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Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts

NEW DESIGNER CRUSH: BUCKLEY K


I was so excited when I received an email from sisters Anne and Sarah introducing me to their clothing line Buckley K. First of all, there is so much navy and white that there was no way I wouldn't fall in love with it. Second, everything is made in the U.S.A. and available online only, meaning there's no middleman or retail mark-up. Third, every silhouette is classic, chic, and perfect for travel. Fourth, did I mention all the navy and white? Check them out right here and do let me know of any new-to-you lines you're loving lately!



ONE, TWO, PICK A FEW...


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Just an assortment of pretty little things that have caught my eye lately... Most affordable? This perfect pearl ring. Most colorful? This turquoise toaster. Most dreamy? These bow heels. Most necessary? This metallic jute rug. So much cuteness, I don't know where to start. What's your top pick?


SHOPBOP FRIENDS & FAMILY SALE PICKS!

You know the drill. Three days. 25% off. Buy all the things. Or wait too long and kick yourself when you place an order a week later at full price. Not that I'm speaking from experience. ;) Code is INTHEFAMILY14. Have at it and tell me what's coming to live with you!

Dresses and skirts:


Tops:


Accessories and shoes:




HOW TO DRESS FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

I get a lot of emails asking what to wear for a job interview or how to spruce up a professional wardrobe. The truth is that, if I'm not shooting an outfit post, I can usually wear an oxford shirt and jeans and get through my daily to dos without a wardrobe change. I've never bought a suit and every office I've ever worked in was the opposite of business formal. (My stint in PR as well as my internships at Jonathan Adler and Ralph Lauren all emphasized personal style over corporate dress code.) 

But I know not all my readers are self-employed or working in fashion and I hate to leave anyone hanging. So I was pretty excited when I stumbled upon the new-to-me blog The Classy Cubicle. Mary works in corporate America and does an amazing job dressing for it. She looks appropriately conservative and perfectly polished in every post, exactly the way I'd like to look if I didn't work from home. Here are a few of my favorite outfits to elevate and inspire your next office look:


If you're taking notes, the following items are must-haves:

1. A bevy of sharp button-down shirts. 
splurge  //  spend  //  save

2. Dress pants tailored to fit perfectly.
splurge  //  spend  //  save

3. A classic trench coat.
splurge  //  spend  //  save

4. A few colorful sweaters for layering.
splurge  //  spend  //  save

5. Sensible heels with flattering pointed toes. 
splurge  //  spend  //  save

I hope that helps you get dressed for your next interview or meeting! I really do try to answer all my readers' style questions so shoot me an email if there's something you'd like to see next. And don't forget to pop over to The Classy Cubicle for more work wardrobe inspiration — I know you'll enjoy her archives as much as I did! 


HAPPY IN HOT PINK


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If you ask me my favorite color, it's navy or nothing. But when it comes to the color that makes me happiest, I'm all about hot pink. I don't wear it nearly as often as navy blue, but surrounding myself with hot pink desk accessories or treating myself to a bouquet of pink tulips does wonders for my mood in the midst of this wintry April. I think part of my pink obsession is that it pairs so well with almost every other color: lime green, navy, olive, orange, turquoise, white... When it comes to pink, you really can't go wrong.

Do you have a color that makes you happiest? Supposedly a lot of people say yellow. I'd love to hear what you think!



SCALLOPED DRESSES AND PAPER AND SHOES, OH MY!




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Ever since I lived in this scalloped dress all last summer, I've been searching for more scalloped pieces to add to my wardrobe (and my decor!). I'd say scallops are right up there with stripes in terms of details I can't get enough of. Whether you like scallops in small doses (this stationery is my favorite) or you're ready to wear them, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them for spring and summer. Now if it would just warm up in New York...!

Oh and I totally forgot to include them above but these scalloped ballet flats are on sale for $42... Yes please.

Shop the post:




JACK ROGERS & SAIL TO SABLE


Last week Carly and I hosted a little shopping event for Sail To Sable's spring collection at the Jack Rogers store. We had so much fun trying on dresses from the new line, discussing details for the designer Jen's upcoming wedding, and meeting a bunch of lovely readers (one of whom even brought us handwritten notes — consider me completely charmed!). 

