Effie's Paper Giveaway!

There are few things I love more than a handwritten note or a stack of stationery just waiting to be used. I'm excited to be partnering with the darling Kalyn to bring you this giveaway from her stationery company Effie's Paper! 

One of you will receive personalized stationery in your choice of color and pattern! And everyone gets 15% off with the code "DARLING" at checkout now through Friday. I might have to grab that ikat set for myself!

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To enter, become a follower of Design Darling and leave a comment below. For an extra entry (please comment again!), like Effie's Paper on Facebook. Good luck!

There are few things I love more than a handwritten note or a stack of stationery just waiting to be used. I'm excited to be partnering with the darling Kalyn to bring you this giveaway from her stationery company Effie's Paper! 

One of you will receive personalized stationery in your choice of color and pattern! And everyone gets 15% off with the code "DARLING" at checkout now through Friday. I might have to grab that ikat set for myself!

- - -

To enter, become a follower of Design Darling and leave a comment below. For an extra entry (please comment again!), like Effie's Paper on Facebook. Good luck!

Tell Me About It, Stud

By the way, need an end-of-the-weekend pick-me-up? I'd like to direct your attention to these pretty baubles among the new arrivals at Loren Hope Designs...

Sparkly costume studs, just $32 a pair available in every color under the sun. (Find them here.) I'll take these four and more...

By the way, need an end-of-the-weekend pick-me-up? I'd like to direct your attention to these pretty baubles among the new arrivals at Loren Hope Designs...

Sparkly costume studs, just $32 a pair available in every color under the sun. (Find them here.) I'll take these four and more...

Spring 2012, Continued

Just dropping in with a little more weekend eye candy...

{ADAM}

Delightful polka dots and sweet silhouettes.

{Erin Fetherston}

The perfect party frock times three.

{Lela Rose}

Divine details and romantic everything. The blue dress in the center is particularly breathtaking, no?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}

Just dropping in with a little more weekend eye candy...

{ADAM}

Delightful polka dots and sweet silhouettes.

{Erin Fetherston}

The perfect party frock times three.

{Lela Rose}

Divine details and romantic everything. The blue dress in the center is particularly breathtaking, no?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}

Spring 2012

Partially because I'm in denial that summer has come to an end and partially because it's hard to work in New York and not get caught up in spring Fashion Week buzz, I'm popping in today to share a few looks from three of my favorite collections to date.

{Jenni Kayne}

Enamored though I am with fashion, it's refreshing to see a collection in which I would wear literally any and every piece. This beautifully detailed collection in saturated navy, heathered gray, and crisp white would be in constant rotation in my wardrobe. Paired with metallic heels or glittery flats, what's not to love?

{Peter Som}

For days when I'm craving a burst of color, I'll be channeling the royal blue and hot pink standouts in Peter Som's collection. The retro-fit zebra bikini is what I'd call tongue-in-chic.

{10 Crosby Derek Lam}

I have trouble finding patterns and prints I love, but the bold graphics of Derek Lam's diffusion line had me at hello. Pink and white stripes with an enlarged and isolated geometric detail? It's pure pattern perfection.

- - -

Have you been following the spring shows? What is your favorite collection to date?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}

Partially because I'm in denial that summer has come to an end and partially because it's hard to work in New York and not get caught up in spring Fashion Week buzz, I'm popping in today to share a few looks from three of my favorite collections to date.

{Jenni Kayne}

Enamored though I am with fashion, it's refreshing to see a collection in which I would wear literally any and every piece. This beautifully detailed collection in saturated navy, heathered gray, and crisp white would be in constant rotation in my wardrobe. Paired with metallic heels or glittery flats, what's not to love?

{Peter Som}

For days when I'm craving a burst of color, I'll be channeling the royal blue and hot pink standouts in Peter Som's collection. The retro-fit zebra bikini is what I'd call tongue-in-chic.

{10 Crosby Derek Lam}

I have trouble finding patterns and prints I love, but the bold graphics of Derek Lam's diffusion line had me at hello. Pink and white stripes with an enlarged and isolated geometric detail? It's pure pattern perfection.

- - -

Have you been following the spring shows? What is your favorite collection to date?

{images by Style.com, layouts by Mackenzie Horan}

Bloggers' Night Out!

