08.06.10

Girl Crush: Selena Gomez.


If your house is anything like mine, you are very familiar with Selena. Her new video Round & Round plays on the Disney Channel non-stop. Well, this little Disney Starlet just turned 18 last week- and boy, has she come into her own (and not in a totally inappropriate Miley Cyrus way either.) This girl’s got a classic, simple style about her, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s drop dead gorgeous either. I am sure the Jonas brothers are knocking down her door as we speak!

08.05.10

Take Another Looksie: JC Penney.


I have never been much of a fan of JC Penney. It reminds me of when I was little and my mom would try to convince me that I really could do my back to school shopping there. But the bargain hunter in me loves a challenge, and I think I met this one head on. Don’t get me wrong, I had to sift through my fair share of pleather shoes, CZ jewels and more polyester than anyone should ever encounter. That being said, check out the adorable finds that made it onto Kiki’s List at even more adorable prices:

1. Turquoise Stone Necklace– ON SALE $19.99
2. 6 Piece Gold Bangle Set– ON SALE $13.99
3. Flower Statement Necklace– ON SALE $19.99 **KIKI’S LIST FAVE
4. Wide Brown Stretch Belt– ON SALE $14.99 **KIKI’S LIST FAVE
5. Irina Pump– ON SALE $39.99
6. Regina Hobo Bag– ON SALE $129.99
7. Beaded Circle Flops– ON SALE $9.99
8. Yellow Statement Necklace– ON SALE $20.99
9. Studded Disc Belt– ON SALE $8.99
10. Pearl and Chain Necklace– ON SALE $19.99
11. Trilogy Pumps– ON SALE $44.99
12. Gold Flops- ON SALE $8.99
BEST YET- Get free shipping on all orders over $49 with the code 2GRADU8

08.04.10

Last Day for {Q.A.} Design Giveaway.


Ok.. Kiki’s List Fans…. Today is the last day for the {Q.A.} Design Giveaway. Once again, below are the rules for the contest:

1. You must be a Follower of Kiki’s List.

2. To enter the giveaway, simply visit QA Designs Etsy Shop to check out Jenna’s work and leave a comment on the original contest post before midnight tonight telling me which state and color scheme you would like. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced tomorrow.

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.

08.04.10

A Date With My Girl.

Last Saturday, I took my favorite almost-five-year-old out for a date that consisted of dinner and a movie.Since she is at that in-between stage of a toddler and a big girl, we were dealing with some behavioral issues that we were trying to break her of.Long story short- this date was a privilege that she earned for her good behavior.
 
We went to a fairly nice restaurant (let’s be real, I was with a 4 year old… we are not talking Morton’s here, but there were at least linen tablecloths.I was just thrilled to not have to order out of a clown’s nose.)Despite her telling me that her “burger tasted a little bland,” we had a fantastic dinner.Great company, fantastic conversation- I was amazed at how much my little girl had grown up.Gone are the days of telling her repeatedly to sit down, or stop whining. (Keeping my fingers crossed on that one!)
 
After dinner, we were off to see Ramona and Beezus. Growing up, I loved reading Beverly Cleary’s stories about that mischievous girl next door, Ramona, and her older sister, Beatrice. As Cleary says “It is not that Ramona deliberately sets out to make trouble for other people. She simply has more imagination than is healthy for any one person.”
 
When the director of the film, Elizabeth Allen sat down with Cleary to discuss the making of the film, here is what she uncovered:
 
“I feel it’s about girl who thinks outside the lines, who’s struggling to figure out how to conform without losing her personality,'” Allen says. “And Beverly felt strongly that it was actually just about a girl learning how to grow up.”
“She has an imagination,” Beverly Cleary says of her most famous creation. “And some of her things just don’t turn out the way she expected. “Those “things” often get Ramona in trouble, and then make her feel misunderstood.
This interview sums up my revelation during the film.We hold our children to such high standards that sometimes we forget that they are just that- children. True, Ramona does march to the beat of her own drum, much like my E… oh yeah, and much someone else used to… ME! But don’t we need a little bit more of that in this world?
 
I will never forget, when I would give my mother a hard time growing up, she would tell me “I wish you no harm in this world, all I wish is that you have a little girl just like yourself. ”Well Neets, you got your wish.  As parents we focus so much on the “hard metrics” of parenting… Are they doing well in school? Do they follow directions? What activities do I need to sign them up for? How do they compare against their peers? Saturday night was a great interruption from all of the noise- allowing me to focus on what was really important in raising happy, healthy kids.
 
So, the very reason why we were at this movie was as much a privilege for me as it was for her.And as my little girl moved from her chair and nestled into my lap during the last half of the film, here is what occurred to me:
 
1. It’s important to set expectations for your children, but always remember that they are just that- children.
2. Encourage creativity.
3. Always let your child know how much you love them.
4. Be a positive role model.
5. You can never get (or give) too many kisses and hugs.
6. It’s okay to be different.
7. Everyone is special.
8. Celebrate all accomplishments, big and small.
9. Teach your children how to bond with their siblings- this is a relationship that will last long after you are gone.
10. The most important thing in life is to be happy.

08.03.10

The Colors of Summer.


I just got my nails did on Friday, and so many people asked me what color I was wearing- I decided to write this post.

Every salon has their preference in brand of nail polish. Mine uses OPI. A few months ago I ordered a bottle of Punchy Pink from J. Crew for the girls. One day I got a wild hair and put it on my fingers and toes. It took a day to get used to, but I absolutely loved it- and got a ton of compliments.
Here are my “go to” OPI colors that made it onto Kiki’s List, with an honorable mention for Essie’s Punchy Pink, of course.

1. Bubble Bath– The perfect pinky-nude shade. Great for all seasons.
2. Lincoln Park After Dark– Not black. Not purple. Somewhere in between.
3. Ate Berries in the Canaries– A gorgeous shade of orchid. This has been my #1 pick this summer.
4. Dim Sum Plum– Currently on my nails. I chose this because they were out of #3… Marvelous color.
5. Shorts Story– A great shade of watermelon. Looks fantastic with a tan!
6. Pink Flamenco– Hot pink. I love it.
7. Dutch Tulips– Red infused with the perfect amount of pink. This is my “go-to” red.
8. Cajun Shrimp– A great shade of coral. Warning- wear this only when you have a tan.
Check out all of these colors and more here. I love that you can even adjust the nail length and the skin tone. Perfect way to get a sneak peak before you commit!
Order Essie’s Punchy Pink here.