Stripes + Tortoiseshell

You might have noticed a couple new tortoiseshell necklaces in the boutique this week — in fact, they've been two of the best-selling items! Here's one way I'll be styling my short tortoiseshell necklace this spring and summer.

J.Crew striped tee / Loren Hope clip-on earrings / Design Darling tortoiseshell necklace

J.Crew maxi skirt / Kate Spade iPhone case / NARS blush in Angelika

Loren Hope link bracelet / Aldo espadrilles 

Isn't it fun? I'm happy to say the necklace costs just $38 — not to mention the cost per wear since I'll be pairing it with absolutely everything else in my closet! Perfect with navy stripes, a fabulous hot pink skirt, and a rosy glow. How would you wear yours?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

You might have noticed a couple new tortoiseshell necklaces in the boutique this week — in fact, they've been two of the best-selling items! Here's one way I'll be styling my short tortoiseshell necklace this spring and summer.

J.Crew striped tee / Loren Hope clip-on earrings / Design Darling tortoiseshell necklace

J.Crew maxi skirt / Kate Spade iPhone case / NARS blush in Angelika

Loren Hope link bracelet / Aldo espadrilles 

Isn't it fun? I'm happy to say the necklace costs just $38 — not to mention the cost per wear since I'll be pairing it with absolutely everything else in my closet! Perfect with navy stripes, a fabulous hot pink skirt, and a rosy glow. How would you wear yours?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

So Tell Me About Yourself (Part Three)

In case you missed this popular feature here and here, the concept behind these posts is for me to get to know a little more about you and to get a dialogue going in the comments section! Let's pretend we're all seated at this gorgeous table and have at it...!

Book you're reading:

Coffee or tea drink of choice:

Current fave beauty product:

Dream home:

Something you're looking forward to this week:

Style icon:

Copy and paste into the comments and add your answers! Here are my responses:

Book you're reading: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Coffee or tea drink of choice: Skinny vanilla two Splenda latte (don't judge!)

Current fave beauty product: Clarisonic Mia (I'm obsessed!)

Dream home: A little cottage on Nantucket

Something you'd like to do in 2012: Cross ten things off my 101 in 1001 list, including going skydiving, riding on a sailboat, and taking a cooking lesson

Something you're looking forward to this week: Dinner in the city with Christin, Grace, Tamra, and Viviana

Style crush: Olivia Palermo

*image Carolyne Roehm in Veranda

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

In case you missed this popular feature here and here, the concept behind these posts is for me to get to know a little more about you and to get a dialogue going in the comments section! Let's pretend we're all seated at this gorgeous table and have at it...!

Book you're reading:

Coffee or tea drink of choice:

Current fave beauty product:

Dream home:

Something you're looking forward to this week:

Style icon:

Copy and paste into the comments and add your answers! Here are my responses:

Book you're reading: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Coffee or tea drink of choice: Skinny vanilla two Splenda latte (don't judge!)

Current fave beauty product: Clarisonic Mia (I'm obsessed!)

Dream home: A little cottage on Nantucket

Something you'd like to do in 2012: Cross ten things off my 101 in 1001 list, including going skydiving, riding on a sailboat, and taking a cooking lesson

Something you're looking forward to this week: Dinner in the city with Christin, Grace, Tamra, and Viviana

Style crush: Olivia Palermo

*image Carolyne Roehm in Veranda

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

New arrivals in the boutique!

I've been getting lots of emails asking for gift ideas for graduations, Mother's Day, wedding season, etc. and I hope that the new arrivals in Design Darling {The Boutique} will help you cross a few things off your list!

Aren't they fun? Shop all the new arrivals HERE and sign up for the mailing list to be kept in the loop on the next batch of new arrivals coming soon!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

I've been getting lots of emails asking for gift ideas for graduations, Mother's Day, wedding season, etc. and I hope that the new arrivals in Design Darling {The Boutique} will help you cross a few things off your list!

Aren't they fun? Shop all the new arrivals HERE and sign up for the mailing list to be kept in the loop on the next batch of new arrivals coming soon!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Green + Navy

I think I'm going to impose a new rule around here... No new purchases unless they're colorful! I'm trying to think of new ways to pair my largely navy and white wardrobe and I'm loving this take...

