Looking for that perfect gift for your next holiday party? My favorite hostess gift to give is a bouquet of fresh flowers, arranged by yours truly. It’s something beautiful, thoughtful and can work within any budget. If you are not into arranging flowers, paper whites are my favorite potted plant to give. A step up from your average poinsettia, and they smell amazing. You can pick up bulbs at Lowes and grow yourself, or swing by your local Trader Joe’s- they always seem to have them around the holidays.
Looking for something more? No problem. I’ve got the answer for all budgets. Check out the hostess gifts that made it onto Kiki’s List:
After months of online chatter, I finally had the chance to catch up with my virtual friend, Shannon Wollackwhen I was out in L.A. She is an absolute breath of fresh air. I invite you to come along with me as we take A Peek Into Her World.
After almost 10 years in the fashion industry, Shannon decided to launch her own company called Life. Style. Through her company she provides styling to an elite clientele. Elite indeed- some her customers include Chelsea Handler, Natasha Bedingfield and Holly Robinson Peete. Clients loved Shannon’s work so much that her personal styling has now grown into interior, gift and event styling as well. Her latest accomplishment: Shannon has become part of the highly anticipated High Gloss team. I am so inspired by Shannon’s sense of style and use of colors and I hope you all are too.
1.) Decscribe a typical day in the life of Shannon Wollack.
That’s a tough one. Everyday is different—-every minute is different! I usually spend my days running around. Long gone are the days of sitting at a desk, which can be both exciting and exhausting at the same time depending on the day or time of year. Days might consist of a styling job, a fitting, pulling from a store, meeting with clients, working on a interior design job, sourcing for fabrics, furniture, or even planning an event! Sometimes I wish I had a bit more down time, but most of the time I appreciate staying busy and having a job where I can do what I love.
2.) How would you describe your style?
I would say my style is classic with a twist. I am very big on investing in timeless pieces that won’t go out of style, but also mixing in some funky or trendy elements. I am also really into accessories. Shoes, hand bags and lots of jewelry are high on my list of necessities.
3.) What made you decide to leave your successful career in the fashion industry and start your own company?
I loved working for Ralph Lauren, but after being in the corporate world for about 10 years I was really ready for a change. I had been traveling a lot for work and realized if I didn’t shift my energy to something new and different, that needed change most likely wouldn’t happen. My original plan for the company was geared more towards styling. But many of my clients requested other services such as decor, events and gifting, so it naturally grew into all of the above!
4.) There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes of styling. Can you tell us about it?
Yes! First of all, it’s not as glamorous as it sounds, haha. I love it, but it really consists of fast paced decisions and a lot of running around. Most styling jobs call at the last minute and they need something right away. We make a lot of calls to borrow clothes, run out to get clothes, then do fittings and of course make endless returns. Also, if there is a budget we have to make sure we are working within the budget,. Rule of thumb–you can never have too many options. I have learned the hard way!
5.) What’s been your most rewarding job yet?
All of my clients and the people I have met have given me a rewarding feeling. It has been amazing to with so many talented people and also witness people’s careers grow. I will admit that the occasional discounts on are a big perk too!
6.) What’s the best part of your job? What’s the most frustrating part of your job?
Best part is being creative. We are always looking for what is new and exciting. So it’s fun to be on the hunt and find new designers, or discover anything that might interest a client.
The most frustrating thing is how every job seems to be last minute and we need to work fast and don’t have much room for mistakes. There aren’t enough hours in the day, and sometime the client doesn’t understand that. Between limited time and a client loosing borrowed items, I would say that’s the most frustrating.
7.) Favorite color. Why?
I hate to say it—but black. I LOVE pops of color, but black is always my base. I go through certain color trends, but again, black is my old faithful. And all colors look good with black!
8.) What are you loving for Fall/Winter?
Boots, boots, boots. Riding boots, booties, knee high boots, rain boots—almost anything goes! I am also loving jackets—-it’s not too cold in LA, so I am currently wearing light weight trench and military inspired coats. I am also on a chartreuse kick, even for winter–I have seen it on dresses and handbags. Chartreuse is a serious pop of color and fun for winter!
9.) I am a huge Chelsea Handler fan, and Brad is my favorite comedian of Chelsea Lately. I am sure that your house is constantly full of laughter. How did you two meet?
We met about 9 years ago when I was looking for an apartment and moved in with his friend I found on craigslist. We were friends at first, but you know the drill. It has been fun to see his career grow. When I met him 9 years ago, he would beg me and my friends to come see him do stand-up at the bowling alley, because for each person he brought he would get an extra minute. I would say things have changed a little!
10.) Who are your style icons?
The Who What Wear girls, Kate Hudson for her having fun with fashion, Kelly Wearstler for taking risks, Gwyneth Paltrow for being timeless and designer Tia Zoldan for being all around cool!
As you may know by now, I love J. Crew. In appreciation for all of your support, during week two of my four weeks of giving I want to add a little sparkle into your lives. I bought this belt at J. Crew a few years ago and I love it. I am so delighted that they have brought it back this season, and I’d like to share it with one lucky Kiki’s List follower. Enter today to win!
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, December 8, 2010 and Friday, December 10 telling me why you should win. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced next Monday, December 13.
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 another 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.
5.) Lastly, tweet about this giveaway for one last additional entry.
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!
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.
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:
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!
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.
