Smashing Darling Blog

Smashing Night in the Hot City

KRELwear - V-Neck Fitted Bottom Tunic
The first thing I chose it this KRELwear tunic. It is versatile and can be worn as either a top or a dress. Sure, it’s short, but who cares? It’s hot. I vote for dress, definitely. I’m a firm believer in showing a little leg.

Victorian San Francisco - Cameo Blues
To balance out the brazen leg-flaunting, I decided to go with a beautiful relic of the staid Victorian era. This is a pewter cameo reproduction by Victorian San Francisco, and it is gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. I adore cameos, and I like rocking a style that has been with us since the ancient Greeks and Romans were kicking around, yet still manages to stay relevant worldwide throughout the years.

Katie Burley - Mini Top Hat
I will admit, this one is a fantasy. I never usually have the courage to wear hats. But really, this Katie Burley mini top hat is just so freaking gorgeous that I would have to get over it. It is made with fabric feathers, and, I mean please, how could it not turn heads?

On The Inside Lingerie - Morning Glory Panties, Summersweet Bra
I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist these panties from On the Inside Lingerie. How could I not choose underwear that features the Virgin Mary on the crotch? And since I am mixing styles, why not through in a little Renaissance for good measure? Also, I love the mesh fabric, and there is a matching bra too.

ZJN4U - The Anna Purse
And finally, the ZJN4U Anna purse. It is constructed with vintage-style fabric and has a gorgeous gold handle. It’s elegant and small, but can still hold my iPhone, keys, wallet and lipgloss. Winner.

Thanks Smashing Darling!

My summer wedding is approaching and I still haven’t picked a dress for the big event. I am definitely a non-traditional bride and we already tied the knot in NYC, so I am looking for a fun, light and airy dress with some frill but easy to dance in. Organizing a wedding on the Black sea coast and inviting an international crowd is not making my task easier, especially when most of my friends are in fashion. I would like to surprise people but still be an elegant bride!
I’ve been looking at some of the fabulous designers on Smashing Darling and already like a few glam pieces:

A t-shirt ballgown like this one might be quite fun but it should really be in white!

The dead butterfly bird skull dress might not sound appropriate in name but has the lightness I like, with a summer influence and a touch of color! The butterflies are quite a wonderful touch!

I would love a gorgeous headpiece that goes with the summer, flowery, feathery theme, maybe the Beax feathered cloche.

Maybe a pale yellow silk gown with a sexy back would be the perfect summer wedding dress. I love how the back is!

I love that this bishop dress is made from organic cotton and natural dyes and it has an elegant but relaxed attitude, but I’ll have to go heavy on the jewelry for it!

And last but certainly not least the jewels. This 18 Kt gold locket necklace with sea pearls and champagne diamonds seems quite perfect to me!

And the more I dig into it the more I realize I have so much more to see: a veil, a tiara, earrings, shoes, my head is spinning from the shopping excitement!

We’ve said it before, but we will say it again…it is so great to find people out there supporting indie designers! Precisely the mission of our new friend and blogger Deanne of Dream Sequins. Go check out her blog for designer profiles, interviews with both fashion bloggers as well as brick and mortar indie fashion boutiques (oh! and websites like us, too). Deanne learned a bit more about Smashing Darling recently…but, go find her on Twitter and she will Twitter-view you too! Don’t miss her Darling picks below.

I love that there is something indie and amazing for everyone in a wide range of prices on Smashing Darling!  Here are some items that caught my eye recently:

PapuszaCouture - Bluebird Dress
I fell in love with this unique navy and brown dress from PapuszaCouture and I can’t exactly tell you why.  It rocks so many different elements: a blend of textures, shapes and colors and it really shouldn’t work; but to my eye, it’s just unique and amazing.  The only question is: where would I wear this masterpiece?  It’s a little Comme des Garcons meets suburban goth girl.  I love it!

Brooklyn Royalty - Stretch Lame Moto Capri
These stretch lame moto capris combine two key trends: the shiny legging and the shorter length nearly biker-short style legging that all the cool kids are layering under short, filmy dresses this summer.  Take a page from their book and try a little disco shine under a tunic or even a neutral floral dress to give it some zing!

ZSEGA - Coat Tracy
I picked this coat because it has some really classic elements.  When I pick a new coat, I look for workmanship (it has to last more than a season or two!) and interesting, albeit classic, details.  This one has interesting design elements.  It’s elegant, and I could imagine this in my closet for years as a cool weather staple.

Laura Dawson - Bubble Shorts
I was very anti-shorts for a long time, but now that it seems they are here to stay for women, I’m eyeing these bloomer style shorts that have the ability to make your summer ensemble a little more interesting.  I like that these shorts are bloomer style, but not infantilizing as other shorts can be when you add in cutesy details.

