This blog post has nothing to do with fashion, or my hair.

This post has everything to do with my love for music. And not just my appreciation for music, but my passion to pursue my own personal music journey.

I can't think back to a time when music wasn't a part of my life. Some of you may not know (although I am sure you can gather from these photos), that I am a musician. I am a singer/songwriter/composer. I've been singing since I was 3 years old, I went to a performing arts high school where I majored in vocal music, and I went off to a prestigious music school for college called Berklee College of Music, where I graduated with two degrees in Songwriting and Music Business.

So it's safe to say I take music pretty seriously.

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a performer. I've always been a confident gal, lively, full of personality, so willing to be the center of attention (lol), but once I got to college, my goals shifted. I really got into the business side of music and decided then that I no longer wanted to perform. I'd rather be the business behind the brand, the brains of the operation, that sort of thing.

Meanwhile, I still took my songwriting courses, and continued to write music, and gigged here and there, but only for fun. I told myself I wanted not to perform my own music, but rather, write for other performers. I figured I would get the same satisfaction just working in the music industry, rather than performing in the music industry.

I was wrong.

Self doubt. Lack of confidence. How could I be such a confident person, but not be confident enough to pursue my true dreams? I shake my head as I write this, because I can't believe I allowed myself to push myself this far away from the one thing I know I feel completely sound in doing.  Had my fear of not being successful steered me away? Or thinking that I wasn't as talented as my friends? Not being able to hide behind any guard, my music is a true reflection of who I am, this truly scared me.

But that is no longer. I am here to state that I am taking myself seriously as a musician again, and will compose AND perform. I mentioned a few months back that I am moving to New York City next summer, and I totally plan to get a band together, gig, make music, and be happy. Because this is what I want to do!

We all have fears and doubts, especially young 20 somethings living in this economy/country where times are the hardest they have been in our whole lives. Steadily trying to fit in, or stand out, attempting get ahead in the world, or even to just stay afloat. It's tough.

But if I can give any advice to you I'd say, GO FOR IT. Who's stopping you, but you? One quote I have mentioned on this blog, in this post, speaks to me often, so I feel the need to mention it again.

"Everything you want to be you already are, and you are on the path to discovering it." -Alicia Keys

This is my path. I was born to do this, and I will do it. 2013 is weeks away, and best believe I will be releasing my music then. I hope that you all will support me on my journey, and know that now is the time to pursue your dreams as well. Don't give up, or settle for something less greater than worth. You owe yourself the best out there!!


Thanks for reading, and thanks for your support,

-Kris

Zara blazer, F21 jeans, earrings, & necklace, TJ Maxx blouse (similar here), Tory Burch booties (old), Super sunnies.

I uploaded a photo on instagram yesterday showing the location where I shot these photos. I felt like I was in The Hunger Games, and joked with my mom, stating that we needed to listen out for a running stream just incase. I then proceeded to whistle that 4-note tune to the non-existent Mockingjay's... Not surprisingly, there was no response.

How is everyone? How is it already December?! This year has definitely flown by.

I am now a Lucky Magazine contributor, which is pretty exciting!! A couple of my blog posts have been published so far, so please check them out, and vote them up for me! :) 

On another note, Monday's are such a drag, but it's supposed to be 60 degrees today, which is quite strange (global warming is real)! Only 2 weeks until holiday break (yes I'm counting down the days)!

Until then, have a great work/school week!

-Kris

The Limited Blazer (similar here), TJ Maxx blouse (similar here) & pants (similar here), F21 boots.

It was absolutely freezing cold outside when I took these photos yesterday, and flurrying too! I don't know why or how, but that episode of The Babysitters Club popped into my head while I was outside. The episode when one of them gets casted as a model for a photo shoot, and had to man up and shoot in the dead of winter with no coat? Does anyone remember that episode? I'm sure a lot of you reading were probably too young to tune into that show! So random, but that's what kept me going in this cold haha!

