Ras Open Toe Wedge Espadrilles

In tan, hot pink, and navy, these shoes have my name written all over them. If only they weren't quite so pricey...

...Get yours here.

In tan, hot pink, and navy, these shoes have my name written all over them. If only they weren't quite so pricey...

...Get yours here.

Plain Shift Dresses

There's something delightfully retro about a simple shift dress in navy blue or, better yet, hot pink. Here are two ways I'd style the look: 

Kate Spade studs ($38) Topshop shift dress ($80) Elizabeth & James glasses ($180) Phillip Lim pouch ($295) Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles ($89) Bauble Bar earrings ($110) Topshop shift ($80) Lisa Stewart cuff ($53) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Tory Burch wedges ($195)

As it warms up this week in Connecticut, I could definitely swing either of these looks! Which one do you prefer?

There's something delightfully retro about a simple shift dress in navy blue or, better yet, hot pink. Here are two ways I'd style the look: 

Kate Spade studs ($38) Topshop shift dress ($80) Elizabeth & James glasses ($180) Phillip Lim pouch ($295) Tommy Hilfiger espadrilles ($89) Bauble Bar earrings ($110) Topshop shift ($80) Lisa Stewart cuff ($53) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Tory Burch wedges ($195)

As it warms up this week in Connecticut, I could definitely swing either of these looks! Which one do you prefer?

Lonny March 2012

If you're itching for a little eye candy this Monday afternoon, let me direct your attention to the newest issue of Lonny, my go-to digital magazine for interior inspiration.

 Gorgeous, right? Check out the entire issue here. Enjoy!

If you're itching for a little eye candy this Monday afternoon, let me direct your attention to the newest issue of Lonny, my go-to digital magazine for interior inspiration.

 Gorgeous, right? Check out the entire issue here. Enjoy!

His & Hers

This past Saturday, Michael and I hopped in the car and drove up to a little inn in Concord, Massachusetts, that we booked through Living Social. The next day we stopped in Boston and took some outfit pictures in the Boston Common before grabbing a bite to eat at Quincy Market.

ON HIM: Castaway Clothing sweater / Land's End shirt / Brooks Brothers pants / New Balance sneakers ON HER: Ralph Lauren shirt (similar here) / H&M belt (similar here) / Loren Hope bracelet / Urban Outfitters jeans / Longchamp bag / Tory Burch flats (similar here and here)

 It was so nice to get away (even just for one night!) and makes me want to plan more day trips in the area. Do any of you New Englanders have any recommendations?

This past Saturday, Michael and I hopped in the car and drove up to a little inn in Concord, Massachusetts, that we booked through Living Social. The next day we stopped in Boston and took some outfit pictures in the Boston Common before grabbing a bite to eat at Quincy Market.

ON HIM: Castaway Clothing sweater / Land's End shirt / Brooks Brothers pants / New Balance sneakers ON HER: Ralph Lauren shirt (similar here) / H&M belt (similar here) / Loren Hope bracelet / Urban Outfitters jeans / Longchamp bag / Tory Burch flats (similar here and here)

 It was so nice to get away (even just for one night!) and makes me want to plan more day trips in the area. Do any of you New Englanders have any recommendations?

Week One

Well, Design Darling {The Boutique} has officially been in business for one week and I'm happy to report that these first seven days have exceeded my every expectation! I've been packing shipments, placing reorders, and running to the post office all day, every day, and I've never been happier. Here are a few snaps of items in action — of course I had to keep a few pretties for myself! ;)

My monogrammed acrylic tray. I want one for every room!

This quartz votive holder is major eye candy on a stack of design books on our coffee table.

This was one of the first orders I shipped out: a monogrammed acrylic business card holder (one of my best-selling items!) and two matchboxes in leopard and zebra.

To everyone who has blogged, commented, purchased, tweeted, etc., thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers to an amazing first week and many, many, many more!

Well, Design Darling {The Boutique} has officially been in business for one week and I'm happy to report that these first seven days have exceeded my every expectation! I've been packing shipments, placing reorders, and running to the post office all day, every day, and I've never been happier. Here are a few snaps of items in action — of course I had to keep a few pretties for myself! ;)

My monogrammed acrylic tray. I want one for every room!

