How'd you end up in Charlottesville and when did you become the owner?

Born in Ithaca, NY. Formative childhood years in Manassas, VA. High school season of life in Virginia Beach. Charlottesville, VA since 2006. I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2010 and just never left! Enchanted by Cville, I wanted to grow roots here. And now I'm proud to be a small business owner in Charlottesville’s Downtown!


What the heck is a CFSO?!

CFSO was a concept born out of 2020 -- aka the year of new challenges and big pivots. So, I became the Chief of Figuring Shit Out! The CFSO. And figure shit out I did and do. :)


If you were a color... what would it be and why?!

An iridescent rainbow, like bubbles! Color is my love language, and iridescence speaks to the core of who I am -- different depending on the angle, ever-changing and always becoming. Also, transparent as heck!


What is your fav coffee shop order?

Year round -- an oat milk latte. Not a big syrup / sweetener in my coffee gal... unless it's house-made lavender syrup. Then I'm ALL IN.

What’s the story behind the brand?

I didn’t name Darling. That was the name when I bought it in 2015. But now, it feels like I did — after a lot of time building the brand and the story. Eventually, I found what “Darling” means to me, I found the story. My story to tell. And it became #thedarlingstory.

Treasured. I used to be obsessed with collecting found objects as a little girl, from sparkly rocks on the playground to fallen feathers or wildflowers, gum wrapper tattoos and notepads/pen sets. And I always carried them in my purse. (Yes, I was a thrifty fashion diva from childhood.) These found objects were beloved treasures — to me. They were darling.

Connected. I also loved dandelions as a kid, and was probably solely responsible for their invasion in our neighborhood every year with my gusto to make a wish and spread those little fuzzy seeds across the universe. They symbolized a joyous release, a letting go to receive something new. A whimsical cycle of life.

Empowered. As I grew up, my love for those found treasures, and wildflowers, remained. And what blossomed from years of self doubt, self criticism, and body shaming was my passion for spreading this message: "You are altogether beautiful, darling."

Just like the #darlingfinds we curate, there is only one you - uniquely darling, beautifully blooming, dearly beloved. This is the anthem I want my life and my shop to exude. To empower people of all ages to feel confident, seen and connected. So that’s where the Darling (and Dashing) story came from. That's the core of who we are.

What’s one of your absolute favorite secondhand finds?

I have an entire closet filled with secondhand and handmade finds! Some of my favorite finds from the shops has been a floral vintage dress that fits like a dream, a smiley tote and smiley earrings, and the coziest bishop sleeve lavender cardigan. Just to name a recent few!

I’ve been a consigner and avid shopper at Darling since it opened in 2012. I loved it so much I even bought it! :) Still feels surreal some days to be running my own boutique. I’ve been so so blessed by this opportunity.


What’s it like being a shop owner??

As Darling continues to grow, so does my desire to foster a community of darlings empowering and supporting one another in authentic, honest, altogether beautiful ways. I’m a shop owner, a personal stylist, and a woman passionate about empowering people through fashion. I so often — too often — struggle with imposter syndrome, and combat that ugly little voice that what I do or say doesn’t matter. So running this shop, living out this calling on my life has been one I couldn’t even begin to replicate. It’s been transformative. It’s helped me find me.

Ok, but what’s it really like to be a shop owner??

It’s freaking hard LOL The most exhausting years of my life, but also the most rewarding years of my life. 32 years old and I wouldn’t change it for a thing. I took a leap of faith at just 25. And I’m so glad I said “yes” to this opportunity.