OUTFIT {JUST THE CLASSICS}

J.Crew shirt  //  Old Navy pants c/o

Kate Spade clutch  //  Brandy Pham ring c/o  //  Ivanka Trump shoes c/o 

This outfit includes so many of my current favorite pieces that I think we should just refer to this post as my spring uniform going forward. It's a look so classic that I could look back twenty years from now and not regret a single piece, which has become my unofficial metric for a favorite outfit. First of all: this boy shirt, which is as cute on its own as it is layered under a sweater. Second: these pants, which I cannot believe cost just $35. They would be perfect for wearing to work in a traditional office and come in a ton of colors so you can stock up for the whole season. They're made of a heavyweight cotton that feels way more pricey than it is and have just the right amount of stretch thanks to 5% spandex. Yes please! Next: this clutch, a Christmas gift that I have been dying to bust out for spring, and my Brandy Pham ring, which you've seen me wear a million times and you'll probably see a million more because I just love it that much. And finally the shoes, which are just a little bit higher than this J.Crew pair and insanely flattering (I can't wait to wear them with dresses once it warms up). What about you — what pieces are in heavy rotation in your wardrobe right now?

*Rebecca Dale Photography

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy's latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

J.Crew shirt  //  Old Navy pants c/o

Kate Spade clutch  //  Brandy Pham ring c/o  //  Ivanka Trump shoes c/o 

This outfit includes so many of my current favorite pieces that I think we should just refer to this post as my spring uniform going forward. It's a look so classic that I could look back twenty years from now and not regret a single piece, which has become my unofficial metric for a favorite outfit. First of all: this boy shirt, which is as cute on its own as it is layered under a sweater. Second: these pants, which I cannot believe cost just $35. They would be perfect for wearing to work in a traditional office and come in a ton of colors so you can stock up for the whole season. They're made of a heavyweight cotton that feels way more pricey than it is and have just the right amount of stretch thanks to 5% spandex. Yes please! Next: this clutch, a Christmas gift that I have been dying to bust out for spring, and my Brandy Pham ring, which you've seen me wear a million times and you'll probably see a million more because I just love it that much. And finally the shoes, which are just a little bit higher than this J.Crew pair and insanely flattering (I can't wait to wear them with dresses once it warms up). What about you — what pieces are in heavy rotation in your wardrobe right now?

*Rebecca Dale Photography

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy's latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: TAMRA SANFORD, EVER SWOON

Thank you all for the amazing feedback on Design Darling's first career feature! I have some really exceptional women lined up for the next few months and I can't wait to keep sharing their stories with you. We could all use a little extra #girlpower, don't you think? 

Today's spotlight is on Tamra Sanford, an event planner extraordinaire and one of the feistiest, most fabulous women I've gotten to know since moving to New York. She founded her company Ever Swoon in 2012 and has taken the wedding industry by storm, landing her in New York Magazine's little black book for preferred wedding vendors after just six months in business. Being an event planner is totally one of those careers that I would have listed as a dream job as a little girl so it's pretty neat to see Tamra making those dreams a reality. I'll let her take it from here!

Name: Tamra Sanford

Age: 30

Position: Founder and owner of Ever Swoon 

Location: Tamra's SoHo apartment and home office

What was your first job ever? Were you always interested in event planning?

I taught ballet and interned for the Texas Rangers but I've always been planning events on the side! My grand idea at the ballet studio where I worked was to use an extra room to host birthday parties for kids.

So you've always had a bit of an entrepreneurial streak. How did you wind up launching your own company?

I moved to New York and started working in product development at a major beauty company. I continued planning events on the side, volunteering for charities, and planned my own wedding. Eventually it caught on with other women in my company and through my blog. I started hearing from people, "Can you help me plan my wedding?" Finally it occurred to me that this is something I'm really good at — why don't I take the leap?

And that was back in 2012. What does a typical day look like in 2014?

It sounds so cliché but there really isn't a typical day. I could be doing venue visits all over the city (or outside the city!), appointments for flowers, photographers, videographers, stationery, or meeting with clients in my studio. I like to take one day a week where I have no meetings and can just sit at my desk and get shit done. 

That's great advice for anyone who's self-employed. I'm taking notes! How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is somebody who wants to enjoy the process of wedding planning, the experience of being a bride. I love hearing each person's story and pairing them with vendors that will make the process special for them. I build relationships with each couple, letting them know they're heard and really becoming a friend to them in the months leading up to their wedding.

You told me earlier that you're juggling more than 20 weddings this year. (Congrats!) How do you keep everything organized?

