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OUTFIT {SAIL TO SABLE TUNIC}


Rory and I fled the city for Connecticut over the weekend and had the best time laying low with my parents and youngest brother (the other two are still up in Nantucket!). My mom took these shots while we watched Coach and Rory eat people food run amok in the backyard. 

This linen tunic is kind of a no-brainer for summer weekends (spoiler alert: it's coming to Nantucket next week). I've worn Sail To Sable in the past and I swear it gets better every season. Right now I'm also loving this long-sleeved version, this unexpected silk combo, and this white and gold number!

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HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR CLUTCHES


In the same vein as Monday's post on using a spare handbag strap for your camera, here's another super easy project you can accomplish in five minutes using materials you have on hand.

One of the biggest challenges in my studio is how to display and store accessories. Sure, I could throw everything in the abyss back of my closet — but then I find myself wearing the same baubles and bags day in and day out. Instead I want everything on display and neatly organized. The other day I thought, why not "file" my clutches the same way you'd sort your mail?


First I cut cardboard to place inside each clutch to help them hold their shape. (Same idea as storing a water bottle in your riding boots!) Some of my leather clutches were too floppy to stand upright so the cardboard was a necessary addition.


Next I went to the Container Store in search of a pretty letter sorter. Most people probably already own one but for $6 I found a pretty acrylic version. Sold! I was overly excited to get home and tuck my clutches into their new home.


Et voilà! They're completely organized and in plain view so I actually remember what I own. I even have a couple empty slots which I may or may not use as justification for adding a few new clutches to the rotation ;) P.S. These ones are American Apparel, Clare Vivier, Persifor, and K. Slademade

What do you think? I can't say it's life-changing but I'm all about an easy project that makes me feel just a teensy bit more organized!

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SHOPBOP EXTRA 25% OFF SALE


Dolce Vita romper {$143 $75}  //  Rose Pierre cuff {$100 $60}  //  Serpui Marie minaudière {$198 $103}


Tory Burch tote {$235 $123}  //  Bop Bijoux cuff {$68 $25}  //  Joie eyelet dress {$338 $101}

A Joie dress for $101 and a Tory Burch tote for $123?! Shopbop's extra 25% off sale is too good to resist. Shop the sale here and don't forget to use code SALE25 at checkout.

P.S. Speaking of sales, we've added a ton of new items to the sale section at Design Darling. Whether it's a Jonathan Adler mug, nautical dinner plates, or Sugar Paper noteset, there are plenty of irresistible deals to be had as we make room for new inventory in the weeks to come!



BOWS ON YOUR TOES...



I'm sensing a trend among my current shoe crushes ;) I think the Tory Burch Chelsea flats win the prize for most versatile but really you'd be crazy not to scoop up a pair of striped peeptoe wedges while they're on summer sale. Right? Right!

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LEATHER CAMERA STRAP (FROM MY HANDBAG!)


I've been making an effort to take more of my own photos lately (here and here, for starters!) which means lugging my camera everywhere I go. I wasn't a huge fan of the strap that came with my camera (I felt like a walking advertisement for a camera I hardly know how to use...) but I didn't want to spend much to replace it.

 Then it hit me: I had a beautiful leather strap from my everyday handbag that I kept in my dresser despite the fact that I never wear it as a crossbody bag. Bingo! The gold clips fit perfectly around the existing black loop and the leather strap can be adjusted to the perfect length for carrying around the city. I couldn't be happier with it — and I didn't spend a penny! My kind of DIY. :)

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OUTFIT {NAVY LEOPARD DRESS}


Remember when I shared a sneak peek of this dress? It's fast become one of my favorite summer pieces. It's from my insanely talented friend Alex's line Persifor (which you can also find on Tuckernuck!).  The navy leopard print is fresh and different from other dresses I own and the fabric is the best for traveling — I swear it wouldn't wrinkle if you tried. Would it be silly for me to get the aqua shirtdress version too? You know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...!

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GIRL CRUSH


I discovered Weronika's blog Raspberry & Red through Pinterest and promptly fell in love with her adorable outfit posts and — cue jealousy — travel shots of Europe. She's 17, lives in Poland, and occasionally wears bowties. What more could you want? ;)

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INTRODUCING DERNG


I'm excited to welcome Derng as Design Darling's newest sponsor! Started by Houston native Emily Segall, Derng is the online destination for bright baubles that won't break the bank. Above are a few of my current favorites but I think it's this navy tassel bracelet that takes the cake. So good!

P.S. Use code DARLING10 to save 10% your first Derng purchase.

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*This post is sponsored by Derng, a site I genuinely enjoy. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Design Darling possible!



EMERSON FRY MOD TOP

Black  //  ivory

If this isn't the perfect goes-with-anything-and-everything top, I don't know what is. A little boxy, a lot mod, with pockets to boot. Et voilà, I've talked myself into another investment piece ;)

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STEVEN ALAN BRAS


"Always wear pretty underwear, on account of you just never know." There's something rather fun about wearing a cute bra and panties for no reason, don't you think? These pretties from Steven Alan are too good to resist. Classic black and white, summery seersucker, or tried-and-true navy? I mean, all three would look rather sweet in my top drawer...!

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"DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU."


Oh, Eleanor, you're so wise. This has definitely been a guiding principle for me lately. New York can be a very intimidating place! So anytime I'm on the fence about whether to say yes to something, I try to remind myself of this quote. Blogger event? First date? New Pilates class? Trapeze lesson? As much as those things cause me anxiety, it's so enriching to get out of my comfort zone every now and then. And the funny thing is, as terrified as I am going into a scary situation, I almost never regret it once it's behind me! 

Tell me: what's the last thing you did that totally scared you? Was it worth it?

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BRUNCHING IN LILLY


On Carly:

On Mackenzie:

Carly and I had so much fun styling these Lilly Pulitzer looks over the weekend! Here's what we wore for Sunday brunch at Maison Kayser, one of our favorite spots on the Upper East Side. I'm unsurprisingly obsessed with the ruffled navy top and I may have to "borrow" the sailboat dress from Carly's closet before summer's end. By the way, if you're looking for a great pair of white jeans, these fit great and (bonus points!) didn't have to be hemmed before the shoot (for reference, I'm 5'1"). Be sure to check out Carly's blog for what we wore to picnic in Central Park!

*all photos by Amy Stone

TOP IT OFF


Around this time each summer my attention starts to drift toward fall fashion in spite, or perhaps because, of the ninety degree heat. It's probably my favorite season to shop dress for — blazers, button-downs, light sweaters, layering! Of course fall is a long way off on the east coast so I'm trying to focus on transitional pieces that will work from now through September or October. Above are a few of the pieces catching my eye: the most delightfully preppy sweater, a cool blazer (for less than $200!), a beautifully made dress shirt, and a just-edgy-enough tank that will look as cool with white jeans now as it will with fall blazers later. 

What's your summer-into-fall shopping strategy? Do you set a budget for each season? I'm dying to hear!

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KATE SPADE NEW ARRIVALS

Have you checked out the newest arrivals at Kate Spade? They're inspired by a love of all things cinema and really couldn't be cuter if they tried. Isn't the styling absolutely darling? I'm crazy about these bow wedges, this bright frock, and these killer pumps. Adding to the wishlist as we speak!

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AFFORDABLE LEATHER SHORTS & SKIRT



Am I the only one who loves this look? I fell in love with this skirt but they sold out of my size before I could pull the trigger. Fast forward to yesterday when I found these vegan leather options for a fraction of the price! They would be so cute with a classic silk camisole or crisp white blouse and a neutral pump. Would you wear a leather skirt or shorts? Let's hear it!

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