Smashing Darling Blog

We become more and more obsessed with Smashing Darling everyday. We have serious case of {heart <3 lust} for this website. LadyLux’s West Coast Editor, Macala Wright spent the week looking through every brand on Smashing Darling to bring her design hits for 2010.

2010 Smashing Designers To Watch

1. {Ao3} Designs - Brown & Oatmeal Handbag – I love the balance and symmetry of this handbag. The pattern reminds me of 1940s Hollywood Glam; being in LA, a little West coast glam is a must!

2. Cynthia Jones Jewelry – The Simply Siren Statement Necklace – This is a beautiful piece! I’m obsessed with “simple” statements and this one take the cake. This necklace goes from elegant and sophisticated to urban bohemian in less than 60 seconds.

3. Mimo – The Mimo Satchel – has been in a few or our sets. I can’t help it, I love it. I own it. It fits my 15″ Mac or my Mac Air perfectly. It’s a must have bag.

4. KRELwear – Cream Bishop Dress – This dress represents fashion forward, edgy Southern California style to a “T”. It’s amazing and could be worn at three different ways. In LA, versatility is a must.

5. Red Doll by TM – The Ingrid Jacket – is gorgeous. It’s not your average piece; at the right event, it’s definitely gonna turn a few heads and get a girl noticed. Perfect for the aspiring actress or models.

6.  Status – The Kimono Top - is effortless. It says “I don’t have to try, I just have taste.” The top can be worn your skinny jeans and ballet flats or over a pair of leggings. In the summer, it’s a dress to be worn with Sam Edelman or Frye gladiator sandals. It receives bonus points for coming in three colors.

7.  Manic Trout – Marie Louise Zsa Zsa Cocktail Ring - is amazing. It’s bold, it’s big, yet the design and wiring maintain an earthly, organic feel. We love this. We’d pair this with our Status Kimono top.

8. Vaness Quijano Jewelry - The White Brass bracelet - is extremely modern. It’s Rhianna meets your inner Valley dominatrix. With four inch stilettos, watch out! You’ll own the room with this piece. Riding whip entirely optional.

9. Sue Rock – These fabric belts – remind me of my favorite Chanel clutch handle with their design. They’re very unique and I love that the scarves are recycled, making this an eco-friendly accessory line.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

Smashing For The Holidays by MsLadyLUX on Polyvore.com

We all know the holidays gifts can be a bit blasé. In order to avoid less than stellar gifts, we fell it’s perfectly acceptable to send gift ideas, request or DEMANDS directly to a family member’s or loved one’s inbox.  Here are the LadyLUX covets for Him and Her via our favorite Indie site, SmashingDarling.  

For Her:
1. Bronwen Red Leather Mac Case – $85.00. This case is lusciously LUX. Most laptap cases are ultra modern and sleek. The Bronwen case is something entirely different; it’s glamorous and eye-catching, while being refined and tasteful. This case will be noticed in any meeting. Bonus points for how it discreetly holds the power cord.
2. Deanna Burasco’s Waffle Necklace – $45.00. Deanna’s jewelry is very unique. She uses pieces created from shrink plastic and mixes them with ribbon and metals. This is not your ordinary necklace, it’s delicate, but also make a great style statement that says, “Yes! I have fierce indie fashion taste.”  3. Merigirl Black A-Line Dress – $85.00. We know what you’re thinking, “Another black dress?” Yes, of course! We firmly believe that a woman can never have too many of these. This one is fantastic; it’s woven and stretchy – perfect for the girl needs a bit of give because of delightful indulgence during the holidays.   

For Him:
1. The Go Robot ! Defense Ring – $88.00. Men’s accessories expanded in 2009 beyond belts and shoes. It’s now acceptable for men to sport bags, goggles, necklaces and fantastic bling. This ring is masculine and notoriously sexy.
2. Mana Moon Chain Maille Bracelet – $98.00. We’re continuing with sexy accessories. This bracelet is unusual. Proceed with caution, this isn’t for rural town wearing but it’ll turn heads in major metropolitan areas from New York to Berlin.
3. Black Lego Cufflinks – $18.00. Whoever thought of these was brilliant! Any man who’d wear lego cuff links quickly instills a major case of  <3 (heart) for us. Sexy and fun!

