Recently, we received a letter from Jennie B., an RN from Seattle who is a big fan of koi. She’s been a bedside hospital nurse for 43 years and told us how koi was her absolute favorite. She definitely had us blushing with her kind words. (Thank you, Jennie, for your sweet letter!) We were even more touched when she mentioned that she wore her white koi Lindsey pants and her koi Demi top for her wedding last year. Now whenever she wears that outfit to work, her co-workers call it her “wedding gown.” Congratulations to Jennie, our first koi bride. You rock! And we wish you a lifetime of koihappiness!  Plus, we’d like to send a big shout out to your co-workers and fellow “koi kids” at Highline Medical Center in Burien, Washington. We love you all!

Above: Jennie getting married in her koi “wedding gown”.

For those of you looking for a fun, playful summer top, check out our Stephanie Pet Zoo print top in the color Steel. It’s great for veterinarian offices and for medical and dental professionals who work with kids. Ask about it at your local koi retailer today!

Above: Our new Stephanie Pet Zoo Steel top (103PR-PTS) is available now through koi retailers.

Above: A close-up view of our Stephanie Pet Zoo Steel top.

If you’re a fan of koi pants, we think you’ll love our new Gisele capri pants! With summer just around the corner, you won’t want to be without a pair of these fun and incredibly comfortable capris. They’re available in white, black, navy and camel. Look for them at your local koi retailer today and on stylish nurses everywhere!

Our new koi Gisele capri pants in navy (708-12). Shown with our Layla Monaco top (146PR-MNC). Look for them in stores now!

As many of you know, koi founder and designer Kathy Peterson is an active participant in koi’s “Healthier, Happier You” year-long weight-loss campaign. Like many of you, she is doing her best to stay committed to her weight-loss and fitness goals and attain a healthier balance in her life.

Here is Kathy’s update for May 2010:

“I just got back from Japan and Hawaii. Japan was amazing. I got to visit beautiful temples in Kyoto. It was cherry blossom season and the cherry blossoms only bloom for 10 days a year. It was the first time I got to see them in person and they were spectacular. I also got to feed the wild deer in Nara and Miyajima, which was pretty cool until they started chasing me around for more food. It was a great trip. I walked quite a bit, but I didn’t eat very healthy foods. I ended up gaining about 2 pounds. It inspired me to join a gym when I got back so I could get a full-body workout. I hope I will show more progress next month. Don’t get discouraged if you have a setback. Change your routine if it is not working and keep at it.” 

—Kathy Peterson 

To the contestants who are participating in the “Healthier, Happier You” Contest, hang in there and don’t forget to turn in your May updates by May 10th to shiningstar@koihappiness.com. Thanks!

Here are some photos from Kathy’s trip:

 Above: One of the beautiful temples we visited in Kyoto.

Above: I was lucky to see the Cherry Blossoms, which bloom for only 10 days a year.

Above: The A-Bomb Dome (Gembaku Domu), across the river from Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima.

 Above: Deer gone wild on Miyajima island. Maybe feeding the deer wasn’t such a good idea after all.