Happy New Year!!!

As the first post of the year I thought we would make and share some plans for the style blog and our style and design ventures. We are both really trying to get organized this year. We really want to post to the blogs more often, design more pieces and do more wardrobe styling. We would also love to know what you would love to see on the blog this year or what you are looking for in us creatively. Feel free to let us know in the comments or on our social media outlets. For now, here is what we have in store...


ChristinaKristin

1. Post a blog weekly.

2. Have a pop up shop featuring our Bridal Accessories.

3. Participate in more events that promote networking.

4. Sell accessories at a festival or special event out of state.

5. Take some creative classes, like beading and metal work classes.

Kristin

1. Bring the Style Adventures series back to the blog.

2. Post a Kris's Closet once a week.

3. Create a concept for a winter accessory collection.

4. Research other cultures to draw inspiration and technique.

5. Set a day aside a week to read magazines, print and online to stay on top of trends and fashion news.

Christina

1. Feature more stylish women in the Style Crush series, monthly.

2. Post more styling tips.

3. Create a YouTube channel focused on wardrobe styling.

4. Work with a non profit organization gifting styling services.

5. Expand our "Global Gal" collection with hair accessories.

We hope to share with you all of the new things we are starting this year, as well as all of the old things that we are doing more of.  If you have a blog idea that you would like to see from us please feel free to leave a comment, or email us at christinakristin1@yahoo.com. If you would like custom jewelry visit us at our Etsy shop. For styling services, check out our packages please email us for more info, our work can be seen at here.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~ChristinaKristin

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) August 4, 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 Tuesday I took a short trip to Orlando with my family. We took my nephew on his first visit to Disney World. That first day was a relaxed day at the hotel. We got settled in after a late afternoon arrival. We got dinner at one of the hotel restaurants. It was my best meal of the trip. Afterward my grandfather surprised us with a visit all the way from Hollywood, Florida. Then we planned out the next day. We had a two day park hopper pass and two days to visit four parks. Before bed my sister and I had drinks at one of the hotel bars. This was last Tuesday's look.

Dress: Elle from Kohl's

Shoes: Cole Haan oxford's in mint (old) 
Bracelet: Betsey Johnson (old)

Earrings: Baublebar (no longer available)
Sunglasses: Quay Australia  Yibrow in gold

To see photos from my trip, find me on instagram @krisofohio.

 

Until next time, 

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Orlando Airport floor mosaic

Dinner at One80 Sportgrill & Bar- Mahi Mahi and pineapple cobbler

Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa

Style Crush

Happy Wednesday! In time for #WomenCrushWednesday, I have one of my favorite women that I follow on instagram. I have been following her since I became active on instagram. Her passion for fashion is like no one else I have come across. She truly has her own unique style. The looks she puts together are creative and fun. I am also a huge admirer of her gorgeous mane. Her hair, some would say, gives me life. She puts thought into all she does, from the creations she designs to the way she curates her photos. Have a look at today's 'Style AND Hair Crush'.

Renita Biddle. 40. Designer/Merchandiser

My take on fashion:

 I believe fashion is an art, an innate ability that some are gifted with. It's an amazing form of expression among other art forms. I created this quote to define how I feel about fashion: "Fashion is a conduit of expression for creative souls." 

Fashion is empowering, sexy, fun, mystical, crazy, cool, edgy, sweet, clean, anything the individual wants to convey. Fashion is spontaneous, a mood, an attitude, a language!! This is why we celebrate icons like Audrey Hepburn, Diana Ross, Rhianna, Sarah Jessica Parker. We celebrate them because they fully express their personalities through their style, choices of clothing.

Where I have been:

From a very early age, I knew fashion was my sphere of expression. It started with creating wedding dresses for my Barbie dolls, then in high school revamping all of my grandmother's old clothes, then eventually I got formal fashion design training at my Alma mater Parsons School of Design. It's funny because fashion has always been the backdrop for everything I've ever done. I was a rapper in high school and won a talent show hosted by Teddy Riley. Even then my fashion sense was what got me noticed. When I first moved to New York, a talent agent spotted me and immediately I got a job for a British Airways advertisement. It was that certain something I exuded that caught the agent's eye. It's amazing how our insecurities or things we've been ridiculed or rejected for are often the very areas that radiate our greatest gifts. I've learned the importance of being yourself even in the face of rejection or opposition.

