For Fenway

I normally start each week with "Happy Monday!" but I'd be remiss if I did not mention something that's occupying the bulk of my thoughts today. Our puppy Fenway unexpectedly passed away over the weekend and our hearts are full. 

Fenway lived a full and happy life curled up at the foot of my bed or perched in my lap as I typed many a blog post. In fact we'd come to think of him as Design Darling's very cute (though largely unhelpful) resident intern.

We've spent the past few days remembering all the times he made us laugh and the many everyday moments we took for granted. My dad, the biggest Red Sox fan I know, was quick to point out that Fenway led the team to two World Series championships in his seven years, a feat that many others had waited 86 years for.

Here's hoping heaven is full of cuddles, doggy friends, and people food. Fenny, we love you and miss you more than you know.

I normally start each week with "Happy Monday!" but I'd be remiss if I did not mention something that's occupying the bulk of my thoughts today. Our puppy Fenway unexpectedly passed away over the weekend and our hearts are full. 

Fenway lived a full and happy life curled up at the foot of my bed or perched in my lap as I typed many a blog post. In fact we'd come to think of him as Design Darling's very cute (though largely unhelpful) resident intern.

We've spent the past few days remembering all the times he made us laugh and the many everyday moments we took for granted. My dad, the biggest Red Sox fan I know, was quick to point out that Fenway led the team to two World Series championships in his seven years, a feat that many others had waited 86 years for.

Here's hoping heaven is full of cuddles, doggy friends, and people food. Fenny, we love you and miss you more than you know.

Coffee Table Styling

My dear friend Katie shared this snapshot of her coffee table on Instagram the other day and I thought it was too gorgeous not to share with all of you. Clearly Katie has coffee table styling down to an art! For those of us not as well-versed, I've broken it down and shared a few ideas on how to get a similar look for your space...

The Perfectly Imperfect Home / Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits

Quartz votive holder / Leopard matches / Dragonfly matches / Boxwood topiary

Top stacks of design books with a decorative objet like this quartz votive holder or a souvenir from your travels. Store colorful matchboxes near your favorite candle and finally add fresh flowers or a topiary to bring it all to life. Soon enough you'll have Katie's high style in your home! What are your tips for styling a coffee table?

My dear friend Katie shared this snapshot of her coffee table on Instagram the other day and I thought it was too gorgeous not to share with all of you. Clearly Katie has coffee table styling down to an art! For those of us not as well-versed, I've broken it down and shared a few ideas on how to get a similar look for your space...

The Perfectly Imperfect Home / Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits

Quartz votive holder / Leopard matches / Dragonfly matches / Boxwood topiary

Top stacks of design books with a decorative objet like this quartz votive holder or a souvenir from your travels. Store colorful matchboxes near your favorite candle and finally add fresh flowers or a topiary to bring it all to life. Soon enough you'll have Katie's high style in your home! What are your tips for styling a coffee table?

Blue + Yellow

As a redhead I stick to wearing colors I know work with my coloring (hence the obsession with navy blue). But lately I've been tempted to venture outside my comfort zone just a bit. I'd probably steer clear of a yellow top...but maybe I could start with these fabulous yellow pants?

Madewell shirt / Cambridge Satchel Co. bag / Madewell wedges / J.Crew pants

Paired with a classic oxford shirt and a basic navy clutch, they might just be the perfect compromise between trying something new and still feeling like myself. What new colors or styles are you tempted to try these days?

As a redhead I stick to wearing colors I know work with my coloring (hence the obsession with navy blue). But lately I've been tempted to venture outside my comfort zone just a bit. I'd probably steer clear of a yellow top...but maybe I could start with these fabulous yellow pants?

Madewell shirt / Cambridge Satchel Co. bag / Madewell wedges / J.Crew pants

Paired with a classic oxford shirt and a basic navy clutch, they might just be the perfect compromise between trying something new and still feeling like myself. What new colors or styles are you tempted to try these days?

Pretty in Pink

Today is the first official day of spring and naturally I'm using that as an excuse to share a few of my current obsessions in my favorite spring color! Bright, neon, pale, or somewhere in between, there's just something about pink...  

