Happy Easter!

On the mantle: alabaster eggs in pewter egg cups. The bunny is cement and cast from a chocolate mold!



Eggs and bunnies- essential Easter decor! 





This pewter bunny was found at an antiques show years ago.

 On the foyer table: miniature orange roses- a bit unconventional for Easter, but why not?

A quick picture from my i-phone before we sat down to early breakfast of strata, potato latkes, blackberry muffins, fresh berries and of course candy! It seems it was so early I didn't press the napkins or even get the flatware quite right?
Better get another pot of coffee going....

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Gushing Over Green!

While I normally don't care what the " in" color is for any given year,  I must admit to being quite smitten, once again, with emerald green. I'm sure there has already been a deluge of posts done about the "color of the year", but since life and work has kept me away from blogging, I just couldn't resist.  If for no other reason than to be able to refer back to these gorgeous images often!

When I was about 8 years old I was given an emerald green long robe that looked like velvet, though I am quite certain  wasn't. It had a row of gold buttons with green satin loop fasteners that went half way down the front- much like the buttons often found on the back of a wedding dress. It was a total pain to pull the robe over my head and fasten each button, and the static electricity that ensued was a sight to behold on my very long hair, but I loved that robe. It was the first time I can recall feeling glamorous.

This dress  by Ralph Lauren and is very similar in style to a dress I wore to a high school Winter Ball.  Of course the neckline was not plunging and it was definitely not satin! Mine had a matching shrug (only it wasn't called that in the 70's?) with bell sleeves with a little lettuce ruffle. This would be the glamorous grown-up version.



These earrings, from Christies, are among the most beautiful earrings I have ever seen!
 I would wear these with the Ralph Lauren dress.

Occasionally I will meet someone who says they don't like green! It always takes me by surprise that anyone can dislike a color so prominent in nature? I think so often it's more about a particular shade of green. But if it so happens you're having a little emerald envy, like me,  here's a sampling of my fantasy shopping!


Jump in,  it's going to be a beautiful ride...


I'm not a big sports car enthusiest, but the color could persuade me otherwise. However, a green SUV would make me dance a little jig- putting it on the list for my next one!

I'm am obsessed with green barns now and could devote an entire post to them!

E-bay find-  OZ for your tabletop!

Williams-Sonoma Home. The little green faux shagreen box now sits on a table at my house!



Actress Kate Bosworth. Dress designer unknown.

An emerald cut emerald, doesn't every woman want one?



Kelly Wearstler. In real life I could only handle one wall of this tile.

I've had this saved for so long- anyone know who to give design credit?

Not exactly in the emerald category, but I think I could make it work!

Tory Burch. I think I will always be in love with her living room, especially the upholstered walls!



Beacon Hill

Frank Webb

I really, really want this console.  More than the Porsche-way more!


Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day too!

Heartfelt

A heartfelt thank you for reading A&A.


Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Tuesday Tip

Who doesn't love a box of fine chocolate's for Valentine's Day, but there are plenty of less expensive ways to say I love you...

Whip up a batch of brownies then cut them out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. Especially fun for kids- of all ages!

Maybe your loved one would like a little peanut butter (from Reese's) with their chocolate?

Krispy Kreme- certainly not a heart healthy breakfast, but...

add a glass of milk and heartfelt sentiment, what's not to love?

As you can see, we're all sugared up at the A&A house!

Red Hot!



Foyer by Alessandra Branca



I think red is such a tricky color to work with on interior rooms. Done right it can be warm & inviting, sexy & glamorous and of course classic. Done poorly, it can look cheap and harsh. The client I've been working with for the past year LOVES red. It's never been at the top of my list of favorite colors, but I thought I'd share some imagines that I've looked to for inspiration during our collaboration. It's hard not to be a little smitten, and what better time to review them since Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

Attic Magazine.
Designer unknown, but I sure would like to know who brilliantly combined red, pink and purple!

Alessandra Branca. Red is her signature color and she always gets it right.



Joe Nye. Gracie wallpaper in red. Swoon.



Unknown source. Fun and vibrant for those who love modern.



Mary McDonald. Never one to shy away from bold color and patterns.



Nuevo Estilo via La Lamp.
 One of my favorite chair styles taken to a whole new level with red velvet only an accent., but still the star of this dining room.



Celerie Kemble. Again just a few hits of red.



Another cozy room by Alessandra Branca showcasing her signature red lamp shades that she incorporates in nearly every one of her rooms!



I proclaimed my love for Tommy last February, but can it hurt to do it twice? I don't think so!



A Lovely room from Cottage Living, if only we could get the kid out of it!!!



Dangerous Dog Toys: An Urgent Warning To Dog Owners!!!

If you read my last post, you know that our beloved dog, Remy,  is recovering from surgery. On Wednesday, from something completely unrelated, I thought she may die. Remy and my daughter were visiting at a neighbor's house when I got a call saying she swallowed 2 squeakers from a dog toy.

Choking hazard due to the flatness, silky smooth faux fur and squeakers located in the head and tail. This toy was purchased at Harris Teeter, which is where I went to take this photo,  but likely available at other retailers.

I rushed her to the vet and the x-ray showed a mass, which was thought to be food and/or shredded and chewed parts of the toy and the 2 squeakers.  After 2 failed attempts to induce vomiting to bring up whatever was in her stomach, I was told she could be sedated and have a tube and camera inserted down her throat to try and locate/remove what was in it, but depending on what else was in the stomach there was no guarantee of success.

My dogs stomach with mystery mass and 2 squeakers.

The recommendation of our vet after consulting 2 other vets and a specialist was to take her home, monitor her breathing and bring her back first thing Thursday morning to see if a new x-ray yielded any change before admitting her to surgery to open her stomach and remove the objects.

Needless to say it was a sleepless night and thank god, because sometime after 2am I heard her vomiting. The pile left on the laundry room floor was so large, it could have been elephant dropping.

Warning: the next two pictures are incredibly gross.

I really had no idea what I was looking at or if the squeakers were in this- no choice but to put on gloves and and go through the mess.

The contents of my dogs stomach.

I was in complete shock when I realized my dog had swallowed the toy whole and it was the length of a cookie sheet!

The whole toy and some carrots.

The vet was equally surprised when I showed up with the contents in a bag- there was clapping and cheering literally from everyone on duty the night before. She said we truly dodged a bullet because rarely will a dog vomit 6 hours later with no food or  injection administered. This toy would be the human equivalent of mixing chewing gum and spaghetti together and giving it to a child!

Lady Remington, aka Remy, exhausted, but on the mend. 

I share all of this with you so that others can avoid going through such a scary ordeal. Our vets office is also posting warnings in their office.

I'm hoping February brings a whole lot of this: