Glamour Magazine: 2012 Women of the Year Awards!

I must say, there is no night like the Glamour Awards that inspires me (and yes, maybe even tear a bit) like no other night. Cheesy, I know. But trust me, if you're sitting down listening about a woman who got acid poured on her face as a punishment from her husband, choking up a little inside, is almost inevitable. Of course there's more than horrid stories like those that make you feel inspired to do something, but what gets me every year at the Glamour Awards are the woman who are actually doing something to change an issue in the world. The stories of people suffering from abuse and rape-it gives me a reason to keep fighting for something and that there are people who are fighting for their causes everyday. 

Truly inspiring for me; everyday I'm trying to find what causes really speak to me. Right now, the environment and woman's rights issues (thanks to Eve Ensler for helping me find my real, inner feminism!). At times I feel so overwhelmed with the atrocities our world is facing and the people suffering along with it, I get this urge to stop everything I'm doing and make it my mission to save the Amazon and stand up against the woman in the Congo. But I know my crusade will take its time in arriving as I tread my days at school. 
Now, don't get me wrong; I love school and everyday I'm grateful to even receive an education unlike some people who don't even have access to books, but I get this antsy feeling that if I don't go out into the world and do something to change it-I'll just be like everyone else who thinks they'll make change...eventually. I know that may sound incredibly irrational or maybe not. It's my inner emotional creature. As Eve would say, "You don't tell the Atlantic Ocean to Behave".
Enough of my "I want to save the world" rant; 
check out the photos from this year's Glamour Women of the Year Award Show!

Me and my girl Alia!

Phillip Phillips performing? Me and Alia singing along to every word of his song? (close! ha!) Check.

Dress: Zac Posen and totally not cool & embarrassing bra strap by PINK

After the show, I headed to the Emotional Creature Opening After Party (which by the way, you should totally go check out here) where we mingled with the actors, celebs and had some  hors d'oeuvres. Definitely the best way to end the night with my girls!

 

Oh and did I mention that the one and only Gloria Steinem was there?

And that I was having a totally "OMG" moment the second I identified her? 

Yep. She was so sweet and I had to thank her for all the amazing things she did for us woman in the world. It was so ironic being that I had just came from the Glamour Awards and she was honored at last year's show. While I spoke with her, she told me I was the future of my generation and that her legacy lives on in the world with girls like me in it. Gloria Steinem, one of the most legendary, pioneers of the feminist movement of history told me I was going to change the world...

Life is made.

See? My "I want to change the world" was confirmed that night! 

Oh, but of course the Glamour Goodie bags are the best every year!

Had such an amazing night, as I do every year since my first Glamour awards show back in 2006;

ladies, we got the power and these woman are here to prove it! 

Pick up Glamour's Women of the Year issue available NOW! 

xxx

Elie Tahari & Bloomigdales 1 Year Anniversary!

Designer Elie Tahri, me and my fab friend Nastasia from FIT

Presented by Bloomingdale's Fashion Director, Stephanie Solomon, we celebrated Elie Tahari's one year anniversary at Bloomingdales by a runway fashion event. Of course there was champagne and hors d'oeuvres involved. Now who doesn't like that with a runway event by one of the most amazing designers? His latest collection this fall is filled with great faux furs, lots of leather and of course his amazing cut and detail flattering to every woman! 

Elie Tahari Fall 2012 Catalog Campaign

Well, that explains why I love him so much! 

 Loved this blouse! 

Not only is it a great color, but the way it was flowy on the runway made it all the more dreamy! 

"Leather is a staple in every woman's Elie Tahari closet!"-Stephanie Solomon 

Clearly we had a good time! 

It was so great to meet Elie Tahari! Not only is he an amazing designer who knows his customer and makes the best clothes for every woman, every size and shape but he's such a sweet person! 

He took the time to meet and greet every one of his customers. That one of the most important things to me whenever I'm meeting someone who I look up to or influences me in any way. 

Friendliness; it goes a long way! Great meeting Elie Tahari and congrats on your one year anniversary at Bloomigdales! Can't wait to see what you'll come up with next! 

Tyra Banks & The Lower East Side Girls Club: Flawsome Ball feat. Drake

The one & only: Tyra Banks and I

How does one summarize one of the most amazing, memorable nights of their life? 

Asked to perform a spoken word poetry piece for Tyra Bank's Flawsome Ball that will be benefiting Tyra's T-Zone and The Lower East Side Girls Club who will be opening a new building in 2013!

With only a little less than a week, I was able to write, rehearse and finally perform my original spoken word poem-in 4 days! And I couldn't have done it without the incredible Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai! 

In a matter of 4 days, I've learned so much about not only writing poetry, but feeling it so I could put myself in the environment, the emotions of my words and really perform them. 

It was an incredible opportunity and words cannot express how honored I was to have had the chance to perform my words, my message to a so many. And till this moment, it blows my mind that I can actually say I was involved with being one of the opening acts for Drake. Yes, that Drake! 

Check out some of the photos from the event last night! 

Me and the poet-extrodinaire, Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai! 

I have so much to thank this woman for! 

For guiding me with her amazing energy and passion while writing and performing my poem! 

Thank you! 

Drake performing at the end of the amazing night! 

Yeah, he was proud and he sang about it too ;) 

Such a cool guy! Happy birthday and congrats on that GED! 

Now it's my turn to sing "Make Me Proud" 

Had such an great time last night! Truly unforgettable!

Special thanks to Tyra Banks, the T-Zone Team, Drake, and The Lower East Side Girls Club! 

For being there for me for the past 9 years and counting! 

But one last final thanks I have to give is to everyone who supported and was cheering me on before I even took step on that stage. Seriously wanted to cry backstage...it was that weird swelling feeling you have when you get all emotional and shit. I received soo many messages, texts, and good lucks from so many people, I'm honestly honored to have every single one of them in my life. 

It's an insane thing that sometimes, I can't even register to myself that I can actually inspire people.  That at this moment, people are telling me that I inspire them?! It seriously baffles me sometimes! 

And how I've said to those-everything, absolutely everything is attainable in life. Someone asked me, "Cristine, how do you manage to do so much?" How? 

By staying humble, working hard, and staying committed. 

I hope that everyone who's been congratulating me and is reading this, takes what I said to them seriously! Thank you again to everyone who's been there for not only my success, but supporting me through my failures. I have everything and more to thank every single one of you! 

xxx

C

Rent the Runway: Sip and Shop!

It's been quite the hectic week! With my first college exams this and the past week, I've been busier than ever! But at last! I decided to take a little break from school and work madness to attend Rent the Runway's Sip and Shop event today! Born in New York City, Rent the Runway allows "women who know and love high fashion, who want to look glamorous for all their nights out and experiment with new brands without the anxiety of investing in piece after piece." The site is super easy to use and has a great selection of all the latest designer pieces for the not-so-designer-price. Genius! 

Tonight's event was filled with fashionistas, fun energy and champagne and Diet Coke all night! 

"And this one I'll wear to this Saturday's party...and this gorgeous red one to Emma's dinner and this one..."

Love these dresses! Absolutely stunning! 

Like Notorious BIG once said, "We sip champagne when we thirst-ay!"

Welcome to Fall knee-high socks! 

My favorite shirt! Got this baby thrifted! 

Pretty much...

Swag bags! 

I had the pleasure of having gotten to meet these two amazing, lovely ladies at FIT. 

Stephanie on the far left, was the first person I met at FIT and immediately we bonded over our Peruvian cultures and background! Kim on the left is an awesome ball of energy-explains why she's a Leo! I found this out today, haha! I'm such a Leo and a huge Zodiac believer! Don't judge me! 

I can't wait what this year has in store for me, especially if I've already met some amazing people in school. I'm working hard everyday-and right now I have a fashion exam to study for tomorrow! 

Stay amazing, 

xxx