I live by Google Docs. My clients are able to access their budget sheets, contracts, planning documents — everything lives in one place. Quickbooks is a must-have as a small business owner; you can photograph your receipts and upload them to Quickbooks instead of holding on to them and having to sort them at the end of the year. And some of my clients like to create a joint board on Pinterest for planning. 

What's it like to be self-employed in the wedding industry?

Well, the wedding industry is pretty much run by innovative small business owners. Every day I'm surrounded by inspiring and successful entrepreneurs. Whether you've been in the business for two months or fifteen years, we're constantly teaching each other new things. Right now I'm launching this group called Downtown Wedding Revolution. I'm partnering with all these amazing women: a wedding dress salon, a beauty concierge, a stationery company, a jeweler, a floral designer. We all started getting together because we realized we were sharing a lot of the same downtown clients and we all look at the wedding industry in a different light. It's a very approachable, laid back, fun, and business-savvy group.

The shoes Tamra wore to her wedding!

That's so exciting! What's the best advice you've received along the way?

Not everything is going to be perfect, no matter how much planning you do. It's how you handle it and react to challenges in the moment. That's a must in this business!

(Editor's note: Tamra is definitely a roll-with-the-punches kind of girl! When we couldn't get the right lighting in her studio, she offered to climb out onto her fire escape to capture the portrait above. Love it!)

When will you know you've made it?

In some ways, I feel like I already have made it! I really love what I do. But I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel like there's something else I'm chasing!

Keep up with Tamra:

Ever Swoon  //  Facebook  //  Instagram  //  Pinterest  //  Twitter

*Photos by Rebecca Dale

Thank you all for the amazing feedback on Design Darling's first career feature! I have some really exceptional women lined up for the next few months and I can't wait to keep sharing their stories with you. We could all use a little extra #girlpower, don't you think? 

Today's spotlight is on Tamra Sanford, an event planner extraordinaire and one of the feistiest, most fabulous women I've gotten to know since moving to New York. She founded her company Ever Swoon in 2012 and has taken the wedding industry by storm, landing her in New York Magazine's little black book for preferred wedding vendors after just six months in business. Being an event planner is totally one of those careers that I would have listed as a dream job as a little girl so it's pretty neat to see Tamra making those dreams a reality. I'll let her take it from here!

Name: Tamra Sanford

Age: 30

Position: Founder and owner of Ever Swoon 

Location: Tamra's SoHo apartment and home office

What was your first job ever? Were you always interested in event planning?

I taught ballet and interned for the Texas Rangers but I've always been planning events on the side! My grand idea at the ballet studio where I worked was to use an extra room to host birthday parties for kids.

So you've always had a bit of an entrepreneurial streak. How did you wind up launching your own company?

I moved to New York and started working in product development at a major beauty company. I continued planning events on the side, volunteering for charities, and planned my own wedding. Eventually it caught on with other women in my company and through my blog. I started hearing from people, "Can you help me plan my wedding?" Finally it occurred to me that this is something I'm really good at — why don't I take the leap?

And that was back in 2012. What does a typical day look like in 2014?

It sounds so cliché but there really isn't a typical day. I could be doing venue visits all over the city (or outside the city!), appointments for flowers, photographers, videographers, stationery, or meeting with clients in my studio. I like to take one day a week where I have no meetings and can just sit at my desk and get shit done. 

That's great advice for anyone who's self-employed. I'm taking notes! How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is somebody who wants to enjoy the process of wedding planning, the experience of being a bride. I love hearing each person's story and pairing them with vendors that will make the process special for them. I build relationships with each couple, letting them know they're heard and really becoming a friend to them in the months leading up to their wedding.

You told me earlier that you're juggling more than 20 weddings this year. (Congrats!) How do you keep everything organized?

I live by Google Docs. My clients are able to access their budget sheets, contracts, planning documents — everything lives in one place. Quickbooks is a must-have as a small business owner; you can photograph your receipts and upload them to Quickbooks instead of holding on to them and having to sort them at the end of the year. And some of my clients like to create a joint board on Pinterest for planning. 

What's it like to be self-employed in the wedding industry?

Well, the wedding industry is pretty much run by innovative small business owners. Every day I'm surrounded by inspiring and successful entrepreneurs. Whether you've been in the business for two months or fifteen years, we're constantly teaching each other new things. Right now I'm launching this group called Downtown Wedding Revolution. I'm partnering with all these amazing women: a wedding dress salon, a beauty concierge, a stationery company, a jeweler, a floral designer. We all started getting together because we realized we were sharing a lot of the same downtown clients and we all look at the wedding industry in a different light. It's a very approachable, laid back, fun, and business-savvy group.

The shoes Tamra wore to her wedding!

That's so exciting! What's the best advice you've received along the way?

Not everything is going to be perfect, no matter how much planning you do. It's how you handle it and react to challenges in the moment. That's a must in this business!

(Editor's note: Tamra is definitely a roll-with-the-punches kind of girl! When we couldn't get the right lighting in her studio, she offered to climb out onto her fire escape to capture the portrait above. Love it!)

When will you know you've made it?

In some ways, I feel like I already have made it! I really love what I do. But I never want to feel comfortable. I always want to feel like there's something else I'm chasing!

Keep up with Tamra:

Ever Swoon  //  Facebook  //  Instagram  //  Pinterest  //  Twitter

*Photos by Rebecca Dale

SCALLOPED DRESSES AND PAPER AND SHOES, OH MY!

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Ever since I lived in this scalloped dress all last summer, I've been searching for more scalloped pieces to add to my wardrobe (and my decor!). I'd say scallops are right up there with stripes in terms of details I can't get enough of. Whether you like scallops in small doses (this stationery is my favorite) or you're ready to wear them, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them for spring and summer. Now if it would just warm up in New York...!

Oh and I totally forgot to include them above but these scalloped ballet flats are on sale for $42... Yes please.

Shop the post:

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Ever since I lived in this scalloped dress all last summer, I've been searching for more scalloped pieces to add to my wardrobe (and my decor!). I'd say scallops are right up there with stripes in terms of details I can't get enough of. Whether you like scallops in small doses (this stationery is my favorite) or you're ready to wear them, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of them for spring and summer. Now if it would just warm up in New York...!

Oh and I totally forgot to include them above but these scalloped ballet flats are on sale for $42... Yes please.

Shop the post:

JACK ROGERS & SAIL TO SABLE

Last week Carly and I hosted a little shopping event for Sail To Sable's spring collection at the Jack Rogers store. We had so much fun trying on dresses from the new line, discussing details for the designer Jen's upcoming wedding, and meeting a bunch of lovely readers (one of whom even brought us handwritten notes — consider me completely charmed!). 

I wore this striped tunic which will be perfect on Nantucket this summer (for the beach with flip flops, church with Jacks, and dinner with wedges — don't you love a piece that does double triple duty?). Carly wore this navy and pink tunic which also comes in a beaded silk that's pretty dreamy. It's been really cool to see Sail To Sable expand and improve over the years... Definitely check it out if you haven't shopped it before. I'm so proud of Jen and her team!

In addition to wanting to move into the Jack Rogers store (a must-see if you find yourself on the Upper East Side), there are about twenty pairs of sandals I could have left the store with. I wore this navy glitter pair for the event and loved the way they looked with my striped dress. I absolutely lived in my monogrammed Jacks last summer so I'm trying to decide which color to pick up next — hot pink? lime green? turquoise? Unsurprisingly, I love them all. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to say hello and shop and of course thank you to Jack Rogers and Sail To Sable for the much needed sneak peek of summer! It's less than 100 days away, you know ;)

Shop the post:

Last week Carly and I hosted a little shopping event for Sail To Sable's spring collection at the Jack Rogers store. We had so much fun trying on dresses from the new line, discussing details for the designer Jen's upcoming wedding, and meeting a bunch of lovely readers (one of whom even brought us handwritten notes — consider me completely charmed!). 

I wore this striped tunic which will be perfect on Nantucket this summer (for the beach with flip flops, church with Jacks, and dinner with wedges — don't you love a piece that does double triple duty?). Carly wore this navy and pink tunic which also comes in a beaded silk that's pretty dreamy. It's been really cool to see Sail To Sable expand and improve over the years... Definitely check it out if you haven't shopped it before. I'm so proud of Jen and her team!

In addition to wanting to move into the Jack Rogers store (a must-see if you find yourself on the Upper East Side), there are about twenty pairs of sandals I could have left the store with. I wore this navy glitter pair for the event and loved the way they looked with my striped dress. I absolutely lived in my monogrammed Jacks last summer so I'm trying to decide which color to pick up next — hot pink? lime green? turquoise? Unsurprisingly, I love them all. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to say hello and shop and of course thank you to Jack Rogers and Sail To Sable for the much needed sneak peek of summer! It's less than 100 days away, you know ;)

Shop the post:

COLOR LOVE: OLIVE GREEN & HOT PINK

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It's funny how much more I listen to my mom now that I'm in my twenties. Despite the fact that my mom worked in fashion throughout my childhood, there were countless times that I disregarded her advice on certain colors or silhouettes that would work for me, opting instead for whatever was new at abercrombie kids (shudder). Every now and then, I'll find myself drawn to something that my mom recommended 10+ years ago. Case in point? Olive green and hot pink. Perfect for redheads, recommended by Mom, and rediscovered just in time for spring. It took me a while but it's true: Mom always knows best.