I am passionate about:

 I get the greatest joy out of creating. Creating scripts, garments, photos, all things creative. I'm loaded with creative ideas. I've created spiritually empowering programs for several ministries in the church environment. I've served as a singles ministry leader, a woman's day ministry. I've always loved being an inspiration to people. Ministry provided me the opportunity to inspire people with my creativity, but most importantly through Gods holy word. I appreciate my gift with fashion most because it attracts people and it's given me the privilege of knowing many amazing people. I live by the scripture that says:

"A man's gift maketh room for him,

and bringeth him before great men." 

Proverbs 18:16

You can find me:

 I totally love exploring new things!! At the top of my favorite things to do is finding the craziest places to eat!! I enjoy trying new and sometimes strange foods. As long as it's not moving, I'll eat it!! Lol!! I can be found shopping some of the coolest vintage shops in East Village and Lower East Side. I often travel to Soho to check out the latest designer frocks. I love Soho as it offers you a cool mix of downtown chic and uptown glam at the same time. I enjoy good horror movies! Horror like you keep the lights on at night!! I'm a coffee connoisseur, I must have a good cup of coffee everyday!! My current fave is a Vente iced coffee with toffee nut syrup and half and half!! A total guilty pleasure!!

Want to know more about Renita?

Website
http://www.cherubim.co

Blog 
www.cherubim.co/#!blog/cioi

Instagram
@cherubimrb 

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris, 

Chris's/Kris's Closet (A ChristinaKristin Day Trip Edition) July 18, 2015

Every once in a while we do a combined closet post. We had a great Saturday together away from Columbus. We thought we would share our Saturday looks on the same post since we had the same story to tell and we both wore items from our recent Rocksbox shipment. To get your free month subscription of Rocksbox, use code (christinakristinxoxo) at rocksbox.com. You can swap, borrow or purchase designer pieces at a discounted rate. For now, check out the pieces we got to wear over the weekend! Enjoy your week!

Chris's Look

Kristin and I talked about going winery hopping for a few weeks, and we finally went this weekend. I received a text early Saturday morning saying "Can you be here by 2:45"?, I replied yes, the next text message was "Bring an extra pair of shoes that are flat. We are starting in a peach and apple orchard". I laughed a little to myself knowing how adventurous Kristin is, but I'm always up for whatever so I was excited. When we arrived in Utica, OH at the orchard, it was just like you see on TV, rows lined with peach trees, it was actually quite beautiful and peaceful. We made a couple pit stops along the way, and I was just along for the ride, which I quite enjoyed. I was able to cross off going on a day trip on my summer bucket list. This is what I wore!



Shirt: Nordstrom Rack, Abound

Skirt: Target, Xhiliration (no longer available)

Shoes: Old purchase, Steve Madden

Necklace: Rocksbox-Trina Turk,Enamel Mosaic Collar NK in Black & White

Earrings: Pearl studs, H&M

Bracelets: A combination of Stella & Dot, Indian Vendor and ChristinaKristin

Clutch: Vintage find at thrift store

 Kris's Look

Christina, my guy and I road around Central, Ohio. The goal was to pick some

peaches and check out a few wineries. Well, we didn't get to pick peaches because

Branstool Orchard didn't have a great year with all the rain. We just picked up some ready to go peaches and we were on our way. We were able to make it to two wineries. The first winery stop was Three Oaks Vineyard in Granville, Ohio and we ended the evening at Hidden Lakes Winery in Canal Winchester. In between the wineries we stopped at an Amish food store and picked up spices and tried some Amish fares. We took our photos at Hidden Lakes Winery. I really wanted to use their backyard scenery but a wedding party was using the patio. This was Saturday's look. 

