Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) June 24, 2016 ComFest Day 1

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!

Friday was the start of a festival in Columbus, Ohio called Comfest. It is a community festival where you are free to be who you are, enjoy music, food and drink and celebrate community. Ohio is a state that allows women to be topless, so it is common to see topless women throughout the area. The smell of marijuana permeates the air. This is the favorite festival for many in our city.

   Christina and I were vendors this weekend at the event. Friday was the longest day, starting at 11am and ending at 11pm. I wanted to be comfortable for the 12 hour shift, so I opted for a summer dress and flats. We also wanted to wear pieces from our collections, so the star piece Friday from our Vegas Collection, is a pair of crystal covered satin red bows with a chain metal drape at the bottom. This was Friday's look.

Dress: Milly for Design Nation from Kohls (Last Spring Season) 

shop dress 1/ dress 2

Shoes: Me Too (old) I also replaced the flowers on the side with pom pom balls.

Sunglasses: Kensie (old) 

Earrings: ChristinaKristin

Until next time,

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,

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!!

As I continue writing this style crush series I am finding that a crush can be on anything, not just a person, or even a store.This week's style crush, is about my crush on a bike. Yes, a bike. But not just any bike a designer Alive + Olivia bike. I was shopping in Target for Christmas gifts, when this beauty caught my eye. I have been wanting a bike for a while now, not just any bike, a cute, stylish bike, like this one.

This past summer my guy friend asked me to go bike riding with him at a local park. I had to refuse because I did not have a bike. When I spotted this bike I immediately text him a picture. His response: "That's not a real bike, you can't really go riding through trails,and hills. That's for you to look cute in front of." Although I laughed my feelings were crushed for about 2 seconds. Now I am on the search to find this bike, which is now available at Neiman Marcus for $249.99, a markdown from the original price $499.99. A steal!

While looking at www.Luckymag.com, I came across this cute girl and her cute bike in the street style section. She inspired to me to A. DIY an inexpensive bike, or B. Find another bike, if my original desire is no longer available. Either way, I will have a bicycle this spring/summer season, and it will be stylish!;-)

Until next time, Ciao!

*Chris*

Remedy This! The Yogurt Mask

Remedy This!!! 

In the struggling economy, especially as a woman who doesn't have a 9 to 5, I am always trying to find ways to save money and also look great. I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop and tv discovering new, natural or frugal ways to take care of my beauty and fashion needs. With most people on the same page, many tv programs and articles these days focus on just that. I would like to try these things out for myself and share with you my results.

Yogurt & Lemon Mask

 I was watching a home remedies show on Dr. Oz a while ago and learned of a mask to fade scars and shrink pores. I have developed an acne situation recently and that means sometimes scars follow. I also have very large pores that I am not a fan of. I could not remember the last time I had a professional facial so I decided to give the yogurt mask a try last month. I had most of the ingredients in my kitchen and nothing to lose.

The original Dr. Oz mask was a mixture of natural yogurt, sunflower oil and lemon juice. I did not have sunflower oil and I wasn't sure if my plain greek yogurt was considered " natural". So I went online to locate some similar mask recipes. I located one on Live Strong. http://www.livestrong.com/article/513736-the-skin-benefits-of-lemons-and-yogurt/ "Live Strong" also suggested ingredients like honey, peaches and nectarines. I just took the items I wanted based on what I needed most for my skin problems. Dr. Oz and the online source talks about how the yogurt tightens skin and shrinks pores. "Live Strong" explains that yogurt contains lactic acid, which helps to remove dead skin and reduces signs of aging. It also contains zinc which helps with blemishes and acne. Both sources also explain that the lemon juice reduces blemishes and scars. According to " Live Strong" lemons contain alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C, both known for healing properties. The high acidity in lemons help to tone skin and improve it's elasticity. Lemons are said to have natural bleaching agents to brighten and even out the skin. "Home Acne Remedies" explains that the honey has antibacterial properties that help with the reduction of acne. It has anti-inflammatory that over time reduces redness and fades dark spots.

 For my mask, I started with my two table spoons of greek yogurt and added a few drops of lemon juice.

 Next, I added a teaspoon of honey and mixed it all together. I applied it to my skin. I kept the mask on my skin for 20 minutes.

After I washed the mask off, my skin felt refreshed and firm. I wasn't brave enough to post a picture of my face after I washed it off, I am sorry. Maybe next time!

I only tried this particular mask once. However, I have used some of the same ingredients on my face in addition to my normal skin care products. I have used the honey alone on my face as a mask, which seems to give it a glow. I like using the lemon juice as sort of a toner. I mostly focus on my scars when I use the lemon juice. I wash it off afterward because it is still a form of acid. I am excited about the results. My scars are fading and my pores don't bother me as much. The best part is, I didn't spend any extra money by using ingredients I already had in my home. There are lots of natural and DIY skin care ideas on trust worthy sites. Find something that works for you!

Until next time! Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,