I'd like every week to be four days long and have a weekend blogger event for me to look forward to. These lovely ladies have planned an evening out for style bloggers and I'm excited to mix and mingle with old favorites and new friends! Here's a little girls' night outfit inspiration for those of us who naturally have no idea to what to wear...

Black-on-black, big pearls, metallic sandals courtesy of Blair at Atlantic-Pacific.

Elin of Style by Kling is the undisputed master of downtown cool.

And Karla of Karla's Closet makes the sequin-leopard combo look good. What are your weekend plans? Or, more importantly, what are you wearing? Have a good one!

I'd like every week to be four days long and have a weekend blogger event for me to look forward to. These lovely ladies have planned an evening out for style bloggers and I'm excited to mix and mingle with old favorites and new friends! Here's a little girls' night outfit inspiration for those of us who naturally have no idea to what to wear...

Black-on-black, big pearls, metallic sandals courtesy of Blair at Atlantic-Pacific.

Elin of Style by Kling is the undisputed master of downtown cool.

And Karla of Karla's Closet makes the sequin-leopard combo look good. What are your weekend plans? Or, more importantly, what are you wearing? Have a good one!

Ideas For Your Office

1. Hang clipboards in a grid to keep your desk clear and your walls chic.

2. Surround yourself with art, books, and flowers to keep the creative juices flowing. A little leopard print never hurt anyone.

3. Use translucent pieces like a glass desk and lucite lamp to make your colorful inspiration board a strong focal point.

 - - -

Clean/cluttered, colorful/neutral, modern/traditional? What does your workspace (real or imaginary) look like?

{all images here}

1. Hang clipboards in a grid to keep your desk clear and your walls chic.

2. Surround yourself with art, books, and flowers to keep the creative juices flowing. A little leopard print never hurt anyone.

3. Use translucent pieces like a glass desk and lucite lamp to make your colorful inspiration board a strong focal point.

 - - -

Clean/cluttered, colorful/neutral, modern/traditional? What does your workspace (real or imaginary) look like?

{all images here}

What I'd Like To Be Wearing Today

I'm having one of those "I have nothing to wear" days...

Equipment blouse, $188

Tory Burch wallet, $195

Elizabeth and James sandals, $295

Tory Burch sunglasses, $149

Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet, $68

I'd like to hit refresh in a striped blouse, color-blocked sandals, and timeless accessories. What do you wish you were wearing today?

I'm having one of those "I have nothing to wear" days...

Equipment blouse, $188

Tory Burch wallet, $195

Elizabeth and James sandals, $295

Tory Burch sunglasses, $149

Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet, $68

I'd like to hit refresh in a striped blouse, color-blocked sandals, and timeless accessories. What do you wish you were wearing today?

Apartment Essentials {The Headboard}

My ideal first apartment has white walls and wood floors. In other words, it's a blank canvas for whatever colors, patterns, and textures I decide to bring in. As we've discussed, the easiest way to break up those white walls is by adding colorful art. But in the bedroom, my favorite way to break up a big blank expanse is to add a beautiful headboard.

{Sasha Adler}

{Rue Magazine}

Headboards create a chic focal point and add instant elegance to an otherwise generic space. I love the prices and the selection at More Headboards, especially from the brand Skyline Furniture (which I know many design bloggers love!).

I picture this tufted khaki headboard ($345) paired with pale blue linens in a very elegant boudoir. 

You know my all-time favorite color combination is navy blue with hot pink. Why not pair this navy headboard ($235) with crisp white bedding and a hot pink throw?

If it's a gender neutral look you're after, this black nailhead trim headboard ($270) is perfect! The nailhead trim is more masculine, the curvy shape is more feminine, and the black hue appeases everybody!

- - -

My three favorites are priced as headboards for full size beds but available in any size your apartment will fit! What's your favorite headboard look?

My ideal first apartment has white walls and wood floors. In other words, it's a blank canvas for whatever colors, patterns, and textures I decide to bring in. As we've discussed, the easiest way to break up those white walls is by adding colorful art. But in the bedroom, my favorite way to break up a big blank expanse is to add a beautiful headboard.

{Sasha Adler}

{Rue Magazine}

Headboards create a chic focal point and add instant elegance to an otherwise generic space. I love the prices and the selection at More Headboards, especially from the brand Skyline Furniture (which I know many design bloggers love!).

I picture this tufted khaki headboard ($345) paired with pale blue linens in a very elegant boudoir. 

