FAB DECOR & GIFTS

Chairs  //  mirror  //  iPad case  //  ballpoint pen  //  cutting boards  //  pillow  //  rug

I love brands that aren't afraid of a little color. All white rooms are so boring, not to mention a nightmare to keep clean. These are some of my more colorful finds from Fab, a site that's brimming with modern home decor and quirky gifts for guys and girls. I love the idea of bright cutting boards in the kitchen and of course a striped pillow for the sofa. And seriously, how perfect is that rug?!!! If that doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does. Be sure to sign up for Fab's email newsletter to be kept in the loop about new products!

*This post is sponsored by Fab, a brand I genuinely love. Thank you for supporting the companies that make Design Darling possible! 

Chairs  //  mirror  //  iPad case  //  ballpoint pen  //  cutting boards  //  pillow  //  rug

I love brands that aren't afraid of a little color. All white rooms are so boring, not to mention a nightmare to keep clean. These are some of my more colorful finds from Fab, a site that's brimming with modern home decor and quirky gifts for guys and girls. I love the idea of bright cutting boards in the kitchen and of course a striped pillow for the sofa. And seriously, how perfect is that rug?!!! If that doesn't scream summer, I don't know what does. Be sure to sign up for Fab's email newsletter to be kept in the loop about new products!

*This post is sponsored by Fab, a brand I genuinely love. Thank you for supporting the companies that make Design Darling possible! 

SMATHERS & BRANSON $100 GIVEAWAY

Are you all familiar with Smathers & Branson? They make the best needlepoint goods, from belts to flasks and everything in between. I was ecstatic when they sent me these nautical coasters and Jolly Roger baseball cap — they're perfectly preppy and an absolute must for summer! Get excited because Smathers & Branson is giving away a $100 gift card to one lucky reader. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the widget below! (You'll have to click over to the blog to enter.) I'll be contacting the winner on Friday. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you all familiar with Smathers & Branson? They make the best needlepoint goods, from belts to flasks and everything in between. I was ecstatic when they sent me these nautical coasters and Jolly Roger baseball cap — they're perfectly preppy and an absolute must for summer! Get excited because Smathers & Branson is giving away a $100 gift card to one lucky reader. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the widget below! (You'll have to click over to the blog to enter.) I'll be contacting the winner on Friday. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OUTFIT {VINEYARD VINES & J. McLAUGHLIN}

Dress c/o Vineyard Vines  //  C. Wonder sunglasses

Bag c/o J. McLaughlin  //  Jack Rogers sandals

Dresses with pockets might be my favorite thing ever and I love the white trim on this one most of all! Is it not absolutely perfect for the Fourth of July? I'm headed up to Nantucket that weekend and this is most definitely making the cut for my weekend bag. Speaking of bags, I'm obsessed with this hot pink wicker one. Hot pink, navy blue, and white... It doesn't get much better than that in my book! 

Keep up with Design Darling

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Dress c/o Vineyard Vines  //  C. Wonder sunglasses

Bag c/o J. McLaughlin  //  Jack Rogers sandals

Dresses with pockets might be my favorite thing ever and I love the white trim on this one most of all! Is it not absolutely perfect for the Fourth of July? I'm headed up to Nantucket that weekend and this is most definitely making the cut for my weekend bag. Speaking of bags, I'm obsessed with this hot pink wicker one. Hot pink, navy blue, and white... It doesn't get much better than that in my book! 

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

OTTE SIGNATURE

Sophie top in sky  //  Neo tank in blue

Binding tank in fuchsia  //  Chloe top in white

Confession: I kind of live for solid colors. Besides my go-to gingham and stripes, I don't own many printed pieces. Florals strike me as too busy, geometrics too trendy, so on and so forth. Plus I love mixing and matching different solid pieces — the combinations are endless! That's why I was so stoked to stumble upon Otte's signature line of silk tops. Available in a number of colors and styles, they're exactly the kind of basics you can invest in now knowing you'll live in them forever. Don't mind if I do!

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

Sophie top in sky  //  Neo tank in blue

Binding tank in fuchsia  //  Chloe top in white

Confession: I kind of live for solid colors. Besides my go-to gingham and stripes, I don't own many printed pieces. Florals strike me as too busy, geometrics too trendy, so on and so forth. Plus I love mixing and matching different solid pieces — the combinations are endless! That's why I was so stoked to stumble upon Otte's signature line of silk tops. Available in a number of colors and styles, they're exactly the kind of basics you can invest in now knowing you'll live in them forever. Don't mind if I do!

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

WOULD YOU WEAR A ROMPER?

Haute Hippie  //  Rory Beca  //  Ramy Brook

Some of my favorite posts are when you all chime in on whether you paint your own nails, wear lipstick, etc. Today I thought I'd throw you a fashion question: would you wear a jumpsuit or romper?

Right now I can't get enough of them. Yes, it takes me ten minutes to wiggle into it and it's wildly impractical when you have to use the ladies' room... But they are just so effortless and playful! Like an equally comfortable and infinitely chicer version of the footie pajamas I wore on Christmas morning we all wore as kids.

Want more options? 1) belted romper perfect for summer, 2) budget-friendly number in black, 3) easy-breezy version in white, and 4)  sophisticated colorblock option for nights out.

So tell me: what are your thoughts on rompers? Do you own one? Would you? Let's discuss!

Haute Hippie  //  Rory Beca  //  Ramy Brook

Some of my favorite posts are when you all chime in on whether you paint your own nails, wear lipstick, etc. Today I thought I'd throw you a fashion question: would you wear a jumpsuit or romper?

Right now I can't get enough of them. Yes, it takes me ten minutes to wiggle into it and it's wildly impractical when you have to use the ladies' room... But they are just so effortless and playful! Like an equally comfortable and infinitely chicer version of the footie pajamas I wore on Christmas morning we all wore as kids.

Want more options? 1) belted romper perfect for summer, 2) budget-friendly number in black, 3) easy-breezy version in white, and 4)  sophisticated colorblock option for nights out.

So tell me: what are your thoughts on rompers? Do you own one? Would you? Let's discuss!

PARKER NEW YORK

Edie jumper  //  Nicole dress

Karmen dress  //  Lulu dress

Lately it's been so hot in New York that I've had no choice but to wear dresses and skirts every day. You know I would live in jeans year-round if I could but right now I'm reaching for the easy-breeziest pieces in my closet. I'm pretty obsessed with these options from Parker, a Manhattan-based brand that designs beautiful basics with girly details like bow closures, exposed zippers, and gold buttons. The Nicole dress would be perfect for daytime meetings and the Lulu dress was made for nights on the town! And of course I can't resist a good romper. 

Do you own anything from Parker? Which one of the above would you be most likely to add to your wardrobe?

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

Edie jumper  //  Nicole dress

Karmen dress  //  Lulu dress

Lately it's been so hot in New York that I've had no choice but to wear dresses and skirts every day. You know I would live in jeans year-round if I could but right now I'm reaching for the easy-breeziest pieces in my closet. I'm pretty obsessed with these options from Parker, a Manhattan-based brand that designs beautiful basics with girly details like bow closures, exposed zippers, and gold buttons. The Nicole dress would be perfect for daytime meetings and the Lulu dress was made for nights on the town! And of course I can't resist a good romper. 

Do you own anything from Parker? Which one of the above would you be most likely to add to your wardrobe?

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

FRIENDS WITH STYLE {EDDY}

Gingham shirt c/o Hugh & Crye  //  North Face backpack  //  J.Crew pants

Swiss Army watch  //  Sperry Top-siders

Look who's back! Truthfully I love styling boys as much as I like getting dressed myself. Menswear is just as much fun to shop for if you know where to look! That's why I was so excited when my friend Nikki introduced me to Hugh & Crye, a D.C.-based brand whose dress shirts are sized by body type: athletic, lean, tall, etc. It's kind of genius for those of us buying shirts for our boyfriends, brothers, and dads — get rid of the confusing numbers (who knows their dad's neck size anyway?) and shop by build and height. Umm, why didn't I think of that?

Note to boys everywhere: you pretty much can't go wrong with complementary shades of blue. Navy, light blue, and brown boat shoes is kind of as good as it gets — and it's a look that works everywhere from a business casual office to happy hour with your college pals to date night with your lucky lady. Bonus points for navy gingham — I love gingham on boys as much as I love stripes on girls.

Do you dress your beau or your guy friends? (Or in this case, your male coworkers?) What do you love to see them in? Do tell! 

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

Gingham shirt c/o Hugh & Crye  //  North Face backpack  //  J.Crew pants

Swiss Army watch  //  Sperry Top-siders

Look who's back! Truthfully I love styling boys as much as I like getting dressed myself. Menswear is just as much fun to shop for if you know where to look! That's why I was so excited when my friend Nikki introduced me to Hugh & Crye, a D.C.-based brand whose dress shirts are sized by body type: athletic, lean, tall, etc. It's kind of genius for those of us buying shirts for our boyfriends, brothers, and dads — get rid of the confusing numbers (who knows their dad's neck size anyway?) and shop by build and height. Umm, why didn't I think of that?

