Kate Klein Design

Got Music?

Entertaining?  Need Music?  Done. I compiled a catchy list of songs to carry you into the weekend.  Download the list of songs below from ITunes and you have created your very own mood-setting dinner party CD.  Put your guests at ease as they kick back, relax and enjoy good company!  I guarantee some of these songs will become your entertaining favorites!

Photo on Flickr by Michael G. Noll

The More I See You, Michael Buble

Feelin' Good, Michael Buble

The Best is Yet to Come, Tony Bennett

Glory Bound, Martin Sexton

At Last, Etta James

Mambo Italiano, Dean Martin

Someone Like You, Van Morrison

No Ordinary Love, Chris Botti

Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers

Desafinado, Charlie Byrd & Stan Getz

Shoe Envy

Fabulous flats...the pair we put on to start the weekend.  Kick off those weekday shoes and slip into something cute and comfy!  Be daring with a little color and kick it up a notch.

Left to Right: MICHAEL Michael Kors, Seaport; Dolce Vita, Vienna-46N; Nanette Lapore for Keds   

All three pairs are reasonably priced and will leave some spare change in your pocket for the rest of the weekend!

Red is a great color for summer to add some interest to a monochromatic look or paired with navy and white.  I love bright and bold patterns in the summer to add excitment to summer basics.  Lastly, good old Keds. I can't recall how many pairs of the white canvas original I wore in my youth!  Looks like Keds have grown up too!

This post is the first in a series of four on shoes; next week look for men's. 

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  Many will observe Memorial Day by getting together with family and friends.  The long weekend calls for outdoors and some grilling!  Here are some delicious and easy recipes that make the perfect accompaniant to anything grilled.  These recipes take ten minutes or less to prep and do not require pricey or hard to find ingredients.  The dishes look great and will be sure to please your guests!

Horiatiki Salad, Sarah Moulton

Dakos (Greek Bread Salad), Bobby Flay                                                   

Saturday Night Vidalia Onions, Paula Deen                                                

This asparagus recipe is super easy and fool-proof!  I make this one often because it takes only a few minutes to prepare and calls for very few ingredients.

Asparagus with Parmesan

20 asparagus

Extra virgin olive oil

Fresh shredded parmesan

Salt and fresh ground pepper

Clean asparagus and lay on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle oil, add salt and pepper and sprinkle parmesan over the stalks. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.  Serve asparagus on a platter.  Asparagus should be firm enough to pick up by hand.

Flag: Photo on Flickr by John Baird

Accents Made Easy

I love to create new accessories or home accents without spending a dime.   On the left I framed a letter.  Print the first letter of your first or last name or make a monogram.  I prefer the following fonts- Times New Roman, Kunstler Script and Copperplate Gothic Light.  Print in black ink on white or ivory paper, cut paper to fit size of frame and you have a new accessory for a coffee table, side table, mantle or wall hanging.  In addition to an initial, print your house number or your favorite number! I think letters and numbers look best in black or silver frames; it is timeless and classic.

Presentation made easy

It is fun to find a versatile product and create a dozen different uses for it.  This is a 2 gallon glass jar with lid usually used for kitchen countertop storgage.  Mine is from crate and barrel and adorns my kitchen counter most of the time.  It also serves as a fun entertaining piece.  I made lemonade and instead of serving it in a pitcher I used the jar to the left.  It made something as simple as lemonade look like a lot more effort was put into it.  Serve with a soup ladle and slice lemons and limes for an additional touch.  Sangria is another beverage that looks beautiful with citrus slices floating on the top.  The jar can be a unique way to serve gazpacho.  During the other seasons I fill the container with holiday ornanments or pinecones.  Share your ideas for other uses with me!

Photos by Holly Eggleston

Gift to Go

I found these fun makeup bags from etsy.com.  Etsy is a unique site because it is a place to buy and sell everything handmade.  This makeup bag is made by louloubell.  Her bags are created with vibrant fabrics in stylish color combinations.  A great gift for a woman on the go!

Party Perfect

Showers, graduation parties, weddings, class reunions, cocktail parties...you  name it...tis' the season for the perfect dress! I compiled a collection of fun and femimine party dresses. 

One can't go wrong with the little black dress but this season it is all about color!!  A little Audrey, a little Jackie-o...all under $50 from Target.com.

Brides...look no more! Target.com now carries bridesmaids dresses and bridal gowns.  Outfit your leading ladies in dresses for less...at Target.com.

Celebrate Mom

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13th.  I want to share some great gifts ideas to celebrate M-O-M!  Everything here is under $100 and can be delivered in time for Mother's Day. One can't go wrong with gifts to help mom relax or feel great! Lollia brand bubble bath is an absolute winner.  Not only will the scent provide complete relaxation, the packaging is beautiful and looks great in the bathroom.

Make mom feel like a million with a gift set from Tocca.  Set includes body lotion, bath gel and coordinating candle. Every product in the Tocca bath line smells fabulous but one of my favorites is Stella, a blood orange scent.  I promise, mom will not be disappointed!

Preserve memories with a locket from Red Envelope. This beautiful necklace have three locket charms in brushed 18-kt gold.  The square charm can be engraved with an initial.  This necklace is unique and thoughtful.

Keep mom organized and stylish with a patent leather clutch wallet from Red Envelope.  This sleek clutch can double as a wallet and a purse.  Clutch comes in blue or black.

For the mom who likes to entertain.  These beautiful plates from Williams-Sonoma are both elegant and versatile.  The blue-bordered porcelain plates can serve as a salad, appetizer or desert plate.  Set of four.

Fresh Fruit

Looking for fun and inexpensive dinnerware for evenings outside?  I found these fun and stylish melamine plates and bowls at Target by Isaac Mizrahi.  The collection includes glasses and serving pieces too! 

Melamine is great for outdoors because it unbreakable and safe around  children and pets!  The fruit motif is fun, simple and provides a great backdrop for summer recipes.