The Last Word by Karen

Flared Jeans and Culottes

The resurgence of 1970 styles

My Look: Top, Jacket & Flares by White House Black Market, shoes Nine West

As fashion trends re-emerge,  you wonder why you didn't keep the clothing you previously owned. Just think, if you had the space to store clothes from the 1970's would you?  I'm sure the flare jeans and culottes sold back in the day have changed slightly from the items being sold in 2015.

Flare Jeans 

Flares from my high school days. Hanging out with grandma.

I have worn skinny jeans since they became popular in 2007, I have now decided to throw in a couple of pairs of jeans with "flare".  My previous flared jeans were never worn "as is", I decorated them with ribbons, hands and flowers in high school and college,  I embroidered my astrological sign and symbol on them along with my initials and the initials of my college sweetheart. My mom thought the jeans with the hands were a little crass.  When people asked me to embellish their jeans I complied, then I stopped wearing mine. I wasn't trying to look like 

  everybody else.

Culottes

photo courtesy of stylishtwo.com

Culottes have also made a comeback. According to Wikipedia the women's fashion industry has taken a word that has historically been used to describe mens garments to describe a split, bifurcated skirt or any garment which hangs like a skirt but is actually pants.

My Look: Top & Culottes by White House Black Market, shoes LAMB

If you didn't like 1970's styles the first time around, give one of the trends a try. It will give you additional options for your wardrobe.  Maybe you saved old pairs of gently used flares or culottes, if not,  buy the 2015 versions.

There's nothing new under the sun!

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... 


Identity Pendants!!!

In case you are asking, "What is an identity pendant?". Well, for me it is anything that speaks to who you are from a factual stand point. In other words, personalized jewelry.  We have been sporting initial monogram necklaces and other accessories for a while now. Carrie Bradshaw, brought back the name pendants that we wore in the 80s and 90s.  People are buying more birthstone jewelry. Now I am noticing a growing popularity in wearing the state that you live in or love around your neck. It showed up around 2013 but now you find these state necklaces everywhere you go.
I love all of these things and lately I have been wearing less statement pieces and my identity pieces have become my go to pieces. They may be simple but simple can be elegant. They are easy to wear with anything from denim to dressy. Check out some of my favorite looks and learn a few things about me.

 
You know my first name is Kristin and that I live in Ohio from reading the blog. A few things you may not already know that you should gather from these pendants, my middle initial is N and I was born in Florida.  I fly two state flags, so I had to represent both Ohio and Florida. How fun, right?

Get the Look!!! Kris Picks!!!

I am all about supporting the etsy community so all of my selections come from Etsy and from United States sellers . I have decided to feature the best shops instead of individual pieces. I am a little jealous because the cuts of some of these items are so much better than my pieces. I wish I would have found these shops when I was shopping for my pendants. 

State pendants are perfectly cut, even the curviest of states at Ivy By Design.

The shop also carries country pendants and monogram necklaces.

Monogram necklaces come in a few sizes but I love the 2'' extra large that is offered at Personalize Me Jewelry. The sterling silver pendant is sold with your choice of chain length from 14 to 35". They also sale personalized name necklaces in sterling silver and sterling with 18kt gold plating.  My mom bought my necklace for Christmas in 2013 from this shop.

If  you are looking for something with a little more color, Sassy Southern Gals has fun acrylic monogram necklaces with different pattern options and three options for chain material.  You can also shop colorful patterned monogram bracelets and earrings.

For a truely personalized necklace, you can have you own hand writing turned into a necklace at Mackenzie Treasury.  This is a great idea for a late Mother's Day gift. The shop can do a message or  it would be cool to have a name pendant in your signature, that is if it's legible.

Remember when everyone was wearing dog tags? I still love these things but I have no idea where mine went. I think I may want to revisit these but class it up in sterling silver.  

Hearts of Silver allows you to choose from six different fonts and the dog tag pendant comes with a sterling 24'' beaded chain.

We have seen celebs rocking personalized items on reruns of Sex And the City and weekly on the Wendy Williams Show. I have admired the state pendants since I first saw Eva Longoria wearing her Texas pendants a couple years ago. She must really love her state because she has been seen wearing more than one style of Texas pendant. These pendants are really fun pieces and they are items that we will probably wear for a long time because they aren't just about style or trends, they are about us. 

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

photo credits: theinbetweengirls.com, theroot.com & myfashionjuice.com

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) April 1, 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!

 

Last night I went to see Stevie Wonder in concert. It's the last days of sweater weather, so I put on this sweater I did not have the opportunity to wear all winter. I love it because it looks vintage but it is not. I am over wearing coats,so I have opted for layering clothing until I can wear less. I can't wait until it is well into spring. The sweater is layered over a black shirt dress that is at least ten years old. I am almost embarrassed to say the statement necklace is something I ordered after seeing it on 'Mai Picks', a discount shopping segment on 'The Real'. I am normally not the kind of girl who orders things I see on television but this necklace was something I'd been looking for. It was leather and gold plated. The earrings were given to me for my birthday last year by Christina. Don't they look great with the necklace? 

The Stevie Wonder Concert was just the therapy I needed after a long stressful winter. I only purchased my ticket yesterday and got a seat in the 8th row from the right of the stage. I was ecstatic about that but I had no idea that one of my favorite songstresses would be there. India Arie, performed several songs with Stevie Wonder, all while wearing some of the most drool worthy stage costumes I have ever seen. She had matching or complimentary head-wraps with everything. I may have to do an inspired look in an up coming post. Anyhow, I took these photos of my look before the show. This is what I wore.

Sweater: MinkPink from Nordstrom

Shirt Dress: old

Boots: Guess

Necklace: Passiana Quadruple Strand Leather Spiked Bib ( Order  through Mai Picks but find it HERE)

Earrings: Birthday gift from Christina
Bracelet: Was my grandma's
Sunglasses: Quay Yibrow in gold

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Some Galaxy S4 Photo Highlights