Dahl - Bye Bye Birdie - hand-crocheted motif over cotton
This is so classy and simple.  I love that it’s a black dress, but it has these hand-made elements in the front.  I don’t especially enjoy “crafty” clothing, but the crochet element in the front is pretty cool.

Ashes and Empires - Viviana Cut Out Spats

I looked through the Ashes and Empires accessories offering on Smashing Darling and fell in love with most of their stuff.  These turquoise spats add interest to a pair of plain heels.  I wish I had a whole closet of these spats in different shapes and colors to sex-ify my shoe wardrobe.  A great investment!

Yosifa - Sparkles Scarf
Lately I’ve been into scarves.  I used to think they were old-lady bourgeois, but with the right type of print, you can keep them modern and fresh.  I love the sparkle print on these scarves.  And I’m impressed with the fact that Yosifa does original prints and they are so affordable and unique.

Also read Dream Sequin post: ShopTalk: Smashing Darling

and Future Perfect: Parsons Thesis Collections for inspiration

Have you met Miss Elle? She is fabulous. Besides shouting out independent designers and fashion on a budget in her blog, Broke & Beautiful, she has also started TheDemoiselles.com, a site all about body-positivity, figure acceptance and, of course, fashion. On Twitter? Follow the Demoiselles darlings here: http://twitter.com/thedemoiselles.  Stay tuned this summer for a garden party soiree to kick off their new site. If you are a Seattle area designer, or have a fave Seattle designer to share, don’t be shy, drop them a line.

Well, I’ve accomplished a lot in the last 8 months. Move across the country from Seattle to Chicago – check. Somehow manage to survive with only 25% of my wardrobe – check. Survive the INSANE Chicago winter for the first time ever – check.

There’s only one thing I haven’t done yet: RELAX. I haven’t been able to stop and smell the roses once since I’ve moved. Now that a big, sweaty, humid, Midwestern summer is headed my way, it’s the perfect time to stock up on ultra-easy, breezy summer-wear.

If everything goes my way, I’ll be spending a lot of time outside, sipping delicious frozen cocktails and schmoozing. The only dress for the job? Anavaa Kisasa’s beautiful blood-orange colored maxi dress. At only $65, I can’t say no. All I want to do is sit in the sun in this dress, and pretend I’m a rich, South Beach ex-gold digger who drinks Caipirinhas and listens to Bebel Gilberto.

All play and no work makes for a homeless Elle, however, so we’ll need to acquire some summer-appropriate work-wear, as well. That’s where M641’s His Mirage dress comes in. Whether it’s hopping the train to run a few errands or just popping down to the local coffee shop for an iced mocha, I could wear this dress everywhere (and I probably would).

Being the grungy, Seattle girl I am, I always need at least one or two pieces of rock’n’roll in my ensemble, which is why I’m completely lovestruck with this Scalloped Gunmetal Necklace by Laura Lombardi. It’s simple enough to fit my versatility standards, but also unique and beautiful enough to really captivate people all by itself.

Where there’s danger, I always like to counteract it with some pure saccharin, sugary sweetness, like this Pink Deer Tote by Black Heart Bunny. A tiny, baby pink deer will leave any potential villain unassuming and vulnerable…

Last on my checklist for a perfect summer: keeping the memory. I don’t think anything could do a better job than this Shego Button Ring by Manic Trout. The amber glow of the button will definitely keep me dreaming of the warm summer rays through yet another oncoming Chicago winter.

We love when people find us, reach out and say Hi! Kate Black, founder of Magnifeco.com did just that. She noticed a common thread between our sites, and found some eco and vintage finds to add to her wish list. We like her views on ethical fashion, read those here, then take a minute to check out her Darling wishes below - so easy to make those come true. Click, buy, ship.

As always – my best motivation comes from desperation. I was invited to a BBQ this weekend, not your basic “let’s have fun” BBQ but more of an “outdoor lawn soiree.” Trying to search for the right outfit made my head spin – so, of course,in times of desperation I turn to the web for inspiration. Smashing Darling to the rescue. I would be so much happier if these beauties were in my closet:

Gina Michele believes that fashion should be fun and unique as well as wearable. This NY based designer draws her inspiration from a variety of sources, most notably vintage fashion and nature. This gorgeous Tender is the Night Dress has a draped front and back collar with braid detail. Pleated hem. Lined. Made of Bamboo jersey. $86.00

Designer Victorian San Francisco collects everything vintage, from her head down to her toes, and throughout her home.  And if she cannot use it as is, she’ll often make something new from the re-usable portions of the item. For this stamp collector bracelet vintage images are applied onto bamboo tiles. $39.99

At Hello, Fabulous Vintage only the very best pieces that they would proudly wear or use themselves are offered in their vintage collections. They think everyone should try to incorporate a piece of the past into their own unique look today, and we couldn’t agree more. Vintage brown leather pumps, $55.00

