What's Up With ChristinaKristin

Happy New Year! We know, we are late but it is still January. We have so much to share. We launched our Afrikahlo Collection at the end of last year and it was an amazing event full of love, good food and of course our creations. The Afrikahlo Collection is a Collection inspired by Frida Kahlo, along with cultures of African and Latin countries. We documented our process from beginning to end @christinakristin on instagram if you are interested in learning about the supplies we used and how we created our pieces.You can now find a selection of our pieces at our etsy shop or you can try pieces on before you purchase them at Studio V Fashion. We created a special necklace called the Felicia that you can only find and purchase at Studio V.

Visit ChristinaKristin https://christinakristin.patternbyetsy.com/

Visit Studio V Fashion https://www.studiovfashion.com/ or

891 E. Long Street Columbus, Ohio 43203

We are working on some new projects for 2018. Some of these projects are with partners with similar goals, like Studio V Fashion . Kristin is now the resident blogger for Studio V Fashion (blog). You can find a by weekly post about topics like current trends and how to dress for the corporate world.

 

We are also working on a fashion adventure that you will be able to join us on. We will be sharing more about that soon. Let's just say our Style Adventures you have read about will come to life. 

We know we have been pretty quiet lately, so we are excited that tomorrow is the first day of Black History Month. We always have great plans and lots of posts prepared for you. Previous years we have done series on black stylists, black television fashion icons and black starlets. This year we can't wait to share our newest series with you.

Until Next Time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be Fashionable!

ChristinaKristin

Portraits
 Stephanie Matthews
http://www.stephaniematthews.us/

MUAs
Christina Yonley  https://www.ohiomus.com
 Rahela W Ghebremeskel instagram: @makeupbyrahela

Headwrap Designer Amyang
https://www.amyang.com/

Headwrap Stylist Carolynne Mitchell aka
Elle the Introvert https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9M2YAJs-FvyNwaAOKMYojw


Models

 Christina of ChristinaKristin
 Raheal Yemane  instagram: @freshandforeign

How I Get Re-inspired When I'm in a Style Rut

We all go through times in our life when we lose inspiration or motivation to do things aka a rut. Every so often I find myself not wanting to wear anything in my closet, while knowing that I'm not about to buy a whole new wardrobe. In order to get re-inspired with my closet there are a few things that help me create new looks with my current wardrobe. At most, I may buy new accessories to spice things up.



1. Read fashion magazines

2. Window shop at my favorite stores

3. Stalk Pinterest religiously

4. People watch

Photo Credit

5.  Browse Street Style Blogs

Photo Credit

How do you get re-inspired when you're tired of your wardrobe? I would love to hear your ideas, I'm sure I could benefit from them.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

TV Style Tuesday

TV Style Tuesday

Last week I wrote about my current Style Crush which happened to be the TV show, Younger. The whole cast has awesome style, but I chose 3 of the leading characters to spotlight. This week I created a look for each character that I would choose for them as their stylist, based upon their current style.


Kelsey Peters

Kelsey is a publisher and co-worker/good friend to Liza. She has a very sophisticated and sexy style. Her looks are pretty simple, but she always has on one piece that catches your attention. For her, I chose a bold blazer that incorporates pattern mixing with stripes and flowers, the skirt is simple, but fitted and will show off her curves.

Kelsey Peters by christinakristin featuring black lace up booties

Stylish booties and a designer bag complete her look. This look can be worn during the day to work and in the evening for happy hour.


Liza Miller

Liza plays the 40 year old pretending to be a 20-something in order to break into the editorial industry. Her style is extremely eclectic, at times she dresses like a 25 year old, while other times she dresses like a 40 year old. She mixes various styles together, she may have on a bomber jacket with a dressy skirt or dress. She is very big into patterns, so for her look I chose a skirt that mixes textures and patterns, paired with a bomber jacket with embroidered flowers. I didn't pair a specific t-shirt with it, but she could wear any type of graphic tee and it would go well.

Liza Miller by christinakristin featuring a purple print skirt

I pulled in the army green from the skirt with the suede booties, and a small floral embroidered  Gucci crossbody. Because she works in publishing, this outfit could easily be worn to work and then to an after work event.


Diana Trout

Diana Trout is a publishing exec and boss to Liza Miller. She's very stern, a perfectionist and has amazing style. I think her style may be my favorite. I love that she is not afraid of statement pieces, especially statement necklaces.She typically has bold geometric prints on her blouses or dresses. Her style is also very glamorous, but still sharp and put together. You can tell she is in charge just by looking at her wardrobe.

