TRAPEZE SCHOOL NEW YORK

Last night Eddy and I took a beginners' class at Trapeze School New York! I was such a scaredy cat but it was an absolutely incredible experience. We started with simple knee swings then moved up to back flips and a few catches at the end. I can't believe how much we learned in just two hours! All the staff members were so encouraging and the view of the city skyline was breathtaking — I couldn't recommend the entire experience more highly. Number 68, done and done!

P.S. I wore my favorite Thomas Kelly leggings!

Last night Eddy and I took a beginners' class at Trapeze School New York! I was such a scaredy cat but it was an absolutely incredible experience. We started with simple knee swings then moved up to back flips and a few catches at the end. I can't believe how much we learned in just two hours! All the staff members were so encouraging and the view of the city skyline was breathtaking — I couldn't recommend the entire experience more highly. Number 68, done and done!

P.S. I wore my favorite Thomas Kelly leggings!

GREENWICH POLO CLUB

{Design Darling picnic blankets}

{ASOS striped dress}

{Design Darling tortoiseshell necklace}

{Jack Rogers in platinum and white}

{J.Crew sun hat}

{Greenwich Polo Club}

{David Yurman cuff}

{J.Crew scalloped dress}

{Lilly Pulitzer scalloped shorts}

Way too many pictures from a lovely picnic and polo match with Emily, Shelly, and Alex on Sunday! It was so nice to escape the city for the afternoon and do something totally different for a change. I can't say we really watched much of the match but there was plenty of girl talk, people watching, and prosecco to boot. Number 92, crossed off the list!

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{Design Darling picnic blankets}

{ASOS striped dress}

{Design Darling tortoiseshell necklace}

{Jack Rogers in platinum and white}

{J.Crew sun hat}

{Greenwich Polo Club}

{David Yurman cuff}

{J.Crew scalloped dress}

{Lilly Pulitzer scalloped shorts}

Way too many pictures from a lovely picnic and polo match with Emily, Shelly, and Alex on Sunday! It was so nice to escape the city for the afternoon and do something totally different for a change. I can't say we really watched much of the match but there was plenty of girl talk, people watching, and prosecco to boot. Number 92, crossed off the list!

Keep up with Design Darling

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101 IN 1001 UPDATE

It's been way too long since I've updated you all on my 101 in 1001 progress! If you're new to Design Darling, I've been keeping a list (for more than two years now!) of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days. My 1001 days are up at the end of September and so far I've crossed 63 tasks on my list. 

To be totally honest, I've done a lot and grown a lot since writing the original list and there are definitely some goals on there that are less exciting or important to me now than they were two years ago. Instead of beating myself up for not achieving all 101 goals, I'm going to focus on celebrating the things I have crossed off and concentrating on a few fun tasks in the months that remain.

Highlights so far... Inspiring 37 other people to write their own lists. (If you've started one and haven't emailed or tweeted me, please let me know!) Moving into my first place in New York. Launching my online boutique. Skinny dipping. Buying my parents a new computer. Rereading Harry Potter. Discovering ten new favorite restaurants. Taking a cooking lesson. Seeing a comedy show. Turning my grandfather's recipes into a bound book. Zip lining. Sharing my first outfit post (ha!). Participating in a flash mob!

Tasks I'm still excited to take on... Getting my apartment published on a larger site (bear with me a little while longer!). Throwing my first dinner party (even if it's a pizza party...). Riding a sailboat (hello, Nantucket). Taking my dad to a Red Sox game (bought tickets for his birthday!). Reading all of Jane Austen's novels. Seeing Taylor Swift in concert. Taking a trapeze lesson. Throwing a surprise party. Skydiving. Saving $10 for every goal accomplished!

