If you're itching for a little eye candy this Monday afternoon, let me direct your attention to the newest issue of Lonny, my go-to digital magazine for interior inspiration.
Gorgeous, right? Check out the entire issue here. Enjoy!
His & Hers
This past Saturday, Michael and I hopped in the car and drove up to a little inn in Concord, Massachusetts, that we booked through Living Social. The next day we stopped in Boston and took some outfit pictures in the Boston Common before grabbing a bite to eat at Quincy Market.
ON HIM: Castaway Clothing sweater / Land's End shirt / Brooks Brothers pants / New Balance sneakers ON HER: Ralph Lauren shirt (similar here) / H&M belt (similar here) / Loren Hope bracelet / Urban Outfitters jeans / Longchamp bag / Tory Burch flats (similar here and here)
It was so nice to get away (even just for one night!) and makes me want to plan more day trips in the area. Do any of you New Englanders have any recommendations?
Week One
Well, Design Darling {The Boutique} has officially been in business for one week and I'm happy to report that these first seven days have exceeded my every expectation! I've been packing shipments, placing reorders, and running to the post office all day, every day, and I've never been happier. Here are a few snaps of items in action — of course I had to keep a few pretties for myself! ;)
My monogrammed acrylic tray. I want one for every room!
This quartz votive holder is major eye candy on a stack of design books on our coffee table.
This was one of the first orders I shipped out: a monogrammed acrylic business card holder (one of my best-selling items!) and two matchboxes in leopard and zebra.
To everyone who has blogged, commented, purchased, tweeted, etc., thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers to an amazing first week and many, many, many more!
Top It Off
I'm a skinny jeans kind of girl. I wear them with boots, flats, heels, you name it. I usually equate dresses and skirts with getting dolled up — as in I don't gravitate to them on a daily basis when I'm running errands or working from home. To keep my skinny jean obsession (with this pair in particular) from getting stale, I'm determined to add a few more colorful tops to my closet...
Marc by Marc Jacobs ($98) Joie ($198) Marc by Marc Jacobs ($278) Heidi Merrick ($350)
A girl can dream, can't she? ;) Check out more of my spring shopping list on Currently Obsessed.
Three Unexpected Places To Paint
1. The backs of your bookshelves (I'm digging this apple green and light blue combo)...
2. Your front door (hello, hot pink!)...
3. Your ceiling (in the same or a contrasting color)...
What fun spots have you painted in your place?
*all images here
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...
Madewell oxford shirt ($59) Elizabeth & James sunglasses ($185) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Loren Hope gold chain bracelet ($58) Juicy Couture skirt ($98) Topshop ballet flats ($32)
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.
Design Darling monogrammed acrylic pencil cup ($14) Container Store file folders ($3 for six) Design Darling #ThingsWeLove pencil set ($8) Design Darling monogrammed acrylic business card holder ($14) Design Darling acrylic tape dispenser ($12) Container Store lacquer box ($18)
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?!
Navy Leather Love
I'll take navy any way, any day, but these leather loves are the latest to catch my eye...
Tibi sandal ($395) Paul & Joe Sister belt ($68) Design Darling exclusive K. Slademade clutch ($68) Madewell pouch ($42) 3.1 Phillip Lim pouch ($295) Tory Burch pump ($325)
A bow belt, a colorblock clutch, and what are quite possibly the shoes of my dreams... I'll take one of each! ;)
Loren Hope Spring/Summer 2012
You know those designers who can do no wrong in your book? For me, that's Loren Hope. I've collected a few of her pieces over the past couple years and I swear they're the most complimented pieces in my collection! You may have noticed some of her baubles in my new boutique but now it's her lookbook that's really got me going...
Turquoise chandeliers and a red lip? Don't mind if I do!
I adore this vintage-inspired tassel number.
This necklace makes quite the statement for $88!
A colorblock necklace? Oh Loren, you've really done it this time...
Shop her new collection here! What are your favorite pieces?
Chez Camille
Have you seen the stunning tour of my girl Camille's home in Austin on Design*Sponge this week? If not you are in for a treat this morning. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
Hello, cozy furnishings, high ceilings, and the kitchen of my dreams! Of course Camille is an entertaining goddess so she probably needs that kitchen more than I do ;) Congratulations Camille on the exciting press and thanks for sharing your gorgeous home with all of us!
*all photos Chad Wadsworth for Design*Sponge
Takin' Care of Business
Whew! What a whirlwind yesterday was with the launch of the new boutique. Thank you to everyone who blogged, tweeted, purchased, etc. The support has been exhilarating and I have lots of packing and shipping to do!
Of course this blog will remain exactly what it's always been: a place to share fashion and interiors that inspire me and tidbits about what's going on in my world. So please continue to tune in for two daily posts and plenty of inspiration. I promise I'll only blab about the boutique sometimes :)
Now, back to business, er, new arrivals at J.Crew...
Leopard cardigan ($88) Canvas tote ($325) Suede heels ($198) Café capris ($88)
This little get-up is something I'd wear for a day in the city, meeting with bloggers or brands and transitioning for dinner in the evening. I also think it's a great look for most creative work environments! How fab is the navy leopard cardigan? Even saying the words makes me happy ;) What new arrivals are you eyeing? Have a fantastic weekend and thank you again!!!
DESIGN DARLING {THE BOUTIQUE} IS LIVE!!!
I am absolutely over the moon to announce that the new boutique is live at www.designdarling.com!!!
Check it out HERE and let me know what you think!!!
{SNEAK PEEKS}
I am over-the-top excited to share that five of my favorite bloggers have posted sneak peeks of Design Darling {The Boutique} today! Each sneak peek features three products that will be available on the site when it launches first thing tomorrow morning. Can you believe it's TOMORROW?!!!
Check them out and be sure to let me know what you think with hashtag #designdarlinglaunch on Twitter!
The Finishing Touches
I'm happy to say that I'm very close to finishing the site and taking a big deep breath before the boutique launch first thing Thursday morning! Now it's just lots of little finishing touches. As they say, design is in the details!
Aubin & Wills dress ($155) BaubleBar tortoiseshell studs ($110) See by Chloé wallet ($195) Essie "Fiesta" ($8) Madewell bracelet ($117) Urban Outfitters flats ($29)
This outfit is full of lovely little details: the brass buttons on the striped dress (which is a must-have for spring!), the scalloped trim on the wallet, and the lace-up detail on the ballet flats. It's precisely what I wish I were wearing as I run around getting things in order!
One day...
...I will wear Stubbs & Wootton. Until that's in the budget, I'm content to drool over their new arrivals and play around with their "create your own" feature. Don't you love? Le sigh.
New For The Night!
I'm all about getting dolled up for a birthday party or night on the town. Spending hundreds of dollars on a new dress I'll never wear again? Not so much. Enter New For The Night, a brand new service based in Houston that lets you rent your designer favorites for as little as 10% of the retail cost.
Kirribilla ($65) Naven ($73) Allison Parris ($90) Jay Godfrey ($55) Tibi ($70)
Pretty cool, right? Personally I have my eye on that ruffled Kirribilla dress for a number of spring soirées. Be among the first to sign up for this new site here! Check it out and let me know what you think.
Surprise Launch Party
Let me just start this post by saying that I am blessed to have the most wonderfully supportive family and friends in the world. I came home from a weekend trip to a friend's lake house to a room full of people yelling, "Surprise!" My cousin Emily and the rest of my family had planned a surprise launch party for the boutique — and somehow I really had no idea!
Emily gathered ideas from her Pinterest to plan the decor and food. Of course she thought of literally everything! The navy and pink palette was right up my alley and she divided the table with breakfast on one side and lunch on the other. I think I ate about 58 ten bruschetta. So good!
The house was filled with flowers which is of course the most wonderful treat. My grandmother — who is quite possibly Design Darling's number one fan! — send this beautiful bouquet up from Florida.
Emily thought of every last detail right down to filling the candy bowls placed throughout the family room and kitchen. Did you know Party City now sells M&Ms by the color? This makes me endlessly happy.
Of course the biggest gift was everyone who came out to celebrate this new venture of mine. My aunt was visiting from Boston and my sister even drove down from Amherst for the occasion! Family, friends, flowers... I am the luckiest girl in the world!
And the pièce de résistance... The cake that my cousin and her friend made after my logo, illustrated by Gadabout. Apparently it took them three hours to get the colors just perfect. Aren't the bows just the sweetest touch?
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Thank you to everyone involved for the best surprise of my life! How they tricked my nosy nature is still beyond me ;) Now let's speed this week up to Thursday and let it be launch day already!!!
Color Palette {Blue & Green}
Just a little lovely from me to you on this fine Saturday morning. I hope you're up to something perfectly fabulous!
*fashion photograph by Dean Isidro for Cosmopolitan,
interior design by Melanie Turner in Veranda,
both layouts by Mackenzie Horan
Friday Finds (Everything Under $40!)
Who's happy it's Friday?! I sure am. If only this weekend entailed some real relaxation...
Essie "Really Red" ($8) Old Navy boatneck top ($14)
Old Navy bikini top ($14) Bayan Hippo tote bag ($33)
Old Navy linen pants ($29)
Summer, come sooner! Do any of you have a vacation coming up?
Bikini Beauties
Who's going on a warm weather vacation and wants to pack me in their suitcase?
(3) Dear Marlene bikini top — just wait until you see the neon pink bottoms! (4) Ashei bikini top
Because really I'd like an excuse to wear any one of these darling bikini tops from Anthropologie. Which one tickles your fancy?
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