The Kitten Lounge is a lifestyle blog that brings the best in entertainment, fashion, beauty and style together. Kimmie presents various options from behind the scenes events to trips to some of her favorite showrooms that carry amazing pieces. As a former model, Internet personality and someone that just enjoys style in general, her site provides daily tidbits!
Today is Friday, November 20, 2009
It's chilly out there and when it isn't chilly, the rain tries to keep you indoors. When this happens and I know I plan on getting work done, I love sipping tea throughout the day. I like to have the biggest cup possible and to sample various blends. No sugar is needed as I'm a fan of honey! When it comes to getting the perfect tea setup, make sure that you have some of your favorite cups, continue to buy various tea blends of interest, get a great tea pot and of course find some honey. These are items that will get you through chilly days and nights and this also makes a great gift for the holidays, housewarmings and more. Take some time to click around to have your cupboards stocked!
Since 1983, Women in Need has assisted homeless families by ensuring that they have housing. Last week a group of bloggers were brought in to preview homes that were made by various notables for the Home for the Holidays Campaign within the fashion and entertainment industries including Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi, Sean Combs, Debra Messing and more. Once these homes were unveiled here, they were placed within Saks windows here in NYC from Nov 5th - Nov 9th (if you're in the area today and looking to see them in person, definitely check it out) to be auctioned in order to assist the organization to continue working with families not only as a means to have a place to live but to move forward with their goals for the future through stable housing, education and more.
The depth of the program and the continuing services that WIN provides is astounding. From the beginning of being included within the program to the point where many families receive transitional or permanent residences, they can receive valuable information on employment training/placement, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence prevention and more. Learn more about the organization and how you can help by visiting Charity Buzz, you can see the houses that were made and also put in a bid for one of the houses as well. Above is a video from the CEO and Founder Bonnie Stone, and a few designers that participated in this project!
This post has definitely caused a stir in my house! Paul is a Jets fan and I'm a Colts fan. Yes I like various teams but just because I changed states doesn't mean that I change my favorite team. Growing up in Indiana, I had a lot of Colts shirts and now that I live in NY, you may see me out and about on a Sunday in my gear! It's fun to have a get together at home and why not add in elements of your own team through NFL fashion and lifestyle items. Although Paul will never wear a Colts shirt, I do like this one so if you have a guy who you need to gift, this about the one in this spread! I don't have a Colts sweatshirt, I do like this layered look which is perfect over a pair of yoga pants.
Don't feel that you have to stop with your shirts, think about having a cute martini set or even getting poochie in on the fun! Whether you're having a huge party, just watching among friends or are at home checking out your fantasy football team to see where you rank - you can always do it in style. I have to say that fantasy football has been something that I didn't know a lot about; however, when you do it in teams, you can have all the fun of seeing whether you won while your teammate has to do the work of all the switches and statistics. For the serious pros that want to get all their information to ensure that their teams do well, you may be interested in the NFL betting site that shares what the probability of your team winning is which could be helpful when you've challenged your friends at the water cooler.
I love a lazy Sunday where you're able to kick back and just enjoy being at home. It's even better when you can do this on a super chilly or rainy day. I always have hummus, crackers and wine which can become an instant way to relax while working online, reading or whatever it is that you're up to. Earlier this summer, I was able to try Yuca Crackers. Although I tried various recipes, I have to say that this organic gluten free cracker is best enjoyed with hummus. When it comes to hummus, I love Sabra - you can't go wrong with any of their flavors. Even when you're alone, you can enjoy a nice glass of wine and there's no reason to save your favorite glasses until you have company, I love the Mara glass from Crate and Barrel. The coasters are a great way to keep track of whose glass is whose or if you and your boyfriend are enjoying it, you can have your own wine tasting. These coasters have chalk that comes with the set so whether you're writing your name, the vineyard or kind of wine - it's easily identified. Make Sun special before you head back into a crazy week!
