Thanksgiving's New Name?

There are signs everywhere that Thanksgiving is in jeopardy of being renamed. It starts with retail pushing Christmas into stores before the pumpkins welcomed the first Trick-or-Treater, let alone the first nip of frost. The mailman is shoving catalogues into my box at such an alarming rate, the heft is causing it to lean and wobble. There is barely a glimpse or a mention of the day we give thanks. It is overshadowed by visions of sugarplums.

My observations tell me that Thanksgiving may quickly succumb to the fate of Wednesday. Something to get over.  Is Thanksgiving destined to become the hump holiday? The halfway marker of the holiday season's marathon. The race that starts at the pumpkin and ends at the tree.  A successful race for some is measured by markers called best costume and best present. Some marathon racers take a shortcut and sprint an entire day called Black Friday. I see no advantage trying to sprint bleary eyed and sluggish with a belly still full of turkey and pie. I only see it as a disadvantage. The site of so much hideous behavior dampens the spirit. Which in turn reduces the act of common decency. Sprinting will surely  rob the senses of opportunities to appreciate beautiful scenery.

The first Thanksgiving was hosted by the Pilgrims in 1621 and lasted 3 days. In 1863 it become a one day holiday in the United States. Will the twisted thinking of our 21st century commercial excess driven mentality, finally reduce it to the hump?

Picture Perfect

We all have images that inspire us. Even though I have many images stored on my computer, I still keep a notebook full of tear sheets that are my favorites. Mostly they are spaces that I look at and feel there is nothing that can be improved upon.  For most designers and many die hard enthusiast, this is a rare thing...we just can't help ourselves from making those mental adjustments!

One of my all time favorites comes from Paul Sherrill's home.  He is the design partner of Jose Solis Bentancourt. I saved this tear sheet from an issue of The Washington  Post Magazine several years back. It has a timeless quality, but also still looks fresh to me.




The wall color is a fantastic backdrop for the mix of modern and antique pieces.

 
If you like this style or already are an admirer of their work, be sure to check out their book Essential Elegance.

Wishing you a picture perfect weekend!

Tuesday Tip

Making a list, checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty or nice! Or at least who is a nice host and ready for the holidays...and who is naughty and not prepared!



C'mon Santa, don't look so surprised!



Each year, I began focusing on the holidays the first 2 weeks of November. I find it hard to jump into decorating, baking and shopping if there are a bunch of incomplete tasks distracting me. I start by making 2 lists. The first is for non-perishable items I need to buy/stock and the second is for seasonal chores to complete. This year I actually feel a bit behind since retail has decided Christmas should arrive before Halloween this year. Did you notice too? Crazy!


Make your bar beautiful for the holiday season!!!


Purchase list:
bar basics
cider
nuts
olives
crackers
cheese straws
chocolate/truffles
baking basics
soaps
candles
hostess gifts(not wine or flowers!)



 Truffles, a holiday favorite!

Plenty of delicious crackers for your cheese selections.



Mixed olives are perfect for easy entertaining.



Chore list:
Break it down into categories so you don't feel overwhelmed.  Commit to tacking at least 2 items from each group to complete each week. Hire out what you can and solicit family members to help out. Motivating tip: tell your family you will not be able to shop for gifts or mail lists to Santa until the chores are complete!  This has been a great motivator at the A&A house for years.

Kitchen:
clean oven(s)
wipe out silverware trays
wipe out fridge & freezer
clean out & organize pantry
check spices, toss any over a year old



Polish silver while listening to Christmas music.



Dining:
polish silver
clean chandelier
launder & press table linens



  Launder & press table linens.


Guest relations:
sweep & tidy entryway
gather towels, sheets and soaps



Seasonal soaps are a nice gesture.



Be prepared for overnight guests with beautiful sheets.

General:
deep clean every room of the house before Thanksgiving
send rugs out for cleaning or clean under them and rotate

Other:
clean windows
clean out gutters
chimney sweep
change batteries in all detectors



The dirtiest job!


Not only will you feel relieved by completing these items before the holidays get in full swing, you feel so much more prepared and ready to bake, shop for presents, and just enjoy the season!

What's on your list?

Images via Martha Sterwart for Ashley Hicks, Godiva, Williams-Sonoma, Ralph Lauren, Caswell- Massey, Google

Celebrations...

Our wedding took place on  a beautiful autumn day 23 years ago.  The following day we boarded a plane for the US Virgin Islands. If you are a Washingtonian, do you recall the strange thing that happened a few days later? While we basked in the sun, we later found out some of you had to pull your boots on to deal with a bit of unexpected snow!



Arriving at the reception relaxed & happy after a few glasses of champagne!


For anyone who has been in a great relationship for a long time, I think you may agree that there are few things more rewarding. It is both a gift and a privilege to love and be loved and share your life with someone special. Somehow over time you do become one in ways that are impossible to list or put into words.



The two shall become one. November 7,1987


This includes doing wacky things like giving each other the same anniversary card! Upon lifting the envelope flap to reveal the front of the card, I realized immediately we both had the same confused expression. It was only after reading the inside of our cards that laughter gave way when we realized what had occurred!



His & Hers 2010 Anniversary cards!



This also happens to be my 100th post! It's hard to believe I've sat in front of my computer screen clicking away on the keyboard 100 times to share information, a project, a tip, show something beautiful, or have a conversation about design. Lately, I've had some computer problems and I appreciate every one who took a moment to email me to say they could not comment because of  "malware" notices. A computer expert has since determined the cause and so I've had to delete the related blog sources and links to them in order to get things working again.  They were all blogs that were in a "dormant" state, but it pained me nevertheless as some were favorite bloggers and friends. I hope everyone understands and I look forward to the next 100 posts!

XO,
~Rebecca

All photos courtesy of A&A and may not be copied or reproduced.

Equestrian Inspired Decor

I've noticed lately equestrian inspired elements are making frequent appearances in fashion and decor. A look that has always appealed to me. It naturally conjures up images of picnics on plaid blankets, rolling fields, miles of fences, the smell of leather, the warmth of tweed, a love of horses and my childhood.



Hermes bottle opener



Growing up I shared a room with my  older sister. About the only thing we had in common was an  obsession with horses. We  had tons of plastic and flocked specimens lining the shelves and dresser tops of our room. We would ask for our own horse constantly. My father, under the constant barrage of begging, caved and for 3 blissful years while living in Oklahoma we had our own horse. His name was Prince. He was white and had a gentle demeanor and was the most thrilling thing in our young lives.



Horse studies-Susan Friedman for WSH



We moved and said goodbye to our beloved horse. I continued to ride very sporadically throughout most of my life, but now it's been years.  My daughter learned to ride when she was six, but due to costs and other interests, she no longer does either. But, the love for these beautiful and majestic animals has never diminished.


The stable in my "Dream House" via


Whether you ride or not, I think equestrian decor, artwork and fashion accessories can be an interesting addition to your home and your wardrobe!

Here is a sampling of some of the beautiful items I've come across:

Ralph Lauren door knocker



Wallpaper



Mary Sand bronze

Ralph Lauren wrapped stirrup bracelet



Gunnison chair by Hickory

Lladro

English table 1st dibs

Ralph Lauren stirrup watch

Horse studies-Tim Robinson for WSH

Hermes rare stirrup clock

Williams-Sonoma Home saddle stitch hurricanes

A glimpse of horse study prints by da Vinci in my dining room this past spring.

Tuesday Tip

The useful variety. Nothing  pretty or exciting, but worth passing along. Since I've been slacking on the tips lately, I have 4 for you today! All related to our recent garage and storage room makeovers.

1.) Buy extras of the basic tools you need to use often, such as pliers, screwdrivers, hammers and levels. Put them in both spaces.  Worth a little splurge not wasting time searching for items and saves trips up and down the stairs. The wallet may be a little lighter, but your back and knees with thank you. Fewer expletives will be uttered as well. Guaranteed!



Basement tools

 


Garage tools

 
2.) Place the manuals to your utilities in plastic bags and hang them where they can be easily referenced by you or the service technician.

3.) Purchase and store 6-12 months of furnace filters at a time. With a Sharpie label one for each month. This way you will never wonder if you forgot to change it! I never buy the cheap filters and I also change them (red packages below on the lower right for Oct, Nov & Dec at the time of this photo) once a month. Totally worth it to keep the air cleaner and everyone breathing easier.  And, ask any repair tech...better for the longevity and maintenance of your system.

4.) Unless you are going to be super diligent about transferring a small amount of paint into another container and labeling it...get rid of it.  Cans of paint take up valuable space for a "maybe situation". Discard old paint, varnish and thinner. But, not in the trash! Every county and city has either a hazardous waste drop off/pick-up schedule. This month,  cans that I am confident we no longer need for touch-ups will dropped off at an area high school.  Gather yours together and check online to inquire about proper disposal!



Paint to be discarded


I would love to hear if anyone has been inspired or motivated to tackle one of their own projects yet? Now is the time...before the holidays!

Masquerade Party!

For whatever reason, I have a facination with masks and add to my growing collection all the time. Imagine how fun it would be to have a bloggers masquerade party?

If your carving skills, like mine, are not the sharpest give your pumpkins a mask instead. Scary simple!!!

Masks are also a great idea if your short on time....




I've been working myself to the bone.

 

Happy Halloween!!!