The Last Word by Karen Introduction

ChristinaKristin presents a new blog segment by Karen, my mom. We featured her in October as our 'Style Crush'; a blog post where we highlight stylish people or items that we admire and are inspired by. She was so popular we decided to make her a guest blogger. She will be closing every month with 'The Last Word by Karen'. The title is so appropriate because she loves to have the last word. As her daughter I have witnessed it for thirty plus years. I have also witnessed her incredible style and strength. She has inspired my personal style and encouraged me so much in my life dreams. I hope she will do the same for you; with that said, I am happy to share her with you once a month. Please take care of her and make her feel welcomed.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable! 

Kris

 

 Welcome to 'The Last Word',

Style is a personal thing, it is subjective. Wearing age appropriate clothing is also subjective, who is to say what trends one can follow after age 50? Are women over fifty relegated to wearing clothing with elastic waist, comfortable shoes and tunics. I say "nein."

Please join me in February as I discuss trends and style as they relate to women who have lived a half a century plus.

 One day at a time, Karen.

This Month's Obsession

This Month's Obsession!!!

Often I see a trend or an accessory that takes over my mind. I see it, I fall in love with it and then I obsess about it. Once the feeling hits me, I go into research mode then I must have it, so I buy it. Then I buy it again in three more colors or variations in styles. Yes, if I love it then I need to have many options; soon after, I have moved on to a new love. Today my obsession is... 

SUNGLASSES!!! 

left to right: Quay Australia Zig Black , Fantas Eyes Bigeas, Quay Australia Yibrow, The Crystal Cult The Devyn, Fantas Eyes Pearl Diver, Quay Australia Zig Gold

In my late teens and early twenties, I use to be the girl who obsessed over name brands and bought three pairs of designer brand sunglasses a year. I spent a hundred plus dollars on each pair and wore them as often as I could. I loved Chanel, Versace and Valentino: the gaudier, the better! I wanted sunglasses that looked like jewelry, covered in Swarovski crystals and pearls.I have always been an accessory girl and I would refer to myself as a sunglass snob. If it wasn't designer, I would not wear them. Then in my mid to late twenties it was about fun sunglasses from discount sites like Overstock and Bluefly. I loved shopping for sunglasses at Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx. I could get more pairs for the money and I was still getting the same quality you get with expensive high end designer brands. I was finding other quality brands I loved like Betsey Johnson, Liz Claiborne, Cole Haan and Michael Kors. They were a little more affordable but still designer. It helped that they were discounted and affordable. Today, I just love style. I love brands with flare. They are great quality and fun but they may not be as well known. My favorites right now are Quay Australia, The Crystal Cult and Fantas Eyes. Those three brands are featured in this post along with a few other brands who have some awesome designs I love as well. 

 

I wear my sunnies all year long. My glasses have gotten just as much wear this winter as

 they do during the warmer seasons. You have to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays in

the winter ,as well as cold winds. Since we are already halfway through the winter, it's a

great time to talk about some cool brands of eyewear for Spring that I love. These brands

 also carry the trends we saw on the runway for Spring. The best thing is, they won't break

 your pocket! Here are my favorite trends and my favorite looks from my go to brands.

1. Cat-eyes & Butterfly

 I love a good cat eye! It is my favorite look. All of my prescription glasses are cat-eyes or 
butterfly wing and I have at least a  half dozen pairs of cat-eye sunglasses. I buy what I think looks the best on my heart shaped face and a cat-eye is my best look. Designers such as Michael Kors, Adam Selman and Fendi accessorized their Spring/Summer 2015 looks with cat-eyes.

Micheal Kors, Adam Selman & Fendi photos courtesy of style.com

Kris Picks !!!
(All Under $100)

1. The Betty by The Crystal Cult $85

2. The Steelcat by Quay Australia $45

3. The Pearl Diver by Fantas-Eyes $30

2. Sparkly Frames
 I am still a super fan of the frames that look like jewelry. That is why I am such a fan of the Crystal Cult brand. After eye-balling the collections of Jeremy Scott, Chanel and Oscar de la Renta who accessorized their Spring looks with their rhinestone and crystal covered frames; I started collecting some crystal frames for my sunglass wardrobe. The last pair of crystal studded frames I owned was a pair of Versace's that I wore until the crystals fell out. This hurt my soul! I kept them in hopes to have a jeweler replace them (which still hasn't happened). My mom introduced me to the Crystal Cult brand and I stalked the glasses for weeks before I actually bought a pair. Two weeks later, I received a second pair for Christmas. I am a proud member of the Crystal Cult. No one does sparkly like The Crystal Cult.

