scenes from the south...

I hope everyone had a very very merry!

After three action packed days of food and family in South GA (preceded by a travel day that will surely go down in the books...bloody fingers, lost luggage and all...) life is finally returning to a normal level of chaos. Well, until I have to board a plane again...

But while I am still basking in a post holiday food coma, here is a favorite shot from Christmas day.
My Grandma and Grandpa, both in their eighties, still decorate the farm house they have lived in their whole lives (from top to bottom and inside-out).  They use the same garland on the porch, wreaths on the windows and candles on the ledges that they have used since my father was a boy.
And while I am definitely not what one would call a "country girl" these days (I finally exchanged heels for flats and a dress for jeans this Thanksgiving...I only had to turn thirty to figure out that five inchers and farm land do not mix), I am in fact just a big ol' country girl!
After nearly eight years in a very big city, this simple little Christmas scene at the farm has become a welcome reminder that I have come home and back to my roots.

Grandma's and Grandpa's
Christmas 2010
Blufton, GA

Hope this past weekend was spent making memories, laughing, loving, and eating with the ones who matter most.

Happy Monday...

xo...
ki

something to ponder...

Earlier this week I had the honor of attending an event so special, so meaningful that I haven't stopped talking about it since.

Uh Oh...here goes talky talky...

Yep.  Here's a picture of my work table (aka the dining table) for those of you who don't like to read my ramblings...

I suggest stopping at the picture if you're not in the mood to read.

Anyways, I will only spend a moment giving you the back story and then to the point:

I was at the United Nations on Monday night for something called the International Quality of Life Awards.  I have had the honor and privilege of attending this event almost every year for the past eight years, and it truly is the highlight of my year.  It is a rare occasion that we--the citizens of this very big world--have an opportunity to celebrate and honor those who have somehow impacted the lives of others through their hard work and unique vision.  Can you imagine a better way to spend a Monday night?

What's even more impressive is that this event is hosted by the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, the college from which I graduated.  The very women and men who taught my classes, advised me, organized my curriculum, and have supported me as a young professional, are the very men and women who founded this event in 1994.  This little event (it's not so little anymore) has grown and grown over the past decade and a half, now drawing a very impressive international crowd.  I am practically glowing as I  type this...

On top of having the yearly opportunity to reunite with the people who I truly believe gave me wings to fly in this big city, I always make the most amazing new friends.  I've met journalists, CEOs, governors, musicians, artists...really amazing and inspiring people.  This year one of my new friends said something that really stuck with me long after the awards were over:

He said to me, "If we don't support young talent we give up our right to complain about mediocrity..."

I have thought about this all week and I started wondering what would happen if we all paid life forward by supporting someone and encouraging that person to reach his or her goals?  What would happen if every time someone did something nice for us, we did something nice for someone else?  What if rivalry or jealousy did not exist and we only wanted to support and cultivate new talent?   Maybe that word "mediocrity" wouldn't exist...

You never know...

I just wanted to take this opportunity to extend a very big thank you to all of the people in my life who have encouraged me, cheered for me, educated me and raised me (Mom and Dad...you deserve the biggest thank you).  I only hope that I can pay forward all of the advice, love, and support I have been fortunate enough to receive in my lifetime.

Happy Friday

xo...
ki

a quick shout out...

and a very big thank you to my hometown mag, Southwest Georgia Living, for including me in their winter/holiday fashion spread!



(that's Albany GA for all of the New Yorkers out there!)



If you haven't already, pick up the Nov/Dec issue for a complete rundown of winter's trends and where to buy them...

Another shout out and thanks to my dear friend Arre Fuller for writing the fantastic article...hopefully we can do it again soon!

visit Southwest Georgia Living online and on Facebook...

xo...

ki

princess for a day...

I am sad to say that somehow in the midst of all the holiday madness, I completely forgot to take pictures of Thanksgiving...

not even one.  

D and I were on the go from the moment he arrived in my hometown Wednesday night until we left for Atlanta to see his family on Saturday morning.  And after a quick stay over night in Buckhead (which was amazing by the way, but a story for another day), we were on our way back to New York...

Our heads were positively spinning by the time we got home last night.

I had really hoped to snap a few frames of my city boy D at my dad's cabin in the woods or my  little brother  running around at my grandparent's farm, but there never seemed to be time...

I didn't even realize that my camera had been so neglected until ten minutes before D and I left my mom's house...

I heard a little voice coming from upstairs.  "Ooooooh Kiiiiiii!  Come here for a second..."

It was Miss B and she was dressed from head to toe as a princess...sort of a Rapunzel meets Marie Antoinette look.  

Inspired by the movie, Tangled, which she had just seen the day before, she had transformed herself in honor of our departure.  

She was so funny in her fluffy little get up, bouncing around and swinging her long synthetic hair like a it was a lasso.  Every time I look at this picture I smile....Oh to be a princess for the day!    

May your day filled with just the tiniest bit of whimsy and imagination...

May you find something that makes you smile...

And may we all find the time--even if it's only for a moment--to feel like a princess today and everyday!

Happy Monday!

xo...

ki

stars are boring...

My mother recently bought this charming little book, below, for Miss B.  She thought it might serve as a source of rainy day inspiration for the tireless little artist...

I promised Miss B that sometime during her Thanksgiving break we would make the cute little felt ornaments on the cover.  They looked simple enough, and she could use them on her little Christmas tree later...

Let's just say things didn't go as planned.

Or as I planned, anyway.  

She was thrilled.

First, I didn't have any stuffing for the little ornaments, but B was happy about this and said she would rather make them flat.  Oh, and she didn't want to make them into ornaments...

oookaaay...whatever.

So I set her up to cut out the shapes in felt, and I would stitch them for her later...

I walked back a second later.  Shocked to not be looking at red and green stars, I said, "B! Where are the stars?  What about hearts, like we talked about?"

She had drawn and cut out a chameleon.

A chameleon!      

Completely unfazed (and a little annoyed) by my confusion,"Stars are boring...a chameleon is more interesting.  Be sure to stitch its fin and give him eyes on both sides made from buttons.  And don't use glue!  Thread is better."

Alrighty then, boss...

She is so proud of her finished chameleon that she now wants to start a company called the "Flat Toy Collection," which she is convinced every child in the world will want to buy, thus making her millions before the age of ten.  

That's my B...marching to her own beat and dreaming big!

(And that is why she's my role model.)

xo...

ki

    

I just had to...

to tell you one more time how beautiful, sweet, precious and perfect my little nephew is before I get back  to normal life...

Well, until I see him again, that is.  

(I'm sure you have learned by now that this is not the blog for people who prefer serious conversation, have never felt the urge to scream and jump around at the mere sight of cute animals, and are completely annoyed by people who talk incessantly about babies and children.  Short of me getting a lobotomy, I highly doubt that will ever change.  There.  Consider yourself warned. )

He is the most pleasant newborn I've ever met, grinning and cooing in his sleep at less than a week old.

Before I said goodbye yesterday and headed back to Georgia, I made him a little sign for the front door...
Hopefully no one will be bold enough to ring the doorbell and disturb the little boy's peaceful slumbers.

It's shiny because I laminated it :)

This past week was one of the most magical weeks I have been a part of in a long time.
I told my brother-in-law the story of when my sister (I call her Jones) was born while I sat on the hospital bed with her, just moments after my little nephew was born...I was not quite three when Jones was born, but it is strange how I have never forgotten the night my grandmother took me to the hospital, and how we skated across the icy hospital parking lot in January.  How Nanny slipped and smashed her finger in the car door while helping me out of the car.
I crawled up on the bed with my mom to get a better look at my little sis, who would later refer to me as 'duh-duh', instead of sister.  She was so tiny.  What felt like a minute later, the nurse came in to take her back to the nursery.  I panicked and started crying and screaming, "don't take my sister away from me!  Don't take her away!!!"  I had only known her for a second, but I knew that I never wanted to be without her.
I couldn't help but think about that night while I sat and watched her hold her own little baby.  How grateful I am to have my whole family.  And how all of those feelings of love, pride and gratitude that started the night she was born have only grown.

I am so proud of you baby sister!  You continue to blow me away.  You are going to be a great mom!

xo...

ki

sleepy boy...

More pictures from little Michael's first day...

He was a very sleepy boy.

But we passed him from arm to arm anyway...
All he really wanted to do was cuddle his mommy and daddy.

Sweet dreams, little one.

xo...
ki

welcome to the world...

My precious little nephew was born Tuesday, November 9th at 1:40pm.  7lbs 7oz, 21 inches long with blond hair and blue eyes, he is perfect and without a doubt the apple of his enormous family's eye!  After only a little more than 24 hours, it is already hard to remember what life was like before he was born.  Congratulations to his beautiful parents...we are so proud of you!

We are busy preparing for his homecoming and exhausted from the emotional past two days, but as soon as the dust settles, I will be bombarding the world with pictures!
For now, here is a picture of the happy family just before we left the hospital tonight.

xo...
ki

loft lust...

In love with these shots of Thea Beasley's loft in Marietta GA's historic downtown square.

The eclectic, international feeling is anything but Old South, and it is absolutely perfect for her extra large loft space.  I love the warm, muted palette and exotic details...

Just perfect and so inspiring...

  

Read more about Thea and her loft in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. (She's the cover girl this month!)

xo...

ki

back in wonderland...

Yesterday, I had the priviledge of joining my two very gorgeous siblings at Alice and Jay's holiday open house in Sasser, Ga...

 

While the parents shopped, the three of us played...

Alice and Jay's garden is the perfect place for a spirited game of hide 'n' seek.

With so many treasures to discover and places to hide, these two never ran out of ideas...

(or energy)

There was lots of plotting and planning,
and Cheshire Cat grins galore...

They were definitely up to something.

When I asked, the co-conspirators simply sang in unison, "Nothing..."

The dainty little Miss B finally had to take a break and repair her reindeer, a special guest she brought in honor of the open house...

But not Jon...

"Breaks are for girls!" he exclaimed and he was off again!

A very special thanks to my incredibly inspiring aunt and her beautiful store for hosting a wonderfully whimsical day full of treats, surprises and, most of all, imagination...

xo...

ki

www.aliceandjay.com

scenes from the south...

Greetings from Georgia!

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

Flint River
Albany GA

xo...
ki

scenes from the south...

Football season is certainly heating up in the SEC...
Before NCAA football was even off and running, my little brother was already half way through his little league football season.  I had the honor of attending a few of his games while I was home in August...

He told me really wants to play tackle football, but he has to wait until third grade...

He kept his eye on the ball and his opponent like a seasoned player... 

The competition was fierce and the huddles were intense...

He never lost focus in spite of the balmy South Georgia heat...

and even scored a touchdown!

Look at those eyes...

Gorgeous and athletic.  Ladies, look out...

xo...

ki

go Jon go!!!

scenes from the south...

Here are a few shots from September in Georgia...

I like to call them:

Miss B's Backyard Adventure

She said she wanted to take me on a journey through the "seven seas"...

She found beautiful things to share...

a few very curious things too...

She told me that she had discovered a magical new world...

She never left the backyard.

  

A little reminder to celebrate the power of imagination, to stop and feel the grass under your feet and to find beauty in everything everywhere....

(Thanks Miss B!)

xo...

ki

am inspiration: game day notes...

A good southern girl loves to dress up for special occasions...

Fortunately, every Saturday in the fall is a special occasion.  

A day full of tailgating and cheering for the home team is best done in style (keep it neutral if you're not a fan of wearing school colors...nobody likes a trouble maker).  

A comfortable dress, ballet flats and a big bag to carry all of your supplies will take you from morning bloody marys all the way to the after game festivities.  Throw in a light weight cover up to protect you from the breeze while celebrating post game.  

Don't forget sunscreen...it's a long day outside! 

Beyond vintage dresses GREY, 225 GBP
Yossi Cardigan, $410
Miu Miu Bow-embellished patent-leather flats, $495
ALEXANDER WANG - TEXTURED LAMB DARCY SLOUCHY HOBO, 878 EUR
Alexander Wang Sonnenbrille Zipper Brass suglasses, 259 EUR
Lancaster - Sun Age Control Anti-Wrinkle Radiant Tan Optimal Hydration..., $52
southern child in the city...: grace bracelet


And please! No flip-flops, cut offs, tacky tees or weird hats...


Happy Footballing!


xo...
Ki

sweet bunny sunday

So like a good southern child I spent all day Saturday with my fellow southern children footballing....it's the only appropriate way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the fall.  We may live in the City but our weekends are still dedicated to SEC game days, rivalries and in the words of my ever so slightly over-served friend, "vourbon." (as in 'vourbon and coke'...) 

Anyways...

(at this point the story kind of veers from football and on to something far less interesting.  Shocking.  I know) 

While watching the game with my girl friends, a commercial full of bunnies came on and it made us squeal like elementary school girls.  We have a tendency to do that when we are all together... 

(Cue: D rolling his eyes with excessive gusto.  I swear they are going to get stuck one day...)

One of my fellow southern girls in the city actually has a pet bunny, so I found the bunny commercial as a special salute to Snowball, aka: Snowbizzle, The Biz...and his adorable mommy!

So cute! I watched it twice before I realized it was for the lottery.

xo...

ki

alice in wonderland...

A couple of weeks ago when I was heading to Auburn, I stopped by my Aunt Alice's whimsical and wonderful store, Alice and Jay, to play for a little bit.  A playhouse full of special treasures, Alice and Jay is packed full of brilliant odds and ends that my aunt finds all over the country and unique pieces that she makes in her studio at the store (including a lounger made from a claw footed tub, lamps from old hardware, and garden decor out of salvaged metal pieces).  

Aunt Alice has always had the special ability to locate and draw out the beauty in just about anything.  Many people say that one man's junk is another's treasure, but at Alice and Jay it is all treasure.  Equal parts humor, romance and imagination, every corner is over flowing with all sorts of fun and pretty things. 

  

  

Pink flamingos have been her signature for as long as I can remember--they were on her Christmas trees, in the back yard, and on packages when we were growing up--and you will find quite a few hanging around her candy colored building.  You will also find them in one of my favorite spots, the garden, where it looks as if Alice and the Mad Hatter just finished their tea...

the perfect spot for my next pink lemonade party...maybe even a photo shoot one of these days... 

And there is always something new to see.  I can't wait to see the patio she is building off the side of the garden, complete mattress spring trellises, collaged cement walls, and a refurbished deck.  

Visit my amazing aunt at her store and stop by her blog and say hello! 

xo...

ki

end of the season...

Just as I was thinking of changing my name to southern child never in the city...., we received some good news:  Big Dad has been released from the hospital and is moving to rehab.  And while he is probably not thrilled with the news (he'd rather be at home watching The Kardashians...seriously.  He loves them), we are so happy that he is at least on the way to recovery.
That also meant that Mrs. B was coming home!  Lil' Miss B could hardly contain her excitement.  First thing Saturday morning we went to work rolling out the welcome mat...

While we waited for her arrival, Miss B helped me wash my dad's car that he so very selflessly loaned to me for my entire trip....Thanks Papa!   

A delicate flower Miss B is not!  We definitely had our work cut out for us after weeks of carpooling and errand running in Dad's little (and impeccably clean) car...

All it took was a little elbow grease...

and in the words of lil' B...

"Pa-Zham!  We have a clean car!"

what a babe!

However, my journeys home always have a bittersweet ending...
I'm heading back to the city this week.  Even though I am so homesick for my home and life in the city, I will miss my family and my first home in the South when I go...I always do.
Sometimes it's hard to live so far away.  You don't realize what a gift you have in your family until you cannot see them everyday. And even though I learned this lesson eight years ago, I still cry almost every time I leave...back in the early days I would become so irritated with myself for being a baby, but now I think of it as a gift to love my family that much and to know that they love me too.  They are happy tears that I am sure I will be crying for the one millionth time in a matter of days.
The tears only last for a minute, though, and then I'm always excited to get home and back to life with D.  It is where I belong...for now anyway.
Fall is my most favorite of the New York seasons, and by the time I land in La Guardia, fall will have officially begun, and I will have all of my amazing summer gypsy memories to keep with me, and a whole fall of new memories to look forward to.
A great end to a very busy summer season.

xo...
ki