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WHICH TV SHOWS DO YOU WATCH?

Since moving to my own apartment, I find I rarely turn my television on. I don't think to have it on during the day while I'm working and I'm almost never lounging around at night waiting for a favorite show to come on. While I like to think this means I'm busy living life away from my sofa, I do miss the fun of following my favorite characters or getting sucked into a new season DVD. Here are a few of the shows I've been hooked on this past year...

I love pretty costumes and interiors as much as the next girl but it's Downton Abbey's various love stories I can't resist. I'm a full season behind so no spoilers please!

Again I'm super behind on watching Girls but I do think it's my generation's take on Sex and the City albeit far less glamorous. Is Allison Williams not the most gorgeous person you've ever laid eyes on?

Never has a show gotten my heart racing quite like Homeland does. The suspense might actually kill me! I watched the first two seasons in probably two weeks and can't wait for the third season to debut in September.

I love when a show makes you think! The Newsroom is full of brilliant dialogue and stimulating coverage of current affairs. Plus the female main character's name is Mackenzie and almost makes me want to go by Mack instead of Kenzie. 

Oh, The Office. I've seen every episode (many of them more than once) and will undoubtedly cry during the series finale in two weeks. Dear Jim, will you marry me?

Are you obsessed with any of the same shows? What series should I delve into next?

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KATE SPADE SATURDAY



How cute are these spring things from Kate Spade Saturday? An affordable offshoot of the brand we all love, Saturday is brimming with wearable pieces in the most perfectly punchy hues. While I'd hardly describe my style as "sexy," I'm dying to wear the sexy back top with white skinny jeans and these shoes. Cute, cute, cute!

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OUTFIT {SCALLOPED SHORTS}



Scallops and stripes — two of my favorites! I've been living in these silk tanks from J.Crew (I have the navy and the periwinkle!) and wish this exact pair of espadrilles from last year were still available online because I couldn't wait to bring them out of my closet for the first time this spring. These shorts from Shop Dandy are the comfiest new addition to my spring/summer wardrobe — you should definitely check out Danielle's site for lots of affordable dresses and tops! What's the one item in your closet you're most excited to be able to wear now that warm weather is here?!

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CONFESSION: I CAN'T COOK!


Thank goodness for cereal and roasted vegetables because I cannot cook to save my life. (What a lousy lifestyle blogger that makes me!) I'm a vegetarian which ought to make my life easier (how hard is it to whip up a bowl of whole wheat pasta?) but even working from home I rarely feel motivated to cook a homemade meal. There's the issue of my ancient oven taking forever to heat up, my dog kamikaze-ing toward the countertop while I chop veggies, not to mention the pile of dishes awaiting me after the fact... I give people who cook every day a lot of credit! Now that I'm living on my own, I'd like to make more of an effort to get comfortable in the kitchen (#wishfulthinking) so I'm turning it over to you:

1) Do you bring lunch or snacks to work during the week? What do you make?

2) What's your go-to dinner during the week?

3) What blogs and cookbooks do you recommend?

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CLARE VIVIER MONOGRAMMED CATCH-ALL

As if her clutches weren't cute enough, Clare Vivier wins my undying affection with this monogrammed catch-all in navy leather. I'm also obsessed with this flat clutch (I see you, neon pink stripe) and this iPad case (despite the fact that I'm the last person on the planet sans iPad). You know, my birthday is three months away right around the corner...!

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4 SHOWER CURTAINS I LOVE

My friend Carver emailed me asking for help finding a shower curtain for her new apartment and I decided it'd be a good challenge for a blog post! Here are four favorites I came up with...


I think the stripes are my favorite! Or you could just monogram yours like I did ;)

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SALVATORE FERRAGAMO L'ICONA


I'm seriously smitten with Ferragamo's L'Icona campaign to celebrate 35 years of its most famous flat, the Vara. You must watch the video and tell me you don't want to add every single pair to your closet immediately! You'll spot some of your favorite tastemakers like Lauren Santo Domingo, Minnie Mortimer, Olivia Palermo... and you can see all their shoe picks here! Shop Ferragamo flats online here — I can't get this pretty pair out of my head. 

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BORROWED FROM THE BOYS

polo j.crew southern proper southern tide


I've always admired girls who can pull off a baseball cap. Not only is it smart for safe sunning purposes but there's something effortlessly cool about a preppy girl who can throw on a backwards cap and head to the beach. Will any of you be borrowing this style tip from the boys?

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HANNA SEABROOK'S HOME TOUR


How gorgeous is my friend Hanna's Charleston abode? I can't get enough of all the blue and white, warm woods, and of course her darling pup Henrietta. Hanna designed my blog a couple years ago and since then I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person — she is every bit as charming and witty as she is on her blog! Be sure to check out her full feature on The Glitter Guide and a few pieces below to help recreate Hanna's look!



Someone talk me out of that skirt for dinners on Nantucket...!

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OUTFIT {SCALLOPED OXFORD + STRIPED SHORTS}


Can I just tell you how obsessed I am with this shirt-and-shorts combo? Toss it on with your favorite pair of heels (mine are J.Crew's Etta pumps, naturally) and you're good to go for date night or happy hour. Easy as 1-2-3!

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GET THE LOOK {SUMMER PREPSTER}

I love this look from the Clarks Shoes spring campaign (first spotted on the Matchbook blog!) so much that I decided to round up a few pieces to recreate the look:



Bring on summer brights and bike rides! 

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J.CREW SHOES + 25% OFF SALE


 A bevy of beautiful shoes in Friday's color palette... I could live in 1, 3, and 6! Luckily J.Crew is offering 25% off right now with code SPRINGBEST at checkout so I might just let myself splurge!

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NEW ARRIVALS!


Wooohoooo new goodies in the boutique! In addition to the picnic blankets from yesterday's post, we've got new throw blankets, the cutest mint julep vases (Derby party anyone?), and nautical objets like these napkin rings and this shell dish. (Can you tell my mind is on apartment decorating?!) Shop all the new arrivals here and thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support! 

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SPRING BRIGHTS



What is it about this time of year that makes me want to shop, shop, shop?! 

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BEST WEEKEND EVER.

On Friday, Rory and I took the train out to Connecticut and then drove up to New Hampshire with my parents to surprise my sister Reilly at her last Amherst softball game. It was a close game and her team had an 8-run rally in the last inning to win it 15-10. Reilly broke the school record for career hits and RBIs and finished the season batting .377! I'm so proud of her.
On Saturday, I procrastinated heading back into the city and hung out with my dad and my brother Camden all afternoon. We took a little road trip to Southport, Connecticut, to run around with the dogs and admire all the pretty houses. What a pretty town — it definitely has a Nantucket/Rowayton feel to it.
On Sunday (after a night on the town with Carly), I met up with my friend Amy and my cousin Emily for brunch at Friend of a Farmer. I laughed to the point that I had tears rolling down my face which is really how every meal should end. After brunch we headed to Eataly for gelato and a spin through Madison Square Park. I wore my favorite Rachel Pally maxi dress and my new scalloped oxford from Kiel James Patrick.
Next we headed back uptown and collected supplies for a picnic in Central Park. These blankets are coming soon to designdarling.com! (Photo from Amy's gorgeous Instagram.)
How cute are these two? We had the most picture perfect afternoon chit chatting, people watching, and snacking on bread and fruit. Can every weekend be this good?!


P.P.S. My friend Fred photographed me for his blog Unabashedly Prep. Please check it out and tell me I don't look as silly as I felt ;)

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HOT PINK & ORANGE

ORANGE HOT PINK TORY BURCH BEACH BAG KATE SPADE CHAMPAGNE BOX


In the wise words of Lilly Pulitzer, "Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink." Don your brightest brights and have a good one, friends! xx

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3 EASY SUMMER OUTFITS

TOPS:  Madewell  //  J.Crew  //  J.Crew 
ACCESSORIES:  Michael Kors  //  Ray-Ban  //  Moyna
SHORTS:  J.Crew  //  Rag & Bone Jean  //  Topshop
SHOES:  Tory Burch  //  Jack Rogers  //  Madison Harding

My warm weather wardrobe is all about pieces that I can mix and match... and of course a healthy dose of blue and white. What I love about these looks is you could easily wear either of the silk tops (save the bikini for the beach) with any of the shorts and shoes depending on where you're headed. Now if the weather would just cooperate...!

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LILA SYMONS FOR TATTLY

I adore Alice Gao's blog Lingered Upon and thought her tattoo was rather sweet so imagine my delight when I learned it's actually just temporary! I heard Tattly founder Tina Roth-Eisenberg speak at Alt Summit NYC back in August and loved connecting the dots to Lila Symon's pretty script. Rest assured that if I ever have a tattoo, it will be a) fake and b) calligraphy. Do you have a tattoo? What's the story behind it? Dying to hear!

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NAUTICAL & NEUTRAL DECOR


A few home goods to spruce up your space for spring (try saying that five times fast!). What's the last item you added to your abode? 

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OUTFIT {ANNIE GRIFFIN COLLECTION}


I could not be happier that spring is finally here! Looking out the window at my tree-lined street is an instant pick-me-up and Central Park has never been so tempting an escape. I grabbed drinks with friends last night at the Boathouse and can already see it becoming a go-to meeting place in the months to come. P.S. How fun is the pom pom trim on this Annie Griffin Collection top? You might remember the name from this post this fall and I have to say her spring line is even better! AGC is also offering an exclusive 25% discount with code DESIGNDARLING25 at checkout! Thank goodness for warm weather and clothes to match.

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