Can you believe it's the last weekend in September? I plan to treat myself to a few fresh blooms before we shift focus to carving pumpkins. Who's with me?
Images 1/2/3 (please let me know if you recognize 2 & 3!)
J.CREW SALE PICKS
J.Crew is offering 25% off and free shipping with code STYLE25 at checkout through Sunday! This is the perfect time to invest in a few staples and refresh your closet for fall (or get ahead on holiday shopping). The monogrammed pullover and this quilted vest are headed my way! What's in your shopping cart? Do tell!
OUTFIT PLANNING
J.Crew striped sweater // J.Crew quilted vest (obsessed!) // AG skinny jeans
I swear it went from summer to winter in less than a week! It was forty degrees when I woke up yesterday, so naturally I broke out the faux fur... until it hit seventy-five in the afternoon. Here's a look I plan to wear well through fall: a lightweight sweater and jeans with a cute vest I can ditch once it warms up.
P.S. J.Crew is offering 25% off and free shipping with code STYLE25 at checkout!
P.P.S. Michael was game to participate in Victoria's hilarious "The Man Behind The Blog" feature! Click on over to find out when I told him I'd started a blog, what he likes about dating a blogger, and what he still totally doesn't get about girls in high heels ;)
A FEW FAVORITE ROOMS...
I'll never tire of classic white interiors with blue accents. The last space makes me so happy — the books, the fabrics, the layout! Find more interior inspiration here.
FALL SHOE GUIDE
BALLET FLATS: J.Crew // Tory Burch // Ann Taylor
HEELS & WEDGES: J.Crew // Kors Michael Kors // J.Crew
ANKLE & RIDING BOOTS: J.Crew // Madewell // Tory Burch
ALL-WEATHER WEAR: Hunter // Loeffler Randall // Sergio Rossi
Every outfit looks better with the right pair of shoes! My must-haves for fall include comfy ballet flats, playful pumps, equestrian-inspired boots, and updated rain gear. What's your favorite pair?
AN OUTFIT FOR A RAINY DAY
Tomorrow marks the official first day of fall but here in Connecticut we've had the weather to prove it all week. We decided to let Rory play in the river before it gets too cold and I'm pretty sure it was the best afternoon of his life. Is it starting to feel like fall where you are? Time for me to switch over to hot lattés in the morning :)
P.S. I'm sharing a few tidbits about organization on Lexi's blog today if you'd like to check it out!
101 IN 1001 UPDATE
Later this month is the one-year mark until the end of my 101 in 1001 list and suffice it to say I have a lot of things to cross off in the final 365 days! Because I'm addicted to making lists it can be a little overwhelming to look at all my uncompleted tasks at once, here's a mini list of tasks I'd like to cross off before the end of 2012.
19. Drink eight glasses of water every day for one week.
Why oh why is this so hard for me?
39. Ride on a sailboat.
Preferably in September or October...
41. Try acupuncture.
So looking forward to this one.
44. Throw a murder mystery party.
Hello, Halloween!
55. See a comedy show.
Any recommendations?
60. Read every Jane Austen novel.
Three down, three to go!
74. Find my signature scent.
Time to shop! ;)
87. See a double feature.
Maybe at Christmastime?
95. See five Audrey Hepburn films.
Thanks to my Aunt Jill for helping this one along!
101. Continue to put $10 into savings for every goal accomplished.
Cha-ching!
What's one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of 2012?!
BOOKWORM
Everything about fall makes me want to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book (or a pink leather dictionary, as the case may be). What's your favorite classic read?
P.S. A few cute new arrivals in the boutique!
A FEW UPDATES...
I'm working hard to add new products to the boutique as often as possible! Did you see these cosmetic bags? I'm smitten with the blue set.
We sold through two of the new trays but we still have two of the tan zebra! I hope to have the others back in stock later this week. Isn't this pretty with the tortoiseshell glasses? *UPDATE: All trays are sold out but will be back in stock asap.
I wore my favorite peplum tank with new leopard flats for a dinner date — gotta wear those summer clothes before it's too late! ;)
The horn sculpture is back in stock! I love it atop a stack of books or hanging out on a bedside table. And I never tire of these pretty little matches!
My parents moved this campaign dresser (a favorite Craigslist find!) into my workspace to house some of the smaller items for the boutique. Functional and pretty makes me happy.
A few favorite baubles on my bathroom counter... Asha turquoise studs, Loren Hope earrings and necklace, Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring (similar), and Design Darling stripe bangle and tortoiseshell bangles.
I celebrated a friend's birthday brunch in my Zara peplum jacket, J.Crew signet ring (similar), tortoiseshell bangles (can you tell I never take them off?), and tortoiseshell cuff. Also can you believe there are less than 100 days until Christmas? I know I'm getting ahead of myself but stay tuned for lots of new arrivals (including gift cards, wooohooo!) as well as gift guides here on the blog. Every year I say I'll get my shopping finished early... ;)
SAIL TO SABLE FALL 2012
Some of you may remember my blog sponsor Sail to Sable's adorable tunics from this post and I'm happy to say their fall collection is even better! Here are three of my favorite pieces and how I'd style them...
EARRINGS: Juliet & Co. // J.Crew // Loren Hope
DRESSES: Perfect Prep // Slinky Silk // Pretty Pink
SANDALS: Jack Rogers // Loeffler Randall // Jack Rogers
The new colors and cuts are to die for! The floor-length number is also available in seersucker and has me wanting to plan a vacation this instant. What's your favorite new arrival? Shop the full collection here.
