I’ve followed interior designer Lilse McKenna for a few years and am constantly inspired by her layered, inventive twist on traditional designs. While I don’t always gravitate towards “more is more,” I find myself craving an abundance of mixed fabrics, unexpected paint colors, and bold statement pieces any time I come across her work. Her work on this stunning family beach house in Maine–recently featured in Architectural Digest–is one of my all-time favorites. See more photos in the feature and additional peeks on Lilse’s Instagram! Photos by Read McKendree | Styling by Frances Baile ..read more

Our honeymoon is ~12 days in Italy–seven nights on the Amalfi Coast and followed by three nights in Rome. It’s pretty warm there so I’m packing for summer with a side of breezy mornings + late evenings. This is by no means a comprehensive list of everything I’m taking but I did pick up a few things to fill some wardrobe gaps ahead of our trip. I don’t typically like shopping “for occasions” so this was a little challenging (big shoutout to Claire and Nora for putting up with my indecisions), but I’m happy with what I ended up with! We’re checking two bags which we’ve literally never done, but ..read more

It’s been ages since my last “product roundup” of sorts but with events and travel back getting back in full swing, I was inspired to pull together some springy finds–a mix of things that are wedding guest-friendly, spring break appropriate, and perfect for everyday once temperatures climb. I ordered this dress (currently marked down to less than $75) and am crossing my fingers it’s as pretty in person as it is online. It keeps going in and out of stock so check back if your size isn’t available! JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content. The post Spr ..read more

I wrote about my wedding shoes almost two years ago but wanted to elaborate on why I’m obsessed with them since I’m guessing some of you are in the market for your own pair right now! I’ll talk about my dress separately but would highly recommend this Sarah Flint style as a wedding shoe, regardless of your dress silhouette. The heel height is perfect for being on your feet (2.5″), the block heel is versatile (good on grass), and the anatomical arch support makes them next-level comfortable. These would also fit the bill if you’re not the bride and are just looking for a classic pair of go-to h ..read more

Oh, 2021. Full of some really high points, and some really low points, too. It will always go down as one of the most special years of my life–we got married!–but was also probably the most trying and challenging one yet. I know many of you are in the same boat so here’s hoping 2022 is kinder to us! I wanted to share a small sampling of highlights from the past year because despite all the eh, there was a lot of good I want to remember, too. Above Walks with Millie // Snowy Central Park // Grand Central Terminal // Snowy Central Park Millie One of many al fresco meals // Soft serve forever ..read more

I’m finishing up a 2021 blog post that should go live tomorrow or Tuesday, but wanted to pop in with a rare (maybe the first ever?) Everlane basically sitewide sale. All full-priced items are 25% off for 48 hours and while returns aren’t permitted, Everlane does a great job indicating fit for all their products by picturing several models and allowing you to filter through reviews by size. If you’re a longtime reader you’ve probably heard me talk about the brand a bunch…I’ve shopped it since 2013 and their basics are truly excellent. Linking to some of my favorites at the bottom of this post ..read more

Last but not least for this year: splurge gifts! Basically my top picks over $100. I’m still adding ideas at all price points to this page and you can also see my picks for gifts under $100 and under $25. There’s also the “Holiday” tab on the homepage that has previous gift guides, recipes, and other festive goodies :) The post Splurge Gifts appeared first on Monica Dutia: The Blog ..read more

15 gift ideas under $100, for everyone on your list! I’ve been increasingly into practical gifts and looking to support smaller businesses when possible, so if that’s your preference, hopefully you’ll find some things that you’re looking for. (As a reminder, these are my $25 and under picks and you can view past gift guides here!). P.S. My roundup of Black Friday + Cyber Monday sales! The post Gift Ideas $100 and Under appeared first on Monica Dutia: The Blog ..read more

Rounding up sales that caught my eye this week! I’ll update this post as things evolve/get added. CHAPPYWRAP: 20% off sitewide with code CHAPPY20 – My picks: These are the best for everyday and we love gifting these to friends who are expecting (plus, Millie has one and loves it, too). CLUB MONACO: 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY – My picks: This skirt, this dress, and this sweater. DUDLEY STEPHENS: 25% off sidewide with code GIVECOZY J.CREW: 40% off sitewide with code SHOPEARLY – My picks: This sweater, basic tees, MARGAUX: 20% off sitewide – My picks: these slides, the classic ballet ..read more

My posting has been sporadic but you know I’ll never miss a gift guide season! Similar to last year, I’m going to put together three guides: Under $25, Under $100, and splurge gifts. I’m also going link to a bunch of the picks here…unfortunately it will only let me share items from retailers that belong to the affiliate program I work with, which means leaving off some of the smaller businesses that are featured in these dedicated guides. So I’d recommend browsing the posts first, but if you’d prefer to view more across price points at once, feel free to pop over to the shop page. As always, y ..read more