White (Sand) Christmas

I was super lucky to go to Barbados over Christmas with my family, aunt and husband. We had a great time relaxing on the white sandy beaches, diving, eating, golfing, swimming, drinking, boating, playing volleyball and the other usual vacation activities.

Here are some shots of the trip:

super tiny boat. delicious

family portrait!

even the flowers were darling

tough life

well, we are related, huh?

beautiful scenery

rainbow

SUBMARINE

Best Ever Present

I came home from Barbados to find that some Christmas elves had left me quite a serious surprise. This project was a super-top secret labor of love and it's easily the most thoughtful gift I've ever received.

Before and after's on this bad boy when I get my hands on them. 

But doesn't it look familiar? It's based on a dresser that makes me swoon that I posted here.

Couples 1st Christmas

Not a great picture, but a heartwarming weekend.

OMG!!

This is Kate Spade's creative Deb Lloyd's Brooklyn home. And I would DIE to have this living room.

Oops..

When I look through the rooms I find inspirational or dream about living it, one thing is clear: I prefer spaces designed for a woman. Besides rustic, hearty furniture, the spaces I conjure for my future are absolutely feminine. 

I blame the women in my life. My Aunt Barb lived for many years in a perfect, girly apartment, complete with a dressing room in Chicago! It was tres Sex & the City. And my Mom got away with murder. Ask her about the first bedroom wallpaper in our house--it was large baskets of flowers on a light gray background. My Dad finally put his foot down (actually, I have no idea how it happened, but I imagine he came one day and said he could simply no longer sleep in a room full of flowers) and now, they have a soothing, magical dark green wallpaper which completely transformed the ambiance.

Anyways, he who lives with me will either have his work cut or he'll enjoy some pretty nooks. Poor guy. 

A lovely desk to call home

Hellooooo, mirror!

Ugh! The purple dresser!

 *Images courtesy of Rue, Pink Wallpaper, A Life more Fabulous, Lonny

1 trick pony

In case you thought I was just a one trick pony with the horse photos (HA!), here's a picture of baby Allegra with a baby Clydesdale supplied by my fabulous Aunt Barb of Chicago. 

See, the equestrianism runs in the family!

Picture(s) of the week

These images captured my heart this week. One, a photo from our annual Thanksgiving potluck dinner by my friend Ally of A Seaman's Catch of yours truly and my man-friend. The 2nd, a picture of our namesake from the new, breathtaking Art of the America's wing at the MFA. The final is a horse I met in New Hampshire. He was really, really big.

Happy Tuesday kiddos.