SPERRY TOP-SIDER FOR J.CREW

It's always a happy day when I receive the "new arrivals" email from J.Crew and this time around I'm falling particularly hard for all the cute jewelry, sweaters, and winter wear. These Sperry Top-Sider for J.Crew boots are the definition of classic-with-a-twist and I for one can't get enough. Check them out here and see my top ten new arrival picks right here. Enjoy your weekend! xx

It's always a happy day when I receive the "new arrivals" email from J.Crew and this time around I'm falling particularly hard for all the cute jewelry, sweaters, and winter wear. These Sperry Top-Sider for J.Crew boots are the definition of classic-with-a-twist and I for one can't get enough. Check them out here and see my top ten new arrival picks right here. Enjoy your weekend! xx

WEEKEND WARDROBE

J.Crew bow coat // Emily Ley monogrammed iPhone case // J.Crew enamel bangle

Kate Spade iPad case // Michael Kors double strap watch // Steven nude pumps

This weekend I'm off to Amherst to see the play my sister Reilly wrote for her senior thesis project. I'm excited to see what she's been working on all these months and to spend time with all the family members and friends who are making the trek as well. What's one thing you're most looking forward to this weekend? Have a good one!

J.Crew bow coat // Emily Ley monogrammed iPhone case // J.Crew enamel bangle

Kate Spade iPad case // Michael Kors double strap watch // Steven nude pumps

This weekend I'm off to Amherst to see the play my sister Reilly wrote for her senior thesis project. I'm excited to see what she's been working on all these months and to spend time with all the family members and friends who are making the trek as well. What's one thing you're most looking forward to this weekend? Have a good one!

INTRODUCING JOULES

Evedon rain boots // Quilted sherpa hat (faux fur! navy quilting! pink ribbon!)

Moredale jacket (those elbow patches!) // Glossy rain boots

Welland rain boots // Evedon rain boots (in my favorite color combo no less...)

If there's one thing a hurricane and a nor'easter within days of one another tells me, it's that it's time to seriously step up my outerwear options. I was thrilled to learn about Joules, an online retailer with gorgeous boots, jackets, and other winter must-haves. I'm smitten with their classic designs and darling details like the grosgrain ribbon closure on the hat and boots above. Seriously have you seen a cuter pair of rain boots in your life? That last pair belongs in my closet!

Evedon rain boots // Quilted sherpa hat (faux fur! navy quilting! pink ribbon!)

Moredale jacket (those elbow patches!) // Glossy rain boots

Welland rain boots // Evedon rain boots (in my favorite color combo no less...)

If there's one thing a hurricane and a nor'easter within days of one another tells me, it's that it's time to seriously step up my outerwear options. I was thrilled to learn about Joules, an online retailer with gorgeous boots, jackets, and other winter must-haves. I'm smitten with their classic designs and darling details like the grosgrain ribbon closure on the hat and boots above. Seriously have you seen a cuter pair of rain boots in your life? That last pair belongs in my closet!

{OUTFIT} JAMES JEANS

Asha by ADM turquoise studs // Annie Griffin bow top (available here) // Design Darling needlepoint cuff

Tory Burch leather satchel // Jeans c/o James Jeans // KORS Michael Kors suede wedges

You've probably noticed by now that I absolutely live in jeans. I like them in a dark blue wash with a little stretch — and I preferred skinny jeans right up until the moment I unwrapped this flared pair from James Jeans. I know denim shopping isn't usually the most enjoyable experience but I'm not exaggerating when I say these jeans are a total game-changer. They're comfy, soft, and the fit is so flattering that I can't believe I went so long thinking petite girls can't wear flared jeans. I'm a total convert! And even better news? James Jeans is offering all Design Darling readers 25% off their purchase with code JJ004 at checkout. What on earth are you waiting for? Check out the new collection and tell me which pair you can't live without!

Asha by ADM turquoise studs // Annie Griffin bow top (available here) // Design Darling needlepoint cuff

Tory Burch leather satchel // Jeans c/o James Jeans // KORS Michael Kors suede wedges

You've probably noticed by now that I absolutely live in jeans. I like them in a dark blue wash with a little stretch — and I preferred skinny jeans right up until the moment I unwrapped this flared pair from James Jeans. I know denim shopping isn't usually the most enjoyable experience but I'm not exaggerating when I say these jeans are a total game-changer. They're comfy, soft, and the fit is so flattering that I can't believe I went so long thinking petite girls can't wear flared jeans. I'm a total convert! And even better news? James Jeans is offering all Design Darling readers 25% off their purchase with code JJ004 at checkout. What on earth are you waiting for? Check out the new collection and tell me which pair you can't live without!

#GOVOTE

Then come back and shop yesterday's new arrivals because 15% of this week's sales will be donated to Red Cross relief efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Devon Baer Designs, K. Slademade, and Society Social are all donating a portion of their sales as well. Shop for a good cause or donate here if you're able!

Then come back and shop yesterday's new arrivals because 15% of this week's sales will be donated to Red Cross relief efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Devon Baer Designs, K. Slademade, and Society Social are all donating a portion of their sales as well. Shop for a good cause or donate here if you're able!

LULU & GEORGIA DOORMAT GIVEAWAY

How perfect is my new doormat? It seriously brightens my day every time I walk through the front door. It's from my friends at the new site Lulu & Georgia, an awesome resource for cool rugs, furniture, and lighting. I'm excited to be partnering with them to give away the doormat pictured above to one lucky winner! Here's hoping you all love navy and pink as much as I do ;) To enter simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below (you'll have to click over to the blog to see it). I'll be contacting the winner on Friday! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How perfect is my new doormat? It seriously brightens my day every time I walk through the front door. It's from my friends at the new site Lulu & Georgia, an awesome resource for cool rugs, furniture, and lighting. I'm excited to be partnering with them to give away the doormat pictured above to one lucky winner! Here's hoping you all love navy and pink as much as I do ;) To enter simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below (you'll have to click over to the blog to see it). I'll be contacting the winner on Friday! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SMEG REFRIGERATORS AT WEST ELM

{Lime green}

{Pink}

{Pastel blue}

{Orange}

{Navy blue}

If you didn't think it was possible to get excited about kitchen appliances, think again. West Elm is now carrying Italian brand Smeg refrigerators and they're all kinds of retro perfect (but totally modern on the inside). Could you live with a lime green fridge? I would do crazy things for the navy blue...!

{Lime green}

{Pink}

{Pastel blue}

{Orange}

{Navy blue}

If you didn't think it was possible to get excited about kitchen appliances, think again. West Elm is now carrying Italian brand Smeg refrigerators and they're all kinds of retro perfect (but totally modern on the inside). Could you live with a lime green fridge? I would do crazy things for the navy blue...!

HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has emailed and tweeted in the wake of Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. We are safe and sound but it's heartbreaking to drive through town and see trees on top of houses and telephone poles snapped in half. I am doing my best to catch up on Design Darling orders and appreciate your patience these past few days. My thoughts are with my family, friends, and readers in the tristate area — please keep the east coast in your prayers this week!

*Image

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has emailed and tweeted in the wake of Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. We are safe and sound but it's heartbreaking to drive through town and see trees on top of houses and telephone poles snapped in half. I am doing my best to catch up on Design Darling orders and appreciate your patience these past few days. My thoughts are with my family, friends, and readers in the tristate area — please keep the east coast in your prayers this week!

*Image

DESK DU JOUR

This picture (found on this cool new site) makes me so happy. Clean white desktop, laptop open, lots of pretty little extras (like the ones I sell here). Yes please!

This picture (found on this cool new site) makes me so happy. Clean white desktop, laptop open, lots of pretty little extras (like the ones I sell here). Yes please!

{AFFORDABLE ART} ELIZABETH MAYVILLE

I'm crazy picky when it comes to choosing art and the worst part is I can't even describe what I like and don't like — I just know it when I see it. That's why I get so excited when I stumble upon someone's work that I instantly fall in love with. Case in point: every single piece in Elizabeth Mayville's adorable — and completely affordable — Etsy shop. Imagine being so talented you could make lemons and George Washington look equally charming? I suppose I'll have to make do by purchasing as many of her prints as possible ;) Who are some of your favorite affordable artists? Two more I love right here and here.

I'm crazy picky when it comes to choosing art and the worst part is I can't even describe what I like and don't like — I just know it when I see it. That's why I get so excited when I stumble upon someone's work that I instantly fall in love with. Case in point: every single piece in Elizabeth Mayville's adorable — and completely affordable — Etsy shop. Imagine being so talented you could make lemons and George Washington look equally charming? I suppose I'll have to make do by purchasing as many of her prints as possible ;) Who are some of your favorite affordable artists? Two more I love right here and here.

JULEP MAVEN GIVEAWAY

Remember when I confessed that I am really, really awful at painting my own nails? I'm proud to report that I've improved my skills thanks in large part to Julep's Maven program, a subscription service that sends members new nail polishes (and a couple other beauty freebies!) every month. I chose the Classic-With-A-Twist package but there's definitely something for everyone! The winner of this giveaway will receive an intro box similar to what I received above. To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be contacting the lucky winner on Friday morning!

P.S. If you can't wait to subscribe, Julep is giving all Design Darling readers 20% off their first box with code DESIGNDARLING at checkout. Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember when I confessed that I am really, really awful at painting my own nails? I'm proud to report that I've improved my skills thanks in large part to Julep's Maven program, a subscription service that sends members new nail polishes (and a couple other beauty freebies!) every month. I chose the Classic-With-A-Twist package but there's definitely something for everyone! The winner of this giveaway will receive an intro box similar to what I received above. To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be contacting the lucky winner on Friday morning!

P.S. If you can't wait to subscribe, Julep is giving all Design Darling readers 20% off their first box with code DESIGNDARLING at checkout. Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEKEND WARDROBE

Madewell cardigan // J.Crew Edie purse // Adia Kibur doorknocker studs

Madewell glitter flats // Design Darling tortoiseshell bangles // J.Crew corduroys

This weekend I'm headed back to Bucknell for homecoming weekend (and to see my brother Grayson who's in his first year there!). I can't wait to catch up with all my sorority sisters, meet Grayson's friends, and enjoy a perfect fall day on that beautiful campus. I hope you all have a good one!

Madewell cardigan // J.Crew Edie purse // Adia Kibur doorknocker studs

Madewell glitter flats // Design Darling tortoiseshell bangles // J.Crew corduroys

This weekend I'm headed back to Bucknell for homecoming weekend (and to see my brother Grayson who's in his first year there!). I can't wait to catch up with all my sorority sisters, meet Grayson's friends, and enjoy a perfect fall day on that beautiful campus. I hope you all have a good one!

SIGNATURE SCENT

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

You may recall that one of the tasks on my 101 in 1001 list is to find my signature scent. My sweet mom was kind enough to spend a recent afternoon searching with me and we had a lot of fun spritzing different bottles and either loving or wincing at each scent (though not half as glamorous as these photos). Isn't it funny how personal scent can be? Anyway we narrowed it down to this and this but now I'm completely torn. Is it possible to have not one but two signature scents? Is there a perfume you swear by? Do share — I'm thisclose to being able to cross this one off my list!

Keep up with Design Darling on Facebook / Pinterest / Twitter

A CASE OF WANDERLUST...

Lately I've been itching to plan a trip and take a vacation. As I was editing photos for Monday's outfit post, I stumbled upon folders and folders from my semester abroad in college and took a trip down memory lane. I lived with a host family in Tours, France, for six months and spent weekends frolicking around Europe. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots...

{Ios, Greece}

{Santorini, Greece}

{Périgord, France}

{London, England}

{Munich, Germany}

{Salzburg, Austria}

{Interlaken, Switzerland}

While there's undoubtedly plenty more to see in Europe, what I have in mind now is a little less adventurous and much more along the lines of packing a couple bikinis and hanging out on a beach for a few days. Tell me: if you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? And what's the coolest place you've been so far? I can't wait to read your responses!

Lately I've been itching to plan a trip and take a vacation. As I was editing photos for Monday's outfit post, I stumbled upon folders and folders from my semester abroad in college and took a trip down memory lane. I lived with a host family in Tours, France, for six months and spent weekends frolicking around Europe. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots...

{Ios, Greece}

{Santorini, Greece}

{Périgord, France}

{London, England}

{Munich, Germany}

{Salzburg, Austria}

{Interlaken, Switzerland}

While there's undoubtedly plenty more to see in Europe, what I have in mind now is a little less adventurous and much more along the lines of packing a couple bikinis and hanging out on a beach for a few days. Tell me: if you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? And what's the coolest place you've been so far? I can't wait to read your responses!

NEW ARRIVALS!

Did you happen to catch yesterday's new arrivals in the boutique? I took your feedback to heart, adding a couple patterned lucite trays to the decor section, a monogrammed cuff in three cute colors, and — finally! — monogrammed iPhone cases so you can text and tweet in style. Check out all the new arrivals here and, you know, get a head start on your holiday shopping ;) Enjoy!

Did you happen to catch yesterday's new arrivals in the boutique? I took your feedback to heart, adding a couple patterned lucite trays to the decor section, a monogrammed cuff in three cute colors, and — finally! — monogrammed iPhone cases so you can text and tweet in style. Check out all the new arrivals here and, you know, get a head start on your holiday shopping ;) Enjoy!

PURPLE PAPARAZZI JEWELRY GIVEAWAY

J.Crew gingham shirt // Purple Paparazzi necklace // Design Darling cocktail ring

Rugby belt (similar) // Tuckernuck white jeans // Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

I'm excited to be introducing Design Darling's newest sponsor, Purple Paparazzi! The site is brimming with beautiful baubles designed by Amber Jones, who is generously offering up a $75 gift certificate so one lucky winner can scoop up something pretty in time for the holidays! (Personally, I'm eyeing this and this.) To enter, follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be emailing the winner on Friday morning. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

J.Crew gingham shirt // Purple Paparazzi necklace // Design Darling cocktail ring

Rugby belt (similar) // Tuckernuck white jeans // Kors Michael Kors suede wedges

I'm excited to be introducing Design Darling's newest sponsor, Purple Paparazzi! The site is brimming with beautiful baubles designed by Amber Jones, who is generously offering up a $75 gift certificate so one lucky winner can scoop up something pretty in time for the holidays! (Personally, I'm eyeing this and this.) To enter, follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be emailing the winner on Friday morning. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE JUST ONE?

(1) Tipped Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool (2) Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel 

(3) Bow Coat (4) Wintress Puffer (5) Downtown Field Jacket (6) Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool

If you haven't perused J.Crew's new arrivals yet, all I can say is you're in for some serious eye candy. I found myself obsessing over almost every single blazer and coat on the site. Is it wrong that I couldn't limit it down past these six? Crisp white piping, a perfectly ladylike bow, and the prettiest shade of periwinkle with a pop of navy under the collar... Each one blurs the line between want and need. Tell me: if you could only have one, which number would you pick?! 

(1) Tipped Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool (2) Schoolboy Blazer in Wool Flannel 

(3) Bow Coat (4) Wintress Puffer (5) Downtown Field Jacket (6) Hacking Jacket in Double-Serge Wool

If you haven't perused J.Crew's new arrivals yet, all I can say is you're in for some serious eye candy. I found myself obsessing over almost every single blazer and coat on the site. Is it wrong that I couldn't limit it down past these six? Crisp white piping, a perfectly ladylike bow, and the prettiest shade of periwinkle with a pop of navy under the collar... Each one blurs the line between want and need. Tell me: if you could only have one, which number would you pick?!