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In the mood for spring...

I don't know about your neck of the woods but here in Connecticut we've got plenty of sunshine but no warm weather to show for it. How does that work out? In any event, early March isn't too early to start thinking all things spring...


I'm looking forward to running around town in a flouncy skirt and ballet flats! By the way... I'm on the hunt for fresh fashion inspiration for our new column! Who has a few favorite fashion blogs I might not have heard of? Be sure to comment below!

Three Tricks For Decorating Your Desktop

It's bright and early and for most of you that means time to head to work! Having seen the inside of a cubicle or two myself (and, truthfully, never wanting to return), I thought I'd share a few of my favorite tricks for transforming your workspace.



1. First of all, add color. There's no reason your desk needs to be as drab as your cubicle mate's! File folders and lacquer boxes will help you get organized and provide a pretty pop of your favorite color.

2. Second, make it personal. The monogrammed desk accessories in my new boutique are a great place to start, but I also recommend bringing in a couple framed family photos and changing your desktop picture to a favorite shot from a recent vacation. You spend enough time at your desk — it might as well be a place that makes you happy!

3. Third, keep it clean — especially if your desk is in plain view of your boss or your clients. That means stacks of papers find their way into a (preferably hot pink!) file folder, stray supplies get tucked into a desk drawer, and every item on your desktop serves a distinct purpose. You're not styling a coffee table — decorative objects have little place on an organized desktop. But replacing your ugly black tape dispenser with a pretty acrylic option? Now we're talking.

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Of course these tricks are equally well applied to a home office (and I'd do well to follow my own advice!). If you need more inspiration, check out my "desk du jour" features (can you tell I have an office obsession?). What are your tricks for organizing your office space — and how does your desktop stack up?

His & Hers

One of the ten million things on my to do list is to establish an editorial calendar for Design Darling in order to get better organized. And what better opportunity to roll out a few new features? I have a lengthy list of ideas but here's the first... a weekly style column featuring me and my boyfriend Michael! I know only about 0.0001% of you readers are men but I also know lots of you ladies are looking for ways to spruce up the wardrobes of the men in your life. So without further ado, the inaugural edition of His & Hers...
ON HIM: Polo Ralph Lauren sweater (similar here) / J.Crew t-shirt / Brooks Brothers pants ON HER: Old Navy shirt / J.Crew vest / H&M belt (similar here) / J.Crew necklace (similar here) / Urban Outfitters jeans / Madewell boots (similar here) / Dani Notes iPhone case / J.Crew signet ring (similar here)

Comfy and casual for an afternoon coffee date. We totally underestimated how freezing it was outside so we only got a few pictures before we had to head in but it's a start! What do you think?!