Holiday Gift Guide 2010 Alicia B. Style

These polka dotted ceramic trays ($48) from Apartment 48 would make the perfect gift. Apartment 48 has the most amazing gifts--visit their store in Manhattan if you have the time. They have amazing horn accessories!

Every year now all the bloggers come out with "Gift Guides" for Christmas, Hanukkah or other holiday events, which are basically all about, "look at me and what great taste I have!" Right? Well, now its my turn. I'm not going to suggest to you where to find ANOTHER ikat pillow, or a sparkly clutch, because the answer is Pottery barn, and J Crew. Or Etsy and Etsy. I have fun ideas and a little bit unusual taste. Here is what I want if I could buy it all for myself.

Stationary is always a hit. I love this one with the Florentine paper envelope liner. One Kings Lane has TONS of great gift options--cashmere throws, beautiful candles, and cards!

Ask yourself (literally, out loud), who wouldn't LOVE an oversized acorn? It would make the perfect coffee table accessory or bookcase display objet. This is from my new favorite store that I discovered down in Tribeca around the corner from where I work, Just Scandinavian.

I'm pretty standard when it comes to jewelry, and I should really jazz it up with some costume pieces. This Zebra ring for only $38 is designed by Rachel Roy my old roommate's designer flavor of the month.

Another great gift that rarely gets re-gifted are tea towels! How cute and Scandinavian is this one with fish on it?! Find it HERE at Just Scandinavian.

I'm really into these little bouquet necklaces. This one is from Boden: Boden Corsage Necklace for $64.

Have you checked out the Kate Spade Home section lately? Do so immediately. These plates, designed by Bella Foster for KS are just adorable and they have a corresponding hors d'oeuvres plate.


Scarves are fun all year round, so this is really the perfect gift for anybody (or me). This Lilly Pulitzer Murfee scarf is $118.

My fiance has been gabbing about how much I would love this book that I'm wondering why he hasn't bought it for me yet. Syrie Maugham has so much style its amazing that they were able to put it in a book. I will have this book, thanks!

I'm the middle in our family, so this wine label "Middle Sister Wines" really spoke to me. They're based in California and have such a cute concept. I gave a few bottles to my older sister for her birthday this past year! Wine is ALWAYS (almost) the perfect gift.

So if you're looking for a gift for pretty much anybody, take your pick from the choices above! I'm super behind this year on my gifts. Life gets hectic but you always have to be thinking of others at this time of year. The time for giving. Anyway, no ikat pillows or sequin clutches here although those are great gifts too! You can fine some cute pillows at MY store, as well. How about you all? Are you behind like I am?

Alicia B.

Making organization so pretty!

Over the weekend I dipped into the Lilly Pulitzer store on Madison ave and picked up some fun little file folders to file my taxes and some other paper work. I think that organization is just as much a part of design as anything else and i think that it really does matter what they look like. It just makes organization and paying your bill just a little bit more fun. It seems that other people agree because I've been seeing more and more of my favorite stores carry their own stationary lines. Take a look.
Vera Bradley has pretty stationary and I was given VB file folders a few years ago. I like this pink and brown Chinoiserie patterned one. $14 for 6 of them.

The Vera Bradley ones, like their bags, have a vast array of fun patterns. Sittin in a Tree HERE.

Jonathan Alder knows what's what and came up with his own stationary line too. PHEW. $9.95 for six of them.

Greek key, as you may know, is my newest love. I might have to go back to Mad Ave and pick up some of these ones at Jonathan Adler.

I found these on Etsy. The ones on etsy were pretty hit or miss (mostly miss), but I thought these were pretty and much simpler than the rest. From Whisker Graphics, 3 for $5 on Etsy.

These are the ones that I bought on Saturday. They're very tropical/preppy fun. $13 for 6 of them.

Lilly Pulitzer has a great stationary section as well as these adorable file folder. COME on! They have turtles on them!

Of course, the Container Store has a little collection of cute folders. A wee bit more affordable than some of the others, these are $6 for six folders--Bloom folders.

If you're into birds, these are really pretty from Kate's Paperie. Cavallini folders 12 folders for $18, woo! Though these aren't my favorite I kind of like the vintage postage feel to them.

I do love attractive organization but I really do think that it makes a difference to have something like these instead of blah manila folders. You know I'm right. Organization is also a great part of decorating and spring cleaning!

Alicia B.

Preppies like to Go Green too!

My family has been recycling since the second grade when our town issued everyone recycling bins and taught us about #6 plastics. My mother has had a compost pile in our garden for even longer. The latest (not really that new though) way of being green is to bring your own bag to the grocery store so as not to use too many plastic or paper bags. Most stores don't even offer paper bags anymore. I'd LOVE to take part in this but every time I see one of those bags I think..."I'd rather not." It brings to mind something like the below bag. Really?? Ew.

BUT THEN. When I saw THESE at Lilly Pulitzer, I thought..."I'll take it!"It says, "Lilly Loves Green." Creme Fraiche Grocery bag.

This one is called "Queen of Green."

These bags aren't very expensive (only $9.95!) and they're made of recycled materials. They're happy and bright and the perfect GREEN accessory for spring. Read more about Lilly Loves Green HERE. "Green" certainly isn't a trend, or some kind of extreme lifestyle, it should just be a routine. A cute bright one, now!


Alicia B.

Wanna Play Monopoly?

Lilly Pulitzer Monopoly! My day is finally here. Ahhh.

Alicia B.

Rando Design Inspiration Friday!

ADORABLE flowers from this great blog I found, Nestledin.

It's that time again! FRIDAY. This is a new section I'm doing because it's Friday, we've had a long week, and we just need to kick back and relax with some nice images to help us through the day. I've had a rough go of it this week: adopted a cat, fell in love with him, and then returned him the next day because he viciously attacked me twice, jumped on my back, and began stalking me around my own home looking to attack again. Heartbroken. And yes, you can laugh.

How delightful is this little scene in my dear little CT? I wish I could see more of that sweet looking rug. And I DIE for the caning in those chairs. By Philip Gorrivan.

Tea time with Jackson Aaron? Yes, please. Only If I can face the wall though at all times because I can't take my eyes off those thick grass cloth panels.

Yeah yeah, I'm predictable. I love the new Lilly Pulitzer collection.

I love when things are out of scale like the giant 1930's factory clock that takes over the ENTIRE wall here. This room can pretty much do no wrong in my eyes, especially with the two non-matching armchairs with salmon pink fabric. By Jay Jeffers.

This kitchen is by Barry Dixon. Personally this is a LOT of island for me but I am absolutely enthralled by the lantern over the table--I love the perforated holes.

Word on the street is that it's going to be in the 80's this weekend in NYC. This means I'll be lying in the park reading the last book in the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn (don't judge me!!), and as many design magazines as I can get my hands on. I might try again on a kitten too...though I'm pretty emotionally scarred. What are your plans for the weekend??


Alicia B.

Lilly Pulitzer Stationery!

I have literally been waiting for this moment for MONTHS. On top of having the cutest and funnest clothing on the planet, Lilly Pulitzer now has a stationery line! This line includes, photo albums, coasters, post-it type notes, address books, and stickers! STICKERS! Here are my faves. And when I say faves, I mean almost the entire website.

Did anybody else go to sticker trading parties when they were little? Well I think I might have one JUST so I can show these cute stickers off. So what if I'm 25?! 20 Sheets of stickers and labels for $14.

Lilly Pocket Pad with pencil $9. Who doesn't want a Lilly Pencil. I know I do.

Little books of adorable fun and bright colored cards that will ensure that you write thank-you notes this year for $15. 10 Cards and envelopes.

Preppy Party!!! 8 Invitations with a choice of the cute pink elephant or a pink cabana for $14.

Lilly knows that people need to keep lists and keep work separate from play! Lilly List Pads $15.

I'd love these for my next party at my new apartment (AHEM, COUGH, COUGH). 8 Pink and green coasters for my pink cocktail for $15.

These would be perfect for jotting down mini lists or reminders and brightening up the fridge. Stack of Circle Notes for $15.

I would have loved this rainy day activity book when I was younger...or yesterday. It'll keep you occupied and happy as well as a pink elephant can! Activity book $18.

These cute goodies will be available in select Lilly Pulitzer stores in March. Just in time for my birthday (in July)!!


Alicia B.

Pretty in Pink and Green: Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau

Gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau

I read an amazing article about one of my favorite clothing designers, Lilly Pulitzer in W Magazine today (you should read her story). My friends will be rolling their eyes at me, but I just love the patterns and bright colors. They are so happy and fun and remind me of summer--what is better than pink and green?? (Please keep reading my blog.) Lilly was a socialite but she didn't come without a few pitfalls on her way; anxiety attacks, and a trip to "the nuthouse," as she called it. She survived though and it started her on her way to an incredibly successful clothing line and lifelong passion. While I have several dresses and skirts, I'm still interested in Lilly Pulitzer product for the home! Check out what I found... Oh yeah, these make great gifts for the holidays, too!

There is lots of Lilly Pulitzer fabric on Ebay. HERE is the original search.
LillyGZStore for 35/two yards.

A Lilly bulletin board! Organized and preppy. Perfect.
Here is the store. $24.99

I may or may not have the year round entertaining version of this book. It was a gift, I SWEAR!

Amazon for $10

How precious is this? So pretty.
From Macy's on sale for $49!

Pink and Yellow pretty magnets made from Lilly fabric. I'd super love these on my fridge!
Etsy by Looking4Lilly for $9.95

Gingham and Lilly fabric made into an apron and perfect for Christmas as the little lions are wearing Santa hats. From etsy from Totes By Charlotte for $40

Wow, is there no end to peoples' creativity? I'm not ashamed of my girly preppy taste. I think everyone could use a little more sunshine in their lives even if it comes in the form of a Lilly Pulitzer magnet!

Alicia B.