Southern bunnies and city eggs...

After a whirlwind trip to Georgia last week, The Pea and I barely made it back to the City before we were packing our bags again. Just 36 short hours after arriving in our TriBeCa home we have already loaded into the car for our annual family Easter weekend trip to East Hampton. It's a tradition D and I started about five years ago, and it has only become more fun with the addition of Mr Peanut!
While we were in Georgia we went to visit the Easter bunny at the mall. The bunny and my little boy became fast friends, and while all of the other children were crying because they were afraid of the big shaggy bunny he was upset because he didn't want to leave his new friend!

It's little things like our visit with the Easter bunny that I sometimes miss living in this city...we don't have malls in Manhattan (and I'm not so sure I would visit them if we did. Sounds like a bad idea actually). We have worked hard to carve out new traditions for our family since we don't always have access to the same traditions that D and I grew up with. On the other hand, Easter egg hunting in the Hamptons doesn't sound so shabby, does it???  I think he will be just fine...especially with a few trips down south to balance all the city stuff.

Hopefully my little boy will always get to have a little southern bunny with his city eggs...the perfect combo :)

Have a great weekend!
Xo...
Ki

sparkle, shine, find a cure...

Ciao friends!

I want to introduce you to a very special person.  

Please meet my friend, Kim.  Kim is a mom and wife living in Atlanta, GA with her one year old daughter and husband, Tad. 

Kim, Tad, and Sydney

While Kim was pregnant with her daughter, Sydney, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Shortly after Sydney was born, Kim had brain surgery, and since then she has spent her entire first year as a mother undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.  But she is a super star--the brightest of stars--and instead of letting this challenge get the best of Kim and steal away her joy, Kim has risen to the challenge.  In a recent conversation Kim explained to me how she had found so many blessings in this diagnosis and how she had learned to live for the moment and embrace every single day.  She said to me, "Kiley, this awful news really was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I think I am actually living my life for the first time."  Can you imagine being that amazing?  She really blows me away.  I mean, really blows me away.  

Mama and baby Sydney taking in her first beach trip

If we all had that kind of sparkle, don't you think the world would shine a little brighter???  

I do...

Kim did not stop with just living life to the fullest, being an awesome mom and becoming an even stronger partner in her marriage.  No...she decided to get involved and do something. With the help of friends, Team Kim was founded through Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2) and has been raising money to fund cutting edge research and find a cure for brain cancer.  This past Sunday Team Kim participated in the Publix Marathon/Half Marathon in Atlanta and has already raised over $15,000.  How amazing is that?!?!

Kim with dear friends and co-founders of Team Kim, Jamie and Casey

But wait...Kim is still not finished.  She recently put her amazing style and fashion sense to work and collaborated with me on a small collection of jewelry that we will be selling to benefit Team Kim and ABC2.  It is inspired by Kim's grandmother's beautiful collection of custom made jewelry that Kim inherited and wears everyday.  As a tribute to her grandmother, Kim gave each piece a name that reminded her of the her grandmother.  

The Team Kim Collection 

The Peregrine Necklace, Martha Earrings and May Bracelet are made of jade, jet, crystal and brass, and as usual, they are made entirely by hand by yours truly.

Available at a special promotional price, the limited edtion jewelry will be available online from now until mid June, and 100% of the profits will be donated to Team Kim.  You can visit the shop by clicking on the button below or logging onto kileydurham.bigcartel.com.  

click here to visit the shop!

To learn more about Kim and her courageous journey, please stop by her blog, What's on Kim's Brain and the Team Kim Facebook page

And for more info about Kiley Durham for Team Kim you can contact me here or use the contact link at the top. 

Let's sparkle, shine and find a cure!  

xo...

ki 

  

** 

southern food in the city...

Recently a new Southern transplant wrote into the blog asking for Southern food recommendations.  Where do I go when I get homesick and I need a taste of home?  Who has a good sweet tea and what's my favorite bar-b-que?

Ok...this is really embarrassing, but I couldn't answer any of the questions.  I asked my husband...he was only marginally more helpful with a bar-b-que recommendation or two.  How could that be???  What happened? Have I lost touch with my Southern roots after ten years in this big crazy city?  Am I becoming...dare I say it...a Yankee!?! (said only the way that Blanche Devereaux could on The Golden Girls...)
Fiddle-dee-dee...no no no!  We cannot let that happen.  The City is where I spread my wings but the South is where my roots will stay firmly planted!  And as Forrest Gump said, that's all I have to say about that.
I decided to remedy this situation by doing a little research.  The great thing about be a Southerner in this great big city is that there are about a kajillion of us running around talking about college football and looking for grits at the grocery store. (Turns out they are in the ethnic/exotic food section, if you were wondering. )  I guess it's true what they say about birds of a feather because I think I know about half of them...even my pilates instructor is Southern.  (Watch out New York: we are taking over.  hehehe )
So since so many of my friends are Southern, I asked them:  Where do they go for a taste of home?

It didn't take much prompting to get most of my friends to share...so after a few chats and a little investigation on my part, I found plenty of places that are bound to satisfy one's craving while waiting to return to the South for the real stuff...

here and there...

Bonjour!  (that's French for, "Hey y'all!")

So this morning some people in New York are heading to Lincoln Center as we speak for the first day of fashion shows. (I am not one of them.)  Some are on their way to work, the gym, the grocery store, their spiritual advisor, their life coach, the airport, their acupuncturist...I could go on, but the bottom line is I am not one of those people either. Why you ask...Where am I?  

Jury duty.  

They finally found me.  Apparently when you have a baby, the local government uses your hospital records to track your jury duty evading bum down.  Well, I made it ten years at least.  It was a good run.

In the meantime, enjoy some pretty things from here and there and everywhere...    

swoon worthy looks from pre-fall...both perfect for a romantic Valentine's date night

{via style.com}

the prettiest escort cards I've ever seen...part of the prettiest wedding I've ever seen

{via snippet & ink}

a cherry jam heart pie pop recipe here

liquid eyeliner, strong brows and bold lips, a great look then and now...

{left: Conde Nast archive, 1959. both images via tumblr}

quirky Alice in Wonderland inspired black and white candles atop a yummy cake here

and sweet heart shaped tea bags for your sweetheart here

a paper heart tree...how sweet is that???

{via oh happy day}

What are you looking at these days?  Anything I should know about???  Send me the link!

xo...

ki

city babies: seeing pink...

I'm in love...

My niece is the most beautiful, perfect little thing I have seen since Monsieur l'Pea stole my heart away 16 months ago.  In spite of making her debut into the world four weeks early, she is healthy and round and perfect.  The Pea and I just returned from a week in South Carolina with the newest member of our family tree, and since the moment I laid eyes on this beautiful little girl, I have only been able to see in shades of pink.  My sister, unlike me, is not the pinkest girl on the block, so I promised her that I would stay clear of anything in the pepto range while on a mission to spoil my niece.  I have now started a collection of pink-but-not-too-pink things for my little protege that I think are perfect for pink and not-so-pink girls alike...

1. Perfect Pick Gift Set in Sparrow by DwellStudio: pink with a little neutral tones it down and the contents look great as decor until Miss Janey is ready to play

2. Barefoot Dreams Jacket and Hat set in pink: the Pea had this in blue, and it is the softest coziest thing I've ever touched...perfect for infant skin

3. Blabla Pink Birds Mobile: just sweet enough that my sis wouldn't mind having this hanging in the nursery.  I love that the entire thing is knitted by hand.  

4. Aden + Anais swaddling blankets: I've mentioned how much I love these before...they are the best swaddling blankets around.

5. Little Giraffe Satin Trim Blanky: Peanut has one of these in blue. We take it everywhere and it is starting fall apart from way too much love! (He loves it so much that somedays I think he is going to take it to college.)  And this is probably more pink that my sister wants in her house, but I don't care!  I love these little silkies--that's what Peanut's is named: Silky.  

6. Take Me Home Gift Set from Serena and Lily: Pea had this too...it's starting to sound like I just picked the pink version of all of his stuff, isn't?  But I really do love this little layette set.  The tassels are a quirky little touch and the entire set is made from the softest cotton jersey.

Top left corner: my inspiration...Miss Janey, taken on her one week old birthday.  

xo...

ki

she's a couture baby...

It has been a very exciting week at chez Pea...after spending the weekend down South with my preggy pants little sister, I returned to the City just in time for Jones (everyone has a nickname in my family) to be admitted to the hospital the very next day and deliver a beautiful baby girl!  I am so excited to announce that I am the very proud aunt to a beautiful, dark haired, chubby cheeked little girl named Jane.  I couldn't be happier and can't wait to meet little Miss Jane--or baby Janey as her little brother has already coined her.  

She is bound to be a fashionable little lady as she was born right on the coattails of the Couture shows in Paris.  It is a sign!  She is going to be my little protege!  

So, Baby Janey, only a day after you were born, here is your first lesson in Couture--your Aunt Ki's favorite! (and I'm sure it will be yours too!)

For Spring, couture was all about embroidery and embellishment and beautiful feminine silhouettes, like above from Chanel and below from Dior.  

Tea length gowns were everywhere, like this one from Christian Dior.

Elie Saab was magical.  Princess worthy.  

I loved the metal touches and accessories at Giambattista Valli.

And these ecru stunners at Valentino were perfect.  

There are still lots of things to talk about like princess gowns, red hot numbers, and plenty of whimsy...but that can wait.  

Today we are celebrating your arrival!!!  Welcome to the world beautiful little girl!!!

lots of love...

and hugs...

and plenty of kisses too...

Can't wait to meet you!

xo...

ki 

new and sparkly...

In case we aren't instagram buddies...
(we really should be by the way)

Here's a look at some recent work.

See anything you like???  Let me know!  Have any ideas???  Let me know!
I always love to hear what you think.

xo...
ki

p.s...follow me on instagram :)

winter greys need wednesday pinks...

It is a dreary rainy day in the Big Apple today...
I have a terrible case of the winter greys.
Yuck.
I need some pink!

Have happy hump day...

*My hubs is taking to the theater tonight for a real grown up date...can you believe it?  I'm not even sure I know how to carry on in a room full of adults anymore.  The last show I saw was a puppet show at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater in Central Park.  Oh...how times have changed!

xo...
ki 

now you see her...now you don't...

Happy New Year!  Happy happy happy happy New Year!!  

Boy oh boy...I don't know about you but 2012 went out with a BANG in Chez Pea!  I mean, BANG BANG BANG all over the place!  And even though it was all or mostly good, I have to admit it was a little overwhelming at times.  But that is life, no?  My grandmother has always said that when it rains it pours, and lately she has been right on the money.  We were so busy in Chez Pea that I had to do my disappearing act for a bit, but I am back once again and ever so happy to be here with you!  Where oh where to start???

Well, here's the short list...

I had an amazing trunk show...I was even on the local news.  (No, you cannot see the clip.  I am a spaz on TV.)

Pea rocked cowboy chic for Halloween.  He is such a trendsetter...

Hurricane Sandy knocked out our power for over a week, and flooded our neighbors.  A total mess!

Pea finally had his first birthday blowout.  It was the party of the year...even if it was a month late.

We moved! Hooray!  Finally! (but not without some serious drama)

Christmas in the South. Two plane tickets, both families, a rental car and a sick baby...need I say more???

As mentioned above, Pea had his first real cold, complete with a very stuffy nose, sore throat and fever.  Not fun...not fun at all.

I flew on New Year's Day with a one year old with a mild ear infection and a fever...even less fun! (He was crying on the outside; I was crying on the inside.)

The new Chez Pea finally celebrated its very own teeny weeny family Christmas...in January, of course. 

And then, of course, there was work... 

I need to lie down just thinking about it...

So over the next few weeks I'll be sharing a little more from the end of the year here and there.  I have lots and lots pictures and there is even more news a-comin'...but that will all have to wait for now.  Today I just wanted to say a very Happy New Year to you! May 2013 bring you all of the wishes, magic and cupcakes your heart can hope for!  

xo...

ki

you're invited!

I haven't had a lot of time to write lately but it's because there are so many exciting things happening at Chez Pea.  One of the most exciting things is happening tomorrow: my first hometown trunk show!  Pea and I made the very long trip home yesterday and we couldn't be more thrilled to be here.  We have lots of baubles and bling to show off, so if you live in the Albany area please stop by and say hello!  I'd love to see you!!!

xo...
ki