A sneak peek of a few goals on my next 101 in 1001 list (yes, I've already started writing it!)... Traveling to a new country. Designing my own product for the boutique. Organizing a scavenger hunt with friends. Hot air ballooning. Posting a vlog! Writing goals to be accomplished before my next list expires in June 2016... Can you tell I have a tendency to get ahead of myself? ;)

See my full 101 in 1001 list here and please let me know if you decide to create your own! I've had so much fun writing mine, crossing things off, and drafting my next round of goals. If you're looking for more ideas for your own list, be sure to check out some of the other bloggers listed on #2 of my list as well! 

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

It's been way too long since I've updated you all on my 101 in 1001 progress! If you're new to Design Darling, I've been keeping a list (for more than two years now!) of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days. My 1001 days are up at the end of September and so far I've crossed 63 tasks on my list. 

To be totally honest, I've done a lot and grown a lot since writing the original list and there are definitely some goals on there that are less exciting or important to me now than they were two years ago. Instead of beating myself up for not achieving all 101 goals, I'm going to focus on celebrating the things I have crossed off and concentrating on a few fun tasks in the months that remain.

Highlights so far... Inspiring 37 other people to write their own lists. (If you've started one and haven't emailed or tweeted me, please let me know!) Moving into my first place in New York. Launching my online boutique. Skinny dipping. Buying my parents a new computer. Rereading Harry Potter. Discovering ten new favorite restaurants. Taking a cooking lesson. Seeing a comedy show. Turning my grandfather's recipes into a bound book. Zip lining. Sharing my first outfit post (ha!). Participating in a flash mob!

Tasks I'm still excited to take on... Getting my apartment published on a larger site (bear with me a little while longer!). Throwing my first dinner party (even if it's a pizza party...). Riding a sailboat (hello, Nantucket). Taking my dad to a Red Sox game (bought tickets for his birthday!). Reading all of Jane Austen's novels. Seeing Taylor Swift in concert. Taking a trapeze lesson. Throwing a surprise party. Skydiving. Saving $10 for every goal accomplished!

A sneak peek of a few goals on my next 101 in 1001 list (yes, I've already started writing it!)... Traveling to a new country. Designing my own product for the boutique. Organizing a scavenger hunt with friends. Hot air ballooning. Posting a vlog! Writing goals to be accomplished before my next list expires in June 2016... Can you tell I have a tendency to get ahead of myself? ;)

See my full 101 in 1001 list here and please let me know if you decide to create your own! I've had so much fun writing mine, crossing things off, and drafting my next round of goals. If you're looking for more ideas for your own list, be sure to check out some of the other bloggers listed on #2 of my list as well! 

Keep up with Design Darling

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YEAR IN REVIEW...

I can hardly believe that 2012 is coming to a close. What. A. Year!

In January, I started writing for my favorite digital magazine, Matchbook. In February, I attended New York Fashion Week for the first time and made a little street style cameo on Unabashedly Prep. In March, I launched Design Darling {The Boutique} (definitely the highlight of my year!). In May, I cohosted a Jack Rogers party (hello, dream collaboration!). In August, I attended Alt Summit NYC. In September, I hosted Fashion's Night Out at Alice & Trixie. In October, I found out I'd be speaking at Alt Summit Salt Lake City. In November, I hosted a holiday event with Elle Magazine at Kate Spade New York (pinch me please!). In December, I filmed a segment on holiday gifting for NBC Connecticut. And last week I stumbled upon the teeny tiniest NYC studio and yesterday — eeek! — signed a one-year lease.

All the while, I made steady progress on my 101 in 1001 list: buying my first grown-up bag, buying my parents an Apple computer, working out with a personal trainer, seeing a new Cirque du Soleil performance, trying acupuncture, taking a cooking lesson, seeing a comedy show, going to the top of the Empire State Building, going zip lining, upgrading to a DSLR camera, taking a self-defense class, and even participating in a flash mob.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this amazing year. I truly cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store!

xx

Mackenzie

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I can hardly believe that 2012 is coming to a close. What. A. Year!

In January, I started writing for my favorite digital magazine, Matchbook. In February, I attended New York Fashion Week for the first time and made a little street style cameo on Unabashedly Prep. In March, I launched Design Darling {The Boutique} (definitely the highlight of my year!). In May, I cohosted a Jack Rogers party (hello, dream collaboration!). In August, I attended Alt Summit NYC. In September, I hosted Fashion's Night Out at Alice & Trixie. In October, I found out I'd be speaking at Alt Summit Salt Lake City. In November, I hosted a holiday event with Elle Magazine at Kate Spade New York (pinch me please!). In December, I filmed a segment on holiday gifting for NBC Connecticut. And last week I stumbled upon the teeny tiniest NYC studio and yesterday — eeek! — signed a one-year lease.

All the while, I made steady progress on my 101 in 1001 list: buying my first grown-up bag, buying my parents an Apple computer, working out with a personal trainer, seeing a new Cirque du Soleil performance, trying acupuncture, taking a cooking lesson, seeing a comedy show, going to the top of the Empire State Building, going zip lining, upgrading to a DSLR camera, taking a self-defense class, and even participating in a flash mob.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this amazing year. I truly cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store!

xx

Mackenzie

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SIGNATURE SCENT

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

I BOUGHT A BAG...

Tory Burch Robinson Middy Satchel // ONE by Alcantara Lindy Bag // See by Chloe April Big Duffel Bag

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list was to invest in a "grown-up" handbag and if you follow me on Twitter you know that I think I've found the one! I bought this bag during Tory Burch's friends and family sale over the weekend and I can hardly wait for it to show up on my doorstep. Hopefully it's absolutely perfect and you'll be seeing it in many outfit posts to come ;) What's your everyday bag? Is it a purchase you saved up for? Do any of you carry the bag I just ordered? Fill me in!

Tory Burch Robinson Middy Satchel // ONE by Alcantara Lindy Bag // See by Chloe April Big Duffel Bag

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list was to invest in a "grown-up" handbag and if you follow me on Twitter you know that I think I've found the one! I bought this bag during Tory Burch's friends and family sale over the weekend and I can hardly wait for it to show up on my doorstep. Hopefully it's absolutely perfect and you'll be seeing it in many outfit posts to come ;) What's your everyday bag? Is it a purchase you saved up for? Do any of you carry the bag I just ordered? Fill me in!

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?!

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?!

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

{Gwyneth Paltrow in Vogue}

Several of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list relate to reading. I read all the Harry Potter books (#21) because, you know, how could you not? Now I'm in the process of reading every Jane Austen novel (#60), which I like to space out with a couple months between each one. But then there's just general reading I'd like to make time for (#69): twenty new books, of which I can say I've crossed off only eight. I imagine that won't sound particularly ambitious to some of you and yet I know if it were easier I'd have crossed it off the list a long time ago! ;) Do you make time to read for fun? Any must-reads you'd recommend to help me cross #69 off my list?

{Gwyneth Paltrow in Vogue}

Several of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list relate to reading. I read all the Harry Potter books (#21) because, you know, how could you not? Now I'm in the process of reading every Jane Austen novel (#60), which I like to space out with a couple months between each one. But then there's just general reading I'd like to make time for (#69): twenty new books, of which I can say I've crossed off only eight. I imagine that won't sound particularly ambitious to some of you and yet I know if it were easier I'd have crossed it off the list a long time ago! ;) Do you make time to read for fun? Any must-reads you'd recommend to help me cross #69 off my list?

NEXT UP...

No. 71 on my 101 in 1001 list is to go camping which, as you might imagine, is not a strong suit of mine. In fact, I really only want to go if it looks something like this...

I won't hold my breath ;) Have any of you been (and enjoyed!) camping? Teach me your ways! 

*all images by Sarah Kehoe

No. 71 on my 101 in 1001 list is to go camping which, as you might imagine, is not a strong suit of mine. In fact, I really only want to go if it looks something like this...

I won't hold my breath ;) Have any of you been (and enjoyed!) camping? Teach me your ways! 

*all images by Sarah Kehoe

101 IN 1001 UPDATE

I have a little more than a year left to accomplish everything on my 101 in 1001 list and I'd say it's officially time to kick things into high gear! This summer I've been able to cross off the following...

{Monogrammed notecards}

18. Buy my parents an Apple computer. (They love it!)

22. See all the Harry Potter movies. (Super important, right?)

23. Send fifty handwritten notes. (I include a handwritten note with every Design Darling order so this should have been crossed off a long time ago!)

37. See a new Cirque du Soleil performance. (Michael and I saw Zarkana in June!)

{Recycled leather notebook}

48. Take a cooking lesson. (Remember that?)

50. Invest in at least ten coffee table books. (I have way exceeded ten thanks to amazing sales on Joss & Main and One Kings Lane!)

76. Go to the top of the Empire State Building. (One of my birthday presents from Michael and so much fun!)

79. Go zip lining. (A birthday present from my parents and also a blast, especially in the rain!)

{To do list}

90. Upgrade to a DSLR camera. (A birthday present to myself!)

99. Participate in a flash mob. (My sister organized one to say good bye to her best friend who moved to the midwest and it. was. awesome!)

That comes to 39 completed tasks and — eeek! — 62 to go. Check out the rest of my goals here. Is anyone else working on a similar list? Leave a link in the comments!

I have a little more than a year left to accomplish everything on my 101 in 1001 list and I'd say it's officially time to kick things into high gear! This summer I've been able to cross off the following...

{Monogrammed notecards}

18. Buy my parents an Apple computer. (They love it!)

22. See all the Harry Potter movies. (Super important, right?)

23. Send fifty handwritten notes. (I include a handwritten note with every Design Darling order so this should have been crossed off a long time ago!)

37. See a new Cirque du Soleil performance. (Michael and I saw Zarkana in June!)

{Recycled leather notebook}

48. Take a cooking lesson. (Remember that?)

50. Invest in at least ten coffee table books. (I have way exceeded ten thanks to amazing sales on Joss & Main and One Kings Lane!)

76. Go to the top of the Empire State Building. (One of my birthday presents from Michael and so much fun!)

79. Go zip lining. (A birthday present from my parents and also a blast, especially in the rain!)

{To do list}

90. Upgrade to a DSLR camera. (A birthday present to myself!)

99. Participate in a flash mob. (My sister organized one to say good bye to her best friend who moved to the midwest and it. was. awesome!)

That comes to 39 completed tasks and — eeek! — 62 to go. Check out the rest of my goals here. Is anyone else working on a similar list? Leave a link in the comments!

IN THE KITCHEN

I am the first to admit my inability to cook. I'm generally picky, I've been a vegetarian for four years, and I rely pretty heavily on my ability to make guacamole and/or toss a salad. But for someone who's decidedly pathetic in the kitchen, I sure do like to look at them...

Ryan Korban in Lonny

Deulonder via Dustjacket Attic

Jennifer Dyer in Lonny

Are you comfortable in the kitchen? I suppose it's not too late for me to pick up a few skills... In fact this past weekend Michael and I took a cooking lesson at Aux Délices (one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list!) thanks to a generous Christmas gift from my sister Reilly. We had a blast working on our knife skills and mastering a couple new dishes. You know what they say, practice makes perfect! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

I am the first to admit my inability to cook. I'm generally picky, I've been a vegetarian for four years, and I rely pretty heavily on my ability to make guacamole and/or toss a salad. But for someone who's decidedly pathetic in the kitchen, I sure do like to look at them...

Ryan Korban in Lonny

Deulonder via Dustjacket Attic

Jennifer Dyer in Lonny

Are you comfortable in the kitchen? I suppose it's not too late for me to pick up a few skills... In fact this past weekend Michael and I took a cooking lesson at Aux Délices (one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list!) thanks to a generous Christmas gift from my sister Reilly. We had a blast working on our knife skills and mastering a couple new dishes. You know what they say, practice makes perfect! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

101 IN 1001 {EXPERIENCES}

When I wrote out my 101 in 1001 list back in January 2011, I tried to place emphasis on having various experiences as opposed to indulging in various purchases. It sounds good but in reality those are the items I have the most trouble crossing off. Why? Because, truthfully, it's hard to resist the allure of a new dress to save up for something more meaningful. I hope by writing out a few such experiences I'll be more inclined to follow through and start checking these experiences off my list...

