FRIDAY Q&A: DOMESTIC TRAVEL DESTINATIONS, PERSONALIZED STATIONERY PICKS, AND GIFTS FOR THE DOG-OBSESSED

Happy Friday! We have a jam-packed weekend ahead with two friends’ birthday parties in the city tomorrow, Sunday brunch in CT, and a fun event Sunday night that I’ll share on Instagram stories! I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of this crazy holiday season (shooting my last two sponsored posts today!) and can’t wait until next week to fly to Florida for Christmas. I could use a few days away from my computer spending time with family… Anyone else?! Have a great weekend!

design darling friday q&a

1. What’s your favorite personalized stationery? I need some new thank you notes!

I love finding paper goods on Etsy! You find unique designs and get to support small businesses in the process. Win-win! If you like a flat notecard, I like these, these, and these. If you prefer a folded notecard, I love these, these, these, these, these, and these. And if you’re looking for a fun design or bold pattern, I think these and these are super cute. I just added all of them to the office favorites on my shop page if you want to browse them all in one spot!

2. If you got another dog, what kind would you want?

My siblings and I grew up with two cockapoos (one of whom, Coach, is still with us at 15!) and Rory is a cockapoo so we’re likely to stick with what we know and love! But I also love mini bernedoodles, goldendoodles, labradoodles… I am technically allergic to dogs so a hypoallergenic poodle mix is a must!

3. If you could have any choice of colors for a monogrammed Goyard bag, what would you choose? I can’t decide!

Oooh fun! Of course I naturally gravitate to the navy blue but I like the lighter blue as well! Then I might do a green and white monogram/racing stripe combo. Now you have me coveting a Goyard bag! ?

4. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

I could probably watch The Holiday a dozen times a year and never be sick of it! That dreamy little cottage…! ?

5. My fiancé and I have been saving up to upgrade our nightstands (#adulting) and I was wondering what you would choose. We want something we won’t have to replace again in a few years but would love to stay under $1,000 total.

We bought these white lacquer nightstands when we moved to Dallas four years ago and they’ve held up very well even with two moves! You could definitely score a pair for under $1,000 if you wait for a promo code (which there will be plenty of this time of year!). This is a similar but slightly less modern design — I love the wide surface if you have the space for it. I also like the architectural interest of this or this!

6. Best gifts for dogs and their dog-obsessed parent? Asking for a friend. 🙂

I’m lucky to have a mother-in-law who spoils Rory rotten and has discovered several new favorite toys for him over the past few years! I would say his very favorites are this borderline indestructible squeaky snake or these cute pigs, but he’s always very happy with a new pack of squeaky Kong balls. As far as dog-obsessed parents go, I love Rory’s striped dog bed (but how cozy does this one look?) and virtually any dog clothing (which he tolerates surprisingly well — this dog sweater is a recent favorite). If you want a good laugh Christmas morning, Will’s mom gave Rory a Christmas onesie similar to these and I could have watched him walk around in it all day. Also this doggie toy basket is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen… can you even?!

7. What’s your favorite European city?

Paris is definitely #1 and then it’s probably a four-way tie among London, Florence, Nice, and Venice for runner-up!

8. Who makes your favorite jeans?

I wear skinny jeans nearly every day so I’m of the mindset that you can’t have too many pairs! My most worn pairs are the DL1961 Emma, Frame Le Skinny de Jeanne, and J Brand cropped 835. And I haven’t tried them in a darker wash but I love J.Crew’s high-rise toothpick jeans in white! A couple summers ago they made them in a cropped version and I wish I’d bought three pairs.

9. What is your favorite memory from your wedding?

It’s impossible to narrow it down to just one! My first look with my dad, my first look with Will (with all my bridesmaids looking down and clapping from the upstairs window!!!), our bubble exit from the chapel, my sister’s toast, and dancing with my Grandy all make the list.

10. Where are some of your favorite places you’ve traveled within the U.S.? Besides Nantucket obviously!

We had a family goal to see all fifty states together and while we haven’t quite made it to all fifty, our family road trips are some of my favorite childhood memories! A few places I’d love to return to as an adult are Carmel-by-the-Sea, Jackson Hole, and Mackinac Island. Would love to hear some of your favorite U.S. destinations in the comments!