I wore this striped tunic which will be perfect on Nantucket this summer (for the beach with flip flops, church with Jacks, and dinner with wedges — don't you love a piece that does double triple duty?). Carly wore this navy and pink tunic which also comes in a beaded silk that's pretty dreamy. It's been really cool to see Sail To Sable expand and improve over the years... Definitely check it out if you haven't shopped it before. I'm so proud of Jen and her team!

In addition to wanting to move into the Jack Rogers store (a must-see if you find yourself on the Upper East Side), there are about twenty pairs of sandals I could have left the store with. I wore this navy glitter pair for the event and loved the way they looked with my striped dress. I absolutely lived in my monogrammed Jacks last summer so I'm trying to decide which color to pick up next — hot pink? lime green? turquoise? Unsurprisingly, I love them all. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to say hello and shop and of course thank you to Jack Rogers and Sail To Sable for the much needed sneak peek of summer! It's less than 100 days away, you know ;)

Shop the post:



COLOR LOVE: OLIVE GREEN & HOT PINK

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It's funny how much more I listen to my mom now that I'm in my twenties. Despite the fact that my mom worked in fashion throughout my childhood, there were countless times that I disregarded her advice on certain colors or silhouettes that would work for me, opting instead for whatever was new at abercrombie kids (shudder). Every now and then, I'll find myself drawn to something that my mom recommended 10+ years ago. Case in point? Olive green and hot pink. Perfect for redheads, recommended by Mom, and rediscovered just in time for spring. It took me a while but it's true: Mom always knows best.

Shop the post:

P.S. Want the same look for less? This top is just $32 and these shoes are $48.

NEW ARRIVALS!


Remember that trip my mom and I took to Atlanta? Well a bunch of the items we picked out are finally available in the boutique and I'm dying to hear what you think. I'm flipping for the cobalt glassware, monogrammed accessories, and patterned trays. I hope you find something that's just right for you! xx

MY NEW SHOES


It wasn't my intention to skip this morning's blog post but this week just got away from me. Lots of meetings, new projects, and an evening event on top of the usual workload... Let's just say I'm happy the weekend is finally here, even if it just means a couple extra hours to catch up on my inbox before Monday. Phew!

So here's all I've got for you: a pretty new pair of pink shoes. I'm of the opinion a girl can never have too many — I also own these (on final sale!) and these and can't wait to wear them all spring and summer. (Maybe even tomorrow? 55 degrees!) They'll be great with dressy shorts, white jeans, and summery skirts and dresses. Sunshine, bring it on.

I'll be back next week with a new career feature (any guesses?!), more outfit posts, and hopefully a new spring in my step! I've been looking forward to tonight's double date all week and can't wait to log some quality time at the dog park tomorrow morning. What are you up to? Whatever it is, have a good one. Here's hoping we all get the rest, relaxation, and vitamin D we need! xx



ON MY LIST: IPHONE 5/5S CASE

preppy iphone 5 5s cases monogrammed

Kate Spade (love the pocket for credit cards!)  //  Tory Burch  //  J.Crew
Lilly Pulitzer (one of my favorite all-time patterns)  //  Kate Spade  //  C. Wonder

Looking for a preppy new iPhone case? I am, after dropping my brand new iPhone 5S and shattering the screen. (Seriously, worst feeling ever!) I love the sleekness of a phone without a case but clearly I'm too clumsy to go without. Anyone have a case they love? Leave a link in the comments. I need to scoop one of these up before I make the same mistake twice!



SHOPPING FOR SPRING: BEST STRIPED DRESSES

If there's one thing I've learned while living in a New York studio, it's that closet space is the ultimate commodity. I can't afford — financially or space-wise — to buy items that I'll only wear a handful of times. So I've been paying close attention to the pieces I wear on repeat and trying to buy variations of the same pieces: for instance, blue button-downs, dark wash skinny jeans, and striped dresses. Does anyone else shop the same way? It might not be the most exciting way to expand my wardrobe but it definitely ensures that I wear every item that's taking up prime real estate in my only closet. 

With March finally here and spring allegedly on its way, I thought I'd round up 15 of the cutest striped dresses I've seen so far. There's something for literally every budget starting at just $25, so I hope you find something you've got to have if you, like me, live in stripes all spring and summer! 




If you could only choose one, which would it be?! 


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! 



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 WISHLIST

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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):





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.