Blonder Ambitions

Author: Kiki E.

  • Room Lust – Living Room

    I love my current living situation… Huge sofa (however, it is a hideous color and needs a slipcover), a 52″ television, and a ton of space.  I also have an abundance of leopard print vintage pillows that were custom made… Killer statement pieces.  Now I just need to finish it up… and I think I have found the purrrrfect things.

    1. Midnight Courtyard Curtain $108
    This will look gorgeous around my huge picture window.
    2. Simply Shaby Chic Cotton Duck Sofa Slipcover $99.99
    The solution to make my sofa look up to date and to really show off those vintage leopard throw pillows.
    3. Mohawk Home Tufted Starch Shag Rug $59.99
    I am a gigantic fan of the shag rug. The bigger, the better.
    4. One-Lump-Or-Two Lamp $198
    Too cute. Such a statement piece with so much personality.
    5. Dancing Pleat Shade $128
    Perfect to top off the lamp. The square shade is so unexpected.
    6. Fluffed & Flaunting Pillow $98
    Cozy and glamourous.  Throw this on the couch.
    7. Glass Accent Table $89.99
    Mirrored this, mirrored that… I can’t get enough.  I’d put one of these on either side of the couch… But each would have a different lamp.  We don’t want things too matchy matchy or your guests will feel like they’re in a catalogue and not your living room.
    8. Mirrored Coffee Table $149.99
    Drool. Put a statement vase and bright flowers (i love pink roses) on this.
    9. Bibliotek Vase $59.99
    Could this be any cuter? I’m a bookworm, so this is perfect for my place.

  • Lust List – November

    1.  Tea Time Chandelier $1,800
    Personality, style, and function in one piece. Sigh.
    2. Drapey Sequin Tank $69.50
    Easy to dress up and dress down. There is no wrong time for holiday sparkle.
    3. Snakeskin Passport Cover $39.50
    Travel in style.
    4. Joan & David “Flipp” Pump $220
    You can wear these to work. Your co-workers will appreciate something a little festive brightening their place of employ.
    5. Steve Madden “Minnii” Pump $129.95
    The bow, the light pink, the stiletto heel… These may be one of my Christmas gifts to myself.
    6. GHD Dazzle Gift Set $240
    Every girl needs a blowdryer and a hair straightener.  Why not keep them in an ultra femme tote?
    7. Buxom City Slickers $39
    Red, plum, nude, and pink.  The only colors a girl needs in her lipstick arsenal.
    8. Kissable Vanilla Craving Massage Oil $15
    What better time to relax and taste something scrumptious than during the holidays?
    9. Very Sexy Tap Short $24
    Replace your sleep shorts with something feminine, silky, and sparkly.
    10. Lucian Chair $1199
    Furniture doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

  • Halloween… Time for Cinderella to Go to the Ball… And Get a Bit Angelic

    Halloween fell on a weekend. That meant two nights of parties.  In Santa Barbara, two nights of parties means two nights of running into the same people.  Therefore, having two costumes was a must.

    I thought Halloween was the perfect excuse to be the perfect little angel… The last minute costume find was a steal. But the wings only stayed on for about 3 minutes.  Just enough time to work my way through the crowded room and poke everyone’s eye out with my feathery weapons. Oops. At least I got to keep on the fuzzy halo.

    The second costume allowed me to indulge my childhood dream of being a Disney princess.  Mission accomplished.  Though, when the cartoonists sketched the delicate Cinderella, I hardly imagine that they had the idea of a 6’2″ California girl in mind. Not like it mattered… my Prince Charming surprised me by showing up at  the party I was attending.  Guess those (size 10) glass slippers did have a little magic in them.

  • How To: Make a Candy Station

    ♥ Every good party has party favors.  Why not let guest make their own sweet creation?  Decorate a table with different sized bowls and jars and stack them at different heights for visual interest.  Provide the guests with clear plastic bags and twist ties.  Let the festivities… and sugar shock… commence ♥

    ♥ Use whatever glassware you already have.  Different sizes and textures add to the charm ♥

    ♥ Make customized labels to make the table more fun and to let guests know where to find their favorite candy ♥

    ♥ You can stick with only one or two colors of candy or mix it up.  It’s up to you ♥

    ♥ Wicker baskets and apothecary jars are inexpensive but pack a lot of visual punch ♥

    ♥ hand-made details add extra charm ♥

  • Advice From My Dad… “YOU’RE WORTH IT”

    Advice From My Dad… “YOU’RE WORTH IT”


    It was a Sunday. I was visiting with my dad.  He was sitting in “his” chair and watching the game.  As I rose off the sofa to get a cup of coffee, he asked me to stop for a second.  This was unusual for two reasons:

    1. He talked to me right in the middle of a football play (never happens) and

    2. He said it softly with no demand in his voice, which was a bit unsettling.  He had something to tell me.

    He began, “I don’t want to interfere in your life and I feel happy that I am able to observe as much of it as you currently allow me.  I feel that you know a lot about who you are and that you have a pretty good grasp on things.  [Yes, he truly does speak like this.]  However, I want to make sure you’re on track with… dealing with men.” [This is where I held my breath… A thousand things raced through my mind… I prayed that my dad was NOT going to talk to me about sex… I paused and looked up at him.]

    He continued, “Remember what you are worth.”

    (more…)

  • My Alphabet… Letters to Live By


    Attitude    : the most important element of an individual; one’s greatest accessory.  Your attitude defines you.  I try to keep mine positive, creative, open, and motivated.  I attempt to rid my life of those with a constantly poor attitude. One should always attempt to be their best self… and a great attitude is the first step to do this.

    Bikini: an invaluable invention combining scraps of fabric and strategic placement to achieve a sexy summer (or, for those of us who throw fashion rules and weather to the wind {or live in California}, year-round) look. I gravitate toward animal prints, metallics, and things that are crocheted or sequined. Embellishments are always encouraged. With so little fabric to work with, you can’t afford to be subtle. Large sunglasses enhance the effect.

    Cocktail: a delightful concoction consisting of alcohol and mixers. I try not to favor one cocktail too heavily. However, I feel you can never go wrong with something pink. Remember, a cocktail is more than a libation, it’s an accessory.

    (more…)