Chris's/Kris's Closet (Christina)

Chris's Closet

Day

This was one of those rare occasions when I changed clothes twice in one day. If I know I will be doing something during the day and night, I  will usually wear something that is appropriate for both events. In this case my day outfit was appropriate for my night event, but I had to stop home in between festivities to wait on the goldfish I was pet sitting, and I took the opportunity to change. The romper I wore to the Tour de Fat was a bit uncomfortable, and I got tired of having to pee naked, so I decided to switch it up since I was at home anyway.

Romper: Vintage shop in Brooklyn

Jewelry: ChristinaKristin

Belt: Village Valuables, German Village

Zipper Pouch: Yetunde Rodriguez Design

Shoes: Coach

Night

My night outfit was cute and so comfy, adding the backpack gave me that loungy school girl feel. I was going to a listening party for the Jay-Z 4:44 album, and this look was very appropriate. The event was at a members only club, it felt very house-partyish.  I wanted to keep my boho look that I had earlier in the day, but less rocker. I kept on the same shoes, and some of the same jewelry.

Kimono: Target

Skirt: Donated to me

Crop top: Target

Jewelry: ChristinaKristin

Backpack: Gift from South Korea

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Christina) June 9, 2015

Chris's Closet

I am Christina, the hot pink of ChristinaKristin. Welcome to my closet!

Last week, I posted about Kristin and I being "It Girls" for Rocksbox. Today I am going to share with you how I wore 2 of the pieces. Kristin and I had a longstanding date to go to Paint Nite at Bar 145 in Grandview. If you are not familiar, Paint Nite also called Wine & Painting is held in a bar/restaurant where you can enjoy cocktails while you paint. The event was really cool the host played great music and had lots of energy the whole night. I have to admit I was a bit nervous at first, I just couldn't get past the thought of destroying my blank canvas, but once I got started I had so much fun. I can't wait to do it again.My outfit was pretty simple, since we were working with acrylic paints I did not want to  make a mess in "good" clothes.  

Blazer: White House Black Market

Tank: Nordstom, Abound

Jeans: Hudson Jeans

Shoes: Red Valentino

Jewelry:

1. Perry Street Alice Necklace (Rocksbox)

2. Jules Smith Textured Open Cuff (Rocksbox)

3. Black and white beaded bracelet- ChristinaKristin

4. Stella & Dot (2 bangles after cuff)

5. Last 2 gold bangles- gift from India

Sign up for your Rocksbox subscription and remember to use code christinakristinxoxo to get your first box for free.

Until Next Time,

Chris!

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

What Inspired Our Heavy Metal Collection? Part I The Music

What Inspired Our Heavy Metal Collection?

Many of you have become familiar with us just recently as bloggers but we have been known for wardrobe styling a few years now and even longer as designers. We have been designing together since 2004 but we began designing costume jewelry and accessories around the end of 2009. Last year we began focusing on building collections and created our first two collections, Cotton Candy and Vegas last spring. This winter we started work on a collection inspired by Rock & Roll combined with industrial elements. We introduced and sold some pieces of the Heavy Metal collection during the holidays but the collection will become available online this Wednesday  We had so much positive feedback on this collection but many wanted to understand more about what inspired us to create it. In this post I will share with you my personal photos as well as research photos I found online of our muses. This is where it began....

The Music!!!

personal photos left to right: concert sign at Alrosa Villa 6/29/12, Tesla concert ticket 8/16/12, The Offspring set 7/18/12 

Spring and Summer 2012, I attended quite a few concerts with my beau Leo. He is a huge fan of 80's hair bands and many genres of rock, so when there was a band he wanted to see, I was at his side in my closest impression of what a stylish rock loving babe would wear. I wanted to fit in as much as possible but still managed to stick out like a sore thumb, usually the only little black girl in attendance and wearing little black sequin shorts with python stilettos. Among the many concerts I attended I saw heavy metal and hard rock bands like Cinderella, Tesla, Great White and Faster Pussycat. I saw glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd and punk band The Offspring. As I watched these concerts, the fans and listened to the music, I envisioned jewelry pieces that I could see on Steve Summers of Pretty Boy Floyd or Tom Keifer of Cinderella. I envisioned pieces I would want to wear myself to concerts like these.  

Jack Russell of Great White 

I began doing research on the bands and the music I was being introduced to. I looked at old photos and payed close attention to their looks from past to present. Jack Russell was tame in comparison to some of the other rock stars that I looked to for inspiration but I loved some of his accessory choices. In photos I have found of him, he wears bohemian/rock bracelets and groups of dangle earrings all at once.

photos courtesy of: eonline.com, my personal photo, eberlyphoto.com, my personal photo, classicrockmagazine.com

Steve Summers of Pretty Boy Floyd

One of my favorite muses for this collection was Steve Summers. When he came out to perform the night I went to see Pretty Boy Floyd, I couldn't help but admire his faux fur jacket. When I began looking through old and current photos of him, I was even more intrigued. The group is considered glam rock and it isn't hard to understand why when you look at their style. Summers layers his necklaces and bracelet. His hats are adorned with studs and spikes. Summer's over the top look inspired some of our boldest pieces.

photos courtesy of: hairbangersradio.ning.com, image 2 & 3 neon-lights.com, metalsludge.tv, my personal photo, allacessmagazine.com

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith & Tom Keifer of Cinderella

When I think about iconic rock style, I can't forget about 

Steven   Tyler. I have not seen him in concert but I love his bohemian rocker look. He is not afraid to mix it up or rock a large statement necklace. 

I also really loved Tom Keifer of Cinderella's past looks for some of the same reasons. His look in the past was very bohemian rocker as well. His jewelry stemmed on the edge of tribal and he made fringe on a man look sexy.  

photos courtesy of: sheknows.com, google image,   buzzsugar.com, enmetalship.org, image 4 & 6 fanpop.com

These are the men and bands who inspired the collection. If you are interested in this collection, look for part two of our inspiration tomorrow where we will talk about our industrial inspiration. Check out a bonus photo below!

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Me & Michele of  Skully's on High Street at the Cinderella Concert

I ran into a woman wearing a onesie feather piece from our Cotton Candy Collection while at the Cinderella Concert last year. She turned out to be an acquaintance of my beau and the owner of one of my favorite bars in Columbus, Skully's. Small world! =)

Style Adventures Vol. 10 (Berlin, Ohio)

STYLE ADVENTURES 

(Berlin Ohio 2/2)

This post is 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.

Queen Anne's Lace

 4786 East Main St. 

Berlin, Ohio 44610

Saturday I spent the day in Amish Country with my guy. We went from city to city eating and shopping for Amish foods.  Afterward we shopped the local vintage and specialty shops. I had no intentions of doing a Style Adventures post but then I came across Queen Anne's Lace. I was originally attracted to the beautiful historic exterior. Then I went inside and was equally intrigued. It is the kind of store that triggered my own desires of owning my own specialty store. It is a place that inspires one to be creative. I thought about all the interior decorating projects I have yet to start and I drooled over accessories I had to convince myself I didn't need.

The store specializes in Victorian Lace. You will also find jewelry, fascinators and Steampunk hats, body products and home furnishings.  There are two floors of merchandise including a baby room full of fun baby items and a room with sale items that included some holiday decor. My favorite floor was the first floor. I found myself browsing the same areas, jewelry and accessories.

With watches being a big accessory item for spring, I found myself staring at a watch display full of sparkly pieces. I had to remind myself that I don't wear watches.

One of my favorite sections of the store was a dress covered in cameo brooches. I have loved cameo pieces since I was a child discovering fashion and the history of it. 

I fell in love with this cameo statement necklace with matching earrings. 

I was inspired by these pieces that brought recycled buttons and jewelry together to create images of floral designs and beautiful vintage dresses. This is green art at it's best.

My favorite room was the hat room. I spent much of my time in the room trying on Steampunk hats and imagining how I would incorporate them into my daily wardrobe. Though I do not participate in the Steampunk culture, anyone who knows me knows I love a funky hat.

