Fun in the Snow

Curious about what I did over the weekend? I know. Here are two fun things I did. Remember those fun manual carousels on public playgrounds from back in the day? Well, every time I drive past this one, I have to get out and play on it.

It's practically BEGGING for me to jump on it!

Look at me go!

I'm now gathering snow to test out how good the snow is for snow balls...It was okay but I've had better.

Then on Sunday afternoon, my mother and I went sledding in my backyard! Pretty great view for sledding!

Yes, I live in the middle of nowhere. After a few runs, we got going quite quickly! So much fun.


Did you all have fun over the weekend? Any snow adventures? Share.


Alicia B.

Weekend Time!

Have a lovely weekend, all. Try to stay warm!

This is from my photography gallery! Am now (in a few mins) off for the weekend to relax, read, go antique shopping, and wear 3 or more sweaters in my parents' house.


Alicia B.

Shades of Grey

One of the features of my new apartment that I'm most excited about is the tile in the bathroom. I know it sounds small and silly, but I walked into the bathroom and it had this cool grey subway tile in it. Usually, it's mini white, or ugly black and white cop-out tiles, but not this time. As I'm trying to make each room fun, I've decided that perhaps I'll play up the grey so that I can do punches of color in the towels, the shower curtain and the wall decor. Grey may seem dull or too neutral, so here are some grey rooms that still carry lots of drama.

OMG. Talk about dramatic. I love this painting; so moody but beautiful and the stools with the angular animal legs add to that feeling. By Susan Ferrier. Painting is by James McLaughlin Way and the stools are from John Rosselli.
(Thank you Emily Amy Gallery you little art scout!)

How many different greys/silvers/steels are in this minimalist kitchen by Julie Stevenson? Cool and dramatic.

I guess this isn't technically grey; more of a black/grey/brown, I suppose. I love the punch of yellow though in that chair. It just shows you don't need tons of color in a small space like this. From Marie Claire Maison.

I love the greys and the natural wood tones here. From Point Click Home.

This was how I originally wanted to do my living room before I decided on yellow. How beautiful and calming is this grey on the wall with the black and whites contrasting? By Eddie Ross. So beautiful.

I love this bedroom here from Domino mag. It looks so cozy with the grey tufted headboard and the light flowing in reflecting off the blue glass lamp etc. The grey paint is Benjamin Moore Rushing River.

This is Jamie Drake (genius) INSPIRED by the show Californication (better? Thank you to my loyal/rad commenters). The scaly tiling is very dramatic yet organic and I LOVE the built in open shelving on the back wall.

A brown shade of grey here with a separate tub from the faucet. So cute! From Point Click Home.

I think I'm going to do a dark grey on the currently white walls. The grey is cool and calming and I love the way that it absorbs and reflects light. Next stop: the paint store!


Alicia B.

New White House Designer: Michael Smith

I realize that this is ALL over the design blogs right now but I wanted to get in on it too! It was recently announced that one of my absolute fave designers would be the NEW designer in the White House: Michael Smith! Read the article HERE. I have always loved his design; it is classic, yet fresh. He's amazing at organizing a room and the colors he chooses are always perfect. Take a look at some of my favorite rooms that he designed:

From a townhouse, this room is gorgeous to begin with, and then those throw pillows are so much fun. I love that they're not all matching but they look great together.

A room of neutrals like this one can easily get washed away. I love the soft colors in this room though and the twisted legged coffee table is a beautiful antique. Also, if you read this blog you know how much I hate leaning objects on the mantle but I can't help but love Michael Smith's arrangement there.

Perfection. I love how the light in this room creates colors and depth in the white fabrics/walls.

Libraries are one of my favorite rooms in the house (yeah, I like books, not just blogs). I wish I had a huge library like this one--with that ladder and those sconces above the bookshelves.

One of the most impressive things about Smith is his sophisticated use of antiques. Clearly he knows antiques--he's designed many historical houses like this one in Millbrook, NY.

