OUTFIT: SUMMER SWEATER + PINK BOW HEELS

If you’ve been reading Design Darling for several years, you might remember one of my early blog designs that featured an illustration of a girl in a navy shift dress and hot pink heels with a big bow. I’ve since graduated from that design to the site you see today, but I’ll forever have a certain fondness for that illustration! When I spotted these pink bow heels at Kate Spade, I instantly realized they’re the closest design I’ve ever seen to the imaginary shoes from my original blog design and couldn’t leave the store without them. Now every time I put them on (or even spot them on my closet shelves) I’m reminded of why I started Design Darling all those years ago and how far I’ve come in the many years since!

I also have a thing for summer sweaters. One of my most repinned blog images of all time is this one, taken by my friend Fred on a sailboat on Nantucket. I’m sure the picture-perfect scenery had a lot to do with it but I’ve gotten lots of questions over the years about that backless sweater (old, from Club Monaco). I’m a big fan of a summer sweater, particularly on Nantucket where the nights get a little chilly but you still can’t say no to an ice cream cone from the Juice Bar. I can’t wait to wear this short sleeve striped sweater with white jeans when I head back in a couple weeks!

J.Crew short sleeve striped sweater (now on sale)  //  Cupcakes & Cashmere pleated shorts

KJL pearl studs  //  Kate Spade cat eye sunglasses (also available here)

Deux Lux scalloped pouch  //  Kate Spade bow heels (available in more colors here, similar styles for less here and here)

These navy pleated shorts from blogger Emily Schuman’s Cupcakes & Cashmere line are proving to be one of my early summer staples (it’s already hit 90 degrees here in Dallas!). The pleats almost make them look like a skort and of course I love the fact that they have pockets!

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*photos by Ali Schilling