Category Archives: Kiki’s List

09.10.10

The Pamplemousse Martini.

Here’s to the weekend. This drink is sure to knock your socks off. It’s my absolute favorite. I was introduced to this drink by my best friend Danielle’s Mom (B) who made it for Dan’s engagement party a few years ago. It takes a little bit of time and energy to make… but it’s well worth it! Nice work B!

Pamplemousse is the French word for grapefruit, which is one of the main ingredients in this vodka drink.

(From Bon Appétit, January 2007. Makes 6 drinks.)

INGREDIENTS

7 tablespoons water

5 tablespoons Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons honey

1 1/2 cups vodka (I use Grey Goose.)

3/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

18 fresh mint leaves, plus 6 sprigs for garnish

ice cubes

PREPARATION

1. Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cool. This step can be done one day ahead, covered, and refrigerated.

2. Combine pomegranate mixture, vodka, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and mint leaves together in a large pitcher. Fill pitcher with ice cubes and stir vigorously. Strain drink into martini glasses. Garnish each glass with mint sprig and serve.

09.08.10

Brown Bag Special.

Last week I was helping the husband of one special Kiki’s List fan on a new fall bag for his little lady. I was happy that I sold him on brown. I am really into the look of a relaxed brown leather tote this season. She is a stay at home momma with two tots, so as you can imagine we were looking for a practical bag with a lot of real estate. He decided on #12, but she wanted to wait for this post until she occupied it, just in case she changes her mind. Check out the picks that made it onto Kiki’s List:

1. Classic Q Francesca Hobo-$528 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

2. Dayton Messenger Bag– $550 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

3. Guccisma Leather Tote– $780

4. Dena Hobo– $495

5. Delightful Monogram MM– $855

6. Recycled Leather Tote– $279 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

7. Imogen Bag– $282

8. Brompton Hobo– $298

9. G Wave Large Tote-$2,900

10. Nikki Hobo– $357

11. Elisabeth Bag– $345

12. Sukey Tote– $895

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

4. Sequin Circles Cardigan– $118

5. Ray Ban Jr. Aviators– $69.95

6. Mini Skinny Jeans– $26.50

7. Trench Coat– $39.50 *** KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

8. Isabelle Swing Coat– $168

9. Leopard Ballet Flats– $22.75

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.

8. Recycle or Donate Your Old Phone– FREE.

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.

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

3. Rosette Ribbon Cardigan– $88

4. Saint Germain Jacket– $148

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.

10. Grosgrain Heeled Boots– $278

11. Boucle Cardigan– $118

12. Chic Peep Toe Shoes– $148

13. Tan Casual Leather Boots – $278

14. Sixties Skirt– $58

15. Ikat Print Scarf– $48

08.25.10

A Gem of Austin: Mayastar.

I cannot leave Austin without stopping at this sumptuous little store on South Congress Street. Every time I return home with a coveted piece of jewelry countless women ask me where I got it. Well, here is your answer. I also buy a lot of gifts for friends at Mayastar because the selection is so unique. All of my girlfriends have been waiting for this post.

Meet Maya. Owner of Mayastar. She has been on South Congress for 15 years. Maya started selling antiques and slowly phased in jewelry and clothing. Now Mayastar is a staple on South Congress filled with fresh clothing and some A-MAZ-ING jewels.

This one’s for all of those ladies who stop me at Wegmans and ask me where I got my bling… All Mayastar purchases are 10% off through September 25 with the promo code kiki (case sensitive) at checkout. Many of the items shown are not available online, so if you see something in this post that you cannot find online, please call the store at (512) 912.1475 to place your order.

Here’s what made it onto Kiki’s List:

1. Coralia Leets Long Necklace– $268 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS) ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

2. Coralia Leets Single Stone Earring– $163 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS) ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

3. Geode Cocktail Rings– $74-$111 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS) ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

4. Engraved Brass Cuff- $147 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

5. Coralia Leets Turquoise Earrings- $163 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

6. Citrine Quartz and Apatite necklace– $145 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

7. Coralia Leets Double Stone Earrings– $358 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS) ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE

8. Beaded Pendant Necklaces- $65-72 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

9. Turquoise Cocktail Ring– $248 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

10. Coralia Leets Dot Earrings- $163 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

11. Enamel Cuff- $41 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

12. Beaded Earrings- $64-74 (PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10% OFF FOR KIKI’S LIST FOLLOWERS)

I already own # 1 & #2…. Next on my list; #’s 3 & 7….

Thanks again Maya… Can’t wait to come back!

08.24.10

Paradise Found.

So, several of you have asked me where you can get this fabric and wallpaper from Friday’s post. It’s from Thibaut’s Shangri-La collection. The fabric is called Jakarta and the Wallpaper is called Ivana. Oh… how I want this to brighten up my basement.