PRETTY IN PINK

Flower  //  closet  //  cookies  //  cardigan  //  framed silk scarf  //  exterior  //  monogrammed tray

Pink is such a happy color, don't you think? I have a few pink peonies left in my apartment after Sunday's blogger brunch and I perk up every time I walk by them. I've moved on from my college "must paint everything pink" phase (my senior year bedroom was borderline neon...) but I still think a little pink here and there can totally make an outfit or a room!

Pink gift picks:

Flower  //  closet  //  cookies  //  cardigan  //  framed silk scarf  //  exterior  //  monogrammed tray

Pink is such a happy color, don't you think? I have a few pink peonies left in my apartment after Sunday's blogger brunch and I perk up every time I walk by them. I've moved on from my college "must paint everything pink" phase (my senior year bedroom was borderline neon...) but I still think a little pink here and there can totally make an outfit or a room!

Pink gift picks:

SHOPPING FOR SPRING...

T-shirt  //  baseball cap  //  heels  //  tray  //  dress  //  sweater  //  ballet flats

I don't know about you but I have had it up to here with the snow in New York. The only thing that seems to help is reminding myself that it will be March by the time I move into a new apartment and that's one step closer to spring in the city. I cannot wait to put my puffer coat and winter hat away for the season! Here are a few spring things that caught my eye. Bring on the hot pink, linen, and stripes! 

Shop the post:

T-shirt  //  baseball cap  //  heels  //  tray  //  dress  //  sweater  //  ballet flats

I don't know about you but I have had it up to here with the snow in New York. The only thing that seems to help is reminding myself that it will be March by the time I move into a new apartment and that's one step closer to spring in the city. I cannot wait to put my puffer coat and winter hat away for the season! Here are a few spring things that caught my eye. Bring on the hot pink, linen, and stripes! 

Shop the post:

DESIGN DARLING BLOGGER BRUNCH

Yesterday I hosted twenty of my very favorite bloggers for a fashion week escape on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel. This was really the first event I've ever planned and hosted and I'm so excited that it went off without a hitch! The blogger brunch was a wonderful excuse to don a pretty dress, gather friends from all over the country, and toast to the upcoming second anniversary of my boutique. Peach bellinis, pink peonies, and the most awesome, inspiring, and stylish bunch of young women... Really, what more could a girl want? Gratitude doesn't begin to cover it. Note to self: must do this again soon.

Outfit details:

Opening Ceremony dress (I used Rent The Runway!)  //  Loren Hope earrings  //  Alice & Olivia heels

Table details:

Tortoiseshell glasses  //  Striped straws

Bloggers you need to know about!

Amy Stone  //  A Piece of Toast  //  Bows & Sequins

College Prepster  //  Corals & Cognacs  //  Dallas Wardrobe

Gal Meets Glam  //  House of Harper  //  Look Linger Love

M.A.S. Fashion  //  Matchbook Magazine  //  Stripes & Sequins

Style & Pepper  //  vmac+cheese  //  Wit & Whimsy

*All photos by Amy Stone

Yesterday I hosted twenty of my very favorite bloggers for a fashion week escape on the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel. This was really the first event I've ever planned and hosted and I'm so excited that it went off without a hitch! The blogger brunch was a wonderful excuse to don a pretty dress, gather friends from all over the country, and toast to the upcoming second anniversary of my boutique. Peach bellinis, pink peonies, and the most awesome, inspiring, and stylish bunch of young women... Really, what more could a girl want? Gratitude doesn't begin to cover it. Note to self: must do this again soon.

Outfit details:

Opening Ceremony dress (I used Rent The Runway!)  //  Loren Hope earrings  //  Alice & Olivia heels

Table details:

Tortoiseshell glasses  //  Striped straws

Bloggers you need to know about!

