Round 2

I made it!!

Despite my best efforts...

I missed my flight

Shopping and Chaos

I'm heading back to SF today. The time is never enough when I'm in NY - cabbing back from Soho yesterday weighed down by my last shopping extravaganza (gucci, marc jacobs, hermes, dior) - i was a bit wistful. Leaving is never easy. Leaving Rich is anything but.

He's a bit sick right now - but happily and sniffily went to dinner last night with our dear friends Matt and Jeremy. Balthazar delivered as usual - amazing french onion soup - escargot - grilled Skate - Steak au poivre - and a delicious bottle of Beaune. A nice delicate pinot noir-like French red that became more complex as it opened up. Mmmmm. Dinner was fantastic. A perfect ending to a near perfect trip.

There was one 'minor' snag during my trip. The hard drive on my laptop had a catastrophic failure and everything on my computer was lost. Every deal i've worked on in the last 2.5 years. Every. Deal. The IT department at my office is trying one last ditch effort for recovery - it's being sent to some place in Europe to open it up and see if it's salvagable. Please cross your fingers for me. I've begun trying to recreate some of the content - but it's nowhere near - nowhere - what it needs to be.

I need to start packing, take something purchased back for an exchange, and then i'm off. I'll detail the trip a bit more once i'm back in SF. I'd say 'home', but i'm not sure where that is anymore.

Meow - K

Kitten in the Big City

That's right bitches - i'm in NY - so watch out. Heading out to Bergdorf Goodman's to kill it for a few hours and then it's out to dinner.

More later - Meow - K

Hollow

I received some devastating news yesterday. News i thought would be the complete opposite of what it was. I'm stunned speechless. Empty. I can't even put my mind around what to say - how to describe what i'm feeling.

I have no words.

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving to all. May you enjoy this time with family and friends and take a few moments to reflect on all the good things in your life. I know i will.

xx - K

Open your arms

I absolutely love this!

Enjoy (with sound) - K

I need a little mood music and an intergalactic bear skin rug

Just like two consenting adults - what you're seeing is the result of 2 galaxies getting it on - and literally billions of stars being born.

Cue the best of Barry White and break out the pinot grigio...

Happy Birthday

My sister turns 40 tomorrow - FORTY! How is that possible?? I can't fathom it. I still think of us as little - playing in hawaii on the beach. Having dinner on the lanai in bamboo chairs and listening to the gecko's chirp. We would take one last dip in the pool before bedtime - swimming beneath the swaying palms and thousands of stars. In the morning we would wake to fresh papaya - and sit at the counter in our swimsuits - our hair crazy from sleeping with it damp from the late night swim.

My sister taught me how to put on make up, how to walk in high-heels and how to do my hair. She made my bed when i was too little to make the comforter fold down on my own. She introduced me to new music and decorated my first dorm room. She taught me how to drink coffee because it was 'social'. She gave me my first shot of jagermeister and introduced me to the vodka collins which became my drink of choice for many years before i ventured out into the great wide world of cocktails. She taught me to stand up and speak my mind. She was there for me when my heart was broken. She took care of me. She's smart, funny, beautiful and an amazing mom. She's dynamic. She's creative. She's incredible. She's the only sister i have and the only one i would ever want.

Happy birthday my darling H - may you have the best year and many many many more to come. I love you with all my heart and thank you - for everything.

C'est Magnifique!

So I was at the Paris Fashion Shows and picked this little number up...



















Gaultier is a freaking genius.

In remembrance

To those who lost, those who survived and those who will forever live on in our memories.


You will never be forgotten.

Meander

I haven't been writing - there has been too much going on in my real life for me to devote any to this online life of mine. Work has been incredible - both highs and lows - there's a lot i can't even talk about here. I don't want to divulge too much about where i work - or the details of my job. I can talk about deals and international conference calls and making my way toward the promotion to director - but other than that - i'm pretty silent. So, lots of highs and lows. It's been interesting. The insomnia is back - because of all the pressure - but when i can't sleep i call rich and his voice lulls me back to sleep. Slowly. I mean honestly, i can't complain - i'm really lucky. Despite the pressure, i have an amazing job. I have my health, my family is incredible, supportive, close. I have wonderful friends and fulfill my soul with charity and philanthropy. I'm lucky. I don't have a lot to complain about - yet i'm unsettled and restless and wandering and searching. For what i don't know. But i can feel it.

