Author Archives: Karlita

My Debut- World’s Greatest Commercials

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The day was Sunday…time was 5:45 PM. I was a total Nervous Nellie and probably should’ve only had one glass of wine at this point. My very first show as a television host is about to debut in 15 minutes. (caveat: I have done a lot of work…I was even on E! for a while co-hosting with two other dear friends in 2009) But this…..this was my first time on the air as a host, on a major network…by myself…on TV… carrying a show.  This was an epic moment for me. I’ve done some  things in my career that I’m really proud of but this one was really the pinnacle for me.

I have watched countdown shows and clip shows for what feels like forever. The Soup, AFV, Tosh, etc. I’ve always wanted one. As a kid I was in awe of Daisy Fuentes, Mary Hart, Tom Bergeron, Wendy Williams, Brooke Burke and others. I wanted their jobs. I now have it. This was a 1 Hour special counting down the World’s Greatest Commercials….and I WAS the host. FRIG YEAH!

I am as confidant as they come….I’m generally a cocky ass jerk about it. It’s probably my greatest defense mechanism but today was different. I was pacing, freaking out, totally terrified that people were not going to like it. Worried about my makeup, my delivery, was I funny?  Thankfully I was worried for nuttin’. The amount of love and support that came from close friends, new friends and even social media friends I have never met before blew my mind. I really, truly felt loved. People thought I was talented and expressed it. It feels really fantastic when people rally behind you as your cheerleaders when you’re in a moment of utter vulnerability.

Friends being supportive ROCK!

This business is so insane, it’s like a whole other world and it’s hard to comprehend unless you’re really in the trenches. (It’s Hollywood…I get it. It’s not a war zone. My job is a way easy cakewalk compared to a lot of the things I have seen people have to do to survive especially as I traveled over the past year.) but with that said….It is NOT an easy profession. It is not an easy road. Most people don’t stick it out.

So back to Hollywood…. people tell you NO on a constant basis. Rejection is basically your middle name. Karla Rejection Cavalli- that’s me…and GET THIS…..I have actually been lumped into the 1PERCENTER category of performers who have actually seen some success. AND I AM STILL TOLD NO OFTEN.

I’ve been hearing this for almost over 20 years. Can you imagine the amount of “NOs” I have heard? There were many. And I’m sure there will be many more.

But I never let it stop me.

And I think that’s what I’m the most proud of right now.  I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of my performances on World’s Greatest and the 14 upcoming episodes of Planet Primetime of course but….It’s about to be the height of my career so far… a few weeks before the debut of my very own travel television show, a few days after my first Countdown show aired and I can really say that I am most proud of being able to accept NO for an answer. And move the fuck on. If I couldn’t ….I wouldn’t be in this position right now.

CLICHE ALERT! Those “no” responses have only fueled me to pursue my dreams even harder. And I sure did. They didn’t defeat me. Okay….sometimes they did. I cried and screamed and I was bitter for spans at a time but I never let it really defeat me. Even though I’m in the fishbowl I can see through the filthy glass a bit more clearly now. Just because you’re not right for one thing doesn’t mean you’re not right for another. Opportunities will come your way but as my dad likes to say if you’re not in the game there’s no way to win. I think that’s his version of the other famous cliche.

You can be criticized for being too old, too ethnic, too American looking, too white, too black, too skinny, too fat or whatever “TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE” they want to label you.  It’s your own perogative to be persistent and passionate about your dreams. Hollywood or elsewhere. ( If it came easy for you…BRAVO… and you’re annoying.)

And if you’re neither of those you can forget it. Because it takes a hell of a lot of dirty work to get there. I don’t have famous parents, I didn’t sleep with anyone to get a job …ever (true story), I could barely pay my rent many months. BUT HELL FRICKIN YES DUDE> all the days of those tough jobs seating people at restaurants, lugging wardrobe racks, checking coats, slaving over some ungrateful celebrity…..equal up to this moment right now.

I have traveled around the world with this gig and every single person I encountered looked at me and said “you have the dream job”. Literally hundreds of people that I met have said that same exact sentence. I’m living it. I am living the dream…. but it wasn’t a dream to get here. I busted my ass. Like big-time. I worked for free many times over.

SO….what’s my point? I don’t really know, but to be honest in my experience EVEN WHEN YOU REACH the dream…….you’re still a Nervous Nellie. And for me that’s a damn good thing.

Stepping off the soapbox in 3….2…1….

Next blog……how I landed this “dream job”.

  
  
  

It’s the Final Countdown! Planet Primetime is COMING SOON!

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‘Planet Primetime’ Series Debut DECEMBER 1, 2015 !!!!! ONLY on Travel Channel

I am beyond excited to share this news. After a year of traveling around the world I finally get to show everyone what my adventures truly entailed. It was a whirlwind of madness and activity. I have been ferociously anxious for this show to air. What you will see is a microcosm of what I experienced so I want to be able to get you my personal thoughts and photos of the extras that just cannot fit into an edit.Planet Primetime

Cliche alert- but I don’t care. I met the most INCREDIBLE people around the globe; I witnessed fascinating things in the realm of television and beyond. I have made friends on each continent I set foot on that will surely be lifelong. After many years in the TV business I finally got the chance to see how the rest of the planet does it. What inspires other cultures. What makes them laugh. What makes them cry. What moves them. And I can surely tell you…from my personal experience we are more the same than we are different. (and whoopsie there’s another, sorry)

In the next few months I plan to blog about my experiences in each country. The good, the bad, the delicious and the ugly…..(that usually being me in 110 degree heat and 1000% humidity on international television).

As some of you may know I am also a stylist and costume designer by trade. One of my favorite parts of this great opportunity that was bestowed upon me was having the chance to SHOP in each city. And SHOP I sure did!!!!
I found the most beautiful jewelry, clothing, trinkets and gifts. Often I had to pack an extra suitcase for the journey home because I spent every dime I worked for. Okay full disclosure…I always had to pack an extra case. I’ll write more about that later.

SO….my friends…and foes…whoever is reading…PLEASE enjoy ‘Planet Primetime’ as much as I did. I feel like I am about to birth my own little television infant that needs tender loving care and lots of people to support her. Weird? Ya. I’m sticking with it.

Travel for me is captivating. It is enthralling and is a mind-bending thrill. It isn’t always glamorous but it sure is enlightening. I find that the seduction is not just about the sights I see or the people I encounter but just how much it challenged me to get there.
You’re so naughty travel!

Cartagena, Colombia

CLICK HERE TO see the super duper fun Press Kit! A Sneak Peek of PICS and VIDEOS!

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/70380515-travel-channel-planet-primetime/

CLICK HERE TO see the network webpage

http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/planet-primetime

Bridal Shower Gift….Naughty & Nice….Sweet & Spicy.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE…!!!!
I am not naked here.
DON’T give her a boring shower gift.
Showers are pretty lame as it is. Spice it up a bit. Make Granny and Aunt Trudy blush!!….Although the old timers could always teach us a thing or…ten. 
I seriously cannot handle wedding showers. Baby showers I understand, but wedding showers make my skin crawl. I am convinced that women who truly enjoy watching other women open plates and monogrammed towels… have psychotic tendencies. Gaggles of estrogen fueled relatives applauding after each item is logged for future thank you cards and consequently plopping the gifts on the side of an emaciated, nerve-wracked, sleep deprived bride-to-be. UGH. No thanks. 
Anyway…If I have to attend I prefer to gift with a “shock & awe” #DIY strategy.  So….

This particular gift was created for a very special Bestie of mine who was none of the aforementioned bridal cliches- she was just plain stunning and gracious. (and quite possibly mortified I brought way too much latex to the country club brunch:)
HERE GOES>>>
1. Get a wicker basket or a pretty box. (Bed, Bath and Beyond, flea market)
2. Go to the closest Adult Entertainment Store. Buy some goodies. Also purchase a practical registry shower gift if you so desire. 
3. Fill said basket with your Bridal Shower gift PLUS your new, fun, naughty bits.  Feel free to be creative. These are some of the things I loaded into my gift basket. (pun intended)
Super trampy Lingerie- some sweet white bridal themed and some spicy black or red.
(it doesn’t have to be expensive. I got some of this stuff at Sears. noone checks the price tag when they’re stripping ya down! And if they do.. walking down that aisle is a bad idea)
Thigh High Fishnets
Sexytime Body Feather Tickler
Humdinger Vibrating co$krings
condoms (or not)
Lube ( I recommend unrefined organic coconut oil)
G-string with a Veil on the Bum
Feather bracelets
Fuzzy Handcuffs
Sexy apron
Wine Opener
Small Cooking pans
Colorful Plastic kitchen gloves (the leopard print ones I added were super cute)

Spatulas
Kitchen Utensils
Heart shaped Candy & Suckers
Now, the main focus of my gift was a set of crystal dessert bowls (on the registry) which I buried amongst the fun stuff. Then I added a “Recipe for a Sweet and Spicy Marriage”…a poem of saucy, sexy things one could do to their future hubby in private. (or public if that’s their thing) I wrote it out on the RECIPE Card that was sent in the mail. Ya know the one the shower organizer sends you with the invitation expecting it back with a real food recipe written on it for the Bride’s collection that she may or may never look at…ever.
Like this one…..
This one is custom and is adorable from http://www.signaturesbysarah.com/
You get the gist.
This bridal shower gift was a HUGE hit. It was the second time I have done this. I definitely takes a lot of sass to show up to an event with this in your arms. 
BEWARE of Bridal showers that have CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE!!!!!! The little buggers tend to gravitate straight towards the HUMDINGERS…..and it can be awkward explaining your way out of that hairy pickle. Hee hee.

The Beautiful Bride already getting into character!

REMEMBER To pick up a few things for yourself too!

Hope to Thailand

One of my closest friends will be leaving for Thailand soon in an effort to assist women who have just been rescued from the sex slave industry.  Miss Kelly King’s campaign is called Hope to Thailand and it is partnered with Fashion Hope. 

Most of the women she is traveling so far to meet have no means of supporting themselves financially as well as no skills after being held and abused in captivity for so long. They are emotionally and physically destroyed but are on the way to a better life through rehabilitation and therapy at safe houses. 
Kelly who is an accomplished and beautiful jewelry maker will teach these women her trade in order to make a living of their own. This helps stop the cycle and allows them to provide for themselves and their families after an extremely traumatic and destructive time in their lives. One, most of us cannot even begin to imagine. 

Sex trafficking generates 32 BILLION dollars a year. YES. I said that with a B. It’s colossal and insane that in 2014 slavery is still going strong.
Survivors need help past being rescued. They cannot be forgotten. 

Please help and visit www.indiegogo.com/HopeToThailand and donate. Make a difference. 
My Floro is another jewelry line supporting Kelly’s venture. They will donate a chunk of sales of the bracelets I’m wearing below directly to HTT. 
This is a way better Mother’s Day gift than boring old flowers.  Surprise her this year with a gift that gives even further to other Mothers and children. 

Free shipping!!!! 

Make your own Statement Bib Necklace….DIY cheap copy. NOT as good as the real thing but close. Keepin’ it Reals, YO.

I like to think I am an innovator. I like to think I do/style original things. I like to think I am unique.
BUT sometimes I see something I love and need/want/have to have it. Unfortunately I am not a Rockafella so if it’s crazy expensiveo I have to improvise and that is exactly what I plan to help you guys do. #DIY here we come…..
With that said….I like the rock/glam/deconstructed beauty kinda of look. TONS of jewelry is my bag. I cannot pile enough jewelry on no matter the occasion. It’s kind of a problem and I probably need an intervention soon. How many Italian horns is too many?
Okay, maybe this many.
Like a true ginzo I usually prefer gold…so I may do another post with Gold schtuff.  But for now…..I will expand on one of my earlier blogs a few days ago about the same subject…layering awesome necklaces to get a kind of Rock n’ Roll, edgy, sorta Rihannaesque look.
Last week I was in H&M returning some belts I didn’t use on a recent styling gig for Samsung and passed their accessories aisle.  See below:
accessories DUH
The sparkley rhinestones stopped me dead in my tracks. Like a Barracuda I am attracted to all things that glimmer. This probably stems from my days growing up as a beauty queen, which then transferred into my days as a showgirl. SPARKLE please!

yup thats me. standing next to the cheese.
The challenge is…..How to sparkle without the CHEESE factor??
i love cheese.
My solution is to add all types of metals to your sparkle. Mix & Match.  Thats just what a particular young, up and coming, NYdesigner did.
This very gorgeous, uber cool chick named Drew Ginsburg started her own line of statement piece necklaces. We have a lot in common in terms of our fashion sense. I would hope that wouldn’t insult her considering forth coming blog but to be honest….”immitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” said Charles Caleb (no idea who that is).
I would post photos of her but I don’t want to get in trouble so go look her up. @dylanlex She is an AWESOME follow on instagram. Her necklaces cost LOTS O’ MONEY. Money that until I am a huge star I do not have to spend on accessories. 
So basically I just took 5 different necklaces, threw em all together and BAM!
The KEY is to make sure each necklace is a bit similar yet different from the next.
for example….
Start with one signature main piece.
My base cheerleader was the sparkly one with the rectangular stones hanging down.
Then build around that guy.

Add some silver.
Add some more sparkle.
Add some length.
Add some chunky pieces.
Add some texture. (ex. the giant herringbone)

.

(This is the floor of H&M. Ha. I was literally sitting on the floor building my knock off necklace like a crazy person.)

It ain’t the real deal but it’s 950 bucks cheaper. It’s not gunna look quite as expensive but who cares. In instagram pics with a FILTER it will look like Harry fucking Winston.

See.

SO If you wanna do this….don’t be SCURRED…..go to Forever 21, or Urban or H&M and sit on the floor and start acting cray cray. No one will bother you if you look busy. Just start paring necklaces ’til it looks right and IF it don’t look right wear it with pride and pretend it does. Like I do.
It’s all about perception people.

This is me making a stupid face on my way out the door to a partay. This necklace combo is the one i built in the older post. Mostly Urban Outfitters and some vintage necklaces. But you get it….same idea.
You can see that I added a long dagger necklace from Fox’s NY in this one

And clearly…..not ready for this photo.

Happy Tuesday Rock N’ Rollers!!!! 

Lash-O-Rama…..New Product ALERT!

I ADORE fake lashes. If you know me …you know this. They change my face, its kinda crazy. WAY back in the day when I was dancing professionally in NY…..(NOT stripping)….I wore falsies basically every day. I was performing as an NBA dancer on the court 4/5 times a week in full hair and makeup.  I learned very quickly how to get these suckers on…and how to get them on FAST.  I am late for everything. I was often late back then as well and totally had to throw quite a few pairs on while driving on the Cross Bronx Expressway racing to a game or appearance.  Really safe I know. Needless to say I am damn good at applying falsies now after that Boot Camp.

Nowadays I generally use the strip lashes for performance stuff. You can find them at a beauty supply or even CVS/Walgreens etc in all different sizes and styles.  Once you get the hang of it they are pretty easy peasy BUT it takes a lot of practice for some people. Tweezers help a lot. And patience. AND LET THE GLUE GET TACKY….noone does this. Easiest trick to foolproof lash wearing.

These are my go-to lashes. They are HUGE and only for my on-camera work stuff. Or Halloween. Or Vegas. or a night I am feeling like being extra naughty.

SO the past few years I have been using a lot of the individual lashes. (below)  The teensy ones that usually only makeup artists use on clients because they seem more natural looking. They are TOUGH to get on and take a HELL of a lot of practice. I have almost mastered them now. ALMOST. I often end up with wonky ones that fall off during dinner into my husband’s vodka tonic. He just loves that.

Individual Lashes. ie:PAIN in the ass

First off there are 2 different sizes in the package which is AWESOME> you can put the big ones on the outside corners of the eye and then gradually move shorter towards the inside, like your actual lashes. As you can see I forgot to take a photo pre-use. Sorry. got too excited.
Kiss Ever EZ Lashes
She uses a tweezer to apply the lashes. I start from the outside corners and build inwards. She did not.
I think I paid 4.99 for these at CVS (they had a promotion to get the second box half off.)
The package says the are 3x faster and easier. I wouldn’t exactly say that but they are kind of cool especially for people like me who have small eyes. I usually have to cut up strip lashes because they are always way too long and big for me.
SEE……1 trio lash…vs 1 indiv.

I think one of the BEST parts about this packaging is this ingeniuos idea to make the plastic round instead of a long rectangle. You do lose some product BUT its super duper easy to hold while you are busy applying the lashes.
Her hand is cuter than mine
“easy grip”

SO this is how they came out!!!!! It was my birthday night and I was a bit rushed so they aren’t perfect but it was a good effort right? I am digging these guys. I actually kept them on for like 2/3 days to get the most bang for my buck and they held out just fine.

Sake and trios….! Happy Birthday to me!

Fudge YOU!!!!!!

This was a hellofa good hair day if I do say so myself!

I don’t claim to be a hair stylist or a makeup artist BUT I have had lots of professional careers and hobbies that required me to get DAMN good at beautifying myself. (NBA Dancer, Beauty Queen, TV Host, Unemployed Wifey etc)  An ex-beau who is a NYC hair maestro and a Mom who was a hairdresser in the 70’s in London have helped a lot too.
I ADORE a deconstructed glamorous look. Beachy hair here I come!
Beachy hair can go OH SO WRONG…OH SO FAST. Curls too tight, curls too loose, or over spraying can make your desired airy, ethereal, beautiful look go drowning in a sea of crunch and drab.
A friend of mine threw some new products my way so I decided to try them, specifically the Fudge Urban Sea Salt Texturizing Spray.
I was ON board when Bumble and Bumble busted theirs out like 15 years ago. It smelled amazing and did the trick perfectly. IT’S EXPENSIVE though and the salt always clogs the spout and your 28 dollar bottle of free Ocean is useless.
HELLO Fudge Urban. I had no idea who or what you were until this weekend and NOW I have been saved! Hallelujah! LADIES- IT SMELLS LIKE COCONUT and BAD DECISIONS WITH A TAN, HOT, FOREIGN STRANGER ON AN ISLAND VACATION!!!!! 
(Hank the Hunk)

(do not eat it) (you may eat the hunk)

P.S. its a TERRIFIC PRICE> $10.99 at Target. I am SO into that.

Here’s me holding the bottle to my head cuz I thought it was cute. In retrospect, not so much.
Way over retouched this one. Eyes are super wonky. Please ignore.

MY TOOLS and PROCESS:
1.  Wash your damn hair.
2.  I use leave in conditioner because my hair is impossible to brush out.

3. MOUSSE. Once again got it as a freebie and wanted to test it so I used the Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry and Vanilla Styling Mousse. It smells like Razzles Candy and again, I want to eat it. It contains heat protectant in it which is great because I was about to hit my mane with a WICKED HOT curling iron. The hold level is 5 which I prefer, just enough- yet not too much. Goldilocks would approve.

(FOCUS the mousse on the ROOTS not the ends. HUGE mistake to put it all over the head/hair. Mousse will only make it crunchy, the point is to hold volume at the greasy scalp as well as the style.)

4 .DRY hair. However you do Gurl. I blow dry the front first with a round brush then randomly hit the back and underneath. I prefer the back and sides not be pin straight = more volume. The front has to be blown straight or its cowlick and frizz central station.

not my photo.
5. Use a curling iron. I like expensive ones. Cheap ones suck and don’t ever do the job well and YOU KNOW ME…. I am ALL about saving money. Do not skimp on an iron; you are just wasting money. An iron with a handle is fine like the one on the left. I used the blue phallic one for this do. You wrap the hair around the iron without burning your fingertips. THIS TAKES PRACTICE AND A LOT OF BANDAIDS. Or use the glove that comes with it. These f&*kers get HOT AS HELL. (also don’t burn your neck or forehead. I have done both) The price we pay for beauty. $$$$$$$$
SECRET TRICKS!!!! Always wrap the hair going BACK WARDS> NOT TOWARDS YOUR FACE!!!!! Away- towards your ass.
Also….leave the END of the hair uncurled. The bottom, the split ends….save them from the heat and iron. THAT makes a curl less perfect, deconstructed and more natural looking.
Should I do a youtube video on this???> comment please.
Hot tools 1/14 Inch Iron. Blue one is 1 inch, I think.
6. OKAY, now that the hair is curled/waved TIME TO SPRAY with this little bottle of deliciousness.  HOLD IT AWAY from your hair. Spray it from afar. throw your head upside down and mist with the Sea Salt and shake it like a polaroid picture.
WOAAALLLA!!!! OILA???? Walla Walla? Voila!!!! Presto!!!! Here it is!
Now the fruits of my LABOR! Effortless looking beachy waves that took a LOT of effort
(no extensions here).

Wanna buy it???? See Below….and GO FUDGE YOURSELF!!!!!

Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Mousse: $9.69 (Click to by from Target.com)

Close up of the label for ya.

Sea Salt: $10.99 (Click to buy from Target.com)
Obvi, another close up.

W.I.W.L.N. (What I wore last night) just made it up. I’m a genius.

#OOTN #OOTD What I wore last night… As if you care. Black, Denim and Gold was the theme of the evening.  I had to wear a hat because my hair was dirty. Lovely, I know. Decided on which filth disguise to wear and built an outfit around it. Dry shampoo would’ve been a tad easier.  

#guiseppezanotti black knee high leather wedge boots- #jbrand black jeggings – 

blue denim button down @forever21- 

black #LnA tank- 

kick ass gold necklace #urbanoutfitters @urbanoutfitters – leather Moto jacket #Joie @joie – 

Gold knit beret #Missoni  @shopwasteland  – 

lips @nyxcosmetics Monte Carlo red! 💋 

#fashion #stylist #stylista #datenight 

Layer Your Riches Bishes!!!!

Here is the OUTFIT BREAKDOWN: (all very affordable)

1. White hi-low t shirt with gold zipper back- Fox’s Designer Off Price (ONLY my fav store on the planet), Designer is Vintage Havana. I bought this so many years ago I have no idea what I paid but I guarantee is was 30 or less. A simple white t shirt would suffice. Make sure it is not too tight. Loosey Goosey is sexier and edgier. 2. Black TO DIE FOR Leather Vest. I Pulled it for a Styling Gig and in the end I decided to keep it. From Wasteland in Studio City, second hand- Designer is Golde. I think I paid like 40 bucks.
3. Current Elliott Boyfriend Jeans…OKAY I know these are expensive BUT they were a hand-me-down from my buddy Francesca sooooo….Nuttin’ better than a FREE pair of expensive jeans. I wore the outfit with grey jeans last night. I also paired the basics with a skirt in the pics way down below.4. New Leopard Print platform Peep Toe Pumps from Nordstrom Rack by Jessica Simpson. I paid 50 bucks for these and have already gotten my money’s worth. DO NOT SLEEP ON JS!!!!! Her shoe collection is DAYAMN Good.




AND>>>>>>the MAIN ATTRACTION! The CROWN JEWELS! Okay, well not really…but close.

This is how Jake feels about fake diamonds.

4. MULTI Strand Silver and rhinestone necklace. This one alone could have done the trick but I wanted a really heavy look. 28 bucks, I think. Urban Outfitters.

3. Urban Outfitters also two tone necklace. MIX the Metals to make the whole thing look more interesting! Can’t remember price but it was cheap.

2. Got this sparkly bad boy for my wedding in downtown LA in the accessories part o’ town. It was 12 bucks or something. Did not wear to wedding.

1. SMALL single strand VINTAGE Rhinestone necklace. FLEA Market find, 15 Bucks.

AND there you have it. Replicating a look that is ALL over mags for 1,000 dollars PLUS.
I adore big, chunky jewlery. I love to layer it. Play a bit with existing stuff you have in your closet and feel free to tag me in pics @karlitacavalli!

On a side note….Remember to MIX up your feminine and masculine pieces!!!! The leather vest balances the necklaces. The high sexy pumps balance out the boyfriend jeans! This was for after work drinks with a girlfriend!

ANOTHER OPTION WITH THIS BASELINE>>>>>>

Necklace is from Urban Outfitters 28$$, Cougar Skirt was $24 Buckaroos from Wasteland, secondhand 
HAPPY STYLE-HUNTING!!!!!!!
#hollywoodstylistfun #OOTN #OOTD #rhinestones #stylist #stylista #fashion #jewelry #vintage