This Is Why You Should Be Shopping In Thrift Stores

When I was younger, I dreaded walking into thrift stores with my mom. It felt like my social life would go down the drain if my peers saw me in there.

Fast forward to today, you can't keep me out of the thrift store. Thank you mom, for giving me the thrifting bug. I must say I am a thrift store connoisseur, and you should be one too. Ok, maybe connoisseur is a strong word, but you know what I mean. Here is why I say you should be shopping at the thrift store.


1. Experiment with styles
   
     Shopping at the thrift store gives you a chance to try new pieces without spending a lot of money. I fell in love with pleated skirts by thrift shopping.

2. Supporting a good cause

    Most thrift stores serve some other purpose other than just selling clothes. Local thrift stores in my area support developmentally disabled adults, and another one recycles clothing that goes to waste. You can even donate to the stores and receive a tax credit!!

3. Find authentic ethnic clothing

    Shop at a thrift store in a culturally diverse area of town and you are sure to find some authentic pieces that people have donated.

4. Your friends won't have your clothes

     You never have to worry about going somewhere and having on the same dress as your girl. Generally there is 1 of everything at the thrift store.

5. Saving money

     You can lower your budget amount on clothing, because you'll get so many things at a lower cost.

6. Bargain prices

   Along with saving money, prices are low at the thrift store. Find the sale dates in your area, and you can leave with some dirt cheap items.

7. It's fun

    You never know what you will find at the thrift store. It kind of like a treasure hunt.

8. You can outfit the entire family

    The thrift store  is for everybody, it does not discriminate. Young, old, boy, girl, woman, man, and possibly pet too.

I would like to know if you thrift shop. If you do, tell me why. I hope these 8 things persuaded you to try out a thrift store near you soon.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

Christina's Top 5 Spring Trends 2016

                                                                       Style.com

1. New Bohemian

The "New Bohemian" trend is all about mixing prints in one piece of clothing. I just bought a pair of pants from Target that have about 3-4 different prints, and I am in LOVE with them. Instyle tells us to gain inspiration for this trend from old National Geographic magazines and Janson's History of Art. This trend is care-free and all about expression.

       
                                                           harpersbazaar.com
2. Ornate Hair Accessories

When I first went natural, I did the big chop and my hair was pretty short, during this time I would not be caught without wearing one of 2 things, big earrings or a hair accessory. Now that my hair has grown longer I don't use hair acceossories like I used to.  I love the hair accessories that are being shown because they are "grown up", but still fancy. I have already began making new headbands and I will be sure to rock them this summer.

3. Oxford Flats

The first time this trend surface, I was first in line to buy my oxfords. I've never really given this trend up, I currently have 3 pairs of oxfords, and can't wait to get more. I prefer wearing flat shoes these days, and with all of the decorative oxfords out there you can really change the look of a plain outfit.

           
                                               www.fashionisers.com
4.Wicker bags

There are so many eccentric handbags on trend for spring, I chose these wicker bags as my favorite because straw and sunny weather just seems to go together. I have one wicker clutch that I purchased from the thrift store and I only wear it in the summer, it's such a neutral piece I can wear it with anything.

                                                                    www.fashionista.com
5. Shades of Pink

So I was super excited upon finding out that the color pink was named color of the year, more specifically rose quartz. This spring you will see the light pink shade in stores everywhere. I actually have a thing for rose right now, in my house you will see "dusty blush" in many places. So this pink trend has crossed over to interiors.


As I was writing about my favorite spring trends, I noticed that the trends I chose resonated with me in some way. Each trend actually is apart of the essence of my personal style. When you choose what trends you will incorporate into your wardrobe this spring, be sure that you have some connection to the trend, and try to choose classic trends when you can.  The trends I have chosen are in sense a part of my daily wardrobe already, with this new inspiration I can find new styles of these trends to incorporate into my wardrobe, and still wear them for a long time.

Stay tuned for Kristin's Top 5 Spring Trends, and for a follow up post where Kristin and I will shop for our trends at the thrift store. We will show you how easy it can be finding current trends on a shoestring budget.

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

Chris

Closet Styling: 5 Ways to Organize Your Jewelry

Closet Styling

 There are many things that you can do on your own to maintain an organized wardrobe,this new series is all about giving you tips on how to organize your wardrobe. If just thinking about organizing your wardrobe gives you a headache, ChristinaKristin offers closet styling where we will come in and organize your complete wardrobe including accessories if needed. 

Jewelry Organization

Having your jewelry organized is a must, not only for easy selection, but also for the well-being of your jewelry. No matter how expensive or inexpensive it may be, no one likes untangling 10 necklaces, especially when you're in a hurry. I am a pinterest fanatic and I love all the tips on organizing jewelry, I even have a board just for that. Read on to find some of my top tips!

Photo Credit: WhiteFauxTaxidermy

1. Keep items in sight.

     Your morning rush will be much calmer if you keep your jewelry organized in such a way that you can see your everyday pieces quickly. It's a good idea to use countertop accessories or organizers that hang on a wall or from your closet, or a combination of both.

Photo Credit: AfterTheLeavesFall

2. Seperate jewelry into categories, necklaces,bracelets,earrings etc

       If all of your pieces are sorted by how you would wear it,  choosing jewelry will be so much quicker and easier. Organizing may take awhile in the beginning, but in the long run it will make life so much easier. Instead of scraping through a jewelry box to find a bracelet, it will be readily available for you maybe on a bracelet bar.

Photo Credit:Goodwill Blogging

3. Use jewelry trays with dividers.

     The idea of a jewelry tray is great, but if it does not have divided spaces for your jewelry overtime things can become a tangled mess. I have jewelry trays that I use with no dividers and when I'm in a hurry things tend to get mixed up in the tray.

Photo Credit: OutBackCraftShack

4. Organize those everyday pieces that are not jewelry like hair accessories.

     If you happen to be a naturalista like me, then you know all about the thousands of hair accessories that we can collect. In my own world, it's like I can never find a bobby pin when I need it, a headband, a hair tie, or my favorite stretchy bands. It actually becomes quite frustrating, so I am on a search to find a better way to organize them, where they are at a arms reach when I need them.

Photo Credit:TidePools

5. Store a polishing cloth with your jewelry.

You never know when a necklace or bracelet will need some polishing. Just be prepared by storing a cloth inside  one of your jewelry organizers.

      

I hope these tips help you organize your jewelry!

Be Blessed! Be Free! Be Fashionable!

~Chris

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