07.28.10

Thank you Jenna!


A big thanks to Jenna Rammell from Q.A. Design for her beautiful work on the new layout for Kiki’s List! She was ever so patient with my perfectionism.. and I think it really paid off. I love the new layout. Thanks Jenna!

07.28.10

In the Bag…

Everyone always asks me why I carry such a big bag. Generally I respond “Go big or stay home.” but in all seriousness, as a working mother I have a lot of s@$# to carry! My husband goes crazy with the amount of designer handbags I own, but honestly, I have not bought a new one in almost two years. If you invest wisely and take care of them, they really do last a lifetime. I used to switch handbags daily, but with two kids I am lucky to remember a bag at all. The bag that I am currently carrying is the Michael Kors Santorini Bag, Circa 2006. I have used it every summer for the past four years. Besides a little bit of sand (it doubles as a beach bag), and a few minor stains on the inside, it’s as good as new!

I always find it so interesting how women at different stages of their lives carry different things. My suspicion is that many of you have bags filled with similar items. Here’s what I’m currently toting around.
1.) Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Key Pouch ($135) I bought this in 2005 when I had E. It was a great solution as I was always leaving my wallet in the diaper bag, and would get to work on Monday morning realizing that I had no money or credit cards. Now they come with me everywhere I go!
2.) Ray Ban Cockpit Sunglasses ($135) Smaller Shades for smaller heads.
3.) Burberry Nova Check Make-Up Case ($35) Another great buy. I got this little baby at the Burberry outlet store in 2004, and she still looks like new!
4.) Laura Mercier Foundation Powder #5 ($40) A great “quick fix” for any blemishes.
5.) Buxom Lips in Katie ($18)– Plumps your lips and gives them a natural glow. I also love the minty tingle!
6.) Sula Stiletto Musk Perfume Oil ($18)– Light yet Musky. Not too sweet. This is one of my favorite scents. In fact, I get compliments on it all the time!
7.) Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 ($17) It’s the best! I always apply it under my lip gloss.
8.) Goody Ouchless Hair Bands ($2.49) I have two little girls… need I say more?
9.) Yo Gabba Gabba Panties (size 3 T) My little Foofa is learning to use the potty. Must have extra panties on hand at all times. Kohls is the only place that has these in stock.
10.) Envirosax ($8.95) I carry three in my bag at all times. They are great. They fold up into tiny lipstick-size rolls, and they hold more groceries than any other recyclable bag out there. Lastly, they are STRONG. No need to worry about them breaking under pressure.
11.) iPhone ($299)- We are an Apple family. I don’t know what I did before my iPhone. E-mail, text, iCal, videos, camera, Internet, iPod and the girls love all of the Apps… oh yeah, and it’s a phone too!
12.) iPad ($499) This thing saved our asses when we were on vacation. The girls can watch any of their shows on demand. Great for doctor’s offices and long car rides. E loves to play games on here. I highly recommend the interactive story of the Little Mermaid. (Warning: It’s the Hans Christian Andersen version, so she dies in the end.)
13.) Old Navy Water Bottles ($5) These are adorable, durable and made of steel (literally.) I try to carry metal water bottles as much as possible due to all of the plastic warnings. Don’t let your kids drink out of plastic bottles left in a hot car- there are many cases of cancer linked to this.
14.)L’Occtaine Shea Butter Hand Cream ($26) Super emulsifying and smells like a baby’s bottom!
15.) Chanel Le Petit Pinceau Brush ($34) Compact so it fits in my makeup mag, yet the the tip is large enough for great coverage.
16.) The Body Shop Natural Blotting Tissues (10)– I have an oily T-zone. These are fantastic at removing the oil without removing your make-up.

07.27.10

Butterflies….

Those that know me, know that I have an affinity for butterflies. For those of you who are just becoming acquainted with me in cyberspace, here is why….

August 31, 2005 was the day that changed my life forever. Not only was it my third wedding anniversary, but God took away my best friend, my rock, the strongest woman I ever knew- my mother. Anita Louise Chiarello Nilsen was a fighter. She was told in 1988 that she had an extremely rare form of thyroid cancer and that she needed to “get her affairs in order,” that she only had 6 months to live. (Let me preface the next statement by saying that I heard my mother drop an “F bomb” twice in my entire life.) She looked the doctor square in the face and said “F$%! you, I have three kids, and I am going to see them get married.”After 17 years, 18 surgeries, several radiation treatments and various other experimental procedures, she lost her battle. However, she did not go down without a fight.
The day before she died, my sister, Karen and I were sitting with her when she said “I will always be with you. If there is a way for me to let you know I am here, I will give you a sign.” When we met with our priest after her death, he said be aware of the signs. Signs, signs signs…what signs? That day, each and every person in our family had an extraordinary encounter with a butterfly. Thus, began my love for the beautiful little creatures. For any of you that have lost someone close to you, you understand the deep yearning for a connection to that person. After she died, I was completely lost- in a total daze. Two weeks later, I gave birth to E. The one thing that I can remember during that bittersweet time in my life is the constant presence of a butterfly nearby.
So now, I have built a tasteful collection of butterflies to remind me that “Neets” as I used to call her, is always with us… In fact every time we see a butterfly flutter past us, E says “Look Mommy, a butterfly. That means that Grandma is watching over us.” There are so many beautiful butterfly items to collect…. Clothing, jewelry, artwork and best yet, I am currently working on a butterfly display for my new living room… Stay tuned.

07.26.10

Take Another Looksie….

When I think of HSN, I think of the crazy cat lady who doesn’t leave her house, and chooses to stay locked inside with the Home Shopping Network running 24/7. Well, I urge you to take another looksie at this channel as it has reinvented itself with celebrity designers of all kinds. Check out the picks that made Kiki’s List:

07.23.10

Am I Too Old For This????

I think not. It’s so summery and fun. I love the look of braids inspired by LC, Jen and the rest of Hollywood. I know my hair is a bit short, but I will still rock a braid. I generally half-ass it in the morning and then have one of the girls in the office redo it when I get in. You would think with two little girls, I would read up on braiding. Well, I found a tutorial online. Pardon the cheesy intro, but the content is valuable.. that is, if you are learning how to braid.