First Impressions {Graphic Design}

First impressions are everything — and not just in the "real world." Your blog is your online portfolio and should therefore reflect your style to a T. Content is key, but so is good design; an attractive header, a streamlined layout, clear pictures, and easy-to-read text are just as necessary as original content and properly cited images. Anything else is just selling yourself short. Here are a few of my favorite blog headers these days.

{A Piece of Toast}

I love that Sally and Molly change out the images in their header depending on the season. The layout remains the same, but the subtle change feels fresh every time. 

{Bright Bazaar}

Will is all about colorful interiors, so his subtitle is practically a personal manifesto. I love the simplicity and the easy-to-read font.

{Design Love Fest}

Like Sally and Molly, graphic designer Bri swaps out the patterns behind the word "LOVE" to keep up with her current inspirations. 

{Fabulous K}

Kelly is a graphic designer so it makes sense that her header would wow! I love that she switches up the color palette every so often, though this navy and pink number is naturally my favorite.

{Luella & June}

In addition to the fact that I adore orange and pink together, I love the quirky combination of fonts in Bradley and Alison's header.

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What would you add to the list of must-haves for a blog design? What are some of your contenders for best designed blogs? By the way, if you're looking to hire a graphic designer for your own blog or website, I have a fantastic list of recommendations I would love to share!

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P.S. Notice something new? My dear friend Chassity taught me how to install the Facebook "like" button under each post. (HTML is not my strong suit!) If you like what you see, do let me know ;)

First impressions are everything — and not just in the "real world." Your blog is your online portfolio and should therefore reflect your style to a T. Content is key, but so is good design; an attractive header, a streamlined layout, clear pictures, and easy-to-read text are just as necessary as original content and properly cited images. Anything else is just selling yourself short. Here are a few of my favorite blog headers these days.

{A Piece of Toast}

I love that Sally and Molly change out the images in their header depending on the season. The layout remains the same, but the subtle change feels fresh every time. 

{Bright Bazaar}

Will is all about colorful interiors, so his subtitle is practically a personal manifesto. I love the simplicity and the easy-to-read font.

{Design Love Fest}

Like Sally and Molly, graphic designer Bri swaps out the patterns behind the word "LOVE" to keep up with her current inspirations. 

{Fabulous K}

Kelly is a graphic designer so it makes sense that her header would wow! I love that she switches up the color palette every so often, though this navy and pink number is naturally my favorite.

{Luella & June}

In addition to the fact that I adore orange and pink together, I love the quirky combination of fonts in Bradley and Alison's header.

- - -

What would you add to the list of must-haves for a blog design? What are some of your contenders for best designed blogs? By the way, if you're looking to hire a graphic designer for your own blog or website, I have a fantastic list of recommendations I would love to share!

- - -

P.S. Notice something new? My dear friend Chassity taught me how to install the Facebook "like" button under each post. (HTML is not my strong suit!) If you like what you see, do let me know ;)

Home Tour {Shop Talk}

I was so happy when my daily stop by Full House led me to Shop Talk, a new-to-me blog about written by Erika, a brand stylist who also has a keen eye for fashion and interiors. Her home is so, so good. 

{A vintage concert poster, furry chair, and Jonathan Adler pillow create a glam 1970s-inspired workspace.}

{How chic is her dining room? I love the gold lamp against the slate gray walls.}

{The recently completed gallery wall in her office, complete with her daughter's artwork (right). Can you imagine a more inspiring place to buckle down and get it done? Love.}

I was so happy when my daily stop by Full House led me to Shop Talk, a new-to-me blog about written by Erika, a brand stylist who also has a keen eye for fashion and interiors. Her home is so, so good. 

{A vintage concert poster, furry chair, and Jonathan Adler pillow create a glam 1970s-inspired workspace.}

{How chic is her dining room? I love the gold lamp against the slate gray walls.}

{The recently completed gallery wall in her office, complete with her daughter's artwork (right). Can you imagine a more inspiring place to buckle down and get it done? Love.}

Quote du Jour

We all know those people. Instead, let's be great together. Happy Monday!

{via My Cup of Te}

We all know those people. Instead, let's be great together. Happy Monday!

{via My Cup of Te}

On the subject of Pinterest...

I'm not entirely sure why I've devoted my day to convincing you to join Pinterest (oh wait, because I'm addicted) but nonetheless I'll give you another reason...

Pinning an image onto one of your boards automatically saves the link where you found the image. For anyone who knows how to cook (please note all my saved foods are salad) reads lots of foodie blogs, it would be a great way to save recipes you're dying to try! See? Brilliant, I tell you.

{all via my food board}

I'm not entirely sure why I've devoted my day to convincing you to join Pinterest (oh wait, because I'm addicted) but nonetheless I'll give you another reason...

Pinning an image onto one of your boards automatically saves the link where you found the image. For anyone who knows how to cook (please note all my saved foods are salad) reads lots of foodie blogs, it would be a great way to save recipes you're dying to try! See? Brilliant, I tell you.

{all via my food board}

And the winner is...

A big thank you to everyone who entered the $75 Luxury Monograms giveaway. I was blown away by your support for Melanie's new business venture! Without further ado, the winner is...

Entry #11, Melissa from Veranda Interiors! Melissa, please email me and I will put you in touch with Melanie to redeem your gift code. Congratulations! 