(1) Design Darling pillow (2) Dolce Vita sandals (3) Clare Vivier clutch 

(4) Design Darling quartz bookends (5) Seychelles bow sandals (6) Tom Ford nail polish 

(7) Ras espadrilles (8) Madewell bracelet (9) ASOS lace skirt

(10) Design Darling lacquer tray (11) Vince t-shirt (12) Longchamp tote

(13) Design Darling leopard matches (14) Society Social velvet headboard

These pillows are seriously dreamy in person (of course I'm keeping a pair for my future apartment!) and I just ordered this skirt so I'll let you know how it works out! What pink things are you loving lately? 

P.S. See more of my favorites on Currently Obsessed!

Today is the first official day of spring and naturally I'm using that as an excuse to share a few of my current obsessions in my favorite spring color! Bright, neon, pale, or somewhere in between, there's just something about pink...  

(1) Design Darling pillow (2) Dolce Vita sandals (3) Clare Vivier clutch 

(4) Design Darling quartz bookends (5) Seychelles bow sandals (6) Tom Ford nail polish 

(7) Ras espadrilles (8) Madewell bracelet (9) ASOS lace skirt

(10) Design Darling lacquer tray (11) Vince t-shirt (12) Longchamp tote

(13) Design Darling leopard matches (14) Society Social velvet headboard

These pillows are seriously dreamy in person (of course I'm keeping a pair for my future apartment!) and I just ordered this skirt so I'll let you know how it works out! What pink things are you loving lately? 

P.S. See more of my favorites on Currently Obsessed!

His & Hers

Temperatures crept into the low 60s here in Connecticut this weekend and I for one couldn't be happier that we never really had a true New England winter this year. Bring on the sunshine!

ON HIM: Ray Ban sunglasses / Land's End shirt / Castaway Clothing pants / Sperry Top-Sider shoes ON HER: Old Navy t-shirt / Rugby Ralph Lauren belt (similar) / American Apparel clutch / Essie "Fiesta" / Zara jeans / H&M wedges

I am obsessed with Michael's new pants from Castaway Clothing! Clearly he needs a pair in pink as well ;)  Also I am totally cool with wearing white jeans before Memorial Day. (In fact I'm eyeing these as my next pair!) What are your thoughts on the matter and how was your weekend?

Temperatures crept into the low 60s here in Connecticut this weekend and I for one couldn't be happier that we never really had a true New England winter this year. Bring on the sunshine!

ON HIM: Ray Ban sunglasses / Land's End shirt / Castaway Clothing pants / Sperry Top-Sider shoes ON HER: Old Navy t-shirt / Rugby Ralph Lauren belt (similar) / American Apparel clutch / Essie "Fiesta" / Zara jeans / H&M wedges

I am obsessed with Michael's new pants from Castaway Clothing! Clearly he needs a pair in pink as well ;)  Also I am totally cool with wearing white jeans before Memorial Day. (In fact I'm eyeing these as my next pair!) What are your thoughts on the matter and how was your weekend?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's been a busy week here at Design Darling HQ and my weekend will be spent ordering new products, packing shipments, and photographing some super cute new arrivals! It's a good thing I love my job ;) For those of you who have a more festive weekend in store, here's a little outfit inspiration featuring the tried-and-true combo of navy blue and emerald green...

Aubin & Wills blouse ($155) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Michael Kors watch ($195) Rag & Bone jeans ($187) Tommy Hilfiger wedges ($89)

What are you up to this weekend? And (just as fun!) what will you be wearing? Whatever it is, have a good one!

It's been a busy week here at Design Darling HQ and my weekend will be spent ordering new products, packing shipments, and photographing some super cute new arrivals! It's a good thing I love my job ;) For those of you who have a more festive weekend in store, here's a little outfit inspiration featuring the tried-and-true combo of navy blue and emerald green...

Aubin & Wills blouse ($155) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Michael Kors watch ($195) Rag & Bone jeans ($187) Tommy Hilfiger wedges ($89)

What are you up to this weekend? And (just as fun!) what will you be wearing? Whatever it is, have a good one!

Sweet Lemon Magazine

When you have a moment, please pop over to my friends Carly and Melissa's darling digital magazine, Sweet Lemon! You might just see a familiar face (on the cover, eek!)...

I was interviewed about opening Design Darling {The Boutique} and got to spend a day in New York shooting pictures with the Sweet Lemon team (and the ever patient Michael, of course!).