Shop the post:

P.S. Want the same look for less? This top is just $32 and these shoes are $48.

one  //  two  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six  //  seven  //  eight  //  nine  //  ten

It's funny how much more I listen to my mom now that I'm in my twenties. Despite the fact that my mom worked in fashion throughout my childhood, there were countless times that I disregarded her advice on certain colors or silhouettes that would work for me, opting instead for whatever was new at abercrombie kids (shudder). Every now and then, I'll find myself drawn to something that my mom recommended 10+ years ago. Case in point? Olive green and hot pink. Perfect for redheads, recommended by Mom, and rediscovered just in time for spring. It took me a while but it's true: Mom always knows best.

Shop the post:

P.S. Want the same look for less? This top is just $32 and these shoes are $48.

SO TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

This weekend was exactly what I needed: a double date on Friday, a long stroll on Saturday morning, dinner with friends on Saturday night, and a little work catch-up on Sunday. The glimpse of spring definitely didn't hurt either! This week will be a busy one and I'll get to cross something off my 101 in 1001 list... Stay tuned!

Let's kick off the brand new week with one of my favorite features. Tell me all about you!

*image

Favorite board game: Competitive family Scrabble

Favorite weekend activity: Taking Rory to the dog park followed by brunch outside

Something on today's to do list: Booking flights and hotel for a friend's wedding

Where you'd live if you didn't live where you are now: Paris

Your role model: My mom, who worked in fashion for ~20 years then went back to school to become a nurse!

Now copy and paste the below questionnaire and share your responses in the comments! Can't wait to read. xx

Favorite board game:

Favorite weekend activity:

Something on today's to do list:

Where you'd live if you didn't live where you are now:

Your role model:

This weekend was exactly what I needed: a double date on Friday, a long stroll on Saturday morning, dinner with friends on Saturday night, and a little work catch-up on Sunday. The glimpse of spring definitely didn't hurt either! This week will be a busy one and I'll get to cross something off my 101 in 1001 list... Stay tuned!

Let's kick off the brand new week with one of my favorite features. Tell me all about you!

*image

Favorite board game: Competitive family Scrabble

Favorite weekend activity: Taking Rory to the dog park followed by brunch outside

Something on today's to do list: Booking flights and hotel for a friend's wedding

Where you'd live if you didn't live where you are now: Paris

Your role model: My mom, who worked in fashion for ~20 years then went back to school to become a nurse!

Now copy and paste the below questionnaire and share your responses in the comments! Can't wait to read. xx

Favorite board game:

Favorite weekend activity:

Something on today's to do list:

Where you'd live if you didn't live where you are now:

Your role model:

NEW ARRIVALS!

Remember that trip my mom and I took to Atlanta? Well a bunch of the items we picked out are finally available in the boutique and I'm dying to hear what you think. I'm flipping for the cobalt glassware, monogrammed accessories, and patterned trays. I hope you find something that's just right for you! xx

Remember that trip my mom and I took to Atlanta? Well a bunch of the items we picked out are finally available in the boutique and I'm dying to hear what you think. I'm flipping for the cobalt glassware, monogrammed accessories, and patterned trays. I hope you find something that's just right for you! xx

WEEKEND READING

*image

A crazy cool rug for any color palette.

Back in stock: these necklaces and these glasses.

Food for thought: what would you do if money were no object?

I'm dying to take this class in NYC.

I have such a girl crush on Sarah Jessica Parker after this interview.

I'm eyeing this bag for spring. It would fit my laptop...!

I'm searching for a coffee table for my new place. Any suggestions?

I'm so intrigued by oil pulling. Have you tried it?

In case you missed it: what my apartment looked like the day I moved in.

Lots of new monogrammed goodies in the boutique.

*image

A crazy cool rug for any color palette.

Back in stock: these necklaces and these glasses.

Food for thought: what would you do if money were no object?

I'm dying to take this class in NYC.

I have such a girl crush on Sarah Jessica Parker after this interview.

I'm eyeing this bag for spring. It would fit my laptop...!

I'm searching for a coffee table for my new place. Any suggestions?

I'm so intrigued by oil pulling. Have you tried it?

In case you missed it: what my apartment looked like the day I moved in.

Lots of new monogrammed goodies in the boutique.

MY NEW SHOES

It wasn't my intention to skip this morning's blog post but this week just got away from me. Lots of meetings, new projects, and an evening event on top of the usual workload... Let's just say I'm happy the weekend is finally here, even if it just means a couple extra hours to catch up on my inbox before Monday. Phew!

