Fave Things: Winter Accessories



Flowy soft sheer fabrics for layering......whether it's splatter print, leopard, or polka dot.




bracelets are a must have accessory...."B" bracelet from loulou boutique in D.C. and Astrology bracelet from Gorjana - the others are a collection over time, mixing high/low, real pearls, Sequin bracelet, and 4-Eva 21.




cloche hat - courtesy of my mom - polka dots are a girl's best friend. Similar here




Missoni inspired scarf from loulou boutique with bright neon colors




ridiculous 5 and 3/4 inch block heel on these Mia Uptown Girl pumps in black patent - buy them here on Zappos for under $75



Have a great week!

xoxo

kiki

Inspiration: Celebrating Tiffany

My dear childhood friend who I love like a sister and who I have known since we were in diapers is getting married! To properly send her off we have planned a gal's weekend in DC which is where I am headed right now on the airplane - btw, wifi on planes is so key to making a 4 hour flight go fast.
As a fellow bridesmaid, I have a couple tricks up my sleeve which I will post as soon as they are pulled out of my hat. The bottom line is that she inspires me- To be a better person, a better friend, and a better family member. She is kind, beautiful, intelligent and thoughtful. All things that make for a wonderful human being.

As Rihanna so aptly sings, "cheers to the freakin' weekend, let's get it started and celebrate the shit out of my BFF, the future Mrs. Kalnas!

Happy Friday!

Xoxo
Kiki

Inspiration by Ladi

I just got my hair done for an event in LA at Mike Chavez! My stylist Ladi was a magician! I wish I knew how to do it myself! Anyone got tips on how to get your hair looking salon worthy every day?

Inspiration - Early Flight

This week and through the month of April is going to be pure hectic craziness, so my posts might look a little different, but it's only because I am on the go! This week is Boston to LA to DC and back to Boston! Oye! As I dressed by mere candlelight (insert exaggeration here) at 5am this morning as to not wake the dogs or the hubby, I wasn't sure what to do with my hair! I decided to go a little retro by doing a slight side French braid pinned with a couple bobbies (similar to Ashley Greene)... The goal: to be comfortable on a five hour flight and still look ok when I land in LA!
Happy Wednesday!

Xoxo
Kiki

And the WINNER OF THE GORJANA Feather Pendant is..............

gold feather inspiration.....

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the Gorjana Feather Pendant! I love the enthusiasm and can't wait to do another one because it was SO FUN looking at all of your posts! Please comment on this post to give me ideas for the next GIVEAWAY! 

I wish I could gift you all, but this time there can only be ONE winner....

and that person is.....

Emily, from the fabulous foodie blog, Simply Gourmet in Southie! Congrats Emily!!! Be sure to check out her blog for yummy recipes...

xoxo

kiki

GIVEAWAY: Feather Your New Year!



Quick scoop about the Gorjana "Feather" Pendant: Charm is 1" long. Chain is 16" long.18k gold plating



So......yeah......talk about radio silence. I know, I know! A whole month has gone by, but I am ready to start the new year off with a bang. The first GIVEAWAY for Lillian Alice! I couldn't be more excited. The Gorjana small Feather Pendant is out of stock on their site and retails for $60.00 - BUT L&A has it for one lucky gal (or guy)!

To win this whimsical, fabulous pendant please leave a comment below and on the Lillian Alice Facebook page. If you do both by Sunday, January 8th at Midnight EST you will be entered in the giveaway. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced here on Monday morning.

Was it worth the wait? I think so!

Happy 2012! I hope everyone had a nice holiday season and I look forward to dazzling you all year long....

xoxo

kiki

Lily & Alice Give: Holiday Gift Ideas

#1: Giles & Brother Archer Cuff - $175, in yellow gold. love the knotted metal.

#2: West Elm Jewelry Tree - $29, the perfectly modern take on a jewelry box

#3: Gorjana Super Star Necklace - $80, this will look adorable layered

#4: DIY Charms from Anthropologie - design a necklace that represents the jewelry lover you 

      know! each charm is $15 and the chain is around $18

#5: Giles & Brother Archer Bangle - $125, Giles does it again with this knotted bangle! So

      pretty....

 #1: PaperSource - personalized notecards are always a beautiful gesture for that special party 

       hostess - I am in love with these simple designs! around $15 for a set

#2: Bottle of Wine -easy, but always perfect! Raymond Cab Sav made Epicurious's list of great

      wines by state. check it out here!

#3: Slatkin and Co. candles - I am a huge fan of these fabulous smelling candles! I don't

      typically shop at Bath and Body Works unless it's for candles....fresh balsam is one of my

      faves, but there are so many scents that make a delicious gift. $19.99 for one

#4: Mrs. Meyers Gift Set - unexpected right? I know what you are thinking - what? I am telling

      you this will go over well because it smells like heaven (or in this case Basil). promise this

      will be a gift not soon forgotten. $25 for above set

#1: Cloche Hat by Jessica Simpson - no accessory is better than a hat for the winter -

      everything about this one is yummy - the brass button, the feather, the color, and the price -

      Zappos for $54

#2: Stylemint Shirts - you have heard me talk about JewelMint, well this is of the same ilk,

      $29.99 for a tee per month and they seriously have the softest shirts with the best cuts -

      bought my first last month and can't  wait for December selections to become available this

      week!

#3: Anthro Scarf - Anthropologie does it again! this scarf is so special. bohemian chic with soft

      colors and texture the fashionista in your life will not be disappointed, $68

#1: DIY Furniture -  this book is truly cool! what guy doesn't want to dabble in home furniture

      building? creative and interesting ideas for men that want things to look cool without

      spending a lot of dough. Amazon for $16

#2: Whiskey Shot Glasses - made of soap stone, these will keep his drink cold without watering

      them down, $38

#3: Vintage Poker and Domino Set - Restoration Hardware makes gift giving easy this year

       with kitchy vintage games perfect for guy's night! $35 for Dominos and $89 for Poker

#4: Hungoevr Coobkook - hilarious book for a whopping $8 - it has tests to prove how much

      whiskey he actually did drink last night and what recipes will cure it!

#5: Tom's Wayfarer Sunglasses - famous for shoes, Tom has now launched a sunglass portion

      of his business. it's a one for one - buy these for the man in your life and Tom's will give

      better sight to one person in need.

     you can get them in aviator style or the wayfarer for $135

#6: Lululemon Sweatshirt - what man wouldn't want to put this on after a rough workout

      Lululemon has a knack for hitting the mark on fit and lifestyle, $108

#7: Beer Bottle Hooks - decorating in a "guy kinda way" - made by an artist who melts beer

      bottles - available in green, clear, or brown for $27

#8: Panoramic Video Attachment for iPhone - for the techy in your life, an attachment for the

      iPhone that allows for panoramic video and instant sharing via Facebook - $79

#1: West Elm Slate Cheese Boards - amazing for serving all the stinky (or not) cheeses and

      accoutrement that you want - flip it over and use it as a cutting board, $24-$49

#2: Wood Salt Dishes - also from West Elm, these are definitely on my wish list! I use sea salt

      and pepper everyday when I cook, so it's helpful to have them right at the finger tips for a

      dash here and there - $9 each

stockings might be the best part about Christmas morning - all the little stuff is just so much fun! here are some of the girly things I hope Santa leaves for me this year....

#1: Wet N' Wild eyeliners - these smudge amazingly well and are offered in every color under

      the sun. for the bargain price of 99 cents I am pretty sure that Santa can afford to leave

      couple of these!

#2: Essie Nail Colors - the Essie "winter" gift pack comes with 6 of the newest colors for the

      season! this nail polish goes on creamy and smooth - simply the best! $48 for the set,

      Zappos

#3: Charlotte Ronson - lipgloss is fabulous especially in "sophia" and "samantha" at Sephora

      $14.99

#4: Monogrammed Zipper Pouches - West Elm is scoring big w/ lily and alice this holiday

      season. these bags can be used for everything - from travel to makeup to a sweet clutch.

      $7-12, plus a tad more for monogram

#5: Goody Doublewear PonyTail Holders - these double as a bracelet when on your wrist!

gift giving is such a small part of the holiday spirit - I know my most cherished gift is getting to spend a whole weekend with my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and husband baking Christmas cookies, listening to Christmas music, and drinking wine! hopefully you have your "holiday moment" too and perhaps all I have done with this post is to spark some ideas and got your creative juices flowing for that perfect gift to give. I truly do believe it's better to give than to receive. so....do it! 

happy start to the season...

xoxo,

kiki

Turtlenecks and Tights



Emerson Made carries a "Bag o Turtlenecks" for $58



turtlenecks have officially made a comeback. layer them, wear them as a stand alone statement piece, with an unexpected pair of pants, or try them under your favorite blazer or suit jacket.  

