herding cats

That was an unexpected vacation from the blog.  I didn't mean for it to happen.

It was a combination of things that kept me away.  Most of all, I just needed a breather.

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.  Like 'herding cats' is the best way to describe trying to stay on top of it all lately.

So now that life is settling down again after a couple major changes {parents moving to Africa and my unexpected move a few blocks east of my old place over the weekend} maybe I can get back to sharing things on the designsparrow again.

Missed you!

An amazing opportunity.

You may have noticed on her blog that Dominique Browning is leading a trip through India as part of her Slow Love Life tour. Talk about the trip of a lifetime! read the itinerary here. Who hasn't been fascinated by this exotic country and I for one can think of no better place to travel to with the fascinating Browning; I only wish I could go!

India is a study in contrasts, according to a good friend of mine who has lived there for the past 2 years and who provided me with these photos. Incredible wealth and incredible poverty coexist in a land rich with tradition and beauty but rife with problems facing many developing nations. Her monthly emails of her encounters and trials keep me fascinated with this exotic country.

I hope someone will go on this tour and report back to me their many experiences!

Back At The Ranch

The first Tuesday in December is showtime at work for us.

 

A group of about 40 ladies in Chanel suits show up for a floral demonstration.  They belong to a DC garden club and they're in it for the shopping and the entertainment.

My work amiga Betty and I provide the entertainment.  Every year we have a theme, the theme occurs to us in November when someone calls to ask "  What's the title of the program".  I quickly spit out something then promptly forget about it until the first of December.  This year was Winter Wonderland.  We made it snow for them today.  

We filled bowls with "snow" and a few cymbidium blossoms, pepper berries and  small gold pine cones.  And loaded birch bark sleeves with  tallow berries and eucalyptus buds, white roses and evergreens and a silvered protea.

There was a wreath with gold hydrangea and galax leaves, white birch branches and birds nests.  There was a milk glass compote overflowing with roses and ornamental kale, calla lilies and mistletoe and a fat white pillar candle. There were cylinders layered with cranberries, more "snow" and floating candles.

We chatted, told stories on ourselves, arranged flowers; they clapped and asked many questions.  The hour flew by and they had to drag us off the stage.

But lunch awaited and even we can't compete with food.  The real show.  Till next year ladies.  Merry Christmas.

Come on In....We are Open for Business!

By The RE/MAX Complete Team

After a lot of hard work,

sweat & tears

and not to mention

many sleepless nights

...we are finally officially OPEN for business!

We can't be more excited then today,

Our Open House!

December 7th, 2010

Thanks to all our family and friends for supporting us!

We REALLY appreciate ALL of you

who came and supported us on our

"BIG"

 Opening Day!

A few pictures from our open house

December 8

In no 8 lives a man who used to date Mrs Cat,

fancy that! He used to date Mrs Cat!

It was back when they were both young and nimble,

and life's sorrows still fit a thimble.

The romance lasten a whole summer long,

and ended to the first robin's song.

Oskar grew restless, wanted to travel,

Mrs Cat had no desire to antyhing unravel.

Oskar found himself another bird,

and when he got to about the third,

He send Mrs Cat a letter,

really didn't want to upset her...

28 years later, tired of adventure

suffering slightly of dementia...

Oskar bought a house that was red,

much prettier than that Thailand shed...

He thought he'd maybe miss the Thai scenery,

but soon realised that in his big house he could grow some greenery...

December 8

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.

Kate and Will Change The World...

...of interior design. Ever since Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged (and stole our thunder.), there has been SUCH a buzz about sapphires. I suppose when the most influential people in the world get engaged with a 1000 carat sapphire, it will come into fashion in a very big way. I love Kate's style as well as her ring--she always has cute dresses and hats. I read an article that said that sapphire blue interiors would be everywhere for the next few years. I'm on board.

We could all do with a few more hats like these, right?

A wonderfully organized office. I love that pillow on the chair and I can't wait until the day that I have rolls of in a woven basket in my office. Homes and Gardens UK.

J. Crew. SUCH a pretty and simple dress. This is a great shade of blue and this dress looks so comfortable, too!

Eddie Ross designed this room with toile panels and this lovely fabric on the bed--love it.

Silk embroidered linen fabric by my favorite company, Vaughan!

SUCH elegant interiors by Mary McDonald. Blue and white interiors are incredibly timeless.

Here is a more mod-squad interior from Elle Decor with a deep blue striped floor--quite fun! I wish I could see more of that bed, it looks bright.

Okay so let's face it, blue is timeless no matter what shade it is. Will Kate and Will change a lot? Yes. I hope so. I do love that deep sapphire blue color--I hope that there are tons of shades of it everywhere in fashion, fabric, and design (you know, more than usual!).

Alicia B.