So here's all I've got for you: a pretty new pair of pink shoes. I'm of the opinion a girl can never have too many — I also own these (on final sale!) and these and can't wait to wear them all spring and summer. (Maybe even tomorrow? 55 degrees!) They'll be great with dressy shorts, white jeans, and summery skirts and dresses. Sunshine, bring it on.

I'll be back next week with a new career feature (any guesses?!), more outfit posts, and hopefully a new spring in my step! I've been looking forward to tonight's double date all week and can't wait to log some quality time at the dog park tomorrow morning. What are you up to? Whatever it is, have a good one. Here's hoping we all get the rest, relaxation, and vitamin D we need! xx

It wasn't my intention to skip this morning's blog post but this week just got away from me. Lots of meetings, new projects, and an evening event on top of the usual workload... Let's just say I'm happy the weekend is finally here, even if it just means a couple extra hours to catch up on my inbox before Monday. Phew!

So here's all I've got for you: a pretty new pair of pink shoes. I'm of the opinion a girl can never have too many — I also own these (on final sale!) and these and can't wait to wear them all spring and summer. (Maybe even tomorrow? 55 degrees!) They'll be great with dressy shorts, white jeans, and summery skirts and dresses. Sunshine, bring it on.

I'll be back next week with a new career feature (any guesses?!), more outfit posts, and hopefully a new spring in my step! I've been looking forward to tonight's double date all week and can't wait to log some quality time at the dog park tomorrow morning. What are you up to? Whatever it is, have a good one. Here's hoping we all get the rest, relaxation, and vitamin D we need! xx

INTRODUCING SWAPDOM

 Living in New York (or a studio apartment anywhere) means being strategic about which pieces you have closet space for and being proactive about getting rid of items you no longer wear. You've seen my apartment so you know how little space I'm working with! I adopted an official "one in, one out" rule early on to keep my one closet edited to pieces I'm most likely to wear: for every item I purchase, I consign, donate, or sell another. If you're feeling overwhelmed by a closet full of clothes you almost never wear, I highly recommend this strategy!

Needless to say I was pretty excited to learn about a cool concept called Swapdom. With a lot of consignment options, you drop off your items and wait until they sell in order to receive credit or payment. With Swapdom, you actually offer one of your items in exchange for one of someone else's. If the other person doesn't want what you have, no problem! Swapdom's algorithm arranges a circular swap with someone who does, no negotiating necessary. This way, you're the only person who puts a price on your items and you get something you actually want in exchange. (There's a ton of J.Crew, Madewell, Ralph Lauren, etc.!) It's the "one in, one out" strategy gone global. Pretty cool, right? 

Sign up for Swapdom here and check out a few of my listings here. Maybe you'll find something you can't live without! ;)

*This post is sponsored by Swapdom. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Darling!

 Living in New York (or a studio apartment anywhere) means being strategic about which pieces you have closet space for and being proactive about getting rid of items you no longer wear. You've seen my apartment so you know how little space I'm working with! I adopted an official "one in, one out" rule early on to keep my one closet edited to pieces I'm most likely to wear: for every item I purchase, I consign, donate, or sell another. If you're feeling overwhelmed by a closet full of clothes you almost never wear, I highly recommend this strategy!

Needless to say I was pretty excited to learn about a cool concept called Swapdom. With a lot of consignment options, you drop off your items and wait until they sell in order to receive credit or payment. With Swapdom, you actually offer one of your items in exchange for one of someone else's. If the other person doesn't want what you have, no problem! Swapdom's algorithm arranges a circular swap with someone who does, no negotiating necessary. This way, you're the only person who puts a price on your items and you get something you actually want in exchange. (There's a ton of J.Crew, Madewell, Ralph Lauren, etc.!) It's the "one in, one out" strategy gone global. Pretty cool, right? 

Sign up for Swapdom here and check out a few of my listings here. Maybe you'll find something you can't live without! ;)

*This post is sponsored by Swapdom. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Darling!

KATIE KIME'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

As if I needed another reason to love the internet.

I got an email from Katie Kime a few months ago introducing her furniture and paper goods. I clicked over to her site and realized her furniture designs looked super familiar. In fact, I had seen them on someone else's blog years prior and tried to track them down many times since to no avail. Seeing them land in my inbox was the best surprise!

Well, it turns out that Katie is kind of the cutest person ever. She's insanely talented (I want literally everything on her site), super sweet, and I can't wait to meet her when I head to Austin next month (so excited!). When she offered to send photos of her blowout 30th birthday bash, I didn't miss a beat. Ummm, Katie's birthday + the launch of her furniture rental company + every glimpse I've ever seen of Hotel St. Cecelia = no-brainer for Design Darling. And when the photos arrived earlier this week, I was not disappointed. Every last detail was sheer perfection!