This quartz votive holder is major eye candy on a stack of design books on our coffee table.

This was one of the first orders I shipped out: a monogrammed acrylic business card holder (one of my best-selling items!) and two matchboxes in leopard and zebra.

To everyone who has blogged, commented, purchased, tweeted, etc., thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers to an amazing first week and many, many, many more!

Top It Off

I'm a skinny jeans kind of girl. I wear them with boots, flats, heels, you name it. I usually equate dresses and skirts with getting dolled up — as in I don't gravitate to them on a daily basis when I'm running errands or working from home. To keep my skinny jean obsession (with this pair in particular) from getting stale, I'm determined to add a few more colorful tops to my closet...

Marc by Marc Jacobs ($98) Joie ($198) Marc by Marc Jacobs ($278) Heidi Merrick ($350)

A girl can dream, can't she? ;) Check out more of my spring shopping list on Currently Obsessed.

I'm a skinny jeans kind of girl. I wear them with boots, flats, heels, you name it. I usually equate dresses and skirts with getting dolled up — as in I don't gravitate to them on a daily basis when I'm running errands or working from home. To keep my skinny jean obsession (with this pair in particular) from getting stale, I'm determined to add a few more colorful tops to my closet...

Marc by Marc Jacobs ($98) Joie ($198) Marc by Marc Jacobs ($278) Heidi Merrick ($350)

A girl can dream, can't she? ;) Check out more of my spring shopping list on Currently Obsessed.

Three Unexpected Places To Paint

1. The backs of your bookshelves (I'm digging this apple green and light blue combo)... 

2. Your front door (hello, hot pink!)... 

3. Your ceiling (in the same or a contrasting color)... 

What fun spots have you painted in your place?

*all images here

1. The backs of your bookshelves (I'm digging this apple green and light blue combo)... 

2. Your front door (hello, hot pink!)... 

3. Your ceiling (in the same or a contrasting color)... 

What fun spots have you painted in your place?

*all images here

In the mood for spring...

I don't know about your neck of the woods but here in Connecticut we've got plenty of sunshine but no warm weather to show for it. How does that work out? In any event, early March isn't too early to start thinking all things spring...

Madewell oxford shirt ($59) Elizabeth & James sunglasses ($185) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Loren Hope gold chain bracelet ($58) Juicy Couture skirt ($98) Topshop ballet flats ($32)

I'm looking forward to running around town in a flouncy skirt and ballet flats! By the way... I'm on the hunt for fresh fashion inspiration for our new column! Who has a few favorite fashion blogs I might not have heard of? Be sure to comment below!

I don't know about your neck of the woods but here in Connecticut we've got plenty of sunshine but no warm weather to show for it. How does that work out? In any event, early March isn't too early to start thinking all things spring...

Madewell oxford shirt ($59) Elizabeth & James sunglasses ($185) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Loren Hope gold chain bracelet ($58) Juicy Couture skirt ($98) Topshop ballet flats ($32)

I'm looking forward to running around town in a flouncy skirt and ballet flats! By the way... I'm on the hunt for fresh fashion inspiration for our new column! Who has a few favorite fashion blogs I might not have heard of? Be sure to comment below!

Three Tricks For Decorating Your Desktop

It's bright and early and for most of you that means time to head to work! Having seen the inside of a cubicle or two myself (and, truthfully, never wanting to return), I thought I'd share a few of my favorite tricks for transforming your workspace.

Design Darling monogrammed acrylic pencil cup ($14) Container Store file folders ($3 for six) Design Darling #ThingsWeLove pencil set ($8) Design Darling monogrammed acrylic business card holder ($14) Design Darling acrylic tape dispenser ($12) Container Store lacquer box ($18)

1. First of all, add color. There's no reason your desk needs to be as drab as your cubicle mate's! File folders and lacquer boxes will help you get organized and provide a pretty pop of your favorite color.

2. Second, make it personal. The monogrammed desk accessories in my new boutique are a great place to start, but I also recommend bringing in a couple framed family photos and changing your desktop picture to a favorite shot from a recent vacation. You spend enough time at your desk — it might as well be a place that makes you happy!

3. Third, keep it clean — especially if your desk is in plain view of your boss or your clients. That means stacks of papers find their way into a (preferably hot pink!) file folder, stray supplies get tucked into a desk drawer, and every item on your desktop serves a distinct purpose. You're not styling a coffee table — decorative objects have little place on an organized desktop. But replacing your ugly black tape dispenser with a pretty acrylic option? Now we're talking.

- - - 

Of course these tricks are equally well applied to a home office (and I'd do well to follow my own advice!). If you need more inspiration, check out my "desk du jour" features (can you tell I have an office obsession?). What are your tricks for organizing your office space — and how does your desktop stack up?

It's bright and early and for most of you that means time to head to work! Having seen the inside of a cubicle or two myself (and, truthfully, never wanting to return), I thought I'd share a few of my favorite tricks for transforming your workspace.

Design Darling monogrammed acrylic pencil cup ($14) Container Store file folders ($3 for six) Design Darling #ThingsWeLove pencil set ($8) Design Darling monogrammed acrylic business card holder ($14) Design Darling acrylic tape dispenser ($12) Container Store lacquer box ($18)

1. First of all, add color. There's no reason your desk needs to be as drab as your cubicle mate's! File folders and lacquer boxes will help you get organized and provide a pretty pop of your favorite color.

2. Second, make it personal. The monogrammed desk accessories in my new boutique are a great place to start, but I also recommend bringing in a couple framed family photos and changing your desktop picture to a favorite shot from a recent vacation. You spend enough time at your desk — it might as well be a place that makes you happy!

3. Third, keep it clean — especially if your desk is in plain view of your boss or your clients. That means stacks of papers find their way into a (preferably hot pink!) file folder, stray supplies get tucked into a desk drawer, and every item on your desktop serves a distinct purpose. You're not styling a coffee table — decorative objects have little place on an organized desktop. But replacing your ugly black tape dispenser with a pretty acrylic option? Now we're talking.

- - - 

Of course these tricks are equally well applied to a home office (and I'd do well to follow my own advice!). If you need more inspiration, check out my "desk du jour" features (can you tell I have an office obsession?). What are your tricks for organizing your office space — and how does your desktop stack up?

His & Hers

One of the ten million things on my to do list is to establish an editorial calendar for Design Darling in order to get better organized. And what better opportunity to roll out a few new features? I have a lengthy list of ideas but here's the first... a weekly style column featuring me and my boyfriend Michael! I know only about 0.0001% of you readers are men but I also know lots of you ladies are looking for ways to spruce up the wardrobes of the men in your life. So without further ado, the inaugural edition of His & Hers...

ON HIM: Polo Ralph Lauren sweater (similar here) / J.Crew t-shirt / Brooks Brothers pants ON HER: Old Navy shirt / J.Crew vest / H&M belt (similar here) / J.Crew necklace (similar here) / Urban Outfitters jeans / Madewell boots (similar here) / Dani Notes iPhone case / J.Crew signet ring (similar here)

Comfy and casual for an afternoon coffee date. We totally underestimated how freezing it was outside so we only got a few pictures before we had to head in but it's a start! What do you think?!

One of the ten million things on my to do list is to establish an editorial calendar for Design Darling in order to get better organized. And what better opportunity to roll out a few new features? I have a lengthy list of ideas but here's the first... a weekly style column featuring me and my boyfriend Michael! I know only about 0.0001% of you readers are men but I also know lots of you ladies are looking for ways to spruce up the wardrobes of the men in your life. So without further ado, the inaugural edition of His & Hers...

ON HIM: Polo Ralph Lauren sweater (similar here) / J.Crew t-shirt / Brooks Brothers pants ON HER: Old Navy shirt / J.Crew vest / H&M belt (similar here) / J.Crew necklace (similar here) / Urban Outfitters jeans / Madewell boots (similar here) / Dani Notes iPhone case / J.Crew signet ring (similar here)

Comfy and casual for an afternoon coffee date. We totally underestimated how freezing it was outside so we only got a few pictures before we had to head in but it's a start! What do you think?!