>

LAST DAY!


You. Guys. Are. The. Best.

After shattering our sales projections for the weekend and celebrating our highest sales day  of all time (!!!), we sold out of lots of items in the boutique. We'll be reordering some of them and clearing others out to make room for new arrivals BUT I wanted to let you know that we still have a few of our best-sellers in stock and today is your last chance to scoop them up at 25% off! We still have several in stock of everything above so use code BIRTHDAYBASH at checkout (right after you've entered payment info). Now it's back to packing and shipping for me! xx

MANSUR GAVRIEL


I know I'm late to the game here but I just have to make sure every last one of you knows about Mansur Gavriel. These bags... OMG. I'm hardly one to hop on the "it bag" bandwagon but these might just be too good to resist. Each piece pairs high quality neutral leather with bright contrast interiors — each color combination is more yummy than the last. Founded by Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, the collection is designed in New York, produced in Italy, and... sold out just about everywhere. You can preorder on their site for December (I'm eyeing this or this) or cross your fingers for a more timely restock at Barneys, Editorialist*, Forward by Elyse Walker*, Matches, Moda OperandiNet-A-Porter, ShopBAZAAR, or Steven Alan.

* = some styles currently available for purchase 


WEEKEND READING


1. 25% off in the boutique to celebrate my 25th birthday today! Code BIRTHDAYBASH.

2. Affordable summer rosés.

3. Cutest button sweater in orange and stripes.


4. Four reasons to love August.


5. How to keep your shirt from coming untucked.

6. I can't wait to try out this framing technique.


7. Just ordered these booties for fall / fashion week. 


8. S'mores macarons?! Sign me up.


9. Ten tips for taking the perfect shelfie.


10. No but seriously, do not miss this sale.


DESIGN DARLING BIRTHDAY SALE




Monogrammed business card holder (out of stock until September)  //  Bow stationery  //  Monogrammed pencil cup





Monogrammed pencil cup  //  Periwinkle Le Pens  //  The best is yet to come print  //  Kate Spade notebooks in navy and pink

I'm excited to announce our biggest sale ever in the boutique! I turn 25 tomorrow and to celebrate everything on the site will be 25% off today through Monday. We only offer a handful of promotions each year so now is a great time to scoop up art prints, desktop accessories, or our best-selling turquoise tassel earrings. Use code BIRTHDAYBASH to shop now before your favorites sell out!  




TURNING 25...


My birthday is on Saturday (stay tuned for our biggest sale ever in the boutique!) and I can't believe I'm turning 25. It feels like such a grown-up age! On the one hand, graduation hardly feels like it was three years ago; on the other, I have friends who are buying homes and getting engaged and talking about babies. Where does the time go?! I have no idea where I'll be at age 30 but if the next five years are anything like the last five (literally everything has changed!), I think there's plenty to be excited about. 

Age is such a funny thing, isn't it? I know 25 isn't old per se but it's definitely a crossroads for my peer group. All anyone seems to talk about is how much longer they plan to live in New York, whether they're dating the person they're going to marry, what career changes they're contemplating... They're all very real decisions with serious long-term consequences. The big decisions we've made up until this point (where to go to college, which subject to major in, where to live after graduation) kind of pale in comparison. It's exhilarating and scary and fascinating at the same time.

I'm curious to know your thoughts on age and birthdays and growing up. How do you celebrate your birthday? How do you feel about your age? Are you where you thought you'd be? Are you excited about getting older? And the age-old (ha) question: where do you see yourself five years from now? This birthday girl is all ears. xx


WHITE FISHERMAN SWEATERS


All I want to do right now is shop. It happens every year: August rolls around and suddenly it's my birthday, New York Fashion Week is creeping up on us, retailers are rolling out their fall wares, and I. Cannot. Resist. But instead of buying everything in sight, I make a list of a few pieces I'd like to invest in each season. This fall? D'Orsay flats and lots of cozy sweaters, starting with a little white fisherman sweater. Wear it in August/September tied around your neck with white jeans or tucked into an A-line skirt, then layer it under a scarf or a blazer come October/November. Here are a few top picks:


What pieces do you have your eye on for fall?!


COLORFUL HAMPTONS HOME TOUR

Weekends on Nantucket always leave me reeling with home envy. I could stroll around with iced coffee and an iPhone snapping pretty little cottages literally all day long. So it's extra fun to see the inside of a summer home that's particularly well decorated. This one is happens to be in the Hamptons but, really, beggars can't be choosers, amiright? I've added a few product picks below each space to help you get the look chez vous:


Framed swimsuits (this would be an easy DIY project!)


