JULEP MAVEN GIVEAWAY

Remember when I confessed that I am really, really awful at painting my own nails? I'm proud to report that I've improved my skills thanks in large part to Julep's Maven program, a subscription service that sends members new nail polishes (and a couple other beauty freebies!) every month. I chose the Classic-With-A-Twist package but there's definitely something for everyone! The winner of this giveaway will receive an intro box similar to what I received above. To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be contacting the lucky winner on Friday morning!

P.S. If you can't wait to subscribe, Julep is giving all Design Darling readers 20% off their first box with code DESIGNDARLING at checkout. Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember when I confessed that I am really, really awful at painting my own nails? I'm proud to report that I've improved my skills thanks in large part to Julep's Maven program, a subscription service that sends members new nail polishes (and a couple other beauty freebies!) every month. I chose the Classic-With-A-Twist package but there's definitely something for everyone! The winner of this giveaway will receive an intro box similar to what I received above. To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be contacting the lucky winner on Friday morning!

P.S. If you can't wait to subscribe, Julep is giving all Design Darling readers 20% off their first box with code DESIGNDARLING at checkout. Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEKEND WARDROBE

Madewell cardigan // J.Crew Edie purse // Adia Kibur doorknocker studs

Madewell glitter flats // Design Darling tortoiseshell bangles // J.Crew corduroys

This weekend I'm headed back to Bucknell for homecoming weekend (and to see my brother Grayson who's in his first year there!). I can't wait to catch up with all my sorority sisters, meet Grayson's friends, and enjoy a perfect fall day on that beautiful campus. I hope you all have a good one!

Madewell cardigan // J.Crew Edie purse // Adia Kibur doorknocker studs

Madewell glitter flats // Design Darling tortoiseshell bangles // J.Crew corduroys

This weekend I'm headed back to Bucknell for homecoming weekend (and to see my brother Grayson who's in his first year there!). I can't wait to catch up with all my sorority sisters, meet Grayson's friends, and enjoy a perfect fall day on that beautiful campus. I hope you all have a good one!

SIGNATURE SCENT

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

A CASE OF WANDERLUST...

Lately I've been itching to plan a trip and take a vacation. As I was editing photos for Monday's outfit post, I stumbled upon folders and folders from my semester abroad in college and took a trip down memory lane. I lived with a host family in Tours, France, for six months and spent weekends frolicking around Europe. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots...

{Ios, Greece}

{Santorini, Greece}

{Périgord, France}

{London, England}

{Munich, Germany}

{Salzburg, Austria}

{Interlaken, Switzerland}

While there's undoubtedly plenty more to see in Europe, what I have in mind now is a little less adventurous and much more along the lines of packing a couple bikinis and hanging out on a beach for a few days. Tell me: if you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? And what's the coolest place you've been so far? I can't wait to read your responses!

Lately I've been itching to plan a trip and take a vacation. As I was editing photos for Monday's outfit post, I stumbled upon folders and folders from my semester abroad in college and took a trip down memory lane. I lived with a host family in Tours, France, for six months and spent weekends frolicking around Europe. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots...

{Ios, Greece}

{Santorini, Greece}

{Périgord, France}

{London, England}

{Munich, Germany}

{Salzburg, Austria}

{Interlaken, Switzerland}

While there's undoubtedly plenty more to see in Europe, what I have in mind now is a little less adventurous and much more along the lines of packing a couple bikinis and hanging out on a beach for a few days. Tell me: if you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? And what's the coolest place you've been so far? I can't wait to read your responses!

NEW ARRIVALS!

Did you happen to catch yesterday's new arrivals in the boutique? I took your feedback to heart, adding a couple patterned lucite trays to the decor section, a monogrammed cuff in three cute colors, and — finally! — monogrammed iPhone cases so you can text and tweet in style. Check out all the new arrivals here and, you know, get a head start on your holiday shopping ;) Enjoy!

Did you happen to catch yesterday's new arrivals in the boutique? I took your feedback to heart, adding a couple patterned lucite trays to the decor section, a monogrammed cuff in three cute colors, and — finally! — monogrammed iPhone cases so you can text and tweet in style. Check out all the new arrivals here and, you know, get a head start on your holiday shopping ;) Enjoy!

PURPLE PAPARAZZI JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

J.Crew gingham shirt // Purple Paparazzi necklace // Design Darling cocktail ring

Rugby belt (similar) // Tuckernuck white jeans // Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

I'm excited to be introducing Design Darling's newest sponsor, Purple Paparazzi! The site is brimming with beautiful baubles designed by Amber Jones, who is generously offering up a $75 gift certificate so one lucky winner can scoop up something pretty in time for the holidays! (Personally, I'm eyeing this and this.) To enter, follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be emailing the winner on Friday morning. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

J.Crew gingham shirt // Purple Paparazzi necklace // Design Darling cocktail ring

Rugby belt (similar) // Tuckernuck white jeans // Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

I'm excited to be introducing Design Darling's newest sponsor, Purple Paparazzi! The site is brimming with beautiful baubles designed by Amber Jones, who is generously offering up a $75 gift certificate so one lucky winner can scoop up something pretty in time for the holidays! (Personally, I'm eyeing this and this.) To enter, follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be emailing the winner on Friday morning. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE JUST ONE?

(1) Tipped Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool (2) Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel 

(3) Bow Coat (4) Wintress Puffer (5) Downtown Field Jacket (6) Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool

If you haven't perused J.Crew's new arrivals yet, all I can say is you're in for some serious eye candy. I found myself obsessing over almost every single blazer and coat on the site. Is it wrong that I couldn't limit it down past these six? Crisp white piping, a perfectly ladylike bow, and the prettiest shade of periwinkle with a pop of navy under the collar... Each one blurs the line between want and need. Tell me: if you could only have one, which number would you pick?! 

(1) Tipped Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool (2) Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel 

(3) Bow Coat (4) Wintress Puffer (5) Downtown Field Jacket (6) Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool

If you haven't perused J.Crew's new arrivals yet, all I can say is you're in for some serious eye candy. I found myself obsessing over almost every single blazer and coat on the site. Is it wrong that I couldn't limit it down past these six? Crisp white piping, a perfectly ladylike bow, and the prettiest shade of periwinkle with a pop of navy under the collar... Each one blurs the line between want and need. Tell me: if you could only have one, which number would you pick?! 

DREAM HOME

Every so often I like to revisit this tried-and-true favorite, a Hamptons home designed by the insanely talented Amanda Nisbet. If Design Darling were a room, surely that last room would be it, no? See the full home tour here and the rest of Amanda's portfolio here. Time for me to pin each of these spaces to my dream home file... 

Every so often I like to revisit this tried-and-true favorite, a Hamptons home designed by the insanely talented Amanda Nisbet. If Design Darling were a room, surely that last room would be it, no? See the full home tour here and the rest of Amanda's portfolio here. Time for me to pin each of these spaces to my dream home file... 

SHOPBOP'S FRIENDS & FAMILY SALE

Shopbop only offers its friends and family discount a couple times a year so when it happens, I like to seize the moment! Here are a few of my picks for accessories and shoes...

(1) Tory Burch suede flats (2) Gucci cat-eye sunglasses (3) Kenneth Jay Lane pearl bracelet

(4) Adia Kibur doorknocker earrings (5) Tory Burch tortoiseshell bangle 

(6) Lauren Merkin glitter clutch (7) Cupcakes & Cashmere book (8) Tory Burch cosmetic case 

(9) Jacquie Aiche turquoise ring (10) Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

When it comes to clothes, I'm contemplating this sweater (suede patches are my jam), this dress (isn't this the prettiest color?), and this little number (never too early to start thinking New Year's Eve). Oh and if you love my new bag, 20% off is the perfect excuse to splurge! Enter WEAREFAMILY at checkout and comment below to let me know what you snag!

Shopbop only offers its friends and family discount a couple times a year so when it happens, I like to seize the moment! Here are a few of my picks for accessories and shoes...

(1) Tory Burch suede flats (2) Gucci cat-eye sunglasses (3) Kenneth Jay Lane pearl bracelet

(4) Adia Kibur doorknocker earrings (5) Tory Burch tortoiseshell bangle 

(6) Lauren Merkin glitter clutch (7) Cupcakes & Cashmere book (8) Tory Burch cosmetic case 

(9) Jacquie Aiche turquoise ring (10) Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

When it comes to clothes, I'm contemplating this sweater (suede patches are my jam), this dress (isn't this the prettiest color?), and this little number (never too early to start thinking New Year's Eve). Oh and if you love my new bag, 20% off is the perfect excuse to splurge! Enter WEAREFAMILY at checkout and comment below to let me know what you snag!

WHERE TO BUY AFFORDABLE RUGS

I was helping a friend source inexpensive rugs for her new apartment when I realized that some of you might like to see what I found. Here are a few of my favorite places to look...

{1} Urban Outfitters for patterned flat-weave options 

{2} West Elm for jute area rugs perfect for covering wood floors or layering with smaller options

{3} Lulu & Georgia just launched with a number of unique offerings (I want this doormat) 

{4} Dash & Albert for basic stripes in every color under the sun 

{5} The Land of Nod for great geometric prints worthy of adult attention

{6 & 7} Pottery Barn Teen for patterns and solids perfect for a twenty-something's apartment 

{8} Rugs USA for pretty trellis prints in great neutrals

Where have you found affordable rugs? What's the next piece on your decorating wishlist?

P.S. Not redecorating right now? Pin the image above for future reference!

P.P.S. Where to buy affordable art and where to buy affordable dresses.

I was helping a friend source inexpensive rugs for her new apartment when I realized that some of you might like to see what I found. Here are a few of my favorite places to look...

{1} Urban Outfitters for patterned flat-weave options 

{2} West Elm for jute area rugs perfect for covering wood floors or layering with smaller options

{3} Lulu & Georgia just launched with a number of unique offerings (I want this doormat) 

{4} Dash & Albert for basic stripes in every color under the sun 

{5} The Land of Nod for great geometric prints worthy of adult attention

{6 & 7} Pottery Barn Teen for patterns and solids perfect for a twenty-something's apartment 

{8} Rugs USA for pretty trellis prints in great neutrals

Where have you found affordable rugs? What's the next piece on your decorating wishlist?

P.S. Not redecorating right now? Pin the image above for future reference!

P.P.S. Where to buy affordable art and where to buy affordable dresses.