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And the winner is...


I was blown away by the number of entries on the Social Social giveaway and so psyched to know you all love Roxy's new line as much as I do! Without further ado, random.org has chosen entry #169, Cristin of Simplied Bee! Congratulations! I can't wait to see which pillow you choose. Please email me so I can put you in touch with Roxy! Thank you to everyone who entered and have an amazing weekend!

101 in 1001: Update No. 2

I'm making steady progress on my 101 in 1001 list! This is my second update since starting in January and I'm happy to report that I've completed ten more tasks since my first update in April!

11. Scrutinize the contents of my closet and donate, store, or toss everything I no longer wear. Not the most fun task but long overdue and almost therapeutic. 

13. Go skinny dipping. Shhh!

21. Read all seven Harry Potter books. Have you read them? I definitely may or may not have cried at the end of the last book. J.K. Rowling is a genius.

34. Make an address book with contact information for friends and family. Remember this? 

36. Figure out the best way to store all those business cards! This baby looks just as cute on my desk as it does at parties.

46. Buy something at a flea market. These earrings!

57. Prepare a meal using ingredients from a flea market. Right here!

62. Get a facial. I know I'm going to ruffle some feathers here and I'm happy I tried it but it totally wasn't for me! Too pricey and too much for my sensitive skin. I'll stick to my preferred mani/pedi indulgence instead!

86. Wear the right shade of red or pink lipstick — and not on Halloween. NARS Jungle Red. Not for the faint of heart but fun for a night out. Teeny tiny picture here.


97. Find out my blood type. Just one of those things I felt like I should know, don't you think?


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That's 20 tasks down, 81 to go! My 1001 day deadline is in September 2013. I feel great about it! Have a similar list? Leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Society Social Pillow Giveaway!

I've raved about her blog and her bar carts but Roxy and I decided it was high time for a Society Social giveaway!
One lucky reader will receive the pillow of his or her choice. Leopard, sequins, or zigzag? I mean, you really can't go wrong...


Don't you want to move right in? To enter to win the pillow of your choice, follow Design Darling and leave a comment below. For a second entry, like Society Social on Facebook. For a third entry, follow Society Social on Twitter. I'll draw the winner on Friday. Good luck!

The Design Dialogues {Elizabeth Caan}

I stumbled upon the work of interior decorator Elizabeth Caan last week on Made By Girl and fell in love with her colorful, preppy aesthetic. I was delighted when she agreed to participate in The Design Dialogues and share a few more of her interiors with all of you! Without further ado, Elizabeth Caan!


Who you are: Elizabeth Caan
What you do: Interior decoration and styling
Where you do it: Newton, Massachusetts


Five words to describe yourself... Impatient, energetic, petite, down-to-earth, congenial.

How do you define your aesthetic? Graphic glam.

Who are your style icons? Miles Redd, Mrs. Lilien, Diana Vreeland.


Destination: New York, New York

Quote: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." —Benjamin Franklin

Site: Etsy. I've scored some amazing things: vintage scarves I've had made into pillows, great art, and photographer that I have smattered about my studio and my home.

Store: Net-a-Porter. Who has time to go into a store?

Thing to read: Financial Times Where to Spend It Weekend Magazine.

Thing to Watch: Breaking Bad on AMC — such a great show!

Thing to wear: A fabulous coat makes anything look très chic.


How did you decide to become an interior designer? 
When I could afford to! It's an expensive sport. No, I actually have a degree in art. I spent ten years in sales and marketing for new media companies and have always had a passion for interior design. When I could afford to take a pay cut and learn this business the way I wanted to, I went for it!

What is the most glamorous aspect of your work?
Creating glamorous things with beautiful materials and top-notch tradespeople. 

What is the least glamorous aspect of your work?
Schlepping things around town!

What is the best advice you've ever received?
This is a creative business. To make it, you need to be not only creative but a businessperson as well.


Three tasks on your to do list...
Take my daughter to Paris, finish my home office, learn to relax.

Three items on your wishlist...
A pair of Joe Cariati glass lamps in lavender berry, a larger closet, a laundress.

Three tasks on your bucket list...
A trip to the Greek islands, go on an African safari, learn how to upholster — couture style!

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Thank you so much for joining us, Elizabeth! I love her quote about being a creative businessperson and I think I'll be adding a laundress to my wishlist as well. Aren't you smitten with her style?