Orange and pink throw pillows


I'm definitely a blue/white/green kind of girl in my own space (with pops of pink, of course) but this makes me wish I had extra space to play around with a warmer color palette. Orange, pink, and purple make an unexpectedly chic combo, don't you think? 



PAINTBOX NAILS NYC

A few of you requested more beauty-related content on Design Darling and, while it's admittedly not (yet) my area of expertise, I'm excited to try out a few new-to-me products and services and bring you the best of what I find!


First up is Paintbox Nails, a chic-as-can-be manicure studio in SoHo that specializes in nail art. Now I'm normally not a big fan of nail art (some of the designs I've seen remind me of the little flowers I requested during manicures circa age seven) but Paintbox has a range of designs that are more minimal and sophisticated than anything my elementary school self would have sought after. I brought my Design Darling summer interns, Mary Claire and Taryn, during an extra productive work week and it was such a fun way to celebrate! 


The decor inside is to die for: bright white walls, navy leather banquette seating, and modern fixtures that are a serious step up from my usual neighborhood nail spot. And the manicurists were super friendly and had lots of advice on which colors and designs would look best. The three of us wound up choosing three different looks — I imagine it would take years to get through their full range of options!


I got navy and white colorblocking, Mary Claire got lavender with a pink stripe, and Taryn got coral with a white stripe. I think I'd get something more subtle next time but it was fun to try something a little outside my usual pink and red comfort zone!


(Side note: how hilarious is this candid of Mary Claire and Taryn? I trained them well ;) I am going to miss these two SO much!!!)


A close-up of my manicure (worn with a cameo ring from Sweet & Spark!). Have you ever tried your hand at nail art? Would you give Paintbox a go? You can book an appointment online here!


WEEKEND READING


1. A great outerwear purchase for fall.

2. Casual Friday done right.

3. Eat clean in August.

4. I loved reading all your advice on eyelash enhancers! 

5. I might scoop up this rain jacket before the Nordstrom anniversary sale ends!

6. Introducing Tory Burch Home! Blue and white perfection.

7. The right way to conceal under-eye circles.

8. Three perfect button-down shirts: one, two, three.

9. What to wear to sorority recruitment. (I was an Alpha Chi at Bucknell!)

10. Your guide to decor lingo.

COFFEE TABLE BOOKS ON SALE


one  //  two  //  three

To me, there are few things more inspiring than getting lost in a great book with gorgeous photos. My coffee table book collection has grown quite a bit since I moved into my first apartment, thanks in huge part to scooping up multiple titles on sale at One Kings Lane. They have the best assortment of books on art, fashion, food, and interiors... I'd buy one every week if I could! Right now they have the Kate Spade book, my favorite Slim Aarons book, and the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. Below is just a small assortment of books they have on sale right now but do check out the full selection right here!



EYELASH ENHANCERS

one  //  two  //  three

Have you ever done anything to enhance your eyelashes? I don't have short eyelashes per se but I'm definitely intrigued by the idea of lengthening them a little! (Side note: why are long lashes always wasted on boys?) I really want to give Neulash a try but I've also heard good things about Latisse and Revitalash. (I was searching online last night and found an overwhelming number of choices!) Do you have any suggestions on what you've tried and what's worked best for you? I'll keep you posted on what I decide to try!





OFF THE SHOULDER TOPS

one  //  two  //  three

My style tends to be very classic (let's "blame" it on my mom working for Ralph Lauren my entire childhood, okay?) but every now and then comes a trend I can get behind. This summer it's off the shoulder tops and dresses. I think collarbones can be super sexy (in an elegant, understated way) and I know lots of girls (myself included) who aren't exactly in love with their arms. Enter the off the shoulder top, which is as breezy as a tank top without leaving you feeling quite as exposed. (Unless of course you can pull off a crop top, in which case this one is seriously gorgeous.) I've rounded up a few of my favorites below... Are there any you think you'd wear? What other trends are you trying this summer? 









