Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) August 26, 2012

Kris's Closet

Inspired by great bloggers like Folake of Style Pantry and Tamia of The Style Sample,a month ago we decided to open up our closets to the world as well. We are ChristinaKristin of Columbus,Ohio. We are two women close in age, with two different takes on style and completely different personalities. The best way to describe us if personalities were colors would be red and hot pink. I am the red personality because I am usually wild, passionate and bold with fashion and in life. My name is Kristin. Welcome to my

closet!

I spent most of Sunday in Lebanon, Ohio walking through antique shops. It is a neat town. They are known for having great antique shops and a educational train experience. While I was there I was already planning my return with the fella. I did a little bit of shopping then had a great specialty burger at Doc's Place. I took these pictures downtown Lebanon. This is what I wore.

My plaid shirt dress is several seasons old from Nordstom's BP department. I found a plaid dress option @ http://www.zappos.com/fred-perry-button-down-madras-shirt-dress-vintage-pink

The dress would look great with boots and a sweater or jean jacket as it starts getting cooler in the fall. My glasses are Cole Haan cat-eyes. I wore them all weekend including the blog before this. My earring I bought from an antique shop this past spring for $2. This is the first time I have worn them. They are made of wood and brass. A good place to find earrings like this is http://www.etsy.com/ 

My belt is from the thrift store, I think. I got it a long while ago. The closest  belt I found was @ http://www.etsy.com/listing/63457682/the-big-apple-natural-leather-belt?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=big+camel+leather+belt&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all My belt is leather with gold metal.

My bracelets are wood with gold studs. I sell these in my pop up shop. I found several studded wood bracelets on esty like this

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/92970379/vintage-wood-bangle-bracelet-gold-studs?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_query=wood+bangles+with+studs&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

Mine are not as pricey but also not as nice.

My shoes and bag are now closet blog regulars. The sandal booties are by Levity from DSW. The last few blogs I wore them, I posted the link. They may still be available. My purse is Louis Vuitton, it is the original papillon. I got it almost 10 years ago. The closest one they sell now is http://www.louisvuitton.com/front/#/eng_US/search/PAPILLON

This concludes another Kris's Closet. Thank you so much for stopping by!

We are having a sale on jewelry on etsy. Just click on our shop page from the blog or go to http://www.etsy.com/ & type in ChristinaKristin. Use SHOPCHRIS10 for 25% off at check out.

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) August 25, 2012

Kris's Closet

Inspired by great bloggers like Folake of Style Pantry and Tamia of The Style Sample,a month ago we decided to open up our closets to the world as well. We are ChristinaKristin of Columbus,Ohio. We are two women close in age, with two different takes on style and completely different personalities. The best way to describe us if personalities were colors would be red and hot pink. I am the red personality because I am usually wild, passionate and bold with fashion and in life. My name is Kristin. Welcome to my

closet!

Saturday I went to the Urban Scrawl in the Franklinton Arts District. I was excited about everything I saw. Art in progression was everywhere! As an artist, I was inspired. I looked around outside and in and took pictures of work I loved. After the art festival, I went home and had wine on the patio with my fella. I took my photos at the Urban Scrawl. This is what I wore.

I wore a lace and muslin cape that I belted over a white beater. The cape is an old piece from Forever 21. My diamond print circle skirt is from The Ohio Thrift Store. 

My sunglasses are now closet blog repeats. They are Cole Haan cat-eyes (C6048)

My shoes are Type Z sandals in distressed gold leather, also repeats. Sold out! I can't find similar shoes anywhere.

My straw clutch, copper cuff bracelets and turquoise jewelry set have also been on many closet blogs so I won't bore you with a bunch of the same info. To keep it short and sweet, visit http://www.etsy.com/ for copper cuffs and straw clutches. The site has lots of both. The earrings, ring and bracelet set are from Mali in Chicago. Visit their site to see more items @ https://malijewelry.com/default.asp

This concludes another Kris's Closet. Thank you so much for stopping by!

We are having a sale on jewelry on etsy. Just click on our shop page from the blog or go to http://www.etsy.com/ & type in ChristinaKristin. Use SHOPCHRIS10 for 25% off at check out.

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

One of my favorite pieces from the Urban Scrawl, unfortunately I can't find the name of the artist. Let me know if you know! I want to know this artist's name! 

Artists at work! Urban Scrawl

Style Adventures Vol. 6 (Lebanon, Ohio)

STYLE ADVENTURES 

(Lebanon, Ohio 8/26/12)

This is a blog about how to add to your wardrobe using antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales and other venues. We travel Ohio and beyond discovering unique and stylish items we want to share and the places we found them.

Sunday I spent the day in Historic Downtown Lebanon. Lebanon, Ohio is known for great antique shopping. This little town is a place where you can spend an entire day and have plenty to do. If you have a free Saturday, drive over to Lebanon, just outside of Cincinnati. Have brunch at The Golden Lamb. Take an hour ride on the LM&M train where you will get a great view of nature while you learn about railroad history and operations. Afterward take your time walking through the vintage shops and specialty stores. Even someone who isn't into that kind of thing will find something to amuse themself.

I didn't get to ride the train or have brunch but I definitely went through a fair amount of stores. I featured two this SA. Lets start with my favorite, Miller's Antique Market.

Miller's Antique Market

201 South Broadway

Lebanon, Ohio 

I immediately saw items of interest when I walked into this place.  As usual, I came in with a budget, so I wanted to make sure I got only what I felt I could not live without. I was also doing some birthday shopping for Christina. 

Miller's is an antique shop full of many vendors. They are sectioned off and they all carry something a little different. Some vendors have a little of everything and some are a little more focused. One of the first things I stopped to admire was this velvet clutch. While I am not a fan of wearing velvet as a garment, accessories are not bad. The clutch was attractive but had some minor wear and I didn't love it or need it, so I moved on. 

I walked through most of the store with one definite jewelry set in hand when I came to a jewelry vendor in the last room that I fell in love with. Though I could not afford to purchase anything out of the case, it did not hurt me to look and admire. 

One of my favorite pieces in the case was this bright cameo cuff bracelet. I loved the green, yellow and amber combination.

I also ran across a gorgeous, colorful, straw, bohemian style bag. Sadly, I left it there.

Whatever you need, they have it at Miller's. They carry everything from antique furniture and tools, vintage  jewelry, clothing, buttons, art and collectibles. You name it, it's probably there.

I left Miller's Antique Market with this vintage earring and necklace set. It was $5 plus tax.

Broadway Antique Mall

15-17 South Broadway 

Lebanon, Ohio 

Just a short block away from Miller's is Broadway Antique Mall. It was almost as big as Miller's and had lots of neat things. They had the normal stuff like antique jewelry, crystal and collectibles.

I don't know much about crystal or china but I thought these rose colored pieces were pretty.

They also had some not so normal items like this wasps nest. Obviously wasp free! This would make a great conversation piece. 

I was on the hunt for something shiny or metallic though. I looked through many cases like this $5 case with no luck. I was finding some okay pieces but nothing I counldn't live without.

Then I ran across a ceramic bowl full of jewelry in plastic baggies. I knew there was something in there and I needed to gather up the patience to look through it. I am glad I did.

I left Broadway Antique Mall with this jewelry set for $14. The earrings are clip-ons but I may try to convert them. The total for both shops with two pairs of earrings, two necklaces and a bracelet =$19 plus tax

Look for some of these items in my future Kris's Closet blogs! Also visit our shop by clicking on the shop page at the top of our blogspot for 25% off our accessory collection. Use code SHOPCHRIS10

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Remedy This! Cleaning Copper with Ketchup

Remedy This!!! 

In the struggling economy, especially as a woman who doesn't have a 9 to 5, I am always trying to find ways to save money and also look great. I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop and tv discovering new, natural or frugal ways to take care of my beauty and fashion needs. With most people on the same page, many tv programs and articles these days focus on just that. I would like to try these things out for myself and share with you my results.

Cleaning Copper with Ketchup

Before

All summer I have been wearing my copper cuff collection and never stopping to clean it. Part of it was I actually had to go buy copper cleaner and that would require effort. The other thing was copper doesn't look so bad even if it's tarnished. Needless to say, I was in no rush. I was watching tv, not sure what show with all of the Dr.Oz , The Talk, The Doctors, etcetera. Everyone is offering health and beauty tips these days. I discovered that you could use ketchup to clean copper on one of the shows and stored the info in my memopad on my phone. Occasionally I scroll through to see what I wanted to remember to look at or do. I ran across this tip and decided to give it a go less than a week ago.

The cuffs covered in ketchup

 I covered the cuffs in ketchup and let it sit for about ten minutes then I rinsed it off with water. I wasn't satisfied so I repeated the process and let it sit another ten minutes and rinsed it off again. 

