Double digits, love and laughs

My very sweet, and even sillier, nephew Owen turns ten today. I love this picture of him and I taken just a few months after he was born. The time, oh how it flies. A decade of life. To him, maybe no big deal? But for me, ten years makes me think of all the people and places I have fallen in love with along the way to today. Life is good.

I really didn't intend on this being so sappy, I just love him lots. He has turned into a t-o-t-a-l ham just like my oldest bro, Petey, whose birthday is tomorrow. Some comic relief within a family is a very good thing. After all, as any good darling (and technically Victor Borge) would say:

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

Happy Birthday Owen!

Getting back in the flow

Smashing Darling: Featured Independent, Kate Boggiano

We know you will oooh and ahhh over these blouses and jackets by Chicago based designer Kate Boggiano, just like all of us Darlings do. Whether you are heading to the office, or out the door to a party her designs are just the right amount of sass and function, made with high quality materials, in the USA, and built to last. "When you buy a Kate Boggiano blouse, you are buying an item of clothing that will be a part of your wardrobe for years to come."

Kate Coxworth left Polo Ralph Lauren in NYC and headed home to Chicago, welcomed not only by the familiarity of her hometown, but also to the amazing support for indie/emerging designers in the Chicago fashion community. Mayor Richard Daley aims to help keep young designers in Chicago with the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State street, which is designed to help 6 emerging Chicago-based designers further launch their careers in fashion.

If you find yourself in Chicago you can find Kate Boggiano's work at the incubator, OR you can always peruse her store on Smashing Darling; even contact her if you like by clicking the contact button inside her online boutique. I'm sure she would love to hear from you.

Happy Birthday BUST!

TrishDarling in heaven, dancing with the stilt people at the BUST mag 15th anniversary party. BUST really knows how to throw a party: Amy Sedaris on the microphone, silly photo booth fun, hammock seats and cabanas to gaze out at the nyc skyline, and the amazing Lady Circus.

Darling - Venuszine Giveaway

Read TrishDarling's full blogpost here.

Subscribe for a chance to win!

Venuszine is pairing up with Smashing Darling. You subscribe to the magazine and you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to Smashing Darling. There will be 25 lucky winners for the gift certificates. Some lucky winners will also receive Necklaces from Rock Love & Albums from Santagold, Atmosphere, Free Kitten, and many others. Plenty of good stuff to go around.

Show your support for this creative, emerging, indie lifestyle by subscribing, you will be glad you did.

SMASH UP XIII - Butterflies in the Mass

JulieDarling, flitting about in the grass, in her new summer SMASH UP! Love this organic cotton tee for summer, printed down in Philly, read more here.

KRELwear interview

A few months back, in hot Miami, I was the lucky Darling that was able to go check out the studio of fashion designer Karelle Levy. It was pretty dreamy!

Get to know Karelle a little bit better in the Darling blog today (click on image), and while you are there leave a comment to congratulate her on her Style Wars win!