Diana Trout by christinakristin featuring a pleather skirt

For Diana I chose a look heavy with geometric influence. The metallic striped shirt is paired with a flowy pleated skirt. I love those pieces together, the skirt is bold because of the structured pleats, but then also soft because of the flowiness. To keep the structured/bold feel, I chose a studded belt, spiked statement earrings and a bold shoe with gold metallic stripes. This look can be work from the office to the night club.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear which style you resonate with most.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Christina)

Chris's Closet

A guy I know recently started practicing photography, he asked me to be his test subject and I quickly obliged. One day after work I put a look together and we met downtown, more specifically in the Short North, a trendy area of Columbus. I have to say this was the most relaxed, yet fun-filled photo shoot I've done. We walked through the streets finding cool locations to shoot, and at the end we stopped to cheers our newfound partnership.

Denim jacket turned vest: Target

Crop top: Target

Skirt: Express, but purchased at Discount Fashion Warehouse

Shoes: Coach

Jewelry: ChristinaKristin, Chakra Khan

Photographer: Shannon Watkins

I love my photos and can't wait to shoot again!

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

Happy 5 Year Anniversary!!!

This month marks 5 years since we became style bloggers. We have experienced periods of consistent writing, and moments of not so consistent writing. Each year that passes, we grow more and more, and that's the point of life to continue growing, right? In this post you will read our personal thoughts on this 5 year journey as bloggers. Thank you to everyone who has visited our blog, you give us the motivation to continue writing. 

Christina

Wow, I can't believe it's been 5 years since we started our blog, time really flies when you are doing something you enjoy. This year we have not written as consistently, but we have been working really hard on some behind the scenes projects with our jewelry collection. Styling has always been very near to my heart, ever since I interned at Seventeen magazine. Since then we have done several editorial shoots, and are now ready to focus more on the every day woman. Please be on the lookout for upcoming projects. If I had to choose highs and lows for my blogging experience, choosing only 1 of each; A high would be sharing my personal style with readers. A low would be not using my personal style as a way to teach other women how to develop their own style.(stay tuned) This has all been a learning experience and I am happy that each year is better than the next. 


Kristin

Five years ago yesterday, I posted my first blog post. I had no idea what I was doing and honestly five years later, I am not certain I have mastered the art of blogging. However, I can say, the photos are better, we now have ads and people request write ups on products. So to say the least, I can see the growth I have made and the growth we have made as partners. While I am proud of that growth, it also is painful looking at the past posts, knowing they can be better. I have contemplated erasing everything before what I now deem as good but half the blog posts would be gone and allowing people to see our growth is so important. It is important because there are people who are just like us, starting a blog or whatever project and they need to see that things take time, and trial and error. They will see why we will probably never be satisfied with anything completely because to be satisfied sometimes  means stunted growth. I personally want to continue to grow as long as I exist. I say all of this to say, I am proud of my work as a style blogger but I look forward to all of the new challenges yet to be explored. I can't wait to look back at my recent posts in five more years. Hopefully, I will hate them just as much as I hate the stuff I posted five years ago today. 


Thank You For The Love & Support!
Christina & Kristin

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) July 1, 2017

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!

Saturday I had the pleasure of joining a couple friends at the Fat Tire Presents Tour de Fat in Columbus at Express Live. Christina and I were invited by a new friend to see my new favorite local band Mistar Anderson. The experience was pretty amazing. Mistar Anderson put on a great show and I got to discover new bands that I also greatly appreciated. In between the musical performances there were side shows featuring perfomers using holla hoops, puppets and much more. There were even women stilt walkers, walking around. The concert goers wore costumes including tutus, jester hats, crowns and clown wigs. I also really appreciated the free food in the VIP section. It was all awesome. I followed this event up with a JayZ listening party at a social club that I grew up frequenting and ended the night at Rambling House, a soda bar where the band Topher & the Biscuit Brigade were playing. This was Saturday's look.

Beater Dress:Mossimo Target
Shawl Vest:Accents by Lavello Rocky Boot Outlet
Belt:Thrift store find
Necklace:A shop that closed
Braceletes: Festivals
Shoes:Circle Hautelook
Sunglasses:AJ Morgan

  

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! 

Be fashionable! 

Kris,

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Christina)

Chris's Closet

On Saturday, Kristin and I met at Rehab Tavern for a Crawfish Boil. I've only seen crawfish in pictures, never ate them. So this event was an experience. I must say I am not a big fan of crawfish, but I did enjoy the sausage, corn, potatoes and beer.

After spending a couple of hours at Rehab we walked over to Land Grant Brewery and had a Mexican Lager and mini burgers. The afternoon was cool, and we met new people.

I didn't really know what to wear to this event, so I just threw something together. My hair was a hot mess, which is why I wrapped it up. My look turned out better than I expected.

Head wrap: Scraps of fabric, purchased from Amyang

Denim vest: Target (this vest was a denim jacket, but after several washes it started to distress, so I cut the sleeves off and made it a vest.)

Shirt: Thrift store find

Jeans: Gift

Necklace: Harlem Street Vendor

Cuff: Harlem Street Vendor

Wood beaded bracelets: ChristinaKristin (custom pieces)

Bracelet with red stones: Vendor @ the I AM AFRICAAN Day party NYC

Shoes: Express (purchased at Discount Fashion Warehouse for $10)

Clutch: Thrift Store Find

How was your weekend?

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

Black Starlets: Diana Ross

For the past 2 years we have dedicated our time focusing on Black icons during Black History Month. This year we chose to spotlight Black Starlets.  Women who broke race barriers and changed the world's perception of Black women, all while having impeccable style. Join us on this journey as we take a look back and reflect on a few iconic women who have made a statement in Black culture. 

Diana Ross

Photo Credit

I don't think there is a person in the world who does not know who Diana Ross is. Young or old we've all seen her, even if you only know her as Traci Ellis Ross' mother. While researching her, the information ranged from 1970 all the way until 2015, her career has surpassed over 4 decades. While choosing what to write about, I chose bits of her history that stuck with me based upon my younger memories of her.

Photo Credit

Diana's career started with The Supremes when she was about 16 years old. Because of all her training at a technical high school in Detroit, she was the hair stylist, make up artist, seamstress and costume designer for the group. She became a solo artist 10 years later in 1970.

She began doing films right around the start of of her solo career. Her first film being Lady Sings the Blues in 1971.  My personal favorite film Mohogany was released in 1975, although the film didn't do well, the theme song  "Do You Know Where You're Going To" was  a #1 hit.  The Wiz in 1977 was also a favorite of mine, and lastly Double Platinum which featured singer Brandy.

Diana was definitely as style icon. Her signature style was glamorous and sexy, but yet classy. She was usually wearing something sparkly, sheer, off the shoulder or thin straps, very low necklines or key hole style dresses. 

Several of Diana's songs have been covered or sampled. Artists ranging from Amy Winehouse to Young Jeezy have either covered or sampled her music. Diana has won awards dating back to 1965, from Grammy's, Golden Globes, American Music Awards and more. And lastly, she is one of the few stars who has 2 Hollywood Stars, one with The Supremes and one as a solo artist.

I was unable to do my picture recreating this diva's style, but I could not go without spotlighting this amazing woman.

Diana we salute you for all of the hard work you put into your dream. Thank you for paving the way for so many of our current African American artists.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

ChristinaKristin, About Afropunk Brooklyn

 We returned from Brooklyn less than two weeks ago, where we spent four days celebrating Christina's birthday. Part of one of those days was spent at Afropunk Fest. For those unfamiliar, it is a music festival that encourages love and acceptance. There is also so much creativity and style. It's a festival where you can get away with so much style wise. If you want to wear stuffed animals as a shirt, great! If you want to wear every color in the rainbow or all your jewelry at once, wear it with confidence. If you want to wear shorts with a top created completely out of body paint or bare your surgical scars from your breast cancer battle, do it. It's all welcomed and you are welcomed. 

We are so inspired by the experience we had at the festival. We saw so many fierce characters, the everyday creatives and the ones that took the stage like Janelle Monae. We felt the love and smiled about the overwhelming cloud of positive energy. We celebrated the artisans in the vendor village who were selling their creations of love, like a beautiful young girl who wrote a few books and jewelry designers much like us.
 We came to experience the festival and to represent our brand but we left with so much more. We left with a renewed sense of inspiration and appreciation for our selves. Our style was acknowledged by photographers. Our work was praised by our peers. Our energy was matched by all those around us. We were at home. 

 

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,