Author Archives: Krista Salmon

12.06.10

Tis The Season: My Christmas List.

Mike and I never really do big gifts for each other for Christmas. We tell the girls at every holiday (Christmas, birthdays, Thanksgiving, etc.) that the only thing we want is peace and quiet. It has become a Salmon family joke…

K: “What’s the one thing that Mommy wants for Christmas?”
E: “Peace and quiet. But you’re not going to get it!”

We are also saving for our trip to Turks and Caicos in January, so that is Santa’s major gift to all of us. That being said, for all of his strengths, my husband does not have the best track record in the gift giving department. Generally on Christmas Eve I get the “Hey, I need to go run and errand” line. This year I am going to help him out.. and I know that he is a daily Kiki’s List reader, so there are no excuses, Michael Salmon. Here is a list of 12 things for you to select from, my love. I certainly don’t expect all of them, but I sure could use a few. A plethora of items to choose from! And truth be told, if I could get a clean and well-organized garage, I would forgo them all!


4. Red Door Gift Card– Price varies
9. Miz Mooz Amelia Boot- $219.95


All of the beauty items are refills on my daily supplies.

Love these earrings. 1.) My birthstone is amethyst. 2.) They match an amethyst necklace that I picked up at a consignment shop in Venice perfectly!
Every year I ask for the same thing (besides peace and quiet) and that is a spa gift certificate so that I can get a massage and facial.

I have been waiting for Christmas to get new coffee table books… A great (easy) gift.


We are in desperate need of new towels, and I found these amazing bamboo towels at Valerianne made by a green company named Nandina. Nandina does not use chemical dye for coloring, their manufacturing plant is powered by wind and bamboo is considered a sustainable plant– very eco smart!



The bamboo towels are VERY absorbent, dry quickly and launder beautifully. The best part– no mold, mildew or bacteria can grow on bamboo so the towels will never get a musty smell to them.

I broke my magic wand mashing potatoes. In desperate need of a new one.


We received 12 red wine and 12 white wine glasses from Pottery Barn for our wedding. I think we are down to 4 white and 6 red. Not sure what happened there…..


I saw these boots on a coworker in California. I hunted her down and asked who made them.. Love.


11.30.10

Go For The Gold.

I am a bit of a traditionalist, so while red and green will always be front and center for my holiday decor, I have always infused a large amount of gold. I saw these shells in Martha Stewart Living, and they made me think of how I can incorporate even more gold into my home this Christmas.

Enjoy these gold holiday items that made it onto Kiki’s List:
1. Gold Sequin Pillow– $32.95
2. Gold Lacquer Tray- $18.95
4. Downy Mini Tree– $18
7. Gold Tipped Pinecones- $6.95- $12.95
8. Raj Candle Holder– $3.95
9. Assorted Shells- $17.95

11.29.10

Tis The Season: Gifts for Him.

Wondering what to get that special man in your life? Your sports-loving, gadget consuming, beer guzzling better half? Oh, is that just my husband?… I say that with the utmost affection.

Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus.. so rather than your husband making the I just got kicked in the n$%s face when he opens his gifts this year, use this gift guide to replace that grimace. I enjoy making those that I love happy at Christmas time, and these gifts are sure to do the trick!


3. Engraved Flask– $24.99 ON SALE
5. Apple TV– $99
6. Timex Ironman Watch– $34.99
8. NFL Hoodie- $54.95
11. Magnetic Wristband– $19.95

11.23.10

A Lemony-Dill Bowl of Bliss.


After I had the Avgolemono Soup at Le Petit Greek in L.A., I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I love making soups. Something about how the flavors meld together in the pot soothes me. And I love eating soup, especially in the winter.

 
I was dying to make this soup in particular, so I mixed together a few recipes that I found online- and the results were delish. It’s low fat, and takes less than an hour to make, Word to the wise: Don’t add the rice and eggs until about 20 minutes before serving, otherwise it will get mushy.



INGREDIENTS
10 cups chicken stock
1 shredded rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups of white rice
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
2 carrots (chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
2 lemons (juice)
1 handful dill (chopped)
 

DIRECTIONS
1. Sautee onions, carrots and celery in pot until golden brown.
2. Add Chicken, oregano, salt and pepper.
3. After 2 minutes, add chicken broth.
4. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer.
5. 20 minutes before eating, add rice to pot. Cook 15 minutes, or until rice is tender.
3. Take the pot off the heat.
4. Whisk the eggs in a bowl until frothy.
5. Whisk in the lemon juice.
6. Slowly whisk in some of the liquid from the soup to temper the eggs.
7. Mix the avgolemono sauce into the soup.
8. Stir in the dill and serve.

11.22.10

Tis the Season: Gift Guide for Kids.

For the next upcoming weeks, I will be doing a gifting segment called Tis the Season. Each Tis the Season post will be filled with ideas for all of the special people in your life.

 
Today, I am kicking it off with kids. They are what this season is all about right? Ah, to see Christmas through a child’s eyes. I will never forget when E was two, and she came downstairs from her nap (she used to take four hour snoozers, so we picked that time to trim the tree) and she gasped out of sheer excitement for our beautiful tree. Of course, I shed a few tears.
 
This year it’s Lou’s turn to really “get it” for the first time.. and I can’t wait. as you can see, last year, she was less than enthusiastic.

 
Make your little tikes happy with some of these picks. Check out the kids’ gift ideas that made it onto Kiki’s List:
 
 
1. Wooden Sushi Set- $15.07 ON SALE
12. Magnetic Fishing Puzzle– $8.41 ON SALE