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ALT SUMMIT 2013

I'm so excited to share that I'll be speaking on a panel at Alt Summit in Salt Lake City! I've always wanted to attend the conference and to go as a speaker is a dream come true. I'll be speaking about my experience of opening an online shop and I'm so excited to meet lots of new blogger friends and soak up lots of advice and inspiration from fellow panelists! 

One teeny tiny problem: I just found out a few weeks ago that I'll be attending which means I've done nothing about a hotel room and the Grand America is already sold out. My girls Molly and Sally insist it's the most convenient place to stay so if anyone's looking for a roommate, please please please holler! And if you have a ticket you're looking to part with, I know our friend Bradley is interested. Send me an email if you can help with either and I'll shower you with hugs and presents ;) Thank you in advance and can't wait to see some of you there!

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HOLIDAY DRESS GUIDE

J.Crew // Topshop (on sale) // BB Dakota (less than $100) // Topshop // Milly
Club Monaco // Club Monaco // Kate Spade (rent it for $85) // J.Crew // Tracy Reese (rent it for $75)

Who has a fun holiday event coming up?! A few of my sorority sisters were asking for this year's holiday dress guide on Facebook so here goes: girly bows, sophisticated leather, and a splash of hot pink for good measure. Are you all familiar with Rent The Runway? I totally rented a Tibi dress for New Year's Eve last year and highly recommend it!

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KATE SPADE HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT

Nothing puts me in the holiday spirit more than getting dolled up and sipping champagne with friends old and new... which is just one of the reasons why I had so much fun hosting Kate Spade's holiday party in Greenwich a couple weeks ago! I'm hoping to have professional photos to share with you but here are a few memorable moments captured on Instagram...
The gorgeous shoe wall in the Greenwich store... Scroll down to see which pair came home with me!
I couldn't get enough of these cheeky canvas bags (here and here).
This adorable bow ring (similar) was the perfect finishing touch for my Essie "Fiesta" manicure.
Loved that both of my parents could make it! Psst, I wore this dress and I'm obsessed. I'm already inventing excuses to wear it again soon!
I was asked to choose five favorite pieces for holiday gifting... So hard to limit it down! Loved the disco ball appeal of this sparkly bracelet.
I got to meet Sloane from Sailing the Sea of Style... She is only 13 and already has the most precious blog! I see big things in her future :)
And finally, the shoes. Oh, the shoes! Smitten is an understatement. Thank you to everyone at Kate Spade and Elle Magazine for such a memorable evening and a perfect start to the holiday season :)

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10 WAYS TO DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS

Hellooo, December! I've admittedly been cranking holiday music for weeks but for me the start of the new month means it's officially fair game to decorate for Christmas. If you're anything like me, you'll nix the traditional red and green palette in favor of something a little more elegant. Here are ten of my favorite ideas for holiday decorating (pin the image above to be able to find this list later!).
1. A plain boxwood wreath is never out of style. I love this West Elm option that's preserved for use year after year.
2. Bring the evergreen indoors! Spice up your classic silver candlesticks with a small circle of greenery at the base of the candle. Bonus points if you use candles in one of these punchy colors!
3. Live in a tiny apartment or spending the holidays away from home? Treat yourself to a mini Christmas tree to get yourself in the holiday spirit with minimal effort and expense — this Target option costs less than $20 and it's already lit!
4. Use your favorite colors! Our Christmas table a couple years ago featured hot pink dinner napkins and silver painted pine cones in addition to my parents' crystal candlesticks and traditional silverware. Any color will work with a little sparkle and winter white!
5. Hanging wreaths in your windows? Forgo the red ribbon in favor of something a little more fun. I love this Anthropologie ribbon in chartreuse velvet! 
6. Decorate beyond the room where you'll actually be opening presents come Christmas morning. How pretty is the garland in this kitchen? I'll bet it makes washing dishes feel a bit more festive!
7. Speaking of garland, this magnolia garland is a fresh take that makes use of what you've got on hand and won't require a vacuum for clean-up.
8. When in doubt, light a candle. There's no quicker fix for a simple tablescape than beautiful candlelight! Psst, wouldn't a few of these quartz votive holders be gorgeous on a dining table?
9. Have a very preppy Christmas! Leftover grosgrain ribbon from gift wrapping makes for adorable tree trimmings. The more polka dots and stripes the merrier!
10. Hey, the classics are classics for a reason. Go all-out with garland on your mantel, mistletoe in your foyer, and a crackling fire in the family room. That's what the holidays are for!

*Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

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GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $250

Let's keep the gift guides coming! So far I've done gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts under $100... And today is all about gifts under $250!



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GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $100

I hope you've enjoyed the first two gift guides! Today's guide is all about gifts under $100...



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GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $50

Following yesterday's round-up of gifts under $25, here are my favorite picks under $50...



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GIFT GUIDE: EVERYTHING UNDER $25

I'm so excited to kick off this year's holiday gift guides! Just like last year, I'll be featuring gift guides by price (plus an extra for the guys!). Without further ado, everything under $25...


Several of these would make great Secret Santa presents or stocking stuffers as well! A few more ideas: 

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DESIGN DARLING PROMO CODE!


It's Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday all in one! Take 15% off all purchases of $100+. It's your chance to get gifts for all the girls on your list and maybe a little something extra for y-o-u, too! This is a great time to shop for monogrammed items as well since there will be cut-off dates for iPhone cases and stationery in early December. Shop HERE!

*Offer valid Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Discount cannot be applied to gift cards or previous orders.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you're cooking, entertaining, or on the road, I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by people you love. This year I'm most thankful for all of you — this amazing community of women (and a few super stylish gentlemen!) who read my beloved blog each day, who have rallied around the launch of my boutique, and who remind me each and every day how much I love what I do. Thank you, thank you, thank you — now go have a second helping of pie for me! xx

*Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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SHOPBOP BIG EVENT PICKS!

It's Shopbop's big event and lots of my favorite pieces just went on sale. Whether you're craving cozy fall sweaters or fast-forwarding to happy spring brights, you're sure to find something you love. Let me know what's coming home with you!

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OUTFIT {JAMES JEANS}


I told you I live in skinny jeans! I think they're the easiest to throw on in the morning and look just as cute with ankle booties and ballet flats as they do with heels and riding boots... Definitely a win in my book. This pair from my beloved James Jeans is easily my new favorite — just like this last pair they're super soft and stretchy. I know some of you snatched up a pair after the last post so I'm excited to share that James Jeans has extended their discount through December 31! All Design Darling readers will receive 25% off their purchase with code JJ004 at checkout. Check out their new arrivals and let me know which pair is coming to live with you!

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A NAUTICAL HOME

It's not often I see pictures of a home and think I could move in without wanting to change a thing. Every now and then though I find something destined for the dream home file. This Canadian lake house would do the trick, don't you think?
Seriously? Yes please.
Note to self: color-blocked upholstery is a must-have.
It's no surprise I love this navy and white kitchen.
Who wouldn't want to wake up to this?!
And a pretty cool porch to boot. Could you live here? What would you change?!

*all images here

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NEW ARRIVALS!


Happy Monday everyone! I hope you're all excited for Thanksgiving and the short week ahead. I'd love for you to pop in and see what's new in the boutique — a few very cute decor items just in time for the holidays! I hope you love them as much as I do :)

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TRUFFLE DISCOUNT!

Congratulations to Hannah B., lucky winner of this week's Truffle pouch giveaway! The wonderful team at Truffle was so impressed with your entries that they've generously extended 20% off to all Design Darling readers through Monday. Whether you need a cosmetic case made for traveling or a cute way to tote your essentials to the beach or the gym, Truffle is the way to go. Shop the collection HERE and don't forget to enter DESIGNDARLING for 20% off at checkout!

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HAPPY (ALMOST) HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

What a week! A huge thank you to everyone who came out for the Kate Spade party last night. It was such a special evening and I'll have lots of pictures to share with you next week! In the mean time here's a little style inspiration for your (almost) holiday weekend!
White on white with a wrist full of pearls. Who could say no to that?
A red lip and little black dress fit for holiday festivities.

Girly detail on the perfect cozy white sweater.

Would you dare to wear a tutu? I think the look is cute, fun, and unexpected.
Sparkly shoes — and the same pair I happened to be wearing at the party last night! Have a great weekend everyone! xx

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*Images one / two / three / four / five