Again, from Victorian San Francisco, I love this vintage black leatherette and needlepoint tapestry purse. Called Infrastructure, the front, bottom and back of the bag are needlepoint tapestry design. $19.99

The final accessory would have to be this Joliane Heart + Soul Necklace from Manic Trout. A lovely brass heart locket carved with flowers nestles between a vintage lucite pink flower cluster and a cherry quartz stone all held together on a vintage brass chain. Gorgeous. $45.00

Vintage, sweet vintage, wherefore art thou vintage….are you in love with all things vintage? Well, my darlings, then you must go check out Market Publique! This online, vintage-only marketplace for people to buy, sell and discuss vintage fashion will surely make you drool…as well as bid away on your favorites!  We met co-founder Pamela Castillo back during NYC Fashion week, go see her (and her crew) rock their vintage wears here, and check out what she found to love in the Darling world below.

Tib Nelson Designs Lucky Penny Romper: I am all about rompers and jumpsuits this season. They have the ease of a complete outfit just like dresses, but you can sit on the grass and picnic without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions. This romper is especially cute because of its flattering cut and sailor-style buttons.

Hello, Fabulous Vintage Fish Pendant Necklace: I always wear at least one thing that’s vintage. I’d accessorize that fabulous romper with this vintage 60’s fish pendant necklace and keep the look ocean-themed.

Nothing Simple Earthy Citrine Cuff: One accessory is never enough. And I like my jewelry to make a statement. This cuff does just that.  The bigger, the better.

Bronwen Handcrafted Red Leather Mac Case:
With our new site and the blog, I am always online; which means carrying around my computer everywhere. I am loving this red leather case which is not only much more fashionable than your average neoprene sleeve, but also keeps your mac padded with luxurious faux fur.

Adolfo Sanchez Alexander Tote:
Totes are my handbag shape of choice: they fit your entire Brooklyn apartment, are easy to carry, and this black croc one goes with everything.

Brooklyn Royalty Metallic Leather Fleur Barrette:
As you may have guessed by our name, at Market Publique we love all things fake French. One of those things is this fleur de lys barrette. And since it’s from MP’s hometown, Brooklyn, I love it even more. The red color makes it pop with brunette or blonde hair, so it’s perfect for anyone.

Amy Schroeder is a New York writer, DIY culture expert, and consultant for indie entrepreneurs. She not only founded Venus Zine (in her university dorm room we might add) she also writes for Nylon, Time out, Chicago Magazine and others. We are delighted she found time to peruse Smashing Darling and share her shopping theories and fave treasures with us. Amy, many thanks to you!

Affordable Accessories:
Copper Crescent Hoops by BrooklynSoul - $20
Pretty Green And Blue Floral Vintage Square Scarf by The Vintage Scarf - $12.50

Investment Items:
Gracie hat by Anne De Pasquale - $325 This is more than just an Investment Hat — it’s a piece of artwork.

Sequin Carma Jumpsuit by Sacred Heart Collections - $175 Good for daytime, nighttime, fun time, cocktail-time. Wear bare-legged with sandals or heels in the summertime, and with tights in the winter.

Scrunchy One-Piece Swimsuit by allison leigh apparel - $78 This is so Three’s Company.

Mini Joan-Navy Blue Leather by SML Bags - $165

Silk Matka Wraps by mzz T rzz accessories & clothing -$60 It’s a wrap, it’s a skirt, it’s a poncho — it’s a three-in-one getup. Sign me up for the triple threat. In black, s’il vous plait.

The Art Gallery Curator

I started building this outfit with the ruffled shirt because I’m a total sucker for a popped collar.  I especially like this Kate Boggiano because it’s feminine and well structured, which makes it work appropriate and easily transformable for cocktail hour.

Lara Miller is my favorite Darling designer because her pieces are clean and simple, which is very much my personal style.  Pairing the blue and white striped shirt with her black cigarette capris will create a long and lean look as vertical stripes are most flattering.  And side zips are always a winner in my book.

Cinching at the waist with this precious faux leather bow belt will help to soften the structured shirt and give you some subtle curves.  Plus, a portion of every Sue Rock Original goes toward supporting the lives of survivors of domestic violence living in transitional housing.  A fashion-conscious woman should always be a socially-conscious woman first.

Donate your blazers to Goodwill and try something new this year.  3/4 length sleeves are completely appropriate for a work environment, and you don’t need a collared jacket when paired with this statement blouse.

The most efficient way to “shop your closet” is to stick to basic colors and update with colored accessories.  These yellow pieces are rich in chroma and scream SPRING! If yellow isn’t your favorite color, these Ricardo Tovar shoes and bag are handmade to order and can be custom made with a different color.  Match with understated jewelry like these lemon yellow sterling silver earrings from Elle_P Designs.