H&M

scarf and tee,

Nine West

booties,

Gap

cropped jean jacket,

Smoke Rise

faux leather jogging pants

The past month or so has been a month of growth. I'm growing into my adulthood and my womanhood and I'm accepting it with open arms. It's very comforting and exciting to see yourself mature seamlessly. Of course we all have our "moments," but I'm proud of the woman I'm becoming, and it inspires me to keep growing and living!

 I also know I'm getting older because all I want to do on the weekends is catch up on sleep lol. #old

Recently I went home for my Pop Pop's funeral. I never talk about any personal things on social media, but people who know me personally know how much my Pop Pop meant to me, and it's only natural that I share a little bit of him with you. 

He lived 91 years- 91 years! And he was a man of few words, wise in his old age, with strong opinions (we bumped heads sometimes because we were the same in that way), but he always provided me with anything I needed. ANYTHING. All I had to do was ask. He helped me get my first car, pay off college loans, and get my first NYC apartment. I wouldn't be where I am without that man! He was a lover of music, like I, and he was always playing music on his radio (always on the top 40's station) lol. I would always tweet about how I would come home and hear Katy Perry blasting from his room!

We'd also talk about hot topics like Kanye West or Beyonce lol. We would have a LOT to discuss with this new Beyonce album. Yes Lord! (I've been

tweeting

non-stop about Beyonce if you're interested to know my thoughts on the album lol)

Anyway, I miss him a lot, but I know he's resting in peace with my grandmother.

Gap

denim jacket,

H&M

scarf, earrings and tee,

Nine West

booties

On another note, I'm still working on my music, and it's coming along! It's such a lengthy process because I am a songwriter, so some of the songs I write aren't necessarily ones I'd sing... Anywho, I'm hoping to start performing around NYC early next year. I'm going to invite you to shows, so ya'll better come! Ha!

Speaking of shows, my co-worker convinced me to go to see Beyonce at Barclay's on Sunday. It's her last US date, and I'm pretty sure Jay-Z is going to be there. I saw her with my cousin this past July on the same tour, and it was pretty great. I'm ecstatic this time around because I just know she is going to perform some of her new material. I'll probably faint, but someone will record it just incase LMAO.

Knowing me, this will be my last post of 2013, and I will say that overall, 2013 has been a fantastic year. I was able to do everything I wanted to do this year. I saved money, moved to NYC, got a job, started working on my own music... It's been exciting and humbling, and I'm very grateful to have received all these great opportunities. I'm looking forward to 2014, and I know it's going to be an even better year!

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

-Kris 

Photography by 

Anthony Lewis

H&M

sweater and earrings,

Anthropologie

wide-leg pants

My favorite season is back once again! But let's hurry up and talk about these pants. Every once in awhile, I go on to anthropologie's website and look at their "sale" items. I stumbled upon these pants and gasped as they were still in stock with my size! I got them on extra EXTRA sale too! Hallelujah! lol

I love the Chevron/Aztec print vibe they have, and the colors scream 70's and I love me a wide-legged pant! They are super comfy and I feel "superfly" walking in them. Don't catch me with my shades on though! I'm on a whole 'notha level! Ha!

I'm also obsessed with my new earrings! 

These photos were taken back home in PA (I'll admit to you that I've visited home twice already) and it's always nice coming back to the quiet, laid-back suburbs

for a very short period of time

. 

Recently my lovely friend

Alex Elle

had a big hair and and brunch event at

Elberta

in Brooklyn. It was an event celebrating women with natural hair, coming together to talk about hair, protective styling, personal hair journeys! But it was also just us getting together as women, fellowshipping, networking, and eating really delicious food! I had so much fun! I met a lot of great women that day! To see more pictures/info from the event,

click here :)

Alex Elle

(middle),

Katrina Bello

(left) <3

I'm still loving every waking moment of NYC, and all the great people I'm connecting with here. I'm still focusing most of my energy on my music and working to release a project next year! Stay tuned! Oh! And make sure to "like" me on Facebook. That's where I post my updates and my music will soon be there as well! :)