LovingEco Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the LovingEco giveaway this week. The winner is entry #6, Genelle of Signing Nelle! Please email me so I can put you in touch with the kind folks at LovingEco to redeem your $150 credit. 

{image via my Tumblr}

Spring 2012, Continued

Sometimes you just need to look at pretty things. Here are a few of my favorite looks from the spring collections. No rhyme or reason, just pretty...
{Diane von Furstenberg}
{Nanette Lepore}
{Rachel Zoe}
{Ralph Lauren}
Seeking inspiration (fashion or otherwise) is such a lovely way to zone out, step away from your problems for a second, and come back a little while later feeling refreshed. In addition to browsing collections and reading blogs, I find I'm re-inspired after a hot shower, a vanilla latté, or a phone call home. How do you stay inspired?

Fall Shopping {J.Crew}

I was happy to learn through last Thursday's post that I'm not the only one utterly and unabashedly obsessed with all things J.Crew: the clothes, the styling, the website. Here's what's catching my eye from their September arrivals.
The camel hue and unfussy silhouettes of these two pieces pair equally well with your go-to skinny jeans and this fall's colored denim trend. 

I absolutely adore the idea of dressing in different shades of the same color. It's a modern take on colorblocking and these two pieces have me eager to give it a go.

I've been "borrowing" a tortoiseshell cuff from my mom and I think I've worn it every day for the past three weeks. The rhinestones here are a fun update and the price can't be beat! And every jewelry collection needs a plain gold bangle. 
Plaid and polka dots... They're about as patterned as my solid-color-loving wardrobe can handle and they're well within in my exclusively navy comfort zone. I'd love the blackwatch shirt with denim and the polka dot top tucked into a solid skirt.
I find with my iPhone and my laptop generally within arm's reach that a watch is more a luxurious accessory than a necessity of any kind. Nonetheless I can't get this well-priced option, with its plain face and variety of colorful straps, out of my head. And these leather boots are pretty much my definition of perfect. Time to start saving up!
You know I'm in love with New York and with workspaces so it makes sense that I'd fall hard for this darling paperweight. And wouldn't these red flats with their grosgrain bow save the day during a rainy morning commute? I think I could talk myself into buying the whole store this way ;) 
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What are your favorites at J.Crew this season?




$150 LovingEco Giveaway!

I'm excited to be partnering with LovingEco, a sample sale site à la Gilt Groupe or Joss & Main for environmentally friendly clothing, decor, and jewelry. Each week they have four eco-friendly brands plus a charity that benefits from all purchases made that week. A sample sale site that makes it easy to go green and that gives back? Sign. Me. Up!



My favorite brand this week is Dirty Librarian Chains, a one-of-a-kind jewelry company whose pieces are all handmade in Brooklyn. The mixed metal pieces really couldn't be more perfect for fall, don't you agree? They're also giving us a sneak peek of Thursday's sale on Me+You bags. I don't need to tell you how awesome it is that every purchase benefits this week's charity, Stand Up To Cancer!


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LovingEco is generously giving one Design Darling reader a $150 credit! To enter, please do the following, leaving a separate comment for each entry:

1. Sign up for LovingEco (it takes two seconds!) and leave a comment below.
2. For an extra entry, like LovingEco on Facebook.
3. For an extra entry, follow LovingEco on Twitter.

I will draw and announce the winner on Friday morning. Good luck!

Grateful.

First things first! Your comments yesterday were literally the highlight of my week. It was such a joy to get to know each one of you a little better and to read all about your bucket lists, dream jobs, and weekend plans. I read every single questionnaire with a smile on my face. You are such an inspiring bunch and I am so grateful that you show up here each day! Thank you so much.
Moving right along, the lucky winner of the Effie's Paper giveaway is #46, Tamra of Walks With Bella! Please email me so I can put you in touch with the lovely Kalyn. Congratulations! 


Lastly, thank God it's Friday. Can you say "longest week ever?" A couple late nights at work and the subsequent shortage of sleep have me more eager than ever for the weekend! I'll be reuniting with lots of Bucknell friends for a birthday party tonight and spending the rest of my weekend hanging with my family and tackling what seems to be a never-ending weekend to do list. Based on yesterday's responses, it sounds like you'll all have plenty to keep you busy as well! Have a good one, friends!

{images via the darling Patterson Maker}

So tell me about yourself.

