NIKE FREE 5.0

I don't know about you but it seems like all anyone ever talks about these days in New York is what workout they're doing. (Fun fact: when I lived in San Francisco, the go-to question was what restaurants I'd been frequenting lately!). Bikram, boot camp, Flywheel, Pure Barre, SLT, SoulCycle... It's honestly a totally new vocabulary! With summer coming up and several trips to the beach on the horizon, I've definitely been more motivated to work out. I went for a run along the Hudson River on Monday and became totally aware of two things: 1) I am totally out of cardio shape and 2) my workout wardrobe needs a lot of work. Half of being motivated to work out is looking the part, right? My mismatched shorts-and-sneakers combo paired with a ratty college t-shirt isn't exactly inspiring. This is more like it...

top  //  hair ties  //  shorts  //  sneakers

clockwise from aqua at top:

aqua  //  hot pink  //  teal  //  turquoise  //  pink  //  lavender  //  red  //  lime

I'm thinking it's time to make my activewear selection a wardrobe priority: leggings and tops from Thomas Kelly, running shorts from Krass & Co., and a rainbow of Nike sneakers. They've always been my favorite sneaker (we're talking since middle school gym class here, people) and I'm excited to slip into a new pair of the Nike Free 5.0 this summer. Have you ever seen cooler color options in your life? I know it's not all about fashion but, actually, wait, isn't it? Which is your favorite color?!

Shop the post:

*Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post! 

I don't know about you but it seems like all anyone ever talks about these days in New York is what workout they're doing. (Fun fact: when I lived in San Francisco, the go-to question was what restaurants I'd been frequenting lately!). Bikram, boot camp, Flywheel, Pure Barre, SLT, SoulCycle... It's honestly a totally new vocabulary! With summer coming up and several trips to the beach on the horizon, I've definitely been more motivated to work out. I went for a run along the Hudson River on Monday and became totally aware of two things: 1) I am totally out of cardio shape and 2) my workout wardrobe needs a lot of work. Half of being motivated to work out is looking the part, right? My mismatched shorts-and-sneakers combo paired with a ratty college t-shirt isn't exactly inspiring. This is more like it...

top  //  hair ties  //  shorts  //  sneakers

clockwise from aqua at top:

aqua  //  hot pink  //  teal  //  turquoise  //  pink  //  lavender  //  red  //  lime

I'm thinking it's time to make my activewear selection a wardrobe priority: leggings and tops from Thomas Kelly, running shorts from Krass & Co., and a rainbow of Nike sneakers. They've always been my favorite sneaker (we're talking since middle school gym class here, people) and I'm excited to slip into a new pair of the Nike Free 5.0 this summer. Have you ever seen cooler color options in your life? I know it's not all about fashion but, actually, wait, isn't it? Which is your favorite color?!

Shop the post:

*Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post! 

10 DIY PROJECTS WORTH TRYING

I'm not much for arts and crafts but every now and then I stumble upon a do-it-yourself project that looks, well, doable. I love to paint furniture (past projects here and here) but I think it would be fun to branch out and try some paper or party decor projects. Here are a few ideas that caught my eye on Pinterest... 

1. Giant crepe paper roses

2. Gold leaf frames

3. Marbled paper with nail polish

4. No sew monogram appliqué

5. Oyster shell salt cellars

6. Painted door edge

7. Pelmet boxes (did this for my last apartment!)

8. Pom pom baskets

9. Pom pom sun hat

10. Porcelain jewelry stand

Are you a big DIY-er? What's the last project you tackled?

I'm not much for arts and crafts but every now and then I stumble upon a do-it-yourself project that looks, well, doable. I love to paint furniture (past projects here and here) but I think it would be fun to branch out and try some paper or party decor projects. Here are a few ideas that caught my eye on Pinterest... 

1. Giant crepe paper roses

2. Gold leaf frames

3. Marbled paper with nail polish

4. No sew monogram appliqué

5. Oyster shell salt cellars

6. Painted door edge

7. Pelmet boxes (did this for my last apartment!)

8. Pom pom baskets

9. Pom pom sun hat

10. Porcelain jewelry stand

Are you a big DIY-er? What's the last project you tackled?

DALLAS HOME TOUR

I was so excited when Dallas blogger Katey McFarlan emailed me asking if I'd be interested in featuring her home tour on my blog. Not only is her space filled with books, color, and personality, but she decorated with a few Design Darling goodies in the mix! It's the most rewarding feeling to see how my readers incorporate Design Darling into their lives so this home tour is extra special. Without further ado, Katey's apartment eye candy...

Note to self: buy hot pink cocktail napkins for next party!

You know you're in a girly girl's apartment when there are sweet treats in glass jars. Yes please!

I spy one of my favorite coffee table books!

I saw these bright lacquer boxes on One Kings Lane the other day and already regret not snatching one of them up. It's the perfect topper to a pretty stack of books! 

Nothing says Southern hospitality like a couple pineapples in the entry. 

These look familiar! :)

Katey and I even have the same bar cart! Love how she styled hers with a mirror for pretty reflections and a stack of books for height. 

I can't even stand how chic this sequined maxi skirt is... I wish I had an excuse or an occasion! Love it with her turquoise tassel earrings, a best-seller in the boutique. They're the perfect pop of color on a blonde!

Such a pretty bedside vignette. I always light candles before bedtime (this scent reminds me of my first year in New York and these ones smell sooo good without breaking the bank). Bonus: you can reuse both containers after they burn through.

Organization makes me so happy. Katey, come do my makeup collection next?!

Odds and ends from my fave, Jonathan Adler. 

This pillow cracks me up. 

Would pretty much kill for the space to have a mirrored vanity in my apartment. Girly glam at its best! If you think your home is a good fit for Design Darling, email me photos here! Thanks, Katey!  

*Photos by Carmen Evans, full home tour on Katey and Kristin's blog here!

I was so excited when Dallas blogger Katey McFarlan emailed me asking if I'd be interested in featuring her home tour on my blog. Not only is her space filled with books, color, and personality, but she decorated with a few Design Darling goodies in the mix! It's the most rewarding feeling to see how my readers incorporate Design Darling into their lives so this home tour is extra special. Without further ado, Katey's apartment eye candy...

Note to self: buy hot pink cocktail napkins for next party!

You know you're in a girly girl's apartment when there are sweet treats in glass jars. Yes please!

I spy one of my favorite coffee table books!

I saw these bright lacquer boxes on One Kings Lane the other day and already regret not snatching one of them up. It's the perfect topper to a pretty stack of books! 

Nothing says Southern hospitality like a couple pineapples in the entry. 

These look familiar! :)

Katey and I even have the same bar cart! Love how she styled hers with a mirror for pretty reflections and a stack of books for height. 

I can't even stand how chic this sequined maxi skirt is... I wish I had an excuse or an occasion! Love it with her turquoise tassel earrings, a best-seller in the boutique. They're the perfect pop of color on a blonde!

Such a pretty bedside vignette. I always light candles before bedtime (this scent reminds me of my first year in New York and these ones smell sooo good without breaking the bank). Bonus: you can reuse both containers after they burn through.

Organization makes me so happy. Katey, come do my makeup collection next?!

Odds and ends from my fave, Jonathan Adler. 

This pillow cracks me up. 

Would pretty much kill for the space to have a mirrored vanity in my apartment. Girly glam at its best! If you think your home is a good fit for Design Darling, email me photos here! Thanks, Katey!  

*Photos by Carmen Evans, full home tour on Katey and Kristin's blog here!