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J.CREW SHOES + 25% OFF SALE


 A bevy of beautiful shoes in Friday's color palette... I could live in 1, 3, and 6! Luckily J.Crew is offering 25% off right now with code SPRINGBEST at checkout so I might just let myself splurge!

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NEW ARRIVALS!


Wooohoooo new goodies in the boutique! In addition to the picnic blankets from yesterday's post, we've got new throw blankets, the cutest mint julep vases (Derby party anyone?), and nautical objets like these napkin rings and this shell dish. (Can you tell my mind is on apartment decorating?!) Shop all the new arrivals here and thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued support! 

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SPRING BRIGHTS



What is it about this time of year that makes me want to shop, shop, shop?! 

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BEST WEEKEND EVER.

On Friday, Rory and I took the train out to Connecticut and then drove up to New Hampshire with my parents to surprise my sister Reilly at her last Amherst softball game. It was a close game and her team had an 8-run rally in the last inning to win it 15-10. Reilly broke the school record for career hits and RBIs and finished the season batting .377! I'm so proud of her.
On Saturday, I procrastinated heading back into the city and hung out with my dad and my brother Camden all afternoon. We took a little road trip to Southport, Connecticut, to run around with the dogs and admire all the pretty houses. What a pretty town — it definitely has a Nantucket/Rowayton feel to it.
On Sunday (after a night on the town with Carly), I met up with my friend Amy and my cousin Emily for brunch at Friend of a Farmer. I laughed to the point that I had tears rolling down my face which is really how every meal should end. After brunch we headed to Eataly for gelato and a spin through Madison Square Park. I wore my favorite Rachel Pally maxi dress and my new scalloped oxford from Kiel James Patrick.
Next we headed back uptown and collected supplies for a picnic in Central Park. These blankets are coming soon to designdarling.com! (Photo from Amy's gorgeous Instagram.)
How cute are these two? We had the most picture perfect afternoon chit chatting, people watching, and snacking on bread and fruit. Can every weekend be this good?!


P.P.S. My friend Fred photographed me for his blog Unabashedly Prep. Please check it out and tell me I don't look as silly as I felt ;)

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HOT PINK & ORANGE

ORANGE HOT PINK TORY BURCH BEACH BAG KATE SPADE CHAMPAGNE BOX


In the wise words of Lilly Pulitzer, "Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink." Don your brightest brights and have a good one, friends! xx

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3 EASY SUMMER OUTFITS

TOPS:  Madewell  //  J.Crew  //  J.Crew 
ACCESSORIES:  Michael Kors  //  Ray-Ban  //  Moyna
SHORTS:  J.Crew  //  Rag & Bone Jean  //  Topshop
SHOES:  Tory Burch  //  Jack Rogers  //  Madison Harding

My warm weather wardrobe is all about pieces that I can mix and match... and of course a healthy dose of blue and white. What I love about these looks is you could easily wear either of the silk tops (save the bikini for the beach) with any of the shorts and shoes depending on where you're headed. Now if the weather would just cooperate...!

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LILA SYMONS FOR TATTLY

I adore Alice Gao's blog Lingered Upon and thought her tattoo was rather sweet so imagine my delight when I learned it's actually just temporary! I heard Tattly founder Tina Roth-Eisenberg speak at Alt Summit NYC back in August and loved connecting the dots to Lila Symon's pretty script. Rest assured that if I ever have a tattoo, it will be a) fake and b) calligraphy. Do you have a tattoo? What's the story behind it? Dying to hear!

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NAUTICAL & NEUTRAL DECOR


A few home goods to spruce up your space for spring (try saying that five times fast!). What's the last item you added to your abode? 

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OUTFIT {ANNIE GRIFFIN COLLECTION}


I could not be happier that spring is finally here! Looking out the window at my tree-lined street is an instant pick-me-up and Central Park has never been so tempting an escape. I grabbed drinks with friends last night at the Boathouse and can already see it becoming a go-to meeting place in the months to come. P.S. How fun is the pom pom trim on this Annie Griffin Collection top? You might remember the name from this post this fall and I have to say her spring line is even better! AGC is also offering an exclusive 25% discount with code DESIGNDARLING25 at checkout! Thank goodness for warm weather and clothes to match.

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GET THE LOOK {RITA KONIG'S APARTMENT}


I was so inspired by Todd Selby's photographs of Rita Konig's Manhattan apartment that I decided to put together a little inspiration board with a few pieces to help recreate the look and feel of her space. What do you think? Be sure to check out the full tour here.

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SNAPSHOTS FROM DALLAS

I got back from Dallas yesterday and I miss it already! The friendly people, warm weather, not to mention all my favorite blogger friends... This was such an amazing weekend.
Carly and I flew out early, early, early Friday morning and had to laugh at our matching J. McLaughlin monogrammed duffel bags
Our blogging conference was held at Hotel Zaza. I could get used to hanging out at their pool every day...
Lots of fashion blogger friends means lots of amazing shoes. I had to snap this picture of me (in these J.Crew Etta pumps), Carly, Julia, Kat, Liz, Chassity, and Alex chitchatting outside. 
Carly and I grabbed drinks (and guacamole, of course) with our friend Emily from Tuckernuck. I was majorly coveting her Manuel Canovas toile skirt!
Carly and I in my favorite color combination ;) I wore a dress by The Letter that I snagged on Gilt and these J.Crew gladiator wedges (last seen here).
- - - 
Have you ever been to Dallas? What city is next on your must-see list? Do tell!
  
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J.CREW CATALOG COVERS


I know many of you are fans of Matchbook Magazine but have you popped over to check out their daily posts? Their blog is brimming with great content like this week's throwback on J.Crew catalog covers. I get tons of styling inspiration from J.Crew's catalog and website so I loved looking back at some cover looks from years past. These are a few of my favorites but be sure to check out the full slideshow here!

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HEADED TO DALLAS!

I'm headed to Texas for the weekend and I couldn't be more excited. It's my first trip to Dallas and I'm eager to explore the city that so many of my customers and readers call home! I'll be seeing lots of my blogging besties, meeting with a few awesome brands, and soaking up everything I can in just two short days. I'm sure I'll have lots to share come Monday! Have a good one :)

*Images 1 / 2 / 3

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KATE SPADE STUDS


Kate Spade has the cutest studs right now! I usually stick to sweet and simple (these are my everyday pair) because I can't stand heavy earrings but I might have to give one of these pairs a try, at least for special occasions. I'm torn between #1 and #5 — which pair is your favorite?

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SHOE SHOPPIN'


Nine favorite pairs from Shopbop, all 20% off with code WEAREFAMILY13 at checkout. (Today's the last day so hop to it!) The d'Orsay flats are the shoe of the season and the Splendid wedges are perfect for year-round wear. How's a girl to choose?!


FRIENDS WITH STYLE {CARVER}


I've loved Carver's style as long as I've known her, which takes us back a solid 15 years to elementary school in Connecticut. She now lives in SoHo (soon to be West Village) and works at Ralph Lauren (just like Emily!). How cute is her very Design Darling color combo? Monogram, stripes, pop of color — check, check, check. She might have the most unique monogram of all time given that her last name starts with Q. And I love that she's not afraid to rock white jeans before Memorial Day... Rules were made to be broken, friends!


5 PAIRS OF WHITE JEANS (20% OFF!)






I practically live in white denim come summertime (as seen here and here) and Shopbop's friends and family sale is the perfect excuse to stock up. Browse all their white jeans HERE and use code WEAREFAMILY13 to take 20% off at checkout!


COLLECTING COFFEE TABLE BOOKS


Ask and you shall receive! A bunch of you asked about my favorite design and fashion books after I took this picture of my bookshelves on Instagram (and the second here) and I'm more than happy to share. I posted about a few favorites back in this post but my collection has grown leaps and bounds since then and I'm constantly finding new titles that need to find their way to my doorstep. (Take note, gift givers! There are few things I love to receive more than a good book. Unless it's something monogrammed... But you already knew that.) Without further ado, a few current favorites and a few I'm eager to  add to my shelves:


Do you collect coffee table books? I'm dying to hear your favorites!