December Rain in Miami: Post-Despierta America Segment

Not Sunny In Miami: David's Wet Birthday Balcony View: A Sunny View from the Mandarin Oriental Miami

This week, while I was in Seattle, I turned on the news and saw that Miami was a chilly 40 Degrees!!! I couldn't believe it. But then David reminded me of the weather injustice we encountered while we went to that city recently. Last month as some of you may remember, I flew to Miami with my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul. I was there to shoot my second Holiday Segment for Despierta America, the Spanish-speaking "Good Morning America". The segment, in which I showcased great gift ideas for the entire family--from electronics for the Dad to perfumes and jewelry for the Mom and of course, fun toys for the kids--went really well. Regalos Para Todos: Nick Verreos, Despierta America Sears Holiday Gifts TV segment

Usually after I film my TV segments or appearances, I depart for the airport right away. However, the day of this segment was also David's Birthday, so we decided to stay a couple of days in Miami--My gift would be two fabulous SUNNY no-work, days in Miami (or so we thought). While doing my Sears segments, the clients had us at the ultra-luxe Downtown Miami-located Mandarin Oriental, which was AMAZING. But we decided to "re-locate" to the Mondrian to be closer to South Beach and all the shopping.

Our Girlfriend During the Storm: The Mondrian "Children of the Corn"

The day we moved was beautiful and sunny but there were some minor clouds creeping in. All we could think of was "Please keep the rain away!" These were the first two days in a LONG time that both David and I had any "break" and all we wanted to do was fall asleep in the pool chairs.

Birthday Boy On His Throne: David Paul enjoying the Mondrian South Beach Pool Love Seat

After checking in, we went straight to the pool and in the evening, we celebrated David's Birthday at one of our favorite Miami restaurants, Red. No sign of rain, Gracias a Dios, as they say. The next morning, we woke up to a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR!! Yep, and it lasted for the entire time we were there. This was supposed to be our "lay out by the pool all day" time but no, the "Weather Gods" had something else planned. We stayed in the hotel room and watched the nonstop rain from our balcony. In fact we later found out, the rain turned into a Hurricane Warning. Nice.

Rainbow Miami: A brief pause in the rain

David was bummed and so was I, but what could we do. After 12 hrs of sitting in our not-so-cheap room, we decided to don our Top Shop blazers, get the umbrellas and have some chimichurri and empanadas at Baires Grill and take in a movie off of Lincoln Road. We saw the very good--but very depressing Precious. This was David's 2-day Not-So-Sunny-In-Miami Birthday "extravaganza". Remind me next time to check the Weather Channel.Click Below for the video I shot of the Torrential Rains in Miami from our Mondrian Hotel Balcony:

Nick Verreos on Despierta America December Holiday Segment

Wake Up (Latin) America...to some Great Gifts from Sears!Mr. and Mrs. Latin America: Nick Verreos and "Despierta America" Presenter Karla Martinez

This last week, I had the honor of returning to Miami, which just happens to be one of my favorite cities, to do another LIVE Holiday segment for Sears. As you may know, I am one of the official Spokespersons for Sears as well as Kmart in the Hispanic market and last month I taped a Holiday Fashion Segment and styled an entire family--dad, mom, son and daughter--in Sears clothing and accessories and I not only had a great time but was glad that it was also a huge success. Mas Rebajas, Mas Navidad: Nick Verereos on the "Despierta America" set

For my return visit to the Spanish-language Good Morning America show on the Univision Network, I was to show gifts for under $100, all from Sears por supuesto. The day before, we visited a local Sears and shopped, choosing all the jewelry, electronics, perfumes and toys that would be featured the next day. Before going to sleep, I made sure to "prep" for my live TV appearance by memorizing my lines and studying all items that would be shown on TV. Diamonds, Ruby's and Perfumes: Nick Verreos, Karla Martinez and Nydia Sahagun, Director of Multicultural Marketing Sears

The next morning, I got dressed in my new all-Sears ensemble, consisting of a Covington blazer, lavender-striped tie, a Dockers dress shirt and my Super Skinny Levi's dark wash jeans (yes, Sears has Levi's Super Skinny jeans kiddies!). I also made sure that my teeth were their whitest by using one of my favorite products, Opalescence Tres White Supreme. I received this great product at one of those Gifting Suites a while back and now I am addicted! The day of my segment was very prodigious in that it was also my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul's Birthday. What a way for David to celebrate his birthday--on the set of Despierta America!Santa Nick: Nick Verreos describes the gifts to Karla Martinez on the set of "Despierta America"

As we arrived on the set, I got a little nervous when I saw that THE Emilio Estefan was there as the Special Guest. But no time to freak-out and look for Gloria: My segment was up. My co-presenter was the beautiful Karla Martinez. She was so gorgeous and sweet, making me feel completely at home. My Sears Holiday Gift Segment went without a hitch and from the response of everyone around, I guess it went well! So well that even Karla wanted to take home a couple of the toys I showed on the segment. And I got a text from my niece telling me that she wanted one of the perfumes I showed on the segment as well. Yes, Sears Santa Nick is also Uncle Santa Nick.

Click Below to watch the entire segment:

Nick Verreos' Appearance on Univision Network's "Despierta America"

Nick Hearts Sears...and Miami!Trunk Full of Clothes: Nick Verreos with all his purchases from a local Miami Sears

Last week, I flew to Miami, one of my favorite cities in the US--and the world--to shoot a LIVE fashion segment for the Spanish-speaking "Good Morning America", the Despierta America TV Show. Last year I was honored to have been picked as one of the personalities--along with High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens, rapper/actor/mogul LL Cool J, and "ABC Extreme Home Makeover's" Ty Pennington--to be part of the Sear's "Grant A Wish" Holiday TV Commercials. And so, Sears called upon my "fashion expertise" once again to dress an entire family in fashionable clothing for the upcoming Holiday parties.Stylish Family of The Year: Nick Verreos with his "TV" family , all wearing Sears (including me!)

I arrived early to "set up shop" and shop (no time to check out Gloria Estefan's mansion on this trip!). You see, I'm not that kind of fashion expert who just shows up the day of the filming to "pretend" that I styled and picked out the clothes. I actually did! The day prior to the segment with my trusty right-hand man, David Paul, we shopped for eight hours and picked out dozens and dozens of dresses, suits, sweaters, purses, and accessories. We then had fittings and decided the ensembles that would work best. After deciding on the best four looks, I was ready for my 7 AM Call Time the following morning at the Univision headquarters of Despierta America.
Despierta Couple: Despierta America Co-host Ana Maria Canseco and Nick Verreos

For my appearance, I was being interviewed by the wonderful Ana Maria Canseco, co-host of the show. Last year, I also did a similar segment and Ana interviewed me as well so I was happy to see her again! Once on the set, I said "Hola" to the rest of the Despierta America hosts and took photos with a Project Runway fan, the beautiful Melissa Marty "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2008".
Nuestra Belleza Latinos: Melissa Marty and Nick Verreos

My segment involved showing the styles I picked from Sears for the family, discussing the great Sears Layaway Program (pick out your gifts now, pay over time and once you're ready to pay the entire amount, pick up everything and you're done!), as well as showing how you can get great stylish gifts for under $25!!! All in a THREE MINUTE segment! Say Cheese: Check out the little boy while we were getting ready to go live on the air

After I was finished, I couldn't believe how fast it all went. Everyone had a blast doing it and the kids were especially so sweet and loved playing dress up. Everyone was "blown away" at how great they looked and especially the prices. Style at a great discount. I know, it sounds like a commercial, but it is TOTALLY la verdad--the truth!

Click Below for the complete Despierta America Segment: