>

LINK LOVIN'


Ten links for your weekend perusal... 


1. A friend sent me this Art Williams speech and it totally jumpstarted my productivity this week. Do it!

2. Attention, fellow bow lovers: totally splurge-worthy little blue shorts.  

3. Eddy and I worked from a couple different cafés this week for a change of scenery and it was kind of awesome to get out of my apartment for once. New Yorkers, where are your favorite places to work?



4. Have you seen the new baubles in the boutique? I can't stop wearing this zebra bangle. Stay tuned for more new goodies next week!

5. I added "pin it" buttons to the right of each image on the blog. I'm no coding genius but this tutorial made it super simple! Pin away :)

6. I love all three of these color combos.

7. I squealed when this table arrived in my apartment this week and couldn't resist sharing an apartment sneak peek.



8. Naomi's video of her family trip to San Francisco makes me smile. How cute are her kiddos?

9. The last thing I need is another striped dress but this one is precious, right?

10. These initial bangles are the cutest but I wish "M" and "H" were more colorful! Will you be scooping one up with your initial?

*Images 1 / 2 / 3



QUOTE DU JOUR


Are you all familiar with James Nord? He's a fashion photographer here in New York and his post yesterday stopped me in my tracks. When people ask how you're doing, it's so easy to say, "I'm keeping busy!" as a default. (I'm totally guilty.) I love that James makes a point instead to say that he's having the time of his life. Isn't that the whole point? Let's all "be better than busy." It's the weekend — go have the time of your life. xx

Keep up with Design Darling


TORY BURCH'S OCEAN BREEZE





Robinson Spectator Middy Satchel (the same one I have in tan!)







C-O-L-O-R C-R-U-S-H. Who's with me?

Keep up with Design Darling


10 CLASSIC ACCESSORIES EVERY GIRL SHOULD OWN



It's easy to get swept up in shopping for items that will get you through one or two seasons but I really try to focus my resources on pieces that will stand the test of time. These are ten pieces I think every girl should own, whether you can afford them right this moment or you're saving up for something you know will last.

The color of these Tory Burch Reva flats is "iced coffee" which makes them an instant win in my book but I also love these and these.

This one catches light beautifully and works just as well with a silk blouse as it does a white t-shirt.

I'm obviously biased toward these tortoiseshell bangles but I also love tortoiseshell for eyewear.

I'm the kind of person who freezes in movie theaters, offices, restaurants, you name it. Having a scarf tucked in my bag has saved the day on numerous occasions!

Is there a more timeless timepiece? I think not.

These ones cost $14 (meaning you won't be devastated when one falls down the drain).

If you're more likely to wear black, I suggest this one from K. Slademade.

You can never have too many but I'd start with your favorite metallic.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in eyewear form, these look good on ev-er-y-one. Trust.

My mom gave me this one from J.Crew for my college graduation and I find it way more youthful than the classic single strand. 

What classics have you picked up lately? Anything you'd add to this list? I'm all ears!



FRIENDS WITH STYLE {WES}

Brooks Brothers jacket (similar) // Vineyard Vines shirt // Cole Haan belt

Say hi to Wes! He's a Bucknell friend of mine who visited last weekend from D.C. and I couldn't resist shooting his cute outfit for weekend brunch. Plaid, polka dots, and a pop of orange — somehow he makes it work and looks good doing it. Don't you wish more boys would be this fearless with color? Real men wear pink... and apparently orange too ;)

Keep up with Design Darling



DESK DU JOUR (SUBMIT YOURS!)

{Katie's desk featuring Design Darling monogrammed pencil cup}



One of my oldest series on the blog is Desk Du Jour, where I'd share a favorite workspace and occasionally a few products to help achieve the same look. I'm anxious to bring it back as a regular feature (especially now that I'm trying to post twice a day again!) but this time I need your help. I'm dying to see where you work — whether it's a cubicle or a spot in your apartment — and how you've made your workspace a colorful and stylish place to get productive. Each week I'll feature a favorite or two with a link to your blog if applicable. 

Have a cute desktop you care to share? Email your name, blog, and a quality (preferably non-Instagram, at least 500px wide) image to eddy@designdarling.com. I can't wait to see what you've got!



KATE AND ANDY SPADE'S SOUTHAMPTON HOME

I found myself on Steven Scarloff's site this weekend and was delighted to find a tour of Kate and Andy Spade's Southampton digs. (Scarloff also decorated their Park Avenue apartment featured in Matchbook!) Converted from a former art school, the home is now brimming with art, color, and a uniquely Spade flair. Which do you envy more — their art, their books, or their striped powder room?! #tiegame

Keep up with Design Darling


WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO MAKEUP LOOK?

My beauty game is pretty straightforward: concealer, tinted moisturizer, bronzer, blush, mascara. If I'm headed out, I'll add a dash of eyeliner and on rare occasions go for a pink lip. What about you? Bold lip? Fresh-faced? Smoky eye? I'd love to know your go-to look and how you switch it up day vs. night, work vs. weekends, etc. Do tell!

P.S. I added a few fun baubles to the boutique today!

Keep up with Design Darling


CLUB MONACO SCALLOPED SHORTS


It's supposed to hit 72º in New York today (cue me happy dancing and/or roaming Central Park barely clothed) and for the first time summer doesn't feel so far off. Given my newfound obsession with all things scalloped, it should come as no surprise that I'm deeming these cuties the must-have shorts of the season. The chambray is a classy update to everyone's go-to jorts and the white will go with anything and everything in my summer wardrobe. Which pair will you be snagging before summer hits?

P.S. Pop back in at noon for a second post! #feelingambitious 

Keep up with Design Darling




OUTFIT {JOLIE & ELIZABETH}


One of the most rewarding aspects of writing this blog is discovering and partnering with awesome new-to-me designers. My friend Hattie introduced me to the line Jolie & Elizabeth and it was pretty much love at first sight. As a small business owner myself, I love supporting fellow female entrepreneurs and was impressed to learn that all Jolie & Elizabeth dresses are made in the U.S.A. I was certain I couldn't pull off this mint color but Hattie convinced me to give it a go and I'm so glad she did! This dress was made for twirling through Central Park on the most perfect sunny day and I know it will see many evenings on Nantucket this summer. 

P.S. Hattie is graciously offering all Design Darling readers 25% off all Jolie & Elizabeth pieces in her online store through Friday! Use code DESIGNDARLING at checkout and be sure to let me know what you find! I'm totally eyeing this number myself. xx

Keep up with Design Darling


SHOWSTOPPER

Try telling me this is not the coolest cuff you've ever laid eyes on. Rose Pierre's sparkling sea cuff (I mean, that name alone!) features jagged quartz stones on a polished gold cuff. It almost looks like coral, doesn't it? And it's the kind of piece that could stand on its own sans stacking. Listen to me trying to justify my next spring purchase...!

Keep up with Design Darling



SHOW YOUR STRIPES



If you could pick one of these striped lovelies to come live with you, which would you choose? For me it'd be a toss-up between the striped tote (hello, weekends in Nantucket!) and the Heidi Merrick dress (which I've been coveting for-ev-er). Then again I already own the salad servers which are pretty stinking cute ;) I wonder if I'll ever tire of all striped everything? Nahhh.

Keep up with Design Darling


WEEKEND WARDROBE




Come back on Monday for an outfit post in this color palette (and featuring the above shoes!). What is it about this color combo right now? I can't get enough. Have a great weekend, girlfriends! xx

P.S. I added a ton of items to the sale section in the boutique to make room for new inventory! Get 'em before they're gone!


WEEKEND FUN

How cheery are these Olivia Rae James photos of a few blogger pals wearing Troubadour Clothing? Such a treat to see my girls Chassity and Hanna pop up over on the Glitter Guide this week. This shoot is everything I'd like my weekend to consist of: bright sunshine, a cocktail or two, and girl time galore. Oh and it's all about that pink dress, no? To die for! Have a good one, gal pals :)

Keep up with Design Darling



FRIENDS WITH STYLE {JOANNA}

Forever 21 bag // Madewell signet ring (similar) // Louboutin wedges

Meet my friend Joanna! Joanna and I went to high school together in Connecticut and managed to keep in touch throughout college while she was at NYU. We now live three blocks apart on the Upper East Side and took these pictures yesterday before work on her rooftop. Joanna works in the comedy department at a talent agency and is one of the funniest and most stylish people I know. I'm kind of obsessed with this look, not to mention the fact that not everyone could combine Forever 21 and Christian Louboutin so seamlessly. P.S. Two words: hair envy.

Keep up with Design Darling



J.CREW'S LOOKS WE LOVE


Yet another J.Crew love letter ;) I usually order online but my mom and I swung by their J.Crew Collection store on the Upper East Side a couple weeks ago and I'm so glad we did! I absolutely fell in love with this scalloped dress but sadly it was too big/long even in the smallest size (gotta love vanity sizing!). Thankfully one of the sales associates (and one of the chicest older women I've ever seen) was an expert tailor and suggested adding a seam just above the hem since I won't be wearing it in an office and prefer shorter hemlines on my 5'1" frame. I instagrammed the end result, a perfectly 60s-esque shift that I'll be living in all spring and summer. It's now sold out online but I highly recommend calling and trying to track one down... I'm obsessed!

P.S. Obviously snatched up the striped shorts as well. Both are killer with these navy pumps!

Keep up with Design Darling