God, I love Michaels.

I was looking through some of my old photos this weekend, and came across this little project that I did for E's Birthday.  Many of you have asked for inexpensive party favor ideas, and here is one of them.

You see, she not only has a birthday party, we also celebrate at school.  So, with all of the money that I shelled out for her party, I was looking for something inexpensive to give to her 13 friends in Kindergarten, particularly since all 13 would be at her party.  The Mommy Gods were with me because with all of the prep for her party, I totally forgot about her school celebration.  I went shopping the night before her birthday. As always, Michael's did not let me down. I found these monogram journals, and a 24 pack of crayons in the dollar section... better yet- the crayons were on sale for $0.50 each! So I was able to give everyone a great gift for under $20!

(This picture was taken at midnight.) All you need is ribbon, scissors and some Paper Source 2.5 inch labels.    You can download the template here.

 That's right, 50 cents!

 Aren't these journals adorable?

 From start to finish, the whole project took 45 minutes.

All packed up and ready to go!

Celestial Coasters Giveaway Winner!

... And the winner is.....

Numero uno... 

Congrats Anabel!  Please send me your info!

Memorial Day.

Memorial Day holds so much more meaning than a day off of work, the beginning of Summer, or the inaugural day that you can wear white pants.  Many of us have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day.  It is a day to honor fallen soldiers.  Those men and women who have been killed protecting our country.

Living near our nation's capital, I have seen the magnitude of bodies that are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  If you have not been, I highly recommend it.  When you see the vast amount of people; people who have left behind lives, children and many other loved ones-you become overwhelmed with emotion.

So let's remember what today is really for.  And if you know anyone who has lost a loved one in service (sadly, many of us do), please reach out to them today and let them know that you are thinking of them.

Micheladas Anyone?

I was perusing though the Internet last night and saw this recipe on Social Couture's blog.  This spicy Mexican Beer Cocktail recipe is the perfect way to kick off the Summer.    Cervezas preparadas, or "prepared beers," are popular throughout Mexico.  While I am not particularly a beer drinker, this one is making my mouth water!  

Ingredients:
12 oz beer
juice of 1 lemons
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 dash soy sauce
1 dash Tabasco® sauce
1 pinch black peppers
salt

Directions:

Mix ingredients in a tall high glass with lots of ice. Add beer, mix, and serve.

Pippa's Purse.

Move over Kate, Pippa's the world's newest trendsetter.  Last week Pippa stepped out carrying this Modalu Handbag, which was originally nicknamed Bristol.  Well, sales skyrocketed after preppy Pippa rocked this bad boy, so they renamed it.. None other than the Pippa bag.

Want one?  There's a wait list until August.  She'll cost ya about $210.

Two is Better Than One.

I cannot disagree more with Coco Chanel's fashion rule of taking at least one accessory off before you go out.  I say, add at least one more!  My mantra (not just fashion, but life) is "Go big or stay home."

 Venus Flytrap Necklace

Crystal Rays Necklace

Last week while shopping at J. Crew (to use my rewards card--- don't forget yours, they expire next week!) I could not bear the thought of taking one of these necklaces away from each other... They are the perfect pair.. Don't you think?  Several people in the store (employees included) stopped and commented on how amazing they look together. A bit pricier, but very much a statement!  This picture does not do them justice, but the Venus Flytrap necklace sits perfectly on top of the Rays necklace.

Layer it up, ladies!

Stephanie Johnson Cases.

Last year, my friend Aimee gave me this set of Stephanie Johnson cases.  I can't tell you how much I love them.  The shimmery-orange snakeskin is absolutely perfect.  I have actually used the large one for an evening bag.   Stephanie has a case for everything, in oh so many fantastic patterns.

Don't see one for you?  Check out the rest of the selection:

Here are the cases that made it onto Kiki's List:

1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7 |

Kiki's List Giveaway: Celestial Coasters.

I have expressed my admiration for these coasters from Anthropologie.  Don't you just  L O V E  them?  Fan-freakin'-tastic.. now they can be yours!  Enter to win today.

Here are the rules for the contest:

1.) You must be a Follower of Kiki's List.

2.) To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post between today, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 and Friday, May 28  telling me why you should win. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced next Monday, May 30. 

3.) To receive an additional entry, you can link to this post on your own blog (include the url to your blog post in your comment). It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after blogging about the giveaway.

4.)Post about this giveaway on Facebook for another additional entry. You must enter the link to this post in you status update. It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after FB'ing about the giveaway.

5.) Tweet about this giveaway for an additional entry.  It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after tweeting about the giveaway.

Good Luck!

A Bright, Sun-Shiny Door.

I love a good make-over.  Sometimes the smallest changes can make a BIG difference.  Back in 2009 (right about the time that we did most of the work on our kitchen) we replaced our front door.  It was rusting, and it was ugly.

We also had some horrible outside lanterns.  

Here's a glimpse of what it looked like from the inside (behind my models) :

And here she is now.  Isn't she a beauty? (The door, that is)

I searched far and wide for these, and finally ditched those horrible lanterns. The pots are from Ikea, just spray painted black.  (I wish I had noticed that one wasn't turned around before taking the picture.)

 A new view from the inside:

I chose glass panels for the door and brought the glass that was on each side panel down to the floor.  We stained the outside Jacobean and painted the interior in a black high-gloss.  It adds so much character to our builder's grade house.  I love the light it adds inside our home, and despite what people might think, I love the fact that you can see in at night.  There's nothing better than coming home at night to the warm glow of our house.  The only downfall is Bailey.  Now that she can see EVERYTHING, she barks at EVERYTHING.  Nonetheless, I'd do it all over again!

57th and Luxe Giveaway Winner!

and the winner is.....

Rachel.

Congrats!

Monday, Monday...

The weekend is over and this has some of you singing the blues.  Make Monday yours.  Revel in the Monday blues with some of these fantastic pieces:

DVF Dress | Flower Heels | ISHARYA Necklace | Elizabeth and James Top | J. Crew Shorts | Violet Lake Bikini | Richard Nicoll Dress

Get Your Goyard On.

The latest handbag to take Hollywood by storm is the Goyard Weekend Bag.  Gwyneth, Nicole, LC, and Tori have one.. Why shouldn't you?

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot... Goyard isn't gifting each of us one.  Maybe you can add to it your Christmas list?...  I hope you are being a very good girl because the small will run you $940, and the large will cost a whopping $1,065.

Which color do you like best?  I love Nicole Ritchie's white weekender, but I am also loving LeAnn Rime's pink version.  (Waa, Waa... Limited edition, no longer available.)

  

Then I spotted this puppy, and I fell in love-  Purple and Orange and monogrammed to perfection.

Monogramming your Goyard isn't a standard process.  The stripes and monograms are actually painted on by a Goyard painter trained in Paris.  Each of these options are considered an additional service, monogramming (up to 6 letters) is $165, and up to three stripes will run you an additional $150.

Here is Goyard's offering of bags.  The Saint Louis is the most popular.

Can't control yourself?  Call Leanna at the Goyard Store in San Francisco.  (415) 398.1110.  Tell her Kiki sent you!