As an added bonus, Melanie would like to extend a 10% discount to all of you when you use the code "Darling" at checkout! Get shopping as the discount expires Sunday — and don't forget to tell me what you buy :)

A big thank you to everyone who entered the $75 Luxury Monograms giveaway. I was blown away by your support for Melanie's new business venture! Without further ado, the winner is...

Entry #11, Melissa from Veranda Interiors! Melissa, please email me and I will put you in touch with Melanie to redeem your gift code. Congratulations! 

As an added bonus, Melanie would like to extend a 10% discount to all of you when you use the code "Darling" at checkout! Get shopping as the discount expires Sunday — and don't forget to tell me what you buy :)

Pink Packs A Punch.

One of the many reasons I love Pinterest is that it functions as a virtual inspiration board for all the looks I'm loving of late. Today my fashion board made it clear I'm craving a pop of pink in clothing, makeup, and accessories. I highly recommend the site, which comes with a "Pin It" bookmarklet so you can instantly save any image from any site onto any one of your inspiration boards. And did you hear that a Pinterest iPhone app is on its way? Brilliant. Here are a few things on my mind:

  Kate Spade scarf, $95 /Jil Sander pants, $595 / Robert Abbey lamp, $237 /

ABC Home chair, $150 / Belle Sigerson Morrison flats, $195 / Madeline Weinrib rug, $750+

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P.S. I'm sharing my [totally cheesy] musical stylings on Kalyn Johnson's blog Possess Your Style today. Please stop by if you have the chance!

One of the many reasons I love Pinterest is that it functions as a virtual inspiration board for all the looks I'm loving of late. Today my fashion board made it clear I'm craving a pop of pink in clothing, makeup, and accessories. I highly recommend the site, which comes with a "Pin It" bookmarklet so you can instantly save any image from any site onto any one of your inspiration boards. And did you hear that a Pinterest iPhone app is on its way? Brilliant. Here are a few things on my mind:

  Kate Spade scarf, $95 /Jil Sander pants, $595 / Robert Abbey lamp, $237 /

ABC Home chair, $150 / Belle Sigerson Morrison flats, $195 / Madeline Weinrib rug, $750+

- - -

P.S. I'm sharing my [totally cheesy] musical stylings on Kalyn Johnson's blog Possess Your Style today. Please stop by if you have the chance!

No. 23

It's been a little while since I shared an item on my 101 in 1001 list so I thought I'd return with a simple and sweet resolution today. In my remaining 878 days, I intend to write at least fifty thank you notes. I've already written eight so I'd like to think I'm on my way! Time to invest in some pretty new stationery like these from Mr. Boddington's Studio ;)

It's been a little while since I shared an item on my 101 in 1001 list so I thought I'd return with a simple and sweet resolution today. In my remaining 878 days, I intend to write at least fifty thank you notes. I've already written eight so I'd like to think I'm on my way! Time to invest in some pretty new stationery like these from Mr. Boddington's Studio ;)

A Little Leopard

These two spaces featured in Elle Decor have me jonesing to reupholster a little occasional chair with a splash of leopard print. Place it on a neutral rug, add a big abstract painting, and you're good to go!

P.S. Happy birthday, Dad! I love you so much.

These two spaces featured in Elle Decor have me jonesing to reupholster a little occasional chair with a splash of leopard print. Place it on a neutral rug, add a big abstract painting, and you're good to go!

P.S. Happy birthday, Dad! I love you so much.

Pour L'Artiste

The Glamourai described these inspiration photos for her apartment redo as "one part inspirational office space and several parts exotic opium den." While that's never how I would describe my own style, there is something delightfully off-kilter about this interior. A tribal rug, vintage leather chair, brassy lamp with a red shade, aqua bolster, and unhung art never looked so harmonious together, don't you agree?

The Glamourai described these inspiration photos for her apartment redo as "one part inspirational office space and several parts exotic opium den." While that's never how I would describe my own style, there is something delightfully off-kilter about this interior. A tribal rug, vintage leather chair, brassy lamp with a red shade, aqua bolster, and unhung art never looked so harmonious together, don't you agree?

Crunch Time!

A little glimpse at my weekly to do list...

1. A ten-page paper about the theme of betrayal in 17th century French theater. Yikes.

2. A quick presentation about the failure of FEMA to respond to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

3. An eight-page paper about non-traditional family structures and sex trafficking around the world.

4. A "Meet The Designer" piece for Rue.

5. A "Rue Shops [insert surprise city here]" piece.

6. A home tour piece for Rue.

7. Another home tour piece for Rue.

8. Book my flight to San Francisco.

9. Send out emails for a super fun, top secret project for Roxy's forthcoming Society Social furniture line.

10. Throw something together for Dad's birthday (tomorrow), my brother's birthday (Friday), and Mother's Day (Sunday).

- - -

What's keeping you busy this week? Deep breaths.

A little glimpse at my weekly to do list...

1. A ten-page paper about the theme of betrayal in 17th century French theater. Yikes.

2. A quick presentation about the failure of FEMA to respond to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

3. An eight-page paper about non-traditional family structures and sex trafficking around the world.

4. A "Meet The Designer" piece for Rue.

5. A "Rue Shops [insert surprise city here]" piece.

6. A home tour piece for Rue.

7. Another home tour piece for Rue.

8. Book my flight to San Francisco.

9. Send out emails for a super fun, top secret project for Roxy's forthcoming Society Social furniture line.

10. Throw something together for Dad's birthday (tomorrow), my brother's birthday (Friday), and Mother's Day (Sunday).

- - -

What's keeping you busy this week? Deep breaths.