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APARTMENT DETAILS

Several of you have asked when I'll be sharing a full apartment tour on the blog! I am absolutely dying to share everything with you but have so many finishing touches I'd like to wrap up before I whip out my fancy camera. Until it's 100% ready (I'm sorry to be so type A!), I thought I'd share sources for some of the items I've shared sneak peeks of on Instagram

My sofa is finally in place! It was an impulse purchase on Joss & Main, which I highly recommend checking daily — seriously it's my new addiction. If you're looking for something similar, it looks almost exactly like this one from West Elm. I bought the blanket on Joss & Main as well and the mirror was a vintage score given to me by my mom for my birthday. It totally makes the space! See this post for some of my favorite mirror recommendations. 

I'm using Ikea's Expedit shelves as a room divider with the Branas baskets to store jewelry, paper, and more for my boutique. My bed is on the other side of the shelves and I bought four of these Society Social chairs for around the table where I pack boxes. They're the perfect scale for the space and can be folded up and tucked away if I'm tight on space! The Diptyque candle was a little housewarming gift to myself while shopping with Alex, Amy, and Emily.

This CB2 acrylic console used to be underneath the mirror where the sofa is but now it sits in front of the window and functions as my desk. I need to add a couple end tables to the mix for storage but I love the look!

This Euro Style Lighting mirror is my newest addition. The leather trim kind of kills me in the best way possible. I'm not sure where I'll be hanging it permanently but I kind of like the reflection of the backs of my bookshelves!

Details from my bookshelves... Coral found on Nantucket, Design Darling matches and tortoiseshell bowl, and a few favorite reads including this and this.

I still have so much to do, including but not limited to:
1. Finding a teeny tiny table for next to my door. I desperately need a central spot for tossing keys and mail!
2. Deciding on bedding, headboard, etc. Right now I'm sleeping on the sheets I had a couple years ago in college... This is the definitely the "area" that feels the furthest from completion.
3. Figuring out storage for my office area. My printer is currently on the floor — so not cute or practical.
4. Trying to squeeze an end table on either side of the sofa... This might be mission impossible!
5. Hang a full-length mirror on the closet door and a push light above the clothing rod. I have a decent-sized closet but it's pretty useless when I can't see a thing inside it! 

I'm really trying to slow down and enjoy the process of decorating instead of rushing to make it feel "finished." Thanks for all your enthusiasm! Any other sources you want to know? Tweet me here!

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PICKING OUT PILLOWS...

My Society Social chairs arrived this week and I am in love! (Did you catch the sneak peek here?) Now I'm getting excited to start thinking about all the pretty little details like hanging art, picking out pillows, styling and restyling my book collection, etc. Here are a few throw pillows I'm loving at the moment...



Are you sensing a trend? I've been decorating in mostly blue and white so I think pillows would be a fun way to bring in a pop of pink. By the way, the Design Darling pillows are on sale right now for $42. Making way for new inventory... or just making it onto my sofa ;) 

P.S. Speaking of pillows, what is your bedding set-up? I'm totally stumped on bedding right now. White comforter with colorful pillows? Too impractical for a puppy who gasp sleeps on my bed? Any favorite options you've seen lately? Do share! xx

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STYLE INGREDIENTS

It's time for the second installment of Style Ingredients! A handful of favorite outfits and links to pieces to help you recreate the look...





As always you can find lots of looks I love on my style board and all my shopping favorites on my products board. Lately I'm all about my new favorite coat, skinny jeans, and desert boots. What's been your go-to look of late?

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ALEXANDRA GRECCO SPRING/SUMMER 2013

Maybe it's because I just got back from Salt Lake City where I beat the world record for consecutive hours spent indoors but I am basically counting down the minutes until springtime. And stumbling upon Alexandra Grecco's pretty sundresses definitely isn't helping matters...


The first four can be pre-ordered for spring but the last from her fall collection was too cute not to include. The drop waist with the little bow detail? Made for my closet and I wouldn't even have to wait until spring to wear it with tights. What independent designers have you discovered lately?

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GORJANA WRAP BRACELETS

When it comes to jewelry, do you find that you frequently reach for the same pieces? I wear the same pair of simple studs almost every day and reach for either bangles or rings to accessorize an everyday look. I almost never go for necklaces! Lately I've been switching between my monogrammed cuff and my tortoiseshell bangles. And then I stumbled upon these pretty little numbers and can't narrow down which color (or colors!) need to come live with me. Say hello to the Gorjana wrap bracelet:


 Sadie triple wrap in redwood leather (loving this for a cool equestrian vibe)

I think they're so pretty either on their own or paired with some of the pieces I'm already wearing. Are there certain pieces of jewelry you find yourself reaching for again and again? And are you more of a bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or rings kind of girl? Do tell!

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INTRODUCING LULU & GEORGIA

I'm happy to be announcing that Lulu & Georgia is the newest sponsor here on Design Darling! If you don't recall them from this awesome giveaway or this round-up of affordable rugs, here are a few of my current favorites on their site...


Awesome furniture, lighting, and rugs in a wide range of colors and prices! Check out their site here and let me know which items you fall in love with. Have a happy Wednesday!

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COLD WEATHER NECESSITIES

It's absolutely freezing in New York right now — the kind of cold that hurts the second you step outside and that prompts you to run to CVS for a new moisturizer because you're pretty sure your face is going to fall off. But enough about how much I love winter! ;) Here are a few cold weather necessities in heavy rotation right now...




What are some of your winter must-haves? Do share before I leave for Salt Lake City tomorrow... If I can't handle 28 degrees, I can only imagine how pleasant I'll be at 14 ;)

P.S. Thanks for your awesome NYC recommendations! I've made a master list and already started crossing off a few of your favorites. (All I can say is you all have great taste!) I'll be sure to share on the blog but in the mean time if you're planning a trip or just looking to try a new spot, I highly suggest browsing the comments right here!

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YOUR NEW YORK FAVORITES


My little studio is starting to feel like home! My parents came in earlier this week to hang the cutest window treatments you ever did see and my sofa will be moved in this weekend. I've been trying to share bits and pieces on Instagram (here, here, and here) but I'm such a perfectionist that I don't want to reveal too much until everything is just right!

While I continue to decorate and explore my new neighborhood, I would love to hear some of your New York favorites! Whether you live here or just visit every chance you get, I'm sure you have plenty of recommendations I haven't discovered yet. It might be fun to make a list of new places to try and share the ones I love most here on the blog. So if you have a favorite brunch spot, coffee shop, dog park, takeout place... Please share below! 

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HYDRANGEA BLUE

I have a serious new crush on a color I'm calling hydrangea blue. You'll be seeing lots of it in my apartment paired with bright white and classic navy. It's a combination I can't seem to get enough of right now! Here are a few examples of the color I'm talking about...


Le Pens // Rag & Bone t-shirt (now on sale!

What would you call it? As you know hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers so I think I'll stick with that. What's one color you're obsessing over right now?

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5 RESOURCES FOR LAUNCHING A SMALL BUSINESS

I get lots of emails from aspiring small business owners and, while I do my best to respond to each email personally, I thought it would be helpful to condense my favorite resources into one post! Below you'll find a few of the things I've found most helpful over the past year of running Design Darling. I am by no means an expert on the ins and outs of launching a small business so instead I'll refer you to some people who know a lot more than I do ;)


1. SCORE
Having a business mentor has been the single greatest thing I have done for my business. SCORE partners you with a retired executive with expertise in your desired field. I meet with my mentor once a month to analyze sales, discuss marketing, do financial forecasting, etc. Find your local chapter and schedule a meeting to get the ball rolling — I cannot recommend this organization highly enough!

2. You Can Do It by Thomas Greenbaum
Speaking of SCORE, my very own mentor just published an entire book full of his advice for getting your business off the ground. My copy is already full of dogeared pages and scribbled notes in the margins. Tom, who has counseled hundreds of small business owners through SCORE, breaks down often complex topics like business plans, legal structures, and financial operations in a way that makes sense to creative types like me. I have the utmost respect for him and owe much of my success to his invaluable advice!

3. Lessons of a Lipstick Queen by Poppy King
I read this book before deciding to open an online boutique and was so motivated by Poppy's tale of building a cosmetics empire with relatively little business know-how. Her writing style is funny and relatable and she asks all the right questions about defining your brand and finding your niche.

4. By Invitation Only by Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson
Written by the two female founders of Gilt Groupe, this book recaps the growth of a company we all now know and love. Their advice on recognizing a gap in the market and surrounding yourself with the right people at the right time particularly struck a chord with me. This is a super quick read — I think I finished it in two or three nights!

If you have a question, you can bet this column has the answer. With literally years of archived posts full of advice on everything from pricing your work to quarterly estimated taxes, Biz Ladies is an encouraging resource for business owners at every stage. 

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9 WALL MIRRORS I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF

It's no secret that decorating with mirrors makes a small space feel bigger. My mom gave me this gorgeous vintage mirror for my birthday but I thought I'd do a round-up of some favorites for anyone else who might be on the hunt! 

Ballard Designs // Euro Style Lighting (en route to my apartment!) // Neiman Marcus

I'm keeping the white walls in my apartment (seriously I would dread painting them back afterwards...!) so I love that my mirror blends in but brings in some much-needed architectural detail. And I'm so excited for the leather strap mirror to arrive — I haven't figured out a spot for it just yet (maybe on my bookshelf somehow?) but I'm already smitten. Have you used mirrors to make your space feel larger? Any special tips or tricks? I'm all ears!

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OUTFIT PLANNING FOR ALT SUMMIT

I can't believe Alt Summit is next week! I'm honored to be speaking on a panel with Beth, Janette, and Piper called "From Blog To Shop." I'm sure I'll have major butterflies the day of but right now all I can think about is what on earth I'm going to wear in Salt Lake City for four days! Here's one of the looks I'm contemplating...


Somehow it always feels like I have no clothes in my closet when these events roll around. Does anyone else feel immediate pressure to shop in preparation? #guilty ;)

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LANDSCAPES TO LOVE

There's nothing like a chilly New England day to remind you how much you miss spring and summer. To make matters worse, I discovered the dreamy portfolio of landscape architect Renée Byers and I've been drooling over lush lawns, pretty plantings, stone steps...
Gorgeous, don't you think? My countdown to spring is officially on.

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WEEKEND WARDROBE

Inspired by thisthis and this, an outfit of head-to-toe neutrals...

I saw this trench in person the other day and it has the cutest pop of orangey red inside... So I guess I cheated on the whole totally neutral thing ;) Have a great weekend!

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WHEN IN DOUBT, BRING FLOWERS

One of my friends brought me the prettiest bouquet of pink tulips as a housewarming gift (aren't they gorgeous?) and they make me so happy every time I walk in the door. Note to self: the next time I'm invited to a friend's place, flowers it is! And in case you're curious, here are my three favorites...
Pink tulips...
And pink peonies. What's your favorite flower? Do you have a go-to housewarming gift?

P.S. Lots more floral inspiration right here!

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FOR THE LOVE OF JOIE



I noticed yesterday that basically all the shoes that I've "hearted" on Shopbop are made by Joie. Umm hello, can you blame me? I don't think I can live without the striped pair. Really my only question is... Sandals, smoking slippers, or both? 

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NEW ARRIVALS!

I might be working from my bed until my chairs and sofa arrive but my home office is now up and running so I decided it was high time for new arrivals in the boutique! I just added more than twenty new products and couldn't be more excited about them. There's something for everyone, whether your New Year's resolution was to accessorize better, entertain more, grocery shop instead of ordering takeout, tidy your workspace, or write more thank you notes. Shop all the new arrivals here and let me know what you think!


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4 DECORATING IDEAS FOR MY NEW STUDIO

I hope you had a lovely weekend! I spent mine with a rotating crew of family and friends helping me move into my new apartment (seriously, what would I do without them?). One thing I'm learning about furnishing a 375 square foot studio is that every purchase has to be completely deliberate. There's no "let's buy it and find a spot for it" because there simply is no extra space. So far that means using an oversized bookshelf as a room divider (which you can sort of see here), a deep windowsill as a bedside table, and a dining table that will double as a work surface for packing boxes for my boutique. I'm surprised at just how much I've been loving the challenge! Here are a few spaces that are inspiring me at the moment...
My space is even tinier than Elizabeth Bauer's gorgeous studio but I love that she divided a small space into two distinct rooms. I adore the glass divider but we used a bookshelf for much-needed storage!
I'm totally hung up on finding the perfect white bedding! Monogrammed pillows would be the perfect finishing touch, don't you think? 
My studio only has two windows but thankfully they're quite big and let in a good deal of natural light. I'm excited to build pelmet boxes (using this tutorial) with my mom and love the idea of adding bright white trim.
I keep coming back to this picture as an example of perfectly styled bookshelves. The mix of books, storage, and personal touches makes you totally forget it's from Ikea! 

There you have it: a vague idea of where I'm headed with this ;) I can't tell you how much fun I'm having with it! What decorating projects are next on your to do list? 

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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