09.09.10

A Peek Into Her World: Coralia Leets

Remember these beautiful dazzlers from my Mayastar post a few weeks ago?


Well…. I would like to introduce you to the woman behind the designs. Kiki’s List fans, meet Coralia Leets.


As you already know, I am a HUGE fan of her designs. Below are the items that I already own, and next on my list are the turquoise double-gem drop earrings that you see above.


Coralia is an Orlando-based designer who travels the world for inspiration. She started designing jewelry after a 20 year career in retail merchandising. Her designs have been featured in InStyle Magazine an were seen on several celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Coralia was gracious enough to chat with me and let us take a Peek Into Her World.



1. What inspired you to start designing jewelry?
My inspiration came from my personal creations that I would make for myself since the market was mostly limited at that time. Also seeing certain pieces that would benefit from a more personal touch and dash of unique style each piece carries.


2. What do you love most about it? What is the most challenging part of your job?
The part of my job that I love the most is every season comes a new take on creating new trends. Mixing stones and materials not expected and the rewards that my clientele will identify my collection from afar. Either at a department store gallery or something worn by my friends & customers.

The most challenging part is the detailed work behind every season which a new collection is created. All the details each piece carries is unique down to the very stone being used to complete a successful and beautiful piece.

3. Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration mostly from traveling all around the world , mostly because of my job. When I travel to different places each country and the people there leave me with a lasting impression on fashion, trends, ideas and an overall feeling of that part of the world.

4. Who are some of your other favorite jewelry designers?
I have several , one of my favorite is a personal friend of my mine from London named Fiona Paxton. She is an incredible designer with a totally different style than mine and that’s something I can appreciate. Also a classic designer that’s very elegant and timeless is Verdura.


5. Favorite gemstone?
Bright color quartz and chalcedony double faceted.

6. Favorite destination?
Prague – Amazing city. Very vibrant and great energy.


7. What is your favorite piece that you have designed?
I have several , but to pick only one, I would say my elastic nuggets bracelet with semi-precious stones. I wear several at a time and it’s a look that I love.


8. What’s the biggest mistake you have ever made on the job?
My biggest mistake(s) would be not always taking all the risk that I should be taking. Not any one time occurrence.

9. How would you describe your personal style?
I like simplicity that makes a statement.

10. When did you know that your business was going to be a success ?
Upon opening my doors for business back in 2000. I knew opening the store was the right move for the amount of attention my pieces were getting from a small clientele back then. Those same designs have allowed me to grow my business into what it has become today.

Thanks Coralia for letting us take a Peek Into Your World, and for creating such beautiful pieces. I look forward to adding to my CL collection!

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
4. Dena Hobo– $495
6. Recycled Leather Tote– $279 ***KIKI’S LIST FAVORITE
7. Imogen Bag– $282
8. Brompton Hobo– $298
10. Nikki Hobo– $357
11. Elisabeth Bag– $345
12. Sukey Tote– $895


09.07.10

There Goes My Life.

Ugh.. How can this be? My baby girl packed up her Princess backpack this morning and headed off to Kindergarten. Of course, Lou wanted to be “just like Sissy” so she packed up her Dora backpack full of her Yo Gabba Gabba Dolls and off we went. As I am typing this I am listening to There Goes My Life, by Kenny Chesney. Cry much?


 

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.