16. Take a ballroom dance class.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never properly learned and I think it's high time I master it, don't you? You know, before I start embarrassing my friends at their weddings ;)

37. See a new Cirque du Soleil performance.

My family has been three or four times and every single show has taken my breath away! This is a serious must for any of you who haven't yet been. 

39. Ride on a sailboat.

This should be easy enough to cross off on Nantucket this summer, don't you think?

41. Try acupuncture.

I'm curious! How many of you have given it a go?

46. Spend a day with each of my siblings doing what they want, paid for by me.

Since there are four of us it's rare that we spend any one-on-one time together. (Does that sound like it's from an episode of The Bachelor? Oops.)

48. Take a cooking class.

Another skill I've failed to pick up. My sister Reilly kindly treated Michael and I to a vegetarian cooking lesson for Christmas — I just need to follow through and book the class!

61. Learn calligraphy.

Remember my faux calligraphy here? 

71. Go camping.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I'm not exactly the outdoorsy type but I do think it's something I should experience at least once!

98. Go skydiving.

Outdoorsy stuff aside, I do love adventure. I've been bungee jumping and hang gliding so this just feels like the next step!  

- - -

What experiences are you saving up for? Do any of you have a 101 in 1001 list or something similar? Leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Images one / two / three

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

When I wrote out my 101 in 1001 list back in January 2011, I tried to place emphasis on having various experiences as opposed to indulging in various purchases. It sounds good but in reality those are the items I have the most trouble crossing off. Why? Because, truthfully, it's hard to resist the allure of a new dress to save up for something more meaningful. I hope by writing out a few such experiences I'll be more inclined to follow through and start checking these experiences off my list...

16. Take a ballroom dance class.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never properly learned and I think it's high time I master it, don't you? You know, before I start embarrassing my friends at their weddings ;)

37. See a new Cirque du Soleil performance.

My family has been three or four times and every single show has taken my breath away! This is a serious must for any of you who haven't yet been. 

39. Ride on a sailboat.

This should be easy enough to cross off on Nantucket this summer, don't you think?

41. Try acupuncture.

I'm curious! How many of you have given it a go?

46. Spend a day with each of my siblings doing what they want, paid for by me.

Since there are four of us it's rare that we spend any one-on-one time together. (Does that sound like it's from an episode of The Bachelor? Oops.)

48. Take a cooking class.

Another skill I've failed to pick up. My sister Reilly kindly treated Michael and I to a vegetarian cooking lesson for Christmas — I just need to follow through and book the class!

61. Learn calligraphy.

Remember my faux calligraphy here? 

71. Go camping.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I'm not exactly the outdoorsy type but I do think it's something I should experience at least once!

98. Go skydiving.

Outdoorsy stuff aside, I do love adventure. I've been bungee jumping and hang gliding so this just feels like the next step!  

- - -

What experiences are you saving up for? Do any of you have a 101 in 1001 list or something similar? Leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Images one / two / three

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

52 + 53

My family has a goal to see all fifty states together. It doesn't count if just one or two of us visits; all six must be there in order to check a state off the list. So far we've seen 33 states, a list of which you can see in the sidebar HERE. Two of the items on my 101 in 1001 list pertain to this family goal and they are...

52. Figure out the best way to keep track of our family's travels...

53. ...And make progress by crossing at least one more state off our list!

I stumbled upon this map ($60) on Etsy and I think it'd be a fantastic way to note our family's travels. Now to plot our next trip... Shall it be Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, or West Virginia? ;)

Have you done lots of traveling within the U.S.? How do you keep track of your travels?

My family has a goal to see all fifty states together. It doesn't count if just one or two of us visits; all six must be there in order to check a state off the list. So far we've seen 33 states, a list of which you can see in the sidebar HERE. Two of the items on my 101 in 1001 list pertain to this family goal and they are...