The majority of the hats in the store are made by Elsie Massey. I found myself attracted to them all. Her pieces included materials like feathers, lace, fake birds and clock pieces like escape wheels.

My favorite was this top hat covered in lace, feathers and clock pieces.

After making my rounds I made my final selection. I decided on an embellished knit turban headband.
Total $18

If you find yourself in Berlin, stop in Queen Anne's Lace to see Anne and all she has to offer. I had the best experience! Her store is unique and her personality makes you want to stop and stay a while. For more information, check out her website. http://www.queenanneslaceberlin.com/

Look for my new turban headband in future closet blog posts! Fashionista's, antiquers & store owners! Got a store or area I should visit? Leave me a comment.

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Style Adventures Vol. 8 (Powell, Ohio)

STYLE ADVENTURES 

(Powell, Ohio 9/30)

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.

Yesterday I rode around the city and subs of Columbus. One of my stops was a garden center. I was not expecting to do a Style Adventure but once I got inside, I realized this was a place people needed to know about for many reasons. Thank goodness I always have my camera.

Baker's Villiage Garden Center

 9267 Dublin Rd

Powell, Ohio 43065

I was very tickled at first sight. When we pulled up there was a girl dressed in a jack-o-lantern costume handing out little packages of candy corn. She was adorable! I had to tell her so.

I went into the store, chewing my candy corn and expecting very little. Once in the door I saw a small section of Ohio State University clothing and accessories. This was OSU with flair and funk. It was the kind of stuff I would wear to feel like I was staying true to my style while remaining in the spirit. Imagine lots of rhinestones, crystals and garments that are almost dressy casual but in scarlet and gray.

The store is full of home and garden items. The rooms right now are stocked full of fall, Halloween and Christmas accessories. I love Christmas, so my favorite room was the room full of over the top Christmas ornaments.  You holiday fanatics, who do serious decorating and make every holiday feel so special, if you are't already a Baker's customer, add this place to your list of stops. The Christmas ornaments are some of the best I have seen and there are plenty of pumpkins, gourds and ornamental corn. 

You have to love a place with free sweets! They had a table full of cookies, rice crispys and brownies for you to help yourself.

This place loves their buckeyes! I ran across another Ohio State themed area with vests, scarves headbands and buckeye jewelry. I call it grown women sports gear.

Baker's also had an edge on some of the latest trends like this mustard fedora. The fedora is big this season and I have not seen this particular color anywhere. 

I was all about the scarf wall! They had so many colors and prints! They also had some really beautiful scarf accessories.

They carry a nice selection of scarf slides. I am even thinking I may need to work one of these into  

my wardrobe.

Outside they had more fashion items in greenhouses. These items were on clearance. 

I immediately went for a case filled with jewelry and found a bracelet that I needed to have that was 75% off. It was originally $9.99.

Here is the bracelet I bought. I think it's cute but to be honest, I bought it because it was $2.50. Look for it in a future Kris's Closet.

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!!

Lianne La Havas

Photo taken from:stylecanteen.net

I just recently stumbled upon Lianne while perusing www.essence.com, and her style immediately caught my attention.  I can appreciate when a musical artist has a signature style. Whenever you see her you will always see something adorning her neck, whether it is a collar, or bold jewelry.  She has said many times that she loves wearing clothing that accentuates her hour glass shaped figure, and that her style is an eclectic mix of girly and boyish accents.

Photo taken from: www.luckymag.com

Lianne's debut album Is Your Love Big Enough?, released on August 7. You can check out some of her videos on www.youtube.com.
To see more about Lianne's style check out this article featured at http://www.luckymag.com/blogs/luckyrightnow/2012/06/lucky-office-visit-lianne-la-havas#slide=1. I am headed over now to listen to more music and find more of her style!

Who is your style crush?

Until next time, Ciao!

Chris

Style Adventures Vol. 3 ( Kelley's Island & Attica, Ohio)

STYLE ADVENTURES 

(Kelley's Island & Attica, Ohio 7/21 & 7/22)

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.

