Author Archives: Krista Salmon

09.07.10

Back to School.

My baby girl starts Kindergarten today (sniff, sniff.) Besides wondering where the time went, I am wondering where to get her clothes for fall. My soon-to-be-five-year-old wears a size 7-8, and I always have the hardest time finding age-appropriate clothes for her. If you look in the little girls section, they are showing pieces that I wouldn’t let my girls wear if they were 15, let alone 5. So this one’s for all of you moms who share my pain. Grant it, some of these may be out of my price range for my little one, but here are some tasteful items that I would love for my little mini-me(s) to sport this fall.


1. Pocketful of Ruffles Coat- $98 *** KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

2. Boatneck Floral Top– $29.50
3. Button Jumper– $26.75
6. Mini Skinny Jeans– $26.50
7. Trench Coat– $39.50 *** KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE
10.Fringed Boots– $26.50
11. Stripe Atlantic Bow Tee- $26.50 *** KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE
12. Ribboned Ballet Flats– $78 *** KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

09.02.10

Reserve, Conserve, Enjoy.

I work very hard to try to raise my children to be socially responsible, environmentally conscious little people. I’d like to think it’s rubbing off. I guess the evidence is when E nags her father to “take care of Mother Earth” if he leaves the water running while brushing his teeth. My little tree hugger…

In all seriousness, epic disasters like the BP Oil Spill and the Great Garbage Swirl in the Pacific Ocean honestly keep me up at night. Am I a freak? Maybe so. As a mother, I want for my children and grandchildren to enjoy the beauty of this world, so I will so everything in my power to make sure that they will be able to do just that. Below are my favorite personal green initiatives that have made it onto Kiki’s List.

1. Large Recyling Bin– FREE. In most counties, you can call your waste management company and request a larger bin. Ours is 65 Gallons. I must say, we fill it each week, and in doing so, we have significantly eliminated the trash that will be put from our home into a landfill.

2. Envirosax– $8.50. I have plugged these before but they really are the best. Extra Large, super-sturdy and they roll up into little lipstick-sized bundles.
3. High Efficiency Bulbs– $16.39. Help your wallet while helping Mother Earth. You can also save up to $80 a year with these puppies.
4. Cupco Tumbler– $6.49. I just bought two more of these today because Mike and I always fight over them if one is in the dishwasher. He drinks his iced coffee and I drink my Crystal Light Arnold Palmers each morning.
5. Apple Battery Charger– $29.99. Comes with six reusable batteries that last up to 10 years.
6. Decline Junk Mail– FREE. You can also sign up here.
7. Steel Water Bottles– $3.94. Water is so much better for your kids than juice boxes. Remember to use metal bottles instead of plastic, especially if you keep them in your car.
9. Decline Receipts– FREE. After reading this article, you may want to do it for your own health as well. For small purchases or gas, I always decline a receipt. Why even bother?
10. Reusable Sandwich Containers– $2.50. Eliminate the need for plastic bags whenever possible.
11. Turn Off Water– FREE. When you don’t need it. Turn it off.
12. Return Dry Cleaning Hangers– FREE. Bring them back to your neighborhood dry cleaners. More than 350 billion hangers reach landfills each year, amounting to 200 million tons of steel that could be put to new use. Since the cost of imports from China has more than doubled in the past two years, many dry cleaners may offer incentives to bring yours back.

09.01.10

L & S Fabrics Giveaway.


Attention Kiki’s List fans, here’s a giveaway that you will want to sink your teeth into…..

Hop on over to my friend Kirsten’s blog, 6th Street Design School to check out a great Giveaway from L & S Fabric.

L & S Fabrics is a great place to find upholstery fabrics at a fantastic price. I have been saving up for this and this for my new dining room.

They are offering a $100 online credit to one lucky person. I hope that it’s me, but I’d like you all to get a chance too.

To enter, visit Kirsten’s blog and let her know which pattern you want. For an extra entry, become a fan of L & S on Facebook.

And tell them Kiki sent you!

This giveaway ends Tuesday, September 7th.


08.31.10

The Best Party of My Life.

I believe that there is true meaning in numbers. Call it superstitious, call it crazy, but there are numbers and dates in my life that have significant meaning and always will. August 31 is a date that I hold dear. August 31, 2001 was the day that I got engaged, August 31, 2002 was the day that I got married, August 31, 2005 was the day that I lost my mother, and August 31, 2007 was the day that I found out that I was pregnant with Anna. Despite what you may think, albeit bittersweet- today is a happy day for me.


Today is my eighth wedding anniversary. We never really make a big deal of our anniversary. We don’t do gifts, we don’t even do dinner without the girls. Each year for our anniversary we sit as a family and watch our wedding DVD to relive what both Mike and I agree was the best party we’ve ever been to. Maybe it’s because it was all about us— the only time in our lives that all of our friends and family would unite together for us (while we are alive.) I remember feeling overwhelmed as I entered the church thinking that never again in my lifetime will I have this group of people together in one room. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of the arduous planning that by Neets and I to make sure every last detail was taken care of. We had so much fun.. all the while giving my father more and more grey hair. Or maybe it’s because it was the beginning of us. If we only knew then what we know now. There are so many reasons that I cherish this day….. Whatever the reasons may be- Happy Anniversary to us!


The Salmons est. August 31, 2002

I actually have this picture hanging in our bedroom. I just love it. Not what you would expect from a wedding portrait.

This is my favorite picture of our wedding. I keep it on the desk in my office. If you look in the top right hand corner, you can see Neets watching over us to make sure everything was just perfect.

Let’s get this party started!!!!!

Our wedding song: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

For all of you brides out there who had something go wrong on your wedding day…. My flowers were supposed to be hot pink and orange, and they showed up in peach and mauve. I thought I was going to die because flowers are my thing. I have the best friends and family in the world. My godfather ran to various DC flower marts to find any hot pink roses he could get his hands on and my bridesmaids reworked the bouquets. Looking back, I still get angry about those bouquets, but we didn’t let it ruin our day.

Invitation was sent wrapped in vellum with a gold organza ribbon. Tablecloths matched the bridesmaids dresses perfectly. Can you tell what my favorite color is? Thank God for my patient husband who still talks about his Big Fat Pink Wedding.

High arrangement flanked by a menu and a picture of the Mr. and Mrs. on each table for guests to sign.

Low arrangement… Still hating those peach and mauve flowers……

Mom.

My Nanny. She was 81 when we got married. She’ll be 90 this February and is still just as feisty.

This was a picture taken by a guest. I wish I had one before any cards were taken. Mom and I found these invitations that matched the Adirondack chairs out front of the club perfectly.. So we had them printed as place cards and arranged in wheat grass. Still love these.

My best friend.

Mike and my girls.


This is the only picture that I have of my two Mothers. It was taken at my bridal luncheon the day before our wedding. While I wish with all of my heart that Neets was here, I am so grateful to have inherited my mother-in-law. She’s amazing.


Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with me. And to my amazing husband- thanks for eight wonderful years. Here’s to 80 more. I love you.

08.30.10

Take Another Looksie: Boden

Last year I made my first Boden purchase, and loved it. That being said, when the catalog arrives at my home, I find tons of adorable items for the girls, but find much of the women’s clothes a little too kitschy for my liking. Well, this fall Boden is bringing their “A” game. There are so may pieces that I would like to add to my wardrobe. Check out these adorable items that made it onto Kiki’s List:

1. Soho Jacket– $168 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE.

2. Corsage Flats– $128
5. Audrey Dress– $98 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE.
6. Islington Coat– $248
7. Circle Applique Dress– $148 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE.
8. Weekender Tunic– $84
9. Greenwich Reefer Jacket– $218 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE.
11. Boucle Cardigan– $118
14. Sixties Skirt– $58