Author Archives: Krista Salmon

11.17.10

Kiki’s List Giveaway: Hampton Paper Designs.








Hampton Paper Designs was started by my friend and fellow fashionista, Kristin Mika in 2007. After the birth of her second son, Jackson, Kristin felt that there was a void in stylish and simple stationery. After chatting with a family friend, Lucy Borge at a family party in the Hamptons, HPD was born.


With over 280 watercolor images to choose from, Hampton Paper Designs offers stationery to fit every lifestyle. The product line includes flat cards, fold-over cards, labels, framed art, invitations, notepads and even luggage tags. Kristin is even working on custom cookie designs- what a great party favor! Each order is wrapped meticulously and makes the perfect holiday gift.

Kristin lives in Oak Hill, Virginia with her husband Greg and two adorable sons, Thomas and Jackson.

Now here’s the fun part…. Kristin is giving away a pack of 24 correspondence cards with a design of your choice.




Here are the rules for the giveaway:

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, November 17, 2010 and Friday, November 19. telling me which design you choose and why. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced next Monday, November 22.

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 an 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.

Good Luck!

11.15.10

The Bigger the Better: Cocktail Rings.


A cocktail ring is a dramatic large ring, generally worn at cocktail parties. The cocktail ring was especially popular to wear during US prohibition at illegal cocktail parties. Wearing a cocktail ring flaunted not only the fact that one was drinking illegally, but also that they were doing it with style.

Popularity of the cocktail ring gained in the 1940s and 1950s, as cocktail parties continued to be popular events. We saw the revival of the cocktail ring at the Oscars in 1996, and they are certainly here to stay.

I love a good cocktail ring. My theory on these babies aligns with my theory in life: “Go big, or stay home.” The bigger the better. So put on your cocktail ring and raise a glass to these beauties. Here are the cocktail rings that made it onto Kiki’s List:


1. Horsebit Cocktail Ring- $3,390

2. Sunshine Ring– ON SALE $51.50 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
4. Tuxedo Pearls Ring– $125 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
5. Empress Ring– $125
6. White Topaz Ring– $795 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
7. Cinnamon Topaz Ring– $1,005
10. Hematite Midnight Haze Ring– $7,700 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
12. Midnight Pearl Ring– $3,590

11.11.10

The Power of Paper.


No matter how advanced technology becomes, nothing beats the warmth and thoughtfulness of an old-fashioned thank you note. Two things that I like to indulge in (among others) are personalized stationery and fresh flowers. They make me happy.

 
Check out these tips from Southern Living on the five key elements of a charming thank you note:
 
1. Start with the date and salutation: Send your note, written in black ink, within a week of receiving a gift.
2. Say thanks right off the bat: Be specific about why you are writing the note. If you’re thanking someone for a monetary gift, refer to their “generosity” rather than mentioning the amount.
3. Compliment the kind gesture: Don’t be afraid to go over the top—everyone loves an effusive compliment, as long as it’s heartfelt.
4. Allude to the future: Anticipate another get-together, or if you’re writing about a gift, be sure to tell them how you plan to use it.
5. Finish with sincere regards: Reiterate your gratitude, then close the letter on an intimate note, signing your first and last name. Don’t forget to proofread before you postmark!
Now that you’ve been schooled on the how to’s, pick yourself up some fresh stationery. Check out the top correspondence cards that made it onto Kiki’s List:

1. The Point Pattern– $68 for 20 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
2. Simply Classic Notecards– $12 for 8
3. Cable Knit Notecards-$65 for 25 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
4. Fuschia Notecard– $272 for 25
5. Wild Things Notecards-$58.50 for 25
6. Modern Vintage Notecards– $31 for 25
7. Letterpress Elephant Cards– $238 for 25 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
8. Orange with Pink Piping Notecards– $68 for 20 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
9. Herringbone Notecards– $65 for 25
10.Petal Pop Stationary-$448 for 50
11. Starfish Notecards– $60 for 24 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVE
12. Oaxaca Correspondence Cards– $238 for 25

11.10.10

Kiki’s List Giveaway: Elegant Touch.



Olga Turnage, owner of Elegant Touch grew up in Russia. She moved to the US in 2003 with her husband and teenage daughter. The concept of her company was born alongside her son in 2005. She decided to leave her teaching career to become a stay at home mom. After taking some interior design classes, she opened her doors in 2006 working mostly for designers. One day, a friend mentioned that she should look into Etsy and Olga gave it a whirl. Since that day, she hasn’t looked back. Today Olga runs a professional workroom in Irmo, South Carolina and lives with her husband and five year old son. Her daughter, now 21 attends the University of South Carolina.

Remember this amazing Suzani pillow from the Desperately Seeking Suzani post? Well, Olga has been gracious enough to give one away to one lucky Kiki’s List follower.

Here are the rules for the giveaway:

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, November 10, 2010 and Friday, November 12. telling me what room that you would put this pillow in. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced next Monday, November 15.

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 an 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.

Good Luck!

11.09.10

Girl Crush: Gwyneth Paltrow.





Albeit an obvious choice, today I want to celebrate Gwyneth Paltrow. One of my favorite personal style icons, Gwyneth seems to have mastered it all. Life is a balancing act for this wife, mother, actress, singer and fashionista. Her blog, GOOP has quite a following (yours truly included) with great tips on everything from cleansing to shopping to travel and activities for your kids. Her face has graced the covers of nearly every magazine, and not many people know it, but this girl’s got pipes too. Cruisin’ is a family fave of ours, Mike used to dance with E to it every night when she was a little babe. Did I mention that Gwyneth also has upcoming appearance on Glee? Cannot WAIT for that one.
Decorating? It’s in her wheelhouse. Can we talk about the kitchen in her Hamptons home?

Probably my favorite Oscar dress ever was the Ralph Lauren pink satin gown that she wore in 1999. So classic, timeless. And of course, it’s the perfect shade of pink. She also won the award for Best Actress for her role in Shakespeare in Love that night.
Ok.. At this point I am becoming a stalker… but how can you not love this woman? I want to be her friend. Seriously, Gwynnie… here’s my number, if you’re ever in D.C. give me a holla. 😉