By Jasmaine Payne

WHEN 29-year-old Krystle DeSantos launched her blog, krystledesantos.com, last year, being featured by Buzzfeed, one of the world’s largest Internet media companies, was not something she foresaw.

In fact, blogging had already been a significant part her life since 2009, and had simply provided a platform for her to express her creativity and her love for all things décor.
“It shows my journey of pursuing my creative endeavours, and it provides me with a means of having my voice out there,” Krystle said in an interview with the Buzz.
Earlier this year, Krystle received the gift that every serious blogger dreams of: The chance of being featured on Buzzfeed. Buzfeed chose Krystle to be among 20 bloggers to showcase style inspired by renowned Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo.
Said Krystle, “I love Frida because her style embodies things that are core to what I love: Bright colours, floral prints. And that really comes from home.
“When I reflect on it, I realise it is because I grew up in Guyana, and it is part of my heritage that I connect with these things.”

BARELY EXPLORED
In Guyana, blogging remains a barely explored industry, with the few blogs in existence mostly focusing on politics or minor sections within the arts.
But Krystle has proven that blogging can serve as a significant outlet for creativity, as it has done for her. For persons interested in blogging, she advises that they use something that they are most passionate about; do their research, be original, use attractive imagery, and above all, just start doing it.
“Blogs are pretty cheap; you don’t always have to pay to get a domain name,” Krystle said, adding:
“Also, when I started blogging in 2009, blogs weren’t all that popular. But now the market is flooded, so it is important to be yourself and not copy anyone’s style or work.
“At the end of the day, however, your blog is not about you; it is about providing value to others.”

GUYANESE ROOTS
Born in the United States to Guyanese parents, the young style enthusiast spent her formative years here in Guyana, but returnede permanently to the US when it was time to attend college.
Her career path began along the road of becoming a doctor, but after two years of pre-med course-work, she switched majors. It was during a time of uncertainty about her future that she turned to ‘Do-It-Yourself (DIY)’ projects and decorating to keep her inspired.
Aside from blogging, Krystle, who currently lives in New York, works in advertising for professional networking media site, Linkedin.
She admits that both aspects of her professional life — art and her career — balance out who she is as a person, as she believes that passion also requires some amount of skill.
“I love technology, and in the working world, there are skills you need for when you’re being creative. So it works out well,” she said.
Krystle’s blog features décor, style, vintage, and DIY-inspired posts, and has proven useful for anyone looking to get creative with their style, be it in fashion, in the home, or for a special event.