Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) Christmas 2013

Kris's Closet

In this blog post you will get a glimpse of pieces in my closet,learn where I found them

 and where I wore them.  

My name is Kristin. Welcome to my closet!

Christmas day was super busy for me. I made Christmas dinner which included a balsamic glazed lamb roast, green beans and red cabbage. My family and I are all of a sudden into appetizers so I prepared a bunch of those as well as a derby pie for dessert. I was the last to get dressed because I didn't want to be covered in food. All in all it was a great day with my family. After dinner, I rode around looking at lights with my fella. I love the people who go over the top with their decorations.I wish I had photos to share from what I saw. Anyhow, this was my Christmas look. Check it out!

Dress:Target

Jacket:thrift store

Boots: G by Guess Trinna Over-the-Knee Platform Dress Boot

Earrings: Betsey Johnson Knife Edge Hoops 

Knuckle ring: Nordstrom

Necklace: TopShop

I found this jacket at the thrift store this past summer in Lynchburg, Virginia in preparation for the plaid fall trend. I looked hard for tartan plaid but did not find anything thrifting. I did find this plaid jacket though that was probably once a part of someone's school uniform. I folded back the lapels of the jacket and buttoned them down to show off this new necklace from Top Shop.The dress I got during the warm months and I never got to wear it. It came from Target. The cotton dress feels like a tee shirt and has a peplum to cover up my extras from all of the holiday food. Since the dress is sleeveless it went great under the jacket. My boots are new. I finally replaced my old Guess black over-the-knee boots for a new pair of Guess boots. The old ones are now retired. Yay!

What do you think about my holiday look?

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Designer Holiday!!! Oh Christmas Tree

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

With Christmas just a week away, I thought I would share with you one of my decorating projects. Less than two weeks ago I bought and decorated the tree at my parent's home. I have to admit I am a huge fan of color so when my mom asked for a black and white tree, I was a little blah about it but also excited about the challenge. I remembered seeing the Alexander McQueen Fall Collection which happened to be black and white with it's pearl face cages, pearl beaded dresses and accessories. The small Catholicism inspired collection also featured white feathers and metallics like gold and silver. I decided to use the collection as my inspiration in both the literal and non-literal sense. I loved the idea of  faux pearls on the tree. I found some polka-dot ribbon. My mom found pearl and polka-dot bulbs online.  The polka-dots gave the same effect as the pearls in the collection. I selected silver as my metallic and incorporated feathers using bird ornaments I found in store and online. I used other patterns like the bird cage criss-cross on the tree to remind you of the face cages and criss-cross patterns in McQueen's collection. I also added one of my favorite things that is also on trend in fashion this year, animal prints.

c/o style.com

CHRISTMAS TREE FASHION

glass swan from Pier 1

silver glitter bird from Big Lots

DIY!!!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BOW TREE TOPPER!!!

I usually buy a star or some kind of decorative tree topper but this year I had the hardest time finding what I wanted. I envisioned a pearl star but once I found one similar to my ideal piece, It was not the price I had hoped for. I decided to create a bow out of polka-dot ribbon and add pearls to it. Check out the steps to my handmade bow.

What you will need

1. one spool of 6 to 8 ft ribbon

2. thread

3. needle

4. glue gun
5. beaded plastic strands or beads on wire (optional) Find these in the wedding department of craft stores

(you can use a glue gun instead of needle and thread)

1. Start by folding the loose end of ribbon toward the spool to create a loop the size of the bow you desire.
Hold the loop firm as you continue creating loops with the loose ribbon on the spool. Continue this process until the bow is as full as desired while maintaining the loop ends in your hand.

2. Use the needle and thread to sew the loops together where your hand is holding the fullness. Leave space under your hand at the bottom. This will create a sleeve to slide the bow on top of the tree if done correctly.
If you are using the glue gun instead of sewing, glue the folds to one another one by one using dots the size of chocolate chips. Be careful not to burn yourself.

3. Add light weight beading. Squeeze small amounts of glue deep into the folds of the bow and tuck the beaded strands into the glue. Press together slightly to conceal the glue.

I also added pearls inside the sleeve so that pearls would cascade down the tree. If you do this you have to spread the pearl strands out evenly around the tree.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Kris,

Christina's Top 5 Fall 2013 Trends!!!

Kristin recently shared her top 5 Fall trends, so it was only right that I share mine too. My choices are in no particular order, just some trends that caught my attention, that I would be willing to try out.


1. Slouchy Pants

I think we have all gotten accustomed to wearing tight skinny pants, I know for sure I have. With my petite frame I feel that if clothes are loose on me then I look as if the clothes are swallowing me. It takes me back to my high school days when I would wear a size 3, but in reality I should have been wearing a 0. But I have been eyeing harem pants since the summer, and I've been noticing some looser fitting pants in stores. The key to wearing these pants are to pair them with a heel,and wear a chic top. For myself I would opt for a more fitted top and a belt to break it up a little.

Photos courtesy of: www.glamour.com

2. Classic Patterns (Leopard Print)

Burberry did an amazing job incorporating leopard print into their Pre-Fall collection this season. This was definitely a modern way to show this classic print. I think my favorite is the trench coat with the printed sleeves, love it. This is really a trend that never goes out of style, but just continues to get updated. I think I have a few leopard print items in my closet that I can wear this season. And you could easily find leopard print pieces at your local thrift store.

Photo courtesy of: www.jornaldaparaiba.com.br

3. Black and White

Color blocking has carried over showcasing just two colors, Black & White. I'm loving this trend because it's easy to shop, and very inexpensive. So if you're one of those anti-color people who loves black, now you can mix in a little white.

Photo courtesy of: www.shelookbook.com

4. Menswear Fabrics

Menswear for women seems to stay in style. I especially like this trend because designers are taking traditional men's fabrics which have a masculine feel, and creating them to flatter a woman's body. You will see heavier fabrics such as tweed, and prints like houndstooth and plaid.

Photo courtesy of: www.fallwinterfashiontrends.com

5. Statement Fur

Although Kristin is bigger fan of fur than I am, I do enjoy some fur pieces. I especially like the statement fur pieces that were shown on the runway this fall. I myself recently purchased a faux fur leopard print jacket, 2 trends in one, I have yet to wear it. If you are anti-fur, try faux fur, you can find some really good quality faux fur pieces if you shop around.

Photo courtesy of: www.outsapop.com

What trends are you wearing this season?

Until Next Time,

*Chris*