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SMEG REFRIGERATORS AT WEST ELM

{Pink}

If you didn't think it was possible to get excited about kitchen appliances, think again. West Elm is now carrying Italian brand Smeg refrigerators and they're all kinds of retro perfect (but totally modern on the inside). Could you live with a lime green fridge? I would do crazy things for the navy blue...!

HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has emailed and tweeted in the wake of Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. We are safe and sound but it's heartbreaking to drive through town and see trees on top of houses and telephone poles snapped in half. I am doing my best to catch up on Design Darling orders and appreciate your patience these past few days. My thoughts are with my family, friends, and readers in the tristate area — please keep the east coast in your prayers this week!


DESK DU JOUR

This picture (found on this cool new site) makes me so happy. Clean white desktop, laptop open, lots of pretty little extras (like the ones I sell here). Yes please!

{AFFORDABLE ART} ELIZABETH MAYVILLE

I'm crazy picky when it comes to choosing art and the worst part is I can't even describe what I like and don't like — I just know it when I see it. That's why I get so excited when I stumble upon someone's work that I instantly fall in love with. Case in point: every single piece in Elizabeth Mayville's adorable — and completely affordable — Etsy shop. Imagine being so talented you could make lemons and George Washington look equally charming? I suppose I'll have to make do by purchasing as many of her prints as possible ;) Who are some of your favorite affordable artists? Two more I love right here and here.

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!



WEEKEND WARDROBE



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!

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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!

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!

PURPLE PAPARAZZI JEWELRY GIVEAWAY


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!