Learn to keep a straight face or don't say anything at all.

The Bowler Hat was originally created in 1849 and was popular with the working class during the Victorian Era. 

I guess me and Charlie Chaplin have something in common...

Shearling jacket: BDG, blazer: thrifted, t-shirt: Target (men's section), bowler hat: H&M, bag: MNG, jeans: Pacsun, heels: somewhere in Europe... 
Photos by Joanne Perez and Canon G11

A Little Wicked...

sequin sweater $68 (now 30 % off)
black boots $82 (now 30% off)
bag $52 (now 30% off)

white ruffle top $88
jean shorts $48
gray boots $108 (30% off)
belt $42
hat $58

dress $98 (30% off now)
earrings $26
hat $50
clutch $75
shoes $85

purple sequin skirt $20, necklace $58


Vintage? Oh yeah. DEFINITELY wicked.

I love playing dress up, and when I got to play dress up at my new favorite vintage store, “A Little Wicked”, I was going crazy over the store. I love those timeless pieces that’s one-of-a-kind and doesn’t come in large stocks. It makes them unique.

Upon arriving the store, I immediately zeroed in on a sparkly, crème cardigan that I instantly gravitated to. I have recently been crazy in love with oversize knits and sweaters this winter, that taking the cardigan from its rack was unavoidable.

I then eyed a pair of vintage lace up boots that would go perfect with the outfit.

And they came in my size! Score!

I had so much fun dancing to Rihanna in the quirky, little boutique as I was styled by my amazing friend and fashion/life mentor, Sierra and my fabulous friend Alsenio took the shots. There were so many outfits to try, I couldn’t possibly finish trying all of them on!

So if you’re looking for great vintage pieces you can’t find any where else, head to A Little Wicked where you’re sure to feel like a little wicked yourself…

A Little Wicked

279 E. Houston St.

   Between Clinton & Suffolk

 New York, NY 10002

212.777.1190

  Store Hours:

 Mon-Sat: 12-8

Sunday: 11-7

     http://www.alittlewicked.com/ 

Karlie Kloss In Two Inspiring Parts

The model

and the role model

Yet another chilly winter night in the city, myself and some of the Fresh Air Fund's CAP members headed to another job shadowing. As an active member of the Fresh Air Fund and a graduate of the Career Awareness Program, I have been fortunate to still have the opportunity to still attend and chaperone on job shadowings which are an amazing opportunity for CAP members to go to a company for example, J.P. Morgan, Google, and Marc Jacobs to learn more about the work the company does. On our way to Next Model Management, I was excited to enter another extension of the fashion world. Coming off the elevator, into the small, but busy looking office, I recognized a young, pretty face. Karlie Kloss, the Karlie Kloss was just a couple of feel away from me. The All American model who's career sky-rocketed at only the age of 18. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Karlie Kloss headed to the one and only, New York City to start modeling. She signed with Elite Model Management before moving to Next Model Management in January 2008.

Karlie Kloss posing in a swimsuit in a blizzard for Vogue

I first learned about Karlie in Teen Vogue when she landed her first Teen Vogue cover with models Chanel Iman and Ali Michael in 2008.

On an interview with Teen Vogue, Karlie added "to be on the cover of Teen Vogue" as one of her dreams. Sure enough, her drive, potential, and good attitude helped her land her solo Teen Vogue cover in May 2010.

On an interview with Teen Vogue, Karlie added "to be on the cover of Teen Vogue" as one of her dreams. Sure enough, her drive, potential, and good attitude helped her land her solo Teen Vogue cover in May 2010.

We entered a small office with a desk that had a number of pictures of beautiful models spread across its surface that are called “comp cards”. A model’s portfolio is a way to for clients to see a model’s best work. “We usually like to choose a variety of photos for a model’s portfolio” Misael, who did an amazing job in teaching and explaining the in and outs of the modeling industry during the industry. Photos for a model’s portfolio are chosen to show the model’s different dimensions, looks, and personalities in her work. Like the model in motion or the model smiling. “For magazine covers, there have been studies that show that people who see magazines at a newsstand with a person smiling with their teeth are more intrigued than a cover with a person not smiling” Misael explained. I actually found that to be true of myself. When I go to a drugstore or Barnes & Noble to sit and read magazines on the floor until they chase me out or force me to buy them, I find myself reaching for the magazine that has the girl on the cover smiling. It just looks better, you know? People like to see photos of people smiling. Smiling is one of the best gifts we are blessed with when you want to brighten up a room or a mood. Anyway, Comp Cards are medium sized cards that show a model’s picture and include information such as the model’s name, height, bust, waist, hair color, etc. They’re basically a quick and easy way for clients like DKNY or Prada to choose which specific “look” they’re seeking for either one of their client’s shows or a campaign, that are usually in back of the model’s portfolio for the client to take if they are interested in a model. I learned a tremendous amount of the modeling industry and all the work that went behind making a beautiful photo stunning during the job shadowing. It's definitely a lot of work and I think most of you know the requirements of becoming a model, so I'll spare you the details. I always loved attended job shadowings, especially if they were related to fashion or the arts, naturally. I feel that asking questions during a job shadowing or anything is the only way you’ll find out what you really want to know. When asked about the issues on the weight of the models in the industry, I was glad to hear that the model management encourages girls to eat well and if they see a girl who isn’t, they make sure that she seeks medical and physical therapy immediately. There’s so much to learn and know, I feel like the job shadowings end up to be too short of time.

As the job shadowing continued, I saw Karlie pass by the transparent looking wall separating the small office to the bigger open space. She was snacking on a green apple, and without thinking, the words "hey, it's Karlie Kloss" escaped my lips. She stopped and turned to look through the transparent wall and sort of waved. I didn't know if it was intended for me or if she was waving good bye to Misael. I was a bit frozen... I saw her tall, thin frame shrug and walk by. My heart sunk a little. I wanted to come up to her but of course, I was on duty, chaperoning the job shadowing for the kids. Okay, so maybe I was hyperventilating a little. I mean, what would your natural reaction be if you saw one of your role models in the flesh? Misael all of sudden disappears, jogging out the office door. “Let me get some more comp cards.” 2 minutes later, Karlie Kloss appears through the glass door, beaming her radiant smile at everyone before she looked at me.

"What's your name?" she said to me.

"Cristine" I replied.

"Omigosh! that's my sister's name! Is it with a K or a C?"

I was so excited! I was actually having dialogue with one of the most beautiful and sweetest girls in the modeling industry.

"I know! I read about her in Teen Vogue! Mine is with a "C".

“Oh, my sister’s is with a “K”

A few minutes later Misael slipped me Karlie's Comp Card and I finally knew why she asked what letter my name began with :) Not only is she one of my absolute favorite models, but she she's a ballet dancer like me! And she loves to bake too! She’s one over hearts and taste buds of designers such as Alexander Wang and Editor-in-Chief Amy Astley. She shows everyone that she is a motivated, positive energy to all those around her and is extremely hard working, both on and off the camera. It’s so incredible to see her career grow in the pages of my favorite magazines like Teen Vogue, to Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. Karlie Kloss has such a kind and bubbly personality but when it’s time for her to work, she has this metamorphosis into a dedicated model, committed and giving 110% in everything she does.
Karlie Kloss embodies so much that young woman aspire to be.

I’m glad to call her one of my favorite type of model: a role model.

I didn't get a photo with her, but I got her acknowledgement :)

What Is Beauty?

A few months ago, I attended a “What is Beauty?” workshop back in the fall at The Lower East Side Girls Club and the empowering advice still has engraved such a huge significance in my mind today.

Although this workshop was a little while ago, I think learning and sharing the true definition of beauty is never too old.

Led by Alexis, beauty blogger of the Beauty Bean, Michael Angleo of hair salon Wonderland, and fitness and health trainer, Carlos, these three amazing beauty and healthy-living gurus helped members and their friends of the LESGC in discovering inner beauty from the inside and out.

Scribbling on a questionnaire sheet on what is beauty, we went around, shared and talked about what beauty meant to us and what’s beautiful about ourselves.

Living in a media-influenced world where gleaming smiles, good skin, and shiny, bombshell hair grazes magazine covers, billboards, and on-screen, it didn’t surprise me that for a minute I had a flash of these beautiful creatures in my mind.

It’s almost hypnotizing.

Iactually had to stop and think, what do I love about myself?

I mean sure, we all think at times, hey, I look nice today. But when someone presents you the question of, what do you think is most beautiful about yourself? It’s not really a question you’d give a quick answer as if the answer was always on the back of your mind.

Eventually I came up with:

My ambition

My open-mindedness and willingness to help others

and my smile.

I was focusing more on my personal qualities because, honestly, it was easier to think about than my physical traits. I knew and was assured during the workshop that, “true beauty shines from the inside, out” as we are known to hear.

It felt like such an amazing, positive energy that, the girls and guys at the workshop listed such a great number of physical qualities.

I know it sounds so cliché, but the most beautiful person to the naked eye can be the most ugliest person standing in a room.

It reminds me of “Mean Girls” and all those cliquey movies (“The Clique”) with the beautiful, popular girls, or better known as the “Plastics”, who seem it have it all. But really, they have nothing at all. Because no one wants to be with a nasty, selfish, bitchy person who only worries about themselves and themselves only. When we think of the word “role model” most of us would think of a strong, intelligent person who has a good head on their shoulders.

True beauty is someone who has the ability to love.

Someone who cares about the good-being of others without looking for a benefit for themselves at the end.

True beauty is embracing your unruly, curly hair, your curvy thighs, and cup size.

Your towering height and the gap between your teeth.

As a 5 ft and 1/2, petite, 16 year old teenager, growing as I speak (I hope) with so much to learn, I’ve learned to accept that (here comes the cliché again) no one’s perfect. We can strive for perfection but will always struggle on our journey there because, in my opinion, perfection doesn’t exist. Sure we can try our hardest in life and at everything we do, but that’s just what it is. Our best.

And once we learn to discover to accept ourselves and congratulate our accomplishes, is when we will learn the real definition of beauty.

So stop reading the number on your jeans and smile your biggest smile, with or without braces. Let your hair down and wear what makes you happy because at the end of the day, all the hours you try of concealing and changing who you are, ask yourself if you’re changing because of those who are looking.

Pretty Provocative under construction!

Pretty Provocative is headed to Youtube!
I'm making new changes, especially for the new year!

Sorry I haven't been updating often guys!
Life's tough when you're a computerless blogger.
I promise to update more when I get my computer! (which I am SO EXCITED FOR! EEEKK!)

Stay tooned & check out Pretty Provcative on tumblr!
the more random, personal blog extension of Pretty Provocative!

http://prettyprovocative.tumblr.com/

Big things are coming for Pretty Provocative- keep your eyes and your ears open...

-C

Meet the newest neighbor on 5th Avenue.

Goodbye Takashimaya, Hello Forever 21!

Forever 21 on the New York Post on the day of the store's Grand Opening with a 10% coupon too!

I actually woke up late that morning. I planned to be on 5th Avenue at like 6am, first for the Lanvin

♥ H&M line that opened at 8am and then head over a few blocks up to the newest, glitzy, and may I say HUGE (6 floors!), Forever 21 store that replaced the former Japanese retailer, Takashimaya who was most famous for their flower shop.

So at 9 am, I got there too late for Lanvin H&M so I went directly to Forever 21.

I was lucky. I was actually surprised that the line didn't wrap all the way around the block an hour before the store opened. People actually started showing up around 10:15, doors still not open.

Check out what happened at the Grand Opening of Forever 21 now on 693 Fifth Avenue!

the line...which is much more longer than shown...

I was SO glad I was one of the first 400 people on  line for a gift card! Each card was given and valued at all random prices

luckily I got a $20 giftcard! :)

Upon entering, I was greeted my a whole bunch of Forever 21's newest employees, clapping and yelling "WELCOME!"

Welcome indeed! 


First Floor:

Second:

Third:

Fifth:

those were gone quick!

this floor was my favorite. It was an all "sweet-things" themed floor!

LOVED this! It was set up like a mini kitchen in the middle of the 5th floor!

of course, what's a grand opening party without awesome music?

there was even a little something for Forever 21's shoppers outside of the store!

I'm really  bad at those claw games...

everyone was trying so hard to get a hold of those giftcards!

okay so I tried...

and actually won something! BEAT THAT machine! Yay!