One of the many reasons why I blog is that I love connecting with like-minded people. Nearly every blogger I have met in real life has turned out to be a dear friend and a true inspiration. Most of them are extremely caring, driven, and passionate people and I am lucky to have them in my life. Since it's impossible to be able to connect with every single one of you, I thought it would be fun to turn the tables today and ask you a few questions about yourself so I can get to know you and you can get to know each other. Maybe if you dig it we'll make it a regular event around here!
Current location:
Day job:
Dream job:
How you'd describe your style:
Favorite clothing company:
Favorite TV show:
Favorite way to procrastinate:
Something you're looking forward to this week:
Something on your bucket list:

Feel free to copy and paste the questions into the comments section. Here are my answers...

Current location: New York, NY
Day job: Digital coordinator 
Dream job: Freelance writer
How you'd describe your style: Casual, classic, preppy
Favorite clothing company: Emersonmade, J.Crew
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite way to procrastinate: Twitter
Something you're looking forward to this week: A friend's birthday party
Something on your bucket list: Skydiving

That's it. Nine questions so we can all get to know each other a little better. I can't wait to read everyone's responses!


Weather Report

There's a post-Labor Day tendency to tuck your summer clothing into the back of your closet and to embrace your favorite new trends for fall. But the temperature rarely changes as quickly as our wardrobe inclinations do. It feels just as wrong to sport a sundress in September as it does to rock wool pants in 80° weather. How to stay chic in between seasons? Let's look to a few of my favorite style bloggers.
Anh combines looks from two seasons with a pale lace dress and a neutral infinity scarf. The dress and sandals say summer, but her lightweight scarf and dark leather bag make her look equally appropriate for fall.
A maxi dress or skirt is a great piece for both summer and fall. Nicole's one-shoulder option is a summer staple paired with silver jewelry and will look equally chic layered underneath a cardigan come fall.
Who says shorts are just for summer? Helena's look transitions seamlessly into fall with a white oxford shirt and navy schoolboy blazer. Want to make it office-appropriate? Swap the jean shorts for a pair in leather or silk. 
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What are your tricks for transitional dressing?

Inside Marie Claire

Nobody's coverage of New York Fashion Week is more compelling than photographer Jamie Beck's. As detailed on her blog From Me To You, Jamie has been shooting various presentations, shows, and — lucky for us! — a behind-the-scenes look at my very favorite magazine, Marie Claire.
Tell me that's not the stuff dreams are made of. What's your favorite magazine these days?

Effie's Paper Giveaway!

There are few things I love more than a handwritten note or a stack of stationery just waiting to be used. I'm excited to be partnering with the darling Kalyn to bring you this giveaway from her stationery company Effie's Paper




One of you will receive personalized stationery in your choice of color and pattern! And everyone gets 15% off with the code "DARLING" at checkout now through Friday. I might have to grab that ikat set for myself!
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To enter, become a follower of Design Darling and leave a comment below. For an extra entry (please comment again!), like Effie's Paper on Facebook. Good luck!

Tell Me About It, Stud

By the way, need an end-of-the-weekend pick-me-up? I'd like to direct your attention to these pretty baubles among the new arrivals at Loren Hope Designs...
Sparkly costume studs, just $32 a pair available in every color under the sun. (Find them here.) I'll take these four and more...

Spring 2012, Continued

Just dropping in with a little more weekend eye candy...
{ADAM}
Delightful polka dots and sweet silhouettes.

{Erin Fetherston}
The perfect party frock times three.
{Lela Rose}
Divine details and romantic everything. The blue dress in the center is particularly breathtaking, no?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}


Spring 2012

Partially because I'm in denial that summer has come to an end and partially because it's hard to work in New York and not get caught up in spring Fashion Week buzz, I'm popping in today to share a few looks from three of my favorite collections to date.
{Jenni Kayne}
Enamored though I am with fashion, it's refreshing to see a collection in which I would wear literally any and every piece. This beautifully detailed collection in saturated navy, heathered gray, and crisp white would be in constant rotation in my wardrobe. Paired with metallic heels or glittery flats, what's not to love?
{Peter Som}
For days when I'm craving a burst of color, I'll be channeling the royal blue and hot pink standouts in Peter Som's collection. The retro-fit zebra bikini is what I'd call tongue-in-chic.
{10 Crosby Derek Lam}
I have trouble finding patterns and prints I love, but the bold graphics of Derek Lam's diffusion line had me at hello. Pink and white stripes with an enlarged and isolated geometric detail? It's pure pattern perfection.
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Have you been following the spring shows? What is your favorite collection to date?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}