French Onion Soup: Part of a Well Balanced Wardrobe
Fave Things: Nothing Says Fall Like....
A Madewell Moment
Fave Things: Collages and Color Boards
This for That: Brown and Grey All Over - Anniversary Dinner Outift
Giving Back Makes You Feel Good!
Uncommon Phone Covers in a Common Phone World
My Second Home: Viva Las Vegas!
photo courtesy of Will Mann Photography |
Photo courtesy of Will Mann Photography |
Photo courtesy of Will Mann Photography |
Photo courtesy of Will Mann Photography |
Photo courtesy of Will Mann Photography |
THE ALVIN: Sam Edelman, Mission Impossible
Fave Things: Dreaming of the Weekend Past....
Love Anthropologie? You will Looooooove Ruche!
how cute is this shirt? Find it here for $28.99
this is a fabulous tribal looking long maxi skirt that converts into a dress....find it here for $36.99
WOW. in love with this dress. it really reminds me of a cute little Marc Jacobs print/color scheme. here for $36.99
scarves, sunglasses, shoes....oh my! loving the color of these sunglasses for $12.99, polka dot scarf in soft colors for $13.99, sweet grey mary janes with bow detail and small platform sole for $38.99, and last (but certainly not least) the gorgeous $16.99 long watch pendant
One Skirt, Two Ways
Layer with a cardigan for warmth on these cooler September mornings.
Similar to tie dye, "ikat" is a dyeing technique used to pattern clothing or textiles....this process warps the fabric in a way that produces an uneven and interesting look...
Silver STEVEN by Steve Madden flats with peep toe and accompanying bow (similar @ Macys)
Finally wear it with your hair down with soft curls or pulled back in a tight bun to really accentuate your accessories.... play with your season transition colors and integrate oranges, creams, neutrals, and mixed metals (including shoes)...
xoxo,
kiki
ADVICE NEEDED: To BCBG or Not to?
Help ladies! One of the bigger events my company puts on every year in Vegas is coming up and I am scrambling to get my outfits ready. I have two weeks, but they are jammed with commitments and a FL trip, so my process of packing (will come in a post soon) needs to start now. Two of the evenings events are a little on the "Vegas Chic" side which has a fun and slightly dressy flair. Now let me get to the point.....I NEED ADVICE.
I received this BCBG dress in the mail from Bloomies yesterday and I am not sure what to think. It is completely out of the norm in terms of the pattern which happens to resemble a Jackson Pollock painting. I love the fit - it has a drop waist with kind of a high neckline and flowy in the mid-section, but short and tight in the lower region with fab pockets and pleating in all of the right places.
To keep or not to keep? That is the question. Tags are still on....could send this one packing!
Kind of loving the black/white splatter flowing into color in the lower region and tied at the drop waist with a same fabric belt.......
So, how do you guys make these decisions? Do you think that being outside of your element every once in awhile is really important?
Desperately Seeking BCBG advice....
xoxo kiki
Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and a Citrus Vinaigrette: Part of a Well Balanced Wardrobe
DJ's Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and a Citrus Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
Arugula (I buy Olivia's Organic from Whole Foods)
Goat Cheese - a mild variety in log form
Walnut pieces
Beets (LOVE BEETS brand from Whole Foods, they are pre-made and so easy)
For the Dressing:
1/2 cup orange juice (or 2 oranges squeezed)
2-3 small shallots, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon EVOO, plus 1/4 cup EVOO
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
Dice your shallots. Saute until transparent in the 1 tablespoon of EVOO over medium-high heat. Set aside off of the heat. In another saucepan, bring the orange juice to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the juice by about half, or until it thickens. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, combine in the Cuisinart with OJ, red wine vinegar, and salt. Mix until well-blended. With the Cuisinart running, slowly add the olive oil and emulsify! Set aside.
I have eaten this salad with a chicken dish and also as a compliment to homemade pizza. It's versatile and for those people who love goat cheese the nuts really kick it up a notch. Additionally, the light citrus flavor of the dressing cuts the bitterness of the arugula and enhances the taste of the beets. As usual it's all about the components marrying together and complimenting each other!
This will be a perfect and quick salad to bring to that special Labor Day BBQ!
xoxo,
kiki
Stolen Idea: Pura Vida
I even got Bryce to wear one! I love it!
Good luck to all those riding out IRENE....
xoxo and Pura Vida,
kiki
Fave Things: My Weekend
Taking an antique ladder and converting it into my own little scarf paradise. Not only does it look pretty, but now I can easily see/sift through my most prized accessory......
my new kelly green bangle - it channels a mod sort of retro vibe, but also has a cool, calm Palm Beach feel. it's from my fave little costume jewelry spot called Sequin.
An unexpected pop of color....my pedicure on Friday was speedy because it was on my lunch break and I picked a color in haste.....luckily, although completely out of my norm I kinda love the color.....bright hot pink - very 80's of me! The name is Essie Bermuda Shorts....
Panzanella: Part of a Well Balanced Wardrobe
Kiki's Quick Panzanella:
(serves two)
1 large cucumber (or a couple small ones)
Grape Tomatoes or cherry ones (we pulled a couple out of our garden tonight, yum!)
1 Green Bell Pepper
Basil - a healthy handful
Mozzarella balls, quartered
1/2 a baguette, baked in the oven until nice and crispy ( I always buy these, cut them in half and freeze it - so quick to thaw and its accessible in a pinch)
Sea Salt/Pepper to taste
EVOO/Balsamic Vinegar
Directions: slice and quarter the cucumber, same with the tomatoes (enough so you equal parts of each). Cut the green bell pepper and throw that in the mix too. Chop the basil, toss in. Add the mozzarella balls. Pull the bread out of the oven and cube it. Don't forget the crumbs too - they add texture and who doesn't like them?? A couple nice turns on the ground sea salt and pepper. Mix all of the ingredients until you have a well rounded assortment. Pour olive oil all over, probably about 2 tablespoons (?) and same with Balsamic (except a little less). Mix again. Add a little more salt/pepper. Taste. Add a little more of the EVOO and Balsamic until the bread has soaked up all the goodness and is a little soft on the inside, but still crusty on the outside. YUM. Serve in a bowl with a BIG TALL GLASS OF WATER (or wine if you didn't' run 10 miles like I did - haha).
I had to include pictures of my two sous-chefs (Milly on the left and Barley on the right)....well let's face it the only reason they were right by my side is because they love tomatoes more than I do!!! Don't worry - they didn't go hungry!
xoxo,
kiki
Deal with Stress in Style
A Few of My Favorite Things: Palm Beach Vacation
Putting on a bathing suit every morning instead of real clothes.........
Just being goofy.....that's what vacation is all about......
I heart you, vaca. Come back soon and xoxo,
kiki