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KATE SPADE BEAU BAG


J. Brand jeans c/o  //  Elizabeth & James booties (similar)  //  Ray-Ban eyeglasses

Christmas came early last week when Kate Spade sent me the black and tan version of their new Beau bag! It was the perfect end to fashion week and I'm absolutely obsessed with the color combo (especially given my plans to mix black and navy all fall). I spent most of yesterday wandering around SoHo and the West Village with Amy — the weather was seriously perfect for ducking in and out of stores and having lunch (and coffee... and dinner...) outside. Fall weather, spontaneous girlfriends, and a little Kate Spade... Weekends don't get much better than that!

*Photos by Amy Stone

*This post is sponsored by Kate Spade, a brand I genuinely love. Thank you for supporting the companies that make Design Darling possible!


WEEKEND READING


1. An adorable LBD for only $58.

2. Carly and I had the best time hanging with Julia from Gal Meets Glam during fashion week. How insanely chic is this look of hers?

3. Could I pull off this crazy cool gold ring?

4. I know I'm not the only one who worships at the altar of Jenna Lyons... Read ten of her essentials on GQ.

5. I spotted someone wearing this white skirt at Lincoln Center and now I'm convinced I need it.

6. I've gotten totally sucked into this blog by two graphic designer friends who decide to date for forty days. I've read through day thirty and I'm pacing myself because I know I'll be sad once it's over!

7. New arrivals in the boutique! If you're looking for a pretty print or new stationery, we've got you covered.

8. OMG OMG OMG. Tory Burch is launching a beauty collection on September 26. Pre-order all the goodness right here!

9. This pretty sweater looks like my favorite ginger jars in clothing form... Yes please.

10. Wise words for today and every day.

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3


LINEN DRESS FORM

My cousin Emily recently moved into the cutest studio in midtown and I stopped by this past weekend to nap in her bed check out her decorating progress. It really deserves a home tour of its own but here's one of my favorite details: a linen dress form from her dorm room days that's now the perfect home for her Design Darling tortoiseshell necklace (which is finally back in stock!). Oh and everything is better with a little grosgrain ribbon. Bravo, Emily!

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OUTFIT {ALICE & OLIVIA BOW JACKET}


Alice & Olivia bow jacket  //  Club Monaco tuxedo shorts (different color on sale)

You know I love me a little navy jacket (ahem) and this Alice & Olivia bow jacket is the cream of the, er, crop. The jersey fabric is super comfortable, the construction is amazing (each part snaps closed to keep its shape), it's my favorite color... I mean, the oversized bow is really just the icing on the cake. I wore it on Sunday to a few fashion week events and I'm pretty sure I've never received more compliments or "where'd you get that?" inquiries on an item of clothing in my life. If you're looking to treat yourself to a ladylike piece for fall, this is it.

*Photos by Amy Stone



WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL NEXT?

In the spirit of this post, I've been planning a few exciting getaways and get-togethers for the next couple months. I was feeling pretty low at one point last week and started brainstorming things I could look forward to. Before I knew it, I'd penciled in fall trips to New Orleans, Denver, and Boston... And I couldn't be more excited! I love spending time in my apartment and New York in general but I'm really overdue for a little travel. A few of the goals on my next 101 in 1001 list (to be shared at the end of the month!) pertain to travel which got me thinking: Where are all of you dying to travel next? Here are a few destinations I'd be most excited about:

Morocco photographed by François Halard
St. Tropez photographed by Gray Malin
Tulum, Mexico, photographed by Sarah Yates

I'm dying to hear about any trips you're planning or simply daydreaming about. I'm definitely hoping to see at least one new continent and one new country as part of my next list so I'd love a little inspiration from you guys. A little Tuesday wanderlust never hurt anybody!


BACK IN STOCK!


Just a quick note to let you know that I restocked three best-sellers in the boutique today! If you've been waiting for an acrylic stapler, "get it done" notepad, or mint julep cup, today's your lucky day. 

P.S. I also added some really cute new art prints for those of you working on your gallery walls!



OUTFIT {J.CREW LEATHER TEE}


C. Wonder cat eye sunglasses  //  Elizabeth & James booties (similar)

I wore this outfit on Saturday for a couple fashion week events as well as lunch and dinner with a group of blogger friends. This navy leather top is about as edgy / fashion-forward as I get without straying outside my comfort zone. The back is a heather gray knit so it feels like wearing a dressier version of a sweatshirt... Perfect for a day that started at 10 a.m. and ended past midnight!

P.S. I was looking for a new pair of skinny jeans and my dear friend Amy (who took these pictures and keeps denying my requests to feature her for friends with style — I'm working on it) steered me toward Rag & Bone's skinny jeans in the Kensington wash. So, so, so good. Stay tuned for a new series featuring our favorite spots in the city!

P.P.S. The navy nails were a gel manicure (#fashionweeksplurge) but Essie's new After School Boy Blazer is a dead ringer!

*Photos by Amy Stone

KATE SPADE SPRING 2014


New York Fashion Week is underway and I can't think of a better way to kick things off than with Kate Spade's Spring 2014 presentation this morning. I got to catch up with so many of my favorite bloggers (and hang with Carly, of course!) and I found more than a few things to add to my wishlist once the collection hits stores next year. Hello, little hot pink bow dress! 

P.S. The Kate Spade gingham wedges I wore are sold out but here are a few things I'm loving on their site right now:



25% OFF J.CREW SHOES & BAGS








J.Crew's offering 25% off all shoes, boots, and bags with code EXTRAS through tomorrow. Quick, someone talk me out of into the Rory boots! The perfect shade of tan leather, a chunky heel à la my favorite Etta pumps, and oh yeah, SAME NAME AS MY DOG. If that's not meant to be, I don't know what is. Shop all eligible items here and let me know what you find!

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STRIPES ON STRIPES


Confession: I cannot stop staring at this outfit. She's wearing Camilla & Marc's striped blazer and striped skirt but here are a few more affordable striped separates if you want a similar look for less:


DO YOU WEAR A WATCH?


On the day I turned 18, my dad woke me up and told me we were going to pick out my birthday present. He had decided that the one thing I didn't have in my bursting-at-the-seams closet was a nice pair of sunglasses. So we drove to the store together, spent at least an hour trying on different frames, and settled on a classic tortoiseshell pair by Ralph Lauren. I still cherish them — and my dad's thoughtful birthday gesture — six years later. 

I wonder if watches are a similar sort of investment, a perfect gift for the girl who has everything. They're more of a style statement than any sort of necessity in this digital age, but there's something very chic about having such a signature piece to don every morning. So tell me: do you wear a watch? Did you buy it yourself or was it a gift? What does yours look like? Browse a few of my favorites below:




*Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

INTRODUCING JAMIESHOP.COM


Have you ever been reading Elle Decor or House Beautiful and noticed how many of the items in their product round-ups are "to the trade?" You could stumble upon the dining table of your dreams only to realize you'd need an interior designer to hook you up. Enter the online buying service jamieshop.com, the brainchild of L.A. designer Jamie Herzlinger. 
Sign up on her website, shop the trade catalogs on her website, and score the items you've dogeared for as much as 40% off retail. 

With designers like Bungalow 5, Jan Showers, Marjorie Skouras (my favorite!), Scalamandre, Schumacher, and hundreds more, you'll have access to top designers at the best prices available. Whether you're furnishing your dream home or searching for one perfect finishing touch, jamieshop.com is a brilliant way to get designer products at a discount.

*This post is sponsored by jamieshop.com, a site I genuinely love and endorse. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Design Darling possible!

LABOR DAY SALES!


This week cannot end soon enough... Not the best in my book. Can you say retail therapy? Fashion week is right around the corner which means I've been doing a lot more shopping than usual. Whether you're headed to the city or simply welcoming September in style, here are a few Labor Day sales you should know about... Plus a few of my top picks from each!

C. Wonder: 25% off full-price items with code LABORDAY


Joie: 20% sale items with code LABORDAY13


Nordstrom: Up to 40% off shoes

- Shopbop: new markdowns just added


- Tory Burch: 20% off purchases of $300+, 25% off purchases of $500+, 30% off purchases of $750+ with code LABOR DAY

OUTFIT {C. WONDER}

Silk pocket skirt (want this in every color!)  //  Stretch jodhpur patch leggings

Have you guys heard about C. Wonder's Get Prepped campaign? Carly and I had a blast choosing items from the new collection and styling them for cooler weather ahead (naturally we chose the same shoes...). I'd previously only shopped C. Wonder for home decor so it was kind of fun to put together an entire look. I'm totally into these jodhpur leggings for fall but I'm having a legit love affair with this shirt — it costs less than $100 and comes in seven colors so you know I'll be stocking up. 

P.S. You can find my eyeglasses here!