Note to boys everywhere: you pretty much can't go wrong with complementary shades of blue. Navy, light blue, and brown boat shoes is kind of as good as it gets — and it's a look that works everywhere from a business casual office to happy hour with your college pals to date night with your lucky lady. Bonus points for navy gingham — I love gingham on boys as much as I love stripes on girls.

Do you dress your beau or your guy friends? (Or in this case, your male coworkers?) What do you love to see them in? Do tell! 

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

NEW ARRIVALS!

We just added a handful of new products to Design Darling {The Boutique} and I hope you'll click over and take a peek! I'm crazy about these summery statement necklaces (this one in particular) and I think this business card holder is kind of the cutest thing ever. Check out all the new goodies here and let me know what you think! xx

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

We just added a handful of new products to Design Darling {The Boutique} and I hope you'll click over and take a peek! I'm crazy about these summery statement necklaces (this one in particular) and I think this business card holder is kind of the cutest thing ever. Check out all the new goodies here and let me know what you think! xx

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

SUPERGA SNEAKERS

I sort of hesitate to admit this... But sneakers have totally become part of my weekend look. Before you cringe at the thought of me in athletic sneakers and skinny jeans (seriously, why is this legal?) let's clarify. There's something playful and maybe just a teensy bit hipster about wearing sneakers with a dress or shorts (yes, I realize pink gingham negates any notion of hipsterdom here). 

I have these in gray and these in white but lately I've been craving a little color. If I wear neon ballet flats, why shouldn't I have hot pink sneakers too? Enter Superga: an Italian company known for its classic tennis sneakers in a bevy of colors, currently creative directed by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Colorful, comfy, and cute as can be — need I say more?

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

I sort of hesitate to admit this... But sneakers have totally become part of my weekend look. Before you cringe at the thought of me in athletic sneakers and skinny jeans (seriously, why is this legal?) let's clarify. There's something playful and maybe just a teensy bit hipster about wearing sneakers with a dress or shorts (yes, I realize pink gingham negates any notion of hipsterdom here). 

I have these in gray and these in white but lately I've been craving a little color. If I wear neon ballet flats, why shouldn't I have hot pink sneakers too? Enter Superga: an Italian company known for its classic tennis sneakers in a bevy of colors, currently creative directed by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Colorful, comfy, and cute as can be — need I say more?

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

WORK IN PROGRESS.

I went on a date a couple weeks ago and the guy (boy? date? kid? man? none of these sound right...) asked me the one trait I'd most like to improve about myself. I thought it was a great question, especially for someone you don't know very well. He said he's trying to be less judgmental before getting to know people. I thought about it for a moment and decided on...

Patience. I might be the least patient person in the world. Waiting in line at Starbucks is a daily exercise in restraint. Walking behind an elderly person/woman on a cell phone with a stroller and two small dogs/person with zero body awareness (aren't those the worst?) gets me more worked up than I care to admit. I'm not proud of it... but there are times I've actually had to stop myself from hitting my computer because my Internet connection was so infuriatingly slow. I'm impatient with myself, with others, and with inanimate objects... Not good.

What do you do to try to be patient? Sometimes I think it's just a question of stepping back, taking a deep breath, and realizing it's not really worth getting worked up over... Easier said than done, of course. If you have any tips or tricks, you know I'm all ears.

This isn't a pity party but I do think it's important to acknowledge that we're all works in progress and that there's always room for improvement. What's one trait you'd like to work on? I'd love to hear!

*more images here

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter 

I went on a date a couple weeks ago and the guy (boy? date? kid? man? none of these sound right...) asked me the one trait I'd most like to improve about myself. I thought it was a great question, especially for someone you don't know very well. He said he's trying to be less judgmental before getting to know people. I thought about it for a moment and decided on...

Patience. I might be the least patient person in the world. Waiting in line at Starbucks is a daily exercise in restraint. Walking behind an elderly person/woman on a cell phone with a stroller and two small dogs/person with zero body awareness (aren't those the worst?) gets me more worked up than I care to admit. I'm not proud of it... but there are times I've actually had to stop myself from hitting my computer because my Internet connection was so infuriatingly slow. I'm impatient with myself, with others, and with inanimate objects... Not good.

What do you do to try to be patient? Sometimes I think it's just a question of stepping back, taking a deep breath, and realizing it's not really worth getting worked up over... Easier said than done, of course. If you have any tips or tricks, you know I'm all ears.

This isn't a pity party but I do think it's important to acknowledge that we're all works in progress and that there's always room for improvement. What's one trait you'd like to work on? I'd love to hear!

*more images here

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter