BOWS ON YOUR TOES...

Lanvin grosgrain bow ballet flats (splurge-worthy!)  //  Tory Burch Chelsea ballet flats

J.Crew Kiki mirror metallic ballet flats  //  Ann Taylor Makena peeptoe wedges (only $89!)

I'm sensing a trend among my current shoe crushes ;) I think the Tory Burch Chelsea flats win the prize for most versatile but really you'd be crazy not to scoop up a pair of striped peeptoe wedges while they're on summer sale. Right? Right!

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Lanvin grosgrain bow ballet flats (splurge-worthy!)  //  Tory Burch Chelsea ballet flats

J.Crew Kiki mirror metallic ballet flats  //  Ann Taylor Makena peeptoe wedges (only $89!)

I'm sensing a trend among my current shoe crushes ;) I think the Tory Burch Chelsea flats win the prize for most versatile but really you'd be crazy not to scoop up a pair of striped peeptoe wedges while they're on summer sale. Right? Right!

Keep up with Design Darling

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LEATHER CAMERA STRAP (FROM MY HANDBAG!)

I've been making an effort to take more of my own photos lately (here and here, for starters!) which means lugging my camera everywhere I go. I wasn't a huge fan of the strap that came with my camera (I felt like a walking advertisement for a camera I hardly know how to use...) but I didn't want to spend much to replace it.

 Then it hit me: I had a beautiful leather strap from my everyday handbag that I kept in my dresser despite the fact that I never wear it as a crossbody bag. Bingo! The gold clips fit perfectly around the existing black loop and the leather strap can be adjusted to the perfect length for carrying around the city. I couldn't be happier with it — and I didn't spend a penny! My kind of DIY. :)

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I've been making an effort to take more of my own photos lately (here and here, for starters!) which means lugging my camera everywhere I go. I wasn't a huge fan of the strap that came with my camera (I felt like a walking advertisement for a camera I hardly know how to use...) but I didn't want to spend much to replace it.

 Then it hit me: I had a beautiful leather strap from my everyday handbag that I kept in my dresser despite the fact that I never wear it as a crossbody bag. Bingo! The gold clips fit perfectly around the existing black loop and the leather strap can be adjusted to the perfect length for carrying around the city. I couldn't be happier with it — and I didn't spend a penny! My kind of DIY. :)

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OUTFIT {NAVY LEOPARD DRESS}

Dress c/o Persifor  //  Design Darling necklace  //  J.Crew sandals

Remember when I shared a sneak peek of this dress? It's fast become one of my favorite summer pieces. It's from my insanely talented friend Alex's line Persifor (which you can also find on Tuckernuck!).  The navy leopard print is fresh and different from other dresses I own and the fabric is the best for traveling — I swear it wouldn't wrinkle if you tried. Would it be silly for me to get the aqua shirtdress version too? You know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...!

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Dress c/o Persifor  //  Design Darling necklace  //  J.Crew sandals

Remember when I shared a sneak peek of this dress? It's fast become one of my favorite summer pieces. It's from my insanely talented friend Alex's line Persifor (which you can also find on Tuckernuck!).  The navy leopard print is fresh and different from other dresses I own and the fabric is the best for traveling — I swear it wouldn't wrinkle if you tried. Would it be silly for me to get the aqua shirtdress version too? You know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...!

Keep up with Design Darling

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GIRL CRUSH

I discovered Weronika's blog Raspberry & Red through Pinterest and promptly fell in love with her adorable outfit posts and — cue jealousy — travel shots of Europe. She's 17, lives in Poland, and occasionally wears bowties. What more could you want? ;)

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I discovered Weronika's blog Raspberry & Red through Pinterest and promptly fell in love with her adorable outfit posts and — cue jealousy — travel shots of Europe. She's 17, lives in Poland, and occasionally wears bowties. What more could you want? ;)

Keep up with Design Darling

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INTRODUCING DERNG

{Lapis necklace}

{Riley necklace}

{Blu necklace}

I'm excited to welcome Derng as Design Darling's newest sponsor! Started by Houston native Emily Segall, Derng is the online destination for bright baubles that won't break the bank. Above are a few of my current favorites but I think it's this navy tassel bracelet that takes the cake. So good!

P.S. Use code DARLING10 to save 10% your first Derng purchase.

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*This post is sponsored by Derng, a site I genuinely enjoy. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Design Darling possible!

{Lapis necklace}

{Riley necklace}

{Blu necklace}

I'm excited to welcome Derng as Design Darling's newest sponsor! Started by Houston native Emily Segall, Derng is the online destination for bright baubles that won't break the bank. Above are a few of my current favorites but I think it's this navy tassel bracelet that takes the cake. So good!

P.S. Use code DARLING10 to save 10% your first Derng purchase.

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

*This post is sponsored by Derng, a site I genuinely enjoy. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Design Darling possible!

EMERSON FRY MOD TOP

Black  //  ivory

If this isn't the perfect goes-with-anything-and-everything top, I don't know what is. A little boxy, a lot mod, with pockets to boot. Et voilà, I've talked myself into another investment piece ;)

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Black  //  ivory

If this isn't the perfect goes-with-anything-and-everything top, I don't know what is. A little boxy, a lot mod, with pockets to boot. Et voilà, I've talked myself into another investment piece ;)

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STEVEN ALAN BRAS

Black and white  //  Seersucker  //  Navy

"Always wear pretty underwear, on account of you just never know." There's something rather fun about wearing a cute bra and panties for no reason, don't you think? These pretties from Steven Alan are too good to resist. Classic black and white, summery seersucker, or tried-and-true navy? I mean, all three would look rather sweet in my top drawer...!

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Black and white  //  Seersucker  //  Navy

"Always wear pretty underwear, on account of you just never know." There's something rather fun about wearing a cute bra and panties for no reason, don't you think? These pretties from Steven Alan are too good to resist. Classic black and white, summery seersucker, or tried-and-true navy? I mean, all three would look rather sweet in my top drawer...!

Keep up with Design Darling

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"DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU."

Oh, Eleanor, you're so wise. This has definitely been a guiding principle for me lately. New York can be a very intimidating place! So anytime I'm on the fence about whether to say yes to something, I try to remind myself of this quote. Blogger event? First date? New Pilates class? Trapeze lesson? As much as those things cause me anxiety, it's so enriching to get out of my comfort zone every now and then. And the funny thing is, as terrified as I am going into a scary situation, I almost never regret it once it's behind me! 

Tell me: what's the last thing you did that totally scared you? Was it worth it?

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Oh, Eleanor, you're so wise. This has definitely been a guiding principle for me lately. New York can be a very intimidating place! So anytime I'm on the fence about whether to say yes to something, I try to remind myself of this quote. Blogger event? First date? New Pilates class? Trapeze lesson? As much as those things cause me anxiety, it's so enriching to get out of my comfort zone every now and then. And the funny thing is, as terrified as I am going into a scary situation, I almost never regret it once it's behind me! 

Tell me: what's the last thing you did that totally scared you? Was it worth it?

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BRUNCHING IN LILLY

On Carly:

Clarita dress c/o Lilly Pulitzer

On Mackenzie:

Morely top, Worth skinny jeans, and Photodome bangle c/o Lilly Pulitzer

Carly and I had so much fun styling these Lilly Pulitzer looks over the weekend! Here's what we wore for Sunday brunch at Maison Kayser, one of our favorite spots on the Upper East Side. I'm unsurprisingly obsessed with the ruffled navy top and I may have to "borrow" the sailboat dress from Carly's closet before summer's end. By the way, if you're looking for a great pair of white jeans, these fit great and (bonus points!) didn't have to be hemmed before the shoot (for reference, I'm 5'1"). Be sure to check out Carly's blog for what we wore to picnic in Central Park!

*all photos by Amy Stone

On Carly:

Clarita dress c/o Lilly Pulitzer

On Mackenzie:

Morely top, Worth skinny jeans, and Photodome bangle c/o Lilly Pulitzer

Carly and I had so much fun styling these Lilly Pulitzer looks over the weekend! Here's what we wore for Sunday brunch at Maison Kayser, one of our favorite spots on the Upper East Side. I'm unsurprisingly obsessed with the ruffled navy top and I may have to "borrow" the sailboat dress from Carly's closet before summer's end. By the way, if you're looking for a great pair of white jeans, these fit great and (bonus points!) didn't have to be hemmed before the shoot (for reference, I'm 5'1"). Be sure to check out Carly's blog for what we wore to picnic in Central Park!

*all photos by Amy Stone

TOP IT OFF

Sea crest pullover  //  Pencey fencing blazer

10 Crosby Derek Lam double collar shirt  //  BB Dakota faux leather tank

Around this time each summer my attention starts to drift toward fall fashion in spite, or perhaps because, of the ninety degree heat. It's probably my favorite season to shop dress for — blazers, button-downs, light sweaters, layering! Of course fall is a long way off on the east coast so I'm trying to focus on transitional pieces that will work from now through September or October. Above are a few of the pieces catching my eye: the most delightfully preppy sweater, a cool blazer (for less than $200!), a beautifully made dress shirt, and a just-edgy-enough tank that will look as cool with white jeans now as it will with fall blazers later. 

What's your summer-into-fall shopping strategy? Do you set a budget for each season? I'm dying to hear!

Keep up with Design Darling

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Sea crest pullover  //  Pencey fencing blazer

10 Crosby Derek Lam double collar shirt  //  BB Dakota faux leather tank

Around this time each summer my attention starts to drift toward fall fashion in spite, or perhaps because, of the ninety degree heat. It's probably my favorite season to shop dress for — blazers, button-downs, light sweaters, layering! Of course fall is a long way off on the east coast so I'm trying to focus on transitional pieces that will work from now through September or October. Above are a few of the pieces catching my eye: the most delightfully preppy sweater, a cool blazer (for less than $200!), a beautifully made dress shirt, and a just-edgy-enough tank that will look as cool with white jeans now as it will with fall blazers later. 

What's your summer-into-fall shopping strategy? Do you set a budget for each season? I'm dying to hear!

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter