How to Get Nicolita's 40s Latin Glam Look

Nicolita has a signature style all her own. It's her 40's Latin glam look each season, that will transport you back to Cuba's Golden Era. The signature look is a swooped bang, finger wave curls, bold red lip and flirty long lashes. There's a lot of work that goes into creating this Classic beauty....especially her hypnotic curls.

Below are some helpful hints from WikiHow.com to create your own Nicolita latin style.

1. Curl your hair with hot rollers. To create the smooth, sculpted look that was popular in the 1940s, straighten your hair first (if it's not already straight). This will give you the smoothest (least frizzy) curls. After pulling out the hot rollers, brush them lightly. You want to soften the curls, but not separate them too much. Use hairspray. Do not scrunch. Don't use mousse or gel, as it gives hair a wet look and hard or sticky texture.

2. Make pin curls. These can be tricky at first if you're new to more involved hair styling. Pin-curls are a 1940's staple, and are necessary for many 1930s and 1950s hairstyles as well.

• Find a setting lotion that works well your hair type. This may take some trial and error, so be patient, ladies!
• Start with washed hair, and let it air dry or blow dry so that it is still damp. It is most useful to put setting lotion into an atomizer (plus, lots more fun!) because it can be applied more evenly.
• Comb through hair and part into sections. Sections of hair can be from ½ inch to 1½ inch thickness, depending on how thick your hair is, or how it reacts to curling. If you want a certain set, curl in the directions that it will need to go in the final style. If you want just the ends curled, start with the underneath sections of hair, and work up.
• Wind the curl around your finger, making sure that the strand isn't twisted in any manner that would disrupt the direction of the curl. Once the end is started, it is easier to roll up more.
• For more wavy curls, roll pin curls in a spiral.
• For more ringlet styles, remember to keep the curls uniform and make a little donut shape.
• Pin with bobby pins (best for spiraled pin curls) or regular hair pins (better for pin curls that don't lay as flat).
• To make waves along the face, wave clips can be used, but these are hard to sleep in and best for use with hairdryers.
• Avoid rolling ends too tightly, or they will be frizzy.
• Despite the difficulty this may be to master, after only a few sets you should find it easier to do and take less and less time. Actually, this is a very low maintenance style because it can be done the night before, and only needs to be brushed out in the morning and dolled up with just a few pins. And sets like this can double up on evenings with a just a few more pins! A set can last from one to five days if kept up at night in a snood or scarf.

3. Make Victory rolls or side reverse rolls. Possibly one of the most recognizable looks of the 1940's, and one of the most flattering looks, top reverse rolls are swept up away from the face, rolled and pinned toward the top of the head. Side reverse rolls are one of the most familiar of the 1940's hairstyles. This style is popular on most women, because it is good for most face types and figures. To create them, roll a thick strand of hair into a circle and pin it down; it will take a lot of practice to achieve the desired look.

• Women with round or wide faces benefit from the height of the hair, that elongates the face.
• Women with oval faces will also look good with this hairstyle.
• Women with narrow faces can style the rolls more outward than up, and will balance their features, but it may not work for all women of narrow faces.
• Women with a good profile will look exceptionally well with side reverse rolls.
• It can be a good look for women with glasses, so long as the frames aren't so thick on the sides as to disrupt the flow of the hair up from the face, so wire glasses would look best.
• Women who want a better balance between their figure and face will achieve a nice balance with this hairstyle. The hips, bust, and hairdo will all be in better proportion for curvier women, to heavier women.
• Slender women should wear this style in a more petite manner with limited height and width, to keep proper proportions.

Provided by WikiHow

Finding your roots one branch at a time -

Since my trip back to Cuba, the concept of Family has created a deeper meaning for me. Growing up as a little girl, it has always been a puzzle of trying to understand who is my cousin and how we are related. Primarily because in the Cuban culture, even your family-friends are sometime referred to as 'cousins'. So, I'm trying to create my family tree right now by following some of the helpful tips I've come across online.

From about.com:

You've decided to dig into your family history but aren't sure where to begin? These 10 basic steps will get you started on the fascinating journey into your past.

1. Begin with Names

First names, middle names, last names, nicknames...names often provide an important window into the past. Names in your family tree can be found by looking at old certificates and documents, by asking your relatives, and by looking at family photos and newspaper clippings (wedding announcements, obituaries, etc.). Search especially for maiden names for any female ancestors as they may help identify the parents, taking you back a generation in the family tree. Naming patterns used in the family may also hold a clue to previous generations. Family surnames were often adopted as given names, as were middle names which sometimes indicate the maiden name of a mother or grandmother. Watch also for nicknames, as they may also help you identify your ancestors. Expect to encounter plenty of spelling variations as name spellings and pronounciations generally evolve over time, and the surname your family uses now may not be the same as the one they began with. Names are also often just written down wrong, by people who spelled phonetically, or by individuals trying to transcribe messy handwriting for an index.

2. Compile Vital Statistics

As you search for the names in your family tree, you should also gather the vital statistics that go with them. Most importantly you should look for dates and places of births, marriages and deaths. Again, turn to the papers and photos in your home for clues, and ask your relatives for any details they can provide. If you run across conflicting accounts -- two different birth dates for great Aunt Emma, for example -- just record them both until more information comes along which helps point to one or the other.

3. Collect Family Stories

As you quiz your relatives about names and dates, take time to elicit and write down their stories as well. The 'history' in your family history begins with these memories, helping you to really get to know the people your ancestors were. Among these stories you may learn of special family traditions or famous family legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. While they will likely contain some creative remembrances and embellishments, family stories generally have some basis in fact, providing clues for further research.

4. Select a Focus

After gathering names, dates and stories about your family, the next step is to choose a specific ancestor, couple, or family line on which to focus your search. You could choose to learn more about your dad's parents, an ancestor you were named after, or all descendants of your maternal grandparents. The key here isn't what or who you choose to study, just that it is a small enough project to be manageable. This is especially important if you're just starting out on your family tree quest. People who try to do it all at once tend to get bogged down in details, often overlooking important clues to their past.

5. Chart Your Progress

Genealogy is basically one big puzzle. If you don't put the pieces together in just the right way, then you'll never get to see the final picture. To make sure your puzzle pieces end up in the proper positions you should use pedigree charts and family group sheets to record your research data and keep track of your progress. Genealogy software programs are another good option for recording your information, and will allow you to print out the data in a nice variety of chart formats. Blank genealogy charts can also be downloaded and printed for free from many different online sources.

Relaxing in Havana: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SWIM 2011, Published July 26, 2010 by: Nensi Farenhajt

Every year in Miami, Mercedes Benz sponsors a fashion week where designers can showcase their latest and greatest swim designs.

This year there were twenty-seven designers that had the opportunity to present their newest swim wear models. The fashion week was from July 15-19 at the Raleigh in Miami.

After looking at a few designers, Nicolita's collection stood out. This year, designer Nicole Di Rocco of Nicolita had a wonderful collection. She used many different colors to showcase different design details. From polka-dots to Latin influenced bikini tops with sleeves, the swimsuits were in reds, greens, whites, blues, golds, and yellows. Each of the colors was vibrant and had many details looking as though the model had just stepped out Havana, Cuba.

Many of the various suits were accentuated with rope braids, creating a distinguished look. Overall, the designs looked to be fitted for women that wanted to relax in the warm sun of Havana.

One of they key accessories used by all the models was red lipstick. This vibrant color complemented the swimsuit style and design. Although the bright lipstick color stuck out, it allowed for the swimsuit to complement the models skin tone instead of the cosmetics.

The designs were almost reminiscent of the 1950's by being conservative towards todays micro-bikini's but showing enough skin to remain sexy.

At the end of the runway behind all of the models, designer Nicole Di Rocco came out waving to all of the guests to thank them for their attendance. Overall, a promising set of designs.

Nicolita's swimwear ranged in price from $100 to $150. Although the price may seem high, the price is reasonable for a bikini that looks both sexy and classy. The majority of the collection can be found online at http://www.mynicolita.com.

Fashion News Live: Interview with Nicole Di Rocco @ Miami Swim 2011

Rocco from Fashion News Live had a chance to chat with our designer, Nicole Di Rocco, days prior to her big runway fashion show. Check out the video below..



Nicole Di Rocco Nicolita Miami Swim 2011
Fashion meets Cuba! Host Rocco Leo Gaglioti talks with designer Nicole Di Rocco of the Nicolita collection about her debut this 2011 season! She is so very excited to be in Miami showcasing Nicolita, which is inspired by her deep Cuban roots. Watch as she gives us the scoop behind the history and the making of the brand. Who is the Nicolita consumer? Watch as you will love the answer to this million dollar question!