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

Bundle o’ Joy

Bundle o’ Joy on Polyvore.com

So you brought home your new bundle of joy, and you have spent every waking moment with your beautiful baby girl, taking it all in, not wanting to miss a moment. Or maybe your sister or best friend just had a little one, and you, the favorite auntie can’t get enough of the 10 little toes. And you want to buy every cute outfit, stuffed toy and diaper accessory. Oh boy, things can get overwhelming quickly! Since we love babies and their sleep-deprived parents, we put together this list of our favorite baby items, which are as functional as they are cute. And of course, we threw in some fabulous pieces for the mom-fashionista, so that she feels gorgeous when hanging out with the mini-me fashionista!

Babywearing is a great way for the mom and the baby to bond, so we started our set with a fabulous sling. The Marimekko Samovaari Ring Sling from Bronwen Handcrafted boldly combines fashion and function in a gorgeous black-and-white pattern. The bold pattern and the beautiful rings introduce drama, while the fabric drapes beautifully. Rest assured that your baby will be safe and sound in the sling. It’s made from durable cotton and 5 times reinforced for strength. The Sling Rings are made from aluminum and designed
specifically to be used in baby carriers. They are lightweight, free of welds, strength tested, smoothed, and made of only the strongest and non-toxic materials. To match, we threw in the OiOi Moroccan Sand Hobo Diaper Bag. Now our fashion mama can look fabulous strutting down the street with the baby and all the necessary items.

What about the little fashionista? Smashing Darling has got your little one covered too! It’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with the Missoni Knit Dress from Bronwen Handcrafted. This darling little pink number is made from a missoni knit fabric, made from cotton with bits of wool and rayon as textural accents.

To keep her warm, you can layer a cute onesie under the dress. Mew Baby makes the most adorably onesies. We chose the Piggy Back design in pink on a darling white onesie.

Every girl, no matter how little she is, must have a pair of fabulous shoes. Claudia’s Bowtique has created the Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco Baby Booties, which are fit to be worn by your little princess. Made of silk pistachio green fabric, these darlings are topped with a gold ribbon, a light pink embellished trim, and a small black & white cameo button piece. How smashing is this darling?

Bronwen Handcrafted contributes the third item for our set in the form of The Bib. Cut generously, this bib will ensure that none of the baby’s food ends up on her fabulous outfit. You can even order the little princess’s initials sewn into the bib.

No baby ensemble is complete without a super soft and cuddly baby blanket. We found this amazing Baby Bella Blanket from Sara Bella Maui. This handmade super soft blanket has both, a pink furry side and a pink satin side. It’s perfect for the little princess.

And if your bundle of joy starts to burp, you will always be prepared with the Disco Dot Burp Cloth from Spoiled and Soiled. With pink dots on a chocolate background, you will still feel trendy taking care of your baby’s burping needs.

About Lil’Grams:

Children create cherished memories everywhere and all the time, at home or on the go.  Lil’Grams gives parents peace of mind that those memories will be stored, and that loved ones will get updates the way they want them. An ideal gift for new or expecting parents, Lil’Grams takes the pain out of getting organized and keeping family and friends updated, by creating a living baby book that friends and family can enjoy, no matter the distance!

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

Posted by LadyLux

Plums & Passions

created by LadyLux with Polyvore.

Now that the glitz and glamour of Fashion Weeks around the world has receded for a bit, and the holiday party circuit hasn’t started, we are ready for a fabulously laid-back outfit to sport during the fall chills.

When we saw the Hubba Jumper from Erhart Street Wear, we knew we were on to something. What a great way to stay warm and stylish! This is an easy style that can be dressed up or down, and is sure to look killer on most body types. Accented with a racer back, princess seams, and a bubble hem, and delivered in a pretty charcoal color, it is sure to delight as a perfect layering piece.

To make sure we keep our ensemble LUX and feminine, we paired the casual jumper with a pretty blouse. The Button Back Top from Poppy Sam is a darling cotton poplin number with four feminine pearl buttons in the back, and a flattering A-Line design.

Grey looks fantastic with periwinkle, so we wanted to throw in some pieces in that color scheme. To make sure our casual divas are warm, we paired a Nuno Felt Scarf Stormy Night from NESchwab. We often profile Nancy Schwab, as we find her scarves to be fun, warm, beautiful and feminine all at the same time. According to Nancy herself, “Ebony black, on handpainted black silk, is mixed with dark charcoal and deep periwinkle that makes it wearable with just about every other color you love.” The icing on this snuggle-worthy, elegant cake? The fibers are hand-mixed and organic, for a true LUX item! To match our scarf, we picked the Angela Bag from ZJN4U, which is roomy enough for work or play, while retaining a high-end look and feel.

We know that no outfit is complete without some “bling”, so we picked these classic, casual glam pieces: Hammered Classic Goldfilled Hoop Earrings from TAH, Mutli Strand Necklace with Ribbon from Marie Marie Jewelry and Vintage Jewelry Finding Adjustable Ring from Mattie Reid Chicago. The earrings feature 14-gage, gold filled and hammered wire oval hoops. We nabbed a beautiful melange of silver and gold chains for an updated spin on a multi-strand necklace with a ribbon closure. And finally, we topped our ensemble with a large vintage ring, which was repurposed from another jewelry piece, and set on top of fabric. A casual spin on a cocktail ring, we are pretty sure there’s not another one like this in the world.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

As the name of our Smashing Darling set this week suggests, we wanted to build an ensemble that is One of a Kind, unrepeatable and special. So we scoured the Smashing Darling collections, which was a monumental feat, because so many One of a Kind often handcrafted, items have found a home on the site. After all, Smashing Darling is leading the indie revolution!

A truly original piece from our set is the Water Lily Necklace created by Blazer Arts. This piece is so artistic that it was featured in the Phil London National Metals and Jewelry Exhibition in St. Petersburg in the winter of 2008. The necklace is shape like a lotus flower with a blossom made from a genuine 10mm Tahitian pearl. The designer himself describes the piece as having “layers [that are] all hand cut and hand formed and then soldered together to form a 1 5/8″ (40mm) flower.” The links in the necklace are also hand carved, but you can pair the pendant with a simpler chain for a more delicate look.

We picked the Erin Dress by Lara Miller, because we found its versatility very original, as it can be worn many several ways.  Simple and classic, it can be worn as a halter, a tube, or cap sleeve dress.

No outfit is complete without a to-die-for handbag. We also know that there is nothing more special than a vintage item, because there is probably not another one in the world (or at least in the same city). We fell in love with the 1940s Peacock Feather Purse by Willow Tree Vintage. Beaded with dark and light seed beads in a design of a peacock feather, and adorned with faux stones and enamel flowers, it shimmers and transports us to a fantasy land or retro glamour and peacocks.

Because our necklace is so complex and demands so much attention, we wanted to steer clear of other large accessories. So we chose Moonstone Granulation Earrings from Argentium777, because they are simple, yet elegant. Made with moonstones, argentium sterling silver and accented with a 24k pure gold dot at the top, these beauties are hand set in true LadyLUX fashion.

And if you get cold with fall-like winds, rains and dropping mercury, you can throw on another one of the NESchwab nuno scarves. Warm, yet delicate and stylish, they are sure to delight every time. The Nuno Felt Scarf Charcoal Lace is adorned with gorgeous bamboo and felt lace at each end. Made from silk and felt, it’s handcolored and handcrafted like the other scarves in this line.

We hope that our set will delight you and make you feel One of a Kind!

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

We got so hooked on retro glam fashion after putting together last week’s set, we decided to repeat the retro theme this week. The minute we found the Meibury dress by Mahtab Azimi, we knew it was “the one” to build the ensemble around. A simple and sophisticated dress, it flows freely to the floor, while hugging a woman’s curves. What a flattering design for just about any body type!  Maxi dresses are extremely hot this season, and allow any woman to feel like a princess. The slit detail on the sleeve is a perfect addition to this elegant and simple.

Because our our dress is dark, we decided to offset it with a cream colored purse. The Oversized Heather Envelope Clutch in Cream Capo by Brynn Chicago spoke to us with its supple leathers and an oversized design. Finally a clutch that can actually fit all of your belongings. Our favorite thing about this lovely handbag though, is the fact that it’s individually handcrafted in the Windy City!

Speaking of wind, we are well into the fall, and the weather will start to get colder and colder (well, for those of us who have seasons anyway). This means one thing: we all need a fabulous scarf to add to our closets. The Enchanted Cashmere Nuno Felt Scarf by NESchwab is as warm as it is elegant. Made with cashmere, fine merino wool, silk and bamboo fibers, it’s extremely sheer, thin and elegant. The designer herself calls it a “sheer symphony of fiber, color and texture”, and we tend to agree. The icing on this fabulous cake? It’s handcolored and handpainted!

We were so compelled by Cimber Designs in Jewelry’s glamorous pieces, that we chose two items to include in our set. The Black & Gold Snowflake ring is perfect to dress up our dress. Containing a mixture of semi precious stones, it’s a one-of-a-kind creation that’s worthy of a royal hand. The Black Onyx Briolettes will delight and play with light as they dangle from your ear at a cocktail party. In a true LadyLUX fashion, these two beauties are handmade.

They say that it’s what on the inside that counts. So what does a lady wear underneath her fabulous glam ensemble? Well, we would never tell, because we are real ladies! But we also know that a true lady would wear Smashing Darling inside and out. The Sassafrass Camisole from On The Inside Lingerie is sure to delight as it supports. You can even match it with Forget Me Not panties for a delicate lace set.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

SmashingDarling4_EW by LadyLUX on Polyvore.com

As Fall draws near, it is time to buckle down and head back into the office or back to school. For our outfit this week, I wanted to select something that is appropriate for the office, but something that can be glammed up with some beautiful accents for after work activities.

The Maddy Blouse from Kate Boggiano was a perfect place to start our office chic outfit. It looks great with just about any pair of pants or jeans, slim or wide, or a pencil skirt for the office. The dramatic ruffle neck and single-button turned-back cuff transform it into an unapologetic showstopper for that special night out. Put a wide colorful belt with it for additional drama, and cars will be stopping in their tracks. Tailored silhouette and slim fit through the hip will surely make any woman feel sexy in any setting.

Because our blouse is the focal item in this set, it needs to be paired with a simple monochromatic bottom. We chose the Crystal Pant by Yana Collection. Made of poly gabardine, this pant is easy to wear and easy to care for. It doesn’t wrinkle, and takes any fashionista from office chic to social butterfly. Flattering for any figure, the pant creates an illusion of an elongated silhouette, ensuring that every woman feels elegant, refined, lean and sexy.

We needed a bag that’s versatile and can be used either at night or during the day, so I chose the Leather Fan Bag by Adolfo Sanchez Boutique. At LadyLUX, we love ‘one of a kind’ pieces, and we were thrilled to find this handbag because of the detail and artistry that goes into making it. “Individual pieces of calf skin are sewed and gathered to look like a fan, then are each hand stitched to the exterior of the handbag,” says the designer.

At LadyLUX, we pay special attention to environmentally and socially sustainable pieces. When we went hunting around for the perfect eco accessory, we just had to add the relaxed glam of the Nuno Felt Periwinkle Scarf from NESchwab. Because there is so much drama around the neckline as it is, we recommend tying the scarf around one of the purse handles for a beautiful style statement. The scarf is a lovely deep periwinkle, accented with deep violet and plum and interwoven with real silk fibers, which makes it perfect for Fall. And best of all, it is handmade and made from organic fibers!

Because our blouse looks best with a wide belt that screams for attention, we chose the Sue Rock Originals Vintage Blue Cinch Belt, a fantastic throwback to that ‘80s style. This is also an accessory you can feel good about wearing, because a portion of every purchase goes to support the lives of domestic violence survivors in transitional housing.

To make the outfit ready for a fabulous night out, we recommend adding some beautiful sparkly jewelry, such as Parisian Earrings from Passementerie. They feature black spinel, cascading tendrils of solid sterling silver, and mystic topaz. Finally, we are rounding out these complex and beautiful earrings with a simple and understated Siren Cuff bracelet from Cynthia Jones.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.