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

Topshop

 Denim & Army jacket (

similar

), 

Urban Outfitters

high-waisted black pants

, 

Lookmatic 

eyeglasses

, 

Zara

 fringe booties, personal turquoise necklace

Living in Brooklyn has been very fun thus far. Little by little I've been exploring this city; hitting great bars, great restaurants, cool artsy events... Not gonna lie, I've enjoyed every minute of it! I've started packing my camera with me when I go out to document these cool outings so I can post pictures for you to see!

The Barclays Center

is only a 15 minute drive from my apartment, and most of my friends live in Brooklyn too! I'm reeeeallllyyyy trying to see Kanye at Barclays this fall (and Beyonce, again). #butiaintgotnomoney #canienteracontest #isanyonedoingagiveaway

Minus my lack of funds, I still feel extremely humbled in my first month and some change of this independency! Lord knows it ain't easy! *sobs over low funds in bank account* LOL I'm dramatic yes, but I really did have to stop myself from buying these cute pair of boots the other day because I have to be a responsible adult and pay my bills on time! #honesty Mom, seeee, I can say no! lol

Let's talk about this necklace. If you don't know, turquoise is my favorite stone. I have many turquoise rings, and necklaces, it's a beautiful stone, and it looks great on everyone. I can't remember where I picked up this statement necklace years ago, but it's one of my favorite pieces, and always a conversation starter! Take a simple outfit (like the one I'm wearing in this post), and throw on that bad boy, and it takes it to the next level! 

Can I just mention that I'm still in love with my haircut?! Although it's growing back! Starting to get a little cushion again haha! 

Can't believe fall weather has already kicked in. Although I am excited to layer up and wear oversized sweaters and boots and scarves! My favorite season! And a pumpkin spice latte never hurt either!

Heading to a natural hair brunch event hosted by my lovely friend

Alex Elle

today! But first, meeting up with my girl

Katrina

for mani/pedis, then spending my afternoon around lovely natural haired ladies and good food and mimosas! I'm so looking forward to it! 

Happy Saturday!

-Kris

Twitter

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Facebook

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IG

photography by

Manny Fresco

Hey guys!

Here I am, back from a hiatus. Let me tell you, life can get crazy busy sometimes!! But it's honestly great to blog again. I was itching to do so, but the break was much needed. How are you all?

In my last post you saw that all of my big puffy long hair was gone! And it's still gone! LOL. I am still in love with the short hair, And as you can see, I tapered the sides, which I love even more than my first haircut! 

These photos are from a natural hair photo shoot taken by my lovely mother and her friend Sandy. We had a lot of fun playing dress up, make-up done by Crystal Carmen (pictured middle), and it was awesome to spend the day together enjoying laughs, nice weather, and expressing our beautiful and unique natural hair! Thanks to Beautiful Affirmations for putting together this lovely shoot!

Updates from me, the school year is quickly approaching its end, and I will be headed to New York City this summer. I can't believe it's almost here! I'm SO excited, but just as nervous, as this will be a leap of faith for me. I know in my heart it's what I have to do! I've been trying to save as much money as I can (I still have bills to pay and a shopping habit to kick) JUST IN CASE I have to move there without a job. But I have faith that I'll lock in SOMETHING before I move lol... Please keep me in your prayers y'all!

My birthday is also Wednesday, May 1st, and I'll be a quarter century! Ahh! I'm actually excited to turn 25. 24 was a great year of experience, learning, and change. Transitioning into 25 will be even more major change! But I'm up for the challenge!

(This was my "Mom's Do Natural Hair" advertisement LMAO)!

On another note, I just want to mention the Boston Marathon bombing. Usually I save the politics and feminist rants for my twitter or tumblr, but I do want to say this. I was really down and out over the bombings. I understand that there are other countries that are experiencing this and far worse all over the world, but this felt personal to me. I was mad, outraged. Boston is a place I used to call home, as I spent my whole undergrad career there in school. Where the bombing took place, Back Bay, was right where my campus was. I can't even count the number of times I walked back and forth on Boylston Street, or hung out in Copley Square. My thoughts and prayers are still with all the families affected by the tragedy. One thing I know about Boston, is Boston Pride. It was great to see everyone come together in times of grief and adversity and help each other out. That was beautiful. 

On a lighter note, above is my new youtube video, me in the salon getting all my hair cut off! Check it out!

Fill me in on what's been going on with you! Hope you're well! :)

-Kris

Photography by Stephanie M. F. Brooks and Sandy Deaton Gelatt

Wearing thrifted Jones New York blazer, H&M men's v-neck t-shirt, Zara jeans & boots, Lookmatic "Austin" eyeglasses

I CUT MY HAIR!!!!!

For those of you who follow me on instagram, twitter, or Facebook, you already know this, but please act surprised (for me) lol. OMG!! Can I just mention how OBSESSED I am about my new haircut? I absolutely LOVE it! There are a couple reasons why I cut my hair off, and reasons why I waited so long to do it (which I will explain in detail in an upcoming youtube video), but I feel so liberated, and am rocking my natural texture and just letting it do what it do!

I think my new haircut brings out my face and my features, which I am also loving-- I'm still playing around with products to make my curls pop, but I think I've finally found what works. It's been so long since I rocked my natural texture. I was always manipulating my natural curls when it was long. Not saying that's a bad thing, but this is just so much easier lol. I think I'm actually going to tweak the cut just a tad bit next time I go into the salon. Shout out to Pay for cutting my hair! I think she was more excited than I was to cut it! My bestie Lei recorded the whole thing, and that will also be up on youtube soon! You guys will be able to see the transformation, and me sort of freaking out when I actually hear the scissors cutting off all my length haha!

Ok, let's talk the outfit. I love how sophisticated but easily casual a blazer & t-shirt combination can be! I recently picked up these frames! They are prescription, but they have the UV Ray tinting, and I love how they turn a nice golden brown in the sun. Very 60's indeed!

These boots are my everything! By the time I peeped them and wanted to buy, they were sold out everywhere! I luckily snagged them on Threadflip, and now they're all miiiine! *cue Thriller laughter*

How have you all been? I hope you're well! :) I can't believe we're already halfway through March!

Drop me a line, I really do appreciate when you guys leave me comments! Have a good weekend! 

-Kris