J.CREW STYLE SESSIONS

Huge thanks to everyone who came out for my J.Crew style sessions event in Greenwich last week! I had so much fun previewing the new arrivals, dressing up my little brother, and helping a few fabulous readers start their holiday shopping. Isn't it funny how you notice new pieces in person that might not have caught your eye online? For instance, I'm now totally into this metallic tunic for a fun holiday party look. Shop a few more of my favorites here:

Huge thanks to everyone who came out for my J.Crew style sessions event in Greenwich last week! I had so much fun previewing the new arrivals, dressing up my little brother, and helping a few fabulous readers start their holiday shopping. Isn't it funny how you notice new pieces in person that might not have caught your eye online? For instance, I'm now totally into this metallic tunic for a fun holiday party look. Shop a few more of my favorites here:

5 VIDEOS TO WATCH WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A BAD DAY

There are a few videos I keep bookmarked on my computer for moments when I'm feeling pretty low and need a little inspiration. Whether I'm feeling sad or tired or just needing a kick in the behind, these videos always have me up and at 'em again in no time. I hope they work their magic on you too!

1. Art Williams  //  Just Do It

2. Steve Jobs  //  Stay Hungry

3. Miracle // You Were Born For This

4. Kid President // Pep Talk

5. Neil deGrass Tyson // The Most Astounding Fact

P.S. Ten ways to have a good day.

There are a few videos I keep bookmarked on my computer for moments when I'm feeling pretty low and need a little inspiration. Whether I'm feeling sad or tired or just needing a kick in the behind, these videos always have me up and at 'em again in no time. I hope they work their magic on you too!

1. Art Williams  //  Just Do It

2. Steve Jobs  //  Stay Hungry

3. Miracle // You Were Born For This

4. Kid President // Pep Talk

5. Neil deGrass Tyson // The Most Astounding Fact

P.S. Ten ways to have a good day.

20 GREAT GIFTS FOR GUYS

I don't know about you but I find the toughest part of holiday shopping is knowing what to buy for the boys in my life. Between Dad, brothers, uncles, cousins, coworkers, guy friends, and special someones... Well, it's totally overwhelming. This year I've decided to jumpstart my Design Darling gift guides with 20 great gifts that I can't wait to give my favorite boys — and hopefully a couple of them will work for the guys in your life as well. Enjoy! 

P.S. Let's go crazy... 30 more ideas just because:

P.P.S. Even more great guy gifts in the boutique! 

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I don't know about you but I find the toughest part of holiday shopping is knowing what to buy for the boys in my life. Between Dad, brothers, uncles, cousins, coworkers, guy friends, and special someones... Well, it's totally overwhelming. This year I've decided to jumpstart my Design Darling gift guides with 20 great gifts that I can't wait to give my favorite boys — and hopefully a couple of them will work for the guys in your life as well. Enjoy! 

P.S. Let's go crazy... 30 more ideas just because:

P.P.S. Even more great guy gifts in the boutique! 

*image

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SOLVED WITH RANK & STYLE

As you may know, I'm kind of a compulsive list maker. In addition to my 101 in 1001 list, I have a lifelong bucket list, I make daily to do lists, and I'm in the process of writing shopping lists for the holidays as well. I also can't get enough of reading other people's lists (25 before 25, 30 before 30, etc.) — list making basically an obsession for me. So it should come as little surprise that I'm completely obsessed with the concept of Rank & Style, a site that curates the best of beauty and fashion into top ten lists to help you narrow down your choices (especially useful this time of year!). 

Whether you're shopping for yourself or for your family and friends, it's an awesome resource for finding the best products when you know what you want but not quite where to find it. Case in point: this list of 10 gifts to keep it classy, chic, and charming (who doesn't want to be all three of those things?) led me to the cutest pair of smoking slippers from J.Crew. A few other favorite lists right now? The 10 best fall trench coats brought me to this perfect option for just over $100 and I definitely rounded out my Christmas wishlist thanks to the best black riding boots (really, isn't it time I bought a pair of these?). Sign up for Rank & Style here to get your favorite lists delivered straight to your inbox!

See some of my blogger friends' favorite lists here:

A Little Dash of Darling  //  Breakfast at Toast  //  Channeling Contessa  //  Peanut Butter Fingers  //  Sequins & Stripes  

*This post is sponsored by Rank & Style. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Darling!

As you may know, I'm kind of a compulsive list maker. In addition to my 101 in 1001 list, I have a lifelong bucket list, I make daily to do lists, and I'm in the process of writing shopping lists for the holidays as well. I also can't get enough of reading other people's lists (25 before 25, 30 before 30, etc.) — list making basically an obsession for me. So it should come as little surprise that I'm completely obsessed with the concept of Rank & Style, a site that curates the best of beauty and fashion into top ten lists to help you narrow down your choices (especially useful this time of year!). 

Whether you're shopping for yourself or for your family and friends, it's an awesome resource for finding the best products when you know what you want but not quite where to find it. Case in point: this list of 10 gifts to keep it classy, chic, and charming (who doesn't want to be all three of those things?) led me to the cutest pair of smoking slippers from J.Crew. A few other favorite lists right now? The 10 best fall trench coats brought me to this perfect option for just over $100 and I definitely rounded out my Christmas wishlist thanks to the best black riding boots (really, isn't it time I bought a pair of these?). Sign up for Rank & Style here to get your favorite lists delivered straight to your inbox!

See some of my blogger friends' favorite lists here:

A Little Dash of Darling  //  Breakfast at Toast  //  Channeling Contessa  //  Peanut Butter Fingers  //  Sequins & Stripes  

*This post is sponsored by Rank & Style. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Darling!

WINTER PASTELS

I was scanning through my style board on Pinterest when this look caught my eye. Why not wear pastels for winter? With a pop of bright purple or hot pink, it's a totally fresh update to winter white. Here are a few pieces to help you get the look:

I was scanning through my style board on Pinterest when this look caught my eye. Why not wear pastels for winter? With a pop of bright purple or hot pink, it's a totally fresh update to winter white. Here are a few pieces to help you get the look:

GET THE LOOK {EVA CHEN'S OFFICE}

Confession: I have a teensy bit of a girl crush on Eva Chen, editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine. I've been following her on Instagram for, oh, forever and kind of live vicariously through her fashion adventures. I was so excited when Domino published photos of her office — it's seriously eye candy overload. Above are my favorite shots but be sure to check out the full feature for more! Shop the slideshow below to recreate the look chez vous:

Confession: I have a teensy bit of a girl crush on Eva Chen, editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine. I've been following her on Instagram for, oh, forever and kind of live vicariously through her fashion adventures. I was so excited when Domino published photos of her office — it's seriously eye candy overload. Above are my favorite shots but be sure to check out the full feature for more! Shop the slideshow below to recreate the look chez vous:

FRIENDS WITH STYLE {EDDY'S VINEYARD VINES VEST}

Vineyard Vines vest (hello, great guy gift!)  //  J.Crew flannel shirt  //  Dang sunglasses

Gap jeans  //  J.Crew desert boots  //  Swiss Army watch

It's been way too long since the last Friends With Style post! I took these pictures of Eddy on a coffee break from work — this is as close to #navyornothing as it gets. Pretty sharp, don't you think? The Vineyard Vines vest is such an easy piece to pull together a look and it's a great gift at under $100. Oh and I'm convinced every boy should own a pair or two of desert boots for year-round wear... As you know, I live in mine ;)

Vineyard Vines vest (hello, great guy gift!)  //  J.Crew flannel shirt  //  Dang sunglasses

Gap jeans  //  J.Crew desert boots  //  Swiss Army watch

It's been way too long since the last Friends With Style post! I took these pictures of Eddy on a coffee break from work — this is as close to #navyornothing as it gets. Pretty sharp, don't you think? The Vineyard Vines vest is such an easy piece to pull together a look and it's a great gift at under $100. Oh and I'm convinced every boy should own a pair or two of desert boots for year-round wear... As you know, I live in mine ;)

JACK ROGERS & SAIL TO SABLE

Last week Carly and I had the pleasure of hosting a party at the Jack Rogers store, where our friends from Sail To Sable debuted their holiday and resort collections. We both wore this dress — Carly in black, me in navy — and I wore these shoes (now on sale!). 

The store is basically the cutest place on earth! Hot pink upholstery, lime green and turquoise dressing rooms, oversized photos of Jackie O... I mean, I could move in tomorrow. 

Carly and I with the ladies of Jack Rogers and Sail To Sable! I love that three of us were wearing the same dress — the fit is just so, so good. I only picked up my dress a half hour before the event (#livedangerously) and I was so worried it wouldn't fit properly... But anything that involves a fit-and-flare silhouette, navy velvet stripes, and mandatory twirling throughout the night is basically a no-brainer. If you need a dress for holiday parties, I highly recommend it!  

My next Sail To Sable purchase? This navy sequin dress. One of the girls from Sail To Sable wore it to the party and people actually bought the dress off her body multiple times throughout the night... Too funny.

