KikiLu

Driving Miss Kiki

Out here in sunny LA with Javie. No, we didn’t make it to the Emmy’s nor did we go to Dancing with the Stars. So far, it’s worked out well that I have Javie driving me around anywhere and everywhere I need to go. We arrived yesterday and I think we have visited roughly five different Rite Aids. Today, in fact, the paparazzi were staked outside one in Beverly Hills waiting for Tori Spelling to come out of her dentists’ office. Kinda funny that the homeless person also perched outside told us, “it’s the 90210 girl they are waitin’ for”!
 
Last night we went to dinner at a longstanding Italian spot whose chef owns several restaurants in town. We chose to go to the more local and less touristy “scene” for a quiet evening. Fantastic fresh pasta and very cozy. After my first meeting we headed to Beverly Hills (first stop Rite Aid) to get my energy out. As soon as my feet hit the ground I decided this jaunt required flats. Making matters worse, Javie needed a bathroom. We didn’t even make it around the block and worse yet, we were in Beverly Hills - this was going to be a costly potty break. I needed to be practical. Chanel, NO. Louis Vuitton, NO. Valentino, NO. Miu Miu...maybe. Impulse shopping seems less painful to me. It’s the whole band aid theory, get it over with and you just don’t feel it. So, while I started my schmoozing with the sassy salesman, Javie headed to the bathroom. I decided ballet slippers couldn’t be that bad and I always need them. I tried on five pairs while my driver was in the washroom...geez how long does it take when I am waiting for a back up approval on ballet flats? Finally out, she gave me a look and “I couldn’t figure out the bathroom” response. Really, I didn't care because we needed to decide which black flats looked fabulous on me because my heels were definitely not going back on my feet. After we agreed on a pair I, too decided to use the Miu Miu ladies room. OMG, think Donald Trump designs a bathroom. Ya know that saying about smoke and mirrors? The whole freakin’ bathroom was smokey mirrors. Who needs to see that much of themselves while peeing? I then went to the sink and I pray that it is illegal to have cameras in the facilities otherwise, someone was sitting in security laughing their ass off at me. Pounding on the soap that never actually came out. Waving my hands in front of several mirrors around what looked like a sink basin. I waved them in front of the sink, inside the sink, above the sink...nothing, NO water. And honestly, I didn’t see any signs of water in or around the so called sink. So, I gave up and figured I could go back to the Rite Aid and get sanitizer. Now, I had to go out and admit I couldn’t figure out the bathroom either. This whole ordeal cost a pretty penny.
 
I then persuaded Javie to go to a new restaurant* recently opened by a former contestant from Top Chef season five. I can’t honestly tell you I knew him from the show but I figured it had to be decent. We drive out and the place is empty, uncomfortably empty. But I came to taste the tater tots and we were staying. The tater tots were tasty but the rest of the meal was downhill. Our waiter hadn’t tasted much on the menu and was of no help whatsoever. Average food, average space but hey, the bathrooms had running water!
  

While the Kids are away, Mom will play

I am sure I am not alone when I say that I cannot contain my excitement that my kids are back in school. I know I shouldn't celebrate but deep down I feel like I should be making special plans. And let’s be clear, it’s not that I don’t love and adore my children but two and a half months of 24/7 is enough to make me rethink being medicated...24/7. As I get older, I crave structure which I hate to admit and would deny to Prince Charming. But having the kids all home staying up late with several friends over, sleeping in and eating six times a day, there hasn't been much sanity in my world. 

It has been a summer of learning curves. A teenager that started driving and i now understand why the state requires 80 hours of driving to get a license- she NEEDS at least 80 hours for common sense to kick in with the rules of the road. Plus, the high school parties have taken a turn in direction that now requires undercover skills. The kids are quickly learning that even when they think we won’t find out...WE FIND OUT. Then I think back to my good old days and remember ninety percent of what i got away with and that is when I realize I don’t even know half of what they are really doing.  Why did The Almighty not equip teens with a better tool kit for life because I will be the first to admit I was dumb as a bag of bricks in high school...and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in our house. I can’t even write about it because my kids will have something on me. Besides the oldest getting behind the wheel, my little man is turning into a real man. He’s hairy, mouthy, demanding and well, bodily functions aren’t as cute as they were when he was four. He is not the snugly little guy with his scuzzy purple blankie and I have to admit I get choked up just thinking about it. Then, like a slap in the face reality hits when they both start mouthing off and I threaten to run away...they think I am kidding but I have the Four Seasons on speed dial. 

But I still have my two little monkeys carrying blankies and insisting on snuggle time . I am lucky that I have “two sets” of babies as everyone reminds me. I definitely take the time to appreciate these younger years with my little ones and try to enjoy the moment with the big ones as I know they will soon be out of the house. So, on our big day back to school we covered the kitchen in flour making gnocchi. I am ready to get back on schedule. 

So, what is my plan for this year? I have already set up “Fat Friday’s” with Javie...I signed up for a pottery class...I am planning to attend some lectures at the Art Institute...fabulous food and parties in the city and...WORK. From all of that I should be able to supply a few tales. 

Every party has a pooper…

I promise that I don’t make this stuff up for your entertainment. I’ll admit, I lied my way through high school but I pinky swear this all happens. It’s like an aura of crazy around me.

 

Just last night I attended a charity benefitting Bear Necessities, a pediatric cancer foundation, at a private home in the Northwest suburbs. As a veteran designer, this is one of the most elegant homes I have ever been in not to mention the closet…heaven! Kudos to the princess of the palace as well as the hired help who furnished this stunning home. A Bucktown boutique, Hunny/SheShe, set up shop in her home and a portion of the proceeds went to the charity. It’s a brilliant concept for housewives to get together and gab, shop + drink of which I partook in all three. But it only takes one crasher to get the hostess hot in her heels.