A WALK WITH RORY
Our puppy Rory is the subject of many Instagrams and tweets but I decided it was high time for him to get his own blog post. The kind folks at Waggo sent him a few goodies so we took a walk around the block to test them out...
I'm kind of obsessed with the fact that his new collar and leash match my cardigan and leggings from Thomas Kelly. We were meant to be ;)
The cutest face I ever did see.
Posing with his brother Coach.
"I'd rather walk myself, thank you very much." Someone needs to go to puppy school ;)
Finally winding down...
PRADMAN JEWELS MONOGRAM NECKLACE GIVEAWAY
You all know I love anything that can be monogrammed: business card holders, clothing, key fobs, pencil cups, sandals, stationery... and, yes, jewelry. I'm happy to introduce one of my newest sponsors, Pradman Jewels, and kick things off with a giveaway you're sure to love!
One lucky winner will receive a 14-karat gold disc necklace monogrammed in the style of your choice! To enter, please follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below (if you're in Google Reader, you'll have to click over to enter). The winner will be contacted on Friday morning. Good luck!
FASHION WEEK TOP FIVE
I thought it would be fun to wade through some of the crazy makeup, over-the-top hair, and totally-not-me looks from NYFW to select a few favorites that are completely my style. After much editing, here are my fashion week top five...
The mix of patterns and textures at J.Crew and Rachel Roy was too good for words. And what's not to love about a solid shift from Jenni Kayne or Tibi's little white dress? But Marissa Webb was definitely the fashion week darling in my book. Her debut collection is full of easy separates and the prettiest shoes you ever did see!
I WISH I WERE WEARING...
The adorable Molly and Sally of A Piece of Toast invited me to participate in their She Wishes She Was Wearing series and I love the way it turned out! I was thrilled to meet this talented sister duo during fashion week and let me tell you, they are just as sweet in person! I hope you'll stop by to check out my outfit and read the interview about my most recent purchase, best style advice, and more! Check it out here.
MARK D. SIKES // WEST HOLLYWOOD GARDEN
We've had what I consider absolutely perfect weather (low 70s, sunshine, a cool breeze) all week and naturally I wish I could spend every waking moment outdoors. When I stumbled upon this garden space designed by Mark D. Sikes (who also pens a fabulous lifestyle blog) I knew it was too good not to share. Climbing ivy, French doors, and more topiaries than I can count? Dear Mark, you've created heaven on earth.
P.S. Click here for more inspiring exteriors!
NEW ARRIVALS
I hope you'll pop over to my boutique today to check out what's new! Cosmetic bags, hand-painted trays, tortoiseshell goodness... This might be my favorite batch of new arrivals to date!
ASHLEY BROOKE DESIGNS GIVEAWAY
You're all going to love today's giveaway because, well, it's all about you! Ashley Brooke Designs is giving away custom stationery — designed around your favorite things!
I emailed Ashley a list of my current favorites (many from my boutique!) and she sent me an illustrated version complete with the name of my blog/business and gorgeous lined envelopes. Want to win your own set? Simply click into the Rafflecopter widget below (if you're in Google Reader you'll have to click over to see it) and follow the steps to rack up extra entries!
The giveaway closes at midnight Thursday night and the winner will be announced Friday morning at 8 a.m. EST. Good luck!
NAVY SHOES
After running around in the city all last week, it's a wonder I can even look at a pair of shoes without wincing ;) Still I'm loving all the navy shoes we're seeing this season! I wore the bow heels on Saturday and can't wait to add a couple more of these to my closet this fall. Which pair is your favorite?
RAOUL SPRING/SUMMER 2013
A few favorite shots from Raoul's spring presentation on Friday. I couldn't get enough of all the little details: silk bows on shoulders, skirts with pockets, sweet scalloped hemlines... And now I'm dying to add this darling top to my closet! Have you been keeping up with all the presentations and shows? Do tell if you have a favorite!
*Photos by me for Design Darling
A FEW THINGS...
The IFB conference was awesome. I got to catch up with a few ladies who flew in from out of town (Bri, Erin, Taylor) as well as meet a few favorites (Julia, Kate, Lauren, Rachel) for the first time. I carried my K. Slademade clutch and wore this Loren Hope bracelet and tortoiseshell bangles coming soon to Design Darling. Alex, Sarah, and I also ran into Dakota Fanning at lunch... NBD ;)
Two hours a day on the train in and out of the city this week gave me plenty of time to catch up on some of my favorite reads. Don't you wish every month were as good as the September issue?
Alex, Sarah, and I popped into C. Wonder and noticed lots and lots of hot pink and navy (my favorite!). Aren't these flats adorable? I still have my heart set on this picnic basket.
Speaking of shoes, I got lots of compliments on my new heels last night! (You can get 30% off with code FALL30 at checkout.) Don't they look like the shoes in my blog header?!
Last night Tamra and I celebrated Fashion's Night Out at Alice & Trixie. I wore the super sparkly Georgie top and now have my eye on this and these as well! Huge thanks to Alex, Kat, and Viviana for swinging by.
And finally Alex and I met Brad Goreski at the Kate Spade event. Is he not the cutest ever?!
- - -
I hope you are all having a lovely fashion week whether you're in New York or elsewhere! I'm off to the Raoul presentation this afternoon and have a few blogger get-togethers tomorrow before I come home Sunday and sleep for 24 hours straight ;) Have a great weekend!
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