Loren Hope studs / Kate Spade bag / J.Crew bow top

Michael Michael Kors white jeans (only $80!) / Aldo espadrilles / Loren Hope link bracelet

I could pull off green, right? Especially if it's with a bow ;) And I'm in l-o-v-e with these espadrilles... That leather detail on the back is perfection! Do you have any shopping rules in place for yourself?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

I think I'm going to impose a new rule around here... No new purchases unless they're colorful! I'm trying to think of new ways to pair my largely navy and white wardrobe and I'm loving this take...

Loren Hope studs / Kate Spade bag / J.Crew bow top

Michael Michael Kors white jeans (only $80!) / Aldo espadrilles / Loren Hope link bracelet

I could pull off green, right? Especially if it's with a bow ;) And I'm in l-o-v-e with these espadrilles... That leather detail on the back is perfection! Do you have any shopping rules in place for yourself?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Weekend Updates

What I've been up to this weekend (according to my trusty Instagram feed — follow me @mackenziehoran)...

Packing pretty orders... This one happens to contain my favorite tray and the ever-popular ginger jar matches.

Receiving a lovely package from Waiting On Martha, including this gorgeous rose quartz bracelet. So sweet!

Indulging in some yummy treats, including an Arnold Palmer on Friday afternoon (you already know they're my favorite from this pencil set!) and Sunday brunch at the Martha Stewart-recommended SoNo Baking Company & Cafe. Deeelish! 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

What I've been up to this weekend (according to my trusty Instagram feed — follow me @mackenziehoran)...

Packing pretty orders... This one happens to contain my favorite tray and the ever-popular ginger jar matches.

Receiving a lovely package from Waiting On Martha, including this gorgeous rose quartz bracelet. So sweet!

Indulging in some yummy treats, including an Arnold Palmer on Friday afternoon (you already know they're my favorite from this pencil set!) and Sunday brunch at the Martha Stewart-recommended SoNo Baking Company & Cafe. Deeelish! 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Navy Cabinets + Giveaway Winner

Leave it to Pinterest to introduce me to this fabulous kitchen tour courtesy of new-to-me Apartment Therapy site The Kitchn. Abundant natural light, navy cabinetry, and white subway tile... You know I was in heaven!

Gorgeous, don't you think? See the full feature here. And without further ado, the winner of the Sarah Swanson Design giveaway is...

Entry #51, Andrea Morris! Andrea says she could use help adding color and changing up her living room. I know Sarah will dream up something fabulous! I hope you'll both share pictures :) Thank you to Sarah for offering her services and to everyone who entered. Don't forget you may still hire Sarah for just $150/space. I promise you will LOVE working with her! 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Leave it to Pinterest to introduce me to this fabulous kitchen tour courtesy of new-to-me Apartment Therapy site The Kitchn. Abundant natural light, navy cabinetry, and white subway tile... You know I was in heaven!

Gorgeous, don't you think? See the full feature here. And without further ado, the winner of the Sarah Swanson Design giveaway is...

Entry #51, Andrea Morris! Andrea says she could use help adding color and changing up her living room. I know Sarah will dream up something fabulous! I hope you'll both share pictures :) Thank you to Sarah for offering her services and to everyone who entered. Don't forget you may still hire Sarah for just $150/space. I promise you will LOVE working with her! 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

April showers bring May flowers...

Here's hoping, anyway! We've had quite a few gray days in Connecticut this week and I'm looking forward to fewer clouds and more sunshine. In the mean time here's a little rainy day wardrobe inspiration to keep you pretty when it's pouring...

Kain sweater / Loren Hope tassel necklace / MoMA sky umbrella (how fun is this?)

7 For All Mankind skinny jeans / Hunter rain boots (I have them in black!)


The MoMA store was kind enough to send me their sky umbrella in celebration of their twentieth anniversary and is graciously offering all readers 20% off with the code SKY20 through April 30! It's the perfect pick to keep you thinking of blue skies when the weather's less than favorable.

What do you wear to keep chic during a downpour? 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Here's hoping, anyway! We've had quite a few gray days in Connecticut this week and I'm looking forward to fewer clouds and more sunshine. In the mean time here's a little rainy day wardrobe inspiration to keep you pretty when it's pouring...

Kain sweater / Loren Hope tassel necklace / MoMA sky umbrella (how fun is this?)

7 For All Mankind skinny jeans / Hunter rain boots (I have them in black!)


The MoMA store was kind enough to send me their sky umbrella in celebration of their twentieth anniversary and is graciously offering all readers 20% off with the code SKY20 through April 30! It's the perfect pick to keep you thinking of blue skies when the weather's less than favorable.

What do you wear to keep chic during a downpour? 

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Saks Friends & Family Sale

If you're not still reeling from Shopbop's friends and family sale last week, you're in for quite a treat! Saks is offering 20% off with code FRIENDS at checkout. Here are some of the lovelies I'd like to be adding to my cart...

Longchamp tote bag / Diptyque candle

Nars lipstick / Pour La Victoire pointed toe wedges

RED Valentino bow wedges / Nars blush / Kate Spade sparkly studs

I'm in love with the packaging of Nars blush and lipstick so those two are the most likely to come live with me! I have the lipstick in jungle red (the perfect red lipstick for redheads!) and would love to add Funny Face and Schiap to my collection. What goodies will you be scooping up? Shop Saks here and don't forget to enter FRIENDS for 20% off through April 29!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

If you're not still reeling from Shopbop's friends and family sale last week, you're in for quite a treat! Saks is offering 20% off with code FRIENDS at checkout. Here are some of the lovelies I'd like to be adding to my cart...

Longchamp tote bag / Diptyque candle

Nars lipstick / Pour La Victoire pointed toe wedges

RED Valentino bow wedges / Nars blush / Kate Spade sparkly studs

I'm in love with the packaging of Nars blush and lipstick so those two are the most likely to come live with me! I have the lipstick in jungle red (the perfect red lipstick for redheads!) and would love to add Funny Face and Schiap to my collection. What goodies will you be scooping up? Shop Saks here and don't forget to enter FRIENDS for 20% off through April 29!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Flower Power

Yesterday Michael and I were running errands and popped into a local florist where I spent an inordinate amount of money on flowers with which to photograph some new products for the boutique. Sticker shock aside, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to have some fresh blooms around here...

Kristin Kerr

Katie Armour

Style Me Pretty

Whether you're entertaining or just treating yourself to something pretty for your desktop or your dresser, there's nothing like a fresh bouquet to put a skip in your step! I went with blue and white hydrangea and pink peonies. What's your bloom of choice?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Yesterday Michael and I were running errands and popped into a local florist where I spent an inordinate amount of money on flowers with which to photograph some new products for the boutique. Sticker shock aside, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to have some fresh blooms around here...

Kristin Kerr

Katie Armour

Style Me Pretty

Whether you're entertaining or just treating yourself to something pretty for your desktop or your dresser, there's nothing like a fresh bouquet to put a skip in your step! I went with blue and white hydrangea and pink peonies. What's your bloom of choice?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Colored Denim

When it comes to describing my style, I definitely veer more toward "classic" than "trendy." But that doesn't mean I don't keep up with what's new in the fashion world. I just pick and choose which trends are right for me as opposed to replenishing my wardrobe every season with items that will be "out" in a few months. One current trend I can definitely get behind is colored denim. Here's a decidedly classic spin on the look:

Tory Burch sunglasses / Design Darling link bangle in navy and white (only $25 each!)

Aubin & Wills gold button blouse / Juicy Couture colored denim

 Madewell leather tote / J.Crew striped espadrilles

For me the trick is to pair the trendier piece (in this case the light blue denim) with classic accessories like these link bangles and tortoiseshell sunglasses. Note that you could easily wear this same outfit with colored denim in pink, red, or yellow! What do you think of this look — and does your style tend to be more classic or trendy?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

When it comes to describing my style, I definitely veer more toward "classic" than "trendy." But that doesn't mean I don't keep up with what's new in the fashion world. I just pick and choose which trends are right for me as opposed to replenishing my wardrobe every season with items that will be "out" in a few months. One current trend I can definitely get behind is colored denim. Here's a decidedly classic spin on the look:

Tory Burch sunglasses / Design Darling link bangle in navy and white (only $25 each!)

Aubin & Wills gold button blouse / Juicy Couture colored denim

 Madewell leather tote / J.Crew striped espadrilles

For me the trick is to pair the trendier piece (in this case the light blue denim) with classic accessories like these link bangles and tortoiseshell sunglasses. Note that you could easily wear this same outfit with colored denim in pink, red, or yellow! What do you think of this look — and does your style tend to be more classic or trendy?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter