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 crewneck sweater in stripe and kate spade izzie heels in pink

j.crew short-sleeve crewneck sweater in stripe

kate spade izzie bow heels

design darling striped sweater and pink bow heels

deux lux leyla pouch

kate spade deandra sunglasses

kate spade izzie heels with pink bow

design darling striped sweater navy shorts hot pink bow heels

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