Closet Control

15 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by in Candace T., Fashion, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

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closet

I believe a person’s closet tells a lot about them.  Whether it’s neat and organized or messy and chaotic, it has a lot to do with how you look when you leave the pad.  When I moved into my apartment, the very first thing I did was organize my closet.  I couldn’t sleep that night until everything, and I mean everything, was hung up and put in its rightful place.  Then I looked in my closet and realized it still looked messy. Something was off.  It was the hangers! Over the years, I had managed to accidentally collect all kinds of hangers.  Wire ones, the white plastic ones, and the god-awful clear, plastic ones you get from stores like Old Navy.  Ewww. By the way, Krissy Nicole passionately HATES wire hangers. She’s been known to go on rants about how no one in 2013 should own them.

So, I took a quick ride to Target and scooped up a few dozen of those delicious looking suede hangers.  They are pretty inexpensive and they have all kinds of designs and colors. Of course I love fuchsia, so that color has dominated my closet. And what I’ve noticed is that it gives the wardrobe a clean, feminine look. Just what I was going for!  And because of the suede material, the clothes easily stay on the hangers. It’s perfect!

So do yourself a favor and give your closet a quick revamp with new hangers and you’ll be so happy you did! Or better, allow the CirKiss Girls into your home and we’ll do it for you! :)

Remember: when you look good, you feel good and part of looking good is having an organized life and an even more organized closet.

Shoutout to my boo Patricia for the post idea! You rock! :D

Fashionably Yours,

Candace T.

Two Summer Trends in One – Overalls + Fun Prints!

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Fashion, Krissy Nicole

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I have been seeing overalls everywhere this season, from runway shows to stores to the streets!  I used to love wearing oversized overalls when I was younger and seeing them coming back around again brought a smile to my face.

What do you all think of overalls making a come back?  Do you see yourself wearing some this season?  Yay or Nay? Let us know!

xoxo,

Krissy

Tips for Thrifting

03 Monday Jun 2013

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Going thrifting can be an amazing experience; you can score some really great digs for some really awesome prices.  However, if you are not used to doing it, you may be in for a shock.  Some people may get easily overwhelmed once they step foot in a thrift store.  And I can totally understand why.  I want to share a few things that I have picked up on over the years when it comes to leaving out of the thrift store feeling successful.

1. Research all of the thrift stores in your area because you will most likely have to visit more than one, since every store is different.

2. Be patient! You’re gonna pretty much have to sift through everything on the racks if you wanna find that piece that jumps out at you.  Remember, its a process!

3.  Get creative!  If you see something that you like but may need some revamping, try to think about how you could jazz up the piece.  New buttons?  Cutting into a crop top?  Adding some embellishments?  The sky’s the limit!

4.  Sometimes, there aren’t any dressing rooms available and you may have to try something on.  Try to wear clothes that you can easily throw another piece of clothing on top.  Items such as slim tees or leggings/shorts are good for this.

5.  When you finally find an item you like, make sure that you eye it down!  Look for any stains, rips or other defects.  If it’s something that you can’t repair or isn’t wearable in your opinion, then keep it moving!  On to the next find!

6.  Thrift stores are great for having unique + awesome accessories.  I have found plenty of printed scarves (my fave) and cool earrings while thrifting.  With pieces of jewelry, make sure that you disinfect them before wearing!

7.  Make sure that you wash all of your finds!  You don’t know where these items came from and how they ended up in the thrift store….often times, the stuff may have a weird smell to them and who wants to walk around smelling like that?

8.  Ok, so you’re done shopping and now you’re home…go through your closet once in a while and find the clothes that don’t quite fit like they once did or that you don’t love so much anymore.  Give back!  Donate some of your pieces to your local thrift stores and bless someone else with your once-upon-a-time jewel.

What are some other things that you suggest while thrifting?  What are some ways you have reconstructed one of your finds?  Let us know!

-Krissy Nicole

What’s Next?!?!?

24 Friday May 2013

Posted by in Krissy Nicole, Lifestyle

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So, it’s almost the end of May and my internship is coming to an end (bittersweet).  June is soon to follow and I will be starting my very last summer semester in grad school…after that, what’s next?  Over the past couple of weeks, my mood has changed.  You think I would be excited and optimistic about the future but in reality, I’m scared!  I don’t know what’s to come and it is driving me crazy!  For those that don’t know, I am almost done with my Masters program in Forensic Psychology.  Well, in order for me to pretty much be successful in this field, I need to obtain some sort of licensure.  And of course most of the jobs that I have been finding require you to at least hold a LPC (licensed professional counselor) and I’m not gonna have that for another few years!  Am I gonna be another one of those very educated, ambitious, hard working individuals who can’t find a job?  I have been trying to stay positive while trying to figure everything out, but is that enough?

any advice folks?

-Krissy NIcole

What if it’s all NOT worth it?

18 Monday Mar 2013

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[This is a Candace T. rant...]

That’s the question I’ve been asking myself lately.  Sure, I’ve heard the quote, “Anything worth having doesn’t come easily…” but sheesh, this semester is much harder than I anticipated.  Sacrificing many things I love: free time, eating out, shopping, attending social events, and lounging every weekend, waking up stress-free, going to bed early guilt-free, going on week-day dates, watching television in excess, reading for pleasure, not having this huge weight on my shoulders when something’s due.. These are all things I’m currently sacrificing/experiencing while I’m in graduate school and it’s incredibly frustrating.

I’m not even sure it’s grad school itself that’s bothering me.  I think it’s this one particular course, EDCC 600 (Research in Education), that’s giving me the hardest time.  I have the same professor for both classes but in this class, I don’t understand ANYTHING. I always leave feeling defeated and worried. Worst of all, my professor is rigid and awkwardly distant.  And okay, I get that this is grad school, we’re all adults, and we’re not going to be spoon-fed but come on, man.  Why assign us a book with 37 chapters to read, never discuss it in class, and then give an essay exam where we have to “analyze” one measly section of the book? Like, who does that?!

Let me tell you something – if I graduate and end up not finding a job as a Counselor, or worse, still working my same 9-5, I’m going to be really pissed.  I’ll lose my sanity. And let’s not get it twisted: the ONLY reason I’m in graduate school is because I can’t practice without credentials.  And the only I’m not quitting school is because I’ll be mad at myself, and I HATE being mad at myself.

One of my favorite theories in Theories of Counseling is Reality/Choice Therapy which basically states that we decide and have control over our thoughts and behavior.  Humans have the power to change our perception, and although we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control how it affects us.  So maybe I should just apply that to my situation, eh? 

Usually I’m all bubbly, happy, and optimistic.  Not today.

-Candace T.

I Am That I Am

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in C. Sturdi, Lifestyle

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A couple of years ago, I started reading Jeff Johnson’s book Everything I’m Not Made Me Everything I Am, but I never finished the whole thing (Ugh, Sorry Jeff – love the Kanye track tho!). But I do remember the book having an exercise where you make some type of evaluation list, so maybe this is reminiscent of that.

More relevant, however, is my recent struggle to identify who, exactly, I am and why I don’t feel that I fit in with everyone else (or am not who everyone else perceives me to be), in that, it seems I don’t have any overwhelmingly common interests/experiences as most of my peers, even my closest friends.

But what I’ve come to realize is that with every perceived weakness comes a strength. And with every oddity comes something deeply fascinating. Thus, I am learning to take myself for what I am and embrace all the things that make me unique instead of mulling over why I’m different. 

A la — a list: more or less, an effort to reassure myself that I do have some sense of identity in life, albeit, not as definitive as others may like.

