TRENDSPOTTING: COLORED SOLE OXFORDS

For me, a key component of honing great personal style is knowing how to pick and choose which trends work for you. Cleaning out your wardrobe and starting fresh every season isn't really an option so it's important to invest in basic pieces you'll love forever and sprinkle in on-trend pieces that are still true to your taste. Lately I've been seeing lots of oxfords with colored soles and — while they might be "in" right now — they're the perfect updated classic for this tried-and-true prep...

(1) Crewcuts suede bucks — size K4 is equivalent to a women's size 6! (2) Del Toro suede wingtips (3) Splendid oxfords — a way to test out the trend for less than $100!

What do you think of this twist on classic oxfords? Is this trend for you?

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For me, a key component of honing great personal style is knowing how to pick and choose which trends work for you. Cleaning out your wardrobe and starting fresh every season isn't really an option so it's important to invest in basic pieces you'll love forever and sprinkle in on-trend pieces that are still true to your taste. Lately I've been seeing lots of oxfords with colored soles and — while they might be "in" right now — they're the perfect updated classic for this tried-and-true prep...

(1) Crewcuts suede bucks — size K4 is equivalent to a women's size 6! (2) Del Toro suede wingtips (3) Splendid oxfords — a way to test out the trend for less than $100!

What do you think of this twist on classic oxfords? Is this trend for you?

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KATE MIDDLETON'S OLYMPICS STYLE

I'm not usually one to ooh and ahh over celebrity fashion but this look was too perfect not to recreate...

Kenneth Jay Lane studs // J.Crew schoolboy blazer // Alice + Olivia side peplum dress

K. Slademade navy foldover clutch // Diane von Furstenberg suede pumps

This combination of classic navy and hydrangea blue is pretty much all I want to wear right now. Anyone else?!

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I'm not usually one to ooh and ahh over celebrity fashion but this look was too perfect not to recreate...

Kenneth Jay Lane studs // J.Crew schoolboy blazer // Alice + Olivia side peplum dress

K. Slademade navy foldover clutch // Diane von Furstenberg suede pumps

This combination of classic navy and hydrangea blue is pretty much all I want to wear right now. Anyone else?!

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KATIE ARMOUR'S HOME IN MATCHBOOK

I was delighted to contribute to Matchbook's August issue with an interview of the über-talented Lisa Salzer of Lulu Frost. Equally delightful were these snaps of editor Katie Armour's darling San Francisco abode. Does she not make you want to recover everything you own in navy blue buffalo check? Cute as it is, I'm quite happy to have her on the east coast now! See the complete tour here and read the issue here.

I was delighted to contribute to Matchbook's August issue with an interview of the über-talented Lisa Salzer of Lulu Frost. Equally delightful were these snaps of editor Katie Armour's darling San Francisco abode. Does she not make you want to recover everything you own in navy blue buffalo check? Cute as it is, I'm quite happy to have her on the east coast now! See the complete tour here and read the issue here.

CITY NIGHTS

It's crazy how many people I love have moved to New York lately. It makes me that much more excited to make the move myself in a few months! In the mean time I find myself hopping on the train to the city ever more frequently, which calls for easy outfits that are comfy for the commute but cute enough for dinner...

Acne dress // J.Crew earrings // Kate Spade bow belt // Dani Notes monogrammed iPhone case

K. Jacques leather sandals // Barneys New York clutch

Tonight I'm off to meet Alex, Jane, Katie, Sarah, and Sarah for dinner in the West Village. Matchbook girls unite! ;)

It's crazy how many people I love have moved to New York lately. It makes me that much more excited to make the move myself in a few months! In the mean time I find myself hopping on the train to the city ever more frequently, which calls for easy outfits that are comfy for the commute but cute enough for dinner...

Acne dress // J.Crew earrings // Kate Spade bow belt // Dani Notes monogrammed iPhone case

K. Jacques leather sandals // Barneys New York clutch

Tonight I'm off to meet Alex, Jane, Katie, Sarah, and Sarah for dinner in the West Village. Matchbook girls unite! ;)

PREPPY STYLING

You'll rarely see me in red (red jeans being the exception) but there's a lot to love about Mango's fall campaign: oxford shirts layered under blazers, leather belts over polka dot skirts, and trench coats on top of cable knit sweaters. I'm excited for the temperature to drop 30 degrees so I can start pulling fall basics to the front of my closet...!

