1. Nantucket Basket Collection by Wedgwood Clean, white, and classic in design this is my favorite place setting for any occasion.    

2. Savannah Jasmine and Gardenia Candle by Archipelago A candle adds a serene feel to any space.  Try one of my favorites by Archipelago for a soft floral scent.  

3. Cotton Herringbone Throw by Brahms Mount Great as an extra blanket in a guest bedroom or as a throw in a family room.  These blankets come in a variety of colors and are made locally in Maine.  

4. Hadley Table Lamp by Serena and Lily Whenever someone asks me how to improve a space, the first thing I look at is the lighting.  Table lamps are a must!  I recently fell in love with this white porcelain table lamp, with antique brass details and a simple paper shade.

5. A room is not complete without something living.  I don't mean a pet, but maybe a small topiary or a basket of succulents.  A bit of green will create a welcoming and lived-in feel, while adding a natural element to a space.   

Topiary image via Bing

2015 image via Tumblr 

1. Ocean Sea Salt by LUSH Like bathing in the ocean in the dead of winter!  This scrub leaves your skin soft and vibrant.  

2.  Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder "Silky, luxurious, natural, and shine-free."  I have been using this bronzer for years.  This will transform you into a bronzed goddess any time of the year!  Available in three different tones. 

3. Playa Del Platinum by Essie I go through phases with nail polish.  One minute I am into metallics, the next I am loving vagrant pinks and oranges.  Right now I am all about neutrals.  Try Playa Del Platinum for a chic and polished look in 2015.  

4. Color Burst Lip Butter by Revlon Unlike many lipsticks that leave your lips feeling dry or over colored, this lip butter provides the perfect amount of color and moisture.  I wear it day and night, and at any time of year.  My go to is Peach Parfait, but I also frequently use Pink Lemonade.  

5. My Burberry by Burberry As a long-time fan of Mark Jacobs Daisy, I find it hard to say that I have a new favorite perfume.  Complete with a tortoise (my favorite!) top!  
2015 image via Tumblr

A CHAMPAGNE TOAST: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGA DESIGN BLOG:

A lot can happen in a year: Birthdays, holidays, and family events.  Births and deaths. The beginning and ending of friendships.  New opportunities; some good and others bad.  Memorable trips and events.  And the passing of 365 days.

A year ago, I sat at a long table at the Boston Public Library, with tall bookshelves surrounding me.  It was here that I created the first AGA Design Blog post.  I was unsure if I was really going to be able to follow through with this.  A blog is a huge undertaking. But within a month of blogging, I was hooked.  Yes, there have been the good and the bad weeks.  Sometimes I am bursting with ideas and I can't get them posted quick enough.  Other times, I feel exhausted and I am lacking inspiration. But there are two things that always keep me going: one, I have an entirely new perspective when I walk down a street or step into a space, and second, I love hearing that friends, or friends of friends are following. As AGA Design Blog celebrates it's first birthday, I would like to say thank you to all of my supporters and followers.  And may we have many more birthdays!  

Cheers to 1 year of the AGA Design Blog! 
xoxo
AGA 

Image via Tumblr

COLORFUL PRINTS

Wintertime often leads to long hours cooped up indoors.  Within a very short amount of time, cabin fever sets in and the quest for something to do begins.  I have gone through multiple crafts and activities to try to alleviate the dreaded cabin fever.  One that I have found most successful, is watercolors.  There is something about seeing a blank sheet of paper evolve into a colorful image.  Like the blank white landscape outside, the paper is transformed into a colorful spring day. One winter I created a series of floral prints inspired by vintage patterns.  I have yet to find this year’s remedy for cabin fever, but I am sure today’s snow day will spark my creativity.   

Images by AGA

GET SPOTTED

A few years ago, I received a faux leopard coat for Christmas.  I was instantly obsessed!  Leopard belts, jewelry, shirts, shoes, handbags, and coats…I could not get enough of this playful print.

A longtime favorite of designers, celebrities, and the public, this print has made quite an impact over the years.  Beginning as a symbol of status and wealth, leopard print was a favorite among Christian Dior’s muse Mitzah Bricard. 

In addition to leopard’s influence on the world of fashion, this print has played a significant role in interior design. Similar to zebra print, leopard adds an exotic and graphic element to any room.  Albert Hadley, a well-known American interior designer, was an avid fan of Rose Cumming's leopard print linen.  Hadley was known for his daring designs, which often featured combinations of classic and contemporary themes.  Furthermore, Hadley and other designers promoted the use of the leopard pattern in interior design, allowing its popularity to grow. 

Today many well known designers, including Mary McDonald and Bunny Williams, have used this exotic print, and consequently leopard made yet another appearance on the Fall/Winter runway.  This versatile pattern has been reworked in various colors and textures, lending itself as a perfect addition to any scheme.  The leopard pattern is classic and edgy, establishing it as a design that will stand the test of time.  

Image by Olivia Pearson