Pom pom birthday save-the-dates. Yes please.

The chicest bar duo I've ever seen. These can be rented for your next soirée!

The darling Katie!

A close-up of the pillow situation. So good.

An invitation no one could resist.

The finished set-up. As you know, I'm majorly coveting these birdcage chairs.

Party ready! Note to self: buy red shoes for summer.

Be sure to check out Katie's designs here and contact her if you need any chic furniture rentals in the Austin area. Huge thanks to Katie for sharing her birthday with all of us and for inspiring me to want to do something fun for my 25th this summer! And thank you to the glorious internet for introducing me to another fabulous, talented, kind, smart new friend. My favorite part of blogging for sure! xx

As if I needed another reason to love the internet.

I got an email from Katie Kime a few months ago introducing her furniture and paper goods. I clicked over to her site and realized her furniture designs looked super familiar. In fact, I had seen them on someone else's blog years prior and tried to track them down many times since to no avail. Seeing them land in my inbox was the best surprise!

Well, it turns out that Katie is kind of the cutest person ever. She's insanely talented (I want literally everything on her site), super sweet, and I can't wait to meet her when I head to Austin next month (so excited!). When she offered to send photos of her blowout 30th birthday bash, I didn't miss a beat. Ummm, Katie's birthday + the launch of her furniture rental company + every glimpse I've ever seen of Hotel St. Cecelia = no-brainer for Design Darling. And when the photos arrived earlier this week, I was not disappointed. Every last detail was sheer perfection!

Pom pom birthday save-the-dates. Yes please.

The chicest bar duo I've ever seen. These can be rented for your next soirée!

The darling Katie!

A close-up of the pillow situation. So good.

An invitation no one could resist.

The finished set-up. As you know, I'm majorly coveting these birdcage chairs.

Party ready! Note to self: buy red shoes for summer.

Be sure to check out Katie's designs here and contact her if you need any chic furniture rentals in the Austin area. Huge thanks to Katie for sharing her birthday with all of us and for inspiring me to want to do something fun for my 25th this summer! And thank you to the glorious internet for introducing me to another fabulous, talented, kind, smart new friend. My favorite part of blogging for sure! xx

SNAPSHOTS

My pretty-in-pink new bicycle!

Crazy for chinoiserie: ginger jar and ottoman tray

Love me some Loren Hope

A new home for nail files: a classic mint julep cup

The best is yet to come (photo source)

The perfect pink pumps (so excited about these)

Rory's feeling his new lime green raincoat

Love how Molly styled her turquoise tassel earrings

A beautifully styled coffee table featuring Design Darling coasters and matches (photo source)

Every desk deserves a monogrammed business card holder (photo source)

Adorable cocktail napkins with my monogram and social media icons

...a few of the fun little snapshots I've shared on Instagram over the past month. Follow me here for lots more! 

My pretty-in-pink new bicycle!

Crazy for chinoiserie: ginger jar and ottoman tray

Love me some Loren Hope

A new home for nail files: a classic mint julep cup

The best is yet to come (photo source)

The perfect pink pumps (so excited about these)

Rory's feeling his new lime green raincoat

Love how Molly styled her turquoise tassel earrings

A beautifully styled coffee table featuring Design Darling coasters and matches (photo source)

Every desk deserves a monogrammed business card holder (photo source)

Adorable cocktail napkins with my monogram and social media icons

...a few of the fun little snapshots I've shared on Instagram over the past month. Follow me here for lots more! 

10 FINDS UNDER $100

Just dropping in with a few affordable finds from my favorite sites. I'll take this and this, please and thank you!

P.S. Everything here is under $100.

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Just dropping in with a few affordable finds from my favorite sites. I'll take this and this, please and thank you!

P.S. Everything here is under $100.

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NEW YORK CITY GUIDE: THREE BROADWAY PLAYS I SAW AND LOVED

So far my New York City Guide has consisted entirely of brunch spots (most of which are just as good for lunch, dinner, etc.). Now I love brunch as much as the next girl (read: a lot)  but I'm pretty excited to have more daylight hours in which to photograph my favorite spots for cocktails, dinner, and dessert throughout the spring and summer. Totally worth the lost hour of sleep, right? Right.

But today I'm switching gears entirely and sharing a must for any proper NYC guide: Broadway! My sister Reilly studied theater in college so our family has always loved musicals and plays — and I'm no exception. I wrote "see three Broadway plays" on my new 101 in 1001 list and I was able to cross it off this past weekend! (Though I'll definitely see more within the next ~2 years!) I thought I'd share what we saw and what I loved about each in case any of you are planning a trip or just a local looking for a recommendation!