Sundays are made for friends hanging out! Whether you're watching the game or just out and about there are ways to have food arranged so that it's fun and accessible. I'm a huge fan of sushi and love the trays that are available. Sometimes as opposed to having the "typical" game food, we love picking up a lot of sushi so that we can nibble throughout the day. We're never short on cheese and these agate plates are not only right up my alley being a stone, but it's a great way to present your favorite varieties! Even if you have your classic mini burgers, chips, etc get a great platter. I love shopping around and finding the perfect ones that can be used for the everyday. Finally, having the right glass for whatever you're going to sip is essential and to make it homey, get them monogrammed or have your favorite saying placed on it! Whether it's you and your sig other, family or roommates it's a special way to spend the day when you're glued to the TV!
It's all about the home - we spent many moments there and the dynamic of it changes as we take on new projects. It's essential to maintain this space much like we would our closets. Whether you do it little by little or take a room by room approach, here are some ideas that I have! I love the rustic chic look that Pottery Barn has right now! With us living on the beach, we also like to add these elements too. The Wine Bar Treasure Trunk is perfect for a coffee table and also to stow some of your wine as well. With a focus on the living room or a sitting area, my goal is to have an inviting space that's perfect for large and small gatherings. I love the idea of adding various baskets as it adds elements of styles that you're trying to bring together.
In addition to baskets, I have gotten into glass as well! I love natural stones and shells so adding this is a way to present ornate objects into a room and to balance it with the rustic feel. A throw blanket is a great way to add a cozy element as well! By putting everything together, you're home doesn't have the look of being an exact replica of a showroom or your favorite home store! Think about how your room will reflect all your styles in one place
Now I am not one to spend a lot of time in the kitchen; however, today I spent all day there without having to cook a thing! After a fun night out, Niki stayed over and as I sat with my gal pal laughing and talking our way from breakfast straight through to nibbling a late lunch/early dinner. All of this was done as we sat in the kitchen (and I think my boyfriend was pleased to have a true football Sunday) watching Rachel Zoe, Grease and Grease 2! The kitchen table is an essential as it brings everyone together and becomes a home base of sorts for conversation! Above are some great table options that work with various kitchens regardless of how much space you may have. With the holiday season coming up, make sure you're cocktail/dinner party ready for all of your gatherings!
I love it! In August I headed to Vegas and met with amazing brands in order to get a peek on what to expect for Spring, once I got back here, I celebrated my 30th and went right into Fashion Week and today, the Emmy's are on. To be honest the red carpet is my favorite part of the whole award show. This year, not only am I watching for the dresses but during this year's pre-Emmy show, Jeannine Morris - Editor in Chief of Beauty Sweet Spot will be on E! talking about what else but beauty! I am so proud to call her a friend and love seeing the moves she's made in the short time that I have known her and I believe this is a stepping stone to much bigger things!
If you're in NYC, come watch with us at Lily's Restaurant @RSHotel (501 Lexington Ave) with @Tasty_Morsels, @mizcity and @Nikisnotes. If you're not following them, you should be and we will be twittering about @beautysweetspot and more!
I love it! Today, I'm resting from an amazing night out last night and since this is the first Sun of the football season, it has been quite a relaxing day! I'm so excited that people came out last night for my birthday from @db, @mizcity, @bigapplestyle, @tasty_morsels, @emilyspearl and @devintrix, @jakrose, @nikisnotes, @santagati and of course my non Twitter friends (meaning those who aren't on Twitter) Keren, Tessa (hubby John) and Oscar! It was such an amazing night at Sutra and a great way to ring in my birthday! For those who couldn't make it, you were there in spirit; however, one of my fave presents came from Crystal, founder of Tasty Morsels Bakery - check out the cookies and the one that looks like me!!! This is the best cookie ever!
Whenever I've been out traveling, no matter how amazing the room was (yes love the Ventian). I'm always happy to be home. So while I enjoy being back in my own surroundings, I wanted to show you the importance of pillows and popping in unexpected accent colors! These pillows are like having art so these are great inexpensive ways to let your personality emerge! Velocity Art and Design has a great collection, so you'll want to check them out as well as Bobby Berk Home!
I'm flying through the friendly skies as you're reading this or I could already be in Vegas at this point! One of my favorite nibbles to have - oysters! I love that they make you feel so classy when you're eating them and it's the perfect snack food if you're having it at a bar in Long Beach (yes NY) or in Key West! We're having an oyster party and I have created a collection of must haves! Now Paul is going to get oysters (I hope they're already opened - if not then he will need this tool to force them open! When you lay them out, it's so much easier to place it on a plate that already has the little "scoops" that make it easy for them to lay down without moving around! You can still lay them on sea salt for the overall effect. Little forks are a necessity and they're just super cute! Of course you'll have other items that are tasty as well! How about Pottery Barn's serving shells which bring in nature while also being extremely artistic. Take some time to figure out what you need for your oyster party (these are also great for any sea themed event!).
So our deck is done for the most part but I want to have planters! I want to add some floral pop to the deck and make it a bit of an oasis. Right now, I'm trying to decide which one will be the best for our upstairs deck. Whether you like them low and long or high in the air. Right now I'm debating on ceramics, wood and steel - it's a matter of what look you're going for on the deck.
The deck is that much closer to being done! So earlier this winter, we realized we had a leak and the source was from our second balcony upstairs. We had to pull up the Italian tile and it has been difficult to enjoy being on the deck. Since the summer is almost done, I definitely wanted the deck to be completed and as you saw last week, we headed to Home Depot to get our materials. We're almost done although we realized we had a little space left. Should we lay the last board down or should we get a planter of some sort to put down? Enjoy the footage and let me know - we'll keep you updated on what we ended up doing!
Ok so for those of you that have been over, you know that we have two balconies and one of them, we had to take out our gorgeous tile as we had a leak. Long story short, we needed to have a new deck but Paul insisted that he would do it himself. So we decided that our upstairs deck which we walk out on every morning as it's connected to our bedroom, would become a project and I would share it on here! Last weekend we went to Home Depot only to realize that Paul wasn't sure what type of wood he should go for. He thought Composite would be best; however, upon arrival, he started thinking about using real wood which I thought was the best choice.
Yesterday, we decided to go to the Home Depot in Freeport only to find that they don't have a saw there. For those of you that may not have all the tools, space, etc - you're drawn to Home Depot as they can cut the wood for you! We live in a condo and although we have common areas, cutting wood is not an option; moreover, he wanted to spend time putting the pieces together. We were told that although this location didn't have the vertical saw, we should try the location in Valley Stream. So off we went 30 mins down the road (mind you that Freeport is 30 mins from Long Beach). Paul picked out the wood and as I headed out to find the saw, I happened to see the hand written note on the vertical saw that read 'Sorry Out of Service'. I couldn't believe that there was only one saw! In speaking with Customer Service at the information desk we found out a few things: 1) she wondered why we would ask her about the saw as that was something that the Lumber Department knew about, 2) She was shocked that we wanted to know when it would be fixed and 3) she was surprised that we wanted to speak to someone who could tell us more than she did as she was laughing on the phone that we would even think to ask her to assist us as "we should know that she had no idea". Finally someone from Lumber came and was surprised that the saw was broken and when asked, he said that sometime at the end of next week it could be fixed. We left with no wood and no one offering any way of assisting us and of course our deck being finished seemed like an impossibility. We had about $200 worth of product that we walked away from and wondered how many other people were frustrated and walked away that day? They had no idea that we traveled from a previous location just to make this purchase!
This morning, Paul asked me to get up and said "we're off to Home Depot". To say that I was dreading this would be an understatement and without getting up I told him that he should ask if we had a saw and whether it was working as I didn't want to waste my Sun at yet another Home Depot with staff that was terribly uninterested and helping people! We headed to Hempstead and interestingly enough, the vertical saw was broken (shocker) but they had a saw that could cut our wood and finally we were able to get them cut and bring them back to the house! Also more surprising is that the guy who worked in lumber was actually helpful and gave Paul tips on how to build it! Do your homework before going to Home Depot and try to keep your frustrations at a minimum (I can only hope that the woman who asked about stains for her roof was helped as she was told to go back to the aisle and maybe someone would be by in about 20 mins at the Valley Stream location- she was already confused about what her best options were and to be told this was such an injustice in my opinion).
I hope that we got everything that we needed as I dread the very idea of going back . Above are videos of Paul at Home Depot getting his materials and sharing his thoughts on the deck. Future Sun posts will share how we are coming along with the deck as this is our first project to do!
Whether you have a huge bathroom or a tiny one, you'll find that you'll want to make sure that you keep it clutter free! There are so many ways to make sure that your space is as spa like as possible and a great way is condensing your bottles! Paul and I share a bathroom and between shampoos, soaps and more, there seems to be little surface space available. Simple Human solved this problem by creating not only a space saver but the containers that allow you to have more suds since they are dispensed in a professional way. It's so easy to assemble as everything is provided. You peel off the back of the plate that the bottles sit in and you also add silicon adhesive and press against the wall. After waiting 24 hours, you can place both of the containers in (you can also add a hook so that your sponge or razor can attach on to this). Finally, you have a cleaner bathroom with that spa sensibility! I love that you don't have to worry about not getting the last of your soap as the T-Bar ensures that you get the perfect squirt and that you get to use all of your favorite liquids!
I'm always going out whether it's to an event for a product launch or an appointment of some kind; however, there is something about going out for fun that is a must and yet can be the hardest thing to get on the calendar! Last week my boyfriend went out on a boys night and I'm not going to lie I was a little bummed as I thought it would be a great night in but he wanted the chance to hang out with his friends and he even brought someone from his office that he wanted to know better! Two of my best friends that I have known over the past almost 2 - 3 years email each other go out in twos but rarely do we all go out. I'm the single girl with the long term boyfriend that I live with, Keren (in the middle of the only color image included) is married and a mommie of 1 and Tessa on the right is married with a puppy! We all work in fashion and we're all super busy but we were determined to get time on the calendar and with that, in a very Sex and the City way is how 3 girls met in Midtown although Tessa lives in the Financial District, Keren is in North Jersey (in a fab building with amazing city views - although Tessa's views are AMAZING) and I live on the beach in Long Beach headed down for the classic drinks and nibbles at Tessa's place and on to some amazing bars at the Seaport. A girls night out where we just laughed had drinks and shots (and shots and shots) was one of the best times that I have had in a long time. We were able to catch up on what we were up to, what we were thinking of doing and just enjoying an amazing July that wasn't too hot and had just enough breeze. These are essential moments and regardless of the economy and what amount of time you have available having moments like this with your boys, girls or whoever you hold dear is important for your general health. On this Sunday, start a tradition whether this happens once a month or every other month. But this is not exclusive to just your friends. Paul and I every Sunday have dinner on our balcony which means we usually grill and it's a nice way to do something we do every night in a different way.
A few weeks ago after a triumphant visit to Jimmy Choo on Madison Ave and Paul's visit to Oliver People's, we decided to head over to the Nespresso store. I don't drink a lot of coffee regardless of how it is served. It was one of those days where an iced latte seemed appropriate. As we walked in, I knew I loved the minimalist style. I enjoyed seeing the coffee bar, seating and the machines. As we headed to the back of the store, we admired the machines and couldn't decide which was the best one - so we sat down for coffee. Paul went for a double espresso and I had the best Vanilla Latte that had icecream in it. It was the perfect treat on a warm day and I love the dark chocolate that they give you. Although they had a menu of great items to nibble on, it was enjoyable to have coffee and just enjoy the day. The Nespresso machines vary in price range and it seems that many are able to make your favorite varieties. I loved sampling the pods (the coffee is packed in little pods to use in the machines) which have various tastes but couldn't decide on a machine. I think the Cube is the perfect choice and I like that it comes in various colors! Whether you make your own, go to the store or do a combination of both, click on the links in the spread to learn more!
There's no excuse for not bringing in nature to your home! I love that no matter whether you live on 5 acres or in a shoe box, you can always add plants! Living in Long Beach, LI, I love that the beach is seconds away but being from the Midwest, I love knowing that there are trees nearby. I love bonsai and I love bamboo! Eastern Leaf is one of my favorite sites as they sell everything that you see in the spread and more. Not only is it reasonably priced but they have various sizes which work for whatever you're trying to add to your home. Over the next few weeks, you'll find out what I'm buying for my home as I'm in the midst of some sprucing and since I'm going for a Japanese vibe, why not start with my plants? If you want more of a floral look, check our the Cymbidium Else in a fab yellow and if you're looking for your own space of zen, the Curly Willow is a great choice as well. All the links above can be clicked on and I can definitely vouch that these are perfect for your home as I have given these as gifts and will now start to pick out my own pieces for the home! Also stay tuned as I start to show pics of my home transforming itself into an awesome oasis.