-Kris

Twitter

//

Facebook

//

IG

photography by

Sasha Phyars-Burgess

brunch photography by Joshua "Lucky" Peters

Today is my blog anniversary technically, it was yesterday to be specific!  But for the sake of celebrating, we can all virtually celebrate together on this day *cue virtual ballons, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.*  I can't believe it has already been two years since I started this blog-- and it certainly has been a great journey so far!  I feel comfortable with my style (writing & fashion sense), and I also have to be honest and say that I take blogging seriously.  So much goes into creating and maintaining a blog.  It can be very time consuming, and I always want to produce something that leaves you with thought, motivation, and perspective, rather than just posting photos of my outfits, and stating that I'm meeting up with my boyfriend to grab a Starbucks. #noshade

TJ Maxx hat & vest, F21 sweater (similar here), Gap skinny trousers, Banana Republic boots (old), personal jewelry

And what would my blog be if it weren't for you all who read it?  I can't say thank you enough to everyone who supports my blog by subscribing, commenting, tweeting, Facebooking, spreading the word!  You all are my motivation to keep going, I'm so blessed to have such great support from you! 

To tell you a bit about the scenery here, these photos were taken at a place called, "God's Acre."  I don't know if you can tell with all the leaves, but it is a graveyard-- which also happens to be a part of the campus where I work lol.  The name comes from the Moravian belief that bodies of the dead are "sown as seeds" in God's Acre, or field, so that they can rise again when Jesus returns to the world.  The Moravians were also strong believers of equality, in life and in death, and every gravestone is made up of the same material and size so that no one is more superior than the next.  Deep, right? #historylessonMondays?

Like many of you, I'm spending my Monday at home since Hurricane Sandy has called many Northeastern states into a "State of Emergency."  I pray that she has mercy on us, and that minimal damage is done.  Plus, I would really rather not lose power so I can catch up on blog reading, amongst many other things #firstworldproblems... But seriously, be safe guys!

I'm also obsessed with hashtagging everything now.  Darn you twitter!  I will try to keep #-ing to a minimum in future posts. #icantmakeanypromises (lol)

-Kris 

I've gotten a face lift!!  Well, not me of course, but my blog!  You like?  And my commenting system is easy breezy!  You are no longer required to have a google account to leave me a message.  You can now be logged into twitter, Facebook, Google, etc. to do so.  Easy as pie!  I look forward to reading them :)

TJ Maxx hat, Chanel glasses (similar here)), The Limited blazer, F21 denim shirt (similar here), thrifted mens Levi jeans, Dolce Vita boots (similar here), personal jewelry

I thrifted these jeans while I was in NYC a few weekends ago.  Found them in the men's section, for a whopping $5!  I wanted a "dropped crotch" baggy look, while still maintaining somewhat of a figure haha.  I think this purchase goes along greatly with my "spending freeze," right Mom?

Oh, and thanks for letting me borrow your fab turquoise necklace as well (I'll miss borrowing her  wardrobe when I leave home)!  :/

As mentioned in my last post (I'm always referencing back), I stated how I had a big interview coming up.  Well, that interview happened, and it went VERY well!  That is all I will tell you for now.

Thank you to everyone who kept me in their thoughts and prayers!  You guys are AWESOME!

I've been listening to one of my favorite albums lately, Kind of Blue.  It's such a classic album, and listening to it makes me want to fall in love.  My favorite tracks are Flamenco Sketches and Blue in Green.  Gorgeous!  Lastly, on the topic of love, my 90 year old Pop Pop tells me after watching an hour of Bridezillas together, that I should just skip the wedding and elope in Vegas.  Thanks for the advice Pop Pop!

-Kris

Good morning guys, and welcome Fall!  As I've stated in my last post, this is my favorite season!  It has been so beautiful outside!  The leaves are starting to turn, those autumn colors are surrounding me...  And the weather - the mid 70's is my jam!  Sunny and cool, but not cold (there's a difference lol).  But let me stop sounding like a weather woman...

H&M sweater (old), Target denim vest (old), Gap belt (old), ASOS pleated skirt, Joan & David leather boots (old), Chanel eyeglasses (similar here).

How are you all doing this week?  

I spent last weekend in New York with my dad's side of the family.  Although this was under unfortunate circumstances, I can't tell you how great it felt being surrounded by my family.  I love them all so much, and I was actually sad to have to head back home.  One message that we all took from this past weekend, was that we have to work to stay in touch, and to see each other.  Once a year is no longer acceptable.  My father is one of 10 children, and each child has a family, and many of their children have children as well.  We have a big family, and it's hard to coordinate with everyone.  Especially since we live all over the US, even some in Canada!  

But you make time for the things that are important in your life, right?

I think Leilani is getting better at better at her photography- I think these turned out great Lei, thanks for shooting again!

This week on instagram (you can follow me @krisbliss), I also feed the photos daily to my FB page here:

Lei and I attended an Allen Stone concert the other night, and it was PHENOMENAL.  He had an opening act- Tingsek (who is also another one of our faves), a soulful guy from Switzerland (lol), and his keyboard player was reallly good.  I first saw Allen Stone at Firefly Music Festival this past summer, and I was very impressed.  But let me tell you- he shut it down again!  Leilani and I are still recovering LOL!  We listened to his records after the concert, and it was wasn't the same.  I urge you to look up his live stuff- let me know what you think!

On another note, I'm getting my hair done today- something different that I haven't done before, and I'm pretty excited about it! I hope it turns out well!

Another video up, based on the most frequently asked question I get about my hair!

: 

-Kris

Hey look who it is!  I'm still here!  I know I haven't posted in over a month, but I have somewhat of a decent excuse lol.  Besides being a tad bit on the lazy side, I actually have had bronchitis for the past few weeks and it really shut me down.  I had no energy to do anything.  I wasn't even tweeting like my usual self!  Now you know when I'm off twitter, something's wrong haha!  So unfortunately the combination kept me away from the blogesphere.  But I'm back!  

Wearing a blouse, skirt, + earrings from F21, boots vintage Nine West via mi madre.

These photos were taken at a cemetery earlier last week, and it was surprisingly very peaceful.  I've never shot any looks at a cemetery, nor do I hang out at cemeteries on my off time lol.  It had such beautiful scenery, I couldn't resist!  Look at all of these beautiful fall colors!  The mix of the fresh air, and fall breeze had me feeling so serene!  

Quite phallic, wouldn't you say so? LOL 

Unfortunately from being sick, I did miss my 1 year blog anniversary!  However, this post ending up coming at a perfect time.  Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and when I initially thought about putting together my blog anniversary post, I knew I wanted to talk about how thankful I was for everything that has transpired because of it.

There is so much to be thankful for, as there were many opportunities that came my way!  First there was the Street Style feature in Essence Magazine, which was so cool!  Essence is one of my favorite magazines, and to actually be in it was so thrilling!  Then there was the Interview Feature by Style Pantry.  I am a big fan of Folake, and was so honored to be featured by her!  Being a new blogger can be intimidating, as there are so many of us out there!  But ever since I started this blog, I've been shown nothing but positivity and light!  And I'm so thankful for that!!

I've actually recently been featured by another one of my favorite bloggers, Neil Alvin of Black Girls Killing it.  You can check out the feature here.

Besides being featured, you lovely people who read my blog, interact with me via commenting on this blog or on my Facebook Page, Chictopia, or Youtube channel... You guys who re-blog my posts on tumblr, or hold conversations with me on twitter, have been such an inspiration!  You are literally the reason why I even blog!  Without you guys, I wouldn't have had the drive or sustainability to continue on this journey!  You guys have even inspired me to kick off my youtube page again!  I am creative creature, and I enjoy expressing my interests and life with you all!  Thanks for making me feel comfortable doing so! 

You all have provided so much support and love, and have built around me a community of great people.  From all of this, the most important thing I have learned is that being yourself is truly enough.

I'm looking forward to spending time with my family this week, and overall reflecting on the blessings in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Kris

Today was pretty relaxing.  I picked up a morning shift at work, and that's about it!  I usually have Wednesdays off, so they usually always consist of a lot of relaxation lol.  The bestie Sasha is coming over in a bit, and I'm going to attempt to get her to come thrifting w me for a little while.  Besides that, just enjoying this beautiful fall weather!

Sometimes I break the rules and wear "white" items after Labor Day.  I don't know how much longer I can get away with wearing this skirt... ;)

My mom isn't a big fan of my "red lips" hehe

P.S. I haven't been to the movies in forever!  What's a good movie to go see this weekend?

wearing: Black sheer AA blouse, Vintage skirt, Jessica Simpson leather pumps, Vintage jewelry