Everything I’m Not

Everything I Am
I don’t read fashion blogs daily I love shopping and I care about the way I dress
I’m more concerned (but not involved as I want to be) with local politics than national I care about political issues that impact my immediate community and are most relevant to my everyday life
I don’t identify with any particular group of people i.e. women, mothers, blacks, etc. “Ironically, individuality is not a trait shared by everyone.”
I’m not up-to-date on the latest hip hop/rap music songs/artists I love the classic hits and greatest artists of all time
I’m not a health nut I’m very cognizant of my water and vegetable intake
I’m not hooked on any reality TV shows on MTV, BET or VHI I will give show on BRAVO a try
I’m not well-versed in anything enough to consider myself a legit activist, social commentator or expert In the meantime, I have friends who are specialists who I can turn to for their expertise
I’m generally over the whole networking with young professionals thing I appreciate meeting older professionals who have a deeper sense of intellect, wisdom and humbleness
I have a hard time reading whole books I can get through several blog posts + I’m writing a book
I’m not a natural hair natzi I love my natural hair
I don’t have any black women role models who I absolutely STAN for One of my goals in life is to be a role model for younger (and older) women of color
I don’t love to wear heels everywhere I go I look – and feel – good when I do decide to wear heels
I don’t subscribe to the whole ‘black love’ movement I believe true love conquers all (or specifically, crosses color lines)
I don’t watch the news faithfully during the week I listen to news radio in my car almost everyday and enjoy watching Sunday morning news best
I don’t have or am not currently concerned with pursing a college degree I enjoy challenging myself to become educated through different mediums and types of individuals
I don’t work on capitol hill, in education reform – or have a traditional 9-5 for that matter I’m professionally pursuing things I’m passionate about – writing my experiences in life, helping individuals in need and exercising my mynd
I don’t like sports I love going to a live sporting events for the stadium food

- C. Sturdi

Ish I’m Too Old To Be Doing

14 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in C. Sturdi

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olderAs my 27th year of life approaches, my quarter-life crisis syndrome has gave way to almost-thirty despair, catapulting me into life assessment overdrive.

I recently read an article which found that people are less open-minded to the fact that, over time, their values and personalities are bound to change.

Even considering a ten-year period, many adults proclaim that they will have the same morals, habits and perspectives in life as they do today. So a 25-year-old who can clearly see how they’ve developed from when they were 15, still has difficulties admitting the incredible potential they have to change by the time they’re thirty-five.

This, along with the surrounding marriages, pregnancies, career advancements and home-buyings being made by my peers, has led me to look over the past ten years of life my to discover, frankly, ish that I’m too old to be doing.

Here we go:

Getting Parking Tickets

For a couple of years now, I’ve had this illogical mindset that risking getting a parking ticket is more thrilling and less time consuming than putting change into the meter. What’s more, physically putting $3.25 into the meter is somehow more painstaking than paying a $25 ticket online.

Spending My Last Dime on Starbucks

If I have $4 left in the bank, the last thing I’m thinking about is making 1/20th of a contribution to my overdue phone bill –  because, after all, that’s the perfect amount of money to fulfill my tall, white mocha desires.

Dashes into Starbucks to place my order, unpaid parking meter outside..

Having a Messy Car

Maybe I do spend an obscene amount of time in my car, however, the excuse for it to look like I’ve been on a cross-country road trip rather than making several 30-miles-from-home runs is beginning to create an undesirable commute for myself and moreover, those who have to endure my traveling travesty.

Being in Love with the Wrong Guy

Letting go of someone can be one of the most freeing acts in life. However, I am a witness that this can also be one of the lengthiest decisions to act upon. Pouring weeks, months and years of emotional commitment into someone who does not want the same things as you can cause a triple delay in the amount of time it takes to find the one who was actually meant for you.

Doubting My Abilities

No matter how many people tell me how skilled I am, if one person – one seemingly important person – totally shatters my abilities as a good writer, leader or professional, my whole life’s purpose comes under self-scrutiny. Allowing one person’s perspective to question years of affirmative progress can become harmful to my continuous growth in life. “Taking it with a grain of salt” has never rang so true.

- C. Sturdi

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