Of course the best part was getting to catch up with blog friends and to meet lots of friendly new faces! Carly and I had so many awesome conversations with our readers and I just feel so darn lucky to have you guys in my life. Such a special night! xx

Last week Carly and I had the pleasure of hosting a party at the Jack Rogers store, where our friends from Sail To Sable debuted their holiday and resort collections. We both wore this dress — Carly in black, me in navy — and I wore these shoes (now on sale!). 

The store is basically the cutest place on earth! Hot pink upholstery, lime green and turquoise dressing rooms, oversized photos of Jackie O... I mean, I could move in tomorrow. 

Carly and I with the ladies of Jack Rogers and Sail To Sable! I love that three of us were wearing the same dress — the fit is just so, so good. I only picked up my dress a half hour before the event (#livedangerously) and I was so worried it wouldn't fit properly... But anything that involves a fit-and-flare silhouette, navy velvet stripes, and mandatory twirling throughout the night is basically a no-brainer. If you need a dress for holiday parties, I highly recommend it!  

My next Sail To Sable purchase? This navy sequin dress. One of the girls from Sail To Sable wore it to the party and people actually bought the dress off her body multiple times throughout the night... Too funny.

Of course the best part was getting to catch up with blog friends and to meet lots of friendly new faces! Carly and I had so many awesome conversations with our readers and I just feel so darn lucky to have you guys in my life. Such a special night! xx

J.CREW GREENWICH EVENT!

YOU GUYS! I am so excited. If you've read Design Darling for, oh, five minutes, you've probably gathered that I basically live in J.Crew: easy jackets, cozy sweaters, monogrammed cashmere, statement shoes, my favorite navy blazer, winter coats, even a leather t-shirt... The list goes on. I've pinned probably every outfit that Jenna Lyons has ever worn and I shamelessly stalk style.com waiting for images of their new collection during fashion week. Suffice it to say I'm picking up what J.Crew is putting down (and usually quite literally!).

So I was pretty elated when the J.Crew store in Greenwich, Connecticut (close to my hometown of Darien!), reached out and asked me to partner with them for a holiday style session. It was a happy dance heard 'round the Upper East Side, I'll tell you that much! If you happen to find yourself in Greenwich tomorrow (Wednesday) evening between 6 and 8 p.m., I would love to see you! There will be styling, shopping, light refreshments, and you'll save 25% on orders over $150. Who's excited?!

P.S. If you can't make it to the event, you can still shop my J.Crew holiday favorites right here:

YOU GUYS! I am so excited. If you've read Design Darling for, oh, five minutes, you've probably gathered that I basically live in J.Crew: easy jackets, cozy sweaters, monogrammed cashmere, statement shoes, my favorite navy blazer, winter coats, even a leather t-shirt... The list goes on. I've pinned probably every outfit that Jenna Lyons has ever worn and I shamelessly stalk style.com waiting for images of their new collection during fashion week. Suffice it to say I'm picking up what J.Crew is putting down (and usually quite literally!).

So I was pretty elated when the J.Crew store in Greenwich, Connecticut (close to my hometown of Darien!), reached out and asked me to partner with them for a holiday style session. It was a happy dance heard 'round the Upper East Side, I'll tell you that much! If you happen to find yourself in Greenwich tomorrow (Wednesday) evening between 6 and 8 p.m., I would love to see you! There will be styling, shopping, light refreshments, and you'll save 25% on orders over $150. Who's excited?!

P.S. If you can't make it to the event, you can still shop my J.Crew holiday favorites right here:

OUTFIT {HOW TO WEAR A PONCHO}

C. Wonder cat eye sunglasses  //  Jigsaw London poncho c/o  //  Jack Wills faux fur snood  Rag & Bone jeans  //  Alice & Olivia pumps

I've been something of a sweater fiend lately — all I want to wear are elbow patch sweaters and oversized cashmere. I wasn't entirely sure how to wear a poncho before Jigsaw sent me this pretty knit option but now it's seriously the comfiest item of clothing I own. I wore mine over a plain navy t-shirt but I also think it would be pretty cute over an oxford shirt! What do you think? Would you wear a poncho? Let's hear it! 

P.S. Check back here this afternoon for an exciting announcement! 

C. Wonder cat eye sunglasses  //  Jigsaw London poncho c/o  //  Jack Wills faux fur snood  Rag & Bone jeans  //  Alice & Olivia pumps

I've been something of a sweater fiend lately — all I want to wear are elbow patch sweaters and oversized cashmere. I wasn't entirely sure how to wear a poncho before Jigsaw sent me this pretty knit option but now it's seriously the comfiest item of clothing I own. I wore mine over a plain navy t-shirt but I also think it would be pretty cute over an oxford shirt! What do you think? Would you wear a poncho? Let's hear it! 

P.S. Check back here this afternoon for an exciting announcement!