red and white

Many have told me that their favorite posts here tend not to be those about the happy days, but rather the ones about the ridiculous missteps or silly-stupid moments that are inevitably a part of everyday life (at least for this gal).  Case in point.  

Luckily for you, I have lots of those, so I figured I'd try to incorporate them whenever possible for your reading (laughing) pleasure.  

One such incident occurred just this past weekend whilst I was in Florida for my dear friend Charlotte's bachelorette.  As already told, I arrived in early Friday AM and spent the day pool-side with Char and her sisters.  It was decently overcast with a touch of sun here and there but I opted to do 55 on my face, chest and arms and 30 on everything else.

The 30 happened to be a spray, which I quickly spritzed on my belly and legs, in an effort to get back to catching up with the bride-to-be.

1

That night, however, it quickly became apparent that my spray job had been perfunctory.  

I had a nice red-and-white pattern cloaking my entire lower half.

While normally I would be beyond thrilled at the prospect of a beach photo shoot (I LOVE playing supermodel) which was our scheduled Saturday afternoon activity, the thought of documenting my sunscreen faux pas and exposing my tender Northern skin to any more rays seemed unbearable.  What was a girl to do?  

Luckily, the bride lent me one of her beautiful beach cover-ups that allowed me to hide all traces of the incident while still allowing some sun on my upper half.  

No one was the wiser.

Except you. :)

xoxo

KK  

happy 4th!

What are you up to this weekend?

We're hanging around here and partaking in typical fourth-fare: watching the fireworks from our roof, doing some extra-long hikes over in Marin, and eating lots of corn on the cob.  

While I'm excited for a weekend of not-so-much after so much action these past few weeks, I am missing the big fourth of July festivities I grew up with (family soccer and sparklers and barbecue and sitting by the lake and a flag sheet cake homemade by my little brother early that morning).  

So to quench my thirst for the holiday, I'm bringing you my favs for the fourth.

For eating:

from here and here and here

For drinking:

from here and here

For dessert-ing:

from here and here and here

And for wearing:

from here and here and here

Happy fourth!

xoxo

KK

when beauty gives back!

I could not be more excited for tonight. 

Along with some of my most favorite ladies, I am hosting a fundraiser for Reclaim Childhood - a non-profit that seeks to bring the benefits of sport and play to girls and women in the Middle East.  Admittedly I am biased (I co-founded and now help run the grassroots operation), but even so, this event is going to be killer - if you're in the Bay Area, you do NOT want to miss it.

The Social Beauty Company is opening its beautiful doors from 6 - 9pm tonight for an evening of indulgence, all in the name of doing good. 

 

There, you can have a plethora of their awesome beautifying services done with 20% of proceeds going directly to RC. Hungry for more? Just book and pre-pay for any additional services and the gals at Social Beauty Company will make the same generous contribution to help RC empower girls and women in the Middle East.

While you're enjoying your do-gooding beautifications, sip on free wine and champagne as you munch on divinely delicious snacks, compliments of Claudine Dagit of Stiletto & Spice.

 

But the indulgences don't stop there: you can also shop Margaret Elizabeth's fabulous collection as you spoil yourself.  And with a portion of proceeds going directly to RC, you can feel extra good about that new pair of earrings or trend-setting set of bangles.

from here

The icing on top is the show-stopping raffle with chances to win some awesome prizes:

• The Complete Social Beauty Company Package including eyelash extensions, spray tan, brow design and facial!

 

 

• A Reboot Your Bod Session and Detox program from Tulita Health!

• A styling session with Head Over Heels with the uber stylish Melanie!

 

• Cooking classes from the fabulous Claudine Dagit of Stiletto & Spice!

• A coveted spot in Sarah Jenks' Live More Weigh Less program this spring!

 

Don't miss it!

Tonight (Jan 17) from 6 - 9pm

at the Social Beauty Company (2157 Lombard Street).

See you there!

xoxo

KK

around here lately

Apologies for the quietness this past week - things have been busy around these parts.  

 

Baking some serious Swiss cookies

(but more on that tomorrow)

Getting all dressed up for the office holiday party

 

Opening a little early Christmas present from Switzerland

THE BEST CHOCOLATE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

This one little box (with just 24 divine pieces) 

comes at the bargain price of 80 swiss francs 

Worth. every. penny. 

