Category Archives: Family

09.09.11

Not Optimal.

So, things have not exactly been working in my favor lately.  It has seriously been raining for 500 days here in NoVa.  We have had major flooding, and a lot of the local schools are closed.   E’s birthday party is tomorrow and here is the weather forecast:
Despite the rain cloud and accompanying thunderbolt in this forecast, there is only a 30% chance of rain tomorrow, which is 70% more optimistically dry that it has been in a week.
A few weeks ago I ordered 100 guitar picks online (originally black) and they won’t be ready for another week. The company shipped me 100 picks in this white material at a 50% discount and overnighted them.  Mike was at the house today when they arrived and sent me this pic… They look a little blurry to me.  
Did I mention that I couldn’t cancel the other order?… So I will have 200 guitar picks.  If you have a little guitar player, let me know!
Lastly I spent an hour cutting and putting together these back stage passes for E to hand out to her guests as they arrive.
See anything that is wrong?  The date at the top says September 10 (correct date) and the date at the bottom says 9/1 (incorrect date.)  I know what you are thinking– nobody will notice (at least that’s what Mike tells me) but the perfectionist in me cannot let it go.  Back to the drawing board on that project.  
My darling husband always seems to keep me grounded in my neuroses.  As he would tell me “it’s just a party, and the most important thing is that we are all together and having fun…” and he is right!  So to all of you party people, bring your galoshes- this party will go on!

09.02.11

Perfectly Cast: Tia Zoldan.

Those of you who have been following Kiki’s list for a long time know about my girl crush on Tia Zoldan.  I met her a few years ago at my sister-in-law Christine’s baby shower.  I can’t tell you how much I lucked out in the in-law department. Not only do I adore Mike’s parents, but he has three fantastic siblings that also came with the package.  Christine, or Coosie as we call her lives in LA.  I adore her and was so happy to celebrate the arrival of my niece Colette (CiCi, as we call her… and yes, everyone in our family has a nickname) in 2009.
 Although it is tough having her so far away, we are so happy that she has such an amazing and supportive group of friends who are truly like family to her.  Coosie’s baby shower was held at the home of her friends Shannon and Nestor Carbonell.  I was so taken aback by the character and beauty of their home.  This is when I finally met the designer, Tia, another friend of Coosie’s (who I was dying to meet, because she helped Coos on her home.) Tia also happened to live next door to Shannon and Nestor.
At the time, Shannon’s husband Nestor was working in Hawaii on the show Lost and they were planning to move there as a family (they have two little boys) while Tia renovated their kitchen.  Well, the work is done, and the results are stunning.  Once again, Tia has hit the ball out of the park… Just check out the spread in Better Homes and Gardens this month.
 Love the infusion of red.  Tia painted the piece above the sofa.
 
 I am seriously dying over those floors.
The kitchen is now so light and airy.  It transitions beautifully to their outdoor patio. Hard to tell, but notice the same flooring outside?
I love that they did this feature on Tia.  When it comes to design, she could pretty much tell me to jump off of a bridge and I would gladly oblige.
For more design inspiration, hop on over to Tia’s blog for a daily dose of style.

08.29.11

It Was a Little Misty…

At the bus stop this morning.  My E Burger started FIRST GRADE!!!  No more drop offs at daycare, today I put my baby on a bus and let her go. New school, new friends, new teacher, new everything…  Ugh.
 She has to be at the bus stop at 7:15, so needless to say, it is going to be an adjustment for her (and us.)  It took me 20 minutes to wake her up today.  Mike asked if she was breathing.
There was quite a sendoff.
I am feeling so incredibly guilty, because I have to go to California all week.  I literally cried when I found out about this trip.  I was able to postpone my departure for this afternoon, but I won’t be able to talk to her until tomorrow because my flight leaves right before she gets home, and I’ll be in the air for six hours.
 Thank God for Grandpa and Helen who came to help out for the week.
The nerves subsided as she met some friends at the bus stop— there are seven first grade classes at her new school– 2005 was a baby boom in our community.
And off she goes.
My heart melted as she turned to blow a kiss.
This is the part where Mommy cries. Good luck today, my girl.  I love you.

08.25.11

Spell it Out.

It all started with a plan. 
Slowly but surely, things are moving along in Lou’s room. Last weekend I finally made some of her pillows.

I just used iron-on transfer paper from Michael’s.  I am thinking of having them stitched on to make them more durable.

 I also finally ordered two of these sconces for either side of her bed.
And, I am expecting her new chandelier to arrive by the end of the week.  
I am giddy thinking about that chandelier in her room.  I will be sure to share pictures as soon as I get it hung!

08.23.11

I Love You Like A…

Next week, Mike and I will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary.  We are pretty simple, we don’t exchange gifts, and as some of you may know, this is a bittersweet day for me, so I like to keep it low-key.  I always like to get one funny card and one meaningful.  Unfortunately, I will be in California all of next week, so I’d like to leave a little something behind.  So I started my search for the perfect card.
This is like Mad-Libs.  I love you like a                      .
 
A Fat Kid Loves Cake (I have signed cards to him saying just that.)
A lemon?…  I guess this is a love/hate thing.  Probably not appropriate for our Anniversary.
Ok.. Maybe I should search for something a bit more meaningful….
Found it.  Our relationship started as a long-distance one.  So, when ending any email or text we have always signed OJ, or Olive Juice for I love you.