ITALY WANDERLUST...

Who wants to plan a trip? These pictures of the Augustus Hotel in Forte dei Marmi have me pining for an Italian getaway. Those flowers! The stripes! Someone book a flight and pack me in your suitcase ;) 

Who has an exciting trip planned? I'd love to hear!

*all photos

Who wants to plan a trip? These pictures of the Augustus Hotel in Forte dei Marmi have me pining for an Italian getaway. Those flowers! The stripes! Someone book a flight and pack me in your suitcase ;) 

Who has an exciting trip planned? I'd love to hear!

*all photos

CYNTHIA SMITH ON NANTUCKET

Are you all familiar with vogue.com's Five Days, Five Looks, One Girl feature? I clicked over from (where else?) Pinterest and lit up over fashion associate Cynthia Smith's feature shot on Nantucket. A chic little trench, Ferragamo flats, and my favorite cobblestone streets... I couldn't get enough. Check out the full feature here and shop the slideshow below to get the look:

Are you all familiar with vogue.com's Five Days, Five Looks, One Girl feature? I clicked over from (where else?) Pinterest and lit up over fashion associate Cynthia Smith's feature shot on Nantucket. A chic little trench, Ferragamo flats, and my favorite cobblestone streets... I couldn't get enough. Check out the full feature here and shop the slideshow below to get the look:

PREPPY KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

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I'm planning on moving into a new apartment at the end of February and I'm getting really excited for the change of scenery. I love my current apartment but I'm ready for a new neighborhood, a little more space, and... a new kitchen. There's a reason my current kitchen wasn't photographed for my home tour and it's pretty simple: it's kind of ugly. Tile floors, wood cabinets, appliances that don't quite work... not to mention my complete lack of domestic ability. I'm hoping a new apartment and new kitchen will inspire me to stop ordering takeout (ahem, see #4) and start dining in. 

And while we're at it, a few pretty kitchen accessories never hurt anybody. I have this soap in my bathroom and my kitchen and I'll pretty much find any excuse to wash my hands because it smells that good. What are your secrets for domestic bliss in the kitchen? Spill! 

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I'm planning on moving into a new apartment at the end of February and I'm getting really excited for the change of scenery. I love my current apartment but I'm ready for a new neighborhood, a little more space, and... a new kitchen. There's a reason my current kitchen wasn't photographed for my home tour and it's pretty simple: it's kind of ugly. Tile floors, wood cabinets, appliances that don't quite work... not to mention my complete lack of domestic ability. I'm hoping a new apartment and new kitchen will inspire me to stop ordering takeout (ahem, see #4) and start dining in. 

And while we're at it, a few pretty kitchen accessories never hurt anybody. I have this soap in my bathroom and my kitchen and I'll pretty much find any excuse to wash my hands because it smells that good. What are your secrets for domestic bliss in the kitchen? Spill! 

NEW YORK CITY GUIDE: LOCANDA VERDE

What: Sunday brunch at Locanda Verde with Amy and Carly

Where: 377 Greenwich Street, TriBeCa

Why: Location, location, location! And great outdoor seating in the summer.

Wearing: This outfit! 

*All photos by Amy Stone

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

What: Sunday brunch at Locanda Verde with Amy and Carly

Where: 377 Greenwich Street, TriBeCa

Why: Location, location, location! And great outdoor seating in the summer.

Wearing: This outfit! 

*All photos by Amy Stone

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

OUTFIT {STRIPES & RIDING BOOTS}

CB Luxe earrings c/o  //  Saint James striped tee  //  Michael Kors watch

Rag & Bone jeans  //  Kate Spade riding boots (on sale!)

A standard everyday look: striped shirt, skinny jeans, riding boots... And my new favorite watch. It was my favorite Christmas present and I've been wearing it literally every day since. There's a lot to be said for investing in pieces you'll use a ton. Some of my best purchases in 2013 were this coat, this jacket, and this entire outfit. What was yours?!

*All photos by Amy Stone — follow her on Instagram here (you will not regret it!)

CB Luxe earrings c/o  //  Saint James striped tee  //  Michael Kors watch

Rag & Bone jeans  //  Kate Spade riding boots (on sale!)

A standard everyday look: striped shirt, skinny jeans, riding boots... And my new favorite watch. It was my favorite Christmas present and I've been wearing it literally every day since. There's a lot to be said for investing in pieces you'll use a ton. Some of my best purchases in 2013 were this coat, this jacket, and this entire outfit. What was yours?!

*All photos by Amy Stone — follow her on Instagram here (you will not regret it!)

TRUE BLUE

one  //  two (on sale)  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six  //  seven (splurge-worthy)  // eight ($28!)

Blue has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. My favorite crayon was Cerulean, my childhood bedroom is plastered in blue Marimekko (#cringe), and I inherited my mother's love of all things navy blue. This combination of navy and hydrangea blue (or Carolina blue, as some of you have informed me!) remains one of my all-time favorites. In fact, if my entire wardrobe consisted only of these two colors and a little white for good measure, I'd be completely content. Shop these picks and a few other true blue favorites below:

one  //  two (on sale)  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six  //  seven (splurge-worthy)  // eight ($28!)

Blue has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. My favorite crayon was Cerulean, my childhood bedroom is plastered in blue Marimekko (#cringe), and I inherited my mother's love of all things navy blue. This combination of navy and hydrangea blue (or Carolina blue, as some of you have informed me!) remains one of my all-time favorites. In fact, if my entire wardrobe consisted only of these two colors and a little white for good measure, I'd be completely content. Shop these picks and a few other true blue favorites below:

WEEKEND READING

1. A little bow skirt for just $24.

2. Bailey and Carly wrote awesome posts that echo some of my own struggles this past year. I'll add only this quote: "Don't worry about the people who talk behind your back; they're behind you for a reason."

3. Beautiful photos from Bradley's wedding.

4. Cool styling idea: wear your sweater backwards.

5. I posted my new 101 in 1001 list — be sure to check out the lists linked at the bottom for extra inspiration and tweet me if you decide to post your own list.

6. Love the leather pocket on this striped tee.

7. Need a brunch recommendation, New Yorkers? Browse a few of my favorites here.

8. Rain boots in two seriously cute color combos.

9. These frozen lighthouses are breathtaking (but make me ready for spring).

10. 52 places to go in 2014, according to the New York Times. I'm thinking a trip to Nashville is in order...

*image

1. A little bow skirt for just $24.

2. Bailey and Carly wrote awesome posts that echo some of my own struggles this past year. I'll add only this quote: "Don't worry about the people who talk behind your back; they're behind you for a reason."

3. Beautiful photos from Bradley's wedding.

4. Cool styling idea: wear your sweater backwards.

5. I posted my new 101 in 1001 list — be sure to check out the lists linked at the bottom for extra inspiration and tweet me if you decide to post your own list.

6. Love the leather pocket on this striped tee.

7. Need a brunch recommendation, New Yorkers? Browse a few of my favorites here.

8. Rain boots in two seriously cute color combos.

9. These frozen lighthouses are breathtaking (but make me ready for spring).

10. 52 places to go in 2014, according to the New York Times. I'm thinking a trip to Nashville is in order...

*image

DREAM HOME FILE...

How cool is this? It's an 1840s Methodist church on Martha's Vineyard (a hop, skip, and a jump from my favorite place on earth!) that's been converted into a vacation home. The ceilings and floors are all original — I can't think of a more fun renovation! Definitely one for the dream home file... Speaking of which, do you know what your dream home looks like? Where is it? Do you have it all planned out on Pinterest? I'd love to see!  

*all photos

How cool is this? It's an 1840s Methodist church on Martha's Vineyard (a hop, skip, and a jump from my favorite place on earth!) that's been converted into a vacation home. The ceilings and floors are all original — I can't think of a more fun renovation! Definitely one for the dream home file... Speaking of which, do you know what your dream home looks like? Where is it? Do you have it all planned out on Pinterest? I'd love to see!  

*all photos

CUTE WORKOUT CLOTHES

Thank you all for the positive feedback on my new 101 in 1001 list! There's something about setting goals for yourself, putting pen to paper, and sharing them with all of you that makes me that much more excited to get started. I'm actually in the midst of #5 (not shopping for the month of January, eeek!) but of course I find myself making little wishlists for once I can shop again. #19 on my list is to find a friend to join me for Pilates and yoga and start going at least a few times a week. I really enjoy it when I go but I miss having my mom around to take classes together. In any event, I'm thinking a few new workout wear purchases are in order to help motivate me...

I've also been living in this racerback tank from Thomas Kelly — the fabric is so soft for workout clothes! What's your workout regimen? Any favorite workout wear? I need all the help I can get ;)

Thank you all for the positive feedback on my new 101 in 1001 list! There's something about setting goals for yourself, putting pen to paper, and sharing them with all of you that makes me that much more excited to get started. I'm actually in the midst of #5 (not shopping for the month of January, eeek!) but of course I find myself making little wishlists for once I can shop again. #19 on my list is to find a friend to join me for Pilates and yoga and start going at least a few times a week. I really enjoy it when I go but I miss having my mom around to take classes together. In any event, I'm thinking a few new workout wear purchases are in order to help motivate me...

I've also been living in this racerback tank from Thomas Kelly — the fabric is so soft for workout clothes! What's your workout regimen? Any favorite workout wear? I need all the help I can get ;)

MY SECOND 101 IN 1001 LIST!

I'm so excited to share that I've posted my second 101 in 1001 list! After crossing off 79 tasks on my first list, I couldn't be more excited to achieve more goals this time around. Please check out my new list in its entirety right here and tweet me if you decide to write your own so I can link up! Let's make things happen, people. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

I'm so excited to share that I've posted my second 101 in 1001 list! After crossing off 79 tasks on my first list, I couldn't be more excited to achieve more goals this time around. Please check out my new list in its entirety right here and tweet me if you decide to write your own so I can link up! Let's make things happen, people. I'M SO EXCITED!!!