Best Kitchen Items,dombezalergii:Living With Quality Goods

A Letter From Katie

2022-08-10T00:00:00-05:00

A LETTER FROM KATIE

Welcome to KK Daily. We’ve been working on this for a while now, a place to talk more about our pillars: Live Well. Celebrate More. Travel Often. And I’m so happy to finally share it. Here you’ll find everything from travel guides to deep thoughts on living to creative spotlights of designers we love to one minute reads that hopefully brighten your day.

Each article is accompanied by a hand drawing by a Ukrainian artist and here you’ll also find my own art projects as well as those by artists around the world we’re learning about and loving.

On the wall of our office hangs another motto I love: style and substance are not opposing philosophies. It’s a thread that runs through much of my life, a deep conviction that the sacred and the mundane are more intertwined than we think. As Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.” And I think that applies to everything from how you decorate your home to how a dress makes your feel in the morning to the hand-written note you send a loved one. Maybe they aren’t miracles in and of themselves but the process around all of them – creativity, love, self-expression – certainly are.

So is the case with daily life and this crazy ride we all find ourselves on, this rock that’s hurtling through space. The trick seems to be how we choose to see things. So our hope here at KK Daily is to take the time to see our lives for what they are, explore everything from the pretty to the profound, and find daily meaning even in the mundane.

Thanks for being here.

Katie

Everyone is a Reader

2022-08-07T00:00:00-05:00

EVERYONE IS A READER

I so often hear people say “I wish I was a reader” or “one day I’m going to become a reader.” We all have things like this in our life. I’ve always wished as an adult I was “a runner.” And we do have limits. I’m not here to say we can all be all things. But I’m am pleased to tell you that reading isn’t one of them and that if you are reading these words you are a reader!

I feel fortunate that I’ve loved reading from an early age but I’m a firm believer that just because that may have not been the case for you doesn’t mean anything about your life as a reader now and what it can become.

Research shows that, give or take, how many minutes you read a day equals how many books you’ll read this year. So what if you just shoot for two? Read two minutes a day and you’ll read two books this year you otherwise wouldn’t have. Or maybe you already do that but really want to read more. 60 minutes a day would be roughly 60 books this year. Think about all the things we would know that we don’t know now!

Go for it.

If It Takes Less Than One Minute, Do It Now

2022-08-07T00:00:00-05:00

IF IT TAKES LESS THAN ONE MINUTE, DO IT NOW

I never cease to be amazed at how much small things can hang over my head. It’s astounding really. A note that will take me no time to write, an email that has a quick answer that stays flagged in my inbox. I always make things bigger in my head.

But I did hear something that’s helped me in recent years to diminish some of the delusion and that is that if something takes a minute or less to do, do it right now. Once I started trying it I was amazed at how many things actually take a minute or less. Making the bed, moving dishes from the sink the dishwasher, those emails, folding a few towels.

If you’re like me and you love to make unrealistic lists of all the things you’ll do in a day, add a few that take a minute or less and watch the check-marks flow.

My Summer in The Hamptons

2022-08-04T00:00:00-05:00

MY SUMMER IN THE HAMPTONS

Summer is winding down. Each year at this time we find ourselves gearing up for a new school year, the Q4 madness when you work in retail, and what always feels like a whirlwind last half of the year.

For me this time is also the winding down of a maternity leave and basing most days on the changing needs of a growing infant and a growing business. Adjusting as their demands do. Tonight we'll take one more trip to the farmers market in East Hampton and grill its harvest by the pool. Tomorrow we'll see some our best friends for some rosé and our last summer round of our favorite card game, and soon we'll start packing up.

I’ve released more prints and tears this summer than ever before. On so many different fronts and for varying reasons and in different color-ways and themes and expressions and it’s been one of my most beautiful, challenging, favorite summers ever.

Our company tagline is Live Well. Celebrate More. Travel Often. This summer I feel like I've lived up to that in the simplest yet most significant of ways. It's sad to leave, and yet what we're planning for the rest of the year from a company standpoint has me chomping at the bit to get home and started on it all.

I shope you too have made lasting summer memories and we can't wait to share the rest of the year with you.

American Summer Collection: Behind The Design

2022-08-04T00:00:00-05:00

AMERICAN SUMMER: BEHIND THE DESIGN

In a nod to east coast preppy of summers past, enjoy sailor motifs accented with vintage block prints and tonal geo’s. It’s nostalgia with a modern twist! It is impossible to not garner a huge smile when you see these colors, like fireworks in the clear, summer night sky. From BBQs to pickle ball in the driveway and planned, or maybe even spontaneous, vacations, we look forward to relaxing and having some good ol’ fun in the classic, Americana fashion, with a twist!

AMERICAN DAISY

A summer escape through Daisies, this American Summer print harmonizes joy, simplicity and beauty all in one.

TENNIS RACKETS

Serving up something fresh - our latest American Summer print brings a playful sophistication to the game (no playing required).

LOBSTER BAKE

A reminder of ocean dips and seafood dinners, our Lobster print illustrates that summertime feeling you never want to end.

CAPE COD

Sail away with us this summer to Cape Cod - another print from our American Summer Collection, inviting you to feel the breeze in your hair and the splashing water by your side.

TENNIS COURTS

A classic game in the heat of summer, our Tennis Court print reminds us all to stay young at heart no matter what age you are.

BEACH BUM

Cheeky all around, the Beach Bum print from our American Summer Collection paves the way for that light-hearted poolside conversation we all know, love and can’t get enough.

MARITIME

Sail away with us in our Maritime print - A bold pattern that embodies the spirit of the sea with its nautical flags and playful color palette.

Summer Reading List

2022-08-04T00:00:00-05:00

MY SUMMER READING LIST

HOW EMOTIONS ARE MADE

I GUESS I HAVEN'T LEARNED THAT YET

CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP

Hamptons Toile: Behind The Design

2022-08-03T00:00:00-05:00

HAMPTONS TOILE: BEHIND THE DESIGN

These elements were chosen by Jess and Amy from Social Studies. As modern hosts with a flair for bold style they want to help others gather fabulously, and often.

Feel the breeze, smell the ocean, taste the lobster rolls and more, with our Hamptons Toile. Inspired by the laid back East Coast activities and iconic places that make this destination an amazing summertime retreat.

LUNCH LOBSTER ROLL

A Southampton staple for a quick bite to eat.

MONTAUK POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Constituting history, the lighthouse is located on the easternmost point of Long Island. "The End of the World."

EAST HAMPTON GARDINER MILL

Built in 1804, the Gardiner Mill represents one of the best and oldest examples of American craftsmanship.

THE SURF LODGE

Known for its seafood tower and lobster roll, The Surf Lodge is one of the most exclusive places to see and be seen.

SAG HARBOR CINEMA

With a rich history dating back to the early 1700s, Sag Harbor is the place to "summer" and the cinema is desired spot to catch a flick.

PARRISH ART MUSEUM

Designed by Herzog & de Meuron Architects, this museum focuses extensively on work by artists from the artist colony of the South Shore and North Shore.

MAIDSTONE CLUB

Founded in 1894, the Club is a summer retreat for some of New York City's most socially connected and wealthy families.

Creative Spotlight: Fort Design Studio

2022-08-03T00:00:00-05:00

CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: FORT DESIGN STUDIO

Photo by: Regan Elizabeth Photography

Fort Design Studio is a full service design firm in Fort Worth, Texas founded by Hilary Colia & Jennifer Kostohryz bringing over 20 years of experience to their interior design clients.

Q + A

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN A DESIGNER?

We've been together for six years. We were both solo before that, but six years ago is where the magic really happened!

TELL US ABOUT YOU - WHAT DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW?

We specialize in residential interiors with a strong focus on new construction. We love nothing more than working with a client from architecture to art installation. We want to showcase who a client is and how they live through our design!

FAVORITE WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIG MILESTONE?

Take a trip!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?

Is multi an option? We are probably best known for our use of color. We are not afraid to infuse it into any design.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KATIE KIME PRINT?

Marfa Toile, an oldie but a goodie!

QUESO OR GUAC?

Come to Fort Worth and experience The Original's 'Anna's Deluxe Dip.' It's both!

Photos by: Regan Elizabeth Photography

Best Kitchen Items,dombezalergii:Living With Quality Goods

2022-08-03T00:00:00-05:00

ANNIVERSARY CAKES WITH KATIE

Every year for our anniversary I make a cake. It reminds me to stay creative when the temptation is to always focus on only business development and putting out fires instead of why I started, to make beautiful things.

Over the years I created a simple light pink cake with flowers. In 2019 I added more fondant flowers in our favorite brand colors. When covid hit, I chose butterflies to symbolize the transformation we were all going through.

Last year, I made the lemon cake which was a reminder of how many lemons life gave us that year and what we did with them.

This year, I created a cake covered in florals. I used a boxed cake mix and frosting. Then I purchased these amazing fondant flowers on etsy made in our favorite branding colors.

On Dad Jokes + Learning Levity

2022-08-03T00:00:00-05:00

ON DAD JOKES + LEARNING LEVITY

Every time we pass by a field of hay my husband Greg gets the attention of our kids, points and in a surprised tone says, “Hey???” as if someone just stole his last bite of dessert. We all roll our eyes. Every single time.

His jokes could use some work but what he (and they) have taught me over time is that kids need lightness and levity – particularly from their parents – far more than we realize.

When we have to have a serious conversation with one of our kids I am ready, my talking points planned out, already heading in to whatever private room the conversation will take place. Then Greg will says let’s play pickleball or swim with them first then we’ll talk.

And sure enough every time they are more relaxed, more open and everything is held a little lighter but no less effectively.

I think I was pretty much born serious. And when it comes to parenting (and running a business), I am so focused on what needs to be done or isn’t going right or how a goal gets achieved that I can so easily miss the forest for the trees.

So I am trying to lighten up when I can and certainly at home learning that there will never be a shortage of lists and lessons and things we implore our kids to listen to. But some days maybe learning levity - and a few bad dad jokes along the way - is what they (and we), need above all else.