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.

Friday Faves

Wow, I love four day weeks. I think that's how weeks are supposed to be. Four days of work and then three days of weekend--perfect. Anyway, though it's been very very cold and we're bundled up here in New York as much as we can be, I can feel spring is coming right around the corner. I'm sure I'll be saying that for another month and a half but, who cares?! It's something to look forward to, yes?

Sometimes you have an amazing architectural feature and all you need to do is paint it gold. This little niche is so simple and breathtaking. I found this designer from a wall street Journal article about design: Three Best Ways to Follow Trends, Not Fads. This interior by the extremely talented Tracy Morris.

Last night while I was watching Lindsey Vonn (LOVE) and the Olympics, I was flipping through my Axel Vervoordt book. I was blown away by this bathroom. The architectural detailing, the intricate woodworking, the colors, and the lighting are so unique. You don't see interiors like this every day.

Remember when I said that Spring is coming? I'm right, right? I love this cute jersey dress from Boden for $128

It's good to look forward to something, right? For me this weekend I'm looking forward to the possibility of seeing my sister who is back in my time zone playing squash! Hopefully I'll be able to take the train to see her, and see her win. Design-wise, I'm doing a slow (very slow) decluttering in my apartment; kind of like spring cleaning! What are you all up to? Anything design?

PS-This is my 403rd post! Can you believe that? I can't.


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

The title of my Friday special blog is now changed. Friday Faves. It will still remain as your fun inspiration to swing you through a slow Friday and land you into Saturday though! With Friday faves though, you might see my new fave fashion item...today too.

I spotted this amazing kitchen by Windsor Smith in the new Traditional Home mag, which I received yesterday in the mail. The magazine (I just started subscribing after buying it outright for countless months) is so full of fun things and such great articles that I had to admit that it was one of my faves now. Anyway, the kitchen, in brown, white and red has me staring. Normally I'm not drawn to red but this is so pretty--the light fixture over the island is especially captivating. The details are all attended to, which makes me love Windsor Smith even more.

OH. Here's the fashion part of the post! These yummy preppy little slippers are from Boden and look like a little polka dotted sweater about to wrap itself around my feet!

How nice would it be to come home on a Friday evening to this bathtub? SO NICE. I bet that towel rack is a towel warmer too. Ugh, delish. By uber talented Caroline Paterson.

I hope you all have amazing Fridays and even better weekends. I have plans to go to Philly to see my friend and former coworker and her new baby! I'm never around babies so I'm so excited to meet her!

ALSO, I'll let you know about something special later on today. I know you're all holding your breath in anticipation for it.


Alicia B.

The Boden Fall Catalog had me at striped t-shirt.

Parisienne Tee Shirt. Only $34.

Every time the Boden catalog comes in the mail, I get so excited. It has just plain great clothing; practical with a bit of a flare. They have fun wrap dresses, really pretty jumpers (sweaters in British), and they always have the most fabulous shoes. Here are some of my faves so far...

I'm beginning to think I have a sweater dress obsession. Nothing is more comfortable and pretty to me, and perfect for work. Flattering Knitted Dress $ 128.

Oops another sweater dress. How striking is this shade of orange? Henley Knitted Dress $108.

Yup, I want everything in this picture right here. This tweed skirt also comes in the cheeriest shade of yellow but I'm a sucker for tartan plaid. British Tweed Skirt $88.

Seriously smart looking autumn coat. Carnaby Trench coat with large cuffs and collar

What did I say about the shoes earlier? They are SO CUTE! Giraffe Bow Flats $128.

I would just die to have these shoes. I love wingtips and these are perfectly feminine. Pretty Brogues $148.

They have tons of great Men's stuff too, like this checked shirt. I really like the girl's outfit too--reminds me of how I used to dress every single day.

Looking through the catalog made me more and more excited for fall. As much as I love summer, sun dresses, gold sandals etc, I always welcome a fun wardrobe change!


Alicia B.