BOXWOOD BASICS

Alex & I were almost home owners this weekend (for the fifth time).  

I cannot take this Long Island real estate market…

This house was so charming.  It was adorable, but a complete disaster at the same time.  Let's just call it a fantastic fixer upper.  It got me thinking... Which would I do first?  Exterior or interior revamps?  For me, curb appeal is very important.  You can hide certain things on the inside- throw a skirted table over some water damage in the living room, wallpaper the back mess of a bookcase, place a gigantic, modern piece of art over that crack in the dining room wall- everything is manageable on the inside.  Interiors, I know, I can make amazing, but poor landscaping can really destroy the overall look a house.  Basically, a few, layered boxwood's can change your life.  Here are my favorites that I will definitely copy once we finally find our home.

Cannot wait.

GINGER JAR HEAVEN

Dee & I are busy visiting old favorites this week to accessorize for the upcoming showhouse.  We spent the late afternoon scouring galleries in Chelsea and then we headed to Brooklyn to stop in at one of our amazing friends warehouse.  Her inventory is literally unbelievable and I was salivating today thinking about Alex & my future house.  I cannot wait to let loose in her shop.

That lantern though.

WHAT I'M NOT LOVING WEDNESDAY

So, there is this yellow thing happening and I can't get on board.  I almost fell pray to it last week when a sales woman tried to convince me that I "haaaad to have" this shocking yellow, cut out, low back dress for a wedding.  Sorry. But. No.  I think yellow is truly the hardest color to pull off and it just doesn't do a whole lot for anyone or anything in both interiors and also in fashion.

The one and only time I thought it not only worked, but I loved it was below.  A small part of that could be because I have a small obsession with the chair's owner, Nicole Hanley Mellon.  One of the chicest women on the planet.

SPRING SHOW HOUSE PREVIEW

We're so excited to be participating in another "Home is Where the Heart is" show house on Long Island.  It's such a terrific cause benefiting the American Heart Association.  Dee & I have taken on a fun challenge.  We are doing the library which Denise actually did 15 years ago! 

This is our rendering for the new space which is a great mix of our styles.  I can't wait to see the finished room.

LAST MINUTE HOSTESS GIFTS

This is the first year that I'm actually completely done with Christmas shopping early (slow clap)... but, for all those procrastinators out there I threw together some easy hostess gifts that can be ordered asap in time for christmas at your mother in laws, aunts, sisters, whatever... 
Any hostess (myself included) will be thrilled to get any of the above.  You're welcome...

SERENA & LILLY- modern art beauty.
pricey, but worth it for the right person who will appreciate it.

HOME MADE GINGER JAR/FLOWER COMBO- you're officially in the fam with this gift.
grab one laying around or peruse your local thrift store and throw some gorgeous calalillies inside.  Perfect.

C WONDER- initial soap set
so cute for your mother in law

IOMOI- my favorite thank you cards
for your chic sister in law

DIPTYQUE CANDLE SET- nordstom, bloomies
they all have this and it smells like heaven.

INSPIRATION TO INSTALL

Hi Guys!  We've had such an amazing week.  Firstly, I want to congratulate my baby sister on her beautiful daughter.  Little Lily has graced us with her presence at an itty bitty 5 lbs 10 oz.  You can see her perfect little pic on our instagram page here.

The end of our week was filled with installations.  One of which we blogged about a few weeks ago here...  This inspired our first feature of "Inspiration to Install".  We absolutely adore how this came out and we hope our client feels the same way.  Hopefully we really captured the feminine, sophisticated vibe we were going for.  I absolutely love the quatrefoil table by Stanley and the moroccan looking banquette by Ballard.  They both really made the space.

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION

We took a little break from blogging because we've been so busy both personally and with projects... 

To get back in the swing of things I wanted to throw out some holiday inspiration because of a feature we are participating in this week.  Here are some of our favorite holiday shots of work we have done in the past.  Hope you enjoy!