I'm heading to NY tuesday morning to spend some very needed time with rich. 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to just being in his space - to be able to reach out and hold his hand - see his green eyes - run my fingers through the loose curl of his hair. His laugh. I'm looking forward to the every day. I'm looking forward to us.

I'll try to update from NY - i'm sure i'll be able to. Until then, be well and sorry for such an odd, somewhat detached post. I'll make the next one a little lighter...

Meow - K

Fashion Forward

Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Brooch


These insects come in varied patterns and are decorated with the finest Austrian Swarovski crystal. Each roach takes about an hour of painstaking work to achieve his final magical glory. All roaches come complete with a leash set. This consists of a gorgeous pin you attach to your clothing with a chain that clasps to the cockroach's carapace to keep him from running amok. The lifespan of these animals is approximately one year if housed and fed properly. Keep him in a little terrarium in the dark and he will love you and be very responsive to your touch. Um, okay.

I actually saw this 'jewelry' used in a fashion show and it was quite revolting - however, given the 'fashion sense' of numerous designers - it's rather apropos to their collection...

All that for only $80 - hurry while supplies and your gag reflex last.

It's back!!

I've never been so happy to see that white blanket roll in over the golden gate, commencing the back and forth of the foghorns. Finally - a little relief from what has been a torturous few days of record-breaking heat...

Team Kaia

The coffee table/side tables arrived yesterday and they look fantastic. Truly. I am surprised at how big (almost double) the coffee table is from my last. I ended up giving my old tables to the moving guys - what they do with them - i don't care. So in the process of selecting what goes back on the table - what goes away - what is thrown away - etc, i end up doing a massive redo of my apt. Well, at least a massive redo of my living room. Completely reorganized and moved around all the things on my bookshelves, switched out and put away numerous books, pulled out objects i've been hoarding away for this particular moment, de-cluttered, de-junked and streamlined my life. It feels great. And, to be honest, looks fucking fantastic.

I need to have a cocktail party - STAT.

Lots of fabulous changes i haven't mentioned - i was elected PR Chair for the board of directors i sit on for the museums. And, AND...even more fabulously, i'm chairing the gala ball for the fashion and costume exhibit of an AMAZING designer. As soon as i heard we had a fashion exhibit - i was all over that. Me me me!! Yes please. So - i'm going to need a sick dress to wear - and as my mom and i were discussing - seriously fierce hair for the night. We were thinking big - bold - curly - gigantic piled upon hair. I cannot wait!

It's, ahem, my birthday on Sunday. No age divulged so bugger off. Hopefully heading for cocktails this weekend with a few friends for a bit of champagne. The calls are out and it looks like a few of us are meeting up with a few others - so it's going to be a fun group of people - ready to play and party. Most likely, we'll take residence at the Redwood room for a bit and then end the night at Balboa. I'm supposed to be heading to the W tonight for an event, but i'm not in the mood so we're passing - but booked for next Thursday for another event. On a lesser note, i was planning a relaxing day at home tomorrow - finishing up a few deals - and i'm told that i have 'mandatory attendance' to a 'pizza and bowling' party for work - team building. I'm not a huge bowler because the idea of sticking my foot into the footwear of literally hundreds of other wearers - well, frankly, gives me the willies. That and it completely destroys my manicure. But i have to be a team player... so i'll go, and smile, and bowl. Yeah me.

Birthday lunch at Neiman's with a few on Sunday followed by a mini-spree throughout the store. YEAH ME. Go Team Kaia!

Must go - meow - K

Retail Therapy for the Home

I made a few purchases over the weekend - a bit of upgrading for my apartment.

New "Gayle" coffee table and matching nesting tables

I'm leaning toward these lamps - the "Brett" collection - the floor and table lamp. I love the lines in these lamps - they're incredibly graceful and elegant while still modern.

My next purchase after my coffee table/nesting tables arrive on Wednesday is a new couch. I want something modern with clean lines but maintaining a traditional feel. I'm not one for lots of pillows and fuss - but the one i've found - i think is as near to perfection as i'll get.

I'm in love with the Seabury in "Wheat Lavish" velvet. Meow.

While my apartment doesn't necessarily need any upgrades - every now and again it's nice to surround yourself with new things. For me, it's time.

Cheers darling

C and i went to a party for the Symphony on Wednesday night at the new Mercedes dealership in SF. It's so gorgeous - very modern - sleek - 2 stories - with a very soothing bubbling water fall. We arrived, valeted, and checked in. Both C and i used to be extremely social - we were out 4-5 nights a week at different parties and functions. I chaired one of the largest balls in SF - sat on boards, etc. I eventually 'dropped out' because SF is a very small city - and if you make it even that much smaller by primarily going to only the society events - it ends up being even smaller. Everyone knows your business - who you're dating - who you're not - who you want to - etc. I'm working my way back 'in'. But i digress... we arrive and there are a bevy of faces i hadn't seen in ages. We grab cocktails and do a lap. We stop by the beautiful McLaren SLR - amazing gull-winged mercedes. It was the only one roped off in the event - all the other cars were open and people were trying them all on for size.

We sip our cocktails and of course i spy my ex. He was there with one of his best friends David. I gently elbow C - make her aware of his presence and we turn on our heels and disappear into the crowd. When we emerge from the throngs of stiletto clad women we run right into them. Of course. We say hello - he's had a few drinks so he's very 'friendly' - C immediately announces that i just returned from 2 fabulous weeks in NY. MY ex promptly grabs my ring finger to see if i'm engaged. I pull my hand away and shoot him a nasty look. We chat for a little bit - and then say we're going to get cocktails. Ciao! We cruise upstairs - nibble a few hors d'oeurves - and C is ready for another pomegranate martini. We head back downstairs - run into an old friend - mid stairwell - chat and cause a traffic jam for a few minutes - promise to email and do lunch soon and then we're off for that martini. We successfully secure C another martini - i'm drinking sparkling water now - it was dreadfully hot in there. We meet several 'guys' - chat with them for a few - and then decide we've milked this party for all it's worth. We head outside toward the door - grab our goodie bag (filled with a mini croc embossed leather martini shaker' - a mini bottle from the vodka sponsor - and some mercedes swag) - and are stopped by a photographer for a picture - we pose - cheekily with our goodie bags held up - give the photographer our names - and head out to valet. We dump the business cards we collected and head off to dinner.

We head to Balboa for dinner - and run into the mayor. Our very handsome and very single Mayor. C knows him from events and we chat with him for a bit before sitting for dinner. C had the steak and i had the seared tuna. Both were wonderful. We discuss the event for the following evening - a charity auction at a design center and decide to pass - opting instead for an event at the W next thursday. Dinner was great as always - Balboa never fails. We ended up seeing a ton of the people from the symphony event at Balboa by the time we finished dinner. We head out - and i drop her at home.

I ended up working from home yesterday (and today) and it was truly crazy. I ended up finishing 5 deals yesterday - 2 were fire drills. I had one scuffle with a sales exec - and he ended up - literally - groveling for forgiveness by the time i got done with him. So that was fun. Today should be a little less stressful and hopefully i'll have time to get my nails and toes done before dinner tonight. A group of us are going to Jardiniere for dinner. I haven't been there in several years - but it's an amazing restaurant and i'm really looking forward to seeing everyone.

Other than that - i'm buying a coffee table this weekend the Pottery Barn 'Gayle' table. It's really lovely. The new couch is next. I want the Seabury - but am still open to other options. So we'll see. On a side note - NY was amazing - as always - we had the best time. Only down point was that i got the stomach flu and ended up giving it to Rich. I spent the last few days of my trip indoors and not feeling well. Not fun. We did get to dinner the night before i left with Matt and Jeremy at Jane. It was Fantastic. I miss NY. I miss everything about NY.