We know that there will be various Michael Jackson Tributes but this one includes Mario Winans, The Game, Diddy, Chris Brown and Boys II Men. I love the song, which definitely puts a lump in your throat and I love the fact that you see the fans and get to hear about things that Michael did that people may not know. The Game says that it was MJ and Diddy who basically worked towards creating peace between him and 50 Cent. Last night, driving thorugh Brooklyn, we heard so many parties playing his music that it definitely felt appropriate to include this as today's post! The song, 'Better on the Other Side', was recorded in a day and of course, found its way on YouTube!
I am such a bedding fan! I spend a lot of time in my bedroom - hey keep your mind out of the gutter, there are plenty of things to do! It's my escape when there's way too much going on, I watch all of my Bravo Reality TV Shows and so much more. There is something about having an inviting bed! My absolute favorite is the one on the upper left from Anthropologie. All the ruffles make it like a creamy relaxation spot. Whether you're all about minimal or you're about bringing pops of color, what you do with your bed is completely up to you. Just remember that just like you spruce up your wardrobe, you'll want to do the same with your bed whether it's changing it up with the duvet or adding some cute accent pillows.
We love our iPods and although I love using our Apple TV to link our music to play through our TV, I love our speakers as well! Here are some innovative ways that your speakers can take on another look with some futuristic and old school ways! My favorite is the Vers Audio Vers home system which has a cool retro look. But maybe if you're in college or in highschool, you can enjoy the chalkboard speaker or the chair. If you're truly old school, how about the Phonofone - this is definitely something that will be the talk of conversation at your next party! Make your speakers functional and also interesting!
We have so many things that we have and not enough places to put it. In terms of not having space we sometimes have to have our organizational items in front of the public eye! So how about doing a little mixture of both? I love that these containers are eye catching and unlike plastic boxes these are definitely something that I would love to have around the home. I love the Wooden Trunk Boxes via West Elm as these are a great natural element that brings the outdoors inside! Whether it's jewelry or cash for the delivery guy, these are a must to have in the home. If you're thinking of a great gift, the Vivienne Jewelry Box from Pottery Barn has a great minimalist look that's perfect to place your cuffs in and who doesn't like the monogramming of your name? The wicker basket is an absolute classic; however, I am in LOVE with the Sundial Basket! Your fruits get a modern twist to them and it's like a piece of art and thus my favorite!
Today is my last full day in South Beach! It was an amazing weekend which we will cover on Girly Getaways. What I love best is that I always get ideas of things that would be perfect for the house! I spend a lot of time on my balcony and also in the bathroom! Both of these areas should be comfortable and can be turned into a spa! I find that wicker is not only durable but brings a sense of relaxation to your home. Pottery Barn has a great selection of items that are perfect for your patio or roofdeck. In addition, I love that Bed Bath and Beyond has fun pieces that will ensure that your bathroom gets functional accessories that have a flair all their own. Take some time to look at your home with new eyes! You spend so much time away from home, that the moments you're there should be enjoyed!
Yesterday, Paul and I attended the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Event at Governor's Island. This event was full of various celebs and here, I have footage from the press line including: Veronica Webb, Rachel Roy, Marc Jacobs, Chloe Sevigny and much more! Enjoy this and your Sunday!
We're having our second annual Lobster Broil at the condo and I'm super excited as it's nice to have it in October but it's much more fun when it's in June! I just got our invitations which are a mix of lobster and Madras shorts - images to follow soon! But more importantly, there are so many things to get when you're hosting a party that goes throughout the day and will have around 30 people there. The main event is lobster so here I have some of the essentials, the pot, lobster crackers (Crate & Barrel is such a must when you're having a gathering) and the lobster forks. Of course, Crystal of Tasty Morsels Bakery is not only coming but is supplying these cookies which are the cutest things ever! So glad that she's bringing them so that everyone can see how much of a hit they are!!! Whatever you're doing, make sure you have a theme and you stay true it. In addition, plan as much as you can in advance to guarantee that you get the most people possible for your event!
We love hearing from you! Suggestions, ideas and thoughts are always welcome.
Please send all food related questions to Paul, spa and wellness items to Keren and all other queries to Kimmie.
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