Always with a beautiful bouquet in nearly every room! This bathroom is impressive to say the least with the wide wainscoting, linen roman shade, free standing tub (someday Alicia B., someday) and the round mirror.

Michael (first name basis) also designs furniture for Jasper, this Mansour Modern carpet above, and his own line of fabrics.

No matter what your political sway, I think everyone will be excited to see what Michael Smith will do with the White House. He is extremely knowledgeable about historical design, but will bring a new sort of edge I think to the White House. He is elegant, traditional, fun, and still modern. How does everyone else feel? Also, since my birthday is coming up (in July) you might want to get me his book that I've wanted for a very long time, Michael S Smith: Elements of Style. Or you could just buy it for yourself as it is amazing.

Alicia B.

L. L .Bean Home Goods

Was anybody else aware that L. L. Bean had such extensive home goods? In my glorious search for new sheets, on a whim, I checked over to the L. L. Bean website and they have sheets, bathroom goods, furniture, throw pillows, rugs etc! Here are some of my favorites.

This Vertical Striped shower curtain is 100% cotton and comes in other colors as well.

For $39. I like this one the best with those soft, fun colors.

I love the texture slash quilt-y quality of this Sand Dollar Throw Pillow for $35.

This Maine Isle Throw Pillow is so pretty! It comes in other designs as well--some with nautical themes. $29.50.

Who knew L. L. Bean could be so delicate and feminine? This Heirloom Crocheted Bedskirt is so sweet looking. $89 for a full.

I super love cottage-y looking Seashore Iron Bed. $399 for a full.

I know this is a tad busy but I think its fun and pretty nonetheless. 420 Thread count...yeah. $109 and they have matching sheet sets.

I've been looking all over for a simple Pharmacy lamp like this one. It comes in antique brass, bronze, and nickel. LOVE this. Only $169!

You also know that L.L. Bean is probably amazing quality. If you ever had one of their backpacks in grade school and the zipper broke, they'd replace it free of charge. Not that I know that from experience or anything...Anyway, as an aside, I am signing my lease today for my new apartment! I'll be shopping around in the next few weeks for some fun home items (my favorite kind of shopping) and will keep you updated!



Alicia B.

Trying to Make It Warmer

From Living Etc, this UBER open plan spaces allows you to enjoy your meal with fresh air coming in but you are still under the shelter of your home.

Apparently, this past weekend was the coldest weekend in New York history. If you live in New York or the east, you would most likely agree. I've had this feeling that I really just want to go somewhere warm and lie on the beach or by the side of a pool. Since I can't do that, I'll live vicariously through my blog! Here are some lovely images of warm places:

I can imagine myself here lounging on these Trina Turk and Ralph Lauren pillows with a mojito in hand (not a Corona. Please.). By Moises Esquenazi.

What a lovely sunroom by Leta Austin Foster. This is in Palm Beach, Florida. I especially love the wooden shades--they let light in so softly and nicely. Nice place to read a book after a dip in the pool, right?

In California, Kathryn Ireland designed this lovely bedroom. I love that arched window behind the bed and the inset bookshelves. This looks so relaxing and light.

This is one of my favorites I think. I love the throw pillows and the soft white fabric forming a canopy over the settee. The ivy and the potted plants add to the tropical/island/resort feeling.
By Celerie Kemble, also in Palm Beach.

Another one in Florida, by La Maison Fleurie. Look at all the green/nature in this indoor outdoor space! I love the fabric canopy here, too.

In South Carolina, this dining room lets in a lot of light from the outdoors. What really caught my eye though was the glass jars and lamp on the sideboard (don't LOVE the sideboard, though) and the four candlesticks on the dining room table. By Barrie Benson.

Anyway, I don't know about you, but I feel warmer already! Could be the fact that I'm next to a heater with a scarf on; but I think it's because of the warm/tropical interiors!


Alicia B.