Ilse Jacobsen & Splendid Willow!

I am elated to announce my dear friend and January sponsor Monika's newest venture! Mon is the sweetheart behind Splendid Willow and recently began selling gorgeous Ilse Jacobsen rainwear in her own online shop. I could not be more proud of her — or more in love with her product! The lace-up boots ($149-$179) are handmade in Denmark and available in a variety of happy colors sure to turn even your darkest day around. Consider the investment a one-way ticket to European effortless chic!

I am elated to announce my dear friend and January sponsor Monika's newest venture! Mon is the sweetheart behind Splendid Willow and recently began selling gorgeous Ilse Jacobsen rainwear in her own online shop. I could not be more proud of her — or more in love with her product! The lace-up boots ($149-$179) are handmade in Denmark and available in a variety of happy colors sure to turn even your darkest day around. Consider the investment a one-way ticket to European effortless chic!

The Tonal Table

These table settings from Style Me Pretty are a reminder that monochromatic minimalism can be devastatingly chic. Whether you employ the dusty pink palette of the first or the earthy khaki hues of the last, just add a dose of sparkle and then let the food and your guests provide the color.

These table settings from Style Me Pretty are a reminder that monochromatic minimalism can be devastatingly chic. Whether you employ the dusty pink palette of the first or the earthy khaki hues of the last, just add a dose of sparkle and then let the food and your guests provide the color.

Front & Center

Style.com recently did a slideshow of behind-the-scenes pictures of Fashion Week regulars. How darling is this shot of supermodel Natalia Vodianova at Chanel? From her wavy bob to her ladylike heels, everything about it is perfection.

Style.com recently did a slideshow of behind-the-scenes pictures of Fashion Week regulars. How darling is this shot of supermodel Natalia Vodianova at Chanel? From her wavy bob to her ladylike heels, everything about it is perfection.

Redesign Update

Several of you have asked about the progress of my blog redesign. Well, after a bit of commotion around here, I'm changing the game plan and heading in an exciting new direction. Thanks to a recommendation from the darling Lindsay of The Pursuit of Style (whose new site is nothing short of stunning!), I am beyond thrilled to announce my collaboration with Hanna Nation of Gadabout.

In addition to launching her own iPhone app (genius!) and designing gorgeous custom stationery, Hanna is helping me breathe new life into Design Darling with a new header, new layout, new Twitter page, and my first business cards to boot! I am so excited to be working with her and so anxious to show you what we've got up our sleeves. In the meantime, do peruse her site and treat yourself to some new social paper — aren't her designs to die for?

Several of you have asked about the progress of my blog redesign. Well, after a bit of commotion around here, I'm changing the game plan and heading in an exciting new direction. Thanks to a recommendation from the darling Lindsay of The Pursuit of Style (whose new site is nothing short of stunning!), I am beyond thrilled to announce my collaboration with Hanna Nation of Gadabout.

In addition to launching her own iPhone app (genius!) and designing gorgeous custom stationery, Hanna is helping me breathe new life into Design Darling with a new header, new layout, new Twitter page, and my first business cards to boot! I am so excited to be working with her and so anxious to show you what we've got up our sleeves. In the meantime, do peruse her site and treat yourself to some new social paper — aren't her designs to die for?

Outfit Inspiration

It can be hard to stay stylish when the temperatures drop, but it would be wrong to welcome a new year in sweatpants and Ugg boots! Here's a little inspiration for a cozy outfit that looks pulled together without trying to hard. Just grab your winter coat on the way out the door and you're good to go!

{J.Crew painter cardigan, $45}

{Michael Kors gold watch, $225}

{J.Brand Houlihan twill cargo pant, on sale for $162}

{Madewell oiled suede Sandstorm boot, $188}

{Kendra Scott Carly botanical stud earrings, $55}

{Iomoi leather Parker bag, $395}

It can be hard to stay stylish when the temperatures drop, but it would be wrong to welcome a new year in sweatpants and Ugg boots! Here's a little inspiration for a cozy outfit that looks pulled together without trying to hard. Just grab your winter coat on the way out the door and you're good to go!

{J.Crew painter cardigan, $45}

{Michael Kors gold watch, $225}

{J.Brand Houlihan twill cargo pant, on sale for $162}

{Madewell oiled suede Sandstorm boot, $188}

{Kendra Scott Carly botanical stud earrings, $55}

{Iomoi leather Parker bag, $395}

Personal Style

{Dexter Hodges}

Style is a tricky thing, isn't it? It is so easy to pinpoint things I like and to reject those I do not — and yet it is so hard for me to define my style in terms of what's left. I thought I could start off the new year with a toast to personal style and a request from me to you, my darling readers, to help me define my style based on a few of my all-time favorite interiors.

{source unknown}

This architecture...

{Hus & Hem}

Those windows...

{Lonny}

These walls...

{Miles Redd}

Those shelves...

{Elle Decor}

And this, well, everything.

It's a hefty favor to ask of you, no doubt, and personal style is, er, personal. But you see, I can come up with a handful of buzz words... and would love your help in figuring out the rest. What do you think? Is my aesthetic maximalist or minimalist? Colorful or neutral? Classic or modern? Traditional or trendy? Over-the-top or understated? Lived-in or luxurious? I so appreciate your help and look forward to sharing all the style that 2011 will surely bring!

{Dexter Hodges}

Style is a tricky thing, isn't it? It is so easy to pinpoint things I like and to reject those I do not — and yet it is so hard for me to define my style in terms of what's left. I thought I could start off the new year with a toast to personal style and a request from me to you, my darling readers, to help me define my style based on a few of my all-time favorite interiors.

{source unknown}

This architecture...

{Hus & Hem}

Those windows...

{Lonny}

These walls...

{Miles Redd}

Those shelves...

{Elle Decor}

And this, well, everything.

It's a hefty favor to ask of you, no doubt, and personal style is, er, personal. But you see, I can come up with a handful of buzz words... and would love your help in figuring out the rest. What do you think? Is my aesthetic maximalist or minimalist? Colorful or neutral? Classic or modern? Traditional or trendy? Over-the-top or understated? Lived-in or luxurious? I so appreciate your help and look forward to sharing all the style that 2011 will surely bring!

101 in 1001

{source}

In lieu of making traditional resolutions this year, I'm writing a list of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. That's approximately 2.75 years and, for me, a happy medium between short term and long term goals. As you may know, I'll be graduating from college this May and so consider this to be a very exciting time in my life! I won't overwhelm you with the entire list all at once but I do want to share a few at a time and update you as I'm able to cross things off the list.

1. Come up with 101 things. It's harder than you'd think!

2. Inspire someone else to write a list of his or her own. Any takers?

9. Launch an inspiring interview series on my blog.

16. Take a ballroom dance class.

43. Buy my first piece of original art.

60. Read every Jane Austen novel.

75. Throw a surprise party for a friend.

My goals range from the serious to the fanciful and I'm delighted with the tasks I've outlined thus far (currently 86!). This is where I'll need your help, dear readers, in the form of a little inspiration for rounding out my list. What would make your list of 101 things to accomplish in the next 2.75 years?

{source}

In lieu of making traditional resolutions this year, I'm writing a list of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. That's approximately 2.75 years and, for me, a happy medium between short term and long term goals. As you may know, I'll be graduating from college this May and so consider this to be a very exciting time in my life! I won't overwhelm you with the entire list all at once but I do want to share a few at a time and update you as I'm able to cross things off the list.

1. Come up with 101 things. It's harder than you'd think!

2. Inspire someone else to write a list of his or her own. Any takers?

9. Launch an inspiring interview series on my blog.

16. Take a ballroom dance class.

43. Buy my first piece of original art.

60. Read every Jane Austen novel.

75. Throw a surprise party for a friend.

My goals range from the serious to the fanciful and I'm delighted with the tasks I've outlined thus far (currently 86!). This is where I'll need your help, dear readers, in the form of a little inspiration for rounding out my list. What would make your list of 101 things to accomplish in the next 2.75 years?

Moodboards By Martha

I will forever come back to these beautifully styled vignettes from Martha Stewart Living. Ribbon, shoes, snail mail — everything I love! I would love to frame the top picture for my future dream closet...

I will forever come back to these beautifully styled vignettes from Martha Stewart Living. Ribbon, shoes, snail mail — everything I love! I would love to frame the top picture for my future dream closet...

Chez Jenna Lyons

I was scanning the online Domino galleries when I stumbled upon the tried-and-true blogger favorite home of Jenna Lyons and her family. The J.Crew creative director's Brooklyn brownstone is an updated classic — a beauty with Victorian bones but updated with unexpected touches like charcoal walls in the bedroom. And how luxurious is Lyons's closet — a full room with a fireplace to boot? What a dream come true!

I was scanning the online Domino galleries when I stumbled upon the tried-and-true blogger favorite home of Jenna Lyons and her family. The J.Crew creative director's Brooklyn brownstone is an updated classic — a beauty with Victorian bones but updated with unexpected touches like charcoal walls in the bedroom. And how luxurious is Lyons's closet — a full room with a fireplace to boot? What a dream come true!

Springtime Strapless

One of my morning rituals is to click through Shopbop's new arrivals. It seems I'm dreaming of warmer weather as yesterday I fell madly in love with Parker's Solid Strapless Top ($187). The sweetheart neckline and flouncy peplum are delightfully feminine, while the piped boning and exposed zipper give it structure. It would be a brilliant basic for covering up with a navy blazer now and pairing with white jeans come summer!

One of my morning rituals is to click through Shopbop's new arrivals. It seems I'm dreaming of warmer weather as yesterday I fell madly in love with Parker's Solid Strapless Top ($187). The sweetheart neckline and flouncy peplum are delightfully feminine, while the piped boning and exposed zipper give it structure. It would be a brilliant basic for covering up with a navy blazer now and pairing with white jeans come summer!

Matte Black

I adore these three spaces and their matte black walls. Tempered with white and paired with natural elements like tan leather, tortoise lamps, and deer antlers, black can be unbelievably chic. It makes sense that I would love black interiors since I wear so much black clothing, right?

{one | two | three}

I adore these three spaces and their matte black walls. Tempered with white and paired with natural elements like tan leather, tortoise lamps, and deer antlers, black can be unbelievably chic. It makes sense that I would love black interiors since I wear so much black clothing, right?

{one | two | three}

Chic Shelving

I love the combination of pale blue-green bookcases and brassy collectibles in supermodel Coco Rocha's apartment, published in Vogue. Toss in white book covers and green glass bottles and you have a look that exudes easy glamour. What are some of your styling secrets?

I love the combination of pale blue-green bookcases and brassy collectibles in supermodel Coco Rocha's apartment, published in Vogue. Toss in white book covers and green glass bottles and you have a look that exudes easy glamour. What are some of your styling secrets?

Happy Menocal

I fortuitously stumbled upon the artwork of Happy Menocal yesterday on my friend Lindsay's gorgeous new blog The Pursuit of Style. She has collaborated with Jonathan Adler and Stubbs & Wootton while her paintings have graced the pages of House Beautiful and Town & Country. A small selection of prints is available on her website and she welcomes custom commissions (like the gorgeous crests above!) via email. How I would love to hang one of her colorful creations above my desk to keep me inspired while I work!

I fortuitously stumbled upon the artwork of Happy Menocal yesterday on my friend Lindsay's gorgeous new blog The Pursuit of Style. She has collaborated with Jonathan Adler and Stubbs & Wootton while her paintings have graced the pages of House Beautiful and Town & Country. A small selection of prints is available on her website and she welcomes custom commissions (like the gorgeous crests above!) via email. How I would love to hang one of her colorful creations above my desk to keep me inspired while I work!

Midnight Sparkle

What are your fabulous plans for ringing in the New Year?

{one | two | three}

What are your fabulous plans for ringing in the New Year?

{one | two | three}

Oldie But Goodie

This immaculately organized bathroom and dressing room featured in Canadian House & Home made the rounds long ago, but there's good reason for its popularity! I adore its built-in shelving and hexagonal floor tiles but it's the ladder that won me over. It's equal parts decorative and practical — what's not to love about that?

This immaculately organized bathroom and dressing room featured in Canadian House & Home made the rounds long ago, but there's good reason for its popularity! I adore its built-in shelving and hexagonal floor tiles but it's the ladder that won me over. It's equal parts decorative and practical — what's not to love about that?

Color Blocking

Good morning, lovies! I thought we'd start the morning with a little fashion inspiration. Malin Akerman and Leighton Meester know the color blocking trend is sticking around for another season. Malin's tonal combination is an easy pick for "best dressed," but Leighton's barely there top is forcing me to reconsider my favorite. Whose take on the trend do you prefer?

Good morning, lovies! I thought we'd start the morning with a little fashion inspiration. Malin Akerman and Leighton Meester know the color blocking trend is sticking around for another season. Malin's tonal combination is an easy pick for "best dressed," but Leighton's barely there top is forcing me to reconsider my favorite. Whose take on the trend do you prefer?

Thoughts For 2011...

You've Done It Again

Topping my to do list this time of year is the task of writing thank you notes for all the lovely presents I received! Thankfully (ha!) my dear cousin Chelsea gave me these beautiful Kate Spade thank you notes which makes it that much easier to check off the list. With quips like "you shouldn't have, but I'm so glad you did" and "how did you know?", these newest additions to my stationery collection make saying merci that much merrier. 

Topping my to do list this time of year is the task of writing thank you notes for all the lovely presents I received! Thankfully (ha!) my dear cousin Chelsea gave me these beautiful Kate Spade thank you notes which makes it that much easier to check off the list. With quips like "you shouldn't have, but I'm so glad you did" and "how did you know?", these newest additions to my stationery collection make saying merci that much merrier.