make them coo!

puzzle/bath toys/ring rattle/grey mouse blankie/socks/book

make their {holi}day!

the techie/mom/sister/best friend/the hostess/the practical/the intellectual/the hipster/the glam girl/the babysitter

j.crew/ann taylor/valentino/miu miu/bottega veneta/kate spade/ugg

whether your plans include a formal dinner with your boss, a holiday party with co-workers or dinner with your in-laws, these skirts are sure to impress!  pair them with heels, boots or flats…  you really can’t go wrong.

top row left to right: tara jarmon//lebor gabala//l’wren scott
bottom row left to right: kenzo//matthew williamson//etro

1. desk calendar 2. salt + pepper shakers 3. large memo notes 4. cell case 5. trinket box 6. planner 7. weekly planner notepad 8. small tray 9. ice bucket 10. caddylicious

during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is so important to be comfortable!  that doesn't mean you can't be stylish and cute too.  after all, you never know who you'll run into...  and remember, santa is watching!

cardigan/dress/boots/bangle/leggings/shirt/sneakers

A few suggestions for all the special guys in your life!

sweater/collar stays/boxers/cell case/vest/cufflinks/messenger bag/tie

Wondering what to get for the special ladies in your life?  Here are a few things I would choose!  They are all products I love, and I'm a huge fan of everything made by the designers/companies.  Happy shopping!

dabney lee/nars/leif/etsy/lafco/echo/jo malone/sorel

The winter has just begun and I'm already daydreaming about my favorite time of day...  changing into warm, cozy clothes and watching whatever is recorded on my DVR - Modern Family, Parks & Rec, Private Practice, Nashville...  (and yes, my dreams include a lot of cashmere). 

socks/lounge pants/slippers/cashmere cardigan/white tee/cashmere throw

'Tis the season

Have yourself a merry little dabney lee holiday!  Brighten up your loved ones’ mailboxes this year with a bright and colorful holiday card.  Order online here…  or if you’re in NYC, stop by our shop!  Stay warm!

All the rage on Fall 2012 runways

• dress
• blazer
• boots
• blouse
• jacket
• pants
• pumps
• cuff
• flats
• sunglasses
• skirt
• bag

stop by!

metallic fashion

nail polish/shorts/cuff/loafers/hermes refillable perfume spray/stila smudge stick

fall 2012 nail colors

It's a beautiful day!

mix and match

mix and match a cozy sweater, comfy cords and ballet flats for a casual fall look.
sweaters: crew neck/wrap/turtle neck/cardigan    all cords: j.crew    all flats: old navy

vests (left to right): ralph lauren//elizabeth and james//j.mendel//yves salomon//marni
booties (left to right): sigerson morrison//giorgio armani//burberry// versus//proenza schouler

From printed to fur to color block to shearling to solids...  stay warm this fall in a fabulous coat!

clockwise from top: 
stella mccartney/kenzo/miu miu/msgm/preen/christopher kane/skaist-taylor/mason

things i love!

zipper pouch//scarf//clutch//necklace//wall art//acrylic bracelet//ring

sunglasses/hair claw/necklace/earrings/cuff/ballet flats/monogrammed necklace/watch

1.tea kettle 2.serving spoon 3.blanket 4.chair 5.tweed jacket 6.wallet 7.gloves 8.sweater 9.converse 10.earrings 11.cell case

1. watch
2. ysl eyeliner
3. dvf clutch
4. lisa pump
5. nail polish
6. eddie flats
7. biennial satchel
8. schoolboy blazer
9. headband

to megan + ryan

Good evening everyone.  My name is Alison and I am Megan’s very proud best friend.  Tonight, I am also thrilled and so honored to be standing up here as her Maid of Honor.  First let me start by thanking Bob, Ann, Terry and Patrice for this extraordinarily beautiful, elegant and fun wedding weekend.  I have been looking forward to this day for almost 5 years, when Megan told me she would be marrying Ryan in a text message two hours after meeting him...  two hours!  I’m not kidding.  Can't blame the girl for knowing what she wants!

When you look around this room tonight and when you watch Megan on the dance floor later, you will know I am not the only one who has the title of best friend. There are so many people here who Megan considers her best friend and that is because she surrounds herself with the very best people.  So Ryan, since you’re the one she chose to marry, you should feel that honor the greatest tonight.

When Megan asked me to be her Maid of Honor, I knew that meant I would be standing up here and speaking to all of you.  I thought about what I could possibly say and it felt like an overwhelming task.  How could I put into words and share with all of you what Megan has meant to me throughout our lives?  We have known each other since we were in 6th grade...  back in the days when Megan had braces and bangs and wore L.L.Bean flannel shirts.  Throughout the years, she lost the braces, the bangs and even the flannel shirts, but she has grown into the gorgeous, athletic, ambitious, compassionate woman you see here tonight.  She is loyal to the core, funnier than stories could ever truly illustrate, considerate and thoughtful, generous beyond belief.  Being with Megan is a guaranteed good time, whether you're sitting on her couch, riding shotgun in her car or – I don’t know – watching her walk through the lobby of the Borgata in Atlantic City the Sunday morning after her bachelorette weekend wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with the words “Mrs. Jones” bedazzled across her back, a pink lei around her neck, a tote bag over her left shoulder and an inflatable man named Tyrone tucked under her right arm.  Quite the vision.  Needless to say, people stopped and stared.  And those same people would stop and stare if they saw you tonight, Megan, for very different reasons.  Tonight, you are absolutely exquisite.  I have never seen you more radiant and it’s because I know you are the happiest you have ever been to officially be Mrs. Jones.

There haven't been very many significant events that have happened in either of our lives that Megan and I haven't shared.  Good, bad, ugly, hilarious, embarrassing, traumatic, celebratory...  Megan and I have been a team throughout.  We have traveled around the country together, both with and without our families, we have celebrated almost every birthday together for the last 21 years, we lived together after college...  We have that rare gift of being able to look at each other and know what the other is thinking without saying a word.  One birthday I am very sorry to have missed was her 20^th.  Megan was up at Hobart finishing her sophomore year.  With balloons taped to her behind, she thought it would be fun to celebrate at her favorite local bar.  Mind you, it was her 20^th birthday – not her 21^st.  When Geneva policemen entered the bar checking IDs, Megan assumed her wonderful friends had arranged for their visit for her entertainment.  She assumed their cop uniforms were costumes and that they were going to be suggestively removing those.  When they asked for her ID, she proudly yelled, “It’s my 20^th birthday!”  And that …  was her official statement when they put her in cuffs and took her to the police station.  Fortunately, I WAS up at Hobart a year later visiting Megan for her 21^st birthday when, ironically, one of the cops who arrested her the previous year asked her out.  Seriously.  I can’t make this stuff up.

I got lucky in Ryan being the man my best friend chose to marry because not only do I find Ryan handsome and fun and hilarious and so smart, but Ryan just gets me.  To anyone else, the things that happen when we're together may seem weird -- to us, they're adventures.  Ryan only accentuates the fun Megan and I have together.  The three of us really love being together.  I know how rare that is and how fortunate that makes me.

Megan, you are so lucky to have married Ryan today.  He compliments you in all the right ways.  He’s blunt when you're verbose - he's grounded when you're up in the clouds - he's realistic when you're too optimistic - he's strong when you're weak...  you have found your partner.  He’s confident and honest and he loves you exactly how you deserve to be loved.

And Ryan, to me, tonight, you are the luckiest guy in the world.  I think marrying Megan was the best decision you have ever made.  It means you have guaranteed that for the rest of your life, you will laugh with your whole body, love with your whole heart and live an adventure most people only dream about.  50 years from now, I know you will be reflecting on a lifetime of happiness and crazy fun and thinking exactly what I am thinking right now...  that there is not one story I could share, or speech I could write that could EVER possibly explain how much this girl has rocked your world, changed your life for the better and how very, very lucky you are that she chose you to be her best friend forever.

I love you both.  Congratulations!

come visit!

After months of hard work, we officially opened the doors of our brand new retail space!  Our new shop is full of fun paper, stationery, accessories and some great gifts for all the very special people in your life!  If you find yourself in NYC, hop on over to DUMBO and visit us!

countdown to meagan + rae-a's baby girl!

10 days until megan + ryan's wedding!

These are the countdowns I have been sending Megan & Ryan for the past 50 days...  can't believe we only have 10 days left until their wedding!  So exciting. 

sweet chloe

2002-2012

Rest in peace, sweet Chloe.  It is an incredibly difficult thing to say goodbye to a pet.  Chloe was a part of our family and her absence is felt profoundly.  We said goodbye to Chloe this past Saturday, September 22nd.  It is too difficult for me to put into words how Chloe touched my life, but she was sweet, loyal, playful and so protective (especially of my mom).  We will all miss her deeply.  See you on Rainbow Bridge, Chlo.  You are forever loved.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown

bye bye!

Thanks to my friend Beth, I gave up these three things 30 days ago and I feel GREAT!  Staying strong and continuing on.

Charlie, 7 months

megan + ryan's wedding is in...

already melting hearts

I am on vacation on Nantucket for a week and thrilled that Colin, Rachel and Charlie are here from San Francisco too.  It has been a difficult few weeks for my family, so being around a cute, joyful, sweet, healthy and happy baby like Charlie is a treat for all of us!  Listen to his giggle at 7 months.  His laughter is contagious!  We are all so in love.

tote bags!

I designed personalized tote bags for everyone who came to Megan's bachelorette weekend and I filled them with all sorts of goodies.  Below are the images!  [This was essentially my first solo design project].  Contact me if you want one!  I love doing them and would be happy to personalize one/two/ten for you, your family/friends, etc.

 

10.6.12

I cannot believe Megan will become Mrs. Jones in only 50 days!  We are SO excited!

need a book?

If you’re over Christian Grey and all his 50 shades, but you want a quick, fun beach read for August, check out one of my suggestions below.  They range from beautiful to funny to scandalous to complicated...  hope you enjoy!

design elements

I browse a lot of blogs and Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors never disappoints.  Some day, I'll own a home and will have a lot of ideas I won't be able to afford.  It's fun to play pretend, right?

I really like this sink, the mirror and the floor in the shower!

This is a sink!  I love the knobs on the dresser.

Great display of artwork.

The display on this dresser is soothing and zen.

This living room seems so inviting, clean, cozy and comfortable.

I love the lighting, the shade, the kitchen table and the chairs.

atlantic city - the time of our lives!

Top Row: Megan (the bachelorette!), me, Beth, Kristin -- Bottom Row: Kelly, Blair, Erin, Sharlene

Megan, Kristin, Beth and me

All 11 of us!  Ashley, Brooke, Sharlene, me, Erin, Kristin, Kerry, Beth, Blair, Megan, Kelly

All 11 of us!

Kelly, Blair, Ashley, Sharlene, Beth, Brooke

All 11 of us!

Megan, Kristin and me

Ashley, Megan, Sharlene