Beautiful

My boyfriend's parents gave us tickets to Beautiful for Christmas and neither one of us was sure what to expect. And we loved it! We didn't know much about Carole King going into it (and were definitely the youngest couple there!) but we recognized way more songs than we thought we would and ended the night dancing to "I Feel The Earth Move" with the rest of the audience. If you want to hear killer singing and walk away feeling totally inspired to immediately download every one of Carole King's songs, this one's for you.

Recommended for: bringing your parents (you'll love it as much as they do)

The Book of Mormon

One boyfriend, two Broadway shows in one month. He's a trooper! I gave him tickets to The Book of Mormon for Valentine's Day after my sister declared it the funniest show she's ever seen. It's written by the creators of the show South Park so it's hilariously inappropriate. The dance numbers are seriously catchy and the entire audience was in stitches for the whole play. 

Recommended for: girlfriends, siblings, and significant others (probably not your adorably conservative grandparents!)

The Lion King

My Christmas present to my mom and sister and definitely my favorite of the three. All I can say is whoa. The costumes were out of this world and the child actors literally took my breath away. The opening scene gave all three of us goosebumps — there really are no words. The singing wasn't as powerful as, say, Beautiful but the choreography, lighting, and special effects were extraordinary. If you only see one show this year, this gets my vote.

Recommended for: kids and kids-at-heart (everyone!)

- - - 

Next on my list? I've heard great things about Matilda (I loved the movie growing up!). Have you seen any Broadway shows lately? What's your all-time favorite?

So far my New York City Guide has consisted entirely of brunch spots (most of which are just as good for lunch, dinner, etc.). Now I love brunch as much as the next girl (read: a lot)  but I'm pretty excited to have more daylight hours in which to photograph my favorite spots for cocktails, dinner, and dessert throughout the spring and summer. Totally worth the lost hour of sleep, right? Right.

But today I'm switching gears entirely and sharing a must for any proper NYC guide: Broadway! My sister Reilly studied theater in college so our family has always loved musicals and plays — and I'm no exception. I wrote "see three Broadway plays" on my new 101 in 1001 list and I was able to cross it off this past weekend! (Though I'll definitely see more within the next ~2 years!) I thought I'd share what we saw and what I loved about each in case any of you are planning a trip or just a local looking for a recommendation!

Beautiful

My boyfriend's parents gave us tickets to Beautiful for Christmas and neither one of us was sure what to expect. And we loved it! We didn't know much about Carole King going into it (and were definitely the youngest couple there!) but we recognized way more songs than we thought we would and ended the night dancing to "I Feel The Earth Move" with the rest of the audience. If you want to hear killer singing and walk away feeling totally inspired to immediately download every one of Carole King's songs, this one's for you.

Recommended for: bringing your parents (you'll love it as much as they do)

The Book of Mormon

One boyfriend, two Broadway shows in one month. He's a trooper! I gave him tickets to The Book of Mormon for Valentine's Day after my sister declared it the funniest show she's ever seen. It's written by the creators of the show South Park so it's hilariously inappropriate. The dance numbers are seriously catchy and the entire audience was in stitches for the whole play. 

Recommended for: girlfriends, siblings, and significant others (probably not your adorably conservative grandparents!)

The Lion King

My Christmas present to my mom and sister and definitely my favorite of the three. All I can say is whoa. The costumes were out of this world and the child actors literally took my breath away. The opening scene gave all three of us goosebumps — there really are no words. The singing wasn't as powerful as, say, Beautiful but the choreography, lighting, and special effects were extraordinary. If you only see one show this year, this gets my vote.

Recommended for: kids and kids-at-heart (everyone!)

- - - 

Next on my list? I've heard great things about Matilda (I loved the movie growing up!). Have you seen any Broadway shows lately? What's your all-time favorite?

APARTMENT "BEFORE" PHOTOS

I can be a bit of a perfectionist which is why it's tempting for me to only show you the "after" photos from any given project, particularly my first apartment. But it took me months to get it looking like that and I thought it would be fun and different to share more of the decorating process with you this time around. So here it is: my new apartment as it looked when I moved in a week ago!

Here's what I'm loving:

1. When it came time to choose between a studio in my favorite neighborhood and a one-bedroom in a neighborhood I didn't love quite as much, I opted for living in a studio again. This one is a tiny bit bigger than my last place and I'm already so happy with my new neighborhood. It will be even better come spring and summer!