 J. Crew shows the t-necks layered with a cami for $36.50. also love it under a big bulky drapey sweater.

 a bohemian approach on the left - a simple cream turtleneck with a long pendant and fabulously printed flowy skirt. or in a preppy way, showing bright colors and a puffy vest...perfect for those warm fall days... I also wear mine under a fun flannel button down....

 and what about those nude tights? how do you guys feel about them? are they going to make a comeback like the turtleneck? above seen on Kate Middleton, Hayden Panettiere, and Pippa Middleton, does it look dated or fresh and new?

popular site likes ShopBop, J. Crew and Asos all carry styles that are simple and don't interfere with the overall aesthetic of the outfit....I am still not sold though - I do own a pair of nude fishnets similar to above....but are they old lady or on their way back? help me decide!

xoxo

kiki

The Next Generation: A Party Fit for a Future Niece

 my sister-in-law is having a little girl! last weekend my mom and I threw her a shower in CT....

 Tera (my sister-in-law) and our friend Diana...

 details...sparkling lemonade and yummy chocolate covered sunflower seeds dressed up in autumnal colors...

 tons of tiny gourds in different shaped vases, a carved Baby Dacek pumpkin, and candles...ahhh a fall shower!

 cabbage plant in the center pieces by my mom's best friend, Barb. so beautiful....

 the menu: fresh fruit, three different quiches, a big salad, yummy potato casserole, sweet and savory french toast casserole (thanks Cindy!) and croissants

 diaper cake a la Vermont.....

 in case you are wondering what it takes to make a VT baby.....

little Addy (Diana's daughter) enjoying the food and baby fun! she's getting so big!

the take away.....kiki's mint milanos (and the recipe). yum!

it was a gorgeous day and turned out to be a shower filled with loving family and friends - the details may have added to the event, but the people sharing in the enjoyment and anticipation of a new little one are what made it all perfect. thanks to everyone.

to follow Tera's pregnancy check out her blog (it's super cute) called Glowing Me.

xoxo,

kiki

Cheesy Broccoli Soup: Part of a Well-Balanced Wardrobe

 this weekend my mom and I hosted a baby shower for my expecting my sister-in-law. it was so much fun and I will post pics of the day later...I still can't believe I am going to be an auntie! by the time my husband Bryce and I got to Boston this afternoon, I had only one thing on the brain....a yummy, wholesome, warm dinner! have you guys heard of a site called Pinterest? one word: amazing. 'nough said. alas, the recipe....I adapted this from a soup that I found on Pinterest and with a couple tweaks, it executed beautifully.

 cheesy broccoli soup

serves 6-8 bowls

ingredients:

2-4 tbsp butter and a dash of e.v.o.

1 cup chopped onions

1 1/2  - 2 cups of finely chopped carrot

1 cup celery (although I wasn't exact on this) finely chopped

1 1/2 -2 tbsp minced garlic

8 cups chicken broth (low sodium if possible)

3-4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 tbsp flour

1 cup water

several shakes of chicken bouillon powder (to your taste, but this does add a nice kick of flavor)

salt and pepper to taste

1 1/3 cup milk

3-4 cups of chopped broccoli (again I didn't measure perfectly)

3-4 cups of shredded cheddar

 directions:

melt the butter with the e.v.o in a soup pot. add the onions, carrot, and celery and saute over medium heat until soft. add garlic, cook a couple more min. give a healthy shake of the bullion powder, pepper, and salt, stir. add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender. whisk together flour and water, add into the soup mixture and stir. let simmer until the whole pot thickens. add more bouillon powder if it still needs a little love. add the milk and broccoli. simmer. when broccoli is soft, add the shredded cheese. stir until cheese is melted. if you have time, let the soup sit over low heat for awhile giving the flavors time to marry. if you are in a hurry - pour into a bowl and serve with a hearty baguette....

here is Bryce inhaling it and I did too. thankfully we have plenty of leftovers for the week ahead.

remember - a good recipe always creates a well-balanced wardrobe.

xoxo

kiki