After

 I am happy with the results for the most part. I am thinking I left the ketchup on just a little to long. Not only did the ketchup remove the tarnish, it also removed some of the shine. The cuff bracelets were clean but a little dull. You should only leave it on about 5 to 10 minutes according to things I read after the fact . The ketchup works because of the vinegar in it. Vinegar is acid and the acid is what takes off the tarnish. I also later read that a lemon and salt combo would work or just vinegar alone. Maybe I will test one of the other options when my cuffs are in bad shape again. I am just happy I did not waste money on copper cleaner. I will use my copper cleaner money on a new fall accessory.

Until next time!

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) August 22, 2012

Kris's Closet

Inspired by great bloggers like Folake of Style Pantry and Tamia of The Style Sample,a month ago we decided to open up our closets to the world as well. We are ChristinaKristin of Columbus,Ohio. We are two women close in age, with two different takes on style and completely different personalities. The best way to describe us if personalities were colors would be red and hot pink. I am the red personality because I am usually wild, passionate and bold with fashion and in life. My name is Kristin. Welcome to my

closet!

Yesterday I went to Shoetique to spend time with my good friends Dee and Chris. We played catch up and had wine while I took pictures of the new fall merchandise. I had Chris take these pictures of me at the store. This is what I wore.

My glasses are vintage Liz Claiborne. They are oval black and silver sunglasses. I love them! They are my rocker goggles!

My tie-dye beater is  Miley Cyrus. I bought it at a Chicago thrift store with the skirt I have on. The flared skirt is a vintage skirt that probably belonged to someone's grandma. It is covered in flowers and paisley. I love paisley! I found lots of paisley flared skirts on http://www.ebay.com/ The belt I have featured in a closet blog before. It is leather with studs. I have worn it a lot so it is becoming distressed. I found a cute leather studded belt option @ http://www.bluefly.com/Vince-Camuto-black-leather-studded-skinny-belt/cat20054/319327402/detail.fly.

The necklace is leather and metal. I found it at Funky & Functional in Short North, Columbus, Ohio. I found a really cute option for this necklace @ http://www.etsy.com/listing/106918902/leather-necklace-black?ref=sr_gallery_37&ga_search_query=black+leather+and+stud+necklace&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=allThe black and white marble check pattern ring I got in Cincinnati from a vendor at the Macy's Festival. It is a closet blog repeat. The mustache rings I got from Cedar Point two weeks ago. I thought they were great! I found several mustache rings on http://www.etsy.com/ .

This concludes another Kris's Closet. Thank you so much for stopping by!

We are having a sale on jewelry on etsy. Just click on our shop page from the blog or go to http://www.etsy.com/ & type in ChristinaKristin. Use SHOPCHRIS10 for 25% off at check out.

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Style Crush

Every woman has a crush on another woman, whether it's because of her amazing hair, her confidence, or in this case her sense of style. We will be highlighting women whose style we have a crush on, either a celeb or an average Jane. Enjoy!!

Koku Gonza

taken from Koku Gonza's facebook

This week's style crush is a woman I have known a couple of years now. She is the best friend of one of my good friends. She is a model and exceptional artist. My first style crush is the beautiful and very talented Koku Gonza.

When you see her, you immediately notice how easy she is on the eyes. Her skin is flawless and her natural mane is healthy and inspiring. Don't think that is all she has to offer, when she opens her mouth whether she is singing or talking, expect to be entertained. She sings, plays the guitar and she is hilariously funny. I have almost had many accidental tinkle moments while listening to some of her rants or surprise outbursts. As a fashionista, the thing I admire most is her style. I would describe her as eclectic, a bohemian rocker, edgy, sexy and fun. She marches to the beat of her own drum when it comes to fashion. She isn't afraid to mix colors, patterns or textures. She is courageous and somehow makes anything work.

taken from mixerpot.com

With Koku expect to see lots of color-blocking. Almost all of the pictures I pulled for this blog were of her in a color-block look. She is not at all timid when it comes to color . Most times I have seen her, she has had on something bright. I have seen her often in the 71Jules Multifaceted Dresses by Juliette Buford of Chicago. I included two photos of Koku in the 71Jules dresses. The ones Koku wears are usually bright and often multi-colored. I have had my eye on them since the first time I saw one in 2010 but my frugal chic philosophy won't allow me to spend the money even if it seems worth it. You can find more images of Koku and the 71Jules Multifaceted Dress at http://www.71jules.com/

taken from the Koku Gonza facebook fan page

taken from Koku Gonza's facebook page (71Jules dress)

Picture from the set of her new video that just premiered yesterday on youtube, taken from the Koku Gonza facebook fan page

Another signature of Koku's is hand knitted and crocheted garments and accessories.You will find Koku in hand knitted and crocheted garments no matter the season. I ran across a new photo album on her facebook fan page with behind the scene pictures from her newest video for song "This Beat Is For You" and fell in love with this piece she is wearing by the Double Stitch Twins. It screamed color-block, motherland, bohemian funk! I was so mesmerized, I had to contact Koku to find out who the designer was. I am so in love!