2. The hardwood floors. 

3. The kitchen is way nicer than the one in my last place. Incentive to cook!

4. The window trim. My last apartment was pretty much devoid of any architectural detail (so I added my own with pieces like this mirror and the pelmet boxes!).

5. The little alcove for the fridge. The fridge in my last place was kind of in the middle of the living room (to the right of the sofa) so I like that it's a little less in the way here.

6. The light. This is so, so important when you work from home!

A few challenges:

1. A few of the less expensive pieces (think Ikea) from my first apartment got pretty banged up during my first year in New York and the move. Think chips on the tabletop, dings on the bookshelves, etc. It's not realistic for me to try to replace everything at once so I'm referring to my own advice and keeping an eye out for replacement pieces from Craigslist, family members, etc. And I think I'm going to find a table skirt for my round dining table — a way to totally update the look (and hide the chipping paint) without spending a fortune. I'll keep you posted!

2. The layout is almost exactly the same as my last apartment. I tried to avoid this when I was looking at apartments but this layout really does have very little "dead space" and accommodates all my furniture well. That said, I really want to move things around so it feels different to me (since I spend so much time here!) and so it photographs differently when I am eventually ready to share the finished product. 

So that's where you come in: what would you do with this space? Color palettes, furniture layouts, pieces to add or subtract from my last place? I'm all ears!!!

I can be a bit of a perfectionist which is why it's tempting for me to only show you the "after" photos from any given project, particularly my first apartment. But it took me months to get it looking like that and I thought it would be fun and different to share more of the decorating process with you this time around. So here it is: my new apartment as it looked when I moved in a week ago!

Here's what I'm loving:

1. When it came time to choose between a studio in my favorite neighborhood and a one-bedroom in a neighborhood I didn't love quite as much, I opted for living in a studio again. This one is a tiny bit bigger than my last place and I'm already so happy with my new neighborhood. It will be even better come spring and summer!

2. The hardwood floors. 

3. The kitchen is way nicer than the one in my last place. Incentive to cook!

4. The window trim. My last apartment was pretty much devoid of any architectural detail (so I added my own with pieces like this mirror and the pelmet boxes!).

5. The little alcove for the fridge. The fridge in my last place was kind of in the middle of the living room (to the right of the sofa) so I like that it's a little less in the way here.

6. The light. This is so, so important when you work from home!

A few challenges:

1. A few of the less expensive pieces (think Ikea) from my first apartment got pretty banged up during my first year in New York and the move. Think chips on the tabletop, dings on the bookshelves, etc. It's not realistic for me to try to replace everything at once so I'm referring to my own advice and keeping an eye out for replacement pieces from Craigslist, family members, etc. And I think I'm going to find a table skirt for my round dining table — a way to totally update the look (and hide the chipping paint) without spending a fortune. I'll keep you posted!

2. The layout is almost exactly the same as my last apartment. I tried to avoid this when I was looking at apartments but this layout really does have very little "dead space" and accommodates all my furniture well. That said, I really want to move things around so it feels different to me (since I spend so much time here!) and so it photographs differently when I am eventually ready to share the finished product. 

So that's where you come in: what would you do with this space? Color palettes, furniture layouts, pieces to add or subtract from my last place? I'm all ears!!!

OUTFIT: KATE SPADE TRENCH

Kate Spade trench (also available here)  //  MiH sweater c/o  //  Rag & Bone jeans

Kate Spade bag c/o (available at the Madison Avenue flagship, similar bag here)  //  Kate Spade boots

Say hello to my new favorite item of clothing: this killer navy trench from Kate Spade. It was literally love at first sight. I spotted it at their flagship store, tried it on, and just couldn't leave the store without it. I knew it was exactly the kind of classic piece my closet would thank me for. Luckily I had a gift card to make it a little more affordable — and luckily for you, it's now on sale! I'm telling you: this is the perfect jacket for spring and fall. It cinches at the waist for a super flattering shape and has the cutest bow detail on the back of the collar... Yup, it's definitely love!

*Rebecca Dale Photography

Kate Spade trench (also available here)  //  MiH sweater c/o  //  Rag & Bone jeans

Kate Spade bag c/o (available at the Madison Avenue flagship, similar bag here)  //  Kate Spade boots

Say hello to my new favorite item of clothing: this killer navy trench from Kate Spade. It was literally love at first sight. I spotted it at their flagship store, tried it on, and just couldn't leave the store without it. I knew it was exactly the kind of classic piece my closet would thank me for. Luckily I had a gift card to make it a little more affordable — and luckily for you, it's now on sale! I'm telling you: this is the perfect jacket for spring and fall. It cinches at the waist for a super flattering shape and has the cutest bow detail on the back of the collar... Yup, it's definitely love!

*Rebecca Dale Photography