 

Dress: Vintage thrift find from Ohio Thrift Store

Belt: Vintage thrift find

Earrings: Perry Street Callie Earrings from Rocksbox

Bracelet: Betsey Johnson

Sunglasses: AJ Morgan

Handbag: Louis Vuitton

Shoes: Levity Echo Bootie

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

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) October 10, 2014

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 I had lunch with my mom and her friend. They are both Libras with birthdays just days apart and they exchange gifts every year. They picked Friday to do their gift exchange and have lunch since my mom has retired and they no longer work together. I was just along for the ride and free food. Plus, I really like mom's friend. We have a common love for culture, food and wine. That evening I went to an art exhibit and reception for Jim Arter at the Cultural Arts Center. He is also a friend to my mom and I met him for the first time. I found myself very inspired by his work especially a piece that I thought would translate extremely well to jewelry. I ended the night with my guy. We had a late dinner at home.

For my look, I wanted to wear mostly black because I wanted to wear my black lipstick. I have had this lipstick for three or more years and have only used it in photo shoots. It came from a Mac Collection that had lots of really dark colors. I can't remember the collection name but the lipstick is Midnight Media with Blackfire Glimmer Glass on top, also from that collection. Yes, I based an outfit around a lip color. The lipstick somehow changed my whole attitude for the day. I could not even smile for these photos; it just felt inappropriate. This is what I wore.

Tunic Sweater:Karen Kane (old)
Leggings:$5 Leggings from Shopper's World
Cape Coat:LAUREN by Ralph Lauren (last year's)
Gloves:Charter Club (last year's)
Necklace:TopShop (last year's)
Bracelets:ChristinaKristin
Sunglasses:Quay Black Zig
Handbag:Michael Kors North/South Hamilton
Boots:Guess (last year's)

  

 

 

 

 

Until next time,

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

 

left:Me and Jim Arter right: A rope and yarn piece I loved.

Chris's/Kris's Closet (Kristin) September 28, 2014

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!

Sunday I took a short road trip to Longaberger Homestead. My grandma had Longaberger baskets all over the house when I was little. It is a brand I grew up around and learned to appreciate. I am currently obsessed with their red picnic basket. In the beginning of the summer, I put Longaberger Homestead on my to do list of places to visit. I am glad I finally got to see the property because it is truly a beautiful place. I took these photos on the property. My look was inspired by the 60's Mod looks seen on the runway for fall 2014. This is what I wore.

Dress: Style&Co from Macys (old)(option1)and (option2)

Belt: White House Black Market (old)

Sunglasses: Fantas Eyes 'Bigeas' from Nordstrom

Ring: Vendor from Macy's Music Fest 

Handbag:) violet patent handbag by Charles David (old)

Shoes: oxfords with cutouts by Christin Michaels(old)

Be blessed! Be free! Be fashionable!

Kris,

Longaberger Corporate Office in Newark, Ohio

Happy Nappy Gal! Going Straight

Going Straight

It will be two years in September that I did my big chop and went natural. Don't worry, I am still very natural and plan to remain that way until my last day. Thursday I decided to get my hair washed, trimmed and flat ironed. It was the first time my hair had been straightened since I started this natural hair journey. I have to say that while I love being natural and realize how versatile it is, once straight I started missing my natural curls immediately. I noticed things that I forgot were an issue in my previous hair life, like needing to pull my hair back during activities like cooking and putting on make-up. I forgot how annoying it is to constantly collect the hair from your glossy lips when the wind blows. Wind is currently not my friend. It has also been quite warm this past few days and long straight hair on your shoulders is just plain hot and not in the good way. While I understand that I am not my hair, thank you India Arie, I feel a little less unique with my straight hair in a world 

where most women are wigged, weaved or relaxed.While the only thing between my straight and curly predicament is really just a good douse of water, I am doing my best to hold out because who knows how long it will be before I do this again. While natural curly hair may not be everyone's idea of beauty, I notice that many of us are natural or going natural. We are changing the way we look at ourselves and slowly changing the ideals of those around us. With that said, I can't wait until a full week is over so I can happily embrace my big hair again.

 

Do you prefer your hair straight or curly?

Be blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

Kris,