Amy Stone  //  A Piece of Toast  //  Bows & Sequins

College Prepster  //  Corals & Cognacs  //  Dallas Wardrobe

Gal Meets Glam  //  House of Harper  //  Look Linger Love

M.A.S. Fashion  //  Matchbook Magazine  //  Stripes & Sequins

Style & Pepper  //  vmac+cheese  //  Wit & Whimsy

*All photos by Amy Stone

HANDBAG CRUSH: MELI MELO

{Colour pop wallet}

{Electric ID case}

{Cappuccino bag}

{Leonie key fob}

{Thela tan tote}

Do you remember this post on Olivia Palermo's super chic Meli Melo handbag? Well I just popped over to their website on a whim and couldn't get enough of their other leather goods. Olivia's bag is definitely still at the top of my wishlist but really, there were too many cute new goodies not to share. Are you kidding with with that lion key fob? Maybe it's the Leo in me but I'm in looove.

{Colour pop wallet}

{Electric ID case}

{Cappuccino bag}

{Leonie key fob}

{Thela tan tote}

Do you remember this post on Olivia Palermo's super chic Meli Melo handbag? Well I just popped over to their website on a whim and couldn't get enough of their other leather goods. Olivia's bag is definitely still at the top of my wishlist but really, there were too many cute new goodies not to share. Are you kidding with with that lion key fob? Maybe it's the Leo in me but I'm in looove.

WEEKEND READING

*image

1. A cute spot for your snail mail.

2. Famous actors auditioning for your favorite movies. Russell Brand is hilarious!

3. How to correctly apply concealer.

4. I love the leather trim on this navy top.

5. I'm downloading Nicole's workout playlist.

6. Obsessed with the Olympics? This hashtag will have you in stitches.

7. Sexy gingham workout wear. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

8. The most perfect monogrammed bedding.

9. This week's best-seller in the boutique.

10. Two blogs you'll love: Bows & Sequins and Look Linger Love.

*image

1. A cute spot for your snail mail.

2. Famous actors auditioning for your favorite movies. Russell Brand is hilarious!

3. How to correctly apply concealer.

4. I love the leather trim on this navy top.

5. I'm downloading Nicole's workout playlist.

6. Obsessed with the Olympics? This hashtag will have you in stitches.

7. Sexy gingham workout wear. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

8. The most perfect monogrammed bedding.

9. This week's best-seller in the boutique.

10. Two blogs you'll love: Bows & Sequins and Look Linger Love.

WHAT I WISH I WERE WEARING FOR FASHION WEEK

Part of the fun of fashion week is the people watching. Some of the looks border on costumes but others make me wish I could ever in a million years pull something like that together! It's the ultimate inspiration for styling new outfits and always leaves me wishing I'd done a major shopping spree beforehand (you know, instead of a month-long shopping hiatus). Here are a few items I wish I were wearing after day one... Six more to go!

P.S. New goal for my 101 in 1001 list... Save up for this p-e-r-f-e-c-t bag. Every single color is to die for. What's your dream bag?!

Part of the fun of fashion week is the people watching. Some of the looks border on costumes but others make me wish I could ever in a million years pull something like that together! It's the ultimate inspiration for styling new outfits and always leaves me wishing I'd done a major shopping spree beforehand (you know, instead of a month-long shopping hiatus). Here are a few items I wish I were wearing after day one... Six more to go!

P.S. New goal for my 101 in 1001 list... Save up for this p-e-r-f-e-c-t bag. Every single color is to die for. What's your dream bag?!

WHAT I LEARNED FROM ONE MONTH OF NO SHOPPING

*images 1 / 2 / 3

It's been my experience that girls love to shop. My guy friends have asked when I'll be adding more men's gifts to the boutique but (while we've added a few great guy gifts here) I know that my target audience has been and likely always will be women. We women love clothes, decorating, shoes... Boys just don't shop the way girls do, myself included.

But I do live in a teeny tiny apartment and sometimes I get bogged down by all the stuff. (How is there no more hanging space in my closet?) I should preface this by saying I don't have a shopping addiction, have zero credit card debt, etc., but was simply up for a challenge (#5 on my 101 in 1001 list) to see if I could go thirty days without buying a single thing — no new arrivals on J.Crew or Shopbop, no sale finds, no spontaneous purchases while out with friends. The month after Christmas shopping overdrive seemed like as good a time as any.