Doing some holiday shopping of our own:

My fav gift guides of the season if you're still on the hunt:

Head Over Heels with Melanie Gift Guide

(responsible for the gorgeous graphic above) 

A Cup of Jo 2012 Gift Guide 

A Piece of Toast Gift Guide

Cupcakes and Cashmere Gift Guide - For Men,  Under $100, and Under $25

And finally:

 Doing some serious research for our Argentinean honeymoon!

While we've had the belated trip (our wedding was back in August) planned for months, we only recently decided where and when exactly to go.  And it was only about a week ago that we started really booking it.  AND we leave on Friday.  So as you might imagine, we've been just a tad bit busy making arrangements.  But let me tell you - it is going to be good.  But more on that soon.

xoxo

KK

 

melanie

Last night we attended Klugergiving - an all-friends, potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner hosted by our good friends: the Klugers - Melanie, Andrew, and Lola (their adorable puppy).

Not only was their house (yes! a house! oh the glories of the East Bay...) impeccably decorated with cheerful yet sophisticated stylings, Melanie had out-done herself by perfectly decorating their abode for the festivities. 

In addition to a gorgeous table lined with tulips in mason jars and simple white votives, she had placed luscious snacks (a decadent spread of cheeses, a tantalizing tray of olives and all sorts of vegetable munchables) all around their wide-open living room-kitchen-dining room for easy snacking while we sipped our Pinots.

Meanwhile, Andrew was manning the turkey...

 

...which came out beyond perfect: brown and crispy yet tender and juicy - exactly how anyone likes it.

 

In addition to the turkey and make-your-own-potato & sweet potato-bar prepared by the Klugers, we had all sorts of goodness supplied by our plethora of guests:

1. a spinach, pear, persimmon, walnut, roasted Brussels sprout salad (compliments of the Fischers of course)

2. braised cabbage + carrots

3. a killer, spicy sausage stuffing

4. a homemade apple pie

5. nothing BUNDT cakes mini-cakes (if you're looking to send something to a friend or family member, these most certainly fit the bill)

 

Melanie also planned all sorts of fun games to entertain us as we dined.  She had prepped a bunch of chalkboards for us to pass around the table and write what we each thankful for. 

She then read them all aloud and had us guess whose was whose.  So. much. fun. 

 

But not only did Melanie plan and host a killer Sunday-night bash while being five-months pregnant (in four-inch heels mind you...), she's been blogging up a storm for her new styling biz: Head over Heels.

 

She guest blogged over at the Collection on how to style a bump when heading to a wedding...

 

 

 

 

 ...and then over at The White Dress on how to do polka dots...

 

 

...and then over at vmac and cheese on what to bring on one's honeymoon...

 

 

 

...and THEN (as if that weren't enough) a shoot she styled was featured on the one and only Once Wed!

 

 

 

Not to mention all the fabulous posting she's been doing over at Head Over Heels.

This girl has been BUSY, and yet - she makes it look so easy.  How does she do it?

 

xoxo

KK

the new tubberware

Not too long, I hosted a stella & dot party.  Think: your mother's Tupperware party but with a whole lot more style and a whole lot better economics. 

The concept is simple: any woman can sign up to be a Stylist.  For $199, that woman gets $350 worth of product as well as a hefty discount on any additional purchases made within the first month or so.  She then asks others to "host" parties for her - she brings the stylish jewels to show off while the host provides the seasonal beverages, snacks and locale.  Guests wine, dine and shop - ordering items that will arrive within a few days in beautifully wrapped packages.  While the stylist earns a commission on her sales, the host earns free product.  A pretty good deal for just chilling and shopping with friends.

Our party was perfection.  My friend (and Stylist) Kara Chase arrived about two hours beforehand (while I was slicing baguettes for crostinis - more on those deets tomorrow) to turn our humble little abode into a styling palace.  
 

Sad you missed out?  Well, don't fret - you can still shop it here.  To help you choose, I'm bringing you my top choices from the collection.

their celeb-worthy necklaces

like katherine hiegl's fav: the bahari necklace

the easy way to dress up a classic white button-down

($98)

stack-able bracelets

their wrap bracelets are an easy way to get the layered look

($59)

fun and festive iPhone covers 

keep all your calls and messages merry and bright

($29)

their amazing candles are perfection for a hostess gift

($29)

their amazingly cozy and colorful scarves 

are an easy present for any and all gals on your list

($59)

their adorable wallets are the perfect way 

to keep your pennies organized

($79)

 

 

Which goods are your fav?

 

xoxo

KK