To find out more about Koku Gonza, her music and see more examples of her style visit her website at http://kokugonza.com/ or check out her blog at  http://radiozophrenic.blogspot.com/. You can also find a variety of videos dealing with everything from her hair secrets to her music videos on youtube. 

Photo by SongModel Management taken from SongModel News blog (71Jules dress)

Who is your crush?

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) August 18, 2012

Kris's Closet

Inspired by great bloggers like Folake of Style Pantry and Tamia of The Style Sample,a month ago we decided to open up our closets to the world as well. We are ChristinaKristin of Columbus,Ohio. We are two women close in age, with two different takes on style and completely different personalities. The best way to describe us if personalities were colors would be red and hot pink. I am the red personality because I am usually wild, passionate and bold with fashion and in life. My name is Kristin. Welcome to my closet!

 I went to Bucyrus, Ohio for their Bratwurst Festival early Saturday evening. I had a very low key and uneventful morning and afternoon, so I was excited to finally get out of the house. I have been eating better lately to get rid of some of the weight I have gained this past eight months but at the festival I planned to eat what I wanted and indeed I did. I had brats, fried cheese on a stick, fries, ice cream and more. The food was great but even better was a spontaneous vintage shopping moment at Authentiques and meeting the most polite monkey ever. Yes, I am talking about a real monkey with manners. I put on an outfit that I thought would be comfortable and forgiving, considering the food I was about to eat. This is what I wore.

My bright neon tunic I bought at an Ohio Thrift store many years ago. I love that it captures two summer trends, neon and ethnic/tribal. It is open back and has two ties, one at the neck and waistline. I found some cute tunics on etsy @ http://www.etsy.com/listing/83026238/vtg-80s-boho-ethnic-brown-floral-print?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=ethnic+floral+tunic+tops&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all and this one @  http://www.etsy.com/listing/105481395/gorgeous-vintage-60s-neon-bell-sleeve?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=neon+floral+tunic+tops&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

My skinny jeans are Mossimo from Target.

Since my back was open and I was not going without a bra, I opted for a matching neon pink beater to go up under the tunic. I purchased this beater at Meijers for $8. I did not find the beaters on their site. However, I found a website that just sells beaters in a variety of colors and for cheap @ http://www.freshbeaters.com/page/403261570

My sunglasses I wear often, they are my go to gold/silver combo D&G aviators (6065). My earrings are also closet blog repeats from Mali on Michigan Ave in Chicago.

My necklace premiered the first time this month in my Style Adventures Vol. 4 blog. It was purchased a couple weeks ago at the Chesterville Flea Market from a vendor. I payed 25 cents for it. If you like my necklace check out this one from etsy @ http://www.etsy.com/listing/106306007/large-dramatic-vintage-brass-ethnic?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=large+brass+ethnic+necklace&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all

My bracelets and ring are all closet regulars. I have worn them in many closet blogs. The copper cuffs are from vintage stores, thrift stores and the bottom one with all the turquoise stones is from the gift shop at the outdoor drama in Chillicothe, Tecumseh. The ring and matching bracelet go with my earrings. Again, all of them are from Mali in Chicago. My Louis Vuitton I purchased almost ten years ago at the LV store at The Mall at Millenia in Orlando. It was my first Louis Vuitton. The style is called Papillon. I am guessing my particular bag is no longer being produced but I found a similar one on the LV website @ http://www.louisvuitton.com/front/#/eng_US/search/PAPILLON The distressed 
gold leather sandals I am wearing are Type Z (Desert). They are sold out and I have not found anything similar.

This concludes another Kris's Closet. Thank you so much for stopping by!

We are having a sale on jewelry on etsy. Just click on our shop page from the blog or go to http://www.etsy.com/ & type in ChristinaKristin. Use SHOPCHRIS10 for 25% off at check out.

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Me giving my new friend a dollar at The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival . This monkey stole my heart. His name is Jojo.

The most polite monkey I have ever met. He tips his hat and shakes hands.