Derby Day Party Coming up!

Vineyard Vines has some of the most fun and adorable Derby inspired ties and clothing. Check more out HERE--super cute dresses, too!.  

How excited are all of you for the Kentucky Derby this Saturday? Usually people post the day before about a party but whats the fun of good tips and ideas when you've already planned the party?  My husband and I LOVE the Derby and this year we're throwing a Kentucky Derby Party.  Here are some great tips for throwing one on your own (or just invite yourself to ours). 

Possibly my favorite part about the Kentucky Derby are the fabulous hats.  This one is from J. Crew--Derby Fabulous. 

The next most important thing are the Mint Juleps in my fave little silver cups. This recipe requires 17 lemons so if you're feeling crazy ambitious, go for it. 

Flowers are a must for a party and they must be roses for the Kentucky Derby, the Run for the Roses. 

I found these great Kentucky Derby vintage plates on Ebay which would make great hors d'oeuvres plates. 

Preppiness abounds at a Kentucky Derby (or any party of mine) and I'm OBSESSED with these cute seersucker napkins that I found on Etsy! 

With all the fun decor and hats I almost forgot about the food.  I'm going with my standby baked brie with fig preserves but who can resist this pie?  I found this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie on my go-to party planning blog, HERE.  

Do you all love the Kentucky Derby as much as I do?  It's so much fun to pick the horse you want to win (obviously the one with the most amusing name), and compete for fun with your friends or family.  We all get a little competitive but it's so much fun and once you have a few Mint Juleps, nobody can remember anyway.  So, are you having your own party?  Plans?!

Alicia B. 

Unusual Finds on 1st Dibs

Today at work I was searching on 1st Dibs for some sculptural but sleek furniture for a client in NYC and I came across some CRAZY awesome finds.  I tried an experiment (after work, obvi), and searched "unusual", "rare" and "unique".  Take a look at the unusual and sometimes beautiful pieces I found:

A Bamboo veneered desk with a matching chair.  I can't imagine even using this piece for fear of ruining it. 

Talk about sleek: a lucite organ and speaker set.  REDIC.  Only $120,000.

Who doesn't need a $4800 wire dog bed?!

Hideous garden stools (sorry)

Im actually obsessed with these blocks.  These would look amazing as an accessory on a bookshelf. #want 

No, wait.  I have to have these seahorse sconces.  #NEED

I really love 1st Dibs and you can find some truly beautiful antiques on there.  You can also find some pretty weird stuff.  Have any of you found anything "unique"?  And bought it?  What are you all up to for the weekend?  We're going to Hudson to look at art! Pictures to come...after we go.  Also, follow me on Pinterest, where you can find more of these crazy-town 1st Dibs finds. 

Alicia B. 

Congratulations, Boston

Beautiful Beacon Hill.  My mom and many of my good friends lived in this gorgeous area of Boston. 

I started this post with the tense mood of NBC/CNN on tv trying to find the Boston Bomber and now they've found him! I've been thinking a lot about Boston, as a native New Englander myself, and trying to stay positive in the midst of a bad situation.  I'm so happy everyone is now safe. There are many great things that come out of Boston--beautiful buildings, critical historical events that formed our great country, amazing food, and lots and lots of my friends live there too.

A delicious Boston Creme Pie Cupcake

Boston Terrier Puppy having a goooooood stretch. 

Many of my favorite designers are in Boston.  This fabulous shot is by Theodore and Co. Not a HUGE fan of the lantern but I do love the blue and white chair fabric and the artwork. 

Artwork created by Zachary Smith in the midst of tragedy after the Marathon. Proof that something good can come out of something horrific. 

Sculptures inspired by the book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. My husband and I came to Boston when we were first dating.  

Another fabulous designer is super cute Annsley McAleer.  I've always wanted to use this Phillip Jeffries wallpaper that she used as an accent wall in this bedroom.

I think I can speak for everyone when I say how happy and relieved everyone is for the city of Boston right now.  Some of my favorite bloggers come from Boston: Party Resources, Everything LEB, Dear Friend, Elements of Style, and former Bostonite The Garden of Eden (who I cheered on running the Boston marathon with my sister 4 years ago).  I know they are all so happy (given the circumstances) at the final outcome of this horrible tragic event. Congratulations Boston!


Alicia B. 

Lounging Around the Bedroom

Bunny Williams.  This room is so beautiful and serene and the distressed leather sofa looks inviting and unexpected.

Having a bench at the foot of your bed is a look that I really love and I look forward to the day when I have a bedroom big enough for that.  If you do have a large enough bedroom, you could put a bench or better yet, a small sofa.  The look is charming and creates a great seating area in the bedroom.

In this lovely farmhouse designed by Scott Sanders a small settee is placed at the end of the bed. Its small and simple but the nailheads add character and looks like a great place to have some coffee while getting ready in the morning

This room doesn't exactly look spacious on the sides, but if you have the room, it might be a great idea if you have a studio apartment.  

I love the contrast of the dark structured looking bed with the soft slip covered sofa at the end. 

Lots of grey velvet going on here but it creates a unifying and luxurious look with the gentle curves of the sofa reflected in the headboard. 

Another four poster bed with an upright settee at the end.  Looks like the perfect spot to perch.

I don't love the color scheme in this room by Nate Berkus but I love the art.

Apparently I'm supposed to convince my sister that putting a sofa at the end of her bed is a good idea (lawyers, right!?) so I hope that this posting has convinced her.  Take advantage of your space and make your bedroom not just a place to sleep but a place to sit, relax, chat and read.  You can find more amazing bedroom inspiration HERE on my Pinterest.

Alicia B. 

Just this...

I was going to post about bedrooms but now in the wake of everything today...I'm not feelin it.   This is all I have for now. 

I won't get all personal but I will say I hope everyone is nice to each other and to themselves.  

Alicia B. 

Wait...WHAT?!?

I think it's time for a big...Wait, WHAT?!  I certainly felt that way when I saw this ad for Scalamandre's new line by Kathryn Ireland. 

Are. You. Serious. 

Don't get me wrong here, I adore Kathryn Ireland.  I think she's hysterical on the show Million Dollar Decorators (albeit ridiculous) and a talented designer.  I'm not super into these fabrics though I'm curious about the one at her the bottom.  

I do appreciate the reference this ad makes to the painting La Grande Odalisque since it was one of the first paintings I studied in art history...and...WOW. 

So what do you guys think?  Love it?  Hate it?  Have a great weekend--my husband and I are off to Newport for the weekend for a little relaxation.  What about ya'll?

Alicia B. 

Happy Spring with Inspirational Design

Easter came and went this weekend and now according to me it's Spring!  We dyed eggs, played tennis, ate TONS of jelly beans, outlet shopped, and now tis back to reality except it's a warmer sunnier reality called Spring!  In honor of spring I wanted to share a house that I saw on Jeffers Design Group that put a little spring in MY step. 

A bedroom with a chunky fabric hanging headboard with industrial nightstands, neutral color block drapery and a cool masculine vibe. 

The outdoor space with the stick overhang that allows light through is casual but refined looking. I'd love to sit by that fire pit. 

I love the textures in this room: rough wood wall, chunky carpet, CHUNKY bedspread and a really cool headboard. 

The kitchen is clean but has lots of personality with industrial bar stools, chalkboardy paint under the counter, and fabulous unexpected pendants over the island. 

As we know, I love yellow and these geometric pillows have a happy pop of it. Also obsessed with the Moroccan rug and the chair by the sliding glass doors. 

BREATH. TAKING. BA-NAN-AS chevron pattern wall.  Also, I love the breakfast table chairs. 

The main theme of greatness around this little house is the easy access to the outdoors with large glass sliding doors and verandas all around the house. 

Where you loving this house as much as I was?  I'd love this as a weekend home.  Obsess more over this fantastic space and see where it began (not hot) HERE.  Happy Monday!

Alicia B.