Jeremy Scott, Chanel & Oscar de la Renta Photos courtesy of style.com

Kris Picks!!!
(All Under $100)

1. The Morgan by The Crystal Cult $40

2. The Riley by The Crystal Cult $58

3.  The Mason by The Crystal Cult $58

3.Unique Frames 

These frames are out of the ordinary or extravagant. They aren't for the conservative woman. These are looks only a special kind of woman can pull off. Designers such as Hussein Chalayan, Libertine and Prada showed unique eye-wear with their collections for spring. This is one of my favorite trends for the season, so I had the best time pulling together eye-wear from some of my favorite sites.

Hussein Chalayan, Libertine & Prada Photo's courtesy of stylebistro.com and style.com

Kris Picks !!!
(All under $100)
 

 

1.SteamPunk Bicycle from Hi Tek Webstore HT006 $82

2.The Devyn by The Crystal Cult $55

3. Trek Sunglasses by Rose & Ono $25

4. The Tyler by The Crystal Cult $65

5. Lash Em Glasses from Dolls Kill $49

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!
               Kris,              

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) January 19, 2015

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!

Yesterday we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I usually volunteer to help my mom's office but since she is newly retired, I got to plan my own holiday activities. Christina and I went to the King Arts Complex where we checked out art by local artists and sat in on a cooking presentation. Then we picked up some Creole food for lunch and had a business meeting.

I have worn this sweater dress a lot,it is comfortable and easy. It may need to be retired because it has appeared on the blog at least a half dozen times. I just change it up with belts, blouses and other pieces. This is another 60's mod look. I am still obsessed. This was my look yesterday.

Dress: Kenneth Cole Reaction(similar dress)

Vintage Tie Blouse:(Thrift) 

Cape Coat: LAUREN by Ralph Lauren (similar coat)

Boots: Guess (Old) 

Earrings:(Old)

Sunglasses: Quay Yibrow

Turban: etsy (similar turban)

Leather Gloves:Charter Club (similar gloves)

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Fun Fashion Friday!!!

It's 'Fun Fashion Friday'! In these posts I will bring you the playful side of fashion. Fashion doesn't always have to be so serious. I am a big fan of really funky, fun pieces. I admit to loving my fun or bizarre items more than the classic ones; even if some of my friends hate and make fun of them. After all, fashion is about self expression and SHOULD BE fun.
 
BARBIE GIRL

When I was a little girl I was a huge fan of Barbie. I had at least a dozen Barbie dolls, most in my likeness. That was important to my mom. I had a Barbie sports car and Barbie Mansion with an elevator that went up and down the mansion floors when you pulled a rope attached to a small pulley. I remember my dad stapling the mansion to the wall because it kept falling over from my excessive play. Barbie is one of the reasons I fell in love with fashion. Barbie was my friend and she helped me make friends as well. I was an awkward creative child. Making friends did not come easy to me. A love for Barbie was often the only thing I had in common with other girls.

left: Moschino    right: Wildfox

Today as an adult, I still love Barbie. I still have a closet full of collector dolls and seeing anything with a Barbie logo still brings me such nostalgic bliss. Several years ago,  Nicki Minaj appeared on the scene with her pink wigs and Barbie-esque outfits. Because of Nicki Minaj, a surge of Barbie jewelry and items began popping up everywhere. This past fall, life size Barbie clothing and accessories were launched in Lord & Taylor, Wildfox and Forever 21.Then there was Moschino with his Barbie inspired Spring 2015 Collection. It's just as fun as his last collection that I blogged about in the first 'Fun Fashion Friday'. Remember Sponge Bob and the McDonalds? Well, Jeremy Scott has done it again with his collection of Barbie-like clothing full of bubblegum pink,  fuchsia and accessories that look so much like the extras that came in the Barbie box; like a hand mirror that is actually an iPhone case. Not only can we dress like Barbie, we can also rock her accessories. I love it!

Moschino's Barbie World
RTW Spring 2015 

Wildfox's Barbie Dreamhouse 


 

 

My Picks!!!

 I love the idea of fashion but for me it has to make sense for my pocket. I know many of us can't afford to buy pieces that cost hundreds and thousands of dollars, this is my favorite part to post. These items have the same feel at a lower cost. I tried to keep the cost under $100 with a couple exceptions. Keep in mind, these are items are strictly for adults. Check them out!

1. I Love Ken Baggy Sweater by Wildfox Couture from Dolls Kill
2. Barbie Body Con Dress by MJ Creation on Esty
3. Barbie Graphic Bodysuit at Forever 21
4. Moschino Barbie Mirror iPhone 6 Case from Selfridges & Co.
5. Bad Bad Barbie Wallet by Off With Her Head 1983 on Esty
6. Barbie Shoe Charm Bracelet by Zoes Barbie Shoes on Esty
7. Barbie Low Rise Boypants at TopShop

It's been fun!!! 
Until next time,
Be blessed, Be free, Be fashionable!
Kris,

photo credits: style.com, dollskills.com, selfridges.com, shopstyle.com, etsy.com, wildfox.com