52. Figure out the best way to keep track of our family's travels...

53. ...And make progress by crossing at least one more state off our list!

I stumbled upon this map ($60) on Etsy and I think it'd be a fantastic way to note our family's travels. Now to plot our next trip... Shall it be Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, or West Virginia? ;)

Have you done lots of traveling within the U.S.? How do you keep track of your travels?

Get started now.

One of the most ambitious goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to start my own company — as in I fully intend to have my own company within the next two years (the 1001 day mark is September 28, 2013). I wasn't expecting to hit the ground running this early on, but two months at a desk job made me realize that life is just too damn short to do anything that makes you unhappy. Just three weeks into self-employment, I've never been more confident that I'm pursuing the right path.

I love this quote for several reasons. Starting a business is never going to be easy. There's always going to be some reason not to do it. You're too young, you're worried about money, you're afraid of what other people will think. You're aware that it could totally backfire and leave you back at square one. But if it's the kind of challenge that's going to get you out of bed in the morning, excited about the possibilities — if it's the kind of thing that you'll look back on and regret not trying — then you know what you have to do.

My dad used to tell me, "He who has a beginning has half the deed done." In other words, sometimes making up your mind to do something is the hardest part. Taking that first leap of faith and committing yourself to a new venture is always daunting. But the peace of mind that follows and the excitement about what's ahead are every bit worth the initial anxiety.

Which is not to say that it'll be smooth sailing from here on out. That's another reason I love this quote. I know I don't have all the tools I need to succeed right this instant. Challenges and obstacles that I have no idea how to handle will inevitably pop up. But the opportunity for growth — for newfound strength, skill, self-confidence, and success — is not to be missed.

I'm in the early planning stages of my very own company and that's an absolutely exhilarating feeling. In fact, I highly recommend it ;)

One of the most ambitious goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to start my own company — as in I fully intend to have my own company within the next two years (the 1001 day mark is September 28, 2013). I wasn't expecting to hit the ground running this early on, but two months at a desk job made me realize that life is just too damn short to do anything that makes you unhappy. Just three weeks into self-employment, I've never been more confident that I'm pursuing the right path.

I love this quote for several reasons. Starting a business is never going to be easy. There's always going to be some reason not to do it. You're too young, you're worried about money, you're afraid of what other people will think. You're aware that it could totally backfire and leave you back at square one. But if it's the kind of challenge that's going to get you out of bed in the morning, excited about the possibilities — if it's the kind of thing that you'll look back on and regret not trying — then you know what you have to do.

My dad used to tell me, "He who has a beginning has half the deed done." In other words, sometimes making up your mind to do something is the hardest part. Taking that first leap of faith and committing yourself to a new venture is always daunting. But the peace of mind that follows and the excitement about what's ahead are every bit worth the initial anxiety.

Which is not to say that it'll be smooth sailing from here on out. That's another reason I love this quote. I know I don't have all the tools I need to succeed right this instant. Challenges and obstacles that I have no idea how to handle will inevitably pop up. But the opportunity for growth — for newfound strength, skill, self-confidence, and success — is not to be missed.

I'm in the early planning stages of my very own company and that's an absolutely exhilarating feeling. In fact, I highly recommend it ;)

Reading List

One of the goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to begin my book collection with ten coffee table books. As my darling friend and fellow collector Christine would agree, this is one of those instances where it is absolutely okay to judge a book by its cover! Here are a few of the titles that are tickling my fancy...

Downtown Chic, $41 / Once Upon A Time, $77

Domino: The Book of Decorating, $20 / Style A to Zoe, $14

The Perfectly Imperfect Home, $18 / Details, $36

Allure, $24 / Who What Wear, $10 / Glamour: Making It Modern, $36

I already own Details, Domino, and Style A to Zoe and look forward to expanding my collection over time! These books are all from Barnes & Noble but I suggest keeping an eye on Joss & Main's frequent book sales as well! I scored Details for half price ;) What are your favorite coffee table books?

