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. 😉

11.03.10

High Gloss.

I am so excited that a few of my most favorite bloggers are coming together to create another virtual magazine. Check out what these six ladies have been up to:

Coming to a computer near you in January. Subscribe here.

11.03.10

A Peek Into Their World: Mixed Chicks

Last month, I went to see my masterful hairdresser Mikala for a haircut, and she confirmed what I already knew by telling me that my hair was “nasty.” Generally, I would consider my hair to be pretty easy- straight, shiny and quite manageable. However, after two lice incidents this summer, I was in dire need of some hair repair. Rather than a deep conditioning treatment, Mikala told me that she was going to use a new product on my hair that was created for biracial hair. It was developed by two multi-racial women who had a difficult time finding products for their difficult hair. At this point- I would try anything.


When she put the conditioner on my hair Mikala said that my hair just sucked it right up. After a blow out, I was so excited that my hair was “back.” It had shine, it had bounce… It was soft and it was beautiful. Without a thought, I bought both the shampoo and the conditioner. Since that day I have used it twice a week on both my hair as well as E’s. I must say, have gotten quite a few compliments on my locks since I started using Mixed Chicks.

I was so very excited about these products, that I wanted to share them with all of you.. After all, aren’t we all a “mixed chick” in some way, shape or form? So, first, let me introduce you all to Wendi Levy (left) and Kim Etheredge (right), creators of Mixed Chicks.

Wendi and Kim met at a barbecue. Quickly they bonded over about the common problem that they shared… they were both frustrated with their unruly hair. Through this chance encounter, a partnership was formed. They started developing their product, and friends and family couldn’t get enough. From the modest beginnings of working out of a garage and handing out samples at churches, in just two years Mixed Chicks was officially on the map. The dedication and hard work garnered positive word of mouth including endorsements from several celebrities. Sales skyrocketed after Halle Berry mentioned Mixed Chicks as one of her Top 5 must-have items in the March 2009 issue of In Style.

These lovely ladies were so gracious to chat with me so that we could all take A Peek Into Their World. Best Yet: All Kiki’s List fans will receive a 10% discount on all Mixed Chicks products through Friday. Online Code: KIKI


What’s your favorite product?
Mixed Chicks Deep & Leave-in conditioners, of course!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
W– Not having a boss to check in with & sometimes helping women via email help their interracial children with identity issues.
K– Making people feel good.

Explain a day in the life.
W-Coffee. Wash, dress and feed myself & my 2 year old. Drive. Process a few hundred individual web orders while answering phones(salon & beauty supply orders & general questions) & correcting packing errors. Taking a few meetings( i.e. Marketing, Fed EX, labs, packaging etc.) Returning at least 100 emails. Paying all the company’s bills. Overseeing the warehouse & 7 employees.(all with my 2 year old on my hip or dangling from my leg). Drive. Eat. Wash my hair with new batches of product that need approval for the next day or notes for changes in those products. Play. Hug my husband. Sleep.
K-Coffee, Coffee, Coffee. Wake at 6am take my daughter to school,get into the office by 8:30am. Wendi & I have a lot of the same duties. What she doesn’t do I do, what I don’t do she does. Day ends at around 8pm.

How would you describe your style?
W– Comfortable always, sort of bohemian.
K– Simple but chic.

How do you find a work/life balance while building your business?
W-I’m still searching for balance and often struggling to find it.
K– It’s just here for me. I love my family & I love my Job, So I always put my best foot forward.

Any advice for women looking to become entrepreneurs?
W-Go for it. It’s well worth the struggle. Be consistent, persistent and prepared. IF you’re in a relationship be sure it’s with someone very secure.
K-I can’t do it is never the answer.

Biggest mistake?
W-I’m not sure yet. Hind site is always 20/20. Ask me when I retire.
K– I’ll second that.

What’s next for Mixed Chicks?
W-The horizon for Mixed Chicks is limitless. If I say what’s next I fear someone will grab the idea and beat me to it. So you’ll just have to stay tuned.
K– Everything!



A huge thank you to Wendi and Kim for creating such fantastic products, and letting us take A Peek Into Their World.

11.02.10

Doubletake.




Since I have been in bed with this horrible stomach flu for the past four days, I’ve had a lot of time to catch up on my reading (not books, silly… magazines.) In thumbing through the November issue of In Style these gorgeous photos of Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks at home instantly caught my eye. Not for the impressive dishes that she prepared or the pops of gorgeous fall colors on her table… It’s her kitchen. Am I the only one who swears that this is Windsor Smith’s kitchen from the September 2009 House Beautiful (The Color Issue)??? It might be my all time favorite HB issue. I still have it! Anyone?… Anyone?…. Bueller?… Bueller?…

11.02.10

Sisters.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there. ~Amy Li
I am in awe each day as I watch my girls interact with each other and their bond grow stronger. I just warms my heart.