Vi's Island Treasures

211 E. Lakeshore

Kelley's Island, Ohio

First I want to apologize ahead of time for some of these pictures not being as clear as they are normally. I don't have a professional photographer so sometimes we get it right and sometimes it's just okay.

 I spent the weekend hopping the islands of Lake Erie. I'd planned to go to the Kelley's Island Fest with the fella for months. We got there and I was not super impressed with the festival and the island was not what I expected either. It was nothing like Put in Bay. It was super laid back but still kind of fun because it was different. We rented a golf cart and drove around the island and ended up running into the newest gift shop on the island, a place called Vi's Island Treasures next to a large home called Kelley's Mansion.

Light house glass table

The store is stocked with nautical related furniture, lamps and souvenirs. There are lots of lighthouses, seagulls and seashells. There is also an abundance of my favorite thing, jewelry. I was so excited noticing she had a lot of swarovski crystal jewelry. There were swarovski covered sunglasses and watches as well. 

The necklaces were very colorful and summery. She had shell and stone pieces. There were also quite a few fun pairs of earrings using images like flip flops and the state bird, the cardinal. The ones that caught my eye were red bicycles. I thought these were brilliant.

The bicycle earrings in red and blue

I am a sucker for novelty! I know this isn't clothing or accessories. I fell in love with these, not because they were something I had never seen but because they had a pair of tweezers for everyone. I was given a pair similar as a gift from my mom and thought they were great but the girl didn't look like me. It's amazing how things like that make a difference but it makes you feel good to be represented. I immediately snatched up the brown girl tweezers with curly black hair. Mine!

I did not leave with a lot but I was impressed with the selection. I did take home my black girl Uptown Girlz tweezers. They will get used once a week. Shop total $3.95 plus tax

Second Time Around

8534 S. State Rt. 4

Attica, Ohio 44807

Sunday on the way home from the shores and islands of Lake Erie, we stopped at a place I discovered last month on the way to Sandusky during another ride with the fella. I was super excited to be stopping through again. Second Time Around use to be a public school in Attica in the early nine-teen hundreds. The couple who run the place and also live on site, kept some of the school interior remnants. When you walk in behind the desk where the transactions take place you will find an enclose bulletin board with eerie black and white class pictures, old news articles and hand written notices. In the room to the left you will find the chalkboards as they hung exactly 100 years ago. This is the anniversary year. Since the couple live in the shop, you are welcome to ring the doorbell at any time if you want to browse or shop. If they are there, they will open up for you.

bulletin board from when the school was open

Class from 1914, two years after the school opened

chalk boards in what use to be a classroom in the early 1900's

When I got to the shop, this is the first place I went. Last time I was there I found two great pairs of earrings. I  hoped the clutch I saw last time was still there. Unfortunately for me it wasn't, but there were new pieces and I was leaving with something. They have a large case with pull out shelves full of all kinds of vintage jewelry and accessories. Some things are just okay but somethings are exceptional. I try to find the exceptional.

After looking at everything I start trying on things and start to narrow down my options. Clip-ons are usually funky and more exciting than the pierced earrings but may not be easy to convert so I sometimes walk away from those.

The first thing that caught my eye was an earring and bracelet set made of faux pearls and faux turquoise. I tried on the bracelet and it fit. It just needed a good cleaning. Mine!

Then I found this ring. It was clearly not in the best shape. It was tarnished mostly but it was still very charming and felt Old Hollywood. Mine!

I walked away from the jewelry to see what else there was to see. There is stuff all over but one of my other favorite areas in the store is the tea set wall. I use to collect these when I was little. My grandma gave me a few collectibles and I actually drank real tea out of them. They have a lot of beautiful sets in the shop.

I stopped to look in my second favorite room, which is full of toys, all kinds of posters and signs. It is the most interesting room in the place. I don't ever find anything in there that I want but I like looking in it.

I finally gathered up my selections and it was time to head home with my goodies. I had a long eventful weekend so I was excited about my bed.

Left to right: wood earrings and pearl screw on $2.00, pearl ring $1.50 and bracelet/ earring set $10

Total $13.50

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!
Kris,