D'ORSAY FLATS

one  //  two  //  three

I recently bought the most amazing pair of Madewell d'Orsay flats and I can't wait until fall just to be able to wear them more regularly. The quality is awesome and they're so flattering on my feet! (If you don't think "foot-flattering" is a thing, try being 5'1" and looking at your feet in ankle strap heels. Pointed toes are your friends...!) If you're looking for a pair, here are a few ideas from the super affordable to the super luxe:



WHERE TO BUY AFFORDABLE DRESSES

If you're shopping for affordable dresses for an upcoming party or wedding, you know how hard it is to find something cute that won't break the bank. And for some reason, these dress needs always seem to sneak up on us. If you've been that girl (ahem, hi) who's texted her girlfriends on a Thursday night begging to borrow something — anything — for a destination wedding that Saturday, this guide of affordable dresses is for you. Do yourself a favor, check out the selections below, and scoop up a few options before the eleventh hour. You'll feel more prepared and you'll have money left over for cocktails and presents.


The selection can be overwhelming but there are definitely deals to be had. Try searching "skater dress" for flattering fit-and-flare numbers or shopping ASOS Collection for pretty embellished options. My picks: bow dress ($53), pink backless ($104), chic ruffle ($72).

All the dresses in the graphic above are Dorothy Perkins finds. Not familiar? I wasn't either until I stumbled upon a veritable treasure trove of wedding-appropriate dresses under $100. My picks: embellished dress in fuchsia and lime ($69), navy halter dress ($89), and striped fit-and-flare ($57).

Their assortment skews a little more casual and you'll have to do a little digging but the juice is worth the squeeze if you're looking for a dress that no one else will be wearing. My picks: blue bow dress ($69) and green stripe dress ($79).

Yes, they carry higher end labels like Alice & Olivia and Kate Spade, but the juniors section has a surprising number of age-appropriate picks for ladies in their twenties and thirties. One line to look for is Lush. My picks: chic shirtdress ($88), pretty in pink ($46), and preppy stripes ($38).

If you're on a serious budget, this is your spot. You'll have to sift through lots of bodycon don'ts but the dos are worth the wait. My picks: the perfect party dress ($27), sweet stripes ($27), and scarf print ($23). 

I usually shop Piperlime for shoes but they have a ton of dresses under $100. My picks: this dress in every color ($79), backless with a bow ($89), A-line mini ($49), and nautical stripes ($83).

Heavily discounted designer wares ranging from super casual to wedding-ready. My picks: geometric navy ($94), jersey wrap ($96), and T by Alexander Wang stripes ($85).



WEEKEND READING


1. 6 foods that you never knew were gluten-free. I'm just glad macarons made the list ;)

2. Did you know you can shop my entire wishlist here?

3. Don't forget about the Nordstrom anniversary sale! Check out my picks here.

4. Happy girls are the prettiest girls. Love these looks on Molly and Sally!

5. I always like scrolling through InStyle's look of the day feature for outfit inspiration.

6. I love the navy trim on this skirt. So chic with a blue oxford shirt and pointed toe pumps.


7. In case you missed it, an artist pop-up shop and a new career spotlight.

8. Literally freaking out over J.Crew's new arrivals. I have my eye on this designer collab, these scalloped ballet flatsthis sweater, and these tassel loafers.

9. The five most versatile pieces of decor you'll ever own.


10. This dress is practically begging to be worn to a summer wedding.



BAHAMAS BOUND

I love an excuse to shop as much as the next girl and an upcoming vacation usually does the trick! I'm so excited to be heading to the Bahamas in August for our friends' wedding in Lyford Cay. I've never been and I can't wait to soak up some time in the sun and spend some quality time celebrating Jane and Scottie! In the mean time, I've got quite the shopping list: bikinis, cover-ups, sandals, and — oh, right — whatever I'm going to wear to the actual wedding! Here's what I'll be wearing on the beach during the day (with SPF 10,000, obviously)...






Old Navy cover-up c/o  //  Old Navy bikini c/o  //  J.Crew sunhat (similar)
Kate Spade sunglasses c/o  //  Elizoebeth Jensen monogrammed necklace c/o
J.Crew clutch  //  Essie "Fancy Delancey"  //  Old Navy flip flops c/o

Now this is the kind of print mixing I can handle: a striped cover-up and a subtle floral print bikini, both in the tried-and-true combination of neon pink and bright white. The bikini is lightly padded, true to size, really flattering for the price. I know it's a little hard to see in the pictures but it has the cutest thistle print detail that I'll be wearing to the Bahamas, Nantucket, and everywhere in between (and let's hope there are lots of in-betweens!). If you're beach bound this summer, Old Navy has a great assortment of affordable tops and bottoms that you can mix and match to your liking. Oh and did I mention this one is $8? Not a typo. Shop to it!

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy's latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.