One of the goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to begin my book collection with ten coffee table books. As my darling friend and fellow collector Christine would agree, this is one of those instances where it is absolutely okay to judge a book by its cover! Here are a few of the titles that are tickling my fancy...

Downtown Chic, $41 / Once Upon A Time, $77

Domino: The Book of Decorating, $20 / Style A to Zoe, $14

The Perfectly Imperfect Home, $18 / Details, $36

Allure, $24 / Who What Wear, $10 / Glamour: Making It Modern, $36

I already own Details, Domino, and Style A to Zoe and look forward to expanding my collection over time! These books are all from Barnes & Noble but I suggest keeping an eye on Joss & Main's frequent book sales as well! I scored Details for half price ;) What are your favorite coffee table books?

Outfit + Picnic

The weather this weekend was nothing short of perfect and I had no excuse not to tackle two tasks on my 101 in 1001 list:

85. Have a picnic.

96. Do a personal style post on the blog. 

The first was delightful but the second scared me quite a bit. Posting pictures of personal style is, well, personal! But I decided to venture outside my comfort zone and see what you all think...

Ralph Lauren sunglasses / J.Crew blazer / Chance Co. shirt 
J.Crew necklace / Vintage cuff / Rugby belt (similar here)

BDG jeans / Corso Como boots / Vintage picnic basket

In other words, my daily uniform (minus the picnic basket, unfortunately). Let me know what you think! In any event I killed two birds with one stone, bringing me to 22 completed tasks on my 101 in 1001 list! 


P.S. Thanks to my cousin Emily and boyfriend Michael for the outfit pics!


P.P.S. I used this Hot Tools curling iron per your suggestions on this post. The curls came out a bit before we snapped pictures but I promise I LOVE it!

The weather this weekend was nothing short of perfect and I had no excuse not to tackle two tasks on my 101 in 1001 list:

85. Have a picnic.

96. Do a personal style post on the blog. 

The first was delightful but the second scared me quite a bit. Posting pictures of personal style is, well, personal! But I decided to venture outside my comfort zone and see what you all think...

Ralph Lauren sunglasses / J.Crew blazer / Chance Co. shirt 
J.Crew necklace / Vintage cuff / Rugby belt (similar here)

BDG jeans / Corso Como boots / Vintage picnic basket

In other words, my daily uniform (minus the picnic basket, unfortunately). Let me know what you think! In any event I killed two birds with one stone, bringing me to 22 completed tasks on my 101 in 1001 list! 


P.S. Thanks to my cousin Emily and boyfriend Michael for the outfit pics!


P.P.S. I used this Hot Tools curling iron per your suggestions on this post. The curls came out a bit before we snapped pictures but I promise I LOVE it!

Healthy Habits {101 in 1001}

Today I'm sharing a few more of the goals from my 101 in 1001 list. For people who have asked to see the entire list at once, I decided at the beginning to share the list over time a) because it's so long and b) because it's fun to share both goals and progress! Some goals are professional in nature, others financial, others pure fun. The goals I'm sharing today have to do with health and fitness — admittedly not my forté.

19. Drink eight glasses of water a day every day for one week. This is probably easy and mindless for some of you but to me it feels insurmountable. So. Much. Water!

33. Hire a personal trainer.

42. Take a self-defense class.

- - - 

What do you do to stay healthy and in shape?

Today I'm sharing a few more of the goals from my 101 in 1001 list. For people who have asked to see the entire list at once, I decided at the beginning to share the list over time a) because it's so long and b) because it's fun to share both goals and progress! Some goals are professional in nature, others financial, others pure fun. The goals I'm sharing today have to do with health and fitness — admittedly not my forté.

19. Drink eight glasses of water a day every day for one week. This is probably easy and mindless for some of you but to me it feels insurmountable. So. Much. Water!

33. Hire a personal trainer.

42. Take a self-defense class.

- - - 

What do you do to stay healthy and in shape?