.
While I still like to throw on an apron and a cute pair of heels, the reality is that sometimes I need to put on some boots and grab a tool box.

I currently have a Nicole Katerine dress awaiting my arrival at home and I plan on wearing all the time. No occasion is to insignificant to be bombshell..... Whether I am simply taking my dog on a walk downtown or dinning out with handsome Airman I will be sure to turn heads in a dress from Nicole Katherine Designs.

A1C Brittany M. Allen
Electrical and Environmental Systems
United States Air Force

Nicole Katherine Designs "Women Who Serve Our Military" Blog Contest

OK ladies here is our new contest!



Please read carefully as only TWO types of women are allowed to join this contest.



Who: You must be a military spouse or a woman in the US Military to be eligible to join this contest



What: This contest is going to involve a little dedication and brain power so please read all of the criteria carefully…



You will be writing a blog on life as a military spouse or woman in the armed forces.

First off you must be over 18 to enter. No exceptions.

* Please write a blog no more than 1000 words ( a little over is ok but please don't make it too long)
* In your blog please include the following: tell us about military life including the joys, pains, struggles and what it means to you to be a woman offering your support to our troops either as a military spouse or military personnel.
* We need proof that you are either a military spouse or military personnel. So, for spouses: we need photos of you and your spouse in uniform and information on their rank and branch of military.
* For women in the armed forces that enter thiscontest: Please send us your military head shot (don't laugh I don't know what else this could be called haha) and information on your rank and branch of military. In your blog please tell us what it means to you to be involved in the military and serving our country.
* For everyone that enters, the second thing that we need you to briefly mention in your blog is a little something about Nicole Katherine Designs. If you win this contest, where do you plan on wearing your new dress, or for what occasion?
* Please email your blog along with the required photos, your name, address, date of birth, and measurements (we need these to give you your prize in the correct size). Send everything to nkd2011promo@yahoo.com and add to the subject line: Military Blog Contest.
* Do not send any emails or contest entries to any nicolekatherine.com email addresses. This is very important as the files will max out our business email and make us all really cranky.
* We will post the blogs on our blog site at http://nicolekatherinedesigns.blogspot.com/ we also ask that if you have a blog to post your entry on your blog site as well J
* We will choose the winner based on reader popularity and what stirs our emotions the most.
* The winner will be chosen on Monday, May 30th 2011 (Memorial Day!) as well as two runners up.

What the winner will receive: A new dress from Nicole Katherine Designs and a gift bag full of goodies from our sponsor Cherry and Olive as well as a few other lovely sponsors. The two runners up will receive a small gift bag of goodies.

Disclaimer: By entering our contest you give us permission to post photos and your blog to our blog site and any other advertisements. We will not use last names or post any contact or personal information, nor sell this information for any purpose whatsoever. All personal information, aside from first names and photos, will not be distributed and will remain private and only for the use of Nicole Katherine Designs to send the winners their loot.



Thank you for your entries and for your role in serving our great nation

Nicole Katherine featured in a calendar!

Fantastic news... Nicole Katherine is Miss March in the Dangerous Betties 2011 calendar featuring the artwork of Painted Pinups. All proceeds go to cervical cancer research.

It was an honor to be featured in this calendar and we ask everyone to consider purchasing one, as your purchase goes toward a great cause. To buy your 2011 Dangerous Betties Calendar visit www.feelingdangerous.com or email Bettie B Dangerous at bettie.b.dangerous@gmail.com

CONTEST: Nicole Katherine Designs Southern California Model Search

I am pleased to announce our first promotional contest of the year. The 2011 Nicole Katherine Designs Southern California Model Search.



This contest is to find a fresh face for our 2011 promotional materials which will be handed out at Viva Las Vegas and other events throughout 2011, mailed to our customers all over the world, and used for advertisements in publications.



What the winner will receive:

1. A Nicole Katherine Designs wardrobe including a dress, dungarees, blouse, and a playsuit (or swimsuit).

2. Photoshoot on Saturday February 19th, 2011 with Jason Holmes

3. Hair and Make-up provided by Ellie Gutierrez



To be eligible to enter:

1. Contestants must be 18 and over, no exceptions (if you enter and win, and we find out you're under 18, you will be disqualified and the runner up will be made the winner)

2. If you've modeled for Nicole Katherine in the past you're not eligible to enter

3. You must reside in Southern California

4. You must be available for the scheduled photo shoot to receive your prize and fulfill your eligibility as the winner



How to enter:

1. Please send an email with a full body shot, and head shot if available, to nkd2011promo@yahoo.com

2. In the email, please put in the subject line "NKD SoCal Contest" and please tell us the following:

a. full name

b. modeling name

c. age

d. city of residence

e. bust, waist, hips and height measurements

f. tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do, your interests, etc.

3. All entries are due by Monday, January 17th

4. Once all entries are received we will post the photos to the web for online voting, and will announce the link for voting on January 21st (or sooner if we get all the photos posted to the web).

5. Once the photos are posted your friends, fans and family will have until February 5th to vote, and the winner announced on February 6th.



It sounds confusing but we'll make announcements on the contest throughout the process to keep you all updated.



Everyone who enters this contest will be eligible for competing, this is 100% up for peer voting.



All entries, and questions regarding the contest MUST be sent to nkd2011promo@yahoo.com any emails or entries sent to our nicolekatherine.com business email addresses will be deleted without being open and thus disqualified. WE DO NOT WANT OUR BUSINESS EMAIL CLOGGED WITH LARGE FILES SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.



Disclaimer:

In case of unforeseen events beyond our control, time, photographer and MUAH are subject to change. In case of any changes, alternative arrangements will be made to accommodate the contest winner and maintain the scheduled day of shooting.



Thank you for participating and good luck ladies!



XOXO

Nicole Katherine