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You'll rarely see me in red (red jeans being the exception) but there's a lot to love about Mango's fall campaign: oxford shirts layered under blazers, leather belts over polka dot skirts, and trench coats on top of cable knit sweaters. I'm excited for the temperature to drop 30 degrees so I can start pulling fall basics to the front of my closet...!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

HAPPY SUNDAY

Wishing you a fun-filled day with friends, sunshine, and striped beach towels.

*Photo by Amanda Pratt

Wishing you a fun-filled day with friends, sunshine, and striped beach towels.

*Photo by Amanda Pratt

WEEKEND WARDROBE

We had so much fun zip lining yesterday and now I can cross that one off my 101 in 1001 list! My sweet aunt also gave me five Audrey Hepburn DVDs so I can get cracking on that task as well! Here's a classic look that seems right up Audrey's alley...

Loren Hope earrings // Madewell oxford shirt // Tory Burch sunglasses // Topshop skirt

By Malene Birger pearl necklace // Charles Philip striped slippers // Longchamp medium tote

Classic studs, a strand of pearls, and the Longchamp tote I carry with me everywhere I go... The definition of classics and the very pieces I want filling up my wardrobe! What are two or three of your favorite closet classics?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

We had so much fun zip lining yesterday and now I can cross that one off my 101 in 1001 list! My sweet aunt also gave me five Audrey Hepburn DVDs so I can get cracking on that task as well! Here's a classic look that seems right up Audrey's alley...

Loren Hope earrings // Madewell oxford shirt // Tory Burch sunglasses // Topshop skirt

By Malene Birger pearl necklace // Charles Philip striped slippers // Longchamp medium tote

Classic studs, a strand of pearls, and the Longchamp tote I carry with me everywhere I go... The definition of classics and the very pieces I want filling up my wardrobe! What are two or three of your favorite closet classics?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

GOOD BONES GOOD PIECES GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday and to everyone who entered this week's giveaway! The winner is...

Renée of Crossed and Dotted! Please email me so I can ship you your new book. Thanks to Suzanne and Lauren for the generous giveaway! I'm taking today off to go zip lining with my family (a birthday surprise from my 101 in 1001 list, eeek!) and I couldn't be more excited. Have any of you been? Tell me all about it!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday and to everyone who entered this week's giveaway! The winner is...

Renée of Crossed and Dotted! Please email me so I can ship you your new book. Thanks to Suzanne and Lauren for the generous giveaway! I'm taking today off to go zip lining with my family (a birthday surprise from my 101 in 1001 list, eeek!) and I couldn't be more excited. Have any of you been? Tell me all about it!

I'M 23!

Today is my 23rd birthday and I want to celebrate with all of you! Today only you'll get 23% off all designdarling.com orders with code BIRTHDAY at checkout. Offer is not valid for any previous orders and expires tonight at midnight EST. Shop to it! 

Today is my 23rd birthday and I want to celebrate with all of you! Today only you'll get 23% off all designdarling.com orders with code BIRTHDAY at checkout. Offer is not valid for any previous orders and expires tonight at midnight EST. Shop to it! 

INSTAGRAM UPDATES

Favorite snaps from last week's trip to Nantucket...

A new read I'm loving // My new favorite ballet flats (now on sale!) // Bangles from Design Darling and J.Crew // Carrying Coach onto the ferry

Exterior inspiration // Waking up to this little guy // The needlepoint belt my grandmother is making for me!

Flowers, lobster, and my grandmother's lightship basket

Iced coffee // Rachel Pally dress // Shopping in town (loved this picnic basket and this bedding)

It's funny how many pictures I take when I'm out and about! Believe me when I say my daily life looks more like me in front of my laptop wearing pajamas ;) Do you have any summer trips planned?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

Favorite snaps from last week's trip to Nantucket...

A new read I'm loving // My new favorite ballet flats (now on sale!) // Bangles from Design Darling and J.Crew // Carrying Coach onto the ferry

Exterior inspiration // Waking up to this little guy // The needlepoint belt my grandmother is making for me!

Flowers, lobster, and my grandmother's lightship basket

Iced coffee // Rachel Pally dress // Shopping in town (loved this picnic basket and this bedding)

It's funny how many pictures I take when I'm out and about! Believe me when I say my daily life looks more like me in front of my laptop wearing pajamas ;) Do you have any summer trips planned?

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter