THE PALE BLUE COAT

Meet my newest style obsession: the pale blue coat. It's a totally fresh alternative to your average black or navy coat and a fun update to classic winter white. This Club Monaco peacoat is to die for, don't you think? This Topshop option is also adorable. What do you think: would you rock a pale blue coat this winter?

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Meet my newest style obsession: the pale blue coat. It's a totally fresh alternative to your average black or navy coat and a fun update to classic winter white. This Club Monaco peacoat is to die for, don't you think? This Topshop option is also adorable. What do you think: would you rock a pale blue coat this winter?

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

SIX DRESSES UNDER $100

one  //  two  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six

I know we're overdue for an outfit post around here but it's been one of those weeks where I'm totally uninspired by what's hanging in my closet. I've definitely made it a priority to save up for quality pieces (like this jacket and this top) but right now a couple affordable dresses feel like just the ticket for spicing up my style game in this Indian summer we're having in New York. I'm surprisingly obsessed with this emerald print dress and after this post you know I'm having a moment with 60s-inspired shifts like this one. Which of these dresses (all under $100!) is your favorite?

Keep up with Design Darling

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one  //  two  //  three  //  four  //  five  //  six

I know we're overdue for an outfit post around here but it's been one of those weeks where I'm totally uninspired by what's hanging in my closet. I've definitely made it a priority to save up for quality pieces (like this jacket and this top) but right now a couple affordable dresses feel like just the ticket for spicing up my style game in this Indian summer we're having in New York. I'm surprisingly obsessed with this emerald print dress and after this post you know I'm having a moment with 60s-inspired shifts like this one. Which of these dresses (all under $100!) is your favorite?

Keep up with Design Darling

Boutique / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

ORGANIZED MAKEUP TRAY

Do you all read Into The Gloss? I started reading it to pick up a few beauty recommendations (admittedly hopeless when it comes to makeup...) and was excited to see Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere featured this week. How pretty is this acrylic tray in her bathroom? Not that I have the counter space for this at the moment but you could totally recreate the look with the monogrammed acrylic tray in my boutique. Goal for new apartment? Window and ample counter space in the bathroom. Dreaming big over here! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling

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Do you all read Into The Gloss? I started reading it to pick up a few beauty recommendations (admittedly hopeless when it comes to makeup...) and was excited to see Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere featured this week. How pretty is this acrylic tray in her bathroom? Not that I have the counter space for this at the moment but you could totally recreate the look with the monogrammed acrylic tray in my boutique. Goal for new apartment? Window and ample counter space in the bathroom. Dreaming big over here! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling

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LITTLE NAVY SHIFT

Dress (only $60!)  //  Glasses  //  Clutch  //  Cuff  //  Shoes

How good is this little navy shift dress? Because I have so little closet space in my apartment, I base most of purchases on how often I'd wear the piece and whether it would work year-round or for a variety of different occasions. This shift looks comfy enough that I could wear it on days when I work from home but still dressy enough that it would work for meetings with a cute blazer layered on top. Add a couple key accessories and a killer shoe and you've got a great look for work and play — don't be surprised if you see a version of this in a future outfit post! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling

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Dress (only $60!)  //  Glasses  //  Clutch  //  Cuff  //  Shoes

How good is this little navy shift dress? Because I have so little closet space in my apartment, I base most of purchases on how often I'd wear the piece and whether it would work year-round or for a variety of different occasions. This shift looks comfy enough that I could wear it on days when I work from home but still dressy enough that it would work for meetings with a cute blazer layered on top. Add a couple key accessories and a killer shoe and you've got a great look for work and play — don't be surprised if you see a version of this in a future outfit post! ;)

Keep up with Design Darling

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GAL PALS

This. Weekend. Was. Awesome. Denver is such a beautiful city and everyone we met was so fun and down-to-earth. But mostly it was just great to be reunited with a few of my college girlfriends. The friends I lived with my senior year live all over the country and I forget how much I miss seeing and talking to them every day. While I love New York and the besties I have here (Amy, Carly, and Emily to name a few), I really miss having a big group of friends who all live on the same street and are always down to come over or go out at a moment's notice. I know I'm not the first to say it but New York is definitely not the easiest place to meet people and make new friends!

Do you have a ton of friends in your city? Did you have a hard time adjusting to "real world" friendships outside the college bubble? How do you keep in touch with friends who live far away? I'm totally thinking a few more trips are in order...!

This. Weekend. Was. Awesome. Denver is such a beautiful city and everyone we met was so fun and down-to-earth. But mostly it was just great to be reunited with a few of my college girlfriends. The friends I lived with my senior year live all over the country and I forget how much I miss seeing and talking to them every day. While I love New York and the besties I have here (Amy, Carly, and Emily to name a few), I really miss having a big group of friends who all live on the same street and are always down to come over or go out at a moment's notice. I know I'm not the first to say it but New York is definitely not the easiest place to meet people and make new friends!

Do you have a ton of friends in your city? Did you have a hard time adjusting to "real world" friendships outside the college bubble? How do you keep in touch with friends who live far away? I'm totally thinking a few more trips are in order...!

SOPHIE HULME ZIP TOP BOWLING BAG

If that's not love, I don't know what love is.

P.S. A similar tote here.

If that's not love, I don't know what love is.

P.S. A similar tote here.

DENVER BOUND

I'm off to Denver for the weekend and I'm so excited for the quality girl time! My closest friends from Bucknell are spread out all around the country and we don't get to see each other nearly as often as we'd like. Bring on the chilly weather, cute boots, girl talk, sweaters with elbow patches, and probably one too many gin and tonics. Hope you have a good one!

P.S. My favorite travel bags.

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

I'm off to Denver for the weekend and I'm so excited for the quality girl time! My closest friends from Bucknell are spread out all around the country and we don't get to see each other nearly as often as we'd like. Bring on the chilly weather, cute boots, girl talk, sweaters with elbow patches, and probably one too many gin and tonics. Hope you have a good one!

P.S. My favorite travel bags.

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

POINTED TOE PUMPS

My biggest style obsession for fall is pointed toe pumps. (You've already seen them here, here, and here.) They're so chic and ladylike... And there's no faster way to elongate your legs, whether you're wearing a dress or jeans. Here are twenty picks at literally every price point (seven of them are under $100!) in case you share my current obsession: 

Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps ($775) Salvatore Ferragamo platform pumps ($675) Manolo Blahnik BB heels ($595) Guiseppe Zanotti patent leather pumps ($525) Rebecca Minkoff d'Orsay pumps (cool colorblocking, $295) Alice + Olivia nubuck pumps (just bought these! $295) Pour La Victoire wedge pumps (best wedge option, $250) Club Monaco metallic pumps ($249) J.Crew Everly pumps ($245) L.A.M.B. Mary Jane pumps (that bow! $225) Marais d'Orsay pumps (good lower heel option, $170) Joan & David tortoiseshell pumps (obsessed with these! $159) Steven bow pumps ($149) Steven strappy pumps ($95) Jessica Simpson suede pumps ($79) ASOS navy suede wedges ($75) Boutique 9 point toe pumps ($65) Topshop court shoes (lots of fun colors, $65) Sole Society suede bow pumps (I live in these, $59) ASOS cross-strap heels ($50)

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 

P.S. New arrivals in the boutique!

My biggest style obsession for fall is pointed toe pumps. (You've already seen them here, here, and here.) They're so chic and ladylike... And there's no faster way to elongate your legs, whether you're wearing a dress or jeans. Here are twenty picks at literally every price point (seven of them are under $100!) in case you share my current obsession: 

Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps ($775) Salvatore Ferragamo platform pumps ($675) Manolo Blahnik BB heels ($595) Guiseppe Zanotti patent leather pumps ($525) Rebecca Minkoff d'Orsay pumps (cool colorblocking, $295) Alice + Olivia nubuck pumps (just bought these! $295) Pour La Victoire wedge pumps (best wedge option, $250) Club Monaco metallic pumps ($249) J.Crew Everly pumps ($245) L.A.M.B. Mary Jane pumps (that bow! $225) Marais d'Orsay pumps (good lower heel option, $170) Joan & David tortoiseshell pumps (obsessed with these! $159) Steven bow pumps ($149) Steven strappy pumps ($95) Jessica Simpson suede pumps ($79) ASOS navy suede wedges ($75) Boutique 9 point toe pumps ($65) Topshop court shoes (lots of fun colors, $65) Sole Society suede bow pumps (I live in these, $59) ASOS cross-strap heels ($50)

*Photos 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 

P.S. New arrivals in the boutique!

IVY & VINE GIVEAWAY

My friend Heather from Ivy & Vine is curating a sale on One Kings Lane this coming Thursday and all the items in this post will be for sale! (How unreal are the hot pink chairs?!) To celebrate, she's giving away this pair of hot pink and navy blue pillows (valued at $450!) to one lucky Design Darling reader!

To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll contact the winner on Friday morning! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My friend Heather from Ivy & Vine is curating a sale on One Kings Lane this coming Thursday and all the items in this post will be for sale! (How unreal are the hot pink chairs?!) To celebrate, she's giving away this pair of hot pink and navy blue pillows (valued at $450!) to one lucky Design Darling reader!

To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll contact the winner on Friday morning! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW ORLEANS FASHION WEEK

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel with Amy, Julia, Liz, Molly and Sally to attend New Orleans Fashion Week. We had all met through various blogging events over the years but we don't get to see each other nearly enough since we're spread out across the country in Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco. Here are a few snapshots from our fun-filled weekend:

Liz and I hosted an in-store event at Haute, a cute boutique that carries Mara Hoffman, Mason by Michelle Mason, and Tibi among others. I was seriously smitten with these colorful chairs in the front of the store!

Liz and I with the lovely ladies of The Grove Street Press. 

We couldn't resist a trip to Jackson Square for beignets. We didn't have time to wait at Café du Monde (next time!) so we found a spot around the corner that was just as good. Fried dough and powdered sugar... You can't really go wrong.

Easily the highlight of the fashion week events was Camilyn Beth's first ever runway show. The 1960s styling, drop waist dresses, and ruffles galore? Girly girl heaven.

Sitting next to Julia at the show. How chic are her Valentino Rockstuds? I pretty much lived in these all weekend.

Cami's sister actually walked in the show! I think we all teared up when Cami came out and gave her a squeeze. Such a touching sister moment!

And Cami herself! It was so much fun getting to meet her and spend three whole days with my blogging buds... so much so that we're already planning our next girls' trip to an equally fun city. Stay tuned and in the mean time visit their blogs here, here, here, and here :)

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel with Amy, Julia, Liz, Molly and Sally to attend New Orleans Fashion Week. We had all met through various blogging events over the years but we don't get to see each other nearly enough since we're spread out across the country in Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco. Here are a few snapshots from our fun-filled weekend:

Liz and I hosted an in-store event at Haute, a cute boutique that carries Mara Hoffman, Mason by Michelle Mason, and Tibi among others. I was seriously smitten with these colorful chairs in the front of the store!

Liz and I with the lovely ladies of The Grove Street Press. 

We couldn't resist a trip to Jackson Square for beignets. We didn't have time to wait at Café du Monde (next time!) so we found a spot around the corner that was just as good. Fried dough and powdered sugar... You can't really go wrong.

Easily the highlight of the fashion week events was Camilyn Beth's first ever runway show. The 1960s styling, drop waist dresses, and ruffles galore? Girly girl heaven.

Sitting next to Julia at the show. How chic are her Valentino Rockstuds? I pretty much lived in these all weekend.

Cami's sister actually walked in the show! I think we all teared up when Cami came out and gave her a squeeze. Such a touching sister moment!

And Cami herself! It was so much fun getting to meet her and spend three whole days with my blogging buds... so much so that we're already planning our next girls' trip to an equally fun city. Stay tuned and in the mean time visit their blogs here, here, here, and here :)

WEEKEND READING

1. Always a treat to see a little Design Darling in a lovely blogger friend's home. Thanks Victoria!

2. Get the look for less: if you liked this leather top, you'll love this $75 alternative.

3. Killer booties for $110... And 15 other pairs I love right here.

4. I ordered these Marais bow slippers and I'm obsessed. The pictures don't do them justice — they're stunning and look like they cost way more than they do. 

5. I totally want a pink sofa after seeing the Ruby Press office (pictured above) featured on Lonny this week.

6. New pencil sets in the boutique (and new items added to sale).

7. Tory Burch rain boots. Need I say more?!

8. Who else is obsessed with Pinterest? I'm on a quest for some fun new people to follow and would love to check out your boards. Leave a link to your Pinterest in the comments and check out my pins here!

P.S. This weekend I'm in New Orleans with Amy, Julia, Liz, Molly, and Sally! If you're in town, I'll be at Haute today from 1-5 and would love to meet you! If not, be sure to follow along on Instagram! Have a good one, friends.

1. Always a treat to see a little Design Darling in a lovely blogger friend's home. Thanks Victoria!

2. Get the look for less: if you liked this leather top, you'll love this $75 alternative.

3. Killer booties for $110... And 15 other pairs I love right here.

4. I ordered these Marais bow slippers and I'm obsessed. The pictures don't do them justice — they're stunning and look like they cost way more than they do. 

5. I totally want a pink sofa after seeing the Ruby Press office (pictured above) featured on Lonny this week.

6. New pencil sets in the boutique (and new items added to sale).

7. Tory Burch rain boots. Need I say more?!

8. Who else is obsessed with Pinterest? I'm on a quest for some fun new people to follow and would love to check out your boards. Leave a link to your Pinterest in the comments and check out my pins here!

P.S. This weekend I'm in New Orleans with Amy, Julia, Liz, Molly, and Sally! If you're in town, I'll be at Haute today from 1-5 and would love to meet you! If not, be sure to follow along on Instagram! Have a good one, friends.

NEW YORK CITY GUIDE: LAFAYETTE

Thank you all for your comments on the first post in this series! Amy and I loved reading about all your favorite New York spots and can't wait to try them all firsthand. Here's where we went this weekend...

Who: Amy of course!

What: Sunday brunch at Lafayette

Where: 380 Lafayette Street, NoHo

Why: Excellent people watching, pretty business cards and matchbooks, and the best almond croissant you've ever tasted. 

Wearing: Annie Griffin dress c/o, Tory Burch bag, J.Crew heels 

*All photos by Amy Stone

Keep up with Design Darling

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Thank you all for your comments on the first post in this series! Amy and I loved reading about all your favorite New York spots and can't wait to try them all firsthand. Here's where we went this weekend...

Who: Amy of course!

What: Sunday brunch at Lafayette

Where: 380 Lafayette Street, NoHo

Why: Excellent people watching, pretty business cards and matchbooks, and the best almond croissant you've ever tasted. 

Wearing: Annie Griffin dress c/o, Tory Burch bag, J.Crew heels 

*All photos by Amy Stone

Keep up with Design Darling

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LILLY PULITZER FALL

When I think of Lilly Pulitzer, I think of summery shifts, trips to Nantucket, white jeans... Not exactly my go-tos for fall. (Although they sure were fun this summer!) But I checked out their site on a whim this week and was totally blown away by their fall collection. Cute little jackets, pretty knits, and all my favorite colors in one place. These were my three favorite pieces:

Peplum sweater (you need to see the back!)  //  Tweed jacket  //  Colorblock sweater (under $100!)

Really fun, don't you think? I also love this cashmere cardigan and this navy sweater dress. Annnd it sounds like I'll be stalking their new arrivals year-round. Way to go, Lilly!

When I think of Lilly Pulitzer, I think of summery shifts, trips to Nantucket, white jeans... Not exactly my go-tos for fall. (Although they sure were fun this summer!) But I checked out their site on a whim this week and was totally blown away by their fall collection. Cute little jackets, pretty knits, and all my favorite colors in one place. These were my three favorite pieces:

Peplum sweater (you need to see the back!)  //  Tweed jacket  //  Colorblock sweater (under $100!)

Really fun, don't you think? I also love this cashmere cardigan and this navy sweater dress. Annnd it sounds like I'll be stalking their new arrivals year-round. Way to go, Lilly!

AMY STONE'S APARTMENT TOUR

I'm excited beyond belief that my friend Amy let me photograph her apartment to share with you all! She lives in the cutest one-bedroom in the West Village — I'm seriously obsessed with all her little treasures and trinkets. Isn't her desk set-up to die for? Don't be surprised when my Pinterest is covered in pictures of her place. Shop the slideshow below for a few pieces to recreate Amy's look chez vous:

I'm excited beyond belief that my friend Amy let me photograph her apartment to share with you all! She lives in the cutest one-bedroom in the West Village — I'm seriously obsessed with all her little treasures and trinkets. Isn't her desk set-up to die for? Don't be surprised when my Pinterest is covered in pictures of her place. Shop the slideshow below for a few pieces to recreate Amy's look chez vous: