>

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE (+ 20% OFF THIS WEEKEND!)

{My family's dog Coach in the Design Darling market basket}

Whether you're new here (welcome!) or you've been reading for years (thank you!), I'd like to take a moment today to celebrate a little milestone and thank you all for being a huge part of the past few years for me!

I started Design Darling in my sorority dorm room in November 2009. No one read it for at least six months, mostly because I was too embarrassed to tell even my family and friends that I was writing it. Eventually I wised up and started spreading the word, confiding in a few girlfriends and reaching out to bloggers all over the country. I had no inkling that blogging would become such a rewarding part of my life or that so many of those initial girl crushes would turn into genuine friendships.

By late 2010, I was accepting small sponsors on the blog and contributing to a digital magazine in my spare time (conducting interviews over the phone from the coffee shop on campus — I swear I still had friends). When I graduated in May 2011, I balanced blogging, freelance writing, and working in PR for a few months before deciding I was onto something good with Design Darling and didn't want to give that up working long hours toward someone else's dream. I was 22, living at home, and had relatively little to lose so I decided to make the leap to blogging full-time and began work on my own online boutique.

I'd spent a few summers working in retail on Nantucket and I'd been curating product picks for my blog readers for two years... But I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had my parents' blessing (and their unused dining room table), $1500 in savings, and maybe 20,000 readers. I could sense that there was a void for an online shop full of bright, happy, preppy accessories for the kinds of girls who were reading Design Darling. I wanted to make the items I was buying in local boutiques and from independent designers I'd met through blogging available to a larger online audience. 

The months before I launched the boutique were some of the most exciting of my life so far. I was learning a dozen new things a day, from attending trade shows to building a website, negotiating drop ship agreements to photographing products as they arrived on my parents' doorstep. I made so many mistakes in those early months — amateur photos, products that cost me an arm and a leg to ship, vendors who didn't work out — but I'd never been so passionate about a project in my life. When the first sale rolled in at 8:05 the morning of March 1, 2012, I burst into tears at our kitchen counter — partially from exhaustion, certainly out of gratitude, and mostly because I still had no idea what I was doing.

I can't believe it's been two years since that day. I continue to learn so much from this business — and there's so much more I want to accomplish. I thank my lucky stars I get to run these two websites from a little studio in New York with a little dog named Rory and the support of my family and friends. I have the best readers and customers in the whole world, people who send thank you notes and words of encouragement on days when I'm sure I made a huge mistake getting myself into all of this. I've never cared more, worked harder, or been more excited about what's to come — and I have all of you to thank for that.

I can't wait to expand this business, to design my own products, to bring in interns and design assistants and all the people who will help me bring Design Darling to the next level. In the mean time, I'll keep chugging along — wearing my blogger, buyer, customer service, photographer, and social media hats — figuring it out and making mistakes as I go. I tear up thinking about how far this blog has come since my junior year of college and get goosebumps thinking about what both the blog and the boutique could become over the next four years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for tuning in, chiming in, and sticking around. I can't wait to have you here for what's next.

To celebrate the second birthday of the boutique, please enter TURNINGTWO at checkout to save 20% on your entire purchase through Sunday night. Happy weekend!

DREAM DECOR: BLUE, TAN, & WHITE


This beach house is hands down one of my all-time favorite interiors. Designed by Carrier and Company, it features my favorite color palette and feels both super chic and completely lived in. It's one of those homes where I think I could move in tomorrow without tweaking a single thing. What about you?

Get the look:


P.S. Pretty new ginger jars in the boutique.



JAMIE BECK IN BRAZIL


Jamie Beck takes the prettiest pictures, don't you think? Her latest trek to Brazil makes me want to pack a bag and book a flight. My wanderlust is in full swing having recently reconnected with my French host mom from my junior year spring semester in Tours, France. Knowing I'm "welcome anytime" in an adorable little townhouse in Europe is just too tempting! 

P.S. Love Jamie's pink dress? (I do!) Here's an affordable option in the perfect shade of pink.






UP TO 30% OFF AT SHOPBOP!

It's the best time of the year! Shopbop really only offers a couple of sales per year so I always try to stock up when they do. This time around, you'll get 20% off purchases of $250+, 25% off $500+, or 30% off $1000+ with code BIGEVENT14. Here are a few items I'm eyeing (or already wearing nonstop!).


A lot of these items will never go on sale so it's a great time to buy. Whether you're stocking up on basics (these or this) or splurging on something fun (like this!), I really recommend taking advantage of this discount! Shop the entire site here and be sure to let me know what's coming home with you! 



OUTFIT {OLD NAVY RAIN COAT}

old navy rain coat
old navy rain coat
old navy rain coat
old navy rain coat
old navy rain coat
old navy rain coat


I get a few emails a week about where to buy preppy pieces on a budget which is why I'm beyond excited to be partnering with Old Navy to bring you budget-friendly looks true to my personal style throughout the next year. Each outfit post will feature a piece or two available that month at Old Navy mixed in with pieces already in heavy rotation in my wardrobe (how many times have you seen these Rag & Bone jeans?). I think it will be a great way to show you how I'm mixing in affordable finds with investment staples. I hope you're as excited as I am!

I'm of the mindset that a girl cannot own too many striped shirts and sweaters. This outfit is kind of a hybrid between this and this — a lot of navy with an easy everyday sweater and the perfect rain coat. I've mentioned my search for rain coats before so I was pretty excited to find this one. 1) It's my favorite color, 2) it has a hood, 3) it cinches at the waist, 4) that striped lining, 5) it costs $45. That, my friends, is what we call a no-brainer. ;)

Shop the look:

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



PREPPY TIES FOR THE GUYS

It's not super often I talk about men's style on Design Darling but when I find something awesome I'm always compelled to share! These bowties and ties new at Tuckernuck are the cutest things any guy could dress up in. Anchors, gingham, seersucker... What more could a girl(friend) want? They're perfect for fancy date nights, polo matches, and surely fit for his Sunday best. Prices range from $20 for a pocket square to $60 for a tie — pretty much the sweet spot for a gift that will make him think of you every time he wears it!

P.S. The best men's oxfords and t-shirts (so good you'll want to keep them for yourself).

SHOE CLOSET INSPIRATION


Is there anything prettier than a white wall filled with colorful shoes? Brett Hayman's shoe closet featured on The Coveteur kind of takes my breath away. I'm definitely a shoe girl so the thought of such luxurious space for shoe storage is the stuff my dreams are made of. Here are a few favorite lust-worthy pairs at the moment, budget and storage space be damned ;)



Have you made any shoe purchases for spring yet? I saw these beauties in person last week and they might just be the perfect black pump (that little heart is just too much!). On a more affordable note, I've been waiting for this pair to become available since I instagrammed them at the spring preview four months ago. Are they not the perfect neutral heel? Love!





LOLLI PINK BOW BIKINI TOP

lolli pink bow bikini top

Cutest. Bikini. Ever. It's a shame it's only 20 degrees on Nantucket right now or I would plan a vacation just to have an excuse to add this to my cart. Happy Sunday, friends! xx

WEEKEND READING


1. Alice & Olivia dresses are my favorite. Love this and this.

2. Back in stock in the boutique.

3. Homemade nutella crêpes... Yes please.

4. How stunning is Chassity? Love how she styled her Design Darling tassel.

5. I had a Kate Spade gift card and used it toward this jacket... I can't even tell you how cute it is in person.

6. Inspiration for your dream home: eleven historic homes for sale.

7. One of the more fun interviews I've done recently.

8. Read this if you need a serious laugh.

9. Striped loafers that belong in your spring wardrobe.

10. Style inspiration for your better half.

WEEKEND WISHLIST

one  //  two  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six  //  seven  //  eight  //  nine  //  ten

TGIF. I swear there's something about four day weeks that makes them drag on forever! Today I'm signing the lease for my new apartment and this weekend I'm starting to pack up and get ready for the move... A little overwhelming but great fun when cocktails, friends, and music are involved. I hope you have a good one! xx

Shop the post:


TORY BURCH SPRING LOOKS

*looks one / two / three

Navy, stripes, and everything nice... I would wear every single piece of Tory Burch's new collection. Tory, more so than probably any other designer, sticks out to me as someone who has truly nailed her personal brand, taking trendier risks each season but always coming back to her core aesthetic and revamping her best-selling pieces. Every piece of hers I buy feels like an investment toward my dream "grown up" wardrobe: this bag, first and foremost; these flats, in any color I can get my hands on; and, perhaps next, these shoes (in very Design Darling colors).