Meow - K

The bags are packed

Start spreading the news
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And make a brand new start of it
New York, New York
I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York.

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York,

New Yorkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Busy bee

I haven't been writing much lately. I've had too much going on - mainly with work. Some play. May was an incredibly busy month for me - i've never been as busy, workwise, than i had been last month. It was ridiculous. I was averaging about 8 deals a week. I think it's time to hire a mini-me - as my director likes to say. So while i'm doing all of this - the last thing on my mind is contributing another post to my blog. Not that there hasn't been a ton of stuff to write about - the horrific Bush/Gay Marriage rewriting of the constitution debacle - my nephew's graduation from pre-school, my planning of the gala at the museum, a hysterical night at a drag bar, my pending trip to NY and so much else.

I kind of admire the people who can write eloquently on a daily basis. Open up their hearts and their minds and put their thoughts down. I'm sure if i put more effort in, i could. I should. I want to write more - but honestly, i can't stand the people who simply write for the 'hits' on their page - for the comments - for the perceived attention. It's kind of sad really. I only want to write if i have something to say. And honestly, i'm rethinking this post as i'm typing these exact words.

It's completely overcast today - welcome to summer in san francisco. While people in the rest of the country are donning shorts and wispy dresses, flip flops and tank tops - i'm pulling out the cashmere wraps and bundling up to take a walk down chestnut street. It's cold. The one good thing about 'summer' is the amazing farmers market which takes residence across the street from my apartment every saturday (thru october actually). I love being able to wake up - throw on sweats and put my hair up and buy farm fresh fruits and veggies - beautiful flowers and fish caught before dawn. I went this morning - bought fresh strawberries, squash, cherries, salmon, hydrangea, and some french green beans. Dinner should be fabulous tonight :)

I'm signing up for french classes at l'alliance francais with my girl friend C. They start in july. I'm also starting additional classes in august through december. I'm planning on going paris in october and need to brush up on my language skills. I used to be fluent and i've completely lost my grasp of the language. I can still understand and speak french - but to a limited degree - and if i'm in paris i want to feel completely comfortable. So i'm really looking forward to it. I love the language - it's so beautiful and to be fluent again is something i really want. After that, i think i'll take italian.

Other than that - not a whole lot has gone on - or rather - a lot has gone on, but i just don't feel inclined to put it to paper, so to speak. So, rather than fill up this page with a bunch of words, i think i'll end this post and write more when i have something more interesting to say...

Until then - ciao - K

Wheel of Torture

I left the remote across the room - accidently - out of reach as i curled up on the couch and watched Jeopardy. The show ended and it's bastard cousin - Wheel of Fortune - came on. It's something like "College Week" - i think - there were marching bands...

The first puzzle - "Place" - 2 lines 9 letters each.

A girl in uniform with french braids (french braids...??) started solving the puzzle.

Oh - and she yelled out - loudly - all the letters she wanted . Charming.

L!!!

---l-----
------l--

S!!!

---l-s---
------l--

C!!!

--cl-s---
-----cl--

B!!

--cl-s---
-----cl-b

The crowd is totally getting into it - cheering louder with each spin and correct letter.

G!!!!

--cl-s---
--g--cl-b

N!!!

--cl-s---
n-g--cl-b

V!!!!

--cl-s-v-
n-g--cl-b

T!!!!

--cl-s-v-
n-g-tcl-b

H!!!!

--cl-s-v-
n-ghtcl-b

She screaches - I want to buy a VOWELLLLLLL

U!!!!!

--clus-v-
n-ghtclub

I want to buy another VOWELLL!!

I!!!

--clusiv-
nightclub

The crowd is going crazy at this point - she just landed on some special $10,000 dollar section of the wheel.

Another Vowel PAT!!!

E!!!!!!

e-clusive
nightclub

Pat is caught up in the frenzy at this point "You ready to solve the puzzle?"

She responds "No" defiantly - and spins again - barely missing 'Bankrupt"

- the crowd lets out some OHHHHs and she yells out...

K!!!!!!!

e-clusive
nightclub



"College Week" - need i say more...