This face pretty much sums up how I was feeling all day: a little shy and a lot happy.

{Wearing my favorite J.Crew blazer, J.Crew shirt, Loren Hope necklace, Jules Reid pants, Lilly Pulitzer bangle, and Forever 21 heels.}

See the whole feature here!

When you have a moment, please pop over to my friends Carly and Melissa's darling digital magazine, Sweet Lemon! You might just see a familiar face (on the cover, eek!)...

I was interviewed about opening Design Darling {The Boutique} and got to spend a day in New York shooting pictures with the Sweet Lemon team (and the ever patient Michael, of course!).

This face pretty much sums up how I was feeling all day: a little shy and a lot happy.

{Wearing my favorite J.Crew blazer, J.Crew shirt, Loren Hope necklace, Jules Reid pants, Lilly Pulitzer bangle, and Forever 21 heels.}

See the whole feature here!

Kate Spade Carousel Watches

I might as well have titled this post "Kate Spade Does It Again" because it seems this beloved brand can do no wrong when it comes to accessories. Case in point? These charmed new arrivals: glossy enamel wristwatches in some of my very favorite colors...

White / Pink / Navy

The definition of darling. What are you feeling — crème de la crème, tickled pink, or the calm before the storm? Shop the entire collection at Nordstrom.

I might as well have titled this post "Kate Spade Does It Again" because it seems this beloved brand can do no wrong when it comes to accessories. Case in point? These charmed new arrivals: glossy enamel wristwatches in some of my very favorite colors...

White / Pink / Navy

The definition of darling. What are you feeling — crème de la crème, tickled pink, or the calm before the storm? Shop the entire collection at Nordstrom.

How To Decorate Your Foyer

It's the first thing you see when you walk in the door — so it might as well be pretty, right? There are a few things to keep in mind while decorating this compact but heavily trafficked part of your apartment or home. Here's a pretty little foyer I've envisioned...

Design Darling framed vintage scarf ($225) West Elm lamp ($149) Design Darling gold lacquer tray ($20)  Design Darling boxwood topiary ($58) CB2 acrylic console table ($379)  Ballard Designs chair ($429) West Elm console basket ($24) West Elm rug ($19+)

1. Create a focal point. This graphic silk scarf dictates the color palette for the space and directs the eye toward a pretty tabletop vignette and not that unsightly ceiling fixture your landlord refuses to replace.

2. Be practical. Fresh flowers get expensive! This topiary is a great cost-effective and long-term alternative for those with a black thumb (you only have to spritz it once a month!). If you have the space, an extra dining chair is perfect for pulling on rain boots and can be dragged elsewhere when you're entertaining.

3. Use stylish storage. A small lacquer tray is a great place to toss keys and mail when you walk in the door while a braided basket keeps backpacks, shoes, etc. tucked out of sight!

- - -

What are your favorite tricks for tackling your foyer?

It's the first thing you see when you walk in the door — so it might as well be pretty, right? There are a few things to keep in mind while decorating this compact but heavily trafficked part of your apartment or home. Here's a pretty little foyer I've envisioned...

Design Darling framed vintage scarf ($225) West Elm lamp ($149) Design Darling gold lacquer tray ($20)  Design Darling boxwood topiary ($58) CB2 acrylic console table ($379)  Ballard Designs chair ($429) West Elm console basket ($24) West Elm rug ($19+)

1. Create a focal point. This graphic silk scarf dictates the color palette for the space and directs the eye toward a pretty tabletop vignette and not that unsightly ceiling fixture your landlord refuses to replace.

2. Be practical. Fresh flowers get expensive! This topiary is a great cost-effective and long-term alternative for those with a black thumb (you only have to spritz it once a month!). If you have the space, an extra dining chair is perfect for pulling on rain boots and can be dragged elsewhere when you're entertaining.

3. Use stylish storage. A small lacquer tray is a great place to toss keys and mail when you walk in the door while a braided basket keeps backpacks, shoes, etc. tucked out of sight!

- - -

What are your favorite tricks for tackling your foyer?

Anna Dello Russo on The Coveteur

Does it get any dreamier? Check out the full feature here.

Does it get any dreamier? Check out the full feature here.