Is there one designer in particular whose pieces you invest in season after season? I'd love to know! 


BEST WHITE JEANS FOR WINTER

white jeans for winter
white jeans for winter
white jeans for winter

Some rules were made to be broken. Case in point? White jeans after (or well before) Labor Day. It might be too chilly for dresses and skirts but I'm grateful for the reminder that it's totally hip to wear white jeans in winter. Whether with bean boots or suede booties, they're a fresh alternative to the black leggings and dark denim I haven't taken off for the past few months. Just be sure to stick to skinny jeans that tuck easily into boots for winter and look cute with flats or slip-on sneakers come spring (white flares in a snowstorm = disaster). Shop my favorite pairs here (I lived in this pair last summer):





HEIDI BIANCO'S WEST VILLAGE APARTMENT (+EXCITING NEWS!)

heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment
heidi bianco west village apartment

Well, you guys, it's official! I found a new studio apartment and I'm moving at the end of the month (I'll get to cross #53 off my list!). I have loved my time on the Upper East Side but I'm really excited to live closer to a few friends, my favorite restaurants, and the charm-filled cobblestone streets of the West Village. 

Once I get past the sticker shock of brokers' fees and security deposits, I cannot wait to start decorating my new space. The layout is pretty similar to my current space but a little larger (hallelujah!) and I think I can mix up the furniture layout to keep things feeling fresh. This means my interior inspiration is kicking into overdrive so I hope you'll be okay with some extra decorating content around here! When it looks like the above apartment, I can't image you'll mind too much. ;)

Heidi is a design assistant for interior genius Celerie Kemble so it comes as no surprise that her West Village studio is beyond chic. Things I love: the vanity table next to her bed (genius given how tiny NYC bathrooms are!), the styling of her bookshelves (a place for everything and everything in its place), topiaries aplenty, that skylight (those ceilings!), the neutral area rug tying together each space... Oh and her jumpsuit. Could I pull that off?!

Shop the look:

*all photos via House Beautiful




GRAY MALIN'S ANTARCTICA SERIES

gray malin antarctica
gray malin antarctica
gray malin antarctica
gray malin antarctica
gray malin antarctica

My friend Gray Malin recently took a trip to Antarctica and captured the most striking shots of beachy props among icy landscapes. He is truly one of the most talented people I know so I was thrilled to see his newest works for sale on One Kings Lane today! If you ask me, those pink flamingos are too cute to resist.

Keep up with Design Darling






DREAM HOME {FURNITURE FILE}


one  //  two  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six  //  seven  //  eight

There are a few pieces of furniture that I consider lifetime wishlist items — not pieces I could realistically splurge on in the next couple years but "someday" purchases totally fit for a dream home. My someday list above features a few of my all-time favorites: a bright birdcage chair, classic campaign pieces, colorful chandeliers, and a little lucite, always. Do you have a furniture wishlist? If so, I'm dying to know what's on it!

P.S. On a more wallet-friendly note, affordable campaign furniture and how to decorate on a budget.


RALPH LAUREN STREET STYLE

ralph lauren street style preppy
ralph lauren street style preppy
ralph lauren street style preppy
ralph lauren street style preppy
ralph lauren street style preppy

I'm absolutely enamored with my friend Fred's photographs taken outside the Ralph Lauren show last week. Just when I thought I couldn't stand another snowflake, this winter wardrobe inspiration seriously brightened up my Instagram feed. Boys, get yourself an orange coat and girls, double up on winter white. For more sartorial snaps, follow Fred on Instagram or check out his blog Unabashedly Prep.