Everyone came over to our house for the holiday, and it was great to see everyone! My mother THREW DOWN (as usual). I can't stress enough how well she can cook! I of course still have a seat at the kiddie table, and although 24, am asked if I'm old enough to buy beer lol. (I also dyed the tips of my hair recently). You like?

My plate. #gluttony

Cousin awkwardness...

I don't know how the second half of this post turned into a hair ad, but let's just roll with it lol. I have a giveaway lined up for you all once I hit 300 readers via GFC! If you aren't already following, and you're a fan of my blog, please join! I'd appreciate the support!

Enjoy this last day off before back to work & school on Monday!

-Kris

UO blazer (old), Kirna Zabete for Target blouse, Gap skinny trousers, Tory Burch booties (old), Super sunnies, M.A.C. lip pencil in Vino & Goes and Goes lipstick, personal jewelry

Happy Monday!

All most of the fuss has dwindled since the U.S. Presidential election is over, and for me personally, I am breathing easier and less anxiously (lol).

I tuned into Black Girls Rock last weekend, and was really inspired from it. It was a night filled with the celebration of women. I feel like I'm giving Janelle Monae with this outfit today. In her acceptance speech, she mentioned that she always wears her signature "uniform" to pay homage and respect to her parents. Her speech was really touching, you can check it out here, and view other clips from the show here.

I absolutely love this blouse! Isn't it great? I love the mixed patterns and the colors remind me of the ocean! Below are my favorite boots. I picked up these bad boys years ago, and I still wear them regularly. They're so fun, and super comfortable! Louis Vuitton has a very similar pair out now, but of course that isn't in my budget. And if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Here's another statement made by Alicia Keys that I felt was inspiring:

"Everything you want to be you already are, and you are on the path to discovering it."

I hope that was a little inspiration to get your week started! Keeping working towards your goals, you'll get there!

Oh yeah, Instagram has finally made web profiles. Here is mine if you want to check it out!

Have a great week!

-Kris

F21 necklace, sweater (similar here), and shoes, LEVI'S jeans via JCPenny (similar here), M.A.C. lip pencil in Vino, Laura Mercier Seduction lipstick, OPI Malaga wine nail polish, personal jewelry.

It was this time exactly one week ago, when all of us East Coasters were preparing for Hurricane Sandy.  That same time a year ago, we had a big snowstorm that left a lot of us without power, a lot of trees down, but in all, nothing too major.  And I think that's the attitude everyone had going into this storm. 

We were wrong.  

I luckily only lost power for a day, no flooding, no trees down on our property.  We were lucky.  Just down the road trees were uprooted, people are still without power, and lots of damage done to people's homes. To the extreme flooding in NY and NJ, my heart goes out to any and everyone affected by the storm.

It's never too late to help.  Whether it's donating $10 to RedCross (by texting REDCROSS to 90999), volunteering your time at a local shelter, or donating clothes to people that may have lost theirs in the hurricane.  People are still suffering from Hurricane Sandy.  Don't know where to start?  Search your state website or do a basic google search on "Sandy Relief" to find ways to help, if you can!

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NOW GETTING PAST THE HEAVY STUFF!  Whew!

Let's talk about the 'fit.  Oxblood/Bordeaux/Burgundy, whatever you want to call it, I like it.  It's such a rich color, and perfect for fall/winter months, so I say yes to the trend.  What do you guys think?  Are you incorporating this color into your wardrobe this season?

The U.S. Presidential election is less than 2 days away and it's no secret who I'll be voting for... I usually go in on my beliefs/opinion/statistics on my twitter page, so I'll save you the rants (lol).  But I do encourage you to use your voice.  Go out and VOTE!

Have a great week guys!

-Kris

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

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Hi I'm Kristin Brooks, a recently graduated musician/songwriter. I started this blog in hopes to express my interests to anyone who wants to read about them, and to build a community of expressive ladies/gentlemen who want to share themselves with me, too! My aim is to educate and enlighten, and to be enlightened as well! Take a look, I'm on a journey to something grand... I'd love to take you along with me :)