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For Fenway


I normally start each week with "Happy Monday!" but I'd be remiss if I did not mention something that's occupying the bulk of my thoughts today. Our puppy Fenway unexpectedly passed away over the weekend and our hearts are full. 
Fenway lived a full and happy life curled up at the foot of my bed or perched in my lap as I typed many a blog post. In fact we'd come to think of him as Design Darling's very cute (though largely unhelpful) resident intern.
We've spent the past few days remembering all the times he made us laugh and the many everyday moments we took for granted. My dad, the biggest Red Sox fan I know, was quick to point out that Fenway led the team to two World Series championships in his seven years, a feat that many others had waited 86 years for.
Here's hoping heaven is full of cuddles, doggy friends, and people food. Fenny, we love you and miss you more than you know.

Coffee Table Styling

My dear friend Katie shared this snapshot of her coffee table on Instagram the other day and I thought it was too gorgeous not to share with all of you. Clearly Katie has coffee table styling down to an art! For those of us not as well-versed, I've broken it down and shared a few ideas on how to get a similar look for your space...

Top stacks of design books with a decorative objet like this quartz votive holder or a souvenir from your travels. Store colorful matchboxes near your favorite candle and finally add fresh flowers or a topiary to bring it all to life. Soon enough you'll have Katie's high style in your home! What are your tips for styling a coffee table?

Blue + Yellow

As a redhead I stick to wearing colors I know work with my coloring (hence the obsession with navy blue). But lately I've been tempted to venture outside my comfort zone just a bit. I'd probably steer clear of a yellow top...but maybe I could start with these fabulous yellow pants?



Paired with a classic oxford shirt and a basic navy clutch, they might just be the perfect compromise between trying something new and still feeling like myself. What new colors or styles are you tempted to try these days?

Pretty in Pink

Today is the first official day of spring and naturally I'm using that as an excuse to share a few of my current obsessions in my favorite spring color! Bright, neon, pale, or somewhere in between, there's just something about pink...  


These pillows are seriously dreamy in person (of course I'm keeping a pair for my future apartment!) and I just ordered this skirt so I'll let you know how it works out! What pink things are you loving lately? 

P.S. See more of my favorites on Currently Obsessed!

His & Hers

Temperatures crept into the low 60s here in Connecticut this weekend and I for one couldn't be happier that we never really had a true New England winter this year. Bring on the sunshine!


I am obsessed with Michael's new pants from Castaway Clothing! Clearly he needs a pair in pink as well ;)  Also I am totally cool with wearing white jeans before Memorial Day. (In fact I'm eyeing these as my next pair!) What are your thoughts on the matter and how was your weekend?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's been a busy week here at Design Darling HQ and my weekend will be spent ordering new products, packing shipments, and photographing some super cute new arrivals! It's a good thing I love my job ;) For those of you who have a more festive weekend in store, here's a little outfit inspiration featuring the tried-and-true combo of navy blue and emerald green...



What are you up to this weekend? And (just as fun!) what will you be wearing? Whatever it is, have a good one!

Sweet Lemon Magazine

When you have a moment, please pop over to my friends Carly and Melissa's darling digital magazine, Sweet Lemon! You might just see a familiar face (on the cover, eek!)...
I was interviewed about opening Design Darling {The Boutique} and got to spend a day in New York shooting pictures with the Sweet Lemon team (and the ever patient Michael, of course!).

This face pretty much sums up how I was feeling all day: a little shy and a lot happy.
{Wearing my favorite J.Crew blazer, J.Crew shirt, Loren Hope necklace, Jules Reid pants, Lilly Pulitzer bangle, and Forever 21 heels.}

See the whole feature here!

Kate Spade Carousel Watches

I might as well have titled this post "Kate Spade Does It Again" because it seems this beloved brand can do no wrong when it comes to accessories. Case in point? These charmed new arrivals: glossy enamel wristwatches in some of my very favorite colors...





The definition of darling. What are you feeling — crème de la crème, tickled pink, or the calm before the storm? Shop the entire collection at Nordstrom.

How To Decorate Your Foyer

It's the first thing you see when you walk in the door — so it might as well be pretty, right? There are a few things to keep in mind while decorating this compact but heavily trafficked part of your apartment or home. Here's a pretty little foyer I've envisioned...




1. Create a focal point. This graphic silk scarf dictates the color palette for the space and directs the eye toward a pretty tabletop vignette and not that unsightly ceiling fixture your landlord refuses to replace.

2. Be practical. Fresh flowers get expensive! This topiary is a great cost-effective and long-term alternative for those with a black thumb (you only have to spritz it once a month!). If you have the space, an extra dining chair is perfect for pulling on rain boots and can be dragged elsewhere when you're entertaining.

3. Use stylish storage. A small lacquer tray is a great place to toss keys and mail when you walk in the door while a braided basket keeps backpacks, shoes, etc. tucked out of sight!

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What are your favorite tricks for tackling your foyer?

Anna Dello Russo on The Coveteur

Does it get any dreamier? Check out the full feature here.



Ras Open Toe Wedge Espadrilles

In tan, hot pink, and navy, these shoes have my name written all over them. If only they weren't quite so pricey...
...Get yours here.

Plain Shift Dresses

There's something delightfully retro about a simple shift dress in navy blue or, better yet, hot pink. Here are two ways I'd style the look: 



As it warms up this week in Connecticut, I could definitely swing either of these looks! Which one do you prefer?

Lonny March 2012

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...

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...


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?!

Navy Leather Love

I'll take navy any way, any day, but these leather loves are the latest to catch my eye...


A bow belt, a colorblock clutch, and what are quite possibly the shoes of my dreams... I'll take one of each! ;)