Two things: 1) I made it and 2) I kind of loved it! Yes, I missed the feeling of waiting excitedly for the UPS guy to show up. Yes, I felt like I had "nothing to wear" for outfit posts on the blog. And yes, shopping with my girlfriends was a little less fun knowing I couldn't act on anything I fell in love with. But it forced me to rediscover a few old favorites (like a pair of suede jodhpur leggings from Rugby, RIP) and it made me think about which pieces I tend to wear over and over (blue oxford shirts, this navy blazer, this silk shirt). By the time the month was up, I was much more excited to add quality items to my repertoire of tried-and-true wardrobe favorites than any impulse purchases I'd truthfully only wear a handful of times.

So the verdict? Totally in favor. I felt like I proved something to myself, my checking account felt a little cushier at the end of the month, and I think I could totally do it again (maybe even once a season!). It's made me think more about each purchase since then, contemplate new items in terms of cost-per-wear (I'm dying to invest in some of these perfect everyday shirts), and hold off on one-off purchases for special occasions (this site is a huge help for that).

Could you go a month without shopping for clothes, decor, or makeup? Have you done it before? Tell me everything!

*images 1 / 2 / 3

It's been my experience that girls love to shop. My guy friends have asked when I'll be adding more men's gifts to the boutique but (while we've added a few great guy gifts here) I know that my target audience has been and likely always will be women. We women love clothes, decorating, shoes... Boys just don't shop the way girls do, myself included.

But I do live in a teeny tiny apartment and sometimes I get bogged down by all the stuff. (How is there no more hanging space in my closet?) I should preface this by saying I don't have a shopping addiction, have zero credit card debt, etc., but was simply up for a challenge (#5 on my 101 in 1001 list) to see if I could go thirty days without buying a single thing — no new arrivals on J.Crew or Shopbop, no sale finds, no spontaneous purchases while out with friends. The month after Christmas shopping overdrive seemed like as good a time as any.

Two things: 1) I made it and 2) I kind of loved it! Yes, I missed the feeling of waiting excitedly for the UPS guy to show up. Yes, I felt like I had "nothing to wear" for outfit posts on the blog. And yes, shopping with my girlfriends was a little less fun knowing I couldn't act on anything I fell in love with. But it forced me to rediscover a few old favorites (like a pair of suede jodhpur leggings from Rugby, RIP) and it made me think about which pieces I tend to wear over and over (blue oxford shirts, this navy blazer, this silk shirt). By the time the month was up, I was much more excited to add quality items to my repertoire of tried-and-true wardrobe favorites than any impulse purchases I'd truthfully only wear a handful of times.

So the verdict? Totally in favor. I felt like I proved something to myself, my checking account felt a little cushier at the end of the month, and I think I could totally do it again (maybe even once a season!). It's made me think more about each purchase since then, contemplate new items in terms of cost-per-wear (I'm dying to invest in some of these perfect everyday shirts), and hold off on one-off purchases for special occasions (this site is a huge help for that).

Could you go a month without shopping for clothes, decor, or makeup? Have you done it before? Tell me everything!

SO TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF...

Thank you all for your sweet comments on yesterday's post. You really know how to make a girl's day! Now it's time for one of my favorite features — getting to know more about y-o-u!

*photo by Tim Walker

Favorite feature about yourself: My red hair! 

Favorite color combination: Navy blue and hot pink... or hydrangea blue... or white #navyornothing

Favorite flower: Pink peonies, white tulips, and blue hydrangeas

You never leave the house without: My iPhone and this chapstick

You're secretly addicted to: Coffee and croissants ;) 

Now copy and paste the below questionnaire and share your responses in the comments! I'll be reading :)

Favorite characteristic about yourself:

Favorite color combination:

Favorite flower:

You never leave the house without:

You're secretly addicted to:

Thank you all for your sweet comments on yesterday's post. You really know how to make a girl's day! Now it's time for one of my favorite features — getting to know more about y-o-u!

*photo by Tim Walker

Favorite feature about yourself: My red hair! 

Favorite color combination: Navy blue and hot pink... or hydrangea blue... or white #navyornothing

Favorite flower: Pink peonies, white tulips, and blue hydrangeas

You never leave the house without: My iPhone and this chapstick

You're secretly addicted to: Coffee and croissants ;) 

Now copy and paste the below questionnaire and share your responses in the comments! I'll be reading :)

Favorite characteristic about yourself:

Favorite color combination:

Favorite flower:

You never leave the house without:

You're secretly addicted to:

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK {FEELING LUCKY}

Oh boy. This week has been full of bad weather, endless errands, heavy traffic, you name it. Fashion Week starts on Thursday, conveniently following my month of no shopping (help!). I'm hosting a blogger brunch during Fashion Week that feels a little like planning a small wedding (the flowers! the food! the guest list!). I need to start looking at apartments since I have to move out in, oh, three weeks. I went out to walk Rory this morning and slipped on a patch of ice outside my door... It's just that kind of week.

But honestly I just feel super lucky right now. This is my fifth — fifth! — Fashion Week. Two years ago, attending a NYFW show was nothing more than a pipe dream on my first 101 in 1001 list. And now I'm stressed out about what to wear?! Forget it! I'm so giddy just to be a tiny part of it all. A new apartment means a slightly larger space in which my business can grow and our team can expand to include the people we need to really take things to the next level around here. And Rory... well, he's pretty much the light of my life, icy sidewalks and all. 

And last but not least, there's you guys. Design Darling — the blog, the boutique, all of it — would be nothing without you. Because unlike the street style stars who will flock to Lincoln Center this week, I know at my core I'm still that 19-year-old girl pressing "publish" from my sorority dorm room at Bucknell, hoping my friends wouldn't make fun of me and wondering if anyone but my mom would ever read what I wrote. It's pretty wild what this space has become since then — I'll never stop thanking my lucky stars for all of it and all of you. All "what to wear?" moments aside, I have nothing but excitement for what the future has in store and I can't wait to have you along for the ride. Thank you to infinity and beyond — and NYFW, bring it on!

*images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 

Oh boy. This week has been full of bad weather, endless errands, heavy traffic, you name it. Fashion Week starts on Thursday, conveniently following my month of no shopping (help!). I'm hosting a blogger brunch during Fashion Week that feels a little like planning a small wedding (the flowers! the food! the guest list!). I need to start looking at apartments since I have to move out in, oh, three weeks. I went out to walk Rory this morning and slipped on a patch of ice outside my door... It's just that kind of week.

But honestly I just feel super lucky right now. This is my fifth — fifth! — Fashion Week. Two years ago, attending a NYFW show was nothing more than a pipe dream on my first 101 in 1001 list. And now I'm stressed out about what to wear?! Forget it! I'm so giddy just to be a tiny part of it all. A new apartment means a slightly larger space in which my business can grow and our team can expand to include the people we need to really take things to the next level around here. And Rory... well, he's pretty much the light of my life, icy sidewalks and all. 

And last but not least, there's you guys. Design Darling — the blog, the boutique, all of it — would be nothing without you. Because unlike the street style stars who will flock to Lincoln Center this week, I know at my core I'm still that 19-year-old girl pressing "publish" from my sorority dorm room at Bucknell, hoping my friends wouldn't make fun of me and wondering if anyone but my mom would ever read what I wrote. It's pretty wild what this space has become since then — I'll never stop thanking my lucky stars for all of it and all of you. All "what to wear?" moments aside, I have nothing but excitement for what the future has in store and I can't wait to have you along for the ride. Thank you to infinity and beyond — and NYFW, bring it on!

*images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 

EMERSON FRY SPRING 2014

Obsessed with this little white topper. That single white button — so chic!

You can never have too many comfy knits. This luxe crewneck is a perfect layering piece this time of year.

The search for the perfect white tee ends here.

No lie: I would wear a light blue oxford shirt every day if I could.

I can't get enough of tulip skirts for spring — I already have this one hanging in my closet begging to be worn!

I know these aren't new to her collection but I'm still head over heels (hehe) for this pair of slingbacks... Would you not wear them every day?! It's safe to say I'd like one of everything to appear in my closet ASAP.

Obsessed with this little white topper. That single white button — so chic!

You can never have too many comfy knits. This luxe crewneck is a perfect layering piece this time of year.

The search for the perfect white tee ends here.

No lie: I would wear a light blue oxford shirt every day if I could.

I can't get enough of tulip skirts for spring — I already have this one hanging in my closet begging to be worn!

I know these aren't new to her collection but I'm still head over heels (hehe) for this pair of slingbacks... Would you not wear them every day?! It's safe to say I'd like one of everything to appear in my closet ASAP.

TOP TEN RAIN COATS

*No one does rainy day chic better than Blair from Atlantic Pacific!

We had a glimpse of spring in New York on Sunday and I made the most of every minute: dog park in the morning, a late brunch with Amy and Carly, outfit pictures, and a long walk with Rory. It was warm enough that I could get away with wearing my field jacket instead of my cocoon coat — definitely made me look forward to spring! One item that's clearly lacking in my spring wardrobe is a good rain coat so I scoured all my go-to sites for the best of the best:

P.S. Speaking of rain gear, I need these rain boots in both colorways. Navy/hydrangea blue and navy/hot pink? They've got Design Darling written all over them!

*No one does rainy day chic better than Blair from Atlantic Pacific!

We had a glimpse of spring in New York on Sunday and I made the most of every minute: dog park in the morning, a late brunch with Amy and Carly, outfit pictures, and a long walk with Rory. It was warm enough that I could get away with wearing my field jacket instead of my cocoon coat — definitely made me look forward to spring! One item that's clearly lacking in my spring wardrobe is a good rain coat so I scoured all my go-to sites for the best of the best:

P.S. Speaking of rain gear, I need these rain boots in both colorways. Navy/hydrangea blue and navy/hot pink? They've got Design Darling written all over them!

GET THE LOOK: ASHLEY WHITTAKER DINING ROOM

I love every last detail of this Ashley Whittaker-designed dining room, from the bistro chairs to the French doors to the striped rug. If you're as lovestruck as I am (how could you not be?!), I've rounded up a few pieces to help you get the look:

Tuckernuck topiaries  //  Serena & Lily chandelier  //  World Market turquoise glasses

Design Darling nautical coasters  //  Ikea dining table  //  Mark & Graham grosgrain napkins

Serena & Lily bistro chairs  //  Dash & Albert striped rug

I'll never tire of blue, green, and white. What about you — could you live in this space?

I love every last detail of this Ashley Whittaker-designed dining room, from the bistro chairs to the French doors to the striped rug. If you're as lovestruck as I am (how could you not be?!), I've rounded up a few pieces to help you get the look:

Tuckernuck topiaries  //  Serena & Lily chandelier  //  World Market turquoise glasses

Design Darling nautical coasters  //  Ikea dining table  //  Mark & Graham grosgrain napkins

Serena & Lily bistro chairs  //  Dash & Albert striped rug

I'll never tire of blue, green, and white. What about you — could you live in this space?

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FOR HER

(1) Diptyque candle  (2) J.Crew bow flats  (3) Design Darling leather clutch

(4) Kenneth Jay Lane pearls  (5) Love Poems by Pablo Neruda  (6) Mary Green sleep mask

(7) Carven bow pumps  (8) Chanel lipstick  (9) Wildfox heart sunglasses 

(10) Gigi monogrammed iPhone case  (11) Sugar Paper Hello Darling print  (12) Hanky Panky thongs

Can you believe it's February already? It feels like we were just celebrating Christmas and New Year's but honestly I'm pretty happy we're one month closer to spring! Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a significant other or doing a gift exchange with your girlfriends (or both!), we've rounded up a few of our favorite girly gifts in the boutique and would love for you to check them out! Above are a few more ideas at a bunch of different price points — stay tuned for a gift guide for guys! 

Shop the post:

(1) Diptyque candle  (2) J.Crew bow flats  (3) Design Darling leather clutch

(4) Kenneth Jay Lane pearls  (5) Love Poems by Pablo Neruda  (6) Mary Green sleep mask

(7) Carven bow pumps  (8) Chanel lipstick  (9) Wildfox heart sunglasses 

(10) Gigi monogrammed iPhone case  (11) Sugar Paper Hello Darling print  (12) Hanky Panky thongs

Can you believe it's February already? It feels like we were just celebrating Christmas and New Year's but honestly I'm pretty happy we're one month closer to spring! Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a significant other or doing a gift exchange with your girlfriends (or both!), we've rounded up a few of our favorite girly gifts in the boutique and would love for you to check them out! Above are a few more ideas at a bunch of different price points — stay tuned for a gift guide for guys! 

Shop the post: