I have been hunting for a cheaper version of this bench. It is just perfect for our side yard — and by side yard I mean the extra sliver of land to the right of our house. It is currently overrun by weeds.
The dream bench is $500.
Even unpainted ones are $350.
BUT The World Market one is only $150! Now that, I can handle!
All I have to do is add white lacquer spray paint.
In other outdoor news … How cute are these Trina Turk ice buckets?!
It’s almost Easter weekend! I thought I’d share some preppy picks for the holiday. I fully believe in ladylike silhouettes and full skirts for Sunday church. I remember going with my mom to pick out a dress every year. Did anyone else have the white socks with the ruffles? My family and I used to have brunch and then hunt for eggs in the afternoon.
This year has been the year of all new traditions in North Carolina. Our neighbors open their garden for the whole neighborhood to walk though, perhaps a stroll will be my first NC Easter tradition.
P.S. I have this maxi in pink, and I’m seriously considering the green, too!
Maxi dress, Basket bag, Cork Jack Rogers
What are your Easter traditions?
For new readers I need to explain my love affair with arrows. My new last name is “Darrough,” which is pronounced “Darrow.” People get it confused so often that someone along the way started signing their correspondence with a “D” and an arrow through it. When I got the name, I embraced the motif wholeheartedly, and it just stuck.
Now, that we’re all caught up let’s move along to the eye candy.
The Louis Vuitton window display on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, FL. Just look at all those neon arrows — So clever!
Naturally, I started googling this LV arrow craze, and found this beauty in Sydney:
Hope everyone is having a lovely Thursday! I have been crazy busy (as I am sure everyone else is), but I am hoping to find some time this weekend to blog my little heart out. The good news is that I have three design clients — three! Never in a trillion years did I think this would be happening. I am over the moon!
Who is ready for Friday already? Any big plans?
xoxo, Shannon
Around here, the pineapple is the ultimate sign of Southern hospitality. Lots of houses have statues or gates with pineapples for this very reason.
I started looking around more and have found pineapples in some most interesting places. Here are five ways to decorate with pineapples:
1.) Pineapple lamps make just the right entryway statement. This one needs a paint job and it would be perfect.
2.) These pineapple vases have personality.
3.) I scored a pair of bookends at a flea market and then spray painted them gold.
4.) Rubie Green makes a fun fabric for chairs.
5.) And if you don’t use them in your home, you can wear them. I think these subtle earrings from Juicy Couture are perfect for spring/summer. Note: That may be the first time “Juicy Couture” and “subtle” have been used in the same sentence. I am just as shocked as you.
I am starting to implement a lighter beauty regimen for spring because the winter stuff is starting to feel very heavy on my face. I don’t usually do beauty stuff on the blog, but these basics are worth sharing.
In this round up you will find things I have used forever and a few new things I have just discovered. My primer, concealer, and eye cream have been the same for close to five years. St. Tropez gradual tan is my new best friend. It works and .. it doesn’t smell like the devil. YSL’s lip gloss shines, stays, and the coral shade is ultra flattering. Next, I’m not sure I have to give the Clarisonic any introductions. Let’s just say it’s everything it promises to be. Laura Mercier’s repair serum is a new favorite, too. Lastly, this Clinque rinse takes care of the cleansing and the removing makeup.
So here it is … my list of go-to products for spring!
Tanner « Lip Gloss « Eye Cream « Serum « Concealer « Primer « Clarisonic « Cleanser
I have been tweeting about this all weekend, but today is my first wedding anniversary. William and I were married one year ago. Today is all about my favorite moments!
I have to say up front that William was already living in NC. I basically planned the whole thing for him, and asked him to show up April 2nd with a bow tie. Cigar roller, pecan pie bar, and monograms all for the boy, and he loved every minute of it. 
The dress (that’s not white — it’s blush).
My girls ..
… And their Wellies. Oh, yes, this happened.
The boys in bow ties …
The first dance. 
Just the details …
Cigars a.k.a the way to William’s heart (that and bourbon).
It would just be weird if we didn’t have matchbooks.
Happily ever after …
For more Darrough fun … check out the rest of our wedding on The Knot.
I feel like I can’t neglect our “child” … it’s Sawyer Darrough‘s birthday, too. Lawsy … so much to be thankful for today.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday! Are there any brides-to-be? I want to hear PLANS!!!
… KUDOS.
You are fabulous, dahling, and I think everyone tell you this weekend. Have a lovely one!
xoxo,
Shannon
Image from here … does anyone know who the photographer is? I would love to know!
Y’all, I must be crazy because I am doing this all over again. I am venturing into a whole new aspect of business: interior decorating. I don’t think I have ever been so fired up in my life. My passion/hobby has melded into a career for me. There is a quote that says, “Let what we love, be what we do.” I FINALLY understand what that concept is all about … or in the words of Say Yes to Hoboken I have found “the sweet spot.”
So, here I go on by far the scariest adventure of my whole life. My name is Shannon Darrough, and I am an interior decorator. I researched like a mad fool, talked to a ton of designers, and decorated many a friend’s home. I am ready and so willing to come make your place feel like the home you want (or covet on Pinterest). I will always write because I always have, but interior design has been my secret dream for a long time. I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t go off and chase that dream.
Let’s do this, y’all. Here’s what I can do …
Thanks for all the support and encouragement!!
xoxo,
Rooms filled with mass produced art make me cringe a little. Don’t get me wrong there is a way to mix in some of those pieces. Just make sure your room isn’t stuffed with things you found at a large consumer store. Gradually obtaining art makes a room much more personal. Some pieces will be investments, but others can simply make a statement.
Right now, I am into large framed photography.
I want to jump right into this cozy bed.
Arthur Elgort, Stella Diving, Vogue 1995
This landscape adds a serene touch.
Photography: Jason Schmidt in SoHaute
Anna Burke, of Kemble Interiors, found this photograph for $2, which proves that artwork doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It just needs to add character to the room and resonate with you.
I lean towards ocean scenes because they are so peaceful. I found this one by Marine Hugonnier in the August issue of House Beautiful.
The next one has been blogged about a lot, but it took my breath away when I saw it. I love the fact that it’s not a Leave-it-to-Beaver posed shot where everyone is forced to smile. Wait, I think I love that about all photography.
Lulu DK for Lonny.
What artwork strikes your fancy?
I’m not even raising the question of whether Caitlin Wilson’s dining room wall of vintage fashion prints is greatness. Let’s say it in unison … “greatness.”
She picked them up in France at a flea market two years ago. I’m so happy she finally framed them!
