Something to Digest.....

I seriously don't think I ever bought an Architectural Digest. I remember growing up my mother's big piles of them filled with creepy celebrity houses that never resonated with me in any capacity. Well I am changing my tune. Margaret Russell has taken over the helm and wow-za!!!!! From Todd Romano's stunning glossy blue walls to Ralph Lauren's new flagship store, grab it while its hot. Congratulations Margaret!!!

*** Update- Great article in New York Times. Makes me like Margaret even more.

I spot

A trend, no? Go on over to Furbish to get yourself some.

Images from Lonny Magazine, House and Home, Furbish Studio, and Unknown.

Feeling slightly like the little one above (how adorable, right?). I caught a cold from James not feeling too hot. But happy to share a couple of things:

Oh Joy blog led me to this line at Target. I bought three things! Run if you have a little one, what a steal!

Ps did you hear Jordan from above blog is moving to Paris with her husband and two little ones? So romantic!

The Nest magazine is featuring gorgeous EmersonMade's home. Her pantry makes me weep. Here is a great blog post on Design Sponge as well. I always loved the leopard coat parked next to the shotgun. It is the country!

And last but not least made this salad for a dinner party. Try it!!

Happy Hump Day.

Brown, black, and grey never get old on these cold winter days. I hope you are staying warm this morning. xx Ali

Images from Lonny Magazine, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Unknown.

Snow Day!

I was so suprised to receive pink silk pillows brought home from my sister in law Jeanette from a recent trip to Cambodia. I pick out nice colors and fabrics for people in life, she does this. She's the rocket science part and the Principal of Providence St. Mel. I love the little pop of color in these grey days. I know my palm tree isn't looking so hot. The kids treat it like the jungle. Does anybody have any good recipe to make it happier?

Bring It

Well its here. It's taken me awhile (obviously) to acknowledge it on this little blog. The New Year is here. I've been thinking a lot what I'm going to do with it. I'm not going to lie, the last couple of years have been rough. Life changing, damaging thing happens to your kid. Check. Lost loved ones. Check. House after house of monstrous fix ups that get you somewhere but not quite right there. Check. This is what I am after in the New Year:

1. I am not terrific at celebrating my strengths. I've done some good work. I should try harder at showing it. And I will, here on this little blog and perhaps on a bigger stage. Let's cross fingers.

2. I will try so hard not to sweat the small stuff. The big stuff I will try very hard to get right.

3. Getting together with people I love is non negotiable. I will find the time even if there are kids running underfoot.

4. I will enjoy this year for all it has and hasn't got to offer. I still to this day seriously cannot believe how many people tune in to hear what I have to say on this blog. Its truly a blessing. Thank you. Love Ali

Oh one last thing. I will go to Paris.

Have an unbelievable 2011.

Out With The Old

Remember way back when what my back entry used to look like? It was really the kitchen and I cannot imagine how that ever functioned. There was a servant's kitchen way on the third floor as well (as we suspect, why else would you have a kitchen sink up there?) Anyhow, I thought I would share what it looks like today. We created a powder room to the left, removed the arch, and added french doors to the porch. We recently added a barn door slider to add a hidden pantry space. My great friend and neighbor Cathy let me dig one her terrific five panel doors out of her basement and I proceeded to have it painted with chalkboard paint. I hit Agway for the barn slide mechanicals. The nice people at the counter couldn't understand what I was doing with this inside my house, but I digress. Found an old rotary phone on Ebay and it has the BEST ring. And now James can't dump boxes of ziti every other day. Thrilling. The chair is vintage from my mother in law and found a nice seagrass runner on Overstock. Overstock saved my life this Christmas. The grasscloth repeats throughout my kitchen. I hope you like it!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to my faithful readers. I hope you have a wonderful day!!!!!

Image from Lonny Magazine

Knock, Knock, It's Bunny.

The new owners of the Falls Village Inn in Falls Village CT got a suprise visit from a neighbor while they were busy trying to renovate the worn out destination. One day in June when the couple was standing on the sagging porch, a woman walked up and put out her hand and said "I'm Bunny Williams and I would like to help you decorate the Inn", bewildering the owners as they had no idea who she was. See Bunny only lives a couple of hundred yards from the Inn and felt her weekend town needed a soul and a reason for people to visit again. So the very lucky owners got Bunny for free and the rest is history. Another reason to love her. I'm hoping Santa brings me her newest book, "A Scrapbook For Living". I've been good, right Santa???

The article can be seen here courtesy of Rural Intellegence.