NYFW 2012 && Polyvore Live

You guys already know about W Fashion Next, but I wanted to show you some of the other things I was up to during NYFW. I was invited to some awesome shows and was even IN two of them! [Click the video above if you're interested in seeing them!]

The first show I was in was Polyvore Live. This show was exciting for so many reasons! It featured fashion by four amazingly talented designers, had both day and night makeup looks done by COVERGIRL and- the best part- featured 'prominent fashion bloggers' as models. [You hear that mom? Prominent fashion blogger? No more laughing at me when I say I'm busy editing!] This show was the first ever to be done like this- I was so happy to be a part of it! It was featured on so many sites like refinery29, Women's Wear Daily, and some other amazing fashion blogs like The Blonde Salad

Photos taken backstage before the show of the ladies in red [designs by Gavaskar]

I loved the red && white theme to this collection, especially because the show was the night before Valentine's Day! So perfect! You can watch the full version of the show here :)

One of my favorite shows of fashion week was Nanette Lepore. Her Oscar-Wilde themed collection featured amazing metallics [a staple favorite of mine] paired with rich color for fall. I found myself wanting SO many pieces from this collection- especially this entire look:

I want this on me right now!!

I love this picture with Nanette- she is SO sweet and fun! [Taken at the after party at The Darby]

I had the pleasure of viewing her collection and design studio the month before when I was in New York- seeing it come to life was such an awesome moment! I'll show you pictures from inside her design studio in a separate blog post soon :)

Switch from blogger to runway mode part 2- the next show I was in was Lauren Bagliore!

Her designs are AWESOME- I seriously wanted to keep everything I tried on. She has very edgy, urban street wear that is beautifully draped and, the best part- extremely comfortable! [Lauren is on the right in the first photo- she is gorgeous!]

I loved this because the makeup was SO unlike anything I'd ever do- it was fun to be someone else for a few minutes!

Wow, longest blog post ever! I know I showed a few clips of my hair being done, but that is NOT the hair video I promised you- I will definitely post an in-depth video discussing what I did in case you were interested in doing something similar! And can we just talk about how I've posted more than 4 times in the past week? I'm so happy to be back! :)

Apartment Decorating Inspiration

The highest request I've gotten from my viewers has been to do an apartment/room tour. I kept holding off because my apartment wasn't 'perfect'. The thought of showing you something unfinished was horrifying- I could never be okay attaching my name to something that I wasn't 100% happy with. I finally realized that it will never be perfect- there will always be something I want to improve, some area that could be better. But then I realized that is part of the fun in having your own place- waiting to find those special pieces that fit && slowly making it into a space you love :) 

I said today would finally be the day I fulfilled this request... aaaand then I fell ill with a raging allergic reaction to yet another medicine [even my doctor this time called it 'impressive'] [it's fine]. I'm currently loaded on benadryl && sans video camera, but I figured the least I could do was post a few cell pictures I managed to take earlier. 

So, here it goes! It's nothing huge or special, but it's my baby apartment && I'm happy :)

That's pretty much it! I'll make sure to tell you where everything is from in the full video version, but most of the pieces are from inexpensive places like target, home goods or even hobby lobby. My favorite part? Being able to say that I did EVERYTHING myself. It might not be 100% perfect, but it is 100% me :)

How To: Magnetic Nails

I have been obsessing over magnetic nail polish ever since my January trip to New York. This polish looks unreal on your fingers- different, edgy, and seemingly holographic. I've talked about it in a few videos, but I thought I would show you how it looks up close along with some of my tips on how to use it


I've found the best way to use this polish is to apply a complete first coat of the polish. Having this base coat really deepens the effect on the next layer. Shown is the polish by Nails Inc in the color "Trafalgar Square"

Like any polish, let this coat dry before moving on to the next. The difference with this polish compared to others is that instead of lightly applying your second coat, you're going to want a thick next layer. You want this to be done freely and thickly! 

Another difference with this polish is that you want to do this one nail at a time- paint a heavy second coat, immediately followed by placing the magnet over the nail. The lid has a tiny groove to be placed under your cuticle as to perfectly position the magnet over the finger. The magnetic effect occurs almost immediately, but I still hold the cap in place for close to ten seconds. 

That's it! You continue the same process until all of your nails are complete.

The best part of this polish? It is literally mistake proof! Mess up? Smudge your design with the cap? Paint on another coat and watch it disappear. Normal polishes look muddy if you continue to add layers, but the thickness of the polish only enhances the magnetic design. If you happen to mess it up, or simply just aren't happy with the design- add another layer and try again.

Pictures really don't do this polish justice- I promise, it looks a lot less 'zebra' in person! 

I found this particular polish at Sephora. At $16, it is definitely on the pricier side of polishes, but it has become my go-to look. Have you ever used magnetic polish? Are you a fan? If not, I definitely recommend you run out and try this! 

Instagrams from NYFW && W hotels Fashion Next

Hey Guys! So most of you know that I was in NYC for Fashion Week- I'm working on editing all of my video footage, but for today I thought I would show you some of my trip through Instagram pictures I took through out the week :)

Helloooo, New York! Here's the view from my hotel room :) If you'd like to see a full tour of my home away from home, click here to watch the video I posted!

Besides just staying at the W hotel, I had the pleasure of working with them for Fashion Next 2012- a series of fashion presentations highlighting up and coming designers with incredible work. 

My pass! So official with it. Really, I'm just proud of myself for not losing it.

I couldn't make it to the first designer [Bibhu Mohapatra] because I was actually IN a runway show at the same time [polyvore live! thank you to all who watched!] but I managed to catch a few pictures at the other presentations- including some of my favorite looks! First up? Haus Alkire!

Who would have thought that my favorite look would be this comfortable, all-black ensemble? This is SO me! I especially loved the choice of the heeled black ankle boots. And, in case you were wondering- YES! It does feel mildly awkward walking up and taking pictures of them from 5 inches away- but you get over it after the first presentation :)

Kelly and I at the Haus Alkire presentation. If you're my viewer primarily through Youtube, or by some chance haven't seen her blog yet, you will LOVE her! She has amazing style, beautiful photos && is incredibly sweet.

Next up? Rochambeau! This presentation had amazing menswear- and men..

One of my favorite looks. I guess he's kind of okay too.

After the Rochambeau presentation, it was time for the Nanette Lepore show! Outside of the show there were a series of handbags displayed with this motto- I love it! No photos from the show, but I DID take video of my favorite looks- those will be posted soon!

The fourth designer in Fashion Next was Suzanne Rae- I loved the dresses in her collection, especially the feminine fabrics and high low hemlines.

Here's the outfit I wore for day 2 of Fashion Next/the 14th of NYFW. I have this outfit shown in this video if you'd like to see more of it! Luckily, this picture was taken before the demise of my sheer tights. My bracelets unfortunately snagged && murdered two pairs of tights before the end of the day! 'I will never be the girl who can wear white and not spill on it...'

The last presentation of Fashion Next was by Nomia. All of the looks featured black socks paired with black patent heels- would you wear this look? I personally LOVE socks with heels. Nomia's look was a softer take on the silhouette of an often edgier ankle boot. I liked it!

Models final walk at Nomia- and of Fashion Next 2012! The presentations were amazing, && I had such a fun time working with W hotels on it! I'm already missing my second home [and the amazing chocolate croissants- seriously, if you stay at the W in Times Square, you have to get one!] 

Did you like any of the looks? Have you seen any new trends or styles you like for fall 2012? Let me know in the comments! Can't wait to finishing editing the video footage from my trip!

February Haul- Spring Style!

Hey guys! I'm still editing through all of my NYFW footage, but in the meantime I thought I'd upload my february haul. I found some great inexpensive pieces this month that I think will be GREAT for the upcoming season, as well as some great new wardrobe staples. Have you started any spring shopping? Found any cool pieces? I'd love to hear what trends you're looking forward to wearing! Make sure to leave me a comment letting me know what styles you're most excited about :)

Mermaid Dreams

HI! Long time, no blog! I'm back from New York [again] && have SO much to show you guys. For tonight, I thought I'd just show you my nail of the moment, what I'm loving && a hair update photo. All of these pictures were posted throughout the day on Instagram, so if you have an account and feel like following me my username is [wait for it] CarlyCristman :) 

My polish choice today is Deborah Lippmann's 'Mermaid Dreams'. I found this polish staring me in the face while waiting in line at a register [always how they get you]!! I love the blue-yellow tone mixed with the glitter- it's a multi-dimensional sea foam shade that looks similar to a fish scale. My first thought of it on was 'mermaid!', so I enjoyed turning it upside down to see that as the actual name. 

This first photo shows the polish with a flash, the next picture is more true to life.

I loooove this color [special extra o's to emphasize how much I like it]. My only complaint is that the polish on actually feels like sandpaper- I'm avoiding any contact with my nails because the glitter is horribly rough. 

Look at me, venturing into color! I'm sure you're all aware that my style in the winter is very contrasted && desaturated [black. white. silver. pale. platinum] but I actually love wearing color in the warmer months! I'm enjoying wearing this polish with a bold off the shoulder top, chunky gold bracelets, and a matching colored ribbon bracelet I just found at Charming Charlie's. 

So with the new spring style had to come a new spring look! Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the super-straight platinum hair combined with pale skin- but that matched my winter style. The platinum just didn't fit the loose, bo-ho look I so love in the warmer months. I'll be posting a video showing the full process, but for now I'll show you how it turned out. Throw in some loose waves && a spray tan and here's my finished look: 

I'm SO happy with the results! I love how just a simple change of hair can change your whole mood. I think that's why I enjoy fashion && beauty so much- you can be whoever you want with a simple change of cut or color! Do you guys change your look depending on the season? Is it something dramatic like a makeover, or something simple like different products? I'd love to hear how you're getting ready for spring!

My Style Diary NYC January 2012

What I'm Wearing [linked where available]:

Day One:
1. Open Back Dress Shirt: Dailylook.com
2. Leggings: Hackley&Jamison, Hautelook
3. Boots: Stuart Weitzman
4. Bracelets: Dailylook.com
5. Clutch: Karen Millen

Day Two:
1. Assymetrical Top: Dailylook.com
2. Sequin Jacket: IRO, Freepeople.com
3. Skirt: Young by Yoyo Yeung
4. Heels: Michael Kors
5. Glitter Clutch: Juicy Couture

Day Three:
1. Tuxedo Dress: Nanette Lepore
2. Trench: Burberry
3. Belt: Dailylook.com
4. Armwarmers: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's
5. Purse: Valentino Kaleido
6. Garter Tights: Nordstrom

Day Four:
1. Sparkle Sweater: Vince Camuto
2. Leggings: Hackley&Jamison, Hautelook
3. Scarf: Dailylook.com
4. Beanie: Forever21
5. Armwarmers: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's

Normally I film my style diaries while I'm on the the trip, but this time it was SO busy I didn't have the time! I filmed the outfits back in my apartment [wah, wah. much less exciting] BUT I can't wait because I'm leaving for NYC again on thursday! Fashion week, here I come! I'll be tweeting && instagramming my whole trip, so if you're interested in seeing any of it, you know where to find me :)