because of them, we can...

photographer, eunique jones gibson curated an ingenious campaign for black history month, "because of them we can...", highlighting 28 photos of influential african-americans.  each photo features a child emulating an african-american that has inspired our vast history. 

eunique so eloquently states her inspiration, "I recently realized that my lens can also be my microphone.  For Black History Month, I wanted to create a campaign that would empower and excite young people about their history and their future in a creative and yet relatable way.  I thought about my two sons and how they were both born during President Barack Obama's election and re-election. How awesome is that?! From there, I began to think about all of the individuals, past and current, who have and/or continue to blaze new trails and pave the way for the future.  Because of Them, We Can."

lucky for us, eunique is continuing her campaign beyond black history month to further motivate and inspire.  please support this effort!  posters and calendars are available for purchase, here.

ps - i waited until today to publish this post, because i wanted all 28 photos in the series.  i stalked eunique's facebook page until she posted the 28th photo [michelle & barack "yes we can"].  when it was revealed, i was so overwhelmed and proud!

avery's on h street

don't you love it when you walk into your favorite local spot and you're referred to you by name?  it makes you feel special right?  reminds you of the cheers theme song... "where everybody knows your naaame! [doon doon doon] and you're always glad you caaaame!" [i def just sung that out loud] lol!!  

well, i found my own cheers, an awesome new lounge in washington dc, avery's on h street.  located in the heart of one of dc's most notible neighborhoods, the h street corridor, avery's on h street doesn't disappoint.  from the comfortable and inviting decor, you'll lose track of time sipping on their signature #coolout drink while enjoying tunes from various local dj's.  the enviornment is always pleasant and the proprietor, avery o. leake, acknowledges every patron as if they are family.

stop by avery's on h street, 1370 h street, n.e. washington dc.  check out events and happy hour drink specials on avery's on h street's instagram here.

instagram recap

have you ever noticed how you get LOST on instagram??  one second you're looking through your timeline, then you click on some random hashtag where a picture catches your attention, the next thing you know you're on that persons timeline, then you click on a person who is tagged in a picture and now you've been on instagram for an hour and you're like "how did i even get here?"  lol!  this happens to me all the time, i know it happens to you too, even if you don't admit it ;) but i digress... 

i've been having so much fun lately!  and it's all been caputred on my instagram :)  from experiencing dc restaurant week [thanks to rock creek social club], dc auto show, university of md eastern shore homecoming, my favorite happy hour at policy and just plain ol' hangin with my friends.   le bon temps roule! #letgoodtimesroll! 
follow me on instagram @blindat29

| instagram recap |

1.  bittersweet chocolate ganache tart at 701 restaurant
2.  blanquette of amish chicken at adour
3.  palak chaat at rasika
4.  toyota eco concept car that looks a lot like a stormtrooper ha!
5.  #selfie pic at umes homecoming party
6.  chef table at rasika
7.  exotic vacherin: caribbean sorbet topped w/ passion fruit foam at adour
8.  a lovely valentine card from my bestie
9.  slow baked salmon w/ sweet & sour beet vinaigrette at 701 restaurant
10.  loving the wine racks at adour
11.  my mommy knows that i rock! <3
12.  valentines day dinner :-*
13.  glowing nails at heist
14.  fav happy hour at policy
15.  #selfies of me & the bestie tiffany
16.  party time at heist w/ fam & friends
17.  amazing indian restaurant rasika
18.  loving my hair length :)
19.  the awesome black cod w/ dill basmati rice at rasika
20.  geeks w/ drinks!

let's move!

our FLOTUS kicked off a nation wide tour to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of her "let's move" campaign.  she teamed up with jimmy fallon to put together this kute dance video!  i loved every second of it, i had to repost it.
i adore our FLOTUS!

date night

date nights are great for the obvious reasons, spending quality time with a person that you enjoy, exploring your surroundings, having a great meal, watching an amazing movie or just connecting with your beau.  but us girls [namely me :)] love date nights because they are the perfect excuse to wear all of those cute outfits you've been waiting to wear since... forever.  i could not wait to get spiffy for this date! 

i really adore color, but it seems as though all of my outfits are either grey or black. #fail lol!  this case is no different, my color of choice was black [you can never go wrong with an all black outfit].  this leather trend?  i can't get enough of it, leather pants, leather skirts, leather tops, leather leather leather!!! clearly, i'm obsessed. before our night on the town, we managed to squeeze in a mini photo shoot to capture all of that leather goodness. 

oh! how could i forget to mention... the accoutrement of all accoutrements, the pièce de résistance [i say this for each of my new accessories lol!] i found the most adorable indian inspired purse and with a little dose of #blind@29, i added studded leather tassels, to it make it the most awesomest piece ever! 

 don't you guys just love date nights??

| fit |  zara parka with leather sleeves [sum'n like it here], halogen leather peplum top [sum'n like it here], asos leather pencil skirt, dolce vita purple suede pumps [sum'n like it here], luxurious poverty "wild heart ring", zara indian inspired purse, brass cuff [sum'n like it here], lemon spritz by q.r.s. nail polish

newest social app craze: vine

i'd have to say the new vine app [brought to us by twitter] is AWESOME!! 
 vine allows you to share six seconds of your creative genius in a looping video.  within the app you are allowed record, pause and record again, making your video have a "flip book" effect.  how kool is that?!!  the only downfall is that, there is not an option to use the front facing camera, i'm sure this feature will be available in future updates.  vine is currently only available on the iPhone and iPod touch, #teamapple can download it here.  i can't wait to see the kool and funny stuff you guys will come up with on vine!  follow me... @kristinkelli i'll make sure to follow back :)

blind @ 29's valentine's day gift guide

when it comes to valentine's day gift giving, i get stumped.  is it a "holiday" just for women?  if not, what do you get your beau?  should the gift be expensive?  or just a trinket to show your love and appreciation?  these are the questions that pop into my mind... maybe i'm over thinking it, as per usual :/  ugh.

but never the less, i came up with the perfect gift guide for your beau and your boo :)  i chose high and low end items [whatever floats your boat], and a set of special chocolate bars from a local chocolatier that are infused with aphrodisiac spices [;)].

and if all else fails, you can NEVER go wrong with dimming the lights and throwin on some marvin gaye, particularly "i want you" $1.29. 


| his |  air jordan 3 retro '88 [releasing today! @ 4:51pm], john varvatos gift set, beyonce covered gq mag, luc belaire sparkling rare rose [that new new!], comme des garcons play converse, comme des garcon logo tee

| hers |  frends rose gold layla headphones, creed love in white, proenza scholar pochette, miami weekend getaway, gianvitto rossi slingbacks [slay!], chanel camellia sneakers, allsaints estelle bracelet, cartier love bracelets, spicesutra bar collection 

fav skirt

this alice + olivia box pleated leather skirt is probably my most favorite item in my closet. i love it! i wear it all the time, i dress it up, dress it down, i wear it all around town. hahaa!! call me miss. seuss [i crack my self up :)]  but yea, its the perfect fall/winter item.

i sported this outfit to the opening night of fela! it was uncannily warm for a january day [i've been saying that a lot lately], so i paired it with a sheer floral blouse, my dilapidated stockings and leather studded boots. oh! and my accessories, i adore accessories, they always finish a look [in my opinion], more deets on those after the pics. s/o to my photographer :-*

the wind was blowing like krazy, i kinda got carried away with the dramatics of it all... i tend to be dramatic!!!!!!  <---see?!

| fit |  alice + olivia box pleated leather skirt, zara sheer floral blouse [sum'n like it here], zara studded boots [sum'n like it here], melody eh$ani native earrings [i absolutely LOVE her pieces!!], nike watch [sum'n like it here] 

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quirky outtakes after the jump :)