Friday Faves

Okay, so some of you can guess, I'm pretty jazzed about Spring. I'm done with winter and I'm ready to shed a layer and get into spring. Spring means more flowers, more green (nature), and no more Uggs! I'm ready for some flip flops, aren't you? Am I rushing it? Oh well, here are some lovely springy moments to help your Friday go a little faster.

Martha is always ON when it comes to...everything. This little Easter party display is SUPER Spring-inspired. I love the color combo of yellow, green, and that orangey-pink in the wall paper.

I can't take my eyes of this scene. This was designed by Carrier and Co. I love the wall of windows, the light, the chairs at this table, and the gorgeous bouquet atop the dining table.

I know, I know, no more shopping for me. A friend of mine (former roomie) told me that I MUST go to Ann Taylor because they're having a great sale so I went to the website to check it out and everything looks gorgeous! I love this dress with the grey peep-toe pumps. This would look great with a little green cardigan.

I know it's going to rain in the New York area but that's not going to dampen my enthusiasm! Rain won't be bringing me down! I am really looking forward to this weekend because of the possibility of seeing another former roommate--from college! Is it feeling like Spring where you guys are? Have an amazing weekend!


Alicia B.

Friday Faves

Remember when I said that I was going to embrace the snow, and the cold? Well, now I'm over it. I've had a tiny taste of warmth (yesterday) and I want more. I NEED Spring. I need flowers, I need little grass patches trying to grow on the streets of New York, and I need warmer temperatures. Too soon for flip flops? Probably, but you know what I mean. It's Friday and the temperatures are climbing, say the weather people.

From Eastridge Design, I love the light in this kitchen. It looks like a kitchen you could really work in, and enjoy the garden or terrace to the right. I'd love to start spending more time outside if the warm weather ever comes back!

This adorable pink knob is from Anthropology and makes me REALLY want Spring. Pink Poppy Knob only $8. Did anyone else get the new Anthropology catalog? I love all the flowery skirts and dresses; they're so girly.

To continue my obsession with Greek key, here is a lovely light room with a fresh Greek key upholstered headboard. Via Haven and Home.

Like I said before, this weekend will be all about squash. I'm so excited to be back in the mix of competitive squash to cheer on my STAR sister. Both my sisters are stars, but I'll spare you my gushing of how awesome they are. For now. Plans for the weekend? Spring shopping? Tell me everything.


Alicia B.

Dresser Top Organization

Like I said on Monday, Spring is just around the corner and do you know what that means? Spring cleaning! If you're like me though, you love doing spring cleaning all year round, so it's okay at any season. My main source of cleaning angst is the top of my dresser, where I keep nearly EVERYTHING that has to do with make up, hair accessories, or jewelry. I keep it contained (sort of) but it's gotten out of control and something had to be done about it.

This is pretty much rock bottom. ROCK BOTTOM.

Too much is happening here.

The first step is taking EVERYTHING off the dresser and deciding what needs to be on top of the dresser and what doesn't. And also what needs to be thrown out. Putting things into categories helps to prioritize.

Here it is all cleaned off and Lysol'ed. A clean slate!

Phew! This is MUCH more organized looking.

Things are much more contained now. I took my old tray (my new one takes priority on the coffee table) and put my bangles, headbands and bead necklaces inside the tray because they are not easily contained with out it.

I bought that cute Florentine tray at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and now all of my hair accessories live there.

I constantly have a twistie around my wrist JUST in case. Aren't these colors cheery?

I bought these 3 glasses and 3 Spanish plates at Housing Works the other day. I didn't end up using the Spanish ones but the glasses came in handy.

This one hold my lipsticks.

All my (faux) pearls in one place!

Here are my bangles sitting atop some Farrow and Ball wallpaper sitting inside a wooden tray!

These buttons were stuffed inside a tiny coin purse that was bursting at the seams. Now they are sitting in the open in a silver awards cup that I won last year. It leaves room to collect more buttons, too.

Headbands! I love the colors of my headbands and wanted to leave them on my dresser.

Here is another glass with dangly earrings hanging from it and some necklaces inside.

This was certainly a tough project to take on, but I'm glad I did it. It's well organized now. Everything has a place and most importantly, I've left room for things to change and for things to be added. It also helped to prioritize. Do I need an empty prescription bottle hanging around? Nope. Do I need my lip glosses front and center? Yup! What do you think of my new dresser top?


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.

Sunday Afternoon Beauty

Sunday was a lovely day. I spent the majority of it lying out in the park reading the newspaper with some random guy I met (my bf). It was absolutely lovely so I'd like you to see a few of the pics I took of some of the most mind blowingly (yeah, that's a word) beautiful flowers I've ever seen. Ever. In the world.

Aaa. Park Avenue flowers.

I swear New York flowers are bigger than flowers anywhere else in the US.

In the park, I had to lie out in the shade because I may or may not have burned myself to a little crisp on Saturday. Oops.

Now it is Monday, but I think that Spring is finally here, and Summer is JUST around the corner! Something to look forward to, right? Did you all have a nice weekend? What did you do?


Alicia B.

Trina Turk fabric is all I can think about.

Nothing is making me more giddy about spring than the new (ish) fabric line from Trina Turk. Not only does she make fabulous summer dresses and tunics that make me actually have a soft spot for Florida, but her new line of fabrics is making me want to build an entire cabana around these!

Appropriately named, Super Paradise in Pool color. OBSESSED.

A shot from her store. Love that little pouf in the foreground. Scared of the head though...

Schumacher is carrying her line in their showroom in the D & D in NYC! I must check them out in person.

Stole this from Apartment Therapy. These fabrics would be great for so many things; upholstery, drapery, place mats and napkins!

This Zebra pattern comes in black, java, dune, and bamboo as well as the orange seen above. I think J. Crew should take a tip from Trina on color naming--they've got competition!

Adorable Trellis pattern here in Pool. I'd love some of that in Watermelon, please!

Peacock print in Punch! Such a fun ikat sort of print.

I love this fern pattern and it also comes in other colors!

I think this is my fave pattern. Its called "Arches" but to me it looks like little feathers. Birds are so now.
This is just the beginning of my inspiration for the cabana I'm going to design. Moises Esquanazi uses Trina Turk Pisces Print in the pillows.

I meant to post about these fun and bright fabrics but I think I got caught up in my other bright and summer obsession with my Lilly Pulitzer Stationary post. So many bright colors make me distracted with happiness. Do you all like these? Faves? Here is the regular Trina Turk site. Spring is on its way, I can feel it!!

Alicia B.