Happy 5th Birthday Lyric

Today's is my baby's 5th birthday (Happy Birthday Lyric) , so I wanted to dedicate this post all to her.  When I first got Lyric, I was super scared of dogs. I remember going to the pet store the day before getting her and saying if she was still there the next day she'd surely be mine. Luckily for me she was still available. When I said I had no clue on how to 'raise' a dog, I'm happy that I stayed the course. Little did I know Lyric became my therapy dog so to speak. I got her about 4 months after my moma died and she was there for me throughout all the tears.

Although I get aggravated with the many responsibilities of being a pet owner, Lyric is more that that to me she's family. Our personalities are sooo similiar. She's the life of the party when others are around, as am I. She's a super flirt whenever there is a male presence, yep got it honestly. And when its just the two of us she is super laid back. I mean she doesn't even bark. I wouldn't trade her for the world, you probably remember the worse-mistake-I-never-made.

These past 5 years have been great, we've traveled together, shopped together, and at the end of the day I know that she'll always be in my corner, A Girl's Best Friend!!! Love ya Li-Li AKA Scrappy Do!!!

Goodbye 29... Hello 30!!!

via: Pinterest

Last night I said goodbye to my 20s and hello to my 30s. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it but I am definitely having a Marvin Sapp Never-would-have-made-it moment. What I'll say about my 20s is that it was definitely 10 years of learning. I mean sooo many lessons!!! Although I've slacked a bit on the 30 days to 30 I will definitely keep the series up and rename (30 and 30) it a bit so you can hear some of those lessons.

I have a birthday celebration this weekend so I'll definitely be back with the tea!!! I've heard 30 is when you really know who you are. I'm looking forward to what 30 has to offer.

Seeing is Believing

I have always been the type of girl that preferred glasses over contacts. Even back in the day when colored contacts were all the rage, I did not fall victim to the trend. I keep a fresh pair of frames!!!

It has been a while since I actually purchased a pair of glasses but when I saw the RayBan Cats, I just knew they had to be on my face. I searched all over for them after I found out that they couldn't be ordered by phone from RayBan. I found a RayBan Rep. near my home and what he wanted for the glasses were reasonable but he didn't take insurance (no deal since I pay into that every month). I also went to a reputable eyeglass chain that didn't have them in stock but said that they could order them for me (of course they were on back order).

Long story short I decided to look into a site that my line sisters raved about years ago and I'm sooo happy that I did. I checked out Zenni Optical and look what I got.

Can you tell by the pic that this was taken at my Grandma's house? Hint- Baptism picture, lol.

I know you guys see that the frames I have on, are almost identical to the RayBan's that I was unable to purchase. This pair, with my subscription, came up to less than $35 dollars with shipping. And I was super excited because I was quoted 14 days shipping and they actually arrived earlier #winning. I plan on getting the same frame in another color soon. There are plenty of discount online eye wear sites available, which companies have you tried?

Come Out and Shop With Us

Instagram June Photo Challenge

So last month, I totally sucked at doing the photo challenge for May. This month WILL BE a different story because it's my favorite month of the year. So if you'd like to participate on Instagram feel free to follow me @akakristin. I'll also come back on Friday and give you an update of all of my pics from the 1st til the 8th.

30 Days Til 30- Family

I wanted to start this mini series off with family because that's where I got my start...literally.  I am the oldest of 4 (that being a combination from my mom and dad), I am also the oldest grandchild on both sides (although on one side this fact is not recognized). I think that I've stated before that I grew up with my grandparents. During my childhood I never knew that was different or had any different feelings towards it. I had other friends who grew up with their grandparents as well and it was just that... life. It wasn't until I was older that I realized people actually stayed with their mom and dad, and to me I had that, a two-parent household. I had a grandmother who assisted with the 'mother' role and I had a grandfather that went above and beyond to be a father to me. I will say that my situation was unique. There wasn't a single issue for me staying with my grandparents besides the fact that I wanted to live there. I also lived with my mom for about 3-4 years and something eventually happened that set in stone for me that it was better for me to stay with my grandparents. When I think of the realm  of grandparents I get happy and a bit sad. I had a great experience not only with my grandparents but also with my great-grandparents.

Family is sooo important to me. I think that's why returning home to visit is ALWAYS a bitter sweet experience. I had sooo much loving family around me and it just seemed like since 2005 things changed. I lost a grandparent, great-grandparent, and my mother. I was used to my grandmother's house being the mecca for my family. We'd all get together and sit out on the porch (yes I am a country girl), my folks even jokingly name themselves the porch committee. We'd sit out there and talk, eat, tell jokes, etc. I miss that sooo much. If I had one wish it would be to go back in time to one of those exact moments  and chill out with all of my family, in one place.

I am sooo lucky to have the family that I had/have. I mean everyone pitches in for the greater good. I remember going to college and my cousin and aunt drove me cause my mom had a new job. I also remember one of my aunt's paying my cell phone bill and another having me groceries waiting every time I got home.

Sooo much of whom I refer to as my family happens to be my mother's side but I do have a relationship with my father and his immediate family. Unfortunately, the relationship with his entire family is non-existent to me, has been and may always be. Anyways, the relationship with my daddy actually begin my freshman year in college; let me just tell you it was a long and rocky road. But today I can honestly say that I value the relationship we have and somewhere in the mix we've also developed a friendship. I never would have thought that I'd have this good of a relationship with him. Our relationship is a true testament of God working behind the scene's so that you can receive everything at the exact time when you need it. I can't talk about my daddy and not talk about my step-mom. We have always had a GREAT relationship, always. I could always talk to her about ANYTHING and she never tried replace my mother when my mother was alive nor after she died. If I marry/date a man with kids I'd want to be exactly like her and foster the same relationship with them as she did with me. We have had countless conversations about life; ranging from guys, food, God, and even the deep stuff about my dad not always being around. When my granddaddy and mom died she was the person who gave me money because she wanted to make sure that I looked nice for the home going service. She is an amazing woman, mother and wife.

If you met me in Virginia, the family that I refer to is Pam nem. This relationship actually developed after my mom died. I was told by one of my great aunts that I had a cousin in Ga. I went to meet her and we instantly hit it off. Not only are we family we are also friends. I think I've stated before she is the big sister/mother figure in my life as well.

There are also people that are not directly related to me that I would consider family. These are people that have stood beside me through hell and high water.  For everyone that I consider family, I am thankful and greatful to have you.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

When I woke up this morning I just knew it was going to be a good month. Why, you might ask, it's because it's June. Just is my most favorite month in the year. First of all its the month that I was born in and I can truly begin representing for all of my Gemini's. Not only that it's black music month (yay). You know that means ratchetness from BET in a few weeks #noshade. This is the one month where my brain is actually allowed to remember everyone's birthday. There are sooo many people in my inner circle that well be celebrating with me!!!

30 Days til 30

I can't believe that in exactly 30 days I'll be 30. When I just sit back and think about it I have a Marvin Sapp never-would-have-made-it moment. There are sooo many situations, challenges and ups and downs that I've faced over these 29 years but I'm happy that I am able to say that I'm still here. I used to joke with a co-worker of mine about being old and she'd say that I'd better hope to make it her age and you know what I don't. What I do hope; is that I can have even more longevity and make it to my 80's or 90's. There are sooo many of my peers that didn't get to see 29 let alone 30. So right now (although I haven't actually made it to 30) I am sooo very thankful!!! I will share with you in future post 30 in-depth lessons or things that I've learned on this journey we call life.

Challenge...

Today I came across a new blog by Kirstin who happens to be a fellow member of Capfabb. I saw this cute challenge that she and another blogger created and thought that I'd give it a try. The challenge is for 30 days and you can participate by blogging each day/week or putting it on Instagram. If you all didn't know ya girl happens to be on Instagram as well (finally, d*mn Android).






1. Your favorite blouse

2. A piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift

3. A shirt that you haven’t worn yet

4. Your favorite lip stick

5. Your favorite pair of jeans

6. A pair of pants that aren’t jeans

7. A cute outfit

8. Textures, Color and Pattern Combo

9. A cute dress or skirt

10. A piece of jewelry that a Parent/Grandparent gave you

11. A piece of jewelry that everyone compliments you on

12. Your newest purchase

13. Your favorite pair of shoes

14. A piece of jewelry that you made

15. Something “Red”

16. An article of clothing/ accessory that you consider lucky

17. Your favorite pair of shoes

18. Something you only wear in the summer

19. A “pop” of color

20. Rock an animal print piece

21. Your favorite cocktail ring

22. A spring inspired handbag

23. A piece that resembles your favorite fashion icon

24. Ruffles or Lace

25. Your favorite pair of sun shades

26. A Fashion book

27. Your favorite mascara

28. Strike a pose!

29. Skincare product in your handbag

30. Favorite nail polish

My Soul To Keep

As a child growing up in a Christian family, I was taught the classic children' prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take

There are several variations to this prayer so some of you may have been taught something different. Anyways, the prayer above is what immediately came to mind after my line sister told me that our college classmate passed in his sleep. She said that he had sleep apnea as well, but of course we are not certain of his cause of death. When I say that hit home it really did. In the past, I spoke briefly about being diagnosed with the sleep disease and just started to think on the importance of this prayer. Although simple, it is still very relative and effective. Don't get me wrong, I pray at night, but if I were to die, I'd want the Lord to take my soul.

My classmate/friends death really made me realize the importance of wearing my Darth Vader mask. There are few times that I fall asleep and forget to put it on. Let me just tell you, the next day is beyond horrible for me. I feel super tired, irritable, moody, and just a mess. Although it's uncomfortable (and will probably prevent morning nookie, whenever I have a better half) it is definitely necessary. What happens when you stop breathing during your sleep is that your bodily functions start to shut down because there isn't oxygen going to your brain. If your lucky enough to catch your breath again, you often time start to shake/tremble a bit because your heart had just been told to start beating again. The problem without getting a constant air flow (besides death) is that you can have a stoke or heart attack because of the strain that it puts on your organs.

I am very saddened by my friends death not only because I heard he had sleep apnea and so do I; but he was one of the koolest guys at Albany State University. Just kool. We always went back and forth about sneakers or as we call them in the South, tennis shoes (little unknown fact, your girl had all of the newest and hottest sneakers, usually before they were sold to the public). He always had a smile and a kind word to say. I remember Dion being the first Big guy that I had a crush on Freshman year, whatever we called swag then is what he had. R.I.P Dion you will definitely be missed.