You know my all-time favorite color combination is navy blue with hot pink. Why not pair this navy headboard ($235) with crisp white bedding and a hot pink throw?

If it's a gender neutral look you're after, this black nailhead trim headboard ($270) is perfect! The nailhead trim is more masculine, the curvy shape is more feminine, and the black hue appeases everybody!

- - -

My three favorites are priced as headboards for full size beds but available in any size your apartment will fit! What's your favorite headboard look?

Neither Here Nor There

Just a few life updates and fleeting thoughts on this lovely long weekend... 

1. My first week of work is behind me and I can't tell you how much I love Bollare. I'm working with really cool people and really cool brands (here, here, and here — lend them a "like," won't you?) and I'm learning something new every day. Isn't that what it's all about?

2. My brother Grayson is getting ready to apply to college and it's bringing back all sorts of memories. I want him to wind up at Bucknell so badly but I think it's best not to push the issue.

3. Knowing that some of my friends are back at school and I'm out in the real world is such a strange feeling. Seeing pictures of rush festivities pop up on Facebook definitely tugged at my heartstrings. But I'm really happy with where I am right now — and there's always Homecoming!

4. Confession: I've spent hours researching apartments in New York even though I know I can't afford to move into the city right away. It's just fun to know what's out there! 

5. On a related note, the worst part of working in New York is my commute from Connecticut. An hour train ride each way plus time on the subway. The bright side, though, is plenty of time to read books and magazines. I finished Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell this week and I highly recommend it.

6. I'm insanely and unattractively jealous of everyone who's going to New York Fashion Week. Seeing a show is on my 101 in 1001 list and I'm determined to make it happen in time for next year.

7. I'm not sure where my new Tumblr is headed but I'm loving it so far! Won't you follow along? Remember, you can ask me anything! I've already gotten a few questions ranging from advice for studying abroad to how to store makeup.

8. I have a couple really fun interviews lined up to bring Design Dialogues back with a bang this fall. It's my way of bringing you original content without having my boyfriend follow me around with a camera documenting my outfit changes ;)

- - -

I'm kind of all over the place today, huh? What's new with all of you?

Just a few life updates and fleeting thoughts on this lovely long weekend... 

1. My first week of work is behind me and I can't tell you how much I love Bollare. I'm working with really cool people and really cool brands (here, here, and here — lend them a "like," won't you?) and I'm learning something new every day. Isn't that what it's all about?

2. My brother Grayson is getting ready to apply to college and it's bringing back all sorts of memories. I want him to wind up at Bucknell so badly but I think it's best not to push the issue.

3. Knowing that some of my friends are back at school and I'm out in the real world is such a strange feeling. Seeing pictures of rush festivities pop up on Facebook definitely tugged at my heartstrings. But I'm really happy with where I am right now — and there's always Homecoming!

4. Confession: I've spent hours researching apartments in New York even though I know I can't afford to move into the city right away. It's just fun to know what's out there! 

5. On a related note, the worst part of working in New York is my commute from Connecticut. An hour train ride each way plus time on the subway. The bright side, though, is plenty of time to read books and magazines. I finished Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell this week and I highly recommend it.

6. I'm insanely and unattractively jealous of everyone who's going to New York Fashion Week. Seeing a show is on my 101 in 1001 list and I'm determined to make it happen in time for next year.

7. I'm not sure where my new Tumblr is headed but I'm loving it so far! Won't you follow along? Remember, you can ask me anything! I've already gotten a few questions ranging from advice for studying abroad to how to store makeup.

8. I have a couple really fun interviews lined up to bring Design Dialogues back with a bang this fall. It's my way of bringing you original content without having my boyfriend follow me around with a camera documenting my outfit changes ;)

- - -

I'm kind of all over the place today, huh? What's new with all of you?

And the winner is...

My apologies for the delay in announcing the winner of the Plum Pretty Sugar giveaway. Here we go...

Congratulations to entry #3, Alex of Things That Sparkle! Please email me so I can put you in touch with the lovely Charlotte to redeem your beautiful new robe. Thanks to everyone who entered and have a wonderful long weekend!

My apologies for the delay in announcing the winner of the Plum Pretty Sugar giveaway. Here we go...

Congratulations to entry #3, Alex of Things That Sparkle! Please email me so I can put you in touch with the lovely Charlotte to redeem your beautiful new robe. Thanks to everyone who entered and have a wonderful long weekend!