 

There we were, a small group of five eating sushi in this gorgeous living room when a woman came and sat down across from us. “Susan” introduced herself and quietly listened to us jabber on a few minutes when she finally poked into the conversation. “Anyone interested in finance or investments? How do you feel about what’s going on with our economy?”. Now anyone who knows me knows full well that the only investments I make are on my feet or in my closet. I leave the sound advice to the big boys in our family thus why I am able to “invest”. I decided that the best defense for awkward was to shove another piece of sushi in my mouth with and give her the “oops-sorry, my mouth is full” face. She pushed a little more to the other ladies who, I love, but who all looked stunned and oddly silent. How did we get from first grade gym class conversation to Suddenly Susan quizzing us about finance and our investments?

 

I popped up and off to the kitchen leaving the other ladies to fend for themselves. And just as karma would kick me in the tush, I knocked over an entire handbag display and an orchid spilling on the expensive carpet. Nothing like a room full of lovelies looking at ya with soiled carpet beneath you.

 

After working the room and catching up with the Northwest Lovelies, I see a ring of whispering women in the dining room. How exciting right? Realizing my sister in law is right in there I feel that automatically gives me priority to the hush hush going on and I walk over. Sure enough our awkward Suddenly Susan was a crasher. Somehow she got a hold of an invite and decided it might be a good place to try and hit up the crowd for some cash flow. Now that is some big baubles. She was found out after several vodka cocktails, a few plates of food and claiming to have known the hostess for almost fifteen years!  When the princess of the palace got wind she approached her and had her escorted out. There was even a bag check to make sure she was clean before getting kicked out. OMG, so much worse than me knocking over the plant. I did feel horrible for the hostess as she was understandably unnerved with a nut job in her house. But how can you not think of what baubles this woman had to go into an upscale small party in someone’s home not knowing a single sole and living it up? I think she was trying to go on the six degrees of separation theory but got booted out anyway.

 

In any event, the party was a success and seriously, I went home dreaming about her closet. If the pope were a woman, I purchased the ring she would wear! An old saints charm made into a studded ring that takes up my whole finger. I told Prince Charming that I did it for the kiddies. 

Just another hump day...

Be jealous, very, very jealous. I picked up my limited edition Jimmy Choo – Hunter wellies yesterday. I had the presence of mind to call months ago and put my name on “the list”. I had seen the write up in a magazine and had that fashionista feeling this was going to be a sell out item. The Choo-Who’s congratulated me for thinking fast and phoning ahead. I must say, I considered sleeping in them as I always do with a new pair of shoes. I had Prince Charming very close to believing that these qualify as “work boots” for all those messy, muddy job sites I visit but in the end I packed them away in the closet for a rainy day. They are outstanding looking wellies as far as wellies go. And for those of you who didn’t jump on the Choo wagon, wait a few months and I am sure Target will have a fab knock off for a fraction of the cost!

 

Then, off to work until the 5 o’clock “get your ass out of our showroom” chime. When it is quitting time at the merchandise mart, these people represent the true meaning of nine to fivers. I headed over to Sunda to meet Prince Charming for dinner. Yes, I am very well aware it is old news but for the record this was my second time. Prince Charming hadn’t been and with 95 items on the menu it was safe to say I could find something new.

 

So, for my second roll in the hay with Sunda we opted to dine heavy on apps. Good decision and the best choice were the NY Strip lollipops. I am guessing chef pounds the hell out of it before wrapping it around lemongrass to resemble a big drumstick. I may have to bring the kiddies back for this treat if Billy Boy allows little ones in the swanky place. Also noteworthy were the special rolls. The soon to be regular summer roll has two tunas, mango and greens which was a great balance of light flavors. The wait staff on both occasions were well trained on “house specials” and steering you toward specific items. Definitely worth going if you can snag a table. With the hype phase almost over, it is easier to get in especially if you go early.

 

Prince Charming and I raced home to watch

Art Smith

compete on Top Chef Masters on Bravo. Congrats Art for making it to the final round and winning ten thousand dollars for Common Threads! Cook Ass in the finals big guy.

 

KikiLu on WGN tonight @ 9 PM

This past Monday, June 15^th I filmed a TV segment at the Four Seasons for Chef Hickey. I was interviewed on the subject of chef’s foraging their own produce and brining it back to the kitchen to create unique dishes. Chef Hickey invited me to be a guest as well as speak as his unofficial “food groupie”. A few weeks ago, he went to

Michigan

to search for wild ramps with a local farmer and friend Sarah. Ramps are in the leek family and only in season for roughly two months. The piece took several weeks to put together and our filming was the final installment. FYI: my fabulous shoes were hiding under the table and both Chef and I desperately needed to use the restroom…the things you do for television.

The segment can be seen tonight on WGN at 9 pm.

Back on the Blog Wagon

Brand New Blog…the old one had to grow up even though it took me awhile. Thanks for all the support and emails asking when I would be back. Finally, I have arrived. I decided to take some time and carve out a niche for my new blog. I want to stay focused on what I know best. Last year, I had several thousand readers and I intend to continue my whimsical perspective on the Chicago social scene while making sure the blog has a distinct direction. Thus, KikiLu will be the ultimate “LIFESTYLE” guide. Dining to Design, KikiLu is on it